Business As Usual (Part 1)

Ethan stood in the Hero's Hall before the scarred man, Wei Zhang. The tension was as thick as their silence. The remnants of the mutated Blight creature lay on the counter, undeniable proof of his first real victory in this world.

The scarred man inspected the remains with a cold, calculating eye before nodding slowly. "Impressive work," he finally said, his voice devoid of warmth. "Not many survive an encounter with a mutated Blight, let alone manage to kill it."

In return, Ethan offered a brief nod. The man's words held no comfort, only a reminder of the brutal reality he now lived in. "What now?" Ethan asked, his voice steady despite the exhaustion eating away at him.

The scarred man's eyes flickered with something unreadable as he reached beneath the counter, pulling out a small, ornate box. He slid it across to Ethan, who hesitated momentarily before opening it. Inside lay a gleaming ring with intricate runes carved into the metal, and beside it, a small vial filled with a shimmering blue liquid.

"Your reward," the man said, his tone as flat as ever. "The ring is enchanted. It will increase your endurance and sharpen your senses in battle. As for the vial, it contains an advanced healing potion. Far more potent than anything you'll find in the marketplaces here."

Ethan's fingers brushed over the cool metal of the ring. Undoubtedly, it was a valuable reward, but something about the man's gaze made Ethan wary. He closed the box and slipped it into his pocket. "I appreciate it."

The man's lips curled into a faint, almost unnoticeable smile. "You'll need it."

Ethan's muscles tensed. "What do you mean?"

The man leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper. "The Department of Interworld Affairs has taken an interest in you, Ethan. Your success hasn't gone unnoticed. They believe you have potential that could be put to good use."

Ethan's mind raced. This was what he'd wanted, wasn't it? To be recognized, rise in the ranks, and secure a future that didn't involve being a nobody. But the way Mr Zhang spoke and the cold gleam in his eyes set off alarm bells in Ethan's mind.

"What kind of use?" Ethan asked, careful to keep his voice neutral.

The man straightened his posture, his smile vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. "They want you to take on a new role as a hero and a merchant. Your ability to create items from this world makes you uniquely valuable. We hope you'll be able to acquire and sell items that… shall we say, aren't exactly available on the open market."

Ethan frowned. "Doesn't the Kingdom restrict our access to those kind of things?"

"Let's not get caught up in semantics," the man replied smoothly. "The DIA sees this as necessary for the greater good. You'll be helping to maintain balance, ensuring that those who need these items most get them. Discreetly, of course."

Ethan's stomach twisted. He'd known the DIA was up to something here, but this was more than he'd bargained for. Selling restricted goods to benefit the DIA felt wrong.

"What if I refuse?" Ethan asked, already knowing the answer.

The man's eyes hardened. "Refusal isn't on the table. You're in too deep now, Ethan. The DIA has invested in you, and they don't take kindly to wasted resources."

Ethan clenched his jaw, fighting back the surge of anger and fear that threatened to overwhelm him. He had no choice. Not really. "Fine," he said, his voice cold. "What do you need me to do?"

The scarred man's expression softened just a fraction. "We'll provide your first shipment soon. Rare herbs from the Otherworld. You'll be selling them in the capital to a contact who's expecting you. Hopefully, that will get your foot in the door. This is a test, Ethan. Prove yourself, and the rewards will be substantial. Fail, and I'm sure you can imagine the consequences."

Ethan nodded, his mind already racing ahead to the mission. The DIA  was a lifeline, albeit a twisted one. And for now, he had to play along.

As he turned to leave, the Wei Zhang called after him. "One more thing, Ethan."

He paused, glancing back over his shoulder.

"Trust no one," the Wei said, his voice low. "In this world, everyone has their own agenda. If you want to survive, you'd do well to remember that."

Ethan didn't respond. He didn't need to. The lesson had already been drilled into him, time and time again. Trust was a luxury he couldn't afford.

Back in his quarters, Ethan stared at the ornate box, his thoughts a tangled mess. The rewards were more than he'd expected, a clear sign that the DIA had plans for him—plans that went far beyond how the public knew the DIA operated in the Otherworld. But at what cost?

He slipped the ring onto his finger, feeling a subtle warmth spread through him as the enchantment activated. His senses sharpened, and his fatigue eased ever so slightly. It was a powerful tool, one that would undoubtedly come in handy. 'So why does it feel like a collar and leash?'

Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples as he tried to understand it all. The DIA, the mission, and the strange sense of something hanging over him like a dark cloud were all too much. But there was no turning back now. He was in this, whether he liked it or not.

As he double-checked his gear and the parcel the DIA delivered to him for the mission, Ethan's mind drifted to the future. 'If they're using me, then they shouldn't complain if I do the same to them.' He'd play their game, bide his time, and gather as much power and information as possible. And when the time came, he'd make sure he wasn't just a pawn in their schemes.

For now, though, he had a mission to complete. The contact awaited, and with it, the first step in his new role as a merchant for the DIA. As he shouldered his pack and stepped out into the night, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of what the DIA had planned for him.