Arcane: Begging for Help in a Parallel Universe!

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Dawn, Airship Meeting Room.

"This is the contract I'm offering you. If it looks good, sign it."

Link handed the freshly printed contract to Twisted Fate, who set aside his cards and began carefully reviewing the terms.

The conditions Link offered were incredibly generous, far beyond Twisted Fate's expectations. However, the price was equally steep: absolute obedience to Link's commands, no betrayal or desertion during the contract period.

Violating these terms would result in permanent social death.

"These are indeed very favorable terms," Twisted Fate said, setting the contract down. "But I'm not entirely clear on what 'permanent social death' entails."

"Exactly what it sounds like," Link replied with a shrug.

Twisted Fate fell silent. The young man before him, no older than seventeen or eighteen, wielded an array of formidable abilities and had even managed to intimidate the Bloodharbor Ripper.

As one of the few who had witnessed last night's attack, Twisted Fate had been close enough to see how Link's attacks had troubled the Ripper. While the Ripper had dismissed Graves' attacks, he had treated Link's with caution.

Even Twisted Fate's own magic had been ineffective against the Ripper, yet this young man had managed to make an impact.

A terrifying and enviable talent.

"Exactly what it sounds like?" Twisted Fate scrutinized the contract again, searching for hidden loopholes.

"Don't bother. There's no wordplay or hidden traps. As for social death..." Link glanced at the closed door, behind which Graves stood guard.

Last night, Link had instructed Graves to hide in the cabin after Neeko absorbed his烁码, allowing him to escape unscathed. Since then, the big oaf had grown increasingly loyal.

"You've heard about the streaker in Bilgewater a few days ago, right?"

Twisted Fate's eyes narrowed. "I've heard some rumors."

But when he noticed Link's knowing smile, Twisted Fate's expression shifted.

"You don't mean..."

"Exactly. And the star of that show is right outside the door."

"The consequences of breaking the contract are... severe," Twisted Fate said with a bitter laugh. Seeing Link's unwavering gaze, he picked up a quill. "But I don't have much choice, do I?"

As Twisted Fate signed the contract, Link took it and extended his hand.

"A wise decision."

Twisted Fate stood and shook Link's hand, unaware that Link had subtly infused him with a trace of magic.

"I look forward to working with you, boss," Twisted Fate said with a smile.

"As long as you prove your worth, I won't treat you unfairly. Now, get out and close the door behind you."

"Such a cold boss," Twisted Fate joked as he left the room.

Outside, Graves, puffing on a cigar, grinned at Twisted Fate. "You signed the contract too?"

"I did."

"Great! Now we can settle our score."

Twisted Fate knocked on the door. "Boss, is it okay if employees rough each other up a bit?"

"No. Anyone who starts a fight gets thrown into the sea to scrub Fizz's shark."

"You heard the man," Twisted Fate said, tipping his hat to Graves. "Looks like you're out of luck."

"We'll see about that," Graves replied, the two of them walking off together, each plotting their next move.

Link, sensing their mental gymnastics through his magic, rubbed his temples.

"Twisted Fate and Graves together are like a never-ending soap opera."

Cutting off his connection to the two, Link stored the contract away. With Twisted Fate dealt with, it was time to focus on his own plans.

The grenades he'd tested last night had worked well, and he needed to produce more. Originally, he'd wanted to create weapons inspired by movies and TV shows, like ultraviolet grenades, but lacking the necessary technology, he'd settled for arc and cryo grenades.

Still, they were effective.

To advance his technology, he needed to explore new scientific frontiers, sparking inspiration to break through the current technological bottleneck.

In all of Runeterra, only Piltover and Zaun relied on technology. Other regions focused on individual prowess or magic. To push the boundaries, Link needed to tap into the multiverse through the Dimensional Mailbox.

"I need to get in touch with Project Irelia again."

Link pulled up the list of supplies Project Irelia had sent him. He wanted everything on it—blueprints, physical items, even the entirety of Project Corp's technology.

After some thought, he opened the mailbox and began drafting a reply.

Dear Irelia,

I have an order I'd like to discuss. I'm interested in acquiring all the items on the supply list you provided. However, using nutrient solutions as the sole currency for exchange is inconvenient. Aside from nutrient solutions, what other forms of payment do you accept? Please let me know as soon as possible.

Additionally, I'm very interested in your technological systems. If you have comprehensive knowledge or data, I'm willing to pay a high price for it.

Sincerely,

Link

After sending the letter, Link waited. With the Harrowing less than five days away, he needed to prepare for sleepless nights.

Soon, a reply arrived.

Dear Link,

After careful consideration, I've decided to propose a new exchange rate. We require water, ore, air, and basic survival supplies. I've attached an updated supply list for your review.

As for the knowledge and data you requested, we can provide it as a gift. Additionally, we have many interesting technological creations. Let me know if you're interested!

Best regards,

Irelia

After reading the reply, Link stroked his chin.

Market demand was determined by the other party's needs. To understand supply and demand, one had to consider the broader societal context.

The Project universe, with its cyberpunk themes, was defined by the growing conflict between technology and daily life. Industrial pollution, overpopulation, environmental degradation, and resource depletion were rampant, even as the digital age and artificial intelligence flourished.

In such an environment, the demand for resources would only grow.

Link's world was rich in natural resources, while Project Irelia's was resource-scarce but technologically advanced.

In other words—

He could trade his world's abundant, low-value resources for their cutting-edge technology.

It was practically free.

Take water, for example. He was in Bilgewater, where water was plentiful.

Should he send Irelia ten tons of seawater?

Wait, not yet.

Irelia mentioned many interesting technological creations. Perhaps the updated supply list included something valuable.

Link opened the attachment and began scrolling through the new list. When he reached the bottom, his eyes widened.

"This is—"

Link shot up from the couch, his attention locked on a special core listed in the supplies.

[Matter Decomposition Processing Core], Price: 10,000 units of water.

Seeing this core, the design for one of the Seven Deadly Sins flashed in Link's mind.

"I have to get this. With it, I can create the second Sin—Gluttony."

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 156 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 140 power stones I will publish the next chapter.