Chapter 124 - 123 – A Deal That Might Be Completed
I closed my eyes... and smiled.
The place I was in... was filled with probing eyes.
Compared to the headquarters of the organization above the ocean... the level here was very high.
I still remember that stage of training... it might have been stage 51 or 61...
There was no enemy... just a corridor of steam.
For more than three months... every time, I had to completely suppress my energy just to pass through.
No abilities, no tools... it was a true hell.
I could barely control my energy for a few minutes to cross.
The joy on my face was a thousand times greater than defeating all the enemies in previous stages... just for crossing that hellish path.
After ten rounds of the same training... it had already consumed more than half a year of my life.
But... after finishing... I gained complete control over my energy. I had the skill to suppress it without needing any ability or tool.
That’s why pretending to be a second-rank master in Sunrise City was very easy... even with concealment tools...
Which I only used as a precaution.
But now...
I didn’t need to suppress anything.
I let my energy roam freely as it wished.
If anyone wants to examine me... they’re welcome.
It didn’t take long before I finished eating.
Then...
Heavy, steady footsteps.
Three people approached from behind me... one after another... until their features became clear before me.
I stood up.
One of them stepped forward... dressed entirely in a green robe... he extended his hand with a smile.
I smiled back, extending my hand and shaking his.
As we sat down... the other two masters remained standing... despite having the same rank as him.
The man looked at me... his eyes were completely white... I could barely see his pupils.
"I apologize for the unpleasant reception..." the master said softly.
"But you understand... we are a city at war. Even if no war is visible... it exists. The arrival of an unknown fourth-rank master will naturally trigger alarm."
"No problem, I understand. Honestly, I don’t care about the war... I’m just a merchant. I want to offer my services," I said, then smiled calmly and added:
"If I entered the city without revealing my rank... finding the people I intend to sell to wouldn’t be easy at all."
"So you..." the white-eyed master murmured, lifting a cup of drink before taking a sip, then looking at me again.
"You’re targeting the Sect Gathering."
"The Sect Gathering?" I whispered unconsciously.
The man laughed, then sipped his drink.
"What gathering is that?" I muttered internally.
I had no idea such a gathering even existed... the way he spoke made it sound like a secret.
"Is there a problem targeting them as potential customers?" I asked.
"No, of course not," he replied quickly. "But..." he added firmly,
"The trade you wish to conduct here... the higher authorities—and we as well—prefer that it goes through us. Naturally, it will be much easier for you if you agree."
I smiled... narrowing my eyes mockingly.
"Easier if I accept... harder if I refuse. As usual... the world hasn’t changed. But..." I said, reaching for a cup of water, drinking before continuing,
"As I said... I’m a merchant. I don’t care who I sell to... what matters is selling at the highest price.
In your case, I don’t mind... but some things will change."
"Such as?" he asked.
"You’re a city... a full government. Not a single master or lone fighter. So I’ll try to benefit as much as possible from this deal."
"Your reasonable conditions... will be met in good faith, leaving no room for doubt," he said, a hint of excitement appearing on his face.
"To begin with..." I murmured.
I extended my left hand.
"I will grant you..."
From nothing... I produced a small wooden box.
"Five gifts... as a gesture of goodwill."
The moment I tossed it beside me... it expanded to over two meters in length and one meter in height.
With a mental command...
Five wooden drawers emerged from its side...
They moved on their own and opened.
"These?" the fourth-rank master with white eyes asked.
"Yes," I said. "Five ancient weapons. Now I expect something in return... as goodwill."
The other two masters’ eyes shifted toward the weapons... inspecting them, reading their descriptions...
The man before me showed signs of joy, ambition, and excitement all at once.
"What does the merchant desire?" he asked.
"A specific attribute..." I whispered, pausing slightly to give the word weight...
"A mental-strength attribute."
"That..." the white-eyed master murmured. "What if it doesn’t exist?"
"No problem if it doesn’t. In the end... it’s just a goodwill gesture," I said, drinking my water before adding:
"But... I’d prefer we continue this discussion later... once you confirm your answer."
I smiled.
He looked at me... smiled back... then stood up with me.
After a while... I left their headquarters... heading to one of the guest hotels.
I lay down on the bed...
Staring at the white ceiling.
Royal engravings decorated it.
"This is dangerous..." I whispered internally.
I didn’t expect this many fourth-rank masters.
Aside from the Sand Master... there were at least five others who watched our battle...
Then inside the base... there were three more.
In a single day... up to ten fourth-rank masters were present before me.
I believe the five ancient weapons... will make those concerned think carefully before targeting me.
At least... until they understand how I possess them.
I expected fourth-rank masters in the city...
But this number?
How did I miscalculate?
I compared the two cities...
More than a month in Sunrise City... I never met a single fourth-rank master.
Could this be related to my rank being suppressed to second rank?
Maybe that’s the reason. But—
{ Diiing... Diiing... Diiing }
{ Message from Unknown }
Haaah...
{ Honored Sir... we request your presence at the Masters’ Gathering }
{ Ticket received }
What is this?
A message from an unknown sender... again?
Damn these abilities I don’t understand...
The moment they saw me fight... they contacted me so easily.
But...
Who said it’s from unknown masters?
Maybe it’s from the city’s masters I met? But... they wouldn’t send it anonymously.
I don’t think it benefits them for me to meet other masters...
That means...
It’s a master who was closely watching my battle.
Things are getting complicated...
I need to be careful.
.
.
The metallic disk illuminated the sky... and the cool breeze filled the midnight air.
The city streets were still alive... the voices of the lower districts echoed with energy...
While the wealthy areas were quieter... some wrapped in silence.
In Sunset City... you can see the city’s landmarks from the highest point...
The Tower of Thunder... rising a hundred meters high.
From above it... one might see over twenty palaces in the city...
But only one...
White...
And larger than the rest.
At the top floors of that white palace...
The lights were still on.
Several people sat in a tense discussion.
The room they were in wasn’t large... nor luxurious...
A simple living room... completely contradicting the royal exterior.
Inside were sofas and chairs...
And a wooden table... behind it a decorated wooden chair—something you wouldn’t buy if you were trying to show wealth.
"Where did he get them?" an old man with a thick beard asked, leaning forward on his cane.
"Do you really expect me to ask him that? Do you want me to look like an idiot?" the white-eyed fourth-rank master scoffed.
"He’s not someone to be toyed with... he’s no fool, and those weren’t given as goodwill like he claimed."
"Then what?" a calm voice came from a young boy sitting nearby.
"He’s looking for a mental-enhancement attribute. He offered those weapons as an exchange. If we don’t give it to him... he may withdraw from the deal," the white-eyed master replied.
"Or..." the boy whispered, "he gave everything he has... just to make you believe that."
"In that case... how do we know the truth?" the old man asked.
A quiet laugh came from the other side.
A large man sat there... holding a yellow book... his eyes just as yellow.
All eyes turned toward him.
"This dilemma can be solved easily," he said. "Give him something else as a deposit. Then tell him the attribute is his... but you’re waiting for him to finalize a contract and deliver multiple batches to ensure smooth cooperation."
"Excellent idea," the old man exclaimed.
"One more thing," the large man added. "Give him something valuable... that doesn’t increase his power. Something you’re sure he already has."
"What would that be?" the white-eyed master asked.
"Give him—"
A voice came from the distance as the door opened.
Everyone turned.
The owner of the voice entered.
All the masters stood immediately.
"Sir... what brings you here?"
"Achoo... achoo... achoo..." sneezed the man in golden robes.
"Sit down. Your concern for my health is meaningless... it won’t cure the illness," he said calmly.
Step by step... he sat down.
Everyone followed, adjusting themselves to face him.
"What do you suggest, sir?" the large man asked.
The man wiped his mouth with a cloth, then said:
"Give him something for transportation."
"But... sir," the boy said.
"That valuable item... how?" the white-eyed master added.
The man ignored their confusion... and laughed.
"Don’t be fools," he said, sneezing again before continuing.
"Do you think he’s offering himself to us on a golden platter? He’s a fourth-rank master. He wouldn’t be this bold without a backup plan."
He reached for a drink and added:
"No doubt... he has a fast and powerful method of escape. That’s why he gave you those weapons—he’s waiting for your answer about the mental attribute... then he’ll escape."
His eyes narrowed as he took a small sip.
"We must not let him slip away..."
He looked at them... then whispered:
"He is... the weapon that will ensure our plan succeeds."
.