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The city of Arkaris never truly slept. Even in the dead of night, when most people sought rest, the underbelly of the city thrived. Thieves, assassins, and those who brokered in secrets operated under the veil of darkness. And in a small, dimly lit room overlooking the lower district, Lucian Vale continued his business.
The flickering glow of a single enchanted lantern cast long shadows across the sparse room. Papers detailing transactions lay scattered across his desk, each marked with a signature—testaments to the agreements he had made. Every name carried a weight, a debt accumulating day by day, each client growing more entangled in his web.
Lucian knew that power was intoxicating, but debt was a silent executioner. Some would pay their dues. Others would try to run.
And running never ended well.
As he sat in his chair, fingers steepled together, his thoughts were interrupted by a firm knock on the door. Lucian didn't flinch. He already knew who it was. The subtle presence beyond the door, the precise rhythm of the knock—it all told him what he needed to know.
"Come in," he said coolly.
The door creaked open, revealing a familiar figure. The merchant from two days prior. The man who had borrowed Enhanced Negotiation, desperate to outmaneuver his competitors.
Lucian noted the dark circles under the merchant's eyes, the nervous twitch in his fingers. The man had tasted power—but he had also begun to feel the weight of the debt.
"Lucian…" the merchant's voice was strained. He stepped forward, his expression pleading. "I—I need more time."
Lucian arched an eyebrow. "More time?" he repeated, feigning curiosity.
The merchant swallowed hard. "The skill… it worked. Better than I ever imagined. My negotiations have been flawless, my rivals are losing ground, and my profits have doubled. But—" He hesitated, lowering his gaze. "The debt. The interest is too much. It keeps growing. I thought I could keep up, but now I realize… I can't. Not at this rate."
Lucian leaned back in his chair, studying the man. This moment was inevitable. Every borrower came to this realization eventually. The allure of power faded, replaced by the creeping dread of inescapable debt.
"I see," Lucian said simply. His voice was calm, but his words carried an undeniable weight. "You understood the terms when we made the deal. Ten percent interest, compounded daily. That was the agreement."
The merchant clenched his fists. "Please… there must be something I can do. A way to delay it. Something to lessen the burden."
Lucian's lips curled into the faintest of smirks. Ah, here it is. The bargaining. The desperation.
"There is always another option," he said smoothly. "I could take something else from you, in place of the growing interest."
The merchant stiffened. "What… do you mean?"
Lucian's eyes gleamed as he observed the fear creeping into the man's features. "A trade," he explained. "Skills are not the only thing I can deal in. I can take memories, experiences, talents—things that are deeply personal to you. In exchange, I can lessen your debt."
The merchant's breath hitched. "You mean… pieces of myself?"
Lucian's smile remained. "If you prefer to see it that way."
The room fell into tense silence. The merchant's hands trembled at his sides, his mind undoubtedly racing through the implications of the offer.
Then, he took a shaky step back. "No… I—I can't." His voice was barely a whisper. "I won't do that."
Lucian's expression remained unreadable. "Then you will continue to pay your debt, as agreed."
The merchant's face twisted in frustration. His gaze flickered toward the door, as if considering escape. Foolish. There was nowhere to run.
After several agonizing seconds, he turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Lucian exhaled softly, unfazed. It was only a matter of time before the merchant came crawling back. They always did.
Just as he was about to turn his attention back to his papers, another knock came. This one was different—sharper, more precise.
Lucian's eyes narrowed.
"Enter."
The door opened, and this time, it wasn't a client.
A tall, cloaked figure stepped inside, moving with controlled grace. Their face was hidden beneath the hood, but the sheer pressure of their presence was undeniable. Lucian knew immediately that this person wasn't an ordinary citizen. They commanded too much respect in the way they moved.
Lucian didn't speak. Instead, he waited.
The figure reached into their cloak and tossed something onto his desk. A sealed letter—bearing an insignia he recognized immediately.
The Crest of the Arkaris Council.
Lucian's gaze flickered to the letter, then back to the figure. "I wasn't aware that the Council had business with me."
A soft chuckle came from beneath the hood. "You deal in power, Lucian Vale. Power is something the Council watches very closely."
Lucian tapped his fingers against the desk. "And? What do they want?"
The figure's voice was amused, but there was an edge to it. "Not all of them see you as a problem… yet. But you are becoming anomalous. Your influence is spreading. Your debts are reaching dangerous levels."
Lucian smirked. "And the Council is concerned?"
"They are curious," the figure corrected. "They want to know where this path of yours will lead. Whether you will become an ally… or an enemy."
Lucian leaned forward slightly, his expression unreadable. "And what about you? Are you here as their messenger? Or are you interested for your own reasons?"
The figure chuckled again. "Both."
Lucian reached for the letter but didn't open it yet. "Then tell me… what does the Council intend to do?"
The figure's voice dropped lower. "For now? They watch. But watchful eyes can turn into binding chains if you are not careful."
Lucian finally tore open the letter, his gaze scanning the contents. His smirk deepened.
"So they want a meeting," he mused. "Interesting."
The figure took a step back. "Be careful, Broker. The Council does not like unpredictable players."
Lucian met the figure's hidden gaze. "Neither do I."
The figure chuckled one last time before stepping toward the door. "We will see where your path leads, Lucian Vale. But tread carefully."
And with that, they were gone.
Lucian remained seated, his fingers idly tracing the edge of the letter. The Council's interest was inevitable, but this development was coming sooner than expected.
A challenge, then. A game of power that extended beyond mere transactions.
Lucian allowed himself a small, knowing smile.
Let them watch.
He would show them exactly what kind of force they were dealing with.
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End of Chapter 4