Is this really a Game?!

The team dispersed, each heading to their quarters, but Reign couldn't find solace in sleep. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. Thoughts of Nicholas, the Grand Auction, and the future of Doncaster swirled in his mind. Despite the fatigue, sleep eluded him.

After what felt like hours, Reign decided to take a walk. He slipped out of bed, careful not to make any noise, and quietly left his room. The corridors of their base were dimly lit, and the silence was almost eerie. He wandered through the hallways, his mind still racing.

Reign found himself in the training hall, the familiar space filled with equipment and the scent of hard work and determination. He took a deep breath, the atmosphere grounding him somewhat. He walked over to a punching bag, his fists itching for an outlet.

The punching back was made with dragon leather, it was incredibly sturdy and even a Tier VII would find it difficult to damage it.

With each strike, he imagined Nicholas's face, his frustration, and anger fueling his punches. The physical exertion helped clear his mind, each blow a release of pent-up emotions.

As he pounded the bag, he heard footsteps approaching. He turned to see Wolf standing in the doorway, arms crossed, a knowing smile on his face.

"Can't sleep either?" Wolf asked, stepping into the room.

Reign shook his head, sweat dripping from his brow. "Too much on my mind."

Wolf nodded in understanding. "Yeah, it's been a hell of a night."

They stood in silence for a moment, the only sound being Reign's heavy breathing and the faint hum of the building.

"Want to spar?" Wolf suggested, a glint of challenge in his eyes.

Reign nodded, grateful for the distraction. They moved to the center of the room, assuming fighting stances. Wolf was a formidable opponent, and Reign knew he had to be on his toes. The sparring session was intense, with each move calculated and each strike precise. It was a dance of power and skill, a testament to their training and camaraderie.

For a while, Reign managed to push aside his worries, focusing solely on the fight. The adrenaline coursing through his veins was a welcome distraction. When they finally called it a draw, both of them were drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.

"Thanks," Reign said, panting. "I needed that."

Wolf clapped him on the shoulder. "Anytime man."

"My father replied, you know?"

"He did?!" Reign asked in shock as Wolf nodded his head and smiled.

"Yeah, he got the message, and he will be coming here, unfortunately, he isn't close so it will take him some time to arrive."

"I'm surprised he answered so quickly, I thought it would take him longer." Reign stated as Wolf chuckled.

"I thought as well, but we were lucky, he had just arrived in some city, so he was able to see the message."

Reign sighed in relief, wiping the sweat from his brow. The knowledge that Wolf's father was on his way brought a sense of security, albeit temporary. Reign and Wolf exited the training hall and made their way back to their quarters while discussing things.

Wolf's father was one of the members of the Order and knew Nicholas better than most. He was, without a shred of doubt, the best person to help them find the bastard.

As dawn approached, Reign finally managed to catch a few hours of restless sleep. The events of the previous night continued to haunt him, but he knew that once morning arrived, they needed to get back to work. They had a lot to prepare for, and Wolf's father's arrival would be a significant turning point in their mission.

The next morning, the team gathered in the main meeting room once more. The atmosphere was still tense, but there was an undercurrent of determination.

"We need to strengthen our alliances and gather as much information on Nicholas as possible," Reign began, his voice resolute. "Mia, how are our new contacts?"

Mia nodded, already pulling out a list of names. "I've reached out to several of them, and many are willing to share what they know, but we have to be careful, not everyone can be trusted."

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"Good," Reign replied. "Let's prioritize those who have a solid reputation, we can spend money at some information brokers to find out about them."

"Shadow, any updates from your end?"

Shadow leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "I've managed to get in touch with a few of our allies."

"They're looking into any recent activities that might be connected to Nicholas, it's going to take some time, but they're on it."

"Excellent," Reign said. "Jin, any insights from your experience with him?"

Jin, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. "Nicholas is cunning, very cunning."

"He will likely have a network of informants and allies that he keeps at a distance, we need to be one step ahead of him."

"Your father, Wolf, will be a valuable asset in this, he knows Nicholas well, he never trusted him so he always kept tabs on him."

"We also need to strengthen our defenses here in Doncaster, Nicholas now knows who you are and might learn about your location, about Doncaster, and the other territories."

Reign nodded, appreciating the input. "Wolf, start preparing for your father's arrival, ensure that we have everything he might need."

Wolf agreed, standing up to take his leave. "I'll get on it right away."

As the meeting continued, they outlined a comprehensive plan to fortify their position, reach out to allies, and gather more intel on Nicholas. It was a meticulous process, but a necessary one.

"Where are you going?" Beast suddenly asked Reign who took a deep breath.

"I'm going to try and get in touch with some information brokers, we have some here and in Wilkashere, but the ones I want to talk to are the hidden ones, there are some that one can employ via the auction house, but Drayce's faction has some informants as well. "

Reign's decision to reach out to hidden information brokers was a calculated risk. He knew that such individuals often operated in the shadows, dealing with sensitive information that could either help or hinder their cause. As he made his way to his quarters to prepare for the day, he pondered the best approach to contact these brokers without alerting Nicholas or his spies.

Reign quickly got dressed and gathered his thoughts. He went to the auction house, showed his identity, and once again managed to enter the grand auction house before entering a small room where a man greeted him.

"To get in touch with the brokers is expensive, you are well aware of that?" The man, a higher-up of the auction house asked Reign who merely nodded his head.

The man eyed Reign with a hint of skepticism, but Reign's reputation and the weight of his recent successes seemed to mollify any doubts.

"I understand what you are saying," Reign said calmly. "But the information we seek is critical, we're prepared to pay the necessary price."

The auction house representative nodded, recognizing the determination in Reign's eyes. "Very well."

"Follow me."

Reign was led through a series of narrow hallways and down a flight of stairs to a secluded chamber. The room was dimly lit, with an air of secrecy that suggested many clandestine deals had been brokered here.

The representative stopped in front of a heavy wooden door and knocked twice. The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man with sharp features and piercing eyes, the face definitely a disguise in Reign's opinion.

He scrutinized Reign for a moment before stepping aside to let him enter.

"Welcome," the broker said, his voice smooth and measured. "I am Kieran, what information do you seek?"

Reign took a seat across from Kieran, meeting his gaze with unwavering intensity. "I'm looking for information on a man named Nicholas."

"He operates under the alias 'Richard.' I need to know his movements, his allies, and any weaknesses he might have."

Kieran leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin as he seemingly started at a screen from the system. "Nicholas is a dangerous man, highly skilled and elusive, information on him will not come cheap."

Reign nodded. "Name your price."

Kieran considered for a moment before speaking. "Fifty thousand gold coins for the initial search, additional costs may arise depending on what we uncover."

Reign didn't flinch at the amount. "Done, how soon can you start?"

"Immediately," Kieran replied. "But understand that this will take time, the target is not an easy man to track."

"I understand," Reign said. "But time is of the essence, keep me informed of any developments."

Kieran inclined his head, signaling the end of their meeting. "You'll be contacted as soon as we have something."

Reign left the grand auction house and then made his way to the monastery, wanting to meet with Drayce and ask for his assistance as well.