Chapter 19

Myra looked at Chiron, who was lying unconscious, pulled the bracelet from her left hand and threw it at him. The black bracelet chain grew and started binding Chiron.

*Cord of Schila: It was a chain-type artifact that could be used as a lasso for a weapon or a chain kind that can bind enemies. Though it did not look any different from any normal bracelet, it could be used to catch enemies by surprise. The artifact's power depends on the mana stored within it.

_

Myra then turned around and looked towards Aish, who had now stopped using the defensive artifact too.

*Armor of Weak: A defensive artifact that can protect the wearer twice with the mana stored within. It forms a shield around the wearer and can stop the attacks, both physical and magical.

_

Myra walked ahead as Aish followed her; Chiron was floating behind her. When they walked out, they saw the soldiers who were now surrounding the whole building, and in the sky above, a few people were floating. It was because of them that no one came inside to interrupt the fight.

One of the people came down and bowed to Aish. Aish nodded his head and tried to remember if he was someone from the plot.

The man who looked to be around his mid-20's from Aish's perspective. You can never tell someone's age from their looks in Arcadia. As with some artifacts, potions, or high rank, people can change their appearance however they wish. He had short black hair and a pair of glasses on his blue eyes. He gave the vibe of a scholar or a salesman to Aish, who still could not remember any important character in the book looking like that.

The man then looked at Chiron and then towards Myra and said, "You took too much time, Shadow."

"Asher, I see your habit of standing on the sidelines hasn't changed a bit." Myra said.

Asher smiled and replied, "I just thought the talented genius would be enough to handle an old guy. But I guess you're still too young considering all the time you wasted showing off your moves."

Myra just clicked her tongue and started walking away.

Hearing their conversation, Aish remembered the plot and finally figured out who he was.

* Asher Vridal, son of Frigna Vridal.

Vridal's have been serving under the Raven family for generations. Asher is their sole successor. Instead of taking over a business that was already thriving, he chose to make a name for himself. That is why he decided to follow Artemis when she wanted to open Genesis.

Genesis Corp.: A business organization set up by Artemis Raven. Its focus was on mana stones, mana crystal mines, artifacts, and rewards found in dungeons or towers.

Working alongside the Shade Guild and the Raven family's network, Genesis soon became one of the most profitable organizations in the Schilla empire, further increasing the overall influence of the Floren family.

_

Asher and his team are a group of people called Alphas, chosen by Artemis to manage Genesis. Any issues that arise in the business field or with other competitors, they were the ones to settle them.

Alphas are people who will act in the light of day, while silent reapers are responsible for all the dirty work in the shadows.

That is why Asher and Myra, the new successors to both groups, have always had a friendly rivalry of sorts.'

_

Myra took Chiron away to the prison, and Alphas were left to deal with the aftermath.

[Usually, they would not be here at the mansion but stay at Genesis headquarters.] But after Aish's curse, Artemis called them back. They were the ones who put all the staff and others in prison last night on her orders.

Asher came towards Aish and said, "I'm glad to see you're doing fine. Young master."

Aish nodded his hand and replied, "It was no problem, Asher. How are you and your group?"

"We're all fine, young masters. Even better." Asher said in an enthusiastic tone.

Aish looked at his confidant face and said, oh, what makes you so cheery suddenly? Even after you lost to Myra on your last duel, I heard."

Asher nervously smiled and said, "That's only because I didn't have time to train and prepare for it; otherwise, I would've beaten her easily."

"So, what were you guys so busy with? Any new project." Aish asked in a curious tone, as he couldn't remember anything from the plot that happened around this time.

Asher smiled and said, "We have found a perfect crystal mine in Maxville Zone." In the coming auction, we'll sign the contract as well."

Aish, who heard his voice, remembered something from the plot and could not help himself from chuckling.

Asher looked at him with a confused expression but said nothing, as he did not want to disrespect the heir. He thought Aish did not know much about the mines or business and just let it be.

Aish, who looked at this naive guy lost in his thoughts, said, "Foolish.".

Asher, who heard Aish's voice, was surprised but then asked, "What do you mean, young master?"

"Well, I just read in a book that the purer the mana in a place is, the more chances there are of a dungeon forming there. Or am I wrong?"

Asher, who heard his voice, said, "That is true, young master. But we can always predict it with the mana movements in the surroundings, and if by any chance an instant dungeon forms, we can always transport everyone while Shade guild members deal with the dungeon. So, there's no problem with us buying it."

Aish listened carefully while nodding his head and said, "True. Now tell me if that is the only place you have in mind for the auction."

Asher said, "Yes. There are no other suitable mines that are of the same quality as this one. It can even give us more control over mana gems and crystal markets."

"You're right at what you said, Asher, but you're forgetting the most important thing," said Aish.

Asher made a confused expression and continued listening, curious about what Aish was saying.

"We still don't know everything about dungeons, Asher. Who knows what will happen in the future? It's always good to have a safe backup prepared, even if that doesn't bring us profit."

After saying this, Aish started walking away, while Asher just stood there, lost in thoughts, trying to understand what Aish meant.

_

As Aish walked, he remembered the plot. In the original book, the Maxville mines, which Asher bought at an outrageous price at auction, brought many profits to Genesis for a few years.

But as anyone could guess from the villain's family's luck, it was all a plot of the author to ruin Floren's future.

Since the mines were practically oozing with profits, Genesis poured too many resources into them. Which was a big mistake on Asher's part.

3 years from the start of the plot, those mines became the first place where phase 2 of Emergence started.

The dance of a god's soul—that was what the author named that chapter.

That incident not only pushed Genesis into bankruptcy, it also further fueled the theories and prophecies of everyone to go against Aish and the Floren family.

Asher could not take the blame, and the effect it had on his character was massive.

Aish could not recognize him before because he was not important enough in the original plot. An extra mentioned far and few between some chapters, but never enough to get readers attached to him.

_

But now that Aish has given him enough hints, Asher will be able to see his shortcomings way before anything ever happens.

'I wonder what surprises this extra will bring me.'

Aish thought with a smile on his face, as even he could not imagine what effects this one little action that he took on a whim would change the grand plans of both destiny and of God.

##

Mana crystals: crystals formed by pure mana. Used in making artifacts and enhancement of weapons. Can be absorbed to increase Mana. much expensive bought by nobles or guilds.

Mana stone: Mana trapped within stones/ores. Impure & cheap. Used by commoners or poor people. lesser version of Mana crystals. Long use can cause damage to the body or result in a rank drop.