Scheme Unveiled

"What's the matter, Leona? Why the pout?" Kuber queried, attempting to placate her by patting her head.

Leona swatted his hand away and met his query with a fiery glare. "What in the world did you make me do just now?"

Kuber chuckled, his expression sly. "All I did was help tidy up the neighborhood by dealing with some troublesome pests."

"You're such a liar! You just wanted to—" Leona's words were abruptly cut off by Kuber covering her mouth, effectively silencing her.

"Let's not discuss such matters openly," Kuber suggested with a nod. Agreeing to the plan, Leona followed him back to the inn where they were staying.

Inside the inn, Kuber approached the reception desk, signaling for the attention of the inn manager. "Hey there! It's you, newbie—uh, I mean Sir Kuber."

The inn manager's words stumbled slightly, realizing just in time that Kuber was a member of the Merchant class and could potentially acquire the inn at a discount if they upset him.

In accordance with merchant association regulations, individuals from the merchant class were granted the privilege of purchasing property at a reduced cost, under the guise of contributing to societal progress. However, this narrative of societal development often masked the true intent: bolstering merchant power and fostering a monopoly over various businesses, reserved solely for members of the merchant class.

"Could you find a suitable place for this lady here?" Kuber asked the inn manager, indicating Luna with a slightly nervous smile. Uncertainty lingered, unsure if any room could comfortably accommodate the towering minotaur.

"We have a designated room tailored for individuals of larger races, like giants and minotaurs. But do note, this particular room comes at a higher price, around 35 stone credits," the inn manager replied, maintaining a professional smile.

"Very well, kindly reserve that room for her. I'll cover the cost of her stay," Kuber confidently asserted, displaying his financial capability.

"Are you certain, savior? I mean..." Luna hesitated, feeling uneasy about having Kuber cover her expenses.

"It's fine, consider it my treat for today," Kuber assured, dismissing Luna's concerns and making it clear he could afford the accommodation.

Concluding their conversation, the inn manager handed over the room key, observing Kuber and his companions with a hint of suspicion. They made their way to Luna's room to engage in a private discussion, prompting curious glances from the inn manager.

"Leona, what do you want to know?" Kuber's gentle smile accompanied his inquiry.

Leona settled onto the bed in a lotus position, her hands folded neatly. "I'm curious about your involvement with the Shadowfang Syndicate."

Kuber's chuckle was a light evasion, "Oh, just a little gambling, nothing much."

"You're not fooling me with that nonsense. Just be honest—I promise not to share it," Leona responded with pointed anger, her accusatory finger aimed at Kuber.

While Kuber had no obligation to disclose his actions to Leona, he saw value in building trust with her. She could potentially become a useful ally or pawn in the future, based on her capabilities.

"Why not?" Kuber agreed, conceding to Leona's request and proceeded to recount the entire sequence of events involving the Shadowfang Syndicate.

According to Kuber's account, he outlined his plan to Leona, involving the theft of Eldric's credit coin, the fabrication of a threatening message to the garrison, and the subsequent manipulation of events to cast suspicion upon Grendar. As Eldric marshaled his forces, Kuber assumed Grendar's identity and confronted him in a high-stakes gamble.

Listening to Kuber's intricate strategy, Leona was struck with awe at the depth of his scheming. While the maneuver might not have been a war-winning tactic, executing it would have required considerable nerve.

"Got it now. You're truly something else. I'm already regretting underestimating you," Leona admitted in a subdued tone. She was beginning to realize that Kuber might be a life-altering presence for her.

"So, how about joining forces with me?" Kuber proposed, a confident smile lighting up his face as he regarded Leona.

"Joining forces? Are you planning to create some sort of empire?" Leona's eyes shimmered with anticipation as she met Kuber's gaze.

"No, no, you've got it all wrong. I'm not trying to establish an empire, you silly," Kuber chuckled at Leona's imaginative response, finding her enthusiasm endearing.

Leona's voice carried a hint of disappointment. "Then, what kind of clan are you talking about?"

"I was a businessman before coming here, and I intend to remain one until the end. That's why I'll create a Merchant clan—one that aims to possess everything beneath the heavens," Kuber declared with a blend of confidence and arrogance. His proclamation didn't merely involve forming a merchant clan, but one with the audacious goal of acquiring everything in the world.

"Really? That sounds incredibly awesome," Leona giggled, her enjoyment evident. For someone like her, who had lived a life of struggle just to survive, this was the first time she dared to envision a grand dream.

"Alright, let's move on from this topic. You'll stay here with Luna tonight and we'll depart tomorrow morning."

With a calm demeanor, Kuber addressed Leona before turning his attention to Luna. Luna had been attentive throughout Kuber's explanation, and her gaze was now fixed on him with a clear sense of admiration.

'Oh, right, I forgot that she's also just 17,' Kuber realized as he observed Luna's demeanor.

"Luna, you should also take the time to rest today. I'll head to my room to get some sleep," Kuber suggested, bidding farewell to the two girls before departing to his own accommodations.

"Phew, what an exhausting day," Kuber muttered, feeling drained after dealing with the events involving Grendar. Despite his fatigue, there was a sense of satisfaction in putting Grendar in his place. While both Grendar and Eldric might remain unaware of the true orchestrator, they'd likely find the situation unusual. Eldric's decision to spare Grendar's life and merely imprison him hinted at this complexity.

"First things first, let's check the skills," Kuber decided, acknowledging that he had been unable to do so earlier due to the interruption caused by the dwarf. Summoning his status interface, he navigated to the skills section, eager to examine his abilities.

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[Skills]

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[Class Skills]

[Dimensional Shop] – This skill allows the user to trade with various towers and dimensions beyond their own universe. Additional options can be unlocked as the user levels up.

[Rank] – Undetermined

[Floor Ticket] – Enables the user to travel between different conquered floors without fees or time constraints. Up to five people can accompany the user.

[Rank] – A

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Reviewing Kuber's class skills, it became evident that while the Floor Ticket skill wasn't particularly remarkable, possessing the Dimensional Shop skill was an incredible advantage. Not only could Kuber engage with different dimensions, but he could also trade with towers and universes outside of his own, enabling him to acquire resources that originated from beyond the tower.

"This is quite intriguing. Let's move on to the next skill," Kuber murmured to himself, his curiosity piqued as he proceeded to explore the other categories of skills.

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[Active and Passive Skills]

[Begginer's Aura Mastery] [Active]

Aura Masters are individuals who enhance their weapons and unleash techniques using their aura energy. Mastery depends on talent for aura manipulation, leading to becoming an Aura Master or Aura Guardian. Embark on an enriching journey of aura manipulation with this guide.

[Rank] – F

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Among Kuber's active and passive skills, he possessed only one: Beginner's Aura Mastery. This indicated that he would need to acquire additional skills to progress further in his development.