The paynt for the previous commission had been far more rewarding than anticipated.
Not only was the base reward substantial, but additional compensation was granted after it was revealed that the monster slain was a rare, mutated variant. Furthermore, with the influential testimony of Kyrie Lynchfield confirming Gin's crucial role, another bonus followed.
Yet despite these earnings, the weight of debt—both current and forthcoming—still suffocated him. The financial strain of his new residence and the looming loans left little room for relief. Sure, the steady inco from the Runewright Workshop would provide long-term stability, but for now, he needed to push forward with relentless effort.
It was ti to tackle the second commission—a reward of a different nature this ti: an artifact.
"Andrella Willex."
That was the na of the person who had invited him to join as a partner.
The youngest daughter of the renowned Willex family, a household na in the city of Crakton. At just 22 years old, she carried both prestige and a striking reputation. Gin had done his howork, digging through the wizard-exclusive networks and even the general web for details about her.
Her fa was undeniable, transcending social dia.
She frequently appeared on TV, orchestrating events designed to capture public attention. But her greatest weapon wasn't just her visibility—it was her lineage.
As a scion of the Willex family, one of West Ham's most prominent noble houses, her very na carried the weight of authority.
In this world, the power of the "Five Great Houses" was no secret.
Everyone knew they ruled the world from the shadows, though few truly understood the chanisms of their influence. What most people recognized were the powerful subordinate families that orbited these houses—like the Willex clan in West Ham.
Unlike the more secretive great families, the Willex household had deliberately thrust themselves into the spotlight, dedicating entire budgets to promoting their image.
It was a calculated move orchestrated by those above: by shifting focus to lesser families, the Five Great Houses maintained their grip on the world in quiet yet undeniable supremacy.
Andrella Willex had skillfully made the most of this strategy, cultivating a strong presence among the younger generation through social dia and televised appearances.
She was captivating—both in beauty and deanor. Of course, as Gin continued his research, he couldn't help but stumble upon a torrent of colorful rumors.
The most notorious was her ever-changing string of lovers.
Every man who captured her attention inevitably beca her partner for a ti, only for the relationship to end as quickly as it began.
Yet, strangely enough, none of these n bore any resentnt afterward. On the contrary, they often spoke of her fondly and expressed a willingness to rekindle the relationship if she ever so desired. Whether this sentint was genuine or not, Gin couldn't say.
"Is that what this is about? Does she think I'm her next target?" he muttered under his breath. Gin had no intention of playing along with whatever ga Andrella might have in mind.
His goal was simple: attend the party as requested, secure the artifact, and leave.
He knew the event would draw important figures, likely a youthful crowd enamored by the Willex heiress.
So of her forr lovers might even be in attendance, potentially complicating matters with petty rivalries and veiled threats. It would be an exhausting experience—but tolerable. After all, an artifact was on the line.
Once he claid it, he could assess its worth and decide whether to keep or sell it. He doubted that the youngest daughter of a noble house would offer anything too extraordinary as paynt.
"Still... what do I need to prepare for a party like this?" Gin frowned.
He had never been to such an event before and had no clue how to proceed.
Fortunately, he knew soone who might be able to help.
Without delay, he dialed the number for Owen Frieden, hoping their past camaraderie would earn him so much-needed advice.
anwhile, across the city, Andrella Willex smiled warmly as she glanced at a photo on her smartphone. She was pleased—very pleased.
Everything had gone according to plan, and the man in the photo had agreed to be her partner for the upcoming event.
"Gin, wasn't it?" she murmured thoughtfully.
Her fascination with him had begun recently during a governnt-sponsored artifact competition.
She had been captivated at first sight—not only by his breathtaking appearance but by the elegance of his magic.
It had taken considerable effort to secure him as her partner. Initial contact had to be made through interdiaries, which complicated matters.
When her direct offer was rejected, she tried offering a monetary reward, only to be turned down again.
At first, she thought he was playing hard to get. However, as negotiations dragged on, it beca clear that money wasn't the issue.
Eventually, with subtle hints from her interdiary, she discovered his true interest: artifacts. When she offered one as compensation, he finally agreed.
"Now… which artifact should I give him?" she mused, tapping her chin.
She couldn't afford to be careless. The value of artifacts varied wildly, and even as a direct descendant of the Willex family, she couldn't dispose of one lightly.
After so consideration, she selected a large crystal orb roughly 20 centiters in diater. It was a common relic—capable of changing color depending on the magical energy infused into it.
Useless, she thought dismissively.
These orbs had once been so abundant that dozens would be unearthed in a single excavation. Even so, it would suffice for this transaction.
After placing the orb on a table, she summoned her party planner—a man responsible for organizing all of her social events.
He entered the room with a professional air, though his excitent was evident.
"Welco. Is everything ready?" Andrella asked with a radiant smile.
"Yes, my lady.
Since the event is being held at your estate, venue arrangents were straightforward.
We've designed the atmosphere to match the lively club style you requested."
Most of the guests were young socialites who loved to indulge in grand festivities. Andrella intended to record the entire affair for promotional purposes, having already secured consent from attendees. All the logistical details had been handled by her planner.
"Any last-minute additions to the guest list?" she inquired.
"Actually… yes," he replied, his eyes gleaming. Andrella arched an eyebrow, noticing his heightened excitent.
"Who?" she asked curiously, accepting the list he handed over.
As she skimd through the nas, her eyes widened in disbelief upon reaching the last two entries.
"Owen Frieden and Kyrie Lynchfield?" she gasped. "Are you certain they're coming to my party?"
"Yes, my lady. I confird it personally," the planner assured her.
Andrella's astonishnt grew. Neither of them was known for attending social events, especially not the wild, unconventional gatherings she often hosted. Yet here they were, on her guest list.
This party was shaping up to be far more interesting than she had anticipated.
Reviews
All reviews (0)