Chapter 5: Mastering the Darkness

Chapter 5: Mastering the Darkness

Arthur also stared at Shadow, his gaze fiery but his lips sealed tight.

In that instant, the air between them was thick with tension, as if they might leap into battle at any moment.

Of course, they weren’t going to fight.

Shadow was quite wary of Arthur’s current strength, and Arthur had no intentions of using force to dominate Shadow.

They stood there, locked in a silent standoff.

Whoever spoke first would basically lose.

Finally, Shadow broke the silence, “Although we haven’t completely cleared the air, I’m no longer indebted to you.”

Arthur replied with a smile, “I never said you owed me anything. What I want to talk about next has nothing to do with the past. I’m not here to threaten you with previous matters; I want to discuss the future.”

“The future?”

Shadow murmured quietly, sizing up Arthur as if trying to see through him.

Yet after a long gaze, he still couldn’t decipher Arthur.

“Exactly, to put it simply, it’s about our future together.”

Arthur gave a somewhat vague explanation.

Shadow chuckled lightly, “Interesting! What are you planning?”

“I hope to gain your assistance moving forward, and I will provide you with appropriate compensation.”

“So, what you’re saying is you want to hire me long-term or recruit me to serve your needs.”

“That’s one way to put it.”

Arthur nodded, his eyes fixed on Shadow with determination.

While Shadow’s reputation wasn’t stellar, his abilities were formidable.

Arthur, having had close dealings with Shadow, knew that though he existed in a dark world, he was a person of principle.

A character like him couldn’t simply be branded as a villain; even if he was bad, he wasn’t the worst.

“Well, you really do hold me in high regard.”

“What ability do you actually have?”

“Thanks for the compliment. But what can you offer me in return?”

Shadow didn’t outright decline; he wanted to hear what Arthur could offer first.

If the reward was tempting enough, he might just consider it.

After all, work is work, and having a stable and reliable employer isn’t a bad deal.

“I can return you to the world of light.”

Arthur stated boldly.

“Hehe!…”

“Haha!…”

At first, Shadow chuckled lightly, but then it escalated to hearty laughter, laced with ridicule towards Arthur.

Arthur remained unfazed, his gaze steady on Shadow, exuding confidence.

Feeling that unwavering gaze, Shadow’s laughter came to an abrupt halt.

While he wavered in his judgment, he nonetheless told Arthur, “I can’t deny that you’re powerful now, but do you seriously believe that with your current strength, you can handle the dark world? The depths of darkness are far beyond what you imagine.”

With that, Shadow shook his head dejectedly.

Anyone who hadn’t truly stepped into the dark world could never fathom its horrors.

That world might be easy to enter, but getting out was nearly impossible.

“I have confidence in myself, and how will I know unless I try?”

Arthur was brimming with self-assurance.

He had some understanding of the dark world’s existence; after all, the world of light was facing a reshuffle. How could the dark world, reliant on the light, escape that?

Indeed, the dark world was terrifying, but darkness can’t stand the light.

That was why it was suppressed by the world of light.

“If you’re joking, I won’t hold it against you.”

Shadow remained skeptical.

“I’m not joking. A major upheaval is approaching, and you must sense it too!”

Arthur decided to be candid with Shadow.

After all, you reap what you sow; if you don’t take risks, you won’t catch the wolf.

Particularly with a wolf like Shadow, fierce yet capable.

Convincing him was crucial for Arthur’s future.

Shadow’s gaze lingered on Arthur, a bit dazed.

Then, recovering his composure, he looked at Arthur with a serious expression and asked, “What do you plan to do next?”

“Naturally, I will do what I must.”

Arthur drew out a sword he’d had slung across his back.

The silver blade reflected dazzling light as it caught the sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Faintly, one could see some golden runes etched on it.

“This is a treasured sword!”

As if to validate Shadow’s earlier statement, Arthur pointed the sword tip-down, releasing it without applying any force.

The sword immediately dropped to the ground, the sharp blade piercing it effortlessly, leaving only a small part of the hilt visible above the surface.

Shadow narrowed his eyes, pondering Arthur’s action.

His gaze shifted between the sword embedded in the earth and Arthur himself.

Finally, he remarked, “You really are mysterious!”

Even as he said this, the gleam in his eyes indicated he understood something.

Not saying it was simply due to it not being appropriate to voice; understanding was all that mattered.

Arthur smiled lightly, pulled the sword out, and continued, “So, in the face of such a mysterious me, what’s your choice?”

“What choice do I have? With that sword, you could easily kill me.”

Shadow commented as his eyes briefly glanced at the still-glimmering sword.

The sword, having pierced the ground, remained spotless.

As if it had emerged from the muck and was untainted, remaining pure and clear.

“I never intended to kill you. Without your help, pursuing my goals won’t be as easy.”

Although Arthur didn’t receive a direct answer, he had an inkling of Shadow’s thoughts.

And thus, he was quite pleased.

He had secured Shadow’s assistance.

With Shadow’s aid, his goals seemed more attainable.

“While I’ve agreed to this, my priority for a while will still be to fulfill your previous commission. You want to find that little girl quickly, don’t you?”

Shadow didn’t argue with that.

He recognized his abilities quite well.

Though he seemed a bit narcissistic, it was an undeniable fact.

After all, Shadow was a powerhouse in the dark world.

While the dark world might not be conventional, it didn’t mean its power was weak.

On the contrary, in many cases, those from the dark world could be more efficient than those from the light.

“Thank you, Shadow.”

Arthur expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

Arthur, although he held the principles of chivalry in high regard and despised the dark world, was also keenly aware that the dark world had its reasons for existing.

Airael had also emphasized that point in his heart. Where there is light, there is darkness.

Light cannot completely drive out darkness.

Since it can’t be completely dispelled, one should strive to keep darkness under control.