Chapter 99: The New Base Lord [2] The awakener led Moon through several corridors before stopping at an ornate door. He knocked twice, firmly. "Sir, Moon is here to see you." "...Let him in." "Yes, sir." The awakener left, nodding toward Moon. "You can enter." Upon entering the room, Moon’s brows raised in surprise at the man sitting behind the Base Lord’s desk. "You are the lord of the base now?" Kael’s expression remained neutral as he nodded. "You can sit down. I have several things I need to discuss with you, including your rewards for your contributions during the siege." Moon sat in one of the chairs across from the desk, still processing the unexpected development. "You’re the new Base Lord? What happened to the previous one?" Kael leaned back slightly. "He was resigned of his role by the awakener’s association immediately after the battle concluded. The Awakener Association reviewed the situation and decided to transfer the title to me based on several factors." Kael spoke without gloating or fake humility. "That’s not the primary topic I wanted to discuss, however," Kael continued. "Your contributions to defending this base were immense. I don’t need to enumerate them—I’m sure you know them very well. I’m here to provide you with two separate reward distributions." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎 "Two?" Moon’s interest sharpened. "The Dugbog we killed in the forest. You’re entitled to a share of that as well." "Right." Moon nodded, genuinely surprised that the young Glassy heir still remembered such a relatively minor encounter when a full-scale war had occurred mere hours later. Kael reached into his spatial storage and withdrew a spherical object that immediately drew Moon’s attention. The core pulsed with earthy brown light, dense with concentrated mana that Moon could feel even from across the desk. "As the person who dealt the most critical damage to the Three-Armed Mountain Bear, you’ve earned the largest share of its remains—specifically, the beast core." Kael placed the core on the desk between them. "This is a First Order S-rank, high earth affinity core. Extremely rare and valuable." Moon’s eyes landed on the core with obvious interest. "I’m willing to purchase it from you, at a price above standard market assessment. Normally, a core of this quality would sell for approximately one million dollars, maybe slightly more depending on the buyer. I’m prepared to offer you two million dollars for the core alone. As for the Dugbog, your contribution amounts to approximately one hundred thousand dollars based on materials harvested and sold. For the rest of your contributions such as eliminating approximately one hundred beasts during the siege, saving multiple awakeners from permanent death, and killing the assassin James. That totals an additional five hundred thousand dollars." Kael met Moon’s eyes directly. "Two million six hundred thousand dollars total. Do you accept these terms?" Moon considered for a moment, running the calculations in his head. Kael had indeed been very fair, even slightly generous with the core’s valuation. The price reflected either genuine appreciation for Moon’s contribution or a decision to establish goodwill. Either way, Moon was happy that he had gained some extra bucks. "I accept," Moon said simply. The money was useful, and whilst Moon was certain that if he asked for more money, Kael would probably give it. However, Moon wasn’t going to do so, he knew that he would eventually reach the second sanctuary, and having Kael as a connection even if it was a weaker one would be incredibly useful. A question emerged in Moon’s mind as he processed the transaction. "What happens to the loot from all the other beasts killed during the siege? Do you take a share as Base Lord?" Moon didn’t have much information on such topics, and it was interesting to understand. Kael nodded without hesitation. "Yes. I take a percentage cut from all beast materials harvested within base territory. It’s standard practice for Base Lords—the fee funds defensive infrastructure, pays guards, maintains facilities, and compensates the lord for administrative responsibilities." "I see." Moon nodded slowly, his mind piecing together the larger picture. He’d finally understood why Kael hadn’t warned the previous Base Lord about the assassin’s initial attack. Why he’d allowed the man to nearly die, to be driven from the battlefield in disgrace and fear. Kael had wanted exactly this outcome from the beginning. With the previous lord disgraced and gone, Kael could step into the vacant position with full justification. His combat contributions were undeniable. His family’s backing made the transition smooth. And now he controlled an entire base’s economic output, gaining wealth and influence far beyond what a simple visiting prodigy could access. It was calculated, ruthless and brilliantly executed. Moon felt no moral outrage about it. If anything, he respected the strategic thinking. Kael had identified an opportunity and seized it with his own power and planning. "Smart move," Moon said quietly, making his understanding clear without explicitly stating the accusation. Kael’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his crimson eyes. "Business is business," Kael replied evenly. "The base needed stronger leadership. I provided it. Everyone benefits from the arrangement." ’Including yourself most of all,’ Moon thought but didn’t say. "When will the payment transfer?" Moon asked, moving past the subtext. "Within twenty-four hours. I’ll have it deposited directly to your registered account with the Awakener Association." Moon nodded and stood. "Then we’re finished here?" "One more thing," Kael said, stopping Moon before he could leave. "Once opportunity arises, would you want to be invited?" The offer hung in the air, carefully phrased to avoid sounding like recruitment but clearly indicating interest in future cooperation. Moon considered the implications. Aligning with Kael meant access to resources, information, and opportunities. It also meant potential entanglement in Glassy family politics and whatever schemes Kael was planning long-term. "I’ll keep that in mind," Moon said neutrally, committing to nothing. Kael nodded. "You’re free to go." Moon left the office, his mind already working through what this new development meant for his plans of ascension to the second sanctuary. ’He’s a useful connection to have...at the right time.’