In the Dark Noble City Circle of the Dark City was a black castle in the very center of the noble city circle. It was the Dark Castle where the mysterious highest-ranking noble of the Rare Plains Dark City lived, the Dark Earl!
Only a Dark Baron rank noble was eligible to meet with the Dark Earl; for others, the Dark Earl was only a ghost.
However, if others knew this mysterious, enigmatic Dark Earl was laughing crazily while holding a silver pill with a red threads-like marking and his appearance was not any better than coal mine worker, the dark city would lose all face.
"…ahaha… I finally made this damn Basic Type-2 Berserker Pill! I can finally be a Dark Alchemist and leave this forsaken place!" Hallberg guffawed as he was on the verge of shedding tears from pure bliss.
However, Dark Rose's electric voice rang, almost making him drop the Berserker Pill, "Lord Hallberg, there is a level-3 alert!"
A sense of déjà vu hit Hallberg as he remembered the last time Dark Rose contacted him over a week ago, was also telling him about the level-1 alert and nearly blowing his lab in the process.
Now, there was a level-3 alert, and he became vigilant as he asked with a frown, "What is it this time?"
"Faceless Ancient had killed a Senior Grandmaster Rank Alchemist a few moments ago!" Dark Rose reported emotionlessly.
Hallberg's eyes went wide as he exclaimed, "What? Are you joking? And no one stops him?"
He was really astonished since he had never expected to hear such news because it had been a long time since someone had killed someone in the dark city, and the person in question was a Senior Grandmaster nevertheless.
"I can't joke. And no one was able to stop him." Dark Rose emotionlessly replied.
Hallberg frowned, "No one was able to stop him? Is that guy really that powerful? But why did he kill a Senior Grandmaster, and how did you handle it?"
Hallberg knew Dark Rose had full authority to act and then report it to him. She wasn't like those AIs of the three hegemonies who couldn't act unless they were given order and bonded by authority restrictions.
Dark Rose was even more special than the Alchemy Guild's proud creation, the White Sage. She was given full authority over the Dark City and could make independent decisions according to the situation.
Even a Dark Earl like Hallberg could not interfere if his decision were harmful to the Dark City, and he would be punished if he overstepped his boundary. That's what truly makes the Dark City impartial.
Dark Rose replied, "He acted according to the Alchemy Guild's law and regulation, and the Guild's AI: White Sage confirmed it, and he also has Star-1 privilege. So, according to clause #884, I charged him with a fine of 100ZC and gave him a warning. As for his prowess, I have no authority to break into his personal data or spy on him, or Star Network will erase me."
Hallberg's expression went strange, "White Sage confirmed it? Do you mean he's an official alchemy guild member? Wasn't he a member of the association?"
"Over a week ago, Faceless Ancient identity badge had been changed from the alliance to the guild's Senior Grandmaster Gunsmith." Dark Rose emotionlessly replied.
Hallberg's expression turned even more strange, "A Senior Grandmaster Gunsmith, and he's as strong as an eight-star knight. Is he an official member of the alliance or the guild? Nevertheless, he would be a genius if he could reach these ranks in both hegemonies.
"That sneaky fellow Braylon might make things difficult for him since he will not sit still while his authority gets challenged by someone else. Well, it's good, I guess; it will be far better to make a move and have a good impression by getting him out of this trouble."
Hallberg's eyes lit up as he felt it was a great plan to play the good guy to win over talent.
However, Dark Rose's next words instantly burst his bubble, and the pill in his cracked by the sheer force he put in his finger because of the surprise.
"Lord Hallberg, the Rare Plains Dark City Alchemy Guild's Leader authority has just been transferred from Senior Grandmaster Braylon to Sir Faceless Ancient. According to our contract with the Alchemy Guild, he can now enter the Dark Inner Circle City's, Alchemy Guild!"
---
At this moment, a masked figure walked out from the exit of the alchemy guild's building.
This person was none other than Jacob, who was in quite a good mood after getting unexpected benefits after robbing Braylon of his items, money, and authority.
Jacob never believed that Braylon would resist unless he didn't cherish his life, which he did very much. Jacob knew such a person who cherished his life above anything when he saw one and would do anything to have a chance at living. He was such a person as well.
However, unlike Braylon, he never goes out scheming and causes trouble unless he is absolutely sure of his victory.
Anyhow, talk about benefits, the first one he got was naturally an extra 58,139 ZC balance, of which 20,594 ZC came from Braylon, and most surprisingly, 31,193 came from none other than Otto. At the same time, the rest belonged to those other Senior Grandmasters, including Rita.
Otto's balance instantly drew Jacob's attention, and he gave the dwarf a meaningful look which made the other party shudder with bloodshot eyes. Still, he didn't expose him and didn't care much where that money came from since it was now his.
If he wants it back, he can look for him anytime.
In the end, out of the kindness of his heart, Jacob still left them with 1 ZC each so they could still pay for their dwelling expenses in the Dark City.
The second benefit he received came from snatching Braylon's authority as Guild Leader. It turned out the Guild Leader of the Alchemy Guild in Dark City has a status equal to an Upper-Rank Dark Noble.
This means now he could enter the Inner Circle of the Dark City and didn't have to pay to prolong his stay in the rare plains Dark City!
That's also the reason for him leaving the guild building right away. He wanted to go to the inner circle post hastily. Just Braylon's workshop in the inner circle was enough for Jacob to head there immediately, not to mansion other things unique to the inner circle.
There was nothing left here for him anyway.
Lastly, the third benefit also came from Braylon, which was none other than material for Blood Insect Enslavement Ritual Array, the Rainbow Star Dust!