Weapon seller in the world of magic

Silence wrapped the hall like a cloak. No one spoke for a while; perhaps, they were either thinking or were really intimidated. But some were quite confused about what happened to this Pakhan of theirs. They felt like his personality had changed.

Viktor sat back down, face a hard mask. Sergei Volkov’s lips thinned. One or two heads turned to the Guardians who stood like silent bodyguards. Each of them is considered an S-rank Hunter, and four of them in one room is just as dangerous as being surrounded by hundreds of monsters at once.

Seongha’s stomach tightened. Never in the world did she expect her childhood friend to make such a move, using threats and leverage against his own allies. It was Boss-like. She couldn’t help but see Sungjun in a new light.

It wasn’t just her. Essentially, Alexander Han rarely showed his face to the other leaders and was always dependent on his guardians to handle the affairs. Even when doing things in person, he does it on video calls. And his way is always handling through technology, like hacking. So, just like others, everyone just assumed that he just didn’t carry the aura of a gangster and was just trying his best to fill his father’s shoes. After all, he inherited the title of Pakhan through family heritage, not his own efforts. Hence, the respect other warlords have for Alexander isn’t that much. Atleast, in their hearts.

Now, no one could speak a single word properly, feeling immense pressure just through Sungjun’s words and the way he was conducting himself. Little did they know Sungjun was actually more pressure than themselves. His heart was pounding quite a bit, but on the outside, he looked as calm as a leopard.

To push them further, he finished it off with a command. ”We make a move in 5 days. You have that much time to prepare.”

Seongha glanced around, seeing everyone’s expressions. Clenching her fists, she drew a breath and stepped into it to grab the opportunity.

”Chernye Bury can handle it alone,” she said, voice steady, instantly grabbing the attention. She didn’t look for permission as she further said. ”You don’t need to drag everyone into this. And we also don’t need any weapons, money, or tech. We will finish off this task by ourselves and give all the gains to Pavel. Instead, we only need Pakhan (you) to get my father out of Maximum Security Prison.”

The air snapped at her announcement, the demand that followed. A man two rows back actually choked on his own intake. Sungjun’s face went flat as he dug into Alexander’s memory about her father. The former right hand of the Pakhan, his father. The one who was caught alive by the Special Forces of the Siberian Union (the federal organization that comprises 29 of the 32 countries of the Siberian Continent) and was sent to Maximum security Prison for life imprisonment for his role in stealing the Nuclear Missile Technology from the Union and selling it to the underworld.

”You want him freed from Maximum Security?” he asked in a low, snapping back to the present. ”You know what’s in that place, Seongha. The Anti-mana Rune Technology will render every hunter and monster useless. Even Missiles wouldn’t work much against those prison walls, which were built with reinforced steel woven into the concrete. To do damage, we have to blow up the entire prison with our Atomics—if we go that route, we don’t just kill the guards and the prisoners. We might not even be sure your father survives the blast.”

Seongha met him straight on, looking serious. ”Of course, I’m not stupid enough to use force. I want you to use your influence. You can get a Presidential pardon.”

At that, Viktor Morozov’s lips twitched. Sergei Volkov’s jaw worked.

A woman in the second circle, her coat trimmed in black river embroidery, raised a hand. Irina Voronova of the Voronov Line spoke with a clipped accent and a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, announcing. ”Pardons won’t cut it, Miss Ryu. Just because the Prison is in the Velmira Republic doesn’t mean the country’s President can pardon someone lodged in Maximum for a life imprisonment. It is under the control of the union.”

As if she expected that response, Seongha gave a nod, ”I know,” she said. ”However, the Current President of the Union... well, he and Former Lord Pavel used to be close. For someone on death row, you would need a vote among the countries in an assembly, but my father was facing a life imprisonment sentence, who had already served for more than 12 years. The Union’s President can give a pardon.”

Sungjun’s eyes went dark at that explanation. He stared at her for a few seconds in silence, but in the end, he replied. ”I never used my father’s name to get what I wanted, Seongha, not even when he was alive.” He folded his hands with a stern face. But a moment later, he added when Seongha’s face fell. ”But your father will come out of that prison. That I promise.”

Shock slid sideways into the hall. Seongha felt the floor tilt a fraction. She had half-expected him to refuse. She had not expected him to agree.

However, Sungjun wasn’t done yet. He further said, ”And you don’t have to do it all on your own. Black Dragon falls under your cloak, Seongha. It’s your consignment. You and Chernye Bury take them down.”

Viktor clicked his tongue in disapproval. Sergei crossed his arms like a man folding a map away. His thoughts were unreadable. Irina gave a slow clap that could have been appreciation or mockery; it landed somewhere between both.

Sungjun saw some reactions and got up. As the others followed suit, he said. ”Just like Miss Ryu has her own demand, if you have a demand, one that you can forgo the rewards I promised earlier, you may speak up right away or take your time before the signal of the war is given. For now, just enjoy your stay here. I’m holding the banquet in the evening. Those who are interested may stay in the guest rooms they were assigned.”

Silence stretched thin even after Sungjun walked away, leaving them to their own devices.

A few days later, Xihu District, Hangzhou City;

A large parcel arrived at the penthouse where Tianzhu and his niece were staying.

It was massive, nearly the size of a small refrigerator, and securely packaged in industrial-grade wrapping. Tianzhu didn’t need to check the sender. He already knew what it was.

Setting his coffee down on the marble countertop, he grabbed a utility knife and carefully sliced through the thick tape.

As the final layer peeled away, a sleek, completely assembled humanoid robotic assistant stood inside the crate, its glossy exterior reflecting the soft morning light.

”Looks completely undamaged. Great, I was worried for nothing.”

With a small smirk, Tianzhu powered it on. A faint hum filled the air as the robot’s systems booted up, its LED interface flickering to life.

”Amy, activate,” Tianzhu murmured.

The robot’s synthetic eyes blinked, and it straightened its posture before responding in a smooth, feminine robotic voice.

”System online. Awaiting commands, Master Qin.”

Tianzhu glanced towards the staircase leading to Vera’s room. He lowered his voice and gave the command.

”Go wake Vera up.”

Amy nodded mechanically and turned, her smooth steps gliding up the stairs with eerie precision. Tianzhu followed slowly behind, hands in his pockets, watching as the robot approached Vera’s bed.

The girl was still curled up under her blanket, her hair spilling across the silk pillow. Ava leaned slightly forward and spoke in her usual tone.

”Young Miss, wake up. It’s morning time.”

Vera groggily groaned, rolling over. ”Not now, Amy...” she mumbled, half-asleep.

Then, suddenly, her eyes snapped open.

”AMY?!”

She shot upright, wide-eyed, as she took in the sight of the robotic assistant standing before her.

From the doorway, Tianzhu grinned. ”Surprise.”

Vera practically launched out of bed, wrapping her arms around the robot in pure excitement. ”Amy! You’re really here!”

The AI assistant’s head tilted slightly before responding. ”It has been a while, Young Miss.”

Tianzhu leaned against the doorframe, watching his daughter’s joy with a satisfied smile. Taking a sip, he mumbled. ”Okay, with Amy here to look after Vera, I’m finally ready to work. I wonder when Jiejie has her next project.”

A couple of days later;

Tianzhu left his daughter at the house and joined Xueli as she was picked up by her manager, as a prestigious project finally fell into her lap.

The sleek black SUV was waiting at the entrance. Inside sat a man in his late thirties, his sharp suit and neatly styled hair presenting a polished image.

Xueli smiled and gestured towards Tianzhu. ”Xiao Zhu, this is my manager, Li Jingmin.”

Jingmin nodded politely, offering a handshake. Tianzhu took it with a firm grip. ”Pleasure to meet you,” Jingmin said smoothly. However, in his mind, he couldn’t help but wonder who this young man was.