Chapter 7: Tenebris Queen

Words : 2261 Updated : May 15th, 2025

After leaving the Iron Fang Gang, Gordon flagged down a taxi and went to a mysterious antique shop in the heart of the commercial district. He needed to buy some essential items, like a phone, a watch, and weapons. This shop was particularly well-hidden, tucked away in a quiet alley of the commercial center, off-limits to ordinary folks. Everything sold here was forbidden, and Gordon wouldn't have found it without his memories. As he walked in, he glanced over the various paintings and antiques on display. A woman with a striking face and a ponytail, dressed in a shirt and black pants, sat at the counter, casually fiddling with her phone. "Hello, sir, what can I help you with today?" The woman greeted Gordon with a smile as he walked in. "I have everything I need written here." Gordon pulled a note from his pocket and handed it to her. "Sir, you might be mistaken. We are an antique shop. We don't have these items." She replied, glancing at the note and shaking her head with a smile. Gordon gave a mysterious smile and jotted down two lines of poetry on the note. The woman's eyes widened. Her face changed as she read them, a storm of emotions brewing within her. She had seen these lines during her training at headquarters, indicating that Gordon had visited their headquarters before, marking him as a distinguished guest. She quickly triggered a mechanism next to her, making a painting on the wall slide away to reveal a hidden passage. "Please follow me." She said, bowing to Gordon with a respectful gesture. Gordon gave a slight nod and stepped into the passage. After a few steps, his view opened up. It was an exquisitely crafted showroom with unique equipment and weapons, including guns, knives, swords, and more. Gordon began to select his items carefully. When he left the antique shop, his initial money had decreased to under three thousand. Gordon had once lived a life of prestige, using only the finest items. The seemingly ordinary watch on his wrist was worth thirty thousand. It was a military-grade holographic projection watch with satellite communication and scanning capabilities, custom-fitted with hidden assassin needles in the strap links—a preferred assassination tool for Gordon. Similarly, the phone he bought had holographic projection and satellite communication features. However, the most expensive purchase was the weapon he acquired for fifty thousand. A military knife made of nanovibranium, adorned with a dragon pattern on the blade and a dragon head hilt, featuring a special nano-launcher within, powerful and deadly. Though many might find such equipment expenses extravagant, to Gordon, they were insignificant. He lowered his standards to make these purchases. In his prime, a piece of equipment could be worth tens of millions. His current gear would enhance his combat capabilities, allowing him to handle unexpected situations. If Gordon's weapons were tailored to his specifications, his money wouldn’t suffice. His watch couldn't be valued in mere currency at its peak due to its advanced functions. As Gordon left the antique shop, the woman stared at the two lines of poetry he had written, her eyes filled with shock. After contemplating, she took a photo with her phone and sent it off, pondering the mysterious aura surrounding Gordon. He had never visited their shop before, nor did he present any membership card when purchasing, leaving her puzzled. The lines he wrote were: "Since ancient times, no woman can compare to a single strand of her hair." The handwriting matched the two lines of poetry framed in their headquarters' main hall. In the Shadow Nation, within the Royal Group's conference room. A grand meeting was underway. A disagreement had sparked a heated debate among the executives. Sitting gracefully at the head of the conference table, a woman with flowing silver hair was playing games on her tablet, seemingly oblivious to the arguments below. She had flawless features, a perfect figure, and supreme authority. She was Nina Adams, CEO of the Shadow Nation's Royal Group. She was also the founder of the Nyxian Temple, known as the Tenebris Queen. The Nyxian Temple managed the black market. Amidst the heated debate, a crisp phone sound resonated, causing a momentary pause among the arguing executives, who turned in unison to the source of the sound. They were eager to see who dared to use a phone during such a meeting. To their surprise, the phone belonged to Nina. The sudden sound caused her to frown slightly. She quickly retrieved her phone to check the message. Before her eyes appeared the poetry Gordon had written at the black market. "How... how is this possible?" She exclaimed in disbelief, recognizing the distinctive strokes immediately. The handwriting belonged to the legendary man who bestowed the poetry lines upon her. Without hesitation, Nina grabbed her phone and strode out of the conference room, leaving the executives in stunned silence, their jaws agape. They had never seen their composed CEO so flustered. Once in her office, Nina dialed a five-digit number, her voice firm and commanding. "Ruben, what's the story behind the photo you sent me?" "Ms. Adams, the photo comes from the Starville branch in Eastridge. According to the store manager, Velrosa, a mysterious stranger visited the shop seeking to purchase equipment and weapons. As he was not a regular, Velrosa did not attend to him, prompting him to write those two lines of poetry." "Upon comparison, the handwriting and style are identical to those in our headquarters' main hall." Ruben relayed over the phone. Hearing this, Nina's heart surged with turmoil. She knew those lines were a gift from the renowned Demon Lord of the Asurian Westrealm. Three years ago, the Demon Lord had been betrayed and perished under the combined assault of four kings. Yet, the reappearance of these words and lines left Nina astounded. Could it be that the Demon Lord hadn't died? In that moment, countless thoughts raced through Nina's mind. She quickly issued orders. "Seal this information immediately. Tell Velrosa to build a good relationship with that guest. They should never investigate his identity. Also, entrust her with full responsibility for the Royal Group’s Starville project." "Understood!" Ruben responded from the other end. Nina gave a slight nod and hung up the call. After a moment's thought, she took out another phone and dialed a unique number. "Carmen, I need you to go to Starville."

Chapter 7: Tenebris Queen

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