Chapter 138: Weaving the Web
The air inside the broker's chamber carried a subtle hum, the quiet whir of data streams processing, filtering information at speeds beyond normal comprehension. Raizen could feel the weight of the room—not just from the many secrets it housed, but from the sheer presence of the woman before him.
She was dangerous, not in a way that relied on brute force, but through the vast network of knowledge at her disposal. Power, in its rawest form, wasn't just weapons and soldiers—it was information.
"Tell me," Raizen said, leaning forward, his golden eyes gleaming, "what exactly have you heard about me?"
The broker's lips curved into a smirk. "Enough to know that the Syndicate won't rest until you're either dead or under their control. Enough to know that you've survived encounters that should have been your end. And enough to realize that you're not just another fugitive running from forces beyond your means."
Raizen's gaze remained steady. "Then you know I don't intend to run."
The broker let out a small chuckle. "Good. I despise cowards." She gestured toward the holo-screens surrounding them. "This station operates on deals, not sentiment. I can offer you information, contacts, and access to resources… for the right price."
Nyx crossed her arms. "And what price is that?"
The broker's silver eyes flicked toward Raizen, assessing. "I don't need credits. I need leverage."
Raizen raised an eyebrow. "What kind?"
She leaned forward, her voice dropping slightly. "There's a certain artifact that has recently gone missing. It was last seen in the hands of a warlord who deals in forbidden technology. Retrieve it for me, and I'll ensure the Syndicate has a harder time tracking you."
Kain scoffed. "A fetch quest?"
The broker's expression hardened. "This 'fetch quest' involves infiltrating one of the most dangerous factions in this sector. You'll be stepping into the lion's den."
Raizen smirked. "Sounds like my kind of challenge."
The broker nodded. "Then we have a deal."
With that, the pieces were set. Raizen had just entered a game of power, where the stakes were far higher than just survival.
And he had no intention of losing.