Chapter 14: Absolute Command
At the exit, Cryo was waiting for X, his impatience could barely be concealed. "How did it go? Did the..." He hesitated, struggling to find the right title. Finally, he settled for, "Did the bastard agree to let me have one of the vault biocores?"
X, lost in thought as he approached suddenly snapped back to the moment. His demeanor shifted sharply. "First of all," he said coldly, "he is the young master. And these are his things. He gets to do what he wants with them. If you wanted something from the master, you should have behaved properly from the beginning. I was out of my mind to ever entertain your idea."
Cryo's frustration bubbled over. "So, the bastard refused? Does he not understand his position? Without our support, he's doomed!" he replied as tone dripped with arrogance.
"You think too highly of yourself," X retorted with a sharp expression. "You are where you are today because of the Monarch's nurturing. That 'little bit of talent' you boast of means nothing without the support of a name like the Glevs."
Cryo sneered. "Little bit of talent? I'm an S-grade necromancer, a three-star Control-class corebinder! In this generation, only direct descendants of the Glevs could hope to match me. I dare say I'm one of the strongest of my generation across the entire fiefdom!"
"Then fight for your biocores like everyone else," X spat aggressively. "Stop salivating over possessions that don't belong to you." he turned on his heel and stormed off.
Undeterred by his brother's warning, Cryo flung the study doors open with a dramatic sweep and strode inside.
His voice rang out confidently, "You! Let's make a deal. I will be your squire, but I want one of the biocores from the vault. You must understand my value. I'm the strongest of the new generation. I'll be an invaluable asset to you—"
"Fuck off," Nioh said flatly, not even bothering to lift his gaze from the book in his hands.
Cryo froze, the blood rushing to his face. "What did you just say?" His face was laced with disbelief.
A chill began to permeate the room as frost spread from his feet, snaking across the floor toward Nioh in a clear threat.