Regius returned to the tavern twenty minutes later. He carried a bag full of assorted pastries in one hand.
He stopped outside the heavy oak door of their suite. He took a breath, centering his mana, pushing the cold, vibrating influence of an ancient being deep into the recesses of his Soul Palace. He checked his reflection in a polished brass sconce. His eyes were violet but calm.
He pushed the door open.
"Finally!" Vera groaned from the floor, where she was currently losing a card game to Olin. "I was about to send Kael out to file a missing person report."
"The line at the bakery was long," Regius said, setting the bag on the table. "The shops get crowded."
Vera dove for the box. "Blueberry tarts? Boss, you are a saint. A literal saint."
Regius watched them eat. He watched Kael laugh at a joke, his guard completely down. He watched Tavus's father wipe crumbs from his chin, eyes bright with the promise of the future. The scene was warm, domestic, and fragile.
I kept them safe, Regius thought, the memory of the alleyway slaughter still fresh on his skin. For tonight, that is enough.
———
The sun rose over Aurus City, burning away the morning mist to reveal a metropolis built on the twin pillars of mana and commerce.
At the center of the trade district, towering above the taverns and reinforced weapon shops, stood the Aurum Union Hub. It was a fortress of white marble and stained glass, a monument dedicated to the worship of commerce. While the defensive walls of the city bore the scars of monster attacks, the Hub remained pristine, protected by a dedicated high-frequency mana shield that shimmered faintly in the daylight.
It bustled with the chaotic energy of capitalism.
"It smells expensive as always," Olin muttered, adjusting his glasses as they approached the massive double doors.
"Payday for us," Kael grinned, double-checking his spatial storage containing the Alpha Core and high-grade materials from the previous monster tide. "Come on!"
Regius adjusted the collar of his tunic. He led the way up the stairs, his boots clicking on the marble. The squad followed in a tight formation, a habit born from the multitude of expeditions in the borderlands that made them stand out among the loose crowds of merchants and city folk.
Inside, the Hub was a sensory overload of wealth. The floor was a mosaic of rare minerals, and the ceiling was a holographic dome displaying real-time market trends for grain, steel, and monster materials across the continent.
Dozens of clerks sat behind pristine terminals, processing transactions with bored efficiency.
"Iron Swords," Regius said to the front desk receptionist, a young man wearing a headset that glowed with data streams. "We have a deposit. Peak Rank 2 carcass."
The receptionist sighed, barely looking up. "Standard intake is to the left. Take a number and—"
He paused. His scanner swept over the digital badge of the squad. The terminal chimed a high-pitched tone. A priority message flashed on his screen.
The receptionist looked up, his eyes widening as he took in the squad's armor and the calm authority of their leader.
"VIP Clearance detected," the receptionist stammered, tapping a rapid sequence into his console. "My apologies, Hunters. Please, head to the VIP lift. Top floor."
The receptionist led the squad to the VIP lift, tucked at the back of the Hub where there was very little traffic.
"VIP lift?" Vera whispered to Kael as they walked past the line of grumbling merchants. "I could get used to this."
"Don't," Kael grunted, though he stood a little taller. "Plush chairs make for soft soldiers."
Regius didn't smile. His eyes narrowed slightly as the elevator doors slid shut, sealing them in a capsule of gold and glass.
Top floor, Regius thought, his mind shifting gears from hunter to a noble.
In two years of hunting, he had sold dozens of high-value cores and materials. He had never been invited to the executive levels. Standard procedure was a Senior Appraiser on the second floor.
This is different.
The elevator chimed. The doors opened to a different world.
The noise of the trading floor vanished, replaced by the soft hum of silence runes woven into the walls. The squad was ushered into a private waiting lounge that looked more akin to a noble's drawing room than a mercenary office. Plush velvet sofas, a crystal table laden with sparkling water, and a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the sprawling city.
Milo grabbed a pastry from the crystal tray. "This is way better than the tavern. You think they charge for snacks?"
"It's always complimentary," Regius said, taking a seat near the window.
"Sweet!"
Regius glanced at his squad. They were laughing, poking at the fancy food, completely unaware that less than twelve hours ago, three assassins had tried to slit Regius's throat just a few blocks away.
"Iron Swords?"
The door slid open with a pneumatic hiss. A sharp-looking female assistant stood there, holding a data slate. She wore the grey-and-gold uniform of the Union's upper management.
Perched on her shoulder was a silent owl, a rare Mid-Tier Beast summon known for its sensory capabilities. Its large, saucer-like eyes scanned the room, reading the mana density of everyone present.
The owl looked at Kael, clicking its beak indifferently. It looked at Vera, ruffling its feathers at her brute strength. It glanced at Olin and Milo, unimpressed.
Then, the bird turned its head toward Regius.
Regius sat perfectly still. He met the bird's gaze.
The owl scrambled backwards. Its claws nearly tearing the fabric of the assistant's uniform. It dove into the crook of the assistant's arm, burying its head under its wing and going rigid.
"Shhh, easy," the assistant whispered, wincing as she fought to keep her composure. She looked at Regius, her professional mask slipping for a fraction of a second to reveal genuine confusion. Her summon had never reacted like that to a human.
"Manager Lorn will see you now," she said, her voice tight. "Alone."
Regius stood up, smoothing his cloak. "Wait here. Drink the expensive stuff."
"Make sure they pay twice the amount, Boss," Vera mumbled around a mouthful of tart.
Regius followed the assistant down a short corridor. She stopped at a double door made of black mahogany, unlocked it with a body scan, and stepped aside. She did not enter with him.