Stormy's new foe
Aisha pulled the car up the winding mountain road, parking in the same secluded spot as on their previous visit. "I'll wait here again I presume?" she asked dryly, settling back into her seat.
Klauss confirmed with a nod, stepping out into the pine-scented air. "It shouldn't take as long as the previous time. Don't wander off now," he added with a sly grin before vanishing up the wooded path.
He moved swiftly, following the route he had memorized to Eulji's hidden forest sanctuary. As the small dwelling came into view, Klauss paused, observing from the cover of the trees.
Just as expected, Gregor was seated cross-legged outside the workshop, intensely focused on the task at hand. His brow furrowed in concentration as he painstakingly engraved intricate runic patterns along the length of a sword blade resting across his knees.
Eulji paced around his apprentice, gnawing on a strip of dried meat and barking criticism. "Use lighter hammer strikes boy! We want precision, not brute force. And mind that sigil on the crossguard, it needs to align perfectly with the fuller..."
Klauss allowed himself a faint smirk as he watched the pair from the shadows. Clearing his throat loudly, he stepped from the treeline.
"I trust you are crafting me a work of art, not whacking metal around haphazardly?"
Both smiths were taken aback by the sudden arrival, with Gregor fumbling the engraving hammer in surprise. Eulji, quick to recover, welcomed Klauss with a sly grin.
"Well, well. If it isn't our generous benefactor, pretty boy! You're just in time - the boy here was about to take a break. Weren't you?" He aimed a light tap at Gregor's shoulder.
Rubbing his arm resentfully, Gregor carefully set aside his tools before standing to face Klauss. "The sword is progressing well. I still have much to complete but its form is nearly finalized."
Klauss noted the bags under the youth's eyes and the numerous small cuts and burns on his hands, evidence of relentless toil.
"Hmph. See that your final product matches my vision perfectly. I never invest in mediocrity," Klauss stated coolly. Still, seeing Gregor's dedication left him confident in a positive outcome.
"Bah! As if we would produce anything less than a masterpiece!" Eulji scoffed. "Now come inside pretty boy - I just opened a fresh jar of moonshine that needs sampling."
Soon the unlikely trio were seated around the rough-hewn table within Eulji's cramped hut. The old smith eagerly gulped down mugs of potent liquor while Klauss sipped his drink slowly.
"I must admit, your creation shows promising potential so far. I have an additional project to propose to you, whispering bladesmith. I just came across two sharp fangs and claws from a gate boss I defeated."
Klauss aimed to provide more intricate details about the materials he had acquired by vanquishing a rank C boss named Vorath, the cursed alpha inside a gate instance.
Displaying the newfound materials to Eulji, he observed the sparks of inspiration and motivation gleaming in Eulji's eyes.
Eulji thumped his mug decisively. "Aye, I've never laid hands on anything quite like these materials before. This should be interesting, don't you think so, lad? Hehe. The fangs and claws of a cursed creature, eh?"
Klauss nodded. "Indeed. Vorath, the dread alpha werewolf. His remains yielded these, and I have a vision for them—a collection of lightweight throwing knives, crafted with precision and finesse."
"Should make for excellent piercing and slashing blades. I'll get started on them soon."
"Excellent. Now, onto the matter of payment..." Klauss smoothly delved into his coat, retrieving an envelope that he slid across the table to Eulji. "I trust $10,000 will suffice for both materials and labor costs at this stage?" His intense gaze bore into Eulji.
The old man eagerly ripped open the envelope, eyes widening at the stacks of bills within. Scooping up the cash to riffle through, he emitted a wheezy chuckle.
"Aye, more than adequate! Appreciate you valuing the efforts of this old man. The boy too of course," he added with a sly wink to Gregor.
Klauss stood smoothly, "I shall take my leave then. Do pass along my praise to young Gregor for his dedication when he returns."
With that, he crossed to the doorway where he pulled out a crate of soju from his dimensional bag. As Eulji admired the special alcohol delivery, Klauss slipped away soundlessly into the depths of the forest.
He found Gregor some ways down the wooded path, gathering firewood into a harness strapped across his back. The apprentice smith jumped when Klauss appeared silently at his side, dropping an armload of timber.
"It's just me boy," Klauss remarked in amusement, holding up a hand.
Gregor scrambled to recover the spilled firewood, hoisting it awkwardly into his harness before facing Klauss. "My apologies! You took me by surprise that's all..."
Klauss studied the young teen pensively. Dark circles shadowed his eyes from fatigue, yet determination still shone clearly from their hazel depths.
His hands, Klauss noted, bore an array of small wounds - nicks, blisters and minor burns attesting to long hours spent hammering steel at the unforgiving forge.
Yes, this young man embodied the grit and tenacity Klauss valued in a subordinate, well a slave. Gregor had embraced the relentless demands of his assigned monumental task with admirable dedication.
Such work ethic, once properly honed, would prove invaluable in Klauss's future endeavors.
Klauss offered Gregor a nod and a rare smile full of approval. "You are progressing superbly boy. When you complete your service under Eulji's tutelage, I foresee a promising future as my sla- , subordinate."
Gregor blinked in surprise, then managed a shy smile in return which betrayed his robust body. "Th-thank you sir! It's been challenging work but very rewarding. I hope to craft a blade worthy of your expectations."
"See to it that you do. In the meantime, be sure your grandfather saves some soju for you. You've earned it." Klauss concluded with a casual wave before slipping soundlessly between the trees, vanishing like a specter into the depths of the ancient forest.
Descending the mountain, Klauss made his way to the awaiting car, surprising Aisha, who noted his punctuality with a raised eyebrow. A subtle hint of happiness appeared across her face, a reaction that irked Klauss more than he cared to admit.
With that, they set off towards The Hunter's Association headquarters in the Sentinel District. The journey was mostly silent, with Aisha stealing occasional glances at Klauss, who seemed lost in thought.
Upon reaching the THA headquarters, Klauss headed inside, leaving Aisha in the car. The bustling atmosphere of the Sentinel District was a stark contrast to the serene mountain they had just descended.
Inside, Klauss had to deliver a detailed report of the gate expedition to Sylvetta. Something Klauss wasn't looking forward to…
Meanwhile, back at the Stormbringers headquarters nestled in the heart of the Emberstone District, a hub predominantly populated by smaller guilds. Despite the apparent autonomy of these guilds, the district ultimately bowed to the commanding influence of the Stormbringers.
The Stormbringers Guild's stronghold was not only symbolic but a tangible expression of their dominion.
In close proximity, Storm Business Inc, a formidable conglomerate presided over by the guildmaster Stormy's influential father, held its central offices. This strategic co-location underscored the intertwining of economic power and guild power.
This illustrated why the Stormbringers wielded such significant control over the Emberstone District.
A sleek blue car rolled to a stop outside the imposing gates of the Stormbringers guild headquarters. As the four members of the recent expedition team stepped out, they couldn't help glancing around warily.
The memory of their humiliating defeat at the hands of the arrogant Klauss still stung, even here in the heart of their own territory.
Vice Guildmaster shepherded the subdued group through the front gates, past the patrolling guards who bowed respectfully at her approach.
The extravagant guild hall loomed before them, a formidable edifice built from granite and marble. Ornate symbols decorated the facade, bold declarations of the guild's strength for all to see.
Yet despite the familiar opulence surrounding them, an uneasy pall seemed to hang over the group as they entered the building. The vice leader now named Viviana Storm directed them toward a side chamber rather than the main audience hall.
At least their humiliation would be private.
The heavy oak door swung shut behind them with an ominous thud. Guildmaster Stormy awaited them, imposing form draped casually across a high-backed chair at the head of a long table. His cold gaze raked over them like a physical weight. Viviana inclined her head deferentially as she approached the table.
"Master Stormy, we have returned from the expedition". Her smooth voice betrayed none of the anxiety gnawing at her insides. Stormy had a vicious temper, and bad news often set it off.
At his blunt gesture, she took a seat to his right while the others lined up opposite her. No one dared speak without permission.
"Let's hear it then," Stormy rumbled after an ominous pause. "I want every detail of what transpired at that supposedly routine hunting ground."
Though his tone remained controlled, Viviana sensed the burning interest behind his words. She knew they must reveal the complete truth of the humiliation they had suffered. No amount of creative embellishment would satisfy Stormy if he uncovered deception later on.
Drawing a bracing breath, she gestured for Baro to begin the report. As the successive accounts unfolded, Stormy's expression darkened dangerously, mouth compressing into a thin line.
Yet he held his silence even as Gin described Klauss's unbelievable maneuver and Danielson tearfully recalled being swatted aside like an insect.
By the time they had finished, Viviana's nails had dug deep into her palms beneath the table, leaving angry imprints. This did not bode well for them.
For long fraught moments, Stormy stared into the distance, his fingers drumming an irregular beat on the polished wood. The others fidgeted, exchanging apprehensive glances.
Finally, he erupted from his chair with a violent shove, rounding on them with a snarl.
"You incompetent worms! Not only did you allow some random vagrant to invade and loot a Stormbringers sanctioned gate, but this presumptuous fool swatted you aside without even using his weapons?! And its the same vagabond who assaulted you?!"
His voice shook the rafters with restrained fury. No one dared to even breathe.
"I send my finest and promising team into the hunting ground to gain some experience. Instead I receive a report of MY promising team being tossed around like ragdolls by one arrogant child!"
Stormy visibly forced himself to regain composure, though his massive frame still thrummed with anger.
"At least tell me you managed to uncover the identity of this... Klauss," he bit out from behind gritted teeth. At Viviana's hesitant nod, he stabbed one thick finger at her.
"Explain. Now!"
She quickly outlined the clues they had gathered about the mysterious youth, including his association with the Hunters Association itself. That revelation made Stormy's eye twitch dangerously.
"So that impudent whelp dares to lay a hand on my people, then running back to the Association to hide behind their coat tails?" He gave a scornful snort. "Typical cowardice."
Viviana chose her next words cautiously. "Klauss is still an unknown entity who warrants further investigation. But he has already demonstrated extraordinary combat skills and intelligence. I suspect confronting him directly could be...unwise."
Stormy skewered her with a blistering glare. "Unwise? I rule this city, Vice-Commander! No puffed up child will challenge my authority within my own borders and escape unscathed."
He paced before his cowering subordinates, venom dripping from each syllable. "Let the whimpering boy run crying back to the Association that failed to restrain him. We shall lay a trap soon enough. And once I have him firmly in my grasp, I promise you - that audacious dog will learn obedience and respect!"
His subsequent glare froze them in place with raised hackles. Klauss would rue the day he provoked the unbridled wrath of Stormy Storm. Once identified, revenge was all but guaranteed…
Klauss had now fully gained the full attention of the ill -tempered guildmaster, Stormy.