Chapter 164: Do You Feel The Difference in Power? (3)

Kai was certain Keter would reject his offer to join the Imperial Special Task Force. It wouldn’t be because Keter was from a master family and lacked nothing; rather, Kai predicted that someone like Keter would never want to be tied down to any one group. The reason Kai had still made the offer was not to recruit him, but as a signal—a warning that the Special Task Force was closely monitoring Keter.

“What are the conditions?”

Keter didn’t reject the offer outright. He asked for terms instead. Kai grinned.

One of the expected answers.

Keter, though seemingly unpredictable, was a wise man, and as such, he would make a reasonable decision, which would be to at least listen to the offer before rejecting it. That way, they could extract information in return.

“You wouldn’t be joining as an agent like me, but you would be supporting me. Even so, as a support agent, we can promise you backing and compensation unimaginable in a small kingdom like this one.”

“I want the specifics. What would I have to do for this Special Task Force? What support and rewards would I get in return?”

Keter’s tone was serious, and his face looked genuinely curious. Kai admired it.

That expression... no hint of deceit. Just honest curiosity. His acting skill is as good as one of our agents.

But Kai didn’t intend to lose the upper hand. He responded with all the sincerity of a recruiter trying to reel in a prized candidate.

“The Special Task Force has one guiding principle: for the empire. Anything that serves the empire is permitted and supported without limit. Of course, your compensation wouldn’t be that great since you’ll be a support agent and not a full operative, but you would get an immediate grant of three million gold, cooperation from a six-star Grandmaster, and access to mid-level Special Task Force intel.”

“You forgot to mention the reward.”

“No matter what you ask for, the empire compensates fairly for any success.”

“Suppose I killed Eslow. How much would you pay me?”

“That’s an absurd example, but hypothetically...”

Even Kai, a genius, couldn’t quickly calculate that. And besides, who would kill Eslow just for money? Even professional assassin guilds would refuse that job outright.

“If you killed Eslow on your own, without any imperial backing... The empire would pay you no less than sixty million gold.”

It was a staggering amount equal to the entire national defense budget of the Lillian Kingdom. One could do anything with that kind of money.

But Keter didn’t look impressed or shocked.

“Not that much, really.”

He downplayed it. Kai didn’t take offense.

Instead, he checked his watch and calmly asked, “That’s all the questions. So, will you join us as a supporting agent of the Special Task Force?”

“No.”

Exactly the answer Kai expected and wanted. But just as he was about to deliver his final remarks, Keter interrupted.

“But I would like to recommend someone else.”

“...Recommend someone?”

Even Kai hadn’t anticipated that.

Who rejects an offer to join the Imperial Special Task Force and then recommends someone else?

Kai found it ridiculous, but he was curious.

He’s not about to recommend some Sefira noble, is he?

If Keter suggested someone unworthy, Kai’s opinion of him would drop. But once again, Keter exceeded his expectations and made his head spin.

“I want to introduce you to the leader of Arcana, a secret organization.”

“Arcana, the secret organization?!”

A true genius didn’t just memorize information; they had the ability to use it at the right time. Kai instantly remembered reading about Arcana from a short piece of text he read ten years ago in a book thousands of pages long. All of this happened in less than ten seconds. Still, he shook his head.

“Never heard of it.”

“Of course not. It’s secret. If people knew about it, it wouldn’t be a secret organization.”

“...An organization that’s managed to avoid the eyes of the Special Task Force is either powerful enough to stay hidden, or so insignificant that no one’s even noticed it. Keter, are you saying Arcana belongs to the former?”

“I don’t know about that. But I do know this: I vouch for them. Arcana is incredible.”

“...You’re not a member yourself, are you?”

Keter just smiled and shrugged. He sounded like he was trying to be mysterious, but he wasn’t.

I just made it up, so what am I supposed to explain?

Keter had a dream: to join a secret organization. It was a childhood dream, but it remained in some corner of his heart even as an adult,

I would have said yes if it wasn’t for that woman, Lillian.

If this wasn’t his second life and he didn’t already know what would happen to himself and Sefira, he would have joined, as that had been his dream—to move the world from the shadows. Joining a secret organization and being a spy was every man’s dream, including Keter.

But realistically, he couldn’t join one right now. However, he didn’t want to give up on it completely.

I want to leave a chance.

As said before, a true genius didn’t just memorize information; they had the ability to use it at the right time. Like Kai, he just made something up.

If I can’t join a secret organization, I can just make one, right?

Now, he could perhaps work together with the Special Task Force. Above all, he liked why it existed.

For the empire... It’s a good, simple motto. I’m going to copy them.

Keter always had to do what he wanted to, and if there was something to learn, he learned it, regardless of who it came from. He felt no shame or pride about it. That was why he could adapt to any situation and keep learning. Keter’s life had been a series of such choices and their outcomes.

He didn’t even come up with the name “Arcana” himself. It came from Dork—not the Dork of this life, but the one from his previous life, who had founded this organization to oppose the queen.

I made it in advance, Dork.

He made a quick goal for Arcana as well: freedom. It was a secret group for those who sought to live freely.

So many potential recruits are coming to mind.

They were all based on his memories from his previous life, but there had been people, like Keter, who longed for freedom. Some of them had revealed identities in this life, while others were still in hiding.

I can start finding them slowly after the tournament ends. I can just drop by on the way if I need to.

Keter looked over at Kai.

See? I was right to make him my friend. He just gave me something fun to do.

If not for Kai, Keter might never have thought of founding a secret organization.

Kai, unaware of what Keter was hiding under his smile, finally opened his mouth after a long moment of thought.

“I can’t give you a clear answer right now. I was hoping to recruit you, not someone else, after all.”

“Ah, take your time. Talk it over with your higher-ups.”

“Can I meet this leader of Arcana now? If I could, it would speed things up considerably.”

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

“Well, I have my own circumstances, too. This year’s no good. But I’ll arrange a meeting by next year.”

“By next year, huh...”

The deep seriousness in Keter’s tone and expression was unmistakably genuine. Kai trusted his instincts. It wasn’t what he originally aimed for, but he concluded this, too, was undoubtedly for the empire.

Judging from Keter’s confidence, Arcana must be an organization with considerable influence. It would be a major success to be the first to build ties with them.

Both Keter and Kai had run their calculations. The conversation and deal left them equally satisfied.

At that moment, a presence stirred outside the waiting room.

Knock knock.

“Lord Keter, ten minutes until the match begins. Please move to the outdoor waiting area.”

When the staff of the tournament reminded him, Keter responded casually, “Got it, I’ll head out.”

“I’ll escort you. May I come in?”

“Only if you’re ready to handle it.”

“...No, I’ll wait outside.”

“Go on without me. I know where it is.”

“Understood.”

The staff member followed Keter’s lead without protest. He had no choice but to comply, as...

Blood...

...a smear of blood was clearly visible under the door. The staff wanted nothing to do with whatever had happened in that room.

Kai also stood and said, “Keter. Whether you meant to or not, I’ve learned a lot from this conversation. So let me give you something in return: I’m pulling out of this city.”

Kai’s withdrawal from the fief wasn’t just because killing Eslow was impossible; it was because the target himself had vanished from the city entirely. Keter’s offhanded remark that Eslow was out on business turned out to be true. So Kai had no more reason to remain here.

“Does Ailos know as well?” Keter asked.

“Of course. But he doesn’t look like someone ready to give up.”

“Well, I figured as much.”

“His goal isn’t to kill Eslow like mine, but you already knew that. You should be careful because he is carrying something dangerous.”

Kai was talking about the Dark Page. When used properly, it could kill even a Grandmaster with ease.

Of course, Keter wasn’t even slightly concerned.

“Careful, huh? You’re being awfully kind. Treating me like a real friend.”

“...We’re business partners, that’s all.”

And with that, Kai departed, and Keter turned to make his way to the outdoor waiting room for the tournament.

* * *

The crowd was waiting in the arena for the team tournament. Their excitement roared to the heavens. After all, it was finally time to witness the most anticipated match: Keter’s team.

“Will he show the same divine might we saw in the battle royale?”

“At this point, I don’t even think he needs a team. He practically was a one-man army.”

“A lot of Masters underestimated him like that and got knocked out early. History speaks for itself!”

Keter’s performance in the battle royale had been overwhelming. His level of violence was exactly what the audience craved, and the spectacle he created was unmatched. His archery wasn’t just thrilling—it was a form of entertainment that satisfied both the eyes and ears.

“Team Keter... versus Team Regan!”

The two teams stepped onto the ring and stood face to face at the center.

Regan, a knight from Zepirus, glared at Keter as if ready to kill him. He had been one of the knights who ambushed Anis and Taragon during the battle royale. After failing his mission because of Sword Dragon Rajis’ interference, he now sought revenge on Keter for that humiliation. But his teammates tried to stop him.

“Sir Regan, Keter is in a whole different league than Anis or Taragon. Don’t assume he’s just another archer.”

These were the words of knights who had seen or suffered Keter’s power firsthand. But Regan, having been recovering from his injuries when it happened, had never witnessed it. Now, hearing everyone praise Keter so highly, Regan could only scoff.

“I’ve fought Sefira’s archers myself. Sure, I’ll admit he’s stronger than Anis or Taragon. But in the end, he’s still just an archer. I can beat him.”

Even so, Regan wasn’t being entirely reckless. He wasn’t happy about it, but to ensure victory, he had taken a special magic potion from Galahind. It was the Rage Potion, a special liquid that temporarily boosted a two-star knight to the strength of a three-star. Regan and his team drank it together and were brimming with confidence.

“So this is what it feels like to be a five-star Master. I feel like I could take on anyone, maybe even the Sword Dragon himself.”

At the center of the ring, the two teams exchanged curt nods before stepping to opposite ends.

Voom!

A thick barrier rose around the ring, shielding the audience from the aftermath of the battle. The referee raised his hand. The moment it dropped, the match would begin. The crowd swallowed in anticipation. then...

Whoosh!

Team Regan was planning to charge forward the moment the referee’s hand dropped, but...

“H-huh?”

Regan staggered, too stimulated by the effects of the Rage Potion. He was also caught off guard as Keter also began moving the very instant the match began, firing an arrow.

Usually, no one tried to decide a match with a single strike right off the bat, especially archers, who typically began with a probing shot to gauge the opponent’s reaction. But this arrow was no ordinary arrow. It wasn’t even an Aura Arrow—it was Keter’s ultimate technique, Milky Way. Of course, both Regan and the spectators wouldn’t have been surprised if it had only been one shot, but...

Six arrows?

Six arrows, each faster than the eye could follow and powerful enough to shatter through any guard, shot toward Team Regan.

Boom boom boom! Crash!! Crack!

The protective shield around the ring, designed to withstand even seven-circle magic, began to fracture immediately. The sheer audacity of Keter, using his ultimate move the moment the match began, left the audience completely speechless.