'Heh. With this face, my name, and my charm—how could that not be enough?' Piper replied. In a cramped rental, Martin gripped his phone, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily. She really thinks she's some kind of living goddess. He exhaled and typed his reply. 'Of course, it's enough. We just haven't left the spawn point yet. Can't see Nighthale.' 'Doesn't matter. I can have someone else carry me. I'm never short on people to power-level me. If you don't like it, find someone else. I don't care,' Piper replied. She felt her pride wounded. Anger and embarrassment flared. Martin knew his limits. He couldn't hustle someone like Aiden. With Piper's influence, he could at least snag some levels. He rushed to apologize, flattered her, and threw shade at Aiden. 'Hey, I'm just looking out for you, okay? My bad for running my mouth.''Right. With your charm, if Aiden can't carry us, that's his loss. Nighthale it is. Piper, I'm sticking with you. I'm your rock.' Piper soaked it all up. The world was wrong; she was flawless. Martin's praise made her feel untouchable. She fired off a message, full of resolve. 'Relax. Compared to the top of the Leaderboard, someone like Aiden is nothing. He'll regret it later. I'm done talking. I'm going to shower.' She didn't check for replies. Teeth clenched, she opened the Doomsday forum and started digging for everything on Nighthale. She wanted him to carry her, and she wasn't bluffing. With her looks and skill, it would be a breeze. He blocked me? Acting tough to make me bow down? Not happening. "When I get in touch with Nighthale, and he levels me up—when I carve out my own path—you'll regret today for the rest of your life. Aiden, your little stash of cash doesn't impress me. Your vision is tiny. In front of a real powerhouse, you're nothing. I'm done tiptoeing around your dead-weight feelings. I'll live a hundred times better. A thousand." Her eyes glittered. Once she got in touch with Nighthale, she'd climb the Leaderboard—and make Aiden realize just how insignificant his pride really was. ... Meanwhile, Aiden had no idea that simply buying some property and unlocking the Leaderboard had somehow drawn Piper's attention again. She really didn't have all her marbles. He checked the deeds one more time and left the duke's estate. He didn't rush Westhand. The shops were his now, but empty. Aside from homes providing four extra hours of game time, the rest was basically wasteland. The busy districts were elsewhere. Usually, hardly any NPCs wanted to move in. High prices could change that, but there was no need. The quiet was temporary. Once the eerie creatures invaded, Westhand would flourish. Control would rest in his hands—he owned most of the commercial zone—no need to rush. Soon, he made his way to Eastguard. As Leafport's flashiest quarter, the difference was obvious the moment he stepped in. No other players were around yet, but NPCs wandered the streets—enhancement merchants, weapon dealers, and all sorts of different classes. Patrol guards of Level 50 or 60 were everywhere. Busy, yet orderly. He disliked crowds, so he ducked into a quiet appraisal shop. "Need something?" The shop owner glanced up, tone flat. To him, a Level 11 kid wasn't going to bring in any real business. Still, profit was profit, even if it was small. He stretched and yawned. "Forge or appraise?" "Appraise," Aiden said. The owner hesitated. "We only appraise silver-grade equipment and above. Bronze? Better outside the city." "What about epic? Can you handle that?" Aiden scanned the shop. It looked shabbier than he expected, not even an apprentice in sight. He doubted the owner's skill. Like players, NPC skill levels varied wildly.