Chapter 163

Chapter 164. Can You Feel the Difference in Power? (3)

Kai is certain.

Keter will refuse the Special Operations Unit’s offer to join.

It wasn’t because Keter, being from a prestigious bloodline, had no regrets, but rather because he predicted that Keter wouldn’t like the idea of belonging to any organization.

Even though he knew this, Kai made the offer anyway to send a warning that the Special Operations Unit was keeping a close eye on Keter.

“What are the conditions?”

Keter asked about the conditions instead of outright refusing.

But Kai smirked.

‘One of the expected responses.’

Keter may seem reckless, but he’s wise. He’ll make a rational decision. That is, even if he refuses, he’ll hear the conditions first before doing so.

This way, he can gather at least some information about the Special Operations Unit.

“You won’t become a full member like me. You’ll be assigned to assist me. Of course, even as a support member, I can promise you support and rewards beyond what you can imagine in this small kingdom.”

“I’d like to hear the specifics. What exactly would I have to do for this Special Operations Unit, and what kind of support and rewards would I receive?”

Keter’s request was quite detailed, and his face looked serious. Kai was impressed.

‘That face shows genuine curiosity without a hint of deceit. His acting skills are on par with a Special Operations Unit member.’

Then Kai couldn’t fall behind either. With his best acting skills, he began to appeal as if he truly wanted to recruit Keter.

“The Special Operations Unit has only one policy. It’s for the Empire. Anything that benefits the Empire is permitted. The support for that is unlimited. Since you’re not a full member but a support member, it won’t be to that extent, but you’ll receive immediate support of 3 million gold, cooperation from a 6-Star Grandmaster, and access to intermediate-level information from the Special Operations Unit.”

“You left out the rewards.”

“If you achieve reasonable results, the Empire will pay you whatever you desire.”

“For example, if I kill Eslow? How much would you give me?”

“That’s an absurd example, but if I had to say…”

Even the genius Kai couldn’t quickly calculate this.

After all, who in the world would kill Eslow for money? Even the Assassin Guild, which makes killing its profession, would refuse with a straight face.

“If you kill Eslow on your own without the Empire’s support, the Empire will pay you at least 60 million gold.”

An astronomical amount equivalent to the Lilian Kingdom’s defense budget.

With 60 million gold, you could do anything. There’s no need to imagine. You could do anything.

But Keter’s expression showed no shock or awe.

“That’s not much.”

He even downplayed the Empire’s generous reward. Kai didn’t press further and checked his wristwatch.

“I’ve answered all your questions. So, will you join as a support member of the Special Operations Unit?”

“I refuse.”

The words Kai expected and wanted to hear finally came out of Keter’s mouth. Kai was about to say what he had prepared, but Keter beat him to it.

“Instead, I’d like to recommend someone else.”

“…You’re recommending someone?”

This was unexpected for Kai. How could he have anticipated this? Refusing the Special Operations Unit’s offer and recommending someone else.

It was absurd, but Kai was curious.

‘Surely he’s not going to recommend some half-baked bloodline of Sephira.’

If that were the case, Kai’s evaluation of Keter would have been halved.

But as expected, Keter didn’t betray Kai’s expectations. Once again, he stunned Kai with an unexpected answer.

“I’d like to introduce you to the leader of a secret organization called Arkana.”

“Secret organization Arkana?!”

A ‘genius’ doesn’t just accumulate knowledge. They must also know how to use it at the right time to be called a genius.

Kai recalled the entire passage from a book he read ten years ago, spanning hundreds of pages. And immediately, he searched his mental warehouse for the organization called ‘Arkana.’

All of this happened in just a few seconds.

After finishing his judgment, Kai shook his head.

“I’ve never heard of an organization called Arkana.”

“Of course not. It’s a secret organization. If it were known, it wouldn’t be a secret.”

“…If it’s an organization that can evade the Special Operations Unit’s eyes, it’s one of two things. Those who can hide while deceiving both light and darkness, or those so insignificant that they’re invisible. Keter, are you saying that this Arkana organization is one that hides behind the scenes of the world?”

“I don’t know about that. What’s certain is that I vouch for it. Arkana is an incredibly impressive place.”

“You’re not a member of Arkana, are you?”

Keter grinned and shrugged his shoulders. No comment.

To create a sense of mystery?

No.

‘I just made it up, how can I explain more?’

Keter had a dream.

To be a member of a secret organization.

It was a childhood dream, but it remained a romantic notion in Keter’s heart.

‘If it weren’t for that Lilian woman, I would’ve accepted.’

If this weren’t his second life and he didn’t know what would happen to Sephira and himself, if none of that had happened and he heard Kai’s offer now, Keter would have gladly joined the Special Operations Unit.

Because that was his dream.

Those who move the world from behind the scenes. Secret organizations and intelligence agencies were all part of a man’s romance, and Keter wanted to fulfill that romance.

But realistically, it’s not easy to do that now. Yet, Keter didn’t want to let it go.

‘I want to leave some room.’

As mentioned earlier, a genius isn’t just someone who knows a lot and remembers a lot. A genius is someone who knows how to use that knowledge at the right time.

Just like Kai, Keter also came up with something on the spot.

‘If I can’t join a secret organization, why not create one myself?’

Incidentally, he could also expect collaboration with the Special Operations Unit.

Above all, Keter liked the Special Operations Unit’s raison d’être.

‘The motto of “For the Empire” is quite clean and good. I should follow that.’

Keter does what he wants to do and learns whatever he needs to learn. It doesn’t matter who it’s from.

He doesn’t feel any shame or pride about it. That’s why he can handle any situation and learn from it. Keter’s life is a series of such choices and outcomes.

The name Arkana also didn’t come from Keter’s mind.

Maknun.

Not in this life, but in his previous life, Maknun had established an organization to oppose the queen.

‘I made it in advance, Maknun.’

Keter also simply defined Arkana’s purpose.

‘For freedom.’

This organization will be for those who desire freedom.

‘Talented people to recruit are popping up in my mind.’

Although they’re all based on his previous life, there were people like Keter who desired freedom.

In this life, some of their identities are known, but others are hidden.

‘I can find them slowly after this tournament. I can drop by on the way.’

Keter looked at Kai.

‘I really made the right choice in making him a friend. Something interesting just came up.’

If it weren’t for Kai, Keter wouldn’t have thought of creating a secret organization.

Unaware of Keter’s inner thoughts, who was just smiling silently, Kai spoke after deep contemplation.

“I can’t give you an immediate answer. After all, what I wanted was your involvement, not someone else’s.”

“Ah, you can discuss it with your superiors as much as you want.”

“Can I meet the leader of Arkana now? If I meet him, things could progress faster.”

“I have my position too. It’s difficult this year, but I’ll make arrangements by next year.”

“By next year, huh.”

The endless seriousness in Keter’s words was clearly genuine. Kai trusted his instincts. Although this wasn’t his original goal, Kai judged that this was also sufficiently ‘for the Empire.’

‘Given Keter’s confidence, Arkana is clearly an organization that will have a significant impact on the world. Being the first to establish a connection with such an organization is a considerable achievement.’

Both Keter and Kai had finished their calculations. It was a conversation and deal that satisfied both.

Then, there was a sound outside the waiting room.

Knock knock.

“Lord Keter. The match starts in 10 minutes. Please move to the outdoor waiting room.”

At the staff’s words, Keter responded.

“Got it, I’ll go.”

“I’ll guide you. May I come in?”

“If you can handle it, come in.”

“…No, I’ll wait outside the door.”

“Go ahead. I know where it is.”

“Understood.”

The staff obediently listened to Keter. He had no choice.

‘Blood…’

There were clear bloodstains under the door. The staff didn’t want to get involved with Keter unnecessarily.

Kai, who was in the waiting room, also stood up and said.

“Keter. Whether you intended it or not, I’ve gained a lot of information from your words. So, I’ll give you some information in return. I’m withdrawing from this city.”

Kai leaving his direct jurisdiction isn’t just because killing Eslow is impossible. It’s because Eslow, his target, has completely disappeared from the city.

When Keter casually mentioned that Eslow had gone on a business trip, it turned out to be true.

Therefore, Kai no longer had a reason to stay in this city.

“Does Ayrus know?”

“Of course. But he doesn’t seem to want to give up.”

“Well, I knew he was that kind of guy.”

“His goal isn’t to kill Eslow like me. I already knew that. You should be careful. He’s carrying something dangerous.”

What Kai meant by ‘something dangerous’ was the ‘Dark Document.’ If used properly, it could easily kill even a 6-Star Grandmaster with its bizarre power.

Of course, Keter didn’t care.

“Telling me to be careful, how kind of you. You’re treating me like a real friend.”

“…We’re just business partners.”

With that, Kai left, and Keter headed to the outdoor waiting room for the match.

* * *

The arena where the team tournament was being held.

The excitement of the audience was reaching the sky. They could finally watch the match of Keter’s team, which they had been eagerly anticipating.

“Will he show the same divine power he displayed in the Battle Royal?”

“Does he even need a team? He practically showed the power of a one-man army.”

“There’s more than one or two masters who underestimated him and were eliminated early. History proves it!”

The divine power Keter showed in the Battle Royal was overwhelming. The violence was exactly what the audience wanted, and it was even visually entertaining.

From a spectator’s perspective, Keter’s archery was the ultimate entertainment, satisfying both the eyes and ears.

“Team Keter, their opponent is… Team Regan!”

The two teams stepped onto the ring and faced each other in the center.

Regan, a knight from the Count Jephyrus family, glared at Keter as if he wanted to kill him. He was one of the knights who had ambushed Anis and Taragon during the Battle Royal.

Due to the Sword Dragon Rajis’s interference, he failed to complete his mission and now wanted to take out his humiliation on Keter.

But his teammates tried to dissuade him.

“Sir Regan. Keter is on a different level from Anis and Taragon. You can’t fight him thinking he’s just another archer.”

These were the words of knights who had seen or experienced Keter’s divine power, but Regan, who was being treated after being defeated by Rajis at the time, hadn’t seen it.

With everyone praising Keter, Regan found it absurd.

“I’ve fought Sephira’s archers myself. I’ve heard he’s stronger than Anis and Taragon, but he’s still just an archer. I can definitely win.”

That said, Regan wasn’t completely careless. Although he didn’t like it, he had obtained a ‘magic potion’ from Galahind to ensure victory.

Rage Potion. A potion that allows a 2-Star Knight to unleash the power of a 3-Star Knight.

Regan and his team took the Rage Potion and were filled with confidence.

“If I were a 5-Star Master, this is how I’d feel. Like I could beat anyone. I could even take on the Sword Dragon.”

The two teams, having exchanged glances in the center of the ring, took their positions at opposite ends.

Whoosh!

A thick shield rose around the ring’s perimeter. It was to prevent the aftermath of the attacks from reaching the audience.

Swish.

The referee raised his hand. When that hand came down, the match would begin immediately.

The audience swallowed their saliva, waiting for the hand to drop—

Whoosh!

The referee’s hand came down in an instant, and Team Regan tried to charge, but…

“Huh, huh?”

Regan, excited from the Rage Potion’s side effects, let out a bewildered sound.

He couldn’t help it. As soon as the match started, it wasn’t just Regan who moved.

Keter also shot an arrow as soon as the match began.

Common sense dictates that it’s rare to try to end a match with a single strike right at the start. Especially for archers, they usually fire a few probing arrows to gauge the opponent’s reaction.

But the arrow Keter shot wasn’t an ordinary arrow. It wasn’t even an Aura Arrow. It was his ultimate technique, the Milky Way.

Of course, if it were just one arrow, neither Regan nor the audience would have been so shocked.

But…

‘Six arrows?’

Arrows with speed that couldn’t be dodged and destructive power that couldn’t be blocked, not just one but six, rained down on Team Regan.

Boom! Crash! Rumble! Crack!

The shield protecting the ring was designed to withstand 7th-circle magic, but it cracked instantly.

The audience’s souls left their bodies at Keter’s bold move of unleashing his ultimate technique right at the start of the match.