Aldred Winsley sat on his desk early in the day, just like every other day.
Business in the KariBlanc Group's Central Building didn't really pick up until late evening/night, but a few customers preferred coming when there were fewer eyes on them.
As a result, diligent workers like Aldred had to make themselves available.
Aldred behind on his luxurious desk, taking care of some paperwork while waiting to be called for any 'special case.'
His hair was stylish, as always, and his formal attire was neat and properlyto the utmost limit.
Even though he was all alone in the room, with no one watching him whatsoever, he went about his business with as much finesse and dedication as possible.
He was just about to pick up another file when he finally got the call.
It was from his Enchanted Bracelet.
~Out Esteemed Guest is here for you, sir. He says he wants to meet with you and it's urgent!~
The moment Aldred heard this, he jumped to his feet that very instant.
There was only one person that he told the other workers to call 'esteemed guest' when calling him about them.
'It's Sir Ralyks!"
Aldred had a mixed expression of both surprise and relief.
He was glad to see that their best seller hadn't abandoned them, and he had even come sooner than expected.
However, that didn't stop Aldred's surprise at the entire situation. After all
'He only arrives in the afternoon. What's this new arrangement?'
Besides, after their first meeting, it was obvious that Aldred was always going to attend to him or his subordinate no matter what.
'So why did he bother asking to see me; and he says it's important as well?'
He began to get goosebumps, but he knew he couldn't afford to be crippled by the uncertain future ahead of him.
'I can't dawdle for too long, else he'll think I'm disrespecting him!'
Sir Ralyks was not only the best seller to their KariBlanc Group, he was also someone with a Skill in the realm of AbsolutesThe S-Tier.
If he didn't want their organization to perish, all possible respect had to be attributed to this manwhoever he was.
"Tell him I'm on my way. I'll be with him shortly." As Aldred rushed out of his office, he uttered these words to the one who called him.
She responded affirmatively, and Aldred found himself outside his office already.
All that was left was to locate the most pristine Bargain Room and speak to Ralyks.
'I hope all is well'
************
'T-this is'
Aldred Winsley was now seated right opposite KariBlanc's top seller and most esteemed guest, but he didn't feel too comfortable.
He fought very hard to keep his body from trembling, and he was sure that all the color had drained from his face.
Why?
Well, the answer sat right in front of him, in the form of Ralyks.
' This pressure is something else!'
Just by sitting and remaining quiet, Aldred could send an incorporeal pressure pressing against him.
It was a power he could not define or explain.
Was it a Skill? Or was it just pure, unbridled bloodlust?
Aldred didn't know.
However, he did know that he wasn't the cause.
'Ever since I entered this room, I felt the pressure already. I do not believe I've done anything to insult or disrespect him.'
Even if he did, Aldred felt like the man before him wasn't the type to take offense at such things so easily.
The strong didn't need to keep quiet about their dissatisfactions.
They were often vocal about it.
'So what is up with this situation? Why is he being like this?'
As Aldred gulped down his saliva, taking one of the glasses of water that sat on a trayright atop the center table that demarcated then bothhe noticed something.
Ralyks began to move subtly, raising his head slowly so he could look him in the eye.
Aldred braced himself for whatever was to come next.
However
"Sorry to come here so early in the morning. However, I need something from your company."
Ralyks' words were surprisingly calm and polite.
It was almost like he was being very carefully gentle with his words.
Honestly, Aldred was so relieved.
"W-what are you talking about, Sir Ralyks? You can come here at any time and always be welcome!"
Aldred knew that even if he was busy with another customer or seller the moment Sir Ralyks was in the building, he would leave his earlier engagement to someone capable and attend to him.
He was KariBlanc's golden gooseand they didn't plan on letting him go anytime soon.
"What do you need? We will try our best to procure it for you!"
As he asked this, Aldred wondered if both Ralyks and his subordinate enjoyed the gifts they were given.
He wanted to ask, but decided it wasn't the best time.
Business came first.
"My ring the White Ember, it's missing."
The moment Aldred heard this, his eyes twitched slightly.
"The person who was wearing it is also missing. I'd like to find them both I hope you understand what I'm driving at?"
Aldred nodded slowly, his expression darkening slightly.
'Someone took his Beloved and also had the audacity to take the ring from him?!'
He couldn't believe someone like Ralyks was clumsy and reckless.
He was probably not present when the incident happened.
'Yet he came here for a solution. So he already knows' Aldred made a nervous smile
This man really was too much.
"I understand perfectly well, sir. Please come with me."
They both rose up and Aldred took him upstairs.
To the Second Floor.
Compared to the first and second floor, no one but specific staff were meant to even take a step into the Floor.
However, for every rule there is an exception.
And that exception was the man with him.
'Since he came to the KariBlanc, he must already know of the special power in our grasp.'
There was no use hiding it from him at this point.
' Our Enchanted Item Tracker!'
The KariBlanc Group's Central Building was a three-story building.
Its Ground Floor was used for commerce. Its First Floor was used for brokerage and special transactionsas well as the storage of regular Items.
As for the Second Floor It was used for three major purposes.
One was to store the best of products. The second was adding the finishing touches for these products.
And as for the last reason, it lay behind the door that Aldred was about to open.
The Manufacturing stations existed in the bulkier half of the building that served as an extension to the back.
Since the building had a lot of spaceespecially behind it, it wasn't surprising that manufacturing occurred there.
That place was also off-limits to those without access, but compared to that, this place was the real deal.
The Holy of Holies.
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