MM - Chapter 161 - A PEEK INSIDE

Unsurprisingly, Celeste was wide awake when Raine hovered into the living room. She sat in a lotus position, weak killing intent fluttering haphazardly through the room. Already, her mental energy was stronger than Mel’s. Both were a candle before Raine’s bonfire, yet that wasn’t a fair comparison. Facing the kind of monsters that ZionLine would unleash at the higher levels had given his mental strength an unrivaled foundation.

Morty was there as well, rather than one of his drones. He stood with perfect balance on one arm, the other hand shifting the shriveling leaf of a dying plant. Both glanced his way before returning to what they were doing.

“That doesn’t look good,” Raine noted, directing his chair over to Morty.

“No, it does not. Since she lacks control, I’ve had her focused on this one for the last three hours. It appears that there is a daily limit to absorption. Excess exposure results in cellular decay. Or perhaps it is any number of the three thousand four hundred and twelve other variables I am tracking. Fret not, Master. With sufficient slav-assistance, I shall devise the most optimal method of creating vital nutrients.”

Celeste’s lips twisted at the AI’s intentional slip. Raine chortled deep in his throat, “Never doubted you, Morts. How about a break?”

“While necessary for you flesh bags, I fail to see how a break will improve my efficiency.”

Celeste was already on her feet, stretching. “Thank God. I’m going crazy cooped up in here with your sadistic pet. Can we sign that contract so I can leave? I’ve missed days of training already.”

Raine shook his head, dousing her enthusiasm, “We’re not going back into ZL just yet. I thought it might be fun to swing by Astra Infernum’s new HQ. It's fine if you don’t want to tag along. I can give your high-rise corner office to Rhino. Maybe we’ll find you a cubicle somewhere in the basement.”

“Wow.” Celeste deadpanned, shaking her head, “Just tell me you want me to come, and I’ll go. No need for the threats.”

Raine frowned, not getting the furious reaction he was hoping for. “Since that’s settled, let’s get your contract signed. I assume you read it?”

“Twice,” she nodded. It's missing a few parts. I had Mel send me hers to double-check. I want these six clauses added."

Raine frowned when she flicked him an amended version. The additions were already highlighted for him.

Why would she want to add these? They're some of the most restrictive parts of Mel's contract. No, this change is even worse! She won't be able to discuss anything about me with anyone who hasn't signed a similar agreement.

Raine tried to lock eyes with Celeste, but she stubbornly stared at the floor. "Why?"

Celeste took long seconds to answer, her jaw clamped tight the whole time. Her whisper cracked with intensity despite being barely perceptible. "Because of Jedidiah... He wanted to know things about you. I didn't say shit, but how can you trust my word on that? Your secrets, even the few that I know, are dangerous. I don't-can't handle the stress of knowing you might not trust me the next time something like this happens."

[Please, just fucking once, don't immediately be able to tell that I'm not telling the whole truth.]

Raine's eyes darted to Morty, who nodded so subtly that it was barely perceivable, even to his trained senses. He didn't need Morty's confirmation that nothing nefarious was hidden in the contract. No matter her reasons, Celeste's plea clearly came from the heart, her sincerity shining through despite whatever she was hiding. Raine’s eyes narrowed, wondering why she'd only wanted to add clauses when there were several that were in her best interest to remove. “And you have no issues with the rest of it at all? Your financial freedom will basically vanish.”

Celeste snorted, “Hardly. There’s tons I want changed. But… I… want you to be able to rely on me more than I want a little extra freedom. Beyond that, I’m a member of Astra Infernum now. We might still be small, but,” she paused to survey the many thriving plants that represented a small fortune in the making, “we have limitless potential. I don’t want to miss out on what’s coming, on helping to shape our guild into something amazing. To do that, you need reliable people." She stepped toward him, finally meeting his gaze with a hand on her chest, "I want to be one of them. Besides, I've grown so much in such a short time, to squabble over a few credits now that I've seen the results of your training... How stupid would I have to be?”

Raine was blown away by the honesty, gratitude, and determination packed into each word of her powerfully delivered speech.

Wow. She meant every word. She really has changed.

However, he wasn’t about to let her know how deeply her openheartedness affected him, “Fine. You can keep your corner office. No need to get all dramatic.” Her ZionLine-verified signature was already on the revised version. With a few clicks, his name joined hers, prompting a ping from both of their ARs with the completed copy. For better or worse, the Crimson Nebula was now and forevermore a leading member of Astra Infernum.

Celeste couldn’t stop her smile, so she turned away to wave at Morty, “Seeya later, rust bucket. You should try being nicer; otherwise, Raine will be your only friend.”

Morty’s neck joints creaked as his head ratcheted in her direction, “Immaculate Computationals, what a profound thought. I shall endeavor to follow your advice, sweet lady.”

Raine’s chest shook with mirth that instantly turned into a pained groan. Recovering, he looked between them with a wide smile, “No chance like the present. Morty, you’re coming too. Only so much you can do remoting into the tower. Time to get you hooked up and see what skeletons Alyxson has kicking around in his closet.”

***

Their taxi arrived within minutes. The three shuffled inside, the mood light, hindered only by Raine’s condition. Celeste snuck glances at his bandaged limbs every few seconds, expression growing darker each time. Raine decided to nip her thoughts before they sprouted out of control.

Using his good hand, he jabbed a finger into her side. She jerked upright, large eyes rising from his cast to see him staring back with a no-nonsense scowl, “Cut it out. This isn't your fault. I was too weak. That’s all there is to it.”

“That's… no. That’s not true,” Celeste shook her head in denial, pained features pointed the other direction. “I watched the vod. That was no master; he was a monster. You fought him because of me… You almost died. I… I honestly don’t know what to say.” Raine poked her again, this time getting a girlish squeak for his efforts. She spun back, mouth agape.

“I’m not in the habit of speaking without reason. It really wasn’t your fault. I didn’t fight him for you. You were a convenient excuse to get him into the ring, nothing more.”

She doesn’t need to know how pissed I was when she showed up at my door, broken and bruised. Anyone who leaves her in that kind of state won’t have to wait long to meet the afterlife. She’s stronger now that she’s taken ReGen, but still not master strong. And the assassins won’t stop coming. I’ve got to accelerate her and Mel’s training. I can't lose either of them.

Confusion and hurt were replaced by ferocious heat that Celeste wasn’t at all equipped to handle. Her focus returned to the city, zipping by on the other side of the window. Her mouth opened to offer a typical, snarky response that her jumbled thoughts failed to coherently form. “Jerk.”

Raine leaned back with a sly grin, good hand coming to rest behind his head, “It’s true. I didn’t think about avenging you once during that whole fight. It was like you ceased to exist. I should do that more oft—”

“Okay! I get it!” Celeste snarled, the fire missing from her since waking up roared hot inside the small cabin. “You don’t have to keep—” She trailed off as actual flames in the sky caught her attention.

Celeste’s jaw dropped upon realizing what she was seeing. She jammed a finger at the button to roll down the window, then stuck her entire torso outside for a better look. Despite the taxi slowing down immediately, heavy wind buffeted her hair and clothes. She couldn’t have cared less. Astra Infernum’s emblem blazed brightly across the entire front face of Belehorn Tower. Its star, trapped within a demonic gateway and wreathed in flames was a majestic, sky-high beacon proclaiming the home of Astra Infernum.

Raine’s attention was torn between the symbol of his guild and the girl hanging out the window. Both were a sight to see. Celeste snaked back inside, her shouting voice a point-blank detonation of enthusiasm, “That is so awesome! That’s really us, isn’t it? I can’t believe this is happening! We’re a guild, and we’re about to have thousands of recruits. How was I not more excited before?!”

If Raine wasn’t injured, he had no doubt Celeste would be shaking him. “Emblem’s a nice touch, right?” His rhetorical question was met with a vigorous nod.

The car parked near the front door, streets mostly empty with only a few drunks stumbling about. Celeste bounced on her heels, waiting for Raine to get out. A quick thought directed at his watch commanded the hoverchair to float itself out of the trunk and unfold in front of his door. 

As he was getting situated, Morty released a mechanical screech upon seeing a clump of mysterious, squishy brown goop clinging to the sidewalk. He leaped out of the car, clinging to the back of the chair as though it were a life preserver. “Horrid. How can they stand to live and walk upon such filth? We must not delay! Fear not, Master, the instant I’m plugged in, I’ll order a thorough acid bath in a five-block radius.”

Celeste made an ah-ha face and leaned around Raine to peer at Morty’s head, sticking over the back of the hoverchair, “No wonder your place is so spotless. You’ve got a bit of a clean freak on your hands, huh?”

“Don’t encourage him, or he’ll want to cleanse the entire city next.”

Morty froze in the way only a machine could do; his voice went flat, losing its usual affectations in the most menacing way possible, “I was not aware that was an option. Disregard my previous barbs. You are a genius, Master.”

“See?” Raine chuckled at Celeste’s horrified face and Morty’s joke. At least, he was pretty sure the AI was joking.

Unsurprisingly, the front door was locked. Seeing Raine through the soliglass, a familiar face within dashed to let them inside. The short, middle-aged man stepped outside to open the door wide. Bowing low, he half-rambled, half-shouted at the ground, “Mr. KongRu! Y-you probably don’t remember me. I watched your fight! You were spectacular! Like a god the way you moved. I knew you would win! Thank you for giving me a chance here. I promise not to disappoint your expectations!”

There was no way Raine could forget the person he’d personally nominated for a special position on his shiny new building’s security roster. It was the very same security personnel who ordered the outer gate closed at Soulgen in the aftermath of CronGate’s baptism. Raine’s chair slid up next to the man so he could pat his shoulder, “Of course I remember you, Markus. I hope you didn’t just watch the match, but learned something, too.”

Markus lifted his head enough to gaze at Raine with starstruck eyes and found steely resolve staring back at him. Raine’s words burrowed into the man’s skull, imprinting a memory that would drive him for years to come. “There were multiple forces in play more powerful than myself both during and after the match. I survived by thinking ahead, considering what could go wrong, and taking the steps to ensure I came out on top. I wanted you here because I saw those same qualities in you, and here you are, taking the night shift to get a lay of the land. My expectations of you are sky high, Markus Stevenseen. Don’t grow disappointed if you can’t meet all of them at once. You only need to keep striving for excellence; that’s what Astra Infernum is all about.”

“Y-you have my word, Mr. KongRu!”

Markus will do great. Can’t leave my building’s security in the hands of Alyxson’s team after I took this place from him for a pittance.

Seeing Raine about to enter, Celeste dashed ahead, staying between him and the other security guards clustered near the receptionist's desk. Unperturbed by her strange behavior, Raine waved over his shoulder as he followed her in, “I’ll hold you to that, Markus. Keep your eyes and ears open, and don’t be a stranger.” Markus’s eyes drilled into their backs as they crossed the expansive lobby. 

Celeste glanced back at Raine with pursed lips but didn’t say anything.

[Has something nice to say to literally everyone but me. Bastard.]

Fully aware of her jealousy, Raine continued to ignore her, directing his attention to the marble columns that he’d once used to spot CronGate’s assassins in this very room. They shone brilliantly, reflecting the soft after-hours lighting. “Morty, make sure you adjust the lightning. This place is going to be a hive of activity day and night. ZionLine never sleeps, and neither will Astra Infernum.”

“I am aware. All services are set to begin 24-hour days beginning tomorrow.”

“Good. Good.” Raine wanted to rub his hands together but settled for sweeping his eyes over every nook and cranny, envisioning the area packed with his people, all eager to delve deeper into ZionLine’s challenges.

As they progressed through the lobby, Celeste pointed at a sectioned-off area. It took up an entire quarter of the main floor. Heavy plastic sheeting and orange tape sealed it off, announcing the renovations taking place within. “What’s that?”

“Still coming up with a name. It’ll basically be a health and wellness center.” 

“Huh?” Celeste frowned, head tilted.

Raine didn’t mind explaining. He already had plans to put her to work managing some of the building’s infrastructure, especially after she mentioned wanting to be useful. “The first of many businesses that are going to keep our people paid. Not everyone relishes the thrill of combat. For most, fighting those first few wolves outside Mirror Lake Town will leave lasting trauma. That's just the tip of the iceberg; there are mirage demons that make you confront dead relatives, monsters that get you addicted like succubus, beasts that plant eggs inside you to hatch and eat you from the inside out… There's too many trauma-inducing horrors within ZL to count. The time dilation messes with people as well, not to mention adjusting to attributes. This center will be our home-built solution.

I plan to enforce mandatory bi-weekly sessions for our people. You’ll see. Businesses like this will soon be a staple in every city across the globe. The services we’ll provide will be in even higher demand when regular people begin stepping into ZL. Everyone wants to triple their lifespan, but facing death to do it requires a leap that most aren’t ready to make. We’ll be there to help the masses bridge that gap,” Raine’s voice turned dark, dripping with anticipation, “and once they’re inside and successful, we can exploit them for every copper they earn.”