112 Old friends

Something stirred in front of the wardrobe.

Kai could distinctly see an outline of a figure if he focused hard enough. It felt like a very cheap copy of Brock's Chameleon Blood Essence to him. And Kai had become very sensitive to these things for a long time.

The illusion disappeared, then.

His appearance had slightly changed. The blue eyes now glistened dark black, and the brown hair shone blue. He was still clean shaved, though there were minor changes about his face that ordinary Contestants could never see at one glance.

'He is Arlen, alright,' Kai sneered. 'No Contestant I have seen till now was as prepared as him.'

"So, you could sense my presence," Baron Silvas said, his wand rising, pointing at Kai. "I hope you aren't flattering yourself, bloody. The fault lies with me. I have yet to master the Disillusionment Charm."

Shae gaped at Arlen. She didn't know Arlen was in her room, Kai could tell. The thought troubled her, but much of her fear still had its roots in Kai's presence.

"How did you know I was here?" the Baron asked.

"The same way you knew I would come here," Kai replied, smiling.

Both men then turned their heads to look at Shae. Her hand reached down to the blanket, wrapping it around her shoulders in response. Her right hand was still holding the wand pointed at Kai.

"It all troubled me," Kai said without flinching. "The mutiny within Silver Hunters Guild. Late Baron Silvas' sudden heart attack. The sudden rise of his younger brother, who was also the leader of Thunder Faction's branch on the 3rd floor. Not only that, he somehow convinced all the three leaders of major organizations overnight as if he knew about the mutiny.

"Tch-Tch! I only knew one man from Thunder Faction. And you had once told me you intended to use those drops on a top-tier 3rd-floor Contestant. The rest was just a matter of calculated guess."

"A very far-fetched guess," the Baron nodded.

"It doesn't seem so far-fetched now," Kai said. "You are here, aren't you? It's your turn to talk."

"I can tell you have put some points in your Intelligence, boy," Arlen jested as Shae covered her mouth in shocked silence. "But you still have ways to go. Remember my last advice? I hinted to you to use your materials properly. Well, the first thing I had done after returning to the Primordial Tower was to send my people in search of a Contestant with Great Redshank's corpse as material.

"Eventually, you were bound to go to a smithy. I just didn't know you were fool enough to go to Thousand Armor Smithy. Heh! It didn't take me long to find you. It had shocked me to learn about you being called the son of Ser Morgan Tussy. I will give you that. Marine Roland told me a great deal after you had gone back for the mission, though. He didn't survive my questioning. I am sorry."

"Don't bluff. I am not a child," Kai snorted. "So, when I proclaimed my intention last night, you knew exactly who was making trouble for the guild. You came running for Shae's safety, then. Am I right?"

"Yes." The Baron nodded. "You lack wisdom, bloody. But I never considered you a fool. I at least understand you that much."

"Indeed," Kai agreed. "If you understand me that much, then you must know already why I am here."

"You are here to meet me, Baron Arlen Silvas," he declared. "But… Why do you presume I will grant your wish?"

Just as Arlen asked that question, a monstrous amount of Mana exploded out of him. Shae gasped, again becoming a side character in between Kai and Arlen. And the full brunt of that Mana's heaviness fell on Kai and Kai alone.

'Why is he so strong?' Kai asked himself, trying not to quiver under the pressure. 'He is almost as strong as Sparrow. Then why hasn't he ascended yet? Arlen is not that masked idiot. He will never underestimate me. A win against him will never come without a heavy irreversible cost as I am now.'

Kai gritted his teeth, but he didn't falter. Suddenly, Kai took a step in Arlen's direction. His entire body thrummed, becoming pale red, giving out a light trace of steam. Around his head, a light bronze hue shone, giving him a divine glow.

Strength surged inside him, welling up, just on the brink of breaking out.

The Mana pressure broke.

Arlen's eyes widened, his mouth parting in pure awe and… fear. "How is it possible?!" he asked incredulously. "You are only a fresh 2nd-floor Contestant! How?!"

Kai cracked his knuckles and neck in reply. "You done, captain?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Can we talk like civil people now?"

*

*

Hall, Golden Mage's apartment

Kai sipped on the flavorful wine. Arlen and Shae were sitting in front of him. The blond beauty seemed uneasy, but Arlen's hand over her hand must have given her enough courage to remember her strength.

"Well, hello," Kai said, smiling at Shae. "How are you?"

Shae looked away uneasily while Arlen squinted his eyes.

"What?" Kai teased, shaking his head. "I thought you were innocent, Shae. The man sitting by your side has killed his own brother for authority. Don't you know that?"

"It isn't like that!" Shae snapped, her eyes blurring. "He was a cruel person. He used to torture and rape female Contestants."

"Oh!" Kai said, almost laughing. "Is that what Arlen had told you?"

"Enough!" Arlen said, raising his voice. "Get on with it. What do you want?"

"I have a deal," Kai said, coming to the point. "A deal that can stun even you, Arlen."

"Don't test my patience, bloody," Arlen said, his black eyes gleaming murderously. "Out with it already."

Kai looked at Shae. "Perhaps," he began meekly. "I mean, it would be better if we talk alone."

Arlen glanced at Shae, then smiled gently at her. "She is part of Thunder Faction now," he said. "And my student. She has as much right to be here and listen to your nonsense as anyone."

Kai shrugged. "Suit yourself," he said flatly.

'Sorry… Seline. I would have to break the promise so soon. Haha!'

********

AN: New Mission coming soon. I hope you guys liked this interlude. Enjoy!