High status officials poured into Traxford, expectant of the skyscraper's grand opening.
News of the event had been circulating a month before.
It was a stunt by Black Jaws, and it had surely worked.
To hold their vain, most of the nobles sent their emissaries to represent them, Bolton was in attendance as well-not that Black Jaws actually bothered.
Most had arrived a day earlier, while more people poured in by the minute.
The skyscraper was covered on all sides with a black clothing.
Once the streets were jam packed with people standing over others to witness the historic moment-Fredrick decided it was time.
The building was heavily guarded by high ranking guild members on all sides, Kron was at the forefront.
Then, a carriage, conspicuous it was, decorated all over pull in, from which Fredrick pulled over.
With gleaming gray armour, he walked graciously to the Skyscraper, before turning to the people.
His gaze previewed all. "It is an historic day as we witness the unfolding of Niton's grand structure, and the many more to come"
"Set it ablaze" he said, his tone thick.
On each side, two people approached the blinds with torches in hand, and upon placing the torches near the blinds-it began burning.
But rather burn in its literal sense, it disintegrated into dust as fast speed.
In less than a minute, the blinds were gone. The majestic view of the spectacular construct was revealed.
It was black all over, with a pinch of grey, gleaming in the sunlight.
"Wow"
Onlookers could only gasp in amazement.
It was a material most had never seen.
Those that did recognize it were stunned into disbelief.
"It couldn't be… they muttered.
They didn't what stone they used, but they recognized the paint.
It was Berse ink!
Specifically, it was something mixed with Berse ink.
But still! Berse ink was one of the rare items most sought after-because it increased the efficacy of mana.
It was used for laying arrays, writing high level formation scrolls, Mana techniques, increase rune efficacy and much more!
Not to mention the price, how did they get so much of it?!
This was the first-time guilds and clans far from Black Jaws comprehended but a bit of their financial prowess.
Certainly, most paid attention, but not all.
The rest were busy cleaning the leftover messes of the great war, electing new leaders, taking out rivals that were vulnerable and other things.
In such, about one tenth of the Niton's organizations were in the dark about Black Jaws matters.
It became one tenth when Fredrick became a grandmaster-forcing many to begin paying attention.
At this moment, Fredrick's voice resounded.
"Behold. Black Jaws greatest construct. Black Sky!"
"Hoo"
Another wave of gasps passed by. The name was surely catchy.
More than that, the name was carved into top of the Skyscraper, distinguished with white paint.
Then, the people started counting floors.
"It has nine floors…" someone muttered, clearly overwhelmed.
Nine floors!
Others were shocked at the man's quick deduction and counted it themselves as well.
Something shattered in the minds of many, as the impossible was proved to be possible.
A building of six floors was unheard of, not to talk of nine!
The surprises just kept piling up.
Then, striding across to the transparent door that revealed but a little of the inside, Fredrick called the onlookers along.
"Friends, let us view this marvel together"
Many adjusted their clothes and began walking towards to the entrance.
For one the guards reduced rowdiness by a lot, forcing them to file up before they were allowed entry.
Then, they did not discriminate between the high and low class, again they couldn't be bothered.
Naturally the representatives were irked, but they curiosity held them on.
A few thought it as too much hassle and left right away, while others simply instructed their subordinates to stand in line for them.
Mind you, the entrance was not small, far from it, it was very wide, able to accommodate five people standing side by side, and so, you had five lanes.
When they reached the door, a man stationed by the doors side would stamp their arms with a symbol of purple ink, which glued on quickly.
After that, the door would be pulled open, of which the workers would say, "Steady yourself, for you might experience a bit drowsiness and of course, have a great time"
The latter part was appreciated, but why the first part?
They understood the moment stepped in.
For a split second, they would a very uncomfortable displacement.
Those of high status weathered it easier than most.
Commoners though, and low rank adventurers had their insides jumbled up, of which they found another worker waiting on the other side, handing them a bag to puke in.
The sensation had the emissaries shocked.
There was but two elements that could cause such reactions, but only one that was intense.
'Space magic!' thought Bolton, adjusting his coat once more. Each phase just kept handing him surprises.
The emissaries looked at each other, their thoughts rhyming.
'This place is beyond imagination'
The amount it would take to install any kind of space magic function was hefty-Bolton was beginning to understand how they spent hundreds of thousands of platina.
Then chill winds hit them out of the blue, contrast to the hot weather outside.
While it was not cold enough to do anything much to even commoners, they suddenly felt more relaxed.
'What is this mechanism?' Bolton wondered if he was still in the same world.
But he was admittedly enjoying himself.
With the workers hurrying him up so others could come in, Bolton quickly moved his feet.
Walking about, he feels rejuvenated or at least, less fatigued-another surprise.
Looking for the source, he discovers the mana within is far better than that outside.
For one it was concentrated, meaning it had more density, then, it was purer, its high density made its effects far better than atmospheric mana that had dust particles within and the likes.
Then, as he previewed the store, he found it far wider than the what it projected from the outside.
In meaning, the interior and the exterior were disapportionate.
They could be but a single cause.
'Space magic?! Again?'
Having it at the entrance was already impressive, but having the ground floor widened with space magic was insane.
The amount it would incur was nothing short of extravagant.
Bolton had a thought. 'Is this applied only on this floor, or…' his thoughts trailed off.
Then, you had spaces segmented with glass walls on a straight line.
These spaces were empty.
Wondering what they were, he inquired from the workers standing at the sides.
"Each of those segments represents a shop" answered succinctly.
"To sell merchandise?" he asked, to confirm.
"Exactly so"
"Then, why isn't it filled with merchandise or even a seller"
The worker shrugged. "That I do not know"
Bolton nodded, walking about, he say many commoners were swaying about, the mana was too much for them.
The day passed with Bolton perusing the nook and cranny of the skyscraper.
By night, he almost didn't want to leave.
It was amazing all through.
As the Empire's representative, Bolton along with a few more, were allowed to peruse the building.
All they could do was gasp each time.
You had cultivation rooms, shop segments, formation rooms, training room, alchemy labs, and even forges for blacksmiths-all for rent!
Moreover, chance stores an gambling houses were introduced, one on every floor, each better than the last-because Black Jaws knew the power of relaxation.
More importantly, the quality of every service Black Sky provided squashed they had previously seen.
Emissaries ran to deliver word, a new storm was approaching
Many Black Jaws members were brib-I mean, given gifts as a show of thanks.
From the second floor upwards, Black Jaws had shop occupied by members from Black Works, leaving the rest for rent.
Armour, potions, weapons, rare herbs, and even beast eggs for the rich to take as pets.
Then, he had selectively told a few that the shop segments were to be rented.
Meaning, they would sell their merchandise in the biggest Nition's biggest shop.
Those with fast thinking could already see the potential.
But not everyone was so keen once the rent price was stated.
Rather than a fixed amount, Black Jaws would collect twenty five percent of all profits at the end of the month.
"Outrageous!" many shouted. But Black Jaws wasn't interested in having peasants for partners anyway.
Then, Black Jaws was in charge of advertising products.
Meaning they'd take care of the distribution. The shop owners just had to produce.
Moreover, while the buyers initially chose the shop segment they wanted, Black Jaws had final say on who stayed where.
After all, since rent was twenty five percent of profit, those who made most profit would naturally be more favoured.
It wasn't like Black Jaws couldn't simply fill the skyscraper with their goods and workers.
But they didn't want to turn the entire market against them, so, they turned the market forces against itself.
Black Jaws network spread far, and with Black Silence informants all over the place, news of an upcoming auction of the greatest shop Niton, no, Lexon had ever seen spread to the farthest corners of the continent.
More importantly, other nations were allowed to bid as well.
Nitonians were clearly displeased, but since Black Jaws had offered a single space to the royal family on all floors for only six percent of profit! The Emperor didn't speak against it.
So, no one spoke against it, rather, they couldn't since the Emperor allowed it.
Even better news was that the loan had been completely paid off.
The auction for the shop segments was scheduled a month later purposefully so as to allow momentum and awareness to build.
The entire structure was extravagant, from the blocks to the paint and the especially the functions.
Extravagance was what nobles loved most.
Like so, acquiring a segment in the skyscraper would be a symbol to represent class.
Then, projecting their belief of improving the lives of commoners, anyone was allowed to come to shop.
This in turn brought Black Jaws many royal followers who made their every purchase from Black Sky.
Having prepared in advance, the first floor had almost everything a commoner could want, it was also the largest floor, and the floor with items and services of the cheapest rates.
Excluding few things, you had to be a D rank adventurer at least before becoming a regular of upper floors.
Also, the movement vehicle from one floor to another was stairs.
It was implemented to reduce the rate of commoners visiting upper floors-as they weren't strong.
Most of nobility were at least intermediate rank, allowing them to traverse such stairs easily.
The auction took place at the start of the third month and ended in an hour, that was how fast the segments sold out.
The skyscraper had been completed for a bit more than year, but was left unopened.
This was because Black Jaws did not have sufficient power at the time to guard against enemies.
But now it did!
Black Jaws now had seventeen masters! A jaw dropping number indeed, as such was the power of mana stones.
Only the great families and the Royal Army could contend with such might.
Of course, this power came with its own disadvantages as well, but Fredrick could handle it.
For one, the ones allowed to advance to master rank were those whose loyalty had been tried and tested multiple times.
Yes, allowed, having too many strong people would bring about a calamity.
Therefore, once many reached Expert rank, there quota for training was significantly reduced until they were loyalty was certified.
Those identified with malicious intent were purged, while many others were tasked with missions that would have travel to significant distances.
This was to up their combat skills by pitting them against others and plunging them in extremely difficult situations.
You couldn't have them simply cultivate.
Thats why five masters were designated to chasing the Demon worshippers, these masters would switch places with another five every six months.
Ever since Ezra told of their dangers, Black Jaws was tracing their tails vigorously.
Two masters died on those mission, bringing the number down to seventeen, along with hundreds of Experts.
The more clue uncovered, the more fearsome the demon organization seemed to be.
More importantly, their movements were now more erratic than ever, leaving a lot of traces.
They were hastily preparing something, but Black Jaws hadn't figured out what it was.
Meanwhile, Ezra was making waves of his own.
Platina: Plural of Platinum
