Chapter 161: The Top of The Food Chain
Ronald sat there, waiting for an answer from Dennis and Daisy, but he didn’t push. Instead, he simply leaned back in his chair, looking perfectly relaxed. Seeing his calm demeanor and neutral expression, Dennis spoke up.
"Are you threatening us?" Dennis asked.
"Are you exposing our secrets just to recruit us? Like, if we refuse, you’re going to take action against us? Is that it?" Daisy added.
"What are you two talking about? Like I said before, I’m not forcing anyone. I’m telling you what I know about your secrets—not to threaten you, but to let you know that you’re safe. Do you understand now?" Ronald asked with a smile, though he didn’t laugh.
"I see," Dennis muttered, his eyes still locked on Ronald.
"Relax. I’m telling you all of this not because I want to do something to you. Based on everything you’ve been through, I know it isn’t easy for you to trust me. I’m not forcing you to, either; you can judge that for yourselves. But I can guarantee you one thing: as long as you live in this city, no one is going to mess with you. I give you my word on that," Ronald said.
Dennis and Daisy fell silent again, looking at each other before turning their attention back to Ronald.
"Alright, sir. Thank you for the protection," Daisy said.
"Regarding the offer to become secret agents—would it be okay if we thought it over first, sir?" Dennis asked.
"Take your time. There’s no rush. And if you can, keep training until you’re as strong as Ray M... and take him down one day. According to our investigation, he’s the top of the syndicate and is working with the intelligent Crawlers... oops, sorry. I think I’ve said too much, hahaha," Ronald said casually, looking like he was leaking the information on purpose.
Hearing Ronald’s words, Dennis—who had already sized up Ray M’s power when the man defended the city against the giant crawler attack—began to tremble. It wasn’t out of fear, but quite the opposite. He suddenly realized that when he had looked at that man’s status, he had vowed to become his equal or better. His true motive hadn’t been about securing the city or their lives; that was just an excuse to cover his real goal: defeating that man.
And now, adding the fact that the man named Ray M was the head of the syndicate—essentially the creature at the very top of the food chain—Dennis felt a surge of excitement and unconsciously let out a thin smile. Of course, Daisy and Ronald both noticed it.
"Um... honey?" Daisy asked, nudging Dennis.
"Oh... sorry, it’s nothing," Dennis answered, snapping back to reality.
"I think you catch my drift," Ronald remarked with a knowing smile.
"I do, sir. Perfectly," Dennis replied.
"Alright, that’s enough for now. Could I get your number, Dennis? I have a feeling we’ll be talking quite often," Ronald said, pulling out his smartphone.
"Sure thing, sir. Here," Dennis replied, taking out his own phone.
They exchanged numbers, and then Ronald stood up and called the others back into the room. While Ronald spoke with Gary, Olivia, Jason, Kimberly, and Vanessa, Dennis remained silent, lost in thought.
"Sami, can Mr. Ronald actually be trusted?" Dennis asked in his head.
[There are no hidden agendas behind his words. I believe he is trustworthy, Master.]
"Thank God for that. So, the massive syndicate behind the crimes in Emerald and Ruby is actually connected to the man who saved us... that means the attack yesterday was probably just for show," Dennis replied in his mind.
[That is most likely the case, Master. However, Ray M lives in Onyx City; he is not here.]
"Hmm... I see. Can you look into him?" Dennis asked.
[It is somewhat risky, Master. As I have mentioned, he also possesses a system like yours. If I may suggest, it would be best for you to reach his level of power first—and ideally surpass it—before we conduct an investigation.]
"Hmm... you’re right. Okay, since my soreness has suddenly vanished, I’m ready to train again," Dennis said in his head.
[Do not forget, Master, you have seven wives and Destiny. They are indeed strong; even Primary Daisy is far more powerful than before, clearly standing above the average normal human or even an A-rank hunter. They are your family, and you must protect them.]
"I know. I’m doing this not because I’m looking for revenge, but because what I actually feared during yesterday’s attack wasn’t that giant creature—it was Ray M. Now that I know he’s the head of the syndicate running rampant in our cities, my enemy is clear. I want to crush him for the sake of my seven wives and Destiny too. You know exactly what I mean," Dennis said in his head.
[Of course I understand, Master, but please do not push yourself too hard. If you wish to train and your wives cannot join you, it would be best for you to go alone and surpass them. You certainly wouldn’t want to put your seven wives and your child in danger, right?]
"Yeah, I know. Later, when we get back, I’m going to train," Dennis said.
[Very well, Master.]
After that, Dennis just listened to the conversation between Ronald, his friends, and Vanessa. Suddenly, Daisy nudged him.
"What’s wrong, honey? You’ve been quiet this whole time, and you’re acting a bit strange," Daisy said via telepathy.
"Can I be honest?" Dennis asked.
"You have to be. What is it?" Daisy replied.
"After hearing that last bit Mr. Ronald let slip, to be honest... I’m scared, but I’m also excited. I’m the only one who can match that man and maybe even beat him. That’s why, starting when we get back home, I want to do some special solo training first," Dennis answered.
"Hmm... yeah, I understand. Truthfully, I feel the same way you do, but because I have faith in you, I’m not that afraid. Alright, I get it. I’ll talk to the others later," Daisy said, smiling even though she was speaking telepathically.
"Thank you, honey," Dennis said, taking Daisy’s hand.
"Of course... we’ll face everything together, honey," Daisy replied, squeezing Dennis’s hand.
The two of them fell silent again, following the conversation and occasionally answering whenever a question was directed at them. After a while, Daisy spoke up in his mind, sounding hesitant as she sought clarification.
"You don’t intend to become a secret agent just because you exchanged numbers with Mr. Ronald back there, right? And your goal for training isn’t because of that either, is it?" Daisy asked.
"Of course not. I don’t want to be tied down by something like that. It’s just that I feel I have to become strong and keep training. Just imagine someone like Norman, but with incredible power—someone who can even fight giant monsters—threatening us. That’s what I’m worried about. I don’t want anything happening to our family," Dennis answered.
"I’m glad to hear that. Sorry, I just wanted to be sure and understand your true motives; it’s not that I don’t trust you," Daisy said.
"It’s okay, I understand," Dennis replied.
"I... don’t want to be separated from you... and I don’t want to be far from you. I don’t want you to go back to how you were before... I want you to keep being the person you are now and never change... I’m sure the others feel the same way I do, because basically, they are me too, aren’t they," Daisy said.
"Yeah... that’s why I’m talking to you about this, that’s my intention. I have no plan to save the world or this city... things like that haven’t even crossed my mind. But both you and I are victims of that man, Norman, and he’s part of a syndicate led by Ray M, the strongest human in the world right now. I just want to protect my family... and especially, Destiny," Dennis said.
"I’m sorry if I’m... a bit slow to catch onto these things and end up constantly questioning you," Daisy said.
"It’s okay. I’d be asking questions too if you were planning on doing something, wouldn’t I? We’re the same," Dennis replied.
Finally, the discussion came to an end. After saying their goodbyes to Ronald, they all left the guild leader’s office and took the elevator down. Once they reached the ground floor, they headed straight out and piled into Gary’s car to go home. On the way, their friends naturally had plenty of questions for the two of them about what they had discussed privately with Ronald. They only shared the basics: that Ronald turned out to be an old friend of William’s and they had only talked about light, trivial things.
Dennis also informed his parents, his in-laws, and his six wives back home that the Emerald Military Academy’s inter-school tournament matches had been canceled, and the city-wide inter-school tournament was also called off. Afterward, he just sat in silence, looking out the window. His eyes stared sharply at the city landscape passing by.
"I will protect my family. This time... I’m not the weak, desperate, and insecure Dennis I used to be... now I am Dennis, husband to Daisy and the others, and father to Destiny," Dennis said in his heart, continuing to gaze outside while clutching the hand of Daisy, who sat beside him chatting with the others.