SSS Ranked Shadow Monarch: Summoning Infinite Shadows-Chapter 203: Audacity

Back inside the room, Aren and the others were seated and facing the two imposing figures that had walked in. The pressure was real and heavy, but everyone kept a calm expression. They didn’t want to look shaken; that could possibly lead to them being used.

"Sorry that all of you had to be brought here so early." The Patriarch of the White family spoke. He stepped forward, hand on his chest. "My name is William White, the current Patriarch of the White family, one of the biggest families inside War God City," he stated, explaining who he was.

The moment Aren heard that name, he frowned. After all, this was the family that had sent someone to eliminate him at the start of everything. Sadly, there was very little that he could do about it for now, so he watched in silence, looking at the man with no particular emotion in his eyes. But he scanned him from head to toe, ensuring that he didn’t forget his face.

"I am Kai Blade, from the Blade Family, one of the ten Royal families." The man with red hair said as he stepped forward. "I’d assume you already know some details about the Royal families, so I’m not going to go into details."

As he spoke, his eyes scanned around the room, but oddly lingered on two figures, Aren and Athena. Aren noticed how he stared at Athena for a while. Ever since the happenings in Geisha Ruins, he had decided to start training his shadow sense to be turned on most of the time, so when Kai looked, he instantly knew.

"The reason why we have called you here is simple. War God City, as well as every organization, doesn’t want the information of Geisha being widespread. We have chalked what happened in the ruins up to a soul energy leak," Kai said.

Instantly, the attention of everyone was piqued, because this was a concept that was foreign to most of them, well, except Zero. She seemed to know about this.

Seeing that their interest was piqued, Kai decided to explain.

"Deep under the God’s Domain is a flowing stream of soul energy, pure, unchanged, and very toxic soul energy, unlike the one you gained from the system. This one is extremely dangerous, and if a geyser of it should accidentally open, it would cause mutations to those around, deaths, and lots more.

So with the Geisha Ruins already being a very fragmented place, the story of the soul energy checks out for the most part," he explained. He paused for a few seconds, allowing the new information to sink into them, then he continued.

"That being said, we don’t plan to simply hush you. Rewards are set in place for you," he stated.

"Rewards, or payment for silence?" Zero asked.

"Both," he replied without hesitation, smiling at them. "After you receive your rewards, your tournament continues as usual, and most of you won’t have to see us or have anything to do with this again." As he said that line, his eyes drifted over to Aren.

"Not all of you, though," he said. "Geisha was interested in you." He looked directly at Aren.

"What do you plan to do with him?" Kira asked, worry showing in her eyes. As much as she and Aren broke up, she still deeply cared for him. In fact, a part of her longed for him.

"Well, nothing for now, especially with the tournament on. He’ll still participate, but every action he does will be under supervision. In fact, as of yesterday till now, we have already gathered all information about him, which is why we also know that he is Shadow, the strongest new awakened," Kai said that, and immediately Aren looked at him.

"What?" he asked.

Kai smiled. "No need to act like you don’t know. We already know you are, and denying any of it won’t help you. We have solid proof," he said, speaking with certainty.

"We don’t plan to make this public information, as the name Shadow will pull a lot of attention and cause issues. Everyone wants their hands on the next big thing.

Personally, I believe you have potential, but I also believe that most of your feats are luck and right timing. All that ends during the first phases of the trials. After that, it changes. Leveling becomes harder, resources get scarcer, and a lot of people might and will probably overtake you, especially those with better backing.

I heard that you chose the Adventurer Guild. Well, that’s one very good way to waste potential," he said in a cold and detached tone. "Still, regardless, your current importance is very high, to the trials and to the Geisha issue.

There are very few people that know you are Shadow, and they are people that you don’t have to worry about for now, the same way a few people know you are Geisha’s new target.

All in all, Aren, you’ll work with us calmly, and everything will go properly." Kai finished speaking.

"What about my freedom?" Aren suddenly asked. He didn’t even bother looking up.

"Freedom? Hmm, sadly, you’ll have to live under watch and control for now."

"Not happening," Aren replied. He looked up at Kai. "I may not be strong enough, but I sure as hell know that I’ll not allow myself to be controlled, and that’s it. When I faced Geisha, I didn’t back down and allow him to walk over me, so please, what makes you believe that I’ll do that now?" His tone grew serious.

"If you try to keep me bound, I promise I’ll escape one day, and if I do, I’ll come back, and I’ll ensure that everyone does. The only way you’ll tie me up is through death, and you won’t do that as well," Aren stated.

Kai and William frowned when they heard the audacity from Aren. William was about to lash out, but Kai held him back and then smiled at Aren. "I guess I misjudged you. You might just have what it takes to rise to the top." After saying that, he turned to leave, but not without glancing at Athena one last time.