Undercover

Under the soft glow of ornate chandeliers, the waiter navigated the labyrinthine paths between tables, a practiced routine honed from years of service. His uniform, crisp and unassuming, marked him as a servant in this realm of affluence and discreet power plays. With each step, he observed the patrons—men and women adorned in suits and dresses that bespoke their status and influence.

One of the guests—a distinguished gentleman with a sharp gaze—caught his eye. "Excuse me, waiter," the man said in a tone that brooked no delay. "Could you ensure the temperature of the room is adjusted? It's a bit too chilly for comfort."

"Certainly, sir," the waiter replied with a nod, inwardly grateful for the interaction that bought him a few more precious seconds. He adjusted the room's climate control, almost letting a soft sigh escape his lips.

Elara approached him with an exasperated sigh, her arms folded beneath her chest. "Annoyed by that guy?" she asked, nodding towards the guest who had repeatedly requested adjustments to the room temperature.

"Yeah," he replied with a resigned sigh, glancing briefly at Elara. "This is the fourth time he's asked me to change it. Well, I'll get back to work, Elara."

Returning to his duties, he moved towards the negotiation table with the practiced gait of a seasoned waiter. His steps were light yet purposeful, navigating the bustling restaurant with effortless grace. The soft glow of ambient light reflected off the polished surfaces around him, lending an air of elegance to the space.

As he approached the table, he maintained an outward demeanor of detached professionalism, keenly observing the guests without appearing intrusive. They were a mix of well-dressed men and women, their expressions guarded yet tinged with underlying tension. The waiter sensed their unease, a palpable current beneath the veneer of diplomatic composure.

Setting down a tray of chilled water, he executed the task with meticulous precision, ensuring not to disrupt the delicate balance of the ongoing negotiations. His movements were fluid and deliberate, attuned to the subtle cues of the guests—a glance here, a shift in posture there.

The atmosphere shifted imperceptibly as he neared, the conversation momentarily halting as eyes flickered towards him. He noted the change, a testament to the heightened awareness of those accustomed to navigating the intricacies of power and influence.

'They quickly adjusted their tones upon hearing my approach,' he observed silently, his gaze skimming over the assembled guests discreetly.

Calculating silently, he assessed the composition of the table. 'Two Integration-ranks, four White-ranks, seven Silver-ranks, and the rest Yellow-ranks,' he noted, cataloging the hierarchy of influence at play.

With a courteous nod, he deftly served each guest their food, moving with practiced efficiency.

Moving out of earshot, the waiter discreetly activated his earpiece, channeling a thread of mana from his core to awaken its communication capabilities.

"Are they preparing to make a move?" he whispered softly to Jin, his voice barely audible over the ambient noise of the bustling restaurant.

"Perhaps," Jin's voice crackled faintly through the earpiece. "It's challenging to gauge their intentions from this distance."

Arthur nodded to himself, his mind already racing through contingency plans. "We must remain vigilant," he replied before severing the connection.

'This entire operation hinges on this,' Arthur reflected inwardly, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the sensation of his nails against his skin.

He couldn't afford another misstep.

The acquisition of the Ancient-grade artifact was pivotal, not just for its inherent power but for the potential it held to bolster his own strength. The thought of bonding with such a relic fueled his determination, amplifying the gravity of this clandestine mission.

Returning to the negotiation table, Arthur set down a new tray of appetizers with practiced ease. He listened carefully, noting the rising tension in the conversation. 'This is my chance,' he thought, formulating a plan.

He moved away from the table, activating a small beacon hidden beneath the tablecloth. The beacon was set to emit a subtle, almost imperceptible pulse that would interfere with the the cognition of those nearby, making them susceptible to agitation and confusion.

Arthur discreetly approached the server's station, where a small device lay hidden. Activating it, he sent out a controlled electromagnetic wave burst, designed to create a sense of paranoia and heightened aggression in the room.

Emotions were known to be manipulated by electromagnetic waves, and certain frequencies were better for this. Since the people involved in this deal were much too focused on each other and were wary, it wasn't hard to push them over the edge using such a device Arthur procured using Jin.

As he returned to the table, he saw the effects taking hold. The Integration-rankers were starting to look uneasy, their eyes flickering with suspicion. Arthur seized the moment, slipping a small, enchanted note onto the table as he refilled their glasses. The note was a forgery, crafted to look like a message from one faction to the other, hinting at a planned betrayal.

One of the Integration-rankers picked up the note, his expression darkening as he read it. "What is this?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The other Integration-ranker leaned over to see the note, his eyes narrowing. "You think you can betray us?" he growled, his mana flaring in response to the perceived threat.

"This is absurd! We had no intention of betrayal!" the first Integration-ranker shot back, his anger rising.

Arthur moved swiftly, pouring a drink for a nearby guest while keeping an eye on the escalating situation. The two Integration-rankers were now standing, their mana auras clashing, creating an oppressive atmosphere in the room.

"Calm down, both of you!" one of the White-ranks tried to intervene, but his words were lost in the growing chaos.

Arthur slipped back to the server's station, activating another device. This one was designed to amplify the mana interference, pushing the Integration-rankers over the edge. He watched as their tempers flared, the room crackling with hostile energy.

"You think you can play us for fools?" the second Integration-ranker roared, summoning his weapon.

"I should have known better than to trust you!" the first Integration-ranker shouted, drawing his own weapon.

The clash was immediate and explosive. Mana surged as the two Integration-rankers engaged in a fierce battle, their attacks shaking the very foundations of the restaurant. Arthur used the chaos to his advantage, slipping through the panicked crowd toward the artifact.

He reached the artifact's hiding place, a concealed compartment beneath the negotiation table. With the Integration-rankers distracted by their duel, Arthur quickly retrieved the artifact, its ancient power thrumming in his hands.

"Jin, I've got it," Arthur whispered into his earpiece, his heart pounding with adrenaline. "Meet me at the extraction point."

"On my way," Jin replied. "Nice work, Arthur."

Just as Arthur was about to slip away from the chaos, a voice called out to him.

"Wait there thief!"