Hero of Darkness

In a vastly spread settlement across a seashore on the eastern end of Alfheim, a scene of hundreds of massive ships docked on this 15 kilometers wide harbor came into sight. 

At the main control headquarters, was a meeting going on between the head of this widespread settlement which was also a transportation and fishing enterprise. The individual across the table was an Elf in black and blue longcoat attire. 

Legolas Ragnarsson, the elf with white hair and red eyes gave a sympathizing look to the black man with short and curly hair, dressed in the gray and red coat of a businessman. 

Denzel Harrington was the head of a big shipping and fishmonger enterprise and established himself as one of the biggest players in this sector who also controlled a part of the economy. 

The tales of this man were extremely inspiring to many as he started this company while being only a son of a fisherman and also greatly provided jobs and economic stability to the native community as he thrived along the way. 

"Dammit!! I knew something was off!" cursed the man, fuming with rage and hatred. 

On this table, were a few official documents that looked exactly the same but one differing factor was seen in them… 

The amount of money. 

These were the official contracts from his side and also the records registered in the Mercenary Association of Alfheim. 

The contract was an annual deal of security service provided by the LNP guild, the 2nd strongest guild of Alfheim. 

"You're not the only one, Mr. Harrington. Others were also scammed by him. 

Here, you paid 20 million itikar when the actual cost should've been just 16. 

Not only did the LNP guild get 2 million extra for the annual contract for providing security for your shipments and the helicarriers... 

But the high elf also ransacked two million into his own pockets." spoke Legolas in a calm tone as he rested his chin on the left palm. 

"How did you get it?" queried Denzel who was 35 years old. 

"You could say I stumbled upon it by accident." joked Legolas. 

"But I do have a proposition myself." said the elf guild leader. 

"Mr. Ragnarsson… although I'm thankful for bringing this to my attention… 

I'm not in the mood of trusting another elf at this point." spoke the short-haired black man. 

"I'm not saying you should trust me. I brought these to you to simply let you know the truth. 

At least, now you know who your friends and enemies are." said Legolas in a friendly tone.

Legolas then told the man about their modus operandi in making deals for mercenary commissions and arrangement of half payment in cash and the rest in SS Rank cores. 

"And what are you getting out of it?

This is a losing deal for you." skeptically queried Denzel. 

"I don't know… If this conversation goes in the right direction, maybe your long-term business?" laughed Legolas in a nonchalant manner. 

However, Denzel's expression revealed his upset mood. He had just found out that his trusted person in the mercenary association who he had developed a close relationship with over the years had been ripping him off by such a high margin. Naturally, he would be distrustful of anyone who even offered a helping hand at this moment. 

"Think about it. Not only we're offering you a great deal… but we're also currently the 2nd strongest guild in Alfheim and nearby 500 kilometers. 

I'll be honest. We need the work to establish ourselves in our profession and you need effective people while cutting the cost. This way, you could not only save money but also recover the losses you've had in the past few years. 

I'm willing to take the loss on my side as long as you agree to my terms. 

We can even sign a Lifespan Contract for it." proposed Legolas in a confident voice as he lightly smiled. 

"And why should I believe that you'll hold your side of the deal?" asked Denzel in a grim voice. 

"You don't have to. But know this for sure… 

I got this information because the high elf who scammed you was overthrown and someone else took his position temporarily to find out about this. 

What do you think will happen when another High Elf sits in that position? Do you think their treatment of you would be any favorable?" questioned the elf in a taunting manner. 

"Both of us already know the High Elves are much more prideful and merciless than an Ironborn Elf like me who comes at the bottom of all Elven classes in our empire. 

As for what happened and how you were ripped off… the Mercenary Association will not do anything because the President is the uncle of the guilty party. 

Even if you go to the imperial authorities and sue the High Noble elf… they will not even let your case stand in the imperial court on the accords of 'illegally obtained evidence being inadmissible'. 

He is bound to walk away with your money and not even get a single day's jail time for conning you and your entire corporation of millions of hard-working people for the past 5 years. 

So who better as a choice than the guy who needs you as much as you need them?" iterated Legolas carefreely as he laid down his cards in front of the man. 

Denzel gave it a thought for a while and then spoke in an exasperated tone. 

"Do you know why I still travel and do my business using seas and rivers throughout the empire?" 

"Isn't it obvious?... Because warships, although they're fast and reliable… there's a limit to how much goods you can carry on them and there is also the requirements of hundreds of thousands of A rank cores just for one long voyage." responded Legolas. 

Kahn himself was a professional businessman in this life. He understood Denzel's position more than anyone else. 

"Correct. 

And that's why we use the sea. It's cheaper and also the maintenance cost is affordable even if it takes time for the shipping." he explained. 

Legolas also nodded in agreement. 

"Is there anyone who can protect my crew and goods?" queried Denzel. 

"I have a guy. If he's protecting your envoy… whether it's the sky or the sea… no one can harm them." spoke Legolas. 

He then told Denzel about a certain commander of his and offered a few more enticing terms. 

"Fine then, Mr. Ragnarsson. I'm hoping that at least you won't stab me in the back. 

My contract with LNP is expiring next week. I will send my people and the official agreement via the association to set up a new contract on terms we discussed now." said Denzel. This was also an opportunity he wouldn't get anywhere else. 

Both shook hands, making a verbal pact on the spot. 

This way, Kahn had secured one of the biggest enterprise in Alfheim as a long-term client. 

----------------

For the next 2 weeks, Kahn was using the information provided by Logan in the blue diary to the fullest. 

It had contracts, details, clients and the guild, the copies these people had been falsified and many people were ripped off by the fat High Elf. 

'Knowledge is Power.' 

Kahn was using it to simply poach these clients in broad daylight. 

And with proof in hand, everyone was enraged after knowing that they were fooled big time, not a single one of the big leaders of these enterprises had a good countenance. 

But even so… What could they do? 

What happened to Denzel was the same case for them. 

Given the social structure… nothing would happen to the thief while they suffered immense losses. 

With this same tactic of approaching these big names, Kahn reeled in 23 major corporations and clients and only 4 decided to refute him. 

To him, this result was far better than expected.

Not everyone knew about their guild and had heard about many accomplishments other than them having 8 Saints. 

In the end, rank was still a factor. 

Both 12 Valkyries and LNP had a 4th stage saint individual as their leader while Legolas was only 2nd stage saint. 

And the strongest person was Omega who was a 3rd stage saint. But even in the first two guilds, a 3rd stage saint was only worthy to become the Vice-president at best. 

Thus, some took a stance of testing the waters despite seeing the great benefits of the deal. 

Kahn on the other end, wasn't worried in the slightest. 

Why? 

Although he lacked the manpower and was new in the business… once their success rate spoke for itself; it will be these very leaders coming to his office one day to propose the deals. 

One needed to be able to accept losses and take a retreat in the business world before they created a strong customer base. 

Like how people offered lower tariffs on call rates and internet data packs at the beginning years of their telecommunications companies while receiving losses in abundance. 

But once the consumer base rose immensely, they charged as much as everyone else, sometimes even higher. 

And by that time, when the customers were hooked and reliant on their service, even with these hikes in price, at least 70 to 80% would stay. 

The risen price would not only make up for the losses of gone customers but would also gradually compensate for the losses you had at the beginning days of the company. 

All it took was patience and futuristic planning. 

Not many had the guts to stay the course and thus, not many became rich by accumulating wealth over the course of time. 

Kahn held this book like a warhead in his hands now. His ambitious goals were no longer far from reality. And soon... 

He'd dominate the Mercenary Profession.