章節 35: Longbow of Precision

Stepping out of the Capsule Device that connected Vecna to Satisfy, the first thing he did was to begin stretching his arms and let blood circulate on his unflinching body that rested inside the capsule for 5 straight hours.

It was worse than being a Truck Driver.

'Damn, why my body is so sore after only 5 hours? Maybe I wasn't meant for this job that gamers do without even complaining.'

'But hey. Money is money regardless if my body itches after getting up.'

'Probably it's also because those are cheap capsules. Yeah, certainly this one.'

'Cheap built, shit confort. Available now at only 1.200$.'

'When I get home, I'll really look into Capsule Devices, one of the High-End cause I want to continue working Full-Time, not visit doctors for various problems I'll develop down the drain.'

As he was contemplating life in general, he made sure to stretch his body and give a shock to his system, stretching his limbs leisurely later on, his movements were practiced as in for a person who worked out.

His blonde hair fell neatly around his face, its golden hue contrasting with the casual attire he wore. His green eyes, usually cold and beastly inside Satisfy, held a calmer, more observant quality in the real world.

If the folk from the tavern Vecna spent his time eating were to stare at him, they could faill to observe a big difference between his true appearance and what his looks were inside Satisfy.

He was a good-looking man who took care of his body.

Taking off from the Capsule Room, he arrived at the changing room, passing by the customers who entered and exited the reception hall.

He stepped out wearing a well-fitted black leather jacket that exuded a touch of sophistication. The jacket's clean lines and minimalistic design showcased his preference for simplicity without sacrificing refinement. Underneath, he donned a deep green, crew-neck long-sleeve shirt that subtly emphasized his lean physique.

His choice of trousers was a dark pair of slim-fit jeans, tailored to his form. Completing the ensemble were a pair of sleek black leather boots that added a subtle edge to his look.

Exiting the gaming club, he exchanged a brief nod with the cashier, a gesture that conveyed familiarity.

"You're good?" asked the middle-aged man at the counter, noticing that Vecna was about to leave.

"Yeah, sure. I'll be back. Just a brief walk to freshen up."

Vecna's casual clothes gave him a relaxed appearance, but his demeanor remained composed, as he began walking on the streets of Bucharest.

The cool air of the late February day brushed against his skin, and he relished the sensation, his senses adjusting to the tangible world around him.

'Hah'

He sighed inwardly as he passed past people going about their lives, watching the remnants of the past of this city. The earthquake-resistant Interbellum structures that weathered the disaster of a not so long past, stand side by side with a few abandoned buildings that survived the quake but were left in disrepair.

Romania had always struggled in maintaining the structural integrity of its buildings because of political reasons, huge amounts of indifference, and corruption in the Elite establishment, and this hurt the Country a lot.

With a major earthquake that hit around the Subcarpathian Region, shaking the Core of Eastern Europe with a quake of 8.1 magnitude, it turned Bucharest into a rubble of debris, as if an Atomic Bomb was dropped over the poor citizens. (#A/N: Remember, this is fictional, the story is set in 2070s. Such a magnitude quake 7-8 scale might happen earlier and level the city to the ground.)

Nonetheless, from suffering, people hardened up their resolve, and with decades and a shift into the mentality of urban planning and architecture, the city slowly retook its shape in a new form.

The once "modern" style of architecture that uglified the whole world with its defective designs and plans was discarded, angering the Woke Western establishment, resulting in certain scorn over the country.

Yet, here were the streets of Bucharest after turning over a new leaf, from the perspective of the Westerners who only knew the look of those ugly building blocks and boring generic copied plans employed by everyone, the visage of the streets of Bucharest immersed them in a fusion of historic charm and futuristic sensibility.

The city's skyline is now dominated by a harmonious blend of architectural styles. The streets are lined with elegant buildings that draw inspiration from the Interbellum period, characterized by Art Deco, Neo-Romanian, and Neo-Classical elements.

Intricate facades adorned with decorative motifs, wrought iron balconies, and ornate cornices harken back to a bygone era.

Victory Street that Vecna was strolling to relax his mind, once a bustling thoroughfare, remains the heart of the Old Town. While many of the new buildings stand as shining examples of the city's commitment to revival, there are still remnants of the past.

These remnants create a poignant contrast between the resilient past and the city's aspirations for the future. Efforts are being made to rehabilitate these buildings, but their neglected state serves as a reminder of the challenges faced during the reconstruction.

'They are turning a blind eye to the state of those buildings again. As if they no longer remember the event from 30 years ago?'

'I can be conscious of that possibility, yet old men in their 60s and 70s don't even care.'

'It's a bit depressing when I think about this.'

Reaching closer to a park that had small remnants of snow in stubborn corners, such a place became an essential element of the revitalized Urbanistic Planning. Where there once stood communist blocks of concrete, you now find vibrating public plazas adorned with fountains, sculptures, and gardens that slowly woke to life from their winter slumber.

These areas provide residents and visitors alike with places to gather, relax, and appreciate the beauty of the reconstructed city.

This was Vecna who took a seat on a bench, watching the people passing by and staring at the vegetation that had yet to flourish. In a sense, the moments of peace and quiet the park offered him were like a Healing Potion to his mental health.

'Need to sort the Visa's Applications for everyone and I should be ready for the travel in Saudi.'

'Glad that it doesn't take long with the AI confirmation process.'

About 50 minutes later, he returned to the gaming club, a faint sense of freshness surrounding his body, confirmed by his demeanor.

"Hey, you're back? Aren't you missing out from Satisfy by taking such long break? Your aspirations for an Pro Gamer wouldn't last for long."

"Hmm. Nothing you should worry about. Still, thanks for the worry, but I'm a human too, not a robot."

"I need breaks or I'll get crazy."

He greeted the cashier in his indifferent fashion, even if one could say they had many interactions, it wasn't to the point Vecna would label this guy his acquaintance.

The brief stroll had provided a refreshing interlude, a chance to recalibrate between his virtual and physical existences.

Walking inside the Capsule Room, his first instinct was to guide himself toward his original Capsule that he played for 6 months each night, but it was occupied since he began his work at 10 AM.

'Tsk. Take a break, you gaming nerds. You'll grow roots to that Capsule and be milked dry by the Bosses.'

It would be dismissing to say Vecna wasn't annoyed by the fact he couldn't keep his streak of playing on the same Capsule. Its tapestry modeled itself to his body after his continuous use, and ironically he started thinking about something silly.

'That's the reason I feel my back hurting after only one day in this new thing.'

'Apart from being cheap quality, it's not used by me.'

Shifting his path to the Capsule he used today, he stepped inside reclaiming his spot, the familiar hum of the Capsule Device's mechanisms becoming a comforting backdrop.

'I'll take my meal here, so the seating has some adjustments done.'

Before diving back into the Virtual World, Vecna took a meal break.

The aroma of his little sister Silvia's cooking filled the room, the tantalizing scent making his mouth water. Seated at an extensible dining table, he savored each bite, the flavors mingling on his palate. Despite his enigmatic persona, he found solace in these simple moments of domesticity.

'My little Princess will always take care of his foolish older brother.'

His monotonous expression shifted to a large smile for once today, and it was all thanks to his little sister that didn't mind spending her free time cooking a meal for him. Unimaginable in today's day and age to see a young girl, 14 years of age, doing household chores.

She matured early, and this transformation to the innocent, cheerful sister that he remembered not too long ago, split his heart in two.

For once he was glad that she understood that life was hard and as siblings, they should support each other, while on another hand, he felt pained because she still had a lot of years to enjoy her childhood.

--(Long Sigh)--

'Hah.'

'I am sorry. That's all I could do for you.'

The end of the meal cheered his downed mind a bit, and while enjoying his meal, he glanced at his phone, checking the notifications that had accumulated during his time in the game and on his walk.

Among them were messages from Jishuka, catching his attention. He noted the time difference and understood that she had just woken up. His eyes scanned the messages, and he took a moment to compose his response.

[Jishuka]: (11:05 AM) Hey Vecna, sorry for the confusion caused by the time difference. I just woke up a while ago.

[Jishuka]: (11:07 AM) Damn, it seems you're once again ignoring my messages. So hateful.

However, I can't say that I'm not glad you're willing to discuss the Longbow of Precision. How about we get into a call when you're inside Satisfy? I just began my day inside Satisfy, I'll be online for 12 hours.

[Jishuka]: (11:09 AM) Don't forget to call me when you log on

Vecna's fingers moved over the phone's screen as he typed his response, his thoughts somewhere else entirely to what the red-haired beauty wanted to believe.

[Vecna]: (5:32 PM) No worries, customer. Looking forward to our discussion about the Bow, but don't expect I'll do charity work.

He sent the message and set his phone down in a cold, indifferent fashion as he munched on some cookies.

Only after he cleaned around the capsule, not behaving less than a pig who slept in his defecation. After all those basic chores, he turned his Capsule on and logged back inside Satisfy, being welcomed by the scene inside the Tavern Room where both Elysia and Maribel slept on their individual beds.

As he entered the private room, his gaze reverted back from Elysia and Maribel, and instead turned to walk towards the opened window. With an almost ethereal speed, he stepped onto the frame, pausing for a brief moment allowing the night breeze to touch his cold face.

'It's only been 5 hours from my log out.'

'Mhmm, let me get a better view of the city.'

With that thought in mind he propelled himself upwards, his lean figure displaying a phantom-like agility as he climbed to the top of the building displaying the versatility of 'Uncanny Grip' under his Potence Awakening Skill Tree.

From this vantage point, he surveyed the cityscape of Valoria with a sense of detached amusement.

The city lights painted a canvas of bustling activity below, a stark contrast to his current perch where he found a moment of solitude. The allure of the night held a certain elegance, and his crimson eyes caught the glimmers of the moonlight on the sprawling architecture.

After surveying in the distance, panning out in his mind the layout of the city, soon his crimson eyes were fixed on the Duchess Palace, and a malicious smile graced his lips.

"We will meet soon, Duchess. Not in the circumstances you want, but under my terms."

The power dynamics of the Satisfy World were no different from those in the real world, and Vecna knew how to manipulate them to his advantage.

Meanwhile, in another part of the Satisfy World, in the Port City of Armsland of Eternal Kingdom, the atmosphere was normal for a group of players.

Jishuka sat in a corner of the bustling tavern located in the heart of Armsland City, a bustling port city nestled on the edge of the Eternal Kingdom and bordering the Saharan Empire, only split apart by the Narrow Sea.

Her lithe figure was adorned in a hunter's attire, the fabric and leather expertly crafted to allow for maximum agility while also hinting at her toned physique. Her vibrant red hair cascaded down her back like a fiery waterfall, a stark contrast against the green of her forest-green eyes that held an air of intensity.

Around her, the tavern was alive with the clinking of tankards, the hum of conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter. Guildmates from <Tzedakah> sat with her, discussing their recent exploits and victories, but her attention was divided.

A notification pinged in her peripheral vision, alerting her to the return of the one she was anticipating.

[User 'Vecna' has logged inside.]

'Finally. He's here.' slight relief surfaced on her gorgeous face.

What she thought it would take just a minute or so, turned into dozens, and her anticipated call ceased to come.

'He's really ignoring me, even when he got inside the game.' thought the young woman, her delicate eyebrows rising up in annoyance.

'Does he have amnesia problems?'

'Like. What is his problem? Making me stay up and waiting for his reply, then waking me up with a stupid answer.'

Various scenarios formed in her head, reasons why Vecna wouldn't call her when she told him to do so.

"Something is wrong Leader?"

"No. I'll be out for a brief moment. Continue without me." said Jishuka, excusing herself from the gathering/celebration she had with her Guildmates for clearing a difficult Boss.

Pushing herself away from the table, Jishuka excused herself with a polite nod and a smile, her departure going unnoticed amidst the camaraderie of her guildmates.

#Vantner: Toban, what's wrong with Jishuka? Did I fuck up against that Boss Spider, 'Arachnar, the Forest Weaver'?

#Toban: Well. I don't know. We cleared the boss thanks to my Awesome, Unique Rated Sword. We were also unlucky because the loot was garbage. Only you Faker took some benefits.

#Faker: You mean the Boots I got which aren't even that great? Forget it, think what you wish.

#Vantner: It's fine. At least we leveled up. No complaining here. I'll soon hit level 175.

#Toban: Soon? You mean you'll hit 178 next month, around the same day?

#Vantner: Damn, can't you not rub salt on my wounds? You know that leveling solo is hard for a Guardian Knight.

The core members of the Tzedakah Guild were also the ones vocal, some joined in, others just minded their business, and there were also exceptions for individuals who hid certain "secrets" from their close mates.

This was the case for the captivating beauty seating on one side of the table with another female colleague of hers.

With a cascade of vibrant orange hair that seemed to shimmer like flames under the sunlight, Laella tried to not be a standout in this discussion. Her striking green eyes remained quiet, hiding her secret from others.

She had a hunch of why Jishuka looked so annoyed for no reason, and that emotion wasn't foreigner to her.

'Must be that Vecna guy. She acted out the moment he got online. Well, I can't complain, hehe. I will soon get my hands on that Blazing Nova.'

She shifted the position of her legs, in doing so standing out as her curvaceous figure exuded confidence, emphasized by her ample breasts, slim waist, and rounded hips.

#Vantner: You want to say something Laella?"

"Me? Why?"

#Vantner: Your reaction seems to tell you about why Jishuka is acting up.

"Nop, I have no clue."

Outside the tavern, the air was crisp and invigorating, as Jishuka leaned against the stone wall, her eyes scanning the interface of her Direct Messages and Calls. Out from the tavern, she didn't see the call coming.

To take off some frustration raising on her bosom, she stomped on the ground, imprinting the slender shape of her Huntress Boot and opening the friend list she scrolled for Vecna's name.

She was overwhelmed by her hot-headed personality, yet when she reached Vecna's name, she noticed something peculiar and couldn't help herself but ask confused.

'Wasn't this guy level 1 five days ago? Is this a glitch or what? How could his level be 76?'

'Did he get PLVLed while I was busy dealing with Arachar? Must be the logical explanation.'

[You have received a call request from user 'Vecna'.]

Her eyes scanned the interface as she navigated the call request. With a quick tap, the connection was established, and there he was—Vecna, an enigmatic figure with golden blonde hair and a pair of piercing crimson eyes, his background the starry night sky.

Jishuka felt calmer when she came face to face with the handsome Vampire, even though it was a holographic image of himself.

For a moment, she observed him. He exuded an air of detachment, a calm that bordered on indifference. She couldn't deny the striking contrast between his composed demeanor and her own fiery spirit.

Still, she was no stranger to negotiations, and she had her own reputation as a renowned Guildmaster and High-Ranker to uphold.

Vecna had an expressionless face as he stared at the red-haired beauty who had a curvaceous body, but obviously, from his indifferent look, there wasn't much interest from Vecna.

Not that he didn't appreciate beauty, but the contrast between their personality was too evident. And maybe the same could be said for Jishuka who was beyond frustrated with his approach to handling business.

Vecna's lips twitched into a barely perceptible smile as he read Jishuka's fiery words, his gaze fixed on the interface that connected them.

#Vecna: Greetings. Should we start with our negotiation? Let me link the Bow again so I refresh your memory about its stats.

[Longbow of Precision]

Rating: Epic

[Durability: 203/203| Attack Power: 180-288 | Bow Attack Speed +10% when wielded by Intermediate Bow Masters

…

As the details of the 'Longbow of Precision' materialized on their screens, Vecna's calm demeanor contrasted with the tension brewing in their conversation.

#Jishuka: No apologies for keeping me up? You only care about my money and how to get more for your items.

Vecna's eyes sparkled with an almost playful glint, a hint of amusement beneath his icy exterior.

#Vecna: Pardon me? Was I sleeping next to you to keep you up? I doubt and I bet you wished for that.

Despite her fiery attitude, Jishuka's resolve seemed to falter slightly in the face of Vecna's composed response.

#Vecna: Don't get railed up with me and retort back. I never said I'm interested in your money or ever wanted to extort more. Do I seem like a scammer?

With a slight quirk of his lips, Vecna's words were a calculated reminder that their negotiation was still a business transaction.

#Jishuka: Alright. This is a misunderstanding from both of us. Now I know at what hours I can get in contact with you.

#Jishuka: Let's get back to the bow. How much do you want for it?

As their conversation continued, Jishuka's defiance clashed with Vecna's unflinching demeanor. He maintained his cold composure, his responses concise and devoid of emotion.

#Vecna: Offer. Make it worth my time.

#Jishuka: Boy, don't be arrogant with me. You're still a low-level scrub that begs to be allowed in my guild.

Vecna was looking at Jishuka with an amused expression, nodding at her, and confirming with a sarcastic 'Yeah, sure.'

#Vecna: If you're not going to offer me a price. I'll start setting the price. 235,000 Gold for the Bow.

#Jishuka: "Hmph, you think I will fall for your inflated prices? You're just trying to take advantage of me because I need this bow."

#Vecna: "I assure you, I am not running a charity here. The price I ask is based on the value of the item."

#Jishuka: "You think you're so clever, don't you? Well, I won't be played like a fool."

#Vecna: "Nor will I be coerced into lowering my prices beyond reason."

After a series of back-and-forth exchanges, their standoff began to relent. Jishuka's demeanor shifted slightly, showing a hint of frustration mingling with her determination.

#Jishuka: "Fine, fine! I'll give you 205,000 gold for that bow. But don't expect me to be happy about it."

#Vecna: "A reasonable offer. And I assure you, I'm not seeking your happiness, merely a fair exchange."

As the conversation concluded on a more agreeable note, Jishuka's words softened, her resolve giving way to a begrudging acceptance.

#Jishuka: "You're not as terrible as I thought. At least you're willing to meet in the middle."

Vecna's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile, an acknowledgment of their successful negotiation.

#Vecna: "I'm glad we could reach an agreement. I can sleep peacefully knowing this Bow would be put to good use."

The tension in their exchange gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of mutual understanding, even if begrudgingly acknowledged.

#Jishuka: We'll do it the same way? C.O.D?

#Vecna: Of course. However, if you really want to meet me and maybe punch my face, you can meet me in Valoria.

He was sarcastically taunting Jishuka whose expression along the negotiation couldn't hide her desire of beating the shit out of him. Something unachievable from his perspective, but he still decided to give her a chance.

#Jishuka: It would take me one week in real-time to get to Valoria. Do you think I'll lose out on precious time just to beat a low-level scrub? Maybe I tell Bloodhound where to find you.

#Vecna: So scared. However, this might be your last and only chance to say you defeated me. Time is ticking for many of you High-Rankers. The same goes for that moron Bloodhound.

Jishuka's expression tightened, a mixture of irritation and contemplation crossing her features.

#Jishuka: Sure. By the way, I meant to ask. How did you level up so quickly that you're soon to reach level 100?

#Vecna: Secret. I would have to take you down if you knew this information.

Vecna's calm reply left Jishuka's curiosity unsatisfied, but she couldn't deny the intrigue in his demeanor. There was more to this enigmatic player than met the eye, and it both irked and intrigued her.

#Vecna: Well. Since we had a productive conversation. Let's end it while the flowers are blooming. Take care, dear customer. Have my gold ready cause I'll turn in the items on the C.O.D.

[User 'Vecna' has ended the call]

Having the holographic image of the handsome blonde man vanishing in tin air, left Jishuka with a bitter taste in her mouth. She had more questions to ask, maybe an important one that would secure the spot of her Guild on the pinnacle of Satisfy World.

"Jackass. Leaving whenever you want."