Kill the Sun

Anatomy didn't have a level six Specter, but they had a couple of level five Specters. 

Even more, Anatomy was led by one of the former level six Zephyx Extractors of Kugelblitz.

For some reason, one of the five level six Zephyx Extractors had left Kugelblitz to join a talented and rapidly developing Zephyx Manufacturer and had become the Chief Zephyx Extractor there.

With Anatomy having a level six Zephyx Extractor of their own, they could attempt to capture a level six Specter, a Demon.

This gave them a shot at reaching Kugelblitz's level, but only if they actually managed to get one.

People from Kugelblitz or Anatomy didn't walk outside the Inner City, and they wouldn't find any of them in this marketplace.

"Although, they account for only 10% of Newbies," Wyntor said.

"Only 10%?" Nick asked. "But aren't they the two biggest Manufacturers?"

"They are the two most powerful, not the two biggest," Wyntor explained. "While size is an indicator of power, you also have to look at the quality of the Specters and the Extractors."

"For example, Kugelblitz barely has 130 Extractors, but only 30 of those are in the first and second level. The other 100 are level three, four, and five Extractors."

"Kugelblitz has almost 80% of all level four and five Extractors but less than 5% of all level one and two Extractors," Wyntor explained.

"Sounds like there is no way to topple Kugelblitz," Trevor commented with a chuckle.

"It's difficult," Wyntor said, "but if Anatomy manages to get a Demon, things might change."

The next moment, Wyntor looked at Trevor with a smirk, and Trevor felt a bit nervous. "Who knows?" Wyntor said. "If Anatomy gets a level six Specter, we might have a war on our hands."

The three of them felt quite nervous.

A war between Manufacturers?

What would that even look like?

Would one of the Manufacturers free the Specters of another one to cause damage to them?

That would be horrifying!

"Anyway," Wyntor said, turning to the marketplace again. "We won't be meeting anyone from Kugelblitz or Anatomy here."

"You see the Extractors in the turquoise and red uniforms?" Wyntor asked.

"Speaking of," Nick said. "I was going to ask about that. Why do they not wear the official uniform for Zephyx Extractors?"

"It is the official one," Wyntor said. "It's the official one for their Manufacturer."

"Almost all Zephyx Manufacturers have uniforms of their own, which also count as the official ones for the city."

"If you want one, we need a level three Zephyx Extractor in Dark Dream. Then, I can commission one. Until then, you have to deal with the standard one."

Nick looked at his uniform.

Suddenly, the uniform didn't seem that impressive anymore.

"Anyway, the ones in the turquoise and red uniform are from Ghosty's Lab, which is the third biggest Zephyx Manufacturer in the city," Wyntor said. "They also have over 30% of all level one and level two Zephyx Extractors."

"In terms of quantity of Specters, they are number one in the city. They have a lot of Hatchlings, Adolescents, and Adults, but they also have a couple of Elders and even one Fanatic."

"Try not to antagonize the Extractors from Ghosty's Lab. If we have a conflict with them, we will go bankrupt before we know it," Wyntor said.

The three of them nodded as they looked at the Extractors with the turquoise and red uniforms.

There were about ten of them in here, which was lower than expected.

According to what Wyntor said, there should be over 30 of them here.

However, it also wasn't that surprising. Ghosty's Lab probably bought the majority of their gear in the Inner City and traded it between their people. They were big enough that they could do that easily.

"What about the others?" Nick asked.

Wyntor pointed to someone wearing a silver and red outfit.

"The people in the silver and red uniform belong to Gemini. Gemini used to be a relative nobody, but they recently managed to capture their first Elder, which officially puts them just behind Ghosty's Lab."

"However, the difference in power between Ghosty's Lab and Gemini is still massive. Ghosty's Lab has over three times as many employees, which even extends to level three and level four Extractors."

"Gemini is nothing compared to Ghosty's Lab, but they are still a Manufacturer with a level four Specter. So, don't try to start trouble with them."

The three of them nodded and waited for Wyntor to continue.

Next, Wyntor pointed to one of the Zephyx Extractors wearing a yellow and red uniform.

"These people are from Solace. They used to be Gemini's rivals, but they can no longer compete with Gemini since they don't have a level four Specter."

"I would also ask you not to antagonize them. Solace provides over 90% of all the artificial light that works against the Nightmare. Their most famous Specter, the Bright Candle, is the thing that illuminates our cheap Containment Unit, and it also provides the Arclights that we use from time to time."

"They also sell the more modest versions of the Containment Units. The two we own have both been built by them." 

"If we suddenly have trouble with them, it will cost us a lot."

Next, Wyntor pointed at a group of people wearing grey and red uniforms.

"They are from the Spartans. It's a relatively new start-up Manufacturer made by three unhappy level three Extractors that used to work for Gemini. While they have three level three Extractors, they haven't managed to catch an Adult yet, but they definitely have the resources to do so."

"Most likely, they won't stay in business for much longer. If they manage to survive for a year, I would be very surprised," Wyntor explained neutrally.

Nick looked with surprise at Wyntor. "Why do you think so?"

Wyntor just smiled.

"They don't have someone that protects them from the bigger Manufacturers."

"Naturally, every additional Manufacturer means more competition and less money for the bigger Manufacturers. Because of that, the bigger Manufacturers put a lot of pressure on the smaller ones in an effort to drain them of resources."

"But you don't need to worry about Dark Dream," Wyntor said.

"Kugelblitz, Anatomy, Ghosty's Lab, Gemini, and Solace won't touch us as long as we don't initiate the hostilities."

The three of them could take a good guess as to why.

Wyntor's suit showed exactly why.