[Hamlet Stein POV]
After my little power trip speech, I decided to take the first step towards my plan on not only avenging Granny, but also the next step towards increasing my strength.
"Little Atsushi," I called out to Velma, prompting her to follow me out of the hall.
"Yes, Lord Stein?"
"Tell the mayor of Schumacher to reserve the C-rank dungeon located in the North for our men and me. Then, if any other promising elysian wants to be part of the raid, let them join."
Velma nodded. "Very well. But why are you interested in a C-rank dungeon? Your power far exceeds that of such a feeble area."
"That's none of your business."
I could hear Velma groaning beneath her breath, which told me that she wouldn't retort further.
And thank God she didn't! Imagine explaining that I possessed her real boss, and their entire world is from a video game!
She'd not only kill me but look at me crazy before that!
"Also, gather 30 men. Make sure that they're at least B-rank and that 10 of them can cook."
"Consider it done, Lord Stein."
While Velma carried out her assignment, I made my way towards Emmett's lab, where I told him to meet me in a few minutes.
I stepped through the sliding mechanical doors and entered the somewhat dark room filled with low-hanging wires and shelves stocked with vials of potions and magic.
Emmett's lab also had a bed with restraints, which I prayed was for some kinky shit instead of torture.
My eyes then landed on the huge monitor displaying hundreds of thousands of data.
Information on the list of the dead, where to get certain plants for specific concoctions–the list was practically endless.
Then, Emmett walked towards me with a serious expression on his face.
"My Lord, you wanted to see me?"
"Emmett, I need a potion that'll boost my overall stats by at least 30%. If you can't manage that, then I'll take just 15%.
"In addition, the potion should allow me to breach my mana capacity, increase my stamina, and beef out my dexterity."
Emmett smirked as he grabbed a glass vial filled with a green liquid. Suspicious.
"This is the V-20 concoction with a hint of herbal essence from a siren's tears, a cyclops' saliva, and the grass found in the forests of Eunoia.
"But, you can call it a fortifying potion. It'll boost about 23% of your base stats and your mana core by the same percentage. It's by far my best work!"
He handed me the vial, and I carefully held the base.
The liquid glowed faintly as I gently inspected it. 'Some fortifying potions boost about 40% of a single stat. Emmett, being a newly recruited alchemist and mage, was able to concoct one with a 23% increase on basically everything.
'This kid's gonna go far. In only a few months, he'll be rivalling great alchemists and making them look like amateurs.'
Before I could praise Emmett, I felt my fingers slipping, causing the vial to fall out of my hands and spill onto the floor.
The liquid spread all over, and I turned to look at Emmett, my face cold as stone, but my heart was pounding out of my chest.
'Damnit, klutz! Did you have to Johnathan the whole ordeal?! This shit's probably worth well over 300,000 Voros!'
I was about to apologise and accept my mistake—even as a mob boss of an elite squad like mine, I'm bound to cause a few accidents.
It's my first time being a leader! In my previous life, I was still a student studying surgery! Leadership is earned, not given!
Guess in this case, it was different.
Anyway, I turned to look at Emmett, expecting disappointment.
Instead, he was beaming brightly. His smile stretched as far as my eyes could see, and his cheeks were so rosy, you'd think his face was a whole garden.
"You're absolutely right, my lord!" Emmett exclaimed, a newfound determination brewing in his eyes.
'Huh?' I raised a single eyebrow.
"This concoction didn't meet your standards! I'm glad you decided to discard it! You want something stronger, more stable! I'll get it done within 5 hours, tops!"
Whoa, slow down, stage fright. There's no way that this kid—with an IQ of 189—actually believes I don't think his potion was good enough.
"Very well," I ended up responding, panicking as I could feel my palms sweating. "We depart tomorrow. I'm hoping you'll have something incredible by then."
"Yes, Lord Stein!"
After that little hiccup, I left Emmett's lab, making sure I don't cause any more commotion or damage than I already have.
As for the dungeon I'll be exploring tomorrow, it's one where the main character discovered a hidden power...
A power that can create a weapon that'll not only bend to the user's will, but will, in turn, become an extension of the user and grant them even greater strength.
Noah, being a dimwit, decided to leave behind the great power because taking it would cause the dungeon to break onto the real world.
Unfortunately, his heroism ended up being useless.
One of the 12 Moonstones ended up breaching and breaking hundreds of dungeons all over the world.
In turn, he ended up getting the power to create his perfect weapon–one that enhanced his Space and Time magic by over 100%.
And I plan on taking that power before anyone else can. Because, unlike Noah, I'm not an idiot.
I'm just clumsy.
***
The preparations had been set. Tomorrow, I'll raid the dungeon and get my hands on a powerful weapon.
"Lord Stein," Velma approached me as I sat outside the balcony of my manor, drinking some tea.
"Little Atsushi," I responded without looking into her eyes. Her eyes are scary.
"I have your report. The mayor granted you full access to the C-rank dungeon, but a third-party guild will be joining you."
I set my teacup onto my tea saucer and looked at Velma. "Who are they?"
"The Hollow Guild, which has rights to 10% of the profits of each dungeon they raid.
"They had purchased it first, but because you and the mayor are on good terms, he let you take major priority. So, you'll be leading the raid."
"The Elysians from the Hollow Guild?"
Velma fixed her glove. "Edward Chambers, a C-rank Healer, Hernandez Brim, A-rank Assassin, and B-rank Fighter, Noah Krüger."
I smirked as I looked at Velma, my heart beating with excitement.
"So, he'll be there as well. That should prove to be interesting."
Maybe I'm wrong about Hamlet being stronger than Noah. Hence why I wish to see him for myself.
The young hero who took down the 12 Moonstones, prophesied to be the son of Kronos, the god of time, and the next king of the elysians.
I chuckled at the thought of that prepubescent shrimp becoming king. Even in the game's conclusion, he wasn't crowned as the strongest.
This time, I'll take up that mantle. No Elysian shall surpass me.
Not now, not ever again.
[The next day...]
My boys and I packed tons of food, mining equipment and got some low-grade armour before heading towards the designated dungeon area.
We loaded our crap onto two of our service vans while 5 other vehicles transported me and the rest of the hunters.
The site of the dungeon was in the middle of a forest with towering green leaf trees and low-hanging grass.
Upon arrival, we found the 3 members of the Hollow Guild, 2 of whom were destined to die in that dungeon.
Originally, the Hollow Guild was going to raid this dungeon with 15 hunters, but an unfortunate event occurred, leading to the deaths of all guild members except Noah.
Talk about plot armour.
Our vehicles pulled further away from the dungeon gate, allowing us to offload our items and set up a proper base of operations.
One of my men opened the door for me, prompting me to step outside and fix my sunglasses with my middle finger.
I took a deep breath and sighed heavily. The air from this world was superior compared to my old Earth.
It was richer, firmer, and thick with mana and intense energy.
After admiring the fantasy world, I walked towards Hernandez Brim, who was supposed to be their leader.
He was tall, maybe even 6 feet, but I still managed to tower over him, forcing Hernandez to lift his head towards me.
His hair was short, curly and brown, while his eyes were serious with a deep, grey colour.
'He's certainly strong...'
"I'm Hernandez Brim, currently the leader of this small group from the Hollow Guild. A-rank assassin."
He offered me his hand to shake, but I kept my hands in my pockets.
'What if he's strong enough to crush my hands?! I'm strong, but I can't tank attacks!'
"Hamlet Stein, the pleasure's all yours," I retorted. "Now, let's talk details, shall we?"