Trouble with Redheads

Taking care of the flights and appointments, without asking the opinions of the family he was heading to, he walked off from his desk and went to the living room, taking a seat on the couch as he prepared to tell the news to everyone.

Thinking to himself, seeing in his mind a vision of his mother getting better and smiling brightly at him as she stepped out of the Clinic Ground made him smile deep down.

"Everyone, please gather around. I have some important news to share with all of you."

Vecna gathers his mother, Elena, sister, Silvia, and brother, Alex, to share the news about the appointment in NEOM.

The first one to react was his little sister, Silvia who opened the door of her room, sticking out her head, only to notice Vecna seated with his arms crossed, with a serious mask wrapped on his face.

"What is it, Adrian? You seem strange." asked Silvia, confused a little.

"Take a seat first."

His little brother also stepped out of his room, not asking anything out of Vecna, instead moving a distance away from Silvia as they sat down on another couch.

"Is everything alright, Adrian?" asked a concerned Elena as she came from the kitchen, following the posture of her eldest son as it was stern and serious.

"Have a seat mom, you don't need to worry about anything from now on. I just have some news to make." responded Vecna, smiling at his mother as he got up to help her seat on the couch he used, later on seating next to her.

(Taking a deep breath)

"So. The news I asked you to gather."

"I've managed to secure an appointment for you, Mom, at the NEOM Regenerative Institute in Saudi. They have specialists from all over the world who can help us find a solution for your liver sickness."

Hearing that, Silvia was eager for the news, replying back. "That's amazing news, Adrian! NEOM City is supposed to be incredible, right?

(Nods)

"Indeed, Silvia. NEOM is a futuristic city filled with technological wonders and breathtaking architecture. By extension is also a Global Center that gathers the best specialists in different sectors, from Tech to Farma."

"And, there's no lack of attractions as tourists."

Alex, looking at Vecna, was surprised, slightly excited about the news. "Wow, that sounds awesome! I've heard about their advanced transportation systems and the amazing entertainment options. I'd love to go!

The positive response from his younger siblings was affirmative, but they weren't in the center of attention for him, he only confirmed their choice with a nod before turning to watch his worried mother.

The middle-aged woman, weak as she was, couldn't help but feel overwhelmed as if everything happening to her was a dream.

"But, Adrian, I heard on the news that NEOM is supposed to be an expensive city. Can we afford it? I don't want you to exhaust yourself even more for our sake."

"Mom, please, don't worry. We have enough funds to cover the expenses, including flights, accommodations, and the medical treatment. I've made sure of it."

"Your well-being is my priority, and I want to see you healthy and happy again." responded Vecna holding the hands of the poor woman, with an assuring expression on his usually cold face.

Silvia, who was far more mature than her twin brother, fully aware of all the sacrifices Vecna made for their well-being, and for them to have a normal childhood as best as they could have, began having red eyes, tears building up.

She was beyond grateful and proud of having such a hardworking brother who she could trust. "Adrian… Y-you've worked so hard for us."

"Know that we appreciate everything you're doing. We'll be going to NEOM and give our support to mom too. She needs us by her side, so we could inspire hope. Right, mom?"

Alex didn't say anything, only nodded when he got jabbed by Silvia's leg, and it was a gesture Vecna didn't miss, making him frown a little bit, but easing up for the sake of his mother.

'Apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Thankfully, Silvia resembles mom more than her rat of a father.'

'Forget it. I'm aware that I failed at being a father figure for him when he grew up.'

Elena was being touched as her hand trembled in Vecna's gentle hold.

"My dear children, I am so grateful for your love and dedication. If going to NEOM gives us a chance to find a solution and makes you happy. I'm ready to do everything that stands in my way to heal up."

"I should take some weight from you Adrian. I can't be so fragile right now when you need me the most."

Vecna smiled warmly. It was coming from his heart instead of faking his emotions. There were only two human beings in this world that made him vulnerable and exposed, his mother and little sister Silvia.

"Thank you, Mom. Your strength and resilience have always inspired us. And, no, you don't need to relieve me of any weight. Let them accumulate on my shoulders since I'm a man in my prime."

"Let's make the necessary preparations for our flight on the 3rd of March. Once you're healthy again mom, we'll tour the entire line of NEOM and then maybe visit Riyadh and Dubai."

"Most importantly, it is to take care of your health."

[The scene ends with the family embracing]

.

..

…

While things seemed to have calmed down on the Forums of Satisfy, since the viral post of the user 'Vecna' where the items of the Black Fang PK Guild have been placed on the Auction House.

This time another post from the same user graced the eyes of the addicts who weren't shy away from spending money for some items.

[Epic Items and Skills ready to make their appearance at the Auction House]

He wasted no time beating around the bush, fully aware that users had clicked on his post for one reason only. His words flowed effortlessly as he crafted his message, taking pleasure in his straightforward approach:

-- I will cut to the chase and not bore you with some pleasantries. This wasn't why you clicked on my post. We all know this.

--For this new batch, mark your calendars for the 2nd of March. Just like how we sorted out the Black Fang's Items to be auctioned on the 26th of February. This time I'm about to unleash a selection that will leave you in awe.

-- Prepare yourselves, for these are the items that will give you a considerable advantage over those who can't fork a decent sum of money."

Vecna's post revealed a tantalizing list of items. He wanted to give the players a taste of what was to come, teasing them with the power that awaited:

-- For this new batch, we have the following items: Check on the Spoilers to see the screenshots.

* [Spell Book: Ice Lance] - Harness the chilling power of ice to freeze your enemies in their tracks.

* [Skill Book: Pickpocket] - Unleash your inner rogue and seize opportunities by taking what you need from unsuspecting foes.

* [Throwing Knives of Precision] - Perfect your aim with these deadly knives, striking true and hitting critical points.

* [Skill Book: Arrow Rain] - Rain destruction upon your enemies with a torrent of arrows, overwhelming them with sheer firepower.

* [Spell Book: Chain Lightning] - Control the very forces of nature as lightning crackles through your fingertips, arcing from enemy to enemy.

* [Skill Book: Vanish] - Become the master of stealth and shadows, disappearing from sight when you need it most.

* [Longbow of Precision] - For the archers among you, this masterpiece of craftsmanship will turn you into an unparalleled force on the battlefield.

-- I'll leave the post in the mod's care. Let's avoid having to deal with too many flags for everyone's benefits.

The post contained a final message for the mods of this Forum, a short reminder of the mess that happened when he made his first advertisement, having to deal with Bloodhound's petty attempts at taking his account down by hoarding lots of reports at him.

This wasn't enough that the people who gathered around the post started quarreling over items they couldn't buy anyway.

A faction of them doubted Vecna's legitimacy as the owner of items, while others prepared themselves thoroughly for what was to come. Some stood to benefit from getting ready, while others lost out.

It only required them a bit of patience for the Anticipated Day, which was yesterday.

He had the items scheduled to appear on the 27th by paying the NPCs managing one of the Auction Houses Branches inside Valoria a higher tax, but for the convenience of not being spotted by other players, it was a price worth investing.

The same would apply to when he is done with Alistar's Quest.

His straightforward post, with the generated interest from the users from his previous one, it didn't take long for him to be flocked by herds of sheep.

There was one particular one that was later on the dance, a woman who received a notification from a group chat, telling her with urgency in the message.

She found it bothersome that when she was enjoying an iced coffee, a stream of notifications got on her phone.

"What is now? Aren't you guys supposed to celebrate the Boss Clear? Hahhhh, this is why my temper got so bad lately. I have to look after those guys as if they were kindergarten children."

Opening her notifications, she read the messages casually, only to pause when the puzzle formed in her mind.

#Laella: Sis, you have to open the Forum. That guy got his hands on something I want to have. It's an Epic Rated Spell for Fire Mages. Ohh, and there's also something for you, an Epic Archer Skill and even a Bow.

#Zednos: Leader, I need your help urgently. It's related to the person you've got in touch with recently.

#Faker: Jéssica, I rarely reach out like this, but there might be something that will boost your strength on the Forum. If you need funds, I can lend you some money since we might be tight on funds from the items we bought for Vantner, Ibellim, and Toban.

#Toban: Leader! That guy is selling something broken again! And it's for Archers!"

"..."

"What's wrong with them? Let me check on my laptop."

Jishuka stood in the lavish penthouse overlooking the sprawling cityscape of Sao Paulo. Her tanned skin glowed under the soft glow of the evening sun that filtered through the expansive windows.

She stepped out from the balcony, making her way around the adorned rooms with elegant furnishings.

Her fiery red hair cascaded down her shoulders, contrasting with the intensity in her hazel eyes.

Dressed in sleek black attire that accentuated her lithe figure, she exuded a sense of confidence.

As she navigated through the Satisfy forum, her gaze fixated on Vecna's forum post that got Pinned by the Mod Team, clearly, some favoritism was in their face, but no one bothered to remark how quickly the Moderators were to take care of Vecna's posts.

Jishuka's eyes scan the bold and straightforward announcement. A hint of a smirk curved her lips as she appreciated Vecna's no-nonsense approach, resonating with her own hot-tempered nature.

"This guy knows how to get straight to the point," she muttered with a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.

Jishuka had no time for pleasantries or beating around the bush. She was there for one reason - to uncover the extraordinary skills and items that would set her Guild apart from the rest.

Her heart raced as she read Vecna's list of items, her anticipation building with each word.

'I understand why Laella, Zednos and even that stoic Faker were so quick to get hooked. Those spells cater to their needs.'

It was the mention of the [Skill Book: Arrow Rain] and the Epic Item [Longbow of Precision] that truly captivated her. Her breath caught in her throat as she imagined how strong the skill of this bow was compared to what she had currently.

[Longbow of Precision]

Rating: Epic

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

* 20% increase in firing speed.

* Accuracy will increase by 35%.

* The skill 'Penetrating Arrow' will be generated.

* The Skill 'Eagle's Eye' will be generated

A finely crafted longbow made from enchanted wood, designed for unparalleled accuracy and long-range shooting. It boasts intricate carvings and a sleek, lightweight design.

User Restriction: Level 155 or higher. More than 780 agility. Intermediate Bow Mastery level 5 or higher.]

.

"From where did he get his hands on such a Bow? Wasn't he just a level 1 Newbie? Don't tell me he is already catching up so quickly with the rest of High Rankers?"

Unable to contain her excitement, impatience began to simmer beneath her cool exterior. With a determined click, Jishuka opened a private message to Vecna, her fiery personality seeping into her words as she typed her message.

[DM Chat: #Vecna]

[#Jishuka: How can you put such a Bow on the Post, instead of sharing the information with me first? Tell me how much money you want for the Bow. I'll make sure you're not leaving unsatisfied from a deal with me.]

She craved the details, and she craved them now. Time was of the essence, and she wouldn't let this opportunity slip away.

[#Jishuka: Vecna! I've been searching high and low for the perfect bow, if not for my Guildmates, I would have lost out on a Great Bow.]

[#Jishuka: I need those details immediately. Don't keep me waiting, or you'll regret it!]

Jishuka's message echoed her fiery spirit, a challenge thrown down to the mysterious figure behind the screen, only the icon picture of a sinister-looking blood eye.

With a satisfied click of the send button, Jishuka leaned back, her eyes fixed on the screen as she awaited Vecna's response. The game was afoot, and she was determined to claim her rightful place at the top, no matter the obstacles in her path.

However, her enthusiasm was met with disappointment when an automated response informed her that Vecna was currently offline.

"WHAT? How can he sleep at this hour? Isn't he from the USA? Urgh, he might be from Europe."

A mixture of frustration and other emotions washed over Jishuka. Little did Jishuka know that her message would find him in the midst of slumber due to the time difference between Bucharest and Sao Paulo.

Vecna relished the thought of the flames within her igniting, her impatience adding a touch of spice to their future interactions.

Previously for Vecna, with the announcement made, he leaned back in his chair, awaiting the chaos that would unfold when the auction began.

The stage was set, and the players were mere pawns in his grand game. It was time to see who among them would rise to the occasion, fueled by ambition and desire to claim these coveted treasures for themselves.

Meanwhile, as Vecna slept profoundly, not spending much of his mental energy on a post he made for others, another individual was stressing her red hair out.

She couldn't afford to miss out on this opportunity to enhance her skills further and dominate the game. Restlessly, she refreshed her inbox, awaiting Vecna's response with bated breath.

"Respond already you jackass. I checked the time-zones for Europe, it should only be 1 AM for you. What are you, grandma , to sleep so early?"

The response that she got was after 8 hours, when she got waked like some ghost-lady by the notification of her phone.

[#Vecna: My bad, I didn't think you would be interested in low-level items. While I do intend to place all of the items on the Auction House, I can lend you my ear for a negotiation.]

[#Vecna: Also, stop spamming my DM box, and go back to sleep. Don't bother to reply back, act like normal humans.]

[#Vecna: You can DM me in Satisfy from 10 AM to 8 PM.]

Reading his response, Jishuka who had black circles from not being able to sleep properly, closed the phone forcefully and turned her back to return to her sleep, only muttering to herself.

"Asshole."

.

Vecna took care of the administrative aspect of managing his forum notifications while being on his way to the Gaming Hub, taking his time while seated inside the Capsule to respond to an impatient young woman while wearing an evil smirk.

'This chick blasted my DMs. Heh, who would have thought that being a merchant would be so profitable. Still, it is annoying waking up with hundreds of notifications.'

'She's not my type. I like calculative women who can handle some hardship. This girl, Jishuka, is so impatient that it makes me think she was spoiled rotten.'

'Well, it has its cute side to it. But not my type for sure. I'm not paid to be her guardian and cater to her needs at any hour.'

Making sure to give her a time frame like any other business owner, he finished sorting things out with his customer before logging inside Satisfy.

He returned back to the second chamber of the Suppression Room, the same room where he fought the nine automatons, which was now clear, dark, and silent.

"Should do my preparations before engaging into the 3rd Room."

Finishing his preparations, after sacrificing his vitality to be stored inside the Book of Night using 'Blood Bank', which gave him another idea for a quick combo for maximum power by utilizing his skill 'Bloodlust' in synergy with him losing health.

With his preparations completed and with his health recovering from the sacrifice, he steps forward, facing the 3rd sealed room.

Vecna stepped into the dimly lit chamber, his senses heightened as he took in the surroundings.

The room was shrouded in an eerie silence, broken only by the faint hum of machinery in the background.

'That's unexpected. It's like I'm inside an Sci-Fi game instead of a Medieval Fantasy one.'

As his gaze settled upon the woman before him, his crimson eyes met her captivating green orbs, and a sense of intrigue filled the air.

The woman stood tall and graceful, her crimson-red hair cascading down her back like a fiery waterfall. Her flawless porcelain skin seemed to emit a subtle glow, accentuating her ethereal beauty. Clad in a regal attire, she exuded an air of authority and mystique that demanded attention.

[Maribel - LV.???]

'Wait. It's her, the woman pest that breathed down my neck as she immersed in the Automatons fight.'

'Maribel. M. The Room which has the vibe of a High-Tech Workshop. It's her, the Craftsman, who built the items dropped by the Automatons.'

'I doubt I'm wrong with my guess.'

Empress Maribel, as she introduced previously, regarded Vecna with a mix of curiosity and amusement. She didn't seem afraid of the Vampire that she called a Monster.

Her voice, as melodious as a siren's song, echoed through the chamber. "Welcome, brave challenger. I see you have surpassed the trials of the Suppression Room. Tell me, what brings a creature of darkness like yourself into my domain?"

"How could The Knight of Destruction allow you inside his Family's Domain?"

Vecna's expression remained stoic as he faced the enigmatic Empress, taking his time before replying as if studying his prey.