"Future, What can I say of the future. There isn't much to tell my friend. My goals are simple. When they're done, I am sure you will hear my name echo throughout the world."

It was one of the few things I could tell Yerin was genuine about.

It was unfortunate. I had never heard of a Yerin of any kind resounding through the Capital. Never mind the world.

"It's unfortunate then that the Silver Bee's didn't offer you a chance to join their team."

That was one of the things that did surprise me. Even if they weren't going to be allowing him to join officially, as an extra piece on the board of the Dungeon, he would be useful. Of that much, I was sure.

Until the Silver Bee's started refining their bodies, he would be more than capable of keeping up.

"No, my friend. I recognize where I am wanted. That group will never accept another. Plus, I am far happier to be working as a mercenary."

His face said otherwise, looking down into his mug. He couldn't bring himself to look up at me. If his father had been an experienced Delver, then that went against everything his father taught him.

The death rate of mercenaries was considerably higher than the people who worked together in a team. That did give me an idea.

"Yerin, let me be honest. You seem like a talented guy. I am sure once you can afford a body refining method that you will be even stronger. That's why I want to offer you a deal."

His eyes sprang up, looking slightly hopeful for once.

"Why would a mage be interested in the likes of me. I am sure once you leave the academy, You will have Warrior level figures clamoring for your attention."

"That will be true. The offer while from me, also involves another party. I didn't lie when I said I came from the Outer Ring. I have a friend there who is trying to gain a little bit of control-"

"I refuse to work for any gang scum delving team. How dare you even bring that up."

It seemed I had struck a nerve. Maybe that was the heart of the matter behind his father's death. I didn't know many gang delvers who were known for their mercy towards other adventurers.

"Wait, before you leave, please hear me out. I will be your patron of the group. You will have full control over the workings of the group. I trust in your ability."

His incredulous look spoke volumes.

"Look, Ganley, it was fun delving with you today. I had never gone down with a mage before. But there is no way I believe you can outfit a full delving squad. If I am working under you, why the hell did you bring up your connection to the gangs of the Outer Ring."

He had a point, but there was only a matter of time before I would be combining my resources with Sammys. It was better to lead with full disclosure.

I liked Yerin, and I saw the potential in him. But there were far more candidates out there. I couldn't have the group fall apart the second they made a raid team with a group connected to a gang.

"Yerin. I believe in you and your talent. I promise that you will be allowed to choose the other group members as long as I deemed them competent. I also will give you access to a high tier body refinement technique. With your talent, I am sure you will reach Warrior in a matter of months. It just comes with the possibility that you would join up with a Delving team from the outer Ring in some of the larger boss fights."

He looked confused by that point. To be fair to the kid, it was one of the worst pitches I had given in a long time. Spur of the moment thinking tended to do that to me.

"You don't have to answer today. It will take a few days for me to build up the resources needed to outfit a team in the first place. I will be here in four days recruiting. So you will be more than welcome on the team then."

He was still mulling over my offer, lost in thought as I left the Salted Crab. A full day still ahead of me.

I had a new item on my long list. Making a team of my own was a good idea. I was reasonably confident it would be another tick on my record. Plus, it would be helpful for Sammy and his long term plans.

While I was thinking of the man, I figured I would visit him in his new headquarters before meditating.

I wanted to be as strong as possible before the last street fight this evening.

It would be the last one for a while as all the other gang members were still far too big to deal with as we were. I was confident against even a JourneyMage as I was now, but all of them would have the ability to pull an Adept to their side. Something I knew I would have little chance of beating.

The walk through the Capital brought some measure of peace. I would make sure it would never become the burnt-out wreak I had left behind in my past life.

I had never returned even when the Conquerors had rebuilt the whole Capital, apparently with splendor that rivaled even the greatest Elven cities.

That was the power of the Dungeon under people who had the power to utilize it properly. It was only the Saint of the Capital that was stopping the foreign enemies from invading.

That put the pressure on even more.

The Saint was quickly dying at the moment. I think I had the means to ensure his survival for the next decade, but I had to meet him for that.

It was challenging to get back into a peaceful mood when I felt that looming over my shoulders. Luckily the appearance of the Orcs Nostril broke me out of my stupor.

The pub was very different from the establishment we had taken over. For one, there was a good crowd outside. It seemed Sammys influence on the business was very positive,

That boded well for his continued reign over the area.

The group recognized me from my escapades, so they were quick to let me in. Encouraging me about the upcoming street fight as I went.

It seemed no one knew who we would be facing just yet, which was a little surprising. Surely that would be common knowledge by now.

Nostrils was serving behind the counter as I walked in. As if reading my mind, he nodded to the stairs.

"He's in the first room on the left. He hasn't left in quite a while. I was getting a little worried."

It seemed Sammy had also endeared himself to the stoic bartender. It was a truly great base of operations.

Going up the stairs, I couldn't hear anything going on. No chatting of any sort. Which wasn't like Sammy at all. Usually, I would hear him from half the street away.

The deathly silence continued as I approached the door. I was feeling a slight sense of foreboding. It would be unlikely that Sammy would be assassinated so early on in his career. Yet I couldn't rule anything out with the Scum of the Outer Ring.

I knocked a few times. I was preparing myself to barge in.

"Come in."

That didn't sound like Sammy at all. Gone was any boisterousness. Instead, all I heard was a defeated man. That was not good.

Looking into the room revealed quite the scene. Nearly all the furniture had been broken up. The bed looked like it had been stabbed numerous times. Sammy himself was sitting in the corner on the single surviving chair, gazing out into the street.

"Sammy, what the hell happened here? Is everything okay?"

An incredulous look was all I received in return.

"Does it fucking look okay, Ganley. Fuck man. We are dead. We are fucking dead."

"Surely it's not that bad, Sammy. Look, I am strong enough to take on nearly anyone in this Sector of the outer Ring."

He began to pace up and down the ruined room. Each step seemed to aggravate him further.

"Can you take on the fucking Orots, man? Do you think you could manage that?"

"Well, shit."

"Damn right, Gan. How in all the world did I manage to get the attention of the Orots. It just doesn't' make sense. I picked my targets so carefully. None of them had any connection to any of the more powerful families."

This was bad. The Orots were in charge of three Sectors already, while we were barely in control of a fifth of one—the poorest one to go along with it. They should have no interest in our territory.

"Okay, maybe it isn't that bad. Surely we are just facing one of the branch families. Who will I be going up against?"

Sammys look finally softened. Seeing how worried I was must have calmed him down a little. He was always good at things like that.

"Gan, you will be going up against a Mage."