The next day Enzo woke up to a strange message on his HUD.

It read:

[Don't do anything rash. We are aware of Weavetech's involvement and are currently doing something to curb this issue. For now, stick to the plan and act like you didn't see them, as they don't want you to see them either… Sword Cleaver]

The message was strange to say the least. Zeke wasn't surprised by Weavetech's presence, and neither was Sword Cleaver. The latter was someone who had said repeatedly that he would abandon ship the moment he saw another exalted weaver.

It was indeed very out of place.

"I'll need to get to the bottom of this," Enzo said to himself as he stood up, wore his clothes, and dialed a number on his HUD.

Past experience told Enzo how bad an idea it was for him to go into a dangerous situation blind. Be it the situation with Eliza or Thane, it was always often a disaster.

While this happened, somewhere in the wasteland outside of Astoria, a weavepod cracked open as a man with long red luxurious hair stood up from within and slowly made his way out.

He donned a purple jacket followed by several items of clothing, then proceeded to take a knee beside an array machine.

"Stressful," the man muttered, inserting a line of code that caused the array to light up. Seconds later, a key appeared inside the array, which the man quickly pulled out.

Pocketing it, he stood up and wore a metallic mask before walking out of the hangar and emerging into the open area where a troop of men on horses could be seen waiting for him.

"Welcome back, boss."

At the sight of the man, all of them bowed immediately in reverence and respect. This man was one of the most feared people on planet Yari; his ruthlessness and lack of empathy were well known, and his management ability was stellar.

Despite being just a star weaver, he had been in full control over a settlement for up to 5 years now.

This man was Vegar, the leader of the thieves' guild.

"Let's get going." He didn't waste any time, quickly mounting a horse and leading the men through the dark towards Astoria. Not long after, they entered the settlement, moving unimpeded and unnoticed by the thieves of the city. Like ghosts, they quickly arrived in the mines, where they finally stopped.

"Open the gates!" The guards at the gate suddenly heard an authoritative command from outside, forcing the lazy guardsmen to quickly stand up.

The people guarding the gates were actually men of the city guard. Pretenses still had to be kept after all.

"Open the gates," the lead guard said, frowning deeply. They of course knew who was truly in charge of this mine, and it wasn't them or the city lord.

So they let him in.

"How's the production stock going? Have we reached the threshold?" Vegar asked casually as he walked through the mine's tunnels.

By now, all the important supervisors and security were already present in his convoy, leading him through the mines and forming a huge crowd.

"We will reach it by the end of today. During the festival the transportation will happen under everyone's nose," one of the supervisors, a young man with a scar on his nose striking horizontally across his face, spoke.

"That's good and expected. What about the execution? Has the city lord given the green light?" Vegar added, his voice through the metallic mask resounding.

"Green light? Does he have a choice?" one of the men in the crowd asked, a bit confused, prompting laughter throughout the tunnel.

"Ahh, yes, yes," Vegar smiled behind his mask, seemingly forgetting that the city lord was a spineless coward.

He would do anything Vegar asked him to do so long as Vegar didn't cause him any trouble.

"Well then, let the festivities begin." Smiling coyly, Vegar waved his hand to the supervisors, signaling to those who didn't have clearance to leave.

Before him was a large metal gate.

Not a lot of people knew this, but Weavetech was the principal power behind them, and he needed to keep it that way.

"Good day, Master Jos. How's the operation going?" As soon as he entered the secret level, Vegar went straight to the old man with red hair standing in the middle of the operation.

"It's going…" Master Jos, a bit irritated by Vegar's presence, responded through his nose. However, a second later, he seemed to frown and raise his eyebrows.

"It's true, huh? You advanced?" Master Jos commented steadily.

He was on rotation here with several others coming and going. The last time he saw Vegar face to face, the young man was a stage three star weaver.

Now, however, it seemed like he was now exalted.

"Yes. This might be my last visit here also…" Vegar smiled at the old man, feeling a spiteful triumph as he faced him.

This old fart always looked down on him for coming from a backwater planet, frequently saying that he would not amount to much.

But look at him now. Not only was he at the same level as the old man, he had the opportunity to finally leave this place and train on a super world.

The tides had changed really fast.

"Good for you," Master Jos smiled with a bitter, self-depreciating laugh.

What could he realistically say? The rumors were true; the boy he looked down on would soon surpass him.

"Anyway, you're invited to tomorrow's festivities. It's a celebration of my triumph and departure from this god-forsaken place," Vegar spoke in a quiet voice that only he and Master Jos could hear.

Truth was, Vegar would never die; the name wasn't even his. Someone new would take over in the near future. His legacy would never die.

"If I can make it, I'll come." After a few seconds of awkward silence, Master Jos responded plainly and with a fake laugh.

He would avoid him as much as he could these last few days.

"I'll be expecting you, and if you don't come I might just come down and drag you out," Vegar added, straightening his back as he walked right back out.

Victory over those who looked down on you was the best feeling in the world.

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