Chapter 5

Cole watched the Archmage—who moments ago had been so proud and haughty, now trembling with excitement—and couldn't help but feel a little wistful.

Money makes the world go round. The saying didn't lie.

Normally, you'd have to grind through dozens of quests and reach level one hundred just to unlock access to the Supreme Sanctum. But money paved the way.

The price, however, was steep.

Just the entry fee alone cost half a million gold.

The Archmage swept his sleeve, and the 500 thousand gold vanished into it. His old face crumpled into a smile like a blooming flower.

"Esteemed guest, the War God Hall on the top floor is now open for you. Go on up—the keeper there will receive you."

Having an elderly man in his seventies stare at him with such fiery passion made Cole's skin crawl.

"Hey, Sir. I have to say... I kind of preferred you when you were all arrogant and defiant. Mind switching back?"

The Archmage immediately wiped the smile off his face. His gaze turned deep as an abyss. "Young man. Proceed upstairs."

"Ah. There it is. That's the stuff."

Cole smirked and quickly climbed the stairs.

Soon, he reached the top floor.

The heavy stone doors rumbled open. Twelve candelabras stood in two symmetrical rows along the path, their blue flames flickering softly. The entire hall felt solemn and majestic.

A deep, resonant voice drifted out. "Young man. What brings you here?"

Cole looked up. A middle-aged man in golden battle armor strode toward him with the confidence of a warlord.

Same as before—no visible name. The only information Cole could glean was class and level.

[Level 100 Berserk Warrior]

Compared to the Archmage downstairs, this Berserk Warrior was clearly on another level.

Cole spoke. "I need to hire a guardian."

The middle-aged Berserk Warrior gave him a long, appraising look, then nodded. "You may."

He waved his hand, and a holographic panel appeared before Cole.

[Supreme Sanctum Honorary Knight Puppet | Level 100 | 100,000 gold/day]

[Supreme Sanctum Elemental Mage Puppet | Level 100 | 100,000 gold/day]

[Supreme Sanctum Shadow Assassin Puppet | Level 100 | 100,000 gold/day]

[Supreme Sanctum Archmage Puppet | Level 80 | 80,000 gold/day]

[...]

As one of the most powerful factions in Doomsday, the Supreme Sanctum's resources were unmatched.

The lowest level on the hiring list was eighty.

And these were all puppets. That meant each one would follow the employer's commands without question.

Possessing a guardian like this in the current beginner phase meant only one thing: Absolute domination.

But Cole still wasn't satisfied. He frowned. "No god-tier puppets?"

"God-tier?"

The Berserk Warrior blinked, then shook his head with a wry smile. "God-tier puppets are priceless. Why would we rent them out?"

"Besides, you haven't even passed a single rank-up trial. Renting a level 80 puppet is already a tremendous privilege. Don't bite off more than you can chew."

Cole's expression didn't change. "I'll pay more."

"More won't work. Let me say it again—god-tier puppets are too precious. As a matter of principle, we do not rent them out." The Berserk Warrior shook his head, firm.

Cole said, "Ten million gold per day."

"Well..."

The Berserk Warrior paused, stroking his chin. "In principle, it's still not allowed. But you know, I, Lord Valerius, have always had a habit of breaking principles.

"As it happens, I have a friend. A god-tier Cursemancer. I can ask around for you."

"God-tier Cursemancer?" Cole's eyes lit up.

Cursemancer was a hidden class. Not a unique one, but still among the best of the magic-based classes. Unlike the brute force of a Mage or Archmage, the Cursemancer specialized in subtlety and versatility.

Defense. Support. Offense. All in one.

For where Cole stood right now, this was the perfect choice.

"But first, I need to confirm one thing," Lord Valerius said, his expression turning serious.

"Go ahead."

"This ten million. When do you pay?"

"Set the contract, and I'll pay now." Cole's voice was calm.

Lord Valerius smiled. "Then we have no problem."

A flash of light, and a binding contract appeared before Cole.

He read it carefully, then confirmed the transaction.

He wasn't worried. Unlike the real world, Doomsday had one advantage: Once a contract was made, breaking it came with penalties far heavier than the contract's value. Unless absolutely necessary, not even god-tier players would risk it.

Besides, anyone who'd reached god-tier had a reputation to protect. They wouldn't throw it away over money.

Ten million was a lot. But there were still things in Doomsday that money couldn't buy. That was exactly why Cole didn't hesitate to offer such an insane price for a single day of a god-tier's time.

"Wait here."

The contract sealed, Lord Valerius gave Cole one last look, then turned and left.

About half an hour later.

"So, you're Darkcole? Quite the promising talent."

A deep, aged voice rang out. Cole looked up to see an old man in Cursemancer robes standing before him. He hadn't even noticed him approaching.

[Name: ???]

[Level: ???]

[Other: ???]

A quick scan revealed nothing at all. Clearly, this was the god-tier Cursemancer Lord Valerius had mentioned.

"And you are...?"

Cole didn't let his pride get the better of him. Business relationship or not, this was still a god-tier powerhouse—fundamentally different from a puppet.

If he walked in with a "I'm rich, so what" attitude, there was a real chance the old man would just walk away. Canceling a contract and returning the gold was completely different from breaching it.

The old man's voice was flat. "I am Melz. For the next twenty-four hours, I am at your disposal. Of course, I won't do anything immoral or illegal. I trust the contract made that clear?"

Cole smiled. "Don't worry, Melz. Mostly, I just need to clear a very difficult hidden dungeon."

"That's fine, then." Melz nodded, unconcerned.

For a god-tier powerhouse, how hard could a hidden dungeon in a beginner village be?

What was he going to fight? A Goblin King and his entire extended family?

One wave of the hand, and it was done.

"This way, Melz."

Cole didn't waste time. He led Melz out of the Supreme Sanctum. He only had one day. Every second counted.

As he rushed toward the grinding spot, Cole's heart swelled with emotion.

He'd just hired a god-tier powerhouse. Even in his past life, he'd never experienced anything like this.

Forget a beginner village. Even in a main city, a god-tier powerhouse was practically invincible.

The power of money was truly terrifying.