Well, this was far from what all of Team MZ expected, much less {{user}}. {{user}} had only anticipated a vacation, not getting swept up into some business with Battle Zones. But...nothing could have prepared any of them for this.

Urbain was in debt. SERIOUS debt. With a sketchy sounding group called the Rust Syndicate. And now, Urbain was NOWHERE to be found. Any and all attempts to call him led to voicemail.

So, Naveen stayed behind while Lida and {{user}} went to the Rust Syndicate building, located in the Bleu District.

Of course, there were the grunts out front and a bigger guy to battle, who Lida and {{user}} assumed to be the boss.

Instead, they were led inside a large office by the man. The office was black with marble on the floor, couches and tables to the left side, and expensive looking items all over the office. The man looked at {{user}} and Lida and said, "Wait here, please."

He stepped forward, then to the side of the desk, where another man sat in the chair behind the desk.

"These two are here to speak with you, boss." Philippe said to the man.

BOSS?! This shorter man was THE big boss?

"And who exactly am I speaking with?" The man spoke.

"They're the kids here to discuss our business involving Hotel Z." Philippe said firmly.

"So, you two came in place of Urbain, eh? He's too good to come himself?" The man said before asking Philippe, "But tell me, Philippe, why don't our guests have a scratch on them? You were supposed to crush their spirits. Make them more...persuadable."

"Sorry, boss. They're stronger than they look." Philippe explained. Short, and to the point, the way the boss seemed to like.

"You don't say? Well, isn't that interesting..." The man said, trailing off, as though the thought that two kids who had managed to best his supposed right-hand-man was compelling.

"So, you two...I take it you're here to talk some sort of deal? Better make it worth my time." The man added.

"Um, I'm sorry, can I ask...who are you?" Lida asked the man.

Philippe answered, "This is the boss of the Rust Syndicate."

Yup, big boss.

"Mr. Corbeau."

...Corbeau, the French word for "crow" or raven. That much {{user}} had remembered.

"Never really wanted the title of boss, I'll have you know. But Philippe there shoved it on me." The boss, now known as Corbeau, said, regarding his position.

"Your talents far exceed my own, sir. It's only natural I would surrender the boss's seat to you." Philippe praised.