Ascension Online: My Beasts Evolve infinitely

The voice sounded familiar, though Kael couldn’t quite place it.

”Speaking. Who’s this?”

”Alexis Kane. You probably haven’t heard my name before that’s fine, most people outside the scene haven’t.” A pause, brief and deliberate.

”I run a studio working the Ascension launch. I heard about your split from Ironclad yesterday, and I’d like to bring you in.”

”Say yes, and I’ll cover whatever it cost you to walk away from that contract. A hundred million a year, on top of that.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He knew that name. In his last life, it had meant something old money, new ambition, a founder who’d turned family wealth and genuine skill into one of the top ten guilds on the entire server.

Evertide Studios wasn’t a nobody operation. It was a name that mattered in every serious conversation about the endgame.

What actually stuck with him, though, was simpler.She fought with a sword too.

They’d crossed blades more than once, back when he was still climbing. Ten matches, best of the set.

He’d taken seven. It had been enough to lock in his reputation as the best swordsman on the server with her sitting close enough behind him that most people never forgot her name either.

Decisive. Doesn’t waste time posturing. Not the worst person to get a call from, all things considered.

Didn’t change the answer, though.

”I appreciate it, Ms. Kane, but I’m not looking to sign anywhere right now.”

She didn’t let it go that easily.

”From what I understand, you walked out of Ironclad yesterday with nothing but your rig. Which tells me you’re already back in Ascension.”

”So you’ll have seen the Gold-tier sword up at auction right now. Say the word, and I’ll buy it outright. It’s yours the moment you sign.”

Confidence dripped off every word. As a swordswoman herself, she knew exactly what dangling the server’s best weapon in front of another blade-master was supposed to do.

Kael had to fight down a laugh.

You’d be buying my own sword back for me. That’s genuinely funny.

He kept his voice level. ”Appreciate the offer, Ms. Kane. Really. But the answer’s still no. You’ll find someone else worth the investment.”

He ended the call before she could push again.Somewhere across the city, in an apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a stretch of dark water, a striking woman lowered her phone and stared at the dead line for a moment.

Then she smiled slow, amused, more intrigued than offended.

”Confirmed. Best melee player on the server, and he’s got the personality to match.” Her fingers tapped idly against the glass. ”Fine. I’ve got time.”

”One day, Mercer. I’ll get you on my roster whether you like it or not.”

Back home, dishes done, Kael logged back in an hour later right as the auction timer wound down to zero. A cluster of chimes greeted him the second he loaded in.

”Auction complete: [Wolf King’s Edge] sold for 1,800 gold. After 10% commission: 1,620 gold credited.”

”Auction complete: [Wolf King’s Bulwark] sold for 420 gold. After 10% commission: 378 gold credited.”

More chimes followed, one after another, until the tally settled.

Six thousand gold, total, sitting fresh in his account.

At current exchange rates, one gold coin ran somewhere north of five thousand dollars.

He did the math twice just to be sure. Thirty million dollars, give or take, from a single morning’s worth of leftover gear.

Some people are out here worrying about rent, and I’m making thirty million off loot I didn’t even want.

Out of curiosity, he checked the winning bidder on the sword.

Gamertag: SilentDrifter.

If memory served and it usually did, these days that name belonged to one of Alexis Kane’s top lieutenants.

”So she wasn’t bluffing.” He shook his head, half-amused, and headed for the general store to restock arrows and potions before the next grind session.

He’d barely crossed the plaza when the sky chimed again.

”Player IroncladOfficial: Ironclad Esports extends a formal invitation to Unrivaled annual salary $100 million, full benefits negotiable. We’d be honored to have you.”

Kael disabled unsolicited whispers and ID lookups from strangers the moment he’d logged into the game which meant a server-wide broadcast was the only channel left open to reach him.

Those didn’t come cheap. Ten gold a message, easily fifty thousand dollars a pop at current rates.

They cut me loose yesterday. Today they’re offering a hundred million to bring me back.

He let out a short, humorless laugh.

Some people never learn.

Two more chimes rang out before he’d taken another step.

”Player DominionScout: Wildfire Dominion extends a formal invitation to Unrivaled annual salary $110 million, full benefits negotiable.

Come help us build an empire.”

”Player EvertideHerald: Evertide Studios extends a formal invitation to Unrivaled annual salary $150 million, terms open for discussion.”