I walked out of the building holding Ysron Caves. I got Ether Physique, finally. It only took three hours. What a slog of a process, though. If Nighteye thought the fight against Bombastic was bad, clearing the same thing over and over again was downright awful. I rubbed at my heavy eyes and let out a silent yawn.

  Coffee shop… where was the closest coffee shop? I hadn’t had my fix in the last thirty minutes—I ended up drinking the whole pot of coffee that guard brewed me. Left a tip of about a dozen cores I couldn’t be bothered to deal with.

  Probably could’ve taken them to an exchange. I was ready to just be done with it though. If I never stepped foot into those caves again, it’d be too soon. The three hours of clearing it for a drop that should’ve come out within the first several clears were so mind numbing.

  I turned my Glass back on to check the time—

  Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

  Oh… that was a lot of messages. A dozen texts from Lucia and double that in phone calls. Did something happen? I called her back and idly walked toward the coffee shop we went to the last time.

  “Aylin! Where the heck have you been?!” Lucia called out as soon as the call connected. She didn’t sound so good. Her voice came out tight, and filled with tension.

  ”Rift.” I entered the coffee shop and shifted the phone over to my other ear. “Ysron Caves.”

  ”Look—I’m sending some Tenok to pick you up, okay? Your first job as Cernobog’s Warden has come in… i-if you want to accept it, that is.” She tacked on that last part in a far quieter voice.

  ”Yep.” No point in making the young CEO stress about whether or not I’d help. As long as she called for me, I‘d come. What self-respecting knight wouldn’t go when their liege called?

  ”Um-“ Lucia paused like her next request would be something big. My muscles tensed up preemptively. “H-how do you feel about fighting a D-rank Warden?”

  [Nighteye snickers profusely and starts another bag of popcorn. Two in one day, eh kitten? Go get ‘em.]

  All the tension throughout my body faded away. Not a difficult request in the slightest, then. Why was she so stressed about this? Although… well, she’d never seen me give it my all in a fight, had she?

  “Easy.” I casually ordered a coffee, and paid with one of my few remaining Meal Chips. I’d have to go get more of those soon. And Utility Chips, for that matter.

  Lucia’s voice noticably lost its edge. ”Heh—that’s what I hoped you’d say. Cernobog was challenged to a corporate duel this morning. Not one we can refuse without scaring off investors.”

  ”…?” A corporate duel? This would be an actual duel, yep? Much better then the—was the word scuffed? That sounded right. The scuffed match-up against Bombastic Bowman.

  “Right… I’ll send a secretary to explain it. Just stay put, and I’ll send a HAT.” She sent a request for my location. “Hit the big green button.”

  ”…” I wasn’t an idiot. Sure, tech kinda confused me still. I got the basics like this stuff, though. I accepted it, sending her a ping of the coffee shop.

  “I gotta go. Just come straight up to my office when you get here. See ya in a bit, Aylin.” She hung up before I could say anything back.

  ”Moon!” A barista called and set my drink down on the counter.

  I slid my phone back into my pocket and grabbed the coffee. Nothing to do but wait then, yep? I got on my Glass and launched Girl Scouts: Towers. It was a newer tower defense game from the legendary, SSS-Class, Divine-level TV show. The first mission, named ‘Tutorial’, was kicking my ass, though. I was getting closer and closer to felling the beasts with the power of friendship with each valiant charge into battle.

  The HAT arrived ten minutes, and another cup of coffee, later. They caused a slight disturbance when they parked just off the road and ground traffic to a halt. Horns blared up and down the street, and shouts erupted from pissed off citizens. They promptly went silent when a squad of heavily armed soldiers poured out of the hova. I paused my game, stuffed my hands into my pockets, and headed over to the corporate transport.

  Tenok—that was definetly the name of Cernobog Industries operators. I recognized one of the men from that time Lucia and I were tailed. He popped into a salute upon noticing my attention. “Ma’am.”

  ”…” I waved a causal hand and boarded the flying tank. A secretary immedietly began lecturing me on duels and what to expect.

  — — —

  Corporate Duels… to be honest, they were a bit similar to nobles fighting over territory disputes. Instead of destructive warfare, it could all be legally settled with a simple duel between one corporation’s Warden and the other’s.

  Ah, right, there was that too. They weren’t just a duel between two corporations, they were also a duel between two Wardens. Official duels like this were backed by the OS, and potentially came with rewards. The winner got to steal one of the loser’s Skill.

  If before I was only slightly interested in the whole thing, the Skill stealing really caught my attention. Here I was thinking I’d have to grind hard to get something good, and some poor bloke delivered himself on a silver platter right to Cernobog Industries doorstep. Surely he’d have one good skill, yep?

  The whole dueling system was why strong Wardens were in such high demand in the corporate sector of Bastion. If a corporation was extremely strong but had a weak Warden? They could be brought down several pegs by a small corporation with a strong Warden. Cernobog wasn’t small, and as far as anyone was aware, I was an untested F-rank. It was no wonder a challenge came shortly after I was hired.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “You look worn out.” Lucia commented when I entered her office at the top of Cernobog Industries. The building itself was in Neo-Aiter, the district just north from my apartment.

  “You too.” She had bags under her eyes, and looked like she hadn’t slept. She didn’t show up for breakfast this morning. I just assumed she wasn’t hungry or something, but did she stay here all night working?

  ”Just a bunch of CEO stuff to do…” She waved her hand to a stack of papers. “Still have to replace half the board of executives. And then add in this matter?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Not your fault.” Lucia dropped her head into her arms. She stared up at me through locks of golden hair. “How was the rift?”

  ”Boring.” I nodded to the stack of papers. “…?”

  ”Right.” Lucia sighed and pushed a piece of paper toward me. “Tzon Enterprise challenged us. The bastards saw our recent… issues, and decided to take advantage.

  I slid into the chair opposite her. “Bad?”

  “Not necessarily. They’ve put a contract with Throne itself on the line for our contract with Epsilon.” Lucia’s expression tightened. “I don’t have to tell you how much we—I sacrificed to get that contract. Don’t lose this one.”

  I tapped my arm. ”Strong.”

  Her mouth cracked into a massive yawn. “Haah… if—when we get that Throne contract, we’ll be setting ourselves up nicely.”

  “I’ll win.” It was a promise. Even if I had to lock in and pull out all the stops, it’d end with my victory. Maybe I should get some Dew on draw just in case, too.

  “Duel is in a couple hours. You’re against Temoc of Tzon. They’ve raised this guy since he first appeared, turning him into a rabid dog. He loves to get in the face of his oponents and use his twin axes.” Lucia nodded to a stack of documents on the table. “There’s all his suspected Skills and Trait.”

  I picked up the stack of papers, and looked past the to her. “Lucia?”

  She flinched and looked up from the file she glazed over. “Yes?”

  ”Sleep?” I motioned to the couch on the far side of the room. She looked like she might fall over at any moment.

  She shook her head and smiled tightly. ”Can’t. No pillow, so you know how it is—“

  White Ebonshroud flowed down my arms, dredged up from the depths. It condensed and shifted forms to fabric instead of the metal I usually used it as. Layers upon layers stacked together, taking shape into a makeshift pillow. I even shifted some of the internals into a feather-like substance. “Here.”

  She paused, staring at the pillows. “I knew you had some kind of crafting Trait or Skill, but actually seeing it…”

  “Sleep.” It was no longer a question. I plopped the pillow onto the table for her. “Be fine. Few hours.”

  “Maybe… maybe you’re right… Wake me up before the duel begins. I gotta be there to cheer you on.” She threw her fist into the air in mock cheer.

  My lips tugged up into a smile. Memories of a time long past, back when I fought in the gladiatorial arenas of Seryhmn for the glory of the princess, played in the back of my mind. This was so very similar to that. “I will.”

  “Woah, this is soft.” Lucia grabbed the Ebonshroud pillow and went off to the couch on the side the CEO’s office. She passed out almost as soon as she laid down.

  Several minutes past while I read up on Temoc. It was probably overkill. The guy was a melee combatant, so I could beat him with my eyes closed. I highly doubted there was anybody that could match me through skill alone amongst the lower-level Wardens.

  The only part I was a bit worried about was his cybernetics. Still wasn’t used to those. They always took me off guard. The man had several, and the reports indicated he changed out types between every fight. There was no telling what he might bring.

  Ebonshroud flowed from me once more, weaving into a soft plush blanket. I draped the white blanket across my peacefully sleeping boss and silently slipped out of her office. There were a few hours until the duel, and I had no worries about beating him. Might as well go work on some other stuff.

  “Moon!” A gruff voice called from down the hall.

  “…” I shut the door behind me and nodded to the Head of Security. Kruber, I think his name was.

  “The boss in?” He approached the door behind me.

  I held it closed, blocking the way in. “Sleeping.”

  ”Ah! Good. Thought the girl would never go down.” He shook his head and ran a large hand down his face. “Takes after her father, that one. Say, you have a duel coming up, don’t you? That rotten asshole from Tzon… I’d love to stick my fist so far up his-”

  “Moon! Kruber!” An elf stepped out just behind the Head of Security. “Mighty fine day to you both.”

  ”Hawthorne! You going to watch our new Warden’s first duel?” The big man cheerfully asked the Legal Head.

  ”I have to. To ensure everything stays… legal.” Hawthorne motioned to me. “I was just about to come find you, Moon. Lucia requested we go over the duel’s rules and make sure nothing untoward happens. If I could have a moment of your time?”

  ”Yep-“

  ”Moon. Kruber. Hawthorne.” A third voice called out from the end of the hall. Just how many people were back there? “We’re all here, I see.”

  ”Torvy, you old dwarf. What brings you out of your cave?” Kruber smiled widely as if he hadn’t just insulted the small Head of Finances.

  ”Pay cuts. Specifically, for you.” Torvald frowned at the three of us. “I’m in charge of Marketing until a new head is chosen. I need to speak to the CEO.”

  ”She’s asleep.” Kruber waved him off. “Let her rest, my man. Surely we can figure it out between the three—four of us.”

  ”Hmm…” Torvald rubbed at his bushy beard. “There’s been… developments. Tzon invited several dozen reporters. It seems they plan on embarrassing us—ah! Of course, I have utmost faith in you, Moon.”

  ”…” It didn’t seem like it. His expression, although hard to read through the fur across his face, was incredibly tight.

  Embarrassing us though? Them and what army? Just one punk still wet behind the ears wouldn’t be enough to bring me down. He was just bringing attention to watch his own downfall. Pride go before the fall. That’s why everyone’s should be extremely humble like me.

  Hawthorne coughed lightly. “All the more reason to go over the rules… Moon, if you will?”

  “Yep.” I followed him into a different office. Without missing a beat, the other two came along as well.

  [Nighteye glares daggers at the three useless executives. They’re slacking while the CEO kills herself with exhaustion.]

  Maybe there was extenuating circumstances? From what it sounded like, they’re doubling up on executive positions until new ones can be hired. Lucia trusted them, anyway, so I’d give them the benefit of the doubt. For now.

  “This isn’t a fight to the death. There’s tap outs, surrendering, and uncons. All end the duel.” He nodded his head to the other two. “Been a while since we had one of these, hasn’t it?”

  ”Since the old Head of Marketing, that bitch, fired our last Warden… for the best, actually. That scrappy pup never did quite get the hang of duels.” Kruber shrugged his shoulders halfhhazardly and lounged in a chair.

  ”Hmm…” The dwarf stared at me, looking me from head to toe. “Should we… bring some Tenok in? There’s a gym somewhere in this building, right? For, erm, warmup?”

  ”Just left. Rifts.” I shook my head. I was more then warmed up and ready to go. I personally had nothing to prove. I reflected directly on Lucia though. I’d have to give quite the showing to reinforce her position.

  “Oh?” Kruber leaned foward. He brows rose in interest. “You have a fireteam?”

  ”Solo.”

  ”Ah, I see. Solo clearing rifts… you planning on promoting to D-rank soon?” The bear of a man asked me.

  “…?” I tossed my shoulders into a shrug. Not particularly. I’d have to go by the bureau again to officially promote to a D-rank Warden. Might not be a bad idea, actually. I’d be able to access more advanced rifts from Throne’s Tower app. Maybe after this I could look into it.

  We went over the extensive list of rules and regulations over official corporate duels. My focus kept breaking, and it wasn’t from a lack of trying. The legal jargon was the perfect lullaby. Only thoughts of my upcoming fight kept me awake.