Negotiating Shadows

The day was already underway as Vecna accompanied his mother, Elena, to the clinic. He had an aura of weariness about him, giving off the impression that he was running on low energy. Despite his apparent fatigue, he was determined to ensure his mother received the best care.

Vecna's visit to the clinic with his mother had been an emotionally charged experience, marked by worry, stress, and the need to navigate the complexities of his mother's condition. 

He had acted as a pillar of support and guidance, doing his best to ensure that his mother received the care she needed. However, as he led Elena to the clinic and handed her over to the capable nurses and doctors, he allowed himself a brief moment of respite.

The clinic's waiting area was bustling with people, a diverse mix of patients and their families, each lost in their own thoughts or conversations. With Silvia and Alex trailing behind him, Vecna made his way to a coffee vending machine.

He needed something to help recharge his energy and his spirits, and without further thought, he made his way to the coffee machine, his tired eyes in dire need of some caffeine to kickstart his energy.

The machine offered an array of options, but he opted for a strong black coffee. He needed the jolt of caffeine to keep him alert and focused, even though he felt drained. 

Vecna inserted the necessary coins into the vending machine for his black coffee, and the machine came to life with a soft hum. He tapped the button for the coffee, eagerly awaiting the moment when he could savor the rich, aromatic brew.

Proceeding with his order, he felt that something was missing, so he walked closer to another vending machine.

As Vecna approached the vending machines, his younger siblings, Silvia and Alex, followed closely behind. He turned to them with a hint of exhaustion in his voice, "Alright, you two. While I'm getting my coffee, is there anything you want from the vending machines?"

Silvia, always practical, replied first. "I'll have a turkey sandwich and a bottle of water, please."

Alex, absorbed in his phone, muttered without looking up, "I'm good, just get me a bag of chips."

Vecna nodded, relieved that their requests were straightforward. "Alright, turkey sandwich for Silvia, chips for Alex. Got it."

He proceeded to make the selections, punching the buttons on the machine, and the items slid out neatly. Silvia and Alex each received their chosen snacks, and Vecna made sure to grab an extra sandwich for their mother, Elena, before moving on to get his black coffee.

Once he had his coffee and snacks in hand, Vecna surveyed the waiting area for a suitable place to sit. He needed a moment of solitude to clear his mind, gather his thoughts, and regain his composure. It had been a long day, and he could feel the weight of fatigue beginning to settle in.

Balancing the cup of hot coffee in his hand, Vecna navigated through the waiting area, searching for a quiet corner where he could enjoy a few moments of solitude. 

'Let's get to a secluded location by the windows, it would go along with my coffee.'

He spotted an empty seat, far from the crowd, and made his way toward it. He settled into the chair, feeling relieved that he could finally have a moment to himself, uninterrupted by the constant flow of people around him.

'Finally, some silence and peace of mind. It's really tiresome interacting with so many people.'

As he took slow sips from the steaming cup of coffee, the caffeine began to work its magic. Taking another sip of the hot brew, he felt more awake and alert. 

The clinic's bustling activity around him seemed to fade into the background, leaving him with a sense of solitude and clarity. He could now think more clearly, process his emotions, and plan his next steps.

With each sip, his sleep-deprived mind started to shake off its grogginess, and his energy began to return. The warmth of the coffee was a soothing comfort, bringing him back to life.

'Hmm?'

It was in this serene moment that a voice spoke to him in English, catching him off guard. It was the Asian woman from the previous day, the one who had looked familiar but whom he hadn't initially recognized. He turned his attention toward her, his expression guarded and uninterested.

'Who is she? Why does she feel familiar? Is this a Déjà vu?'

"You should change to Matcha Tea," she suggested, her words carrying a hint of amusement. "Coffee is a thing of the past. It gives you a boost for a short while, but then your adenosine will cause your whole sleep to crash on you."

Vecna didn't feel like engaging in conversation, especially with someone he barely knew. He took another sip of his coffee and feigned ignorance in a pathetic manner as he waved his hand dismissing her. "Me, no, speak, English."

The woman, undeterred by his lack of response, reached into her bag and pulled out a container of matcha tea. She held it out to Vecna and said, "Here, take this. I'll get myself another cup of Matcha."

Vecna, who had devised a plan to avoid interaction, decided to feign ignorance to dissuade her. He pretended not to understand her and replied, "Me, no, speak English."

The woman didn't miss a beat and responded, "And yet you could understand what I said, based on your body language."

Vecna continued with his act, insisting that he couldn't speak English. 

'Hey, leave me be. You should take the clue and not approach me. I'm not in the mood for chatting.'

Seeing how Vecna tried to signal her to go somewhere else and not disturb him, with a bull-like expression, triggered a sneer from the beauty. "You think this tactic of dismissing me works? Try harder, handsome."

"Personal space. No." replied Vecna feigning ignorance, but his expression turned colder by the second.

Undeterred, the woman asked, "Then, can I have a seat?"

Vecna, felt defeated but the same unbothered, he removed the mask he couldn't speak and understand English and told the asian woman in fluent native English. "Do whatever you want, just don't bother me."

Her actions, however, suggested she had no intention of leaving. She took a seat beside him, seemingly content with her decision. Vecna shifted in his chair, his irritation growing.

"It seems that managing the campaign of Summit's Crest is quite taxing for you, Vecna," she remarked casually.

Vecna turned his head to study her, his gaze piercing. "And with whom do I speak, to be recognized outside of VR? You do look familiar, but I haven't bothered to check and find my answer."

Meanwhile, Silvia, who had been munching on a sandwich not far from Vecna's location, had noticed the beautiful woman engaging her elder brother in conversation. 

She recognized the woman at first glance as a Modeling Star who had appeared in numerous cosmetic and fashion commercials worldwide, Yuna. Silvia couldn't help but wonder if Vecna had offended her in some way.

As Silvia observed her elder brother, Vecna, in conversation with the famous model Yuna, whom most knew by her gamertag Yura, she couldn't help but misunderstand the situation. 

She assumed that Vecna might have gotten himself into yet another heated argument, which was not uncommon given his occasional mood swings and his tendency to speak his mind without filters.

Silvia took a few more bites of her sandwich while keeping a close eye on the situation. Alex, her other sibling, was engrossed in his phone and seemed unaware of the unfolding drama.

She decided to take matters into her own hands.

Glancing over at Alex, she muttered to him in a hushed tone, "Alex, stay right here. I need to check on Adrian."

"Hmm? Thanks, sis."

"You better don't eat my sandwich, or I'll kill you."

Alex, engrossed in whatever had captured his attention on his phone, where footage of the Global Phenomenon called Satisfy was being displayed, nodded without looking up. "Sure, Silvia. Don't be long."

Silvia quietly placed her sandwich down and began to approach Vecna and Yuna. She could feel the tension in the air and wanted to make sure her brother wasn't getting into a heated argument with a stranger.

Vecna was clearly uninterested in engaging in further conversation with Yura, but Silvia didn't know that. Her overactive imagination had conjured up a scenario where Vecna had somehow offended the famous model and she wanted to make amends for her brother's behavior.

With a polite but concerned expression, she said to Yura, "Miss, I apologize if he said something offending."

Vecna, hearing his sister's comment, momentarily switched back to their native tongue. "What are you doing, Silvia? Don't apologize randomly to strangers. She got interested in my coffee, nothing much."

Silvia's imagination had run away with her once again. She felt relieved that Yuna was not angry, but she was still curious about why the famous model was talking to her brother.

"Oh, is that so? Doesn't she know where the Coffee Vendor Machine is? But... brother, do you know who she is?"

Vecna, now sipping his coffee, leaned in slightly and whispered to his sister in their native tongue, "I have a clue, but I'm too lazy to look for the answer. She was about to introduce herself. Am I right?"

At this point, Yuna decided to reveal her identity to Vecna, introducing herself as Yura and explaining her connection to the game. Her voice carried a tone of confidence befitting a High-Ranker of Satisfy.

"It's Yura, the High-Ranked Member of the Yatan Church," she declared with an air of authority, her words leaving no room for doubt. Silvia, with her inquisitive nature, couldn't help but listen intently to the conversation, absorbing every detail.

She wasn't too familiar with the world of Satisfy, she only knew about the general information the public was aware of, such as being a highly realistic Virtual Reality Game, insanely popular with the wider public, and managing to fulfill the wishes of people, from young and old who wanted a second life.

Yet, the biggest factor that was favorable in her view was that it helped Vecna to get a job that could pay him for his hard work and dedication. 

As Vecna and Yura's conversation continued, Silvia couldn't contain her thoughts of telling Vecna, another 'fun fact'. She nudged her brother, eager to share more about their unexpected guest.

"Brother, don't be fooled, she's a supermodel, Yuna. I'll show you her profile; she has dozens of millions of followers online," Silvia chimed in, attempting to emphasize the importance of this encounter. 

"You have a cute sister, Vecna," Yura noted with a friendly smile, while Vecna, in his typical laid-back manner, acknowledged Yura's compliment.

Vecna responded with a simple, "I know," not one to let flattery affect him. Yura then turned her attention to Silvia, establishing a connection between them.

"Silvia, right? Just like your brother, I'm playing Satisfy, and I seem to have a quest that connects me to him. Nice to meet you, my name is Yuna, but most people know me for my gametag, Yura," she introduced herself, acknowledging the common thread between her and Vecna. Silvia listened intently, fascinated by the renowned figure before her.

Vecna, still maintaining his cool demeanor, decided to address Yura directly, curious about her visit. "So that's from where I found you familiar, Yura... the High-Ranked Member of the Yatan Church."

"And? What brings you to me? Do you want an autograph?" he inquired with a hint of jest.

Yura, however, steered the conversation towards a more serious note. "Huhuhu, it seems you can also jest around. No, I wanted to discuss something that regards the future of Summit's Crest and most likely the Saharan Empire," she explained, her voice carrying a sense of gravity.

Vecna, undeterred by the sudden shift in tone, encouraged her to continue. "Go ahead, I'm all ears. I hope it's not some nonsense about how I should abandon the quest I got to protect Summit's Crest."

A brief silence followed, with Vecna and Yura locked in an unspoken agreement about the importance of their discussion. Vecna couldn't help but challenge her, though, given his brash personality. "Amusing, you think I'm afraid of the Yatan Church?"

Yura, unruffled by Vecna's bravado, took her time to provide a warning. "I'm taking my time to warn you about the reality on the ground."

"You have no chance of clearing your quest. Amidst the forces from the Orc side, there is their leader, Gorruk Bloodmaw, along with the six Orc Tribe Leaders beneath Bloodmaw."

Vecna, intrigued by her words, didn't back down. "Go on. If you're keen on helping me out, with that magnanimous heart of yours, why not share some insights into the Black Magician, Neberius?"

Yura hesitated, considering her response carefully. "So, it was true that NPC Arthur works under you. But, how does he manage to pass the information he collects back to Summit's Crest?"

Vecna, refusing to divulge more information than necessary, left it at "That's my problem." 

However, Vecna's next revelation piqued her interest further. "Yet, I heard from him that he got into a small scuffle with a 'Cursed One' from the Yatan Church camp. You're itching to get on my bad side by trying to expose Arthur's intentions."

Yura's expression remained unchanging, but his curiosity was undeniably piqued by Vecna's revelations. The conversation had taken an unexpected turn with Yura complaining about how Arthur was about to kill her.

"That's my line, because of your dumb Knight, I almost got into a Duel to the Death, spectated by the whole Orc Horde."

"He just does his job. It's your fault for sneaking around like a little rat, trying to mess with an Aura Master."

Yura and Vecna engaged in a heated exchange as she attempted to convince him to step down from his quest involving the Orc Horde. She warned him of the dangers he would face and the near-impossibility of completing it. 

With each word, he skillfully guided the conversation towards his goals, attempting to outmaneuver the High-Ranked Yatan Church member.

Vecna was skilled in the art of manipulation, and he saw Yura's visit as an opportunity to gain vital information about the Orc Leaders and her own leader, the enigmatic Black Magician Neberius. 

He knew that Yura, as a High-Ranked member of the Yatan Church, held valuable knowledge that could greatly benefit him and the future of Summit's Crest and his future prospects inside the Yatan Church.

As the conversation unfolded, Vecna subtly probed for information while maintaining an air of casual conversation. He asked, "Go on. If you're keen on helping me out, with that magnanimous heart of yours, why not share some insights into the Black Magician, Neberius?"

Yura, although cautious, had an air of confidence about her. She was aware of Vecna's intentions and knew that revealing too much could put her and her organization in a vulnerable position. However, she was also intrigued by Vecna's persistence and the thought of outwitting him.

"Neberius is a powerful figure, not to be underestimated," she replied cryptically. "But, why should I share such sensitive information with you? What's in it for me?"

Vecna leaned in, his voice lowered, and a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I can be quite resourceful when motivated. Imagine the power and influence you could gain if you were to collaborate with someone like me. We could achieve great things together."

"I think that Neberius would become the final Boss for this Episode. I'm pretty sure I will be able to kill him with your help."

Yura considered his proposition for a moment but remained cautious. "Again, what's in for me? I'll need more than words to trust you, Vecna. Information is a valuable currency in our world. What do you have to offer?"

Vecna knew he had to sweeten the deal. He revealed a piece of valuable information about the Archdemon that granted power to the Yatan Church. "I have a lead on a hidden piece that might be of great use for you as a Black Magician. You should be aware that the Goblin Chieftains were corrupted by the Priests of the Yatan Church."

Yura nodded, acknowledging the truth of his words. "Indeed, that's what happened. I've been part of the group tasked with corrupting them. But, you call this a hidden piece? You aren't convincing enough."

Vecna leaned back, his eyes gleaming with a hint of a smile. "Let me end my point."

"Knowing the information that the Goblins were corrupted by demonic power, that exact power could be used in empowering yourself after all is the Demonic Essence of the 2nd Archdemon Amoract."

Yura's eyebrows raised, and her expression showed genuine interest. "Amoract, you say?"

"In fact, I'm inclined to believe that the Antipope is exactly this 2nd Archdemon. Did you know that?"

Yura's eyes widened slightly. "... I wasn't privy to such information. I only know about the Seven Elders called Yatan Servants and the lower cast which I'm part of."

"... This information, if it is true, could be useful later for me, but now? If I tell you about Neberius's abilities it would make your War Effort easier. But this means I will fail my quest."

"My Quest is also an S-rated one."

Vecna continued, his voice a low whisper. "For your Quest Failure, I'll make up by sharing with you the Orc Slaughter Quest which is an SS-rated one, along with the 'Heroes in Need' and give you a free pick at the end of the campaign without counting the contribution."

Yura appeared intrigued but remained cautious. "Interesting, but not enough. You still don't get it. Neberius is an lvl 280 Hidden Boss. You might be around the 180-200 level range, the difference is too big. The risk on my end is too big to get involved."

"You think too much, Yuna. Casters are like glass cannons, once you're draining them of their MP, only death awaits them. And, let me ask, do you think I only got my hands on Arthur Vinespine?"

Yura maintained her composure, her eyes locked onto his.

"No, you probably have command over the whole Summit's Crest. That's how you could get a Custom-made Quest from the Mayor of the Town."

"Bingo. I also know that Gorruk Bloodmaw isn't quite fond of Neberius. As for whom he would kill first, me or Neberius, that's left for him to decide."

"... Wait. Pause."

Yura's expression remained composed, but she couldn't hide a glint of surprise in her eyes.

Vecna was doing his intricate manipulation schemes and showing this side of him to his younger sister who was fully aware of his personality disorder. Silvia noticed how the conversation shifted from their tense childish banter to an adult discussion that left her out completely. 

"Silvia, can you get me another cup of coffee from the Coffee Machine? Bring one for Miss Yuna too, since she looks to be in need of one."

"I'll have some Tea, please."

Nodding at her brother and leaving after receiving a banknote that could be included into her pocket money, the two uncertain partners remained silent, Yura thinking about what Vecna just opened about, while the later kept the silence for the young woman to process the information.

She opened up only when Silvia returned with a cup of tea, with a "Thank you." 

*Sip* "I think I understand your way of thinking."

'Miss, trust me, you can't even comprehend what's inside Adrian's mind right now.' thought Silvia from Vecna's side, acting as the good little sister, while continuing to be an observer to this conversation.

"You do?"

"Mhm, you want to put the Warchief against Neberius using Arthur, and create a revolt from the Orcs to push out the Yatan Church?" 

"..." After some silence from Vecna's part, he suddenly began laughing in Yura's face, as if he found what she said amusing. 

"Hah, good one. Want to hear the truth?"

"Kind of curious. So, yeah."

"If you promise to team up with me, I'll tell you. Besides, if you think you'll lose out by doing a deal with me, let me tell you straight. Once I kill Neberius, there will be an open spot for the Upper Echelon of the Yatan Church."

"Then… as the highest-ranked player in the Church, I'll receive a call to fill in that spot."

"Or not. Depends on how well you're received by the Antipope herself. But worry not, I'll put on a recommendation for you since I'm inclined to join the Yatan Church after I'm done with this Orc Quest."

"Heh, you think I'll vouch for you?"

"No, you're mistaken, your Leader will invite me willingly. I'm that valuable in her eyes."

Yura didn't immediately respond, but her gaze remained locked onto Vecna's. It was a delicate dance of power and information, with both players attempting to gain an upper hand in the negotiation.

She was interested in hearing his plan

"Alright, tell me your plan. Don't worry that I'll reveal it to Neberius. I don't like that old perverse monster."

"The reason why I put Arthur to spy on the Orcs is to buy myself time. I have multiple plans in motion that would heavily limit the ability of the Orcs to wage war, and all are in their final stages. The Warchief should be aware that Arthur is there only to observe them, but the same could be said for Gorruk who might have noticed that Summit's Crest isn't an easy target."

"He is waiting for the Goblin Hero to finish uniting all of the Goblins and pledge allegiance to him. Wishful thinking. Without his meanshields, he would be forced to use his own forces to attack."

"Another point, him waiting so much to attack paints him as a coward in the faces of the many Orc Leaders, and once a spark is ignited in their camp, War will Commence."

"They will be the attackers, while Summit's Crest will defend. Attacking a fortified settlement without appropriate strategy and siege equipment was always the fool's card. Do you understand, Yuna?"

"Before the Orcs even reach the Gates of Summit's Crest, the players will decimate a decent chunk of the Orcish Horde, while the High-Rankers will combine their effort into taking the Field-Bosses, while I and my allies will deal the final blow to their Leadership."

The negotiation had taken an unexpected turn, and Vecna was eager to uncover more about the Yatan Church's secrets and the Black Magician Neberius while at the same time gaining an ally that could pull its weight around and not drag him down. 

Yura, on the other hand, was cautiously considering the possibilities of an alliance with the enigmatic man before her.