Skill Forge: Broken Extra Character

The underground network where Vinn and his subordinate hid, the labyrinth of tunnels, damp with the scent of earth and moss. The stone walls, rough and unrefined, were dimly lit by flickering torches mounted in iron sconces.

At the heart of this dark network was a large, circular chamber, carved out and reinforced with heavy beams. In the center of it all sat Vinn, draped in shadows but still commanding an aura of authority. He occupied a simple wooden throne-like chair at the head of a stone table, his gaze piercing as he surveyed the room.

Around him, several subordinates moved with caution, their loyalty clear, but their fear evident.

"Is it ready yet?" Vinn asked, his voice laced with impatience as he tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair.

One of the subordinates, a wiry man with a nervous expression, approached and gave a hesitant nod. "Yes sir, the item is almost ready."

Vinn's eyes narrowed. "Almost?"

The subordinate gulped, shifting his weight uncomfortably. "Yes, sir. But... why do we need this item? I thought we weren't supposed to…"

"Screw that, we've alredy come this far," Vinn snapped, his anger flaring as he leaned forward, his eyes cold. "We followed his orders for months and we've got nothing to show for it. No progress. We're going with this plan instead."

The subordinate shifted, fear creeping into his voice. "But what if he finds out? We can't trust that woman, sir. She…"

"That's for me to worry about," Vinn interrupted sharply, brushing the concern aside. His frustration was palpable, the pressure of their situation weighing heavily on him.

Suddenly, the door to the chamber swung open, and the air seemed to grow colder. Gwendolyn strode in with quiet confidence, her presence immediately commanding attention. She moved with a calculated grace, her eyes fixed on Vinn. The shadows seemed to part for her, as if the darkness itself bent to her will.

"I like what you've done with the place, you finally made this shithole your home." Gwen mocked but Vinn brushed off the insult, focused on one thing alone.

"Do you have it?" Gwen's voice was smooth but laced with authority, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.

The subordinate who had been speaking earlier glanced nervously at Vinn, clearly reluctant to answer. Vinn, however, gave a curt nod, signaling that it was fine to proceed.

With a shaky breath, the subordinate stepped forward and produced the item, wrapped carefully in a thick cloth. His hands trembled as he extended it toward her, clearly afraid of what it represented.

Gwendolyn took the item without a word, her fingers brushing over the cloth before she unwrapped it slightly, just enough to inspect the contents. A satisfied smile crept onto her lips as she gazed at the object inside.

Vinn, growing increasingly impatient, leaned forward in his chair. "We've brought the item," he said, his tone sharp. "Now tell me what I want to know."

Gwen, still smiling that eerie smile, carefully rewrapped the item and cradled it in her arms. "I can't do that just yet," she replied, her voice dripping with manipulation. "Not until your job is finished."

Vinn's eyes flashed with anger. He slammed a fist onto the stone table, his frustration boiling over. "What? You really want us to kill those kids?" His voice was filled with both fury and disbelief.

Gwen's smile faded, replaced by a look of cold indifference. She took a step closer to him, her gaze hardening. "Do you want to save your sister or not?" she snapped back, her words cutting like a blade. "If you fail, she dies and we both know it's not going to be pretty. So stop questioning me and do what you're told."

Vinn clenched his jaw, his rage barely contained. But he knew he had no choice. His sister's life hung in the balance, and as much as he hated being manipulated, he couldn't afford to fail.

"Fine," he growled, his fists tightening. "But you'd better keep your end of the deal."

Vinn stood there, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face as he watched Gwendolyn. He knew the plan was reckless, bordering on suicidal. "But what you're asking us to do is very dangerous," Vinn voiced his concerns, his tone less sharp but still tense. "What about Clarence and the other heads? You think they'll just sit by and watch us act?"

Gwendolyn, clearly growing tired of his doubts, sighed as she turned away. Her voice was cold and dismissive. "You don't need to worry about that," she said, taking a few slow steps toward the door. "Just lay low, prepare for the job, and the rest will be handled for you."

As she reached the exit, a thought crossed her mind, and she paused. Slowly, Gwen reached into her cloak and pulled out a small crystal ball, glowing faintly in her hands. She turned back to Vinn, showing him the orb.

Curiosity and unease mingled in Vinn's expression as he glanced at the shimmering surface. Moments later, an image formed within the ball: a familiar figure appeared. Jett.

Vinn frowned, confusion clear on his face. "Why are you showing me this kid?"

Gwendolyn's eyes darkened, her expression stern as she fixed her gaze on him. "Whatever you do, don't hurt this child," she warned, her voice low and dangerous. "Not even a scratch." Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving her final words hanging in the air. "I'll be in touch."

Vinn waited until the sound of her footsteps faded into the distance before his jaw clenched in frustration. His subordinates exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the weight of the situation.

One of them finally spoke up, his voice filled with uncertainty. "So, what do we do, sir?"

Vinn's eyes narrowed as he stared at the space where Gwendolyn had stood moments ago. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts. "We wait," he replied, his voice more resigned than confident. "And we prepare."

The tension lingered as they began setting up, moving through the underground network with quiet efficiency. Mysterious preparations were underway: tools, maps, and strange objects laid out in careful arrangements. They moved like shadows, aware that something far more dangerous was unfolding behind the scenes.

*****

Meanwhile, Gwendolyn strode confidently through the dim halls of the facility. She moved with purpose until she reached her private quarters, pausing for a moment at the door. Her eyes flicked around, sharp and cautious as she checked for any signs of being watched or followed.

Satisfied that no one was near, she stepped into her room and shut the door behind her with a soft click. Once inside, she wasted no time. Her fingers danced through the air, and the faint hum of magic filled the space.

[Wind Veil]

An invisible barrier enveloped the room, swirling like a gentle breeze but infused with powerful magic. The air shimmered faintly, ensuring that no sound would escape beyond the walls. A perfect silence settled around her, a protective veil that kept her secrets safe from prying ears.

Gwendolyn exhaled, allowing herself a moment of solitude. She moved to a small desk near the window, where scattered notes and strange relics hinted at deeper schemes.

Gwen reached into the folds of her cloak and slowly brought out a crystal ball, its surface smooth and cold against her fingertips. She set it down carefully on the table before her, and the orb began to glow, casting an eerie blue light across the dim room. Tendrils of mist swirled inside, and after a few moments, a voice echoed from the other side.

"Any new development?" the voice spoke, calm but with an underlying sharpness.

Gwen straightened, her expression cool. "No, master. Nothing out of the ordinary," she replied smoothly, keeping her tone measured.

"Very good. And you're only observing, right?" the voice questioned, probing for any hint of deviation.

"Yes, master. I've been laying low as a teacher and keeping a low profile," Gwen lied without a hitch. Her eyes flickered briefly, but her voice remained steady.

"Are you sure? No... miscellaneous?" The voice lingered on the word, fishing for details.

Gwen's mind raced, carefully navigating the words. "Nothing of note, master," she responded, skirting around the truth with calculated precision. She had learned the art of answering without truly lying, a dance of deception. She offered just enough to satisfy, but not enough to betray her true actions.

"And I trust that you've been keeping a close eye on the Divine Lords?" the voice shifted, changing focus.

"They've progressed quickly, yes," Gwen answered, offering just the right amount of detail to sound thorough without overstepping. She let a hint of admiration slip into her voice, playing her part perfectly. "They're evolving, faster than expected, but within manageable limits."

"Including that moron's child?" the voice asked, its tone darkening as it lingered on the subject.

Gwen hesitated, the question catching her off guard. She swallowed lightly, her mind weighing her options. Just a moment of pause, but enough to create tension.

"Well...? Are you going to answer or not?" The voice grew impatient, a sharpness cutting through the silence.

Gwen composed herself, her lips curling into a faint smile. "No, master," she said, her voice steady once more. "His progress has dwindled significantly." Her mind whispered, 'Like hell I'd give up my ticket out of here,' as she masked the lie behind a veil of confidence.

"Is that so? Ha!" The voice sounded relieved, almost amused. "That's how it should be."

The tension in the air seemed to lift, and Gwen let out a quiet breath, feeling the shift. She remained silent, waiting for further instructions, her eyes fixed on the swirling mists inside the orb.

"That will be all. Just continue with your observation," the voice instructed, its presence fading as the glow of the crystal dimmed.

The room returned to its quiet stillness, leaving Gwen alone, her lips pressed together in satisfaction.

*****

Gwendolyn carefully reached into her satchel, fingers curling around the item she had received from Vinn. Slowly, she unwrapped the dark cloth, layer by layer, until the object was revealed: a small, gleaming pin forged from both Adamantium and Mythril.

The craftsmanship was exquisite: its silver-and-black sheen reflected the dim light in her room, and she could feel the immense power radiating from it.

Her eyes narrowed as she inspected the pin closely, her fingers tracing its sharp, intricate edges. Suddenly, a maniacal laugh escaped her lips, growing louder with every passing second. "Just a little longer, and this silly game will be over," she whispered, her voice dripping with wicked anticipation.

Gwendolyn's gaze shifted toward the glass orb sitting on the table, the one she used to communicate with her master. Her laughter quickly turned to disgust, her expression twisting into one of contempt. Gripping the pin between her fingers, she twirled it effortlessly, eyeing the orb with disdain.

Without a second thought, she flicked her wrist and hurled the pin at the orb. "Let's see who'll be giving the orders when this is all over," she snarled, her grin widening into a wicked smirk.

The pin passed through the orb as if it were made of water, leaving behind a tiny, almost imperceptible hole in its surface. For a brief moment, everything seemed fine, until Gwen's expression changed.

"Crap...!" she exclaimed, realizing the severity of what she had just done. The orb, her only means of communication with her master, was now damaged beyond simple repair. She clenched her fists, her face contorting in frustration. "Damn it!!!" Her voice echoed through the room as she slammed her fist against the table, the pin clattering to the ground.

*****

Meanwhile, Ross sat alone in his lavish room, the soft flicker of candlelight illuminating the luxurious furnishings around him.

The rich velvet curtains, embroidered tapestries, and polished wooden furniture marked a sharp contrast to the more modest dormitories the other students occupied. He stretched out lazily in a large armchair, his gaze fixed on the veranda just beyond.

"Jett Grift, huh?" Ross muttered to himself, leaning forward with a frown. "He would have been a great asset to the Majesty Club, but, as usual, those morons decided to make decisions without me." His voice dripped with irritation, his brow furrowing deeper as he continued to stew over his club's incompetence.

"Why am I even leading a group that doesn't listen to me?" Ross asked, his frustration boiling over. "It's frustrating."

He stood and walked to the veranda, where the cold night breeze hit him, calming him slightly. He leaned against the stone railing, gazing out at the moonlit sky, his mind racing with plans and the bitterness of being sidelined.

"What do you think?"

*

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Hmm

He's talking to someone