Since it all boiled down to obtaining Mayor Lowe's signature, Kieran wasn't stressed about his current situation.
After all, Mayor Lowe was indebted to him and stressed that he would gladly fulfill any request he had in the future.
Aside from Kieran, there wasn't another player capable of claiming that they could redeem a favor from a high-level NPC. Such an advantage was another edge that set Kieran apart from the general populace and other elite players.
〈System: You have obtained a «Prime Property Deed». [Status: Inactive]〉
Until Kieran obtained the signature from Mayor Lowe, the deed's status would remain inactive.
"Will that be all, Lord Aatrox?" Max asked respectfully, still somewhat taken aback by the fact Kieran unhesitantly withdrew the funds to pay for unofficial ownership of the deed.
"Yes, that'll be all," Kieran responded.
Visiting the Merchant Association was only the first step of his plan.
There was still one location that he had to visit before meeting with Hamon and Sorcia.
"Very well, Lord Aatrox. Have an excellent remainder of your day," Max said.
Kieran returned a faint smile with a subtle nod. "Also, tell your father that I said hello. I hope he doesn't forget me. The planned auction should be taking place shortly, no?"
"I believe so. But… as Aeredale's Great Benefactor you don't require an invitation to participate in the auction. You may simply show up and I'm sure my father and Mayor Lowe will handle your accommodations," Max said.
Hearing this, Kieran's brow arched faintly. 'Oh? Such an effect wasn't listed in the title description. I suppose it must be one of those phantom effects that I heard about.'
A phantom effect related to effects of items that weren't listed in the description but existed thanks to previous circumstances.
For example, because Kieran's fame within Aeredale was unmatched, he was welcomed everywhere without much need to verify his identity.
However, this effect only extended to gaining entry.
As seen during his purchase of the deed, he didn't receive any special discount. Though it was somewhat disappointing, Kieran didn't let it get to him.
'The waived sales tax and reduced property tax are already a huge plus. I can't be too greedy now,' Kieran thought.
When it came to owning properties, the tax truly limited how much profit one could amass. Sales tax applied to every sale and based on how much value the property developed, its tax would increase accordingly.
'Most guilds were met with problematic circumstances, struggling to break even when they first opened their shop since they had to account for Lifestyle expenditure and high tax. While I can't say that I have come across a solution for the former, the latter surely isn't an issue for me,' Kieran inwardly noted.
"Are we leaving now?" Agatha questioned. After a slight pause, she added, "Also, how long until we visit the Elves?"
"Why? Are you not enjoying my company?" Kieran joked.
However, Agatha tilted her chin and thoughtfully tapped her lips. "It isn't terrible, I suppose. And I'm not busy, so I can't complain. I'm just curious is all. Isn't the window until your trial growing smaller?"
"I'm aware. But until that moment comes, I'm free to act as I please. Besides, Scar is god knows where so I'm not worried about the start of the Trial of Inheritors for the time being," Kieran replied.
"Be that as it may, meeting with the Elves should be your priority. Our duty is somewhat… time-consuming, I guess you could say," Agatha muttered.
The Forest of Gardenia, which housed the majority of the Elven Race, was several times larger than the Mystic Rune Colony. Due to this massive size difference, completing their task could require a ridiculous amount of time.
"I see," Kieran murmured.
However, this further cemented his decision to delay the quest. 'If it's the most time-consuming it should be handled last. I doubt Scar will let the Trial commence without confirming that my soul has healed adequately.'
Afterward, Kieran raised another thought. "Do you think it'll take as long as you insinuate? Unlike before, there are now two Mystic Runemasters to accomplish the job."
"Hmph, I think you overestimate your skill with wordmancing. Two of us? It's more like there is one and a quarter, no maybe even a tenth," Agatha snidely remarked, revealing a cute sneer.
"Damn, way to make me feel insignificant," Kieran said with a slight grimace.
"Hey… don't make that face," Agatha furrowed her brows, a hint of remorse flashing within her sangria-colored eyes.
As Max listened to their departing conversation, realization hit and his eyes widened, guffawing at the lady with sensuous swaying hips. 'T-...that's the Mystic Princess, Lady Agatha! No way, how can Lord Aatrox be so closely acquainted with such a renowned figure?'
By the time Max attempted to speak up, Kieran and Agatha had vanished from within the Merchant Association's lobby.
"Wow… I wonder if father will believe me if I told him that someone of unbelievable renown is within our proximity. If I'm not mistaken, Lady Agatha is deeply acquainted with Lady Isadora. Could that mean Lord Aatrox is similarly affiliated with her?"
…
Meanwhile, after leaving the Merchant Association, Kieran glanced at the crowd that seemed to be growing denser by the second and smirked.
'I suppose this is a result of rumors spreading that I'm back within the city.'
As Kieran assumed, many players either logged in or returned from their activities once they received word that Kieran had returned but without much of a change.
"Hey! Hey! Aatrox, explain! Why have you not grown stronger in these past couple of days? How could you let the insufferable asshole Daedric pass you up? His streams are so corny! All he does is tank everything," someone complained in the crowd.
Kieran shifted his gaze to the individual and found that many other people seemed to voice similar concern and dissatisfaction.
'Devout supporters?' Kieran reckoned.
As a tank, Daedric's playstyle wasn't the most exciting, but they couldn't belittle how effective his actions were.
Out of curiosity, Kieran flicked through the forums and stream pages simultaneously, skimming through Daedric's massive dungeon clearing.
While sifting for information, Kieran came across something truly interesting.
'Oh? It would appear Daedric teamed up with Eclipse and a few other Overlord guilds. As a free agent who displayed the defensive superiority of his class, I can't blame Eclipse for wanting to capitalize on the opportunity to enlist Daedric's services,' Kieran thought.
If not for his focus on amassing everything he needed, Kieran may have entertained doing the same thing, acting as a mercenary of sorts to help certain guilds clear dungeons for an exorbitant price.
Alas, taking that route would never amount to what he accomplished thus far so he wasn't disappointed with his decision to abide by his initial plan.
'Though I can understand their decision, I wonder why Ezra notified me of Daedric's claims if she was simply going to team up with him. Unless… am I missing something here?' Kieran wondered.
Based on the date of Daedric's run with Eclipse, it occurred approximately a day after Ezra sent her message. Given her personality, Kieran felt Ezra would divulge this information rather than have him learn of it himself.
However, after inspecting the run in deeper detail, Kieran noticed something strange.
'That's odd… this dungeon run wasn't done with Eclipse's main strike force. Ezra, Camila, Lux, and Ren are all missing…'
As curious as he was regarding this situation, Kieran couldn't deviate from his schedule. 'It's something I'll have to ask about later. In the meantime…"
Kieran activated Blood Mania and performed a powerful jump, leaping over the entire crowd whereas Agatha created a pair of mystical wings and effortlessly glided past everyone.
They touched the ground a few seconds later and continued on their way without paying any heed to the large crowd.
Despite him ignoring the crowd, their reaction remained fervent and fanboyish.
"Did y'all see that jump? Bro, that was like… super insane. How much STR is needed to launch the body that far?"
"The jump? I'm more concerned about his aura. Couldn't you feel it? It was so imposing! What if we were wrong… what if Aatrox wasn't slacking off during these few days? What if he found a way to hone himself outside of changing his level!"
Gasp!
Many gasped as they considered this possibility. They felt that if such a thing were true, then gauging the depths of Kieran's strength had become far more complicated.
A little while later, Kieran stopped at a building that looked similar to the Adventurers' Guild except Lifestyle players roamed in this general area instead of Adventurer players.
This building was known as the Lifestyle Union, a place one would have to go if they want to be recognized as a true Lifestyle player.
While Kieran didn't intend to be recognized as such since he was already an Adventurer, he did appear here for another reason.
Upon entering the Lifestyle Union, a pungent smell of musk permeated the area followed by clamoring from uproarious laughter and thunderous hammering.
An assortment of Professions could be seen tending to their needs or practicing their craft.
Ignoring the smell and setting, Kieran walked towards the back of the building where a man with small glasses and short olive-colored hair stood behind a counter.
He lifted his eyes from the book in his hand and glanced between Kieran and Agatha. "The name's Stockholm. How may I help you today?"
"My request today is simple, Stockholm. I want to create a Union," Kieran said.
It wasn't often that someone came in and claimed that they wished to create a Union. "A Union, eh? Do you understand that your skills must be up to par to become an official Union Leader?"
Stockholm fixed his glasses and set down his book, looking Kieran in the eyes as if wanting to read him.
Kieran nodded. "I'm aware."
"If that's so, then what Profession would you like to be evaluated in?" Stockholm asked.
Before responding, Kieran looked at Agatha, who shrugged in response.
"An Enchanter, I suppose."
