CHAPTER 61: PHALLANX SOLLUTIONS

"Have you?" Jack replied pleasantly, though his voice carried undertones that made the raven shift nervously on his shoulder. "And what exactly brings Phallanx Solutions to this humble operation?"

"Business opportunities," Marcus replied smoothly. "We believe there might be potential for collaboration between our organizations. Perhaps we could discuss terms over a more civilized setting?"

The offer was clearly a fishing expedition, an attempt to gain access to proprietary information through false partnership negotiations. Jack had seen similar tactics employed by corporate rivals in his previous life, though the stakes here were considerably higher.

"I appreciate the offer," Jack said with a smile that was all teeth, "but Kaiser Holdings isn’t currently seeking partnerships. Our production methods are proprietary, and we prefer to maintain direct control over our operations."

Marcus’s expression darkened slightly, the veneer of polite business courtesy beginning to crack. "That’s... unfortunate. Phallanx Solutions had hoped for a more cooperative relationship. We have significant resources and political connections that could benefit a smaller operation like yours."

The threat was barely veiled, but it was there. Jack felt his anger shift from kindle to a large fire, lightning beginning to crackle faintly around his fingertips before he forced himself to maintain control.

"I’m sure you do," Jack replied evenly. "But as I said, we’re not interested. Seraphina, please ensure our visitors are escorted safely off the premises."

The dismissal was clear and final. Marcus’s face flushed with anger at being treated so curtly by someone he clearly considered a provincial upstart. "Lord Kaiser, I think you may be making a mistake. Phallanx Solutions doesn’t take rejection well."

"Neither do I," Jack said quietly, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. Lightning leaked from his form sparking off in random directions. "I suggest you remember that when considering your next actions."

The two enforcers behind Marcus shifted nervously, their professional instincts recognizing the aura of someone truly dangerous. Whatever intelligence they’d gathered about Jack Kaiser clearly hadn’t prepared them for this level of personal menace.

Marcus retreated with as much dignity as he could manage, his companions flanking him as they made their way toward the factory gates. But Jack could see the calculation in the man’s eyes, the wheels turning as he considered alternative approaches to obtaining what he wanted.

"That won’t be the last we see of them," Seraphina observed grimly as the Phallanx representatives disappeared into the city streets.

"No," Jack agreed. "But next time they’ll find us better prepared. Double the security patrols. If they want to play games, we’ll show them how the Kaiser family handles unwelcome attention."

With the immediate threat addressed, Jack turned his attention back to business matters. The slime ectoplasm production was proceeding smoothly, and Seraphina had demonstrated her capability to manage complex operations without constant oversight.

"I’m leaving you in charge of the end product." Jack told her as they concluded their tour. "The cosmetic line should be ready for when the store officially opens."

"Of course, Master Jack," Seraphina replied with a bow that conveyed both respect and confidence. "The workers have complete faith in your vision."

Jack felt a surge of pride at her words, but underneath it lay the growing realization that his responsibilities were expanding faster than his ability to manage them personally.

He needed to delegate more effectively, to build a structure that could function without his constant presence.

But first, he had other priorities to address.

"I’ll be away for several hours," he told Seraphina as they returned to the estate.

–

The Luminous Labyrinth awaited, and with it the opportunity to explore more of the labyrinth than before.

The raven shifted on his shoulder as they approached the estate’s teleportation chamber.

The crystal hummed with barely contained power as Jack placed his hand on its surface, the familiar sensation of dimensional travel washing over him like a tide of displaced reality.

The world blurred and shifted, colors bleeding together until everything dissolved into pure sensation.

When reality reasserted itself, Jack stood once again in the entrance chamber of Luminous Labyrinth.

’System, show me the available Soul Warden skills.’

[Soul Warden Class Skills Available]

[Soul Resonance: Enhance bound creatures’ stats by 20% for 10 minutes.]

[Cost: 25 mana]

[Soul Restoration: Heal bound creatures within 15-meter range. Healing amount determined by Magic stat × 2.]

[Cost: 25 mana]

[Additional skills locked until class levels up.]

[Current Skill Points: 270]

[Cost: 40 skill points each]

The skills were exactly what he needed to transform his raven from a simple companion into an effecitve fighter. The raven on his shoulder shifted with obvious interest as it sensed the new possibilities opening through their connection.

’Purchase both skills.’

[Confirm use of 80 skill points.]

[YES] or [NO]

’Yes.’

[80 Skill Points expended]

[Soul Resonance acquired!]

[Soul Restoration acquired!]

[Current Skill Points: 190]

The knowledge flooded into Jack’s consciousness like water filling an empty vessel. He could feel new pathways opening in his mind, connections to the primordial forces that governed the boundary between existence and void.

The power was intoxicating in its depth, though different from the raw destructive energy of his lightning magic.

’Let’s test these abilities.’

Jack focused on the raven through their soul link, channeling the new Soul Resonance power with careful precision.

"Soul Resonamce!"

Energy flowed from him into the creature, and he watched in fascination as his raven seem to absorb a black energy.

Its obsidian eyes blazed with enhanced intelligence, and when it spread its wings, the span seemed broader than before.

[Soul Resonance activated]

[Bound creature stats enhanced by 20%]

[Duration: 10 minutes]

[Mana cost: 25]

The creature’s already formidable intelligence had been sharpened to an almost painful degree.

’How does that feel?’ Jack asked through their bond.

The response came not in words but in pure emotion. Gratitude, excitement, and an almost overwhelming sense of loyalty that threatened to bring tears to his eyes. The raven understood exactly what Jack had given it, and the depth of trust implied by sharing such power.

’Let’s see, Soul Restoration i can’t use until the raven gets injured. Maybe I should name the thing. Its bound to me until it dies.’

[Correction. The raven is bound to you for eternity or you die and the God of Death claims its soul.]

’Wait, does that mean it can’t actually die?’

The system was silent and did not answer Jack.

’Damm system, always hiding details from me. I should be correct in my assumption than. I wonder what happens if it loses all its HP.’

Jack paused, lost in thought for a moment.

’The healing scales with my Magic stat,’ Jack realized. ’So currently i should be able to heal almost 250 HP.’

Jack realized something important.

’Which means when I’m using this class, I need to rely on martial skills and my companions for actual fighting.’

[That would be accurate. But, you could just swap between classes.]

The realization hit Jack like he ran into a brick wall at full speed. His father’s assessment about needing martial training wasn’t just good advice.

It was absolutely essential for survival. If he planned to use Soul Warden abilities in combat, he needed to be able to defend himself with nothing but physical skill and weapons technique.

The thought was both terrifying and exciting. Jack had grown comfortable relying on magical power to solve problems, but true mastery would require competence across multiple domains.

Magical power, martial skill, tactical thinking, political maneuvering, each one essential for the freedom he desired.

’Time to get serious about this,’ Jack thought as he prepared to dive deep into the labyrinth.

’Oh right I should name this thing. Let’s see what should I call you...’

’Maybe... birdy? No... how about Raven? No no no, nothing sounds right.’

[You are terrible at naming things.]

’Ha ha very funny I know this is not my strong suit. Any suggestions than?’

[Corvin.]

’Corvin... I like it. Let’s name you Corvin.’

[Status Update.]

[Name: Corvin.]

[Type: Carrian Raven.]

[Rank: Terror]

[Level: 32]

[Skills: Flight, Death Sense, Scavenging, Shadow Strike]

[Affinity: Dark.]

[Innate Ability: Lightning Immunity.]

[Stats:]

Strength: 100 (+20)

Stamina: 32 (+6)

Agility: 80 (+16)

Vitality: 100 (+20)

Endurance: 45 (+8)

Magic: 60 (+12)

Mana: 600

HP: 5,200 (+1040)

’Nice, this things seems beefy and strong. But system these stats seem weird. If I get 15 points of HP for every level how cone this raven gets 52 per level?’

[Monster ranks determine how much a stat goes up amd how much damage they can do. The stronger the rank the stronger the creature. All stats and abilities jump up drastically once they hit Nightmare rank.]

’Thats an interesting mechanic. So let’s say Corvin became a Nightmare rank. What would his stats go up by?’

[Analyzing.]

[Nightmare rank creatures HP would go up by 500 per point.]

"Whooo!" Jack whistled hard and loud. It vibrated through the labyrinth before the labyrinth started ti shake and a loud deep noise rang out.

"ROAR!!!"

’That stat is impressive but something was annoyed that I just whistled.’