Later that night, Oscar sat across the Wolf Faunus, as he looked as he spoke. "So Mr William, you want to make a new deal?"
William, the Wolf Faunus, leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest as he regarded Oscar. The tension in the air was palpable—Oscar's reputation couldn't be ignored, and William knew it.
"That's right," William replied, his voice calm but tinged with an edge. "I've been watching you for the last month. You've made a name for yourself, Mr. White. You've got the whole underworld buzzing, and you've managed to put yourself in a position of power. I admire that. But there's always room for more… collaboration, don't you think?"
Oscar raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "You think you can buy my loyalty with a deal? I'm not some low-level thug who can be bought out."
William smiled, showing off a set of sharp teeth. "No, no. I'm not suggesting a simple buy-out, Mr. White. I'm offering you something much more valuable. The kind of opportunity that can help you expand beyond just the dust business. You've got the underworld, but what about the aboveground world? The legitimate businesses? You're already skirting the law with what you're doing. What if you could do it with a bit more… cover?"
Oscar's expression remained impassive, but inside, he was already considering the implications. "Go on."
William leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. "I have connections in some of Vale's biggest legitimate corporations. Businesses that, with the right push, could be more than just money-making machines. They could be… foundations for a new empire. And I'm willing to offer you a partnership. I'm not just talking about dust, Oscar. I'm talking about long-term investments, political connections, and a chance to go from the underworld's most feared to Vale's most influential."
Oscar tapped his fingers against the table, his mind working quickly. It was an enticing offer, one that could elevate him even higher than he already was. But there was something about it that felt too easy, too convenient. "And what's the catch, Mr William? What do you want in return?"
William's smile widened, his voice lowering. "I need someone who can handle the… messier parts of the deal. The parts that require a little less subtlety. I want your expertise, your connections, and your ability to get things done when others can't. I've already got the business and political side covered. But you? You've got the muscle, the resources, and the drive. Together, we could be unstoppable."
Oscar's gaze sharpened. "And if I say no?"
William's expression shifted, the warmth in his eyes turning colder. "If you say no, you keep playing in the shadows. You keep being a big fish in a small pond. But you also risk someone else stepping into the vacuum I'm offering to fill. I'm sure you're aware that other players would be more than willing to take your spot. And I'm not the only one watching."
Oscar's eyes narrowed, but he didn't flinch. He leaned back, considering the offer. He had his plans, his empire he was building, but William was right about one thing: power, true power, didn't just come from the streets. It came from influence—political, financial, and otherwise.
"Alright," Oscar said finally, his voice low but firm. "I'll consider your offer. But if we're going to work together, I need guarantees. I won't work with anyone who's going to try to double-cross me the first chance they get."
William's smile returned, sharp and confident. "Of course. We're not fools here, Mr. White. I'm offering you a partnership, not a transaction. But remember, the offer won't stay on the table forever. Think carefully."
Oscar stood up, his eyes locked on William's. "I'll think about it. But don't expect me to make any decisions tonight."
William nodded. "Fair enough. I'll be waiting, Mr. White. But know this—time is always ticking."
With that, Oscar turned and walked out, his mind already racing through the possibilities of what this new alliance could mean. It was an opportunity that could take him to new heights, but it also came with risks—risks that he would have to weigh carefully. For now, though, he had time. And time, for someone like Oscar, was both a gift and a weapon.
Oscar looked at Blake, who was outside the door, as they started to walk. "All of that sounds way too good to be true".
Blake spoke as she removed a listing device. "Yes, do you think he was playing you".
Oscar shrugged as he spoke. "50/50".
Blake raised an eyebrow, her cat ears twitching slightly as she glanced at Oscar. "50/50? That's not exactly reassuring."
Oscar sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Blake, I'm not an idiot. He offered me a lot, and it sounds too perfect. Too many big players in this city trying to make moves. I just can't help but feel like I'm walking into something bigger than I can see."
Blake's expression softened as she fell into step beside him. "You're not alone in this, Oscar. If he's trying to play you, we'll figure it out. But you can't let yourself get too attached to his offer just yet. There are too many variables at play, and I've seen how deals like these go south quickly."
Oscar nodded, deep in thought. "I know. But I also know that if I turn it down, someone else might take the offer. And I don't want to leave room for that. This city has its fair share of vultures."
Blake stopped walking for a moment, looking up at him seriously. "That's exactly why you have to be careful. You don't want to fall into the same trap you're trying to avoid. You're smart, Oscar. You've got a good head on your shoulders. Just don't let ambition blind you."
Oscar paused, meeting her gaze. "I won't. But I also can't keep playing small-time forever. Sooner or later, someone will come for me, and I need to be ready."
Blake studied him for a moment before nodding. "Just remember who you are. You've made it this far without needing anyone's help. You've built your empire. Don't let someone else's game destroy what you've worked for."
Oscar gave a small smile. "Thanks, Blake. You're right. I'll figure it out. I just need to make sure that whatever I decide, I'm in control."
Blake gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Exactly. And if you ever need backup, you know where to find me."
Oscar chuckled, feeling a little lighter. "I know. I'll keep that in mind."
Blake looked as she spoke. "And don't don't forget, why you did this, whole Underworld identity".
Oscar sighed as he spoke. "Yeah, to keep everything in the underworld in control, so that the people don't have to suffer that much'.
Blake nodded, her gaze firm as she walked beside him. "Exactly. You're not doing this for power or to become some kind of kingpin. You're doing it to help, to ensure the people who get caught in the crossfire don't get forgotten."
Oscar glanced at her, his expression conflicted. "Sometimes it's hard to remember that when everything feels like it's spiraling out of control. It's like the more I try to fix things, the messier it gets."
Blake paused for a moment, her voice calm and steady. "The right reasons don't always make it easy. But that's why you have to keep your focus on the bigger picture. Don't let the chaos cloud your judgment."
Oscar looked at her, his voice low but serious. "I won't. I can't. But it feels like every decision I make opens up a new problem. The moment I solve one issue, another one pops up."
Blake gave him a small, understanding smile. "That's how it goes. But you're doing the right thing, Oscar. No one else is trying to keep things together like you are. Just don't lose sight of why you started down this path."
Oscar nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, Blake. I guess I just need to remember that sometimes taking control means accepting that I can't fix everything overnight."
Blake gave him a reassuring smile, her voice light as she added, "Exactly. And you don't have to do it alone. You've got us."
Oscar smiled back, feeling a little more at ease. "I know. I'm lucky to have you all."
As they continued their walk, the weight of the underworld's complexities still loomed, but for a moment, Oscar felt a sense of clarity, knowing he had the support to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Oscar then spoke, pulling out the special Dungeon Key from his Inventory. "And then this brings me to this: how the hell do I get to the top of Beacon to unlock the Dungeon?".
Blake looked as she spoke. "How high are we talking?".
Oscar sighed as he spoke. "Will, Higher than the rooftop".
Blake raised an eyebrow, glancing at the key in his hand. "Higher than the rooftop? You mean like, way higher, like a hidden floor or something?"
Oscar nodded, his grip on the Dungeon Key tightening. "Exactly. I've never seen any mention of it, and it's not like I can just waltz up there. This key... it's not just some random artifact. I can feel the energy coming off of it. There's something hidden at the very top, and I need to figure out how to access it. But the question is, how do I even get there without drawing attention?"
Blake tapped her chin thoughtfully, then glanced up at the Beacon Tower in the distance. "You've been inside the academy for how long now, and you've never found anything? No secret passageways, no hidden entrances?"
Oscar shook his head. "Nothing. I've been looking for week's now. There's nothing about it in the official maps, and I've checked every floor, every hall. It's almost like it doesn't exist. But this key... it feels like it leads to something important, something that could change everything. I just don't know how to unlock it yet."
Blake crossed her arms, her eyes scanning the area as she considered the situation. "You think it's something from the original design of the school? Maybe it's been hidden away for a reason."
Oscar sighed, leaning against the nearby wall, his frustration clear. "That's what I'm afraid of. If it was hidden for a reason, it could be dangerous. But I don't have much of a choice. The key is pulling me toward it, and if I don't find a way, I risk losing whatever opportunity it presents."
Blake nodded slowly, her gaze sharpening. "Alright, so we need a plan. We can't just rush in and expect to find a secret floor. We need information—someone who might know about this hidden space or at least someone who could point us in the right direction."
Oscar looked at Blake, a hint of determination in his eyes. "Then we'll find someone who knows. We'll get to the bottom of this... one way or another."
Blake gave him a confident smile. "That's the spirit. And if all else fails, we start searching the old-fashioned way. No stone unturned."
Oscar smiled back, the weight of the task still hanging over him, but now with a clear sense of purpose. "Thanks, Blake. Let's figure this out together."
With that, they walked off, heading toward their next challenge, ready to face whatever the mystery of the hidden dungeon at the top of Beacon had in store for them.
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones and enjoy