Supreme Paragon Reborn: Humanity's Rise To Galactic Supremacy-Chapter 337: Two Extremes

Michael accepted the handshake. At the moment he was at the most secure place in the whole solar system. Even if Absolute Lord Nemesis had any kind of ill intent, acting on it would be the same as suicide.

The two men settled at a rather isolated table, not wanting someone to bother them.

Michael silently observed the Lord. The man had white pupils and raven-black hair trimmed on the shorter side.

"So, what do you wish to converse with me about?" Michael’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Nemesis chuckled.

"Straight to the point? I like that!"

Raising a hand, he gestured for a waiter to come near, taking hold of a glass containing an expensive rum. After Nemesis took a sip, he spoke.

"Let me be frank. Join me. We only stand to gain if your faction merges with ours."

Michael raised an eyebrow, admittedly taken by surprise. Seeing his confusion, Nemesis elaborated.

"I assume that you know the difference between a medium-sized faction and a large one?" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Michael nodded. "Of course. It’s whether they have a cultivator of the King or Queen realm in their ranks."

Nemesis heaved a deep sigh.

"Correct. It makes sense on paper, yet it puts my faction in a state of limbo."

The man took another sip.

"Assuming you have done your homework, you would know that the Bottomless Void contains more than a 100 Lords... Yet we are still overshadowed by the other players since I have yet to ascend to the King realm."

Michael noted how Nemesis emphasized ’yet’, completely certain it was only a matter of time.

"To be honest? I admire you. I really do." Nemesis gave unexpected praise.

"Regardless of the angle one looks from, the things you and your faction have achieved are extraordinary... But everything has its limits. Do you think you can beat me and the Lords in my faction? Are you confident you can develop a strategy to take us down? This is why I have come to you with this proposition. Join me, and I will make you my second-in-command... To a future King."

Nemesis paused briefly.

"By standing with us, you will become part of a far greater faction and gain the strength that comes with it. At the same time, it will allow the Indomitable Alliance to meet an honorable end. By merging with us, your legacy will remain intact, being remembered as Indomitable, never truly defeated in battle. In the end, we both stand to gain greatly. A true win–win, as they say."

Several seconds passed in silence, in which the Lord studied Michael’s stoic face.

’Every Grandmaster in the world would have jumped from joy at the opportunity... Don’t tell me he is actually contemplating refusing.’ Nemesis was stunned.

"Perhaps you are worried about the members of your faction and what will happen to them? Rest assured they will get similar benefits as you."

Michael shook his head with a faint smile, pointing to several of his comrades.

"Do you see Cayson, Victoria, Claire, Bryce, and Alice? They were all part of the biggest factions... Yet they all left them to join me."

Unflinching, Michael met Nemesis’ gaze.

"You think that I will betray their expectations, their trust... just for some meager advantage? If so, you are severely mistaken."

The Lord’s eyebrow twitched.

He was rejected?

Out of the sheer goodness of his heart, he had extended what he believed to be the most generous offer in the history of mankind... only to be met with a simple... no?

"Preposterous!" The man shouted, slamming his hand onto the table.

"Think about the benefits! It’s only a matter of time before I reach the Supreme stage. Give it a decade, at most, and I will ascend to the King realm! There is nothing more advantageous than serving as my second-in-command!"

His voice grew sharper and eyes more menacing.

"Everybody has a price! What is it you desire? Wealth? Honor? Treasures? Women? I can give you all of it! Refusing me now is no different from spitting in my face!"

Michael’s expression remained unchanged.

"Everything you just named were mere indulgences... distractions. The reason I fight, struggle, and live is for the prosperity of humankind. My stance will never change, and so will my answer to your offer."

Although Nemesis was growing angrier by the second, he did his utmost to conceal it.

’Moron! He wouldn’t recognize a blessing even if it struck him in the face!’

The Lord leaned forward.

"Perhaps I didn’t make myself quite clear... You are either my ally or my foe. Standing against me will not end well for you. Think carefully about your teammates... your family and their well-being. It’s a miracle already that you can defeat a Transcendent Lord alone. But even ten of you would not stand a chance against an Absolute Lord like me."

A spark of wrath ignited in Michael’s gaze.

"I don’t care about being ridiculed or threatened. It’s the nature of the job. But..." He unleashed his aura, drawing closer. "Threaten those close to me, and I won’t hesitate to skin you alive... only after I’ve eradicated your bloodline from existence in front of your eyes, that is."

There was the Immortal Legion, with Oliver and Isaac, who had sent Malice after Victoria. There was the so-called ruler of humanity, the Emperor. And not to forget the Wang family, including one of their heirs, Samuel, who had caused his family, particularly his sister, to suffer both in this life and the one before.

By now, he had devised a fitting punishment for them all. Fate countless times worse than death... What was one more Absolute Lord being thrown into the mix?

"You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that." Nemesis muttered, rising to his feet.

"Why don’t we save ourselves the trouble? Let’s clash... right here, right now! Fear not, even after I leave you half-dead, the offer will still stand. However, rather than serving as my second-in-command, you’ll at best be nothing more than a servant!"

Michael observed the fuming Lord with a menacing grin.

"Fool."

The insult was the final straw. Nemesis began to see red. His feet darted forward, ready to dash in for a killing blow...

Until an aura carrying undeniable authority overwhelmed his senses. Pressing down on him with a weight greater than a mountain, he was forced back into his chair.

"..."

Blinking slowly, the Lord raised his gaze.

His eyes settled on Supreme Lord Nicole. Her crimson stare exuded such immense pressure that when he opened his mouth to retort, it shut against his will, drawing blood as he bit his tongue.

"Were you really about to initiate a battle beneath the sacred crown? Here... of all places?" Nicole didn’t speak loudly, yet each word rang in Nemesis’ ears like deafening bells of doom.

"Had I not intervened, the Emperor wouldn’t have left your corpse intact after he was done with you. It appears the alcohol has clouded your judgment."

Nicole’s eyes narrowed.

"Begone."

Left powerless under her gaze, Nemesis bowed deeply before departing, cursing bitterly in his mind.

In actuality, Michael hadn’t expected things to turn out like this. At best, he had anticipated Nemesis being scolded by the Emperor.

Instead, with Nicole rendering him helpless in front of everybody here, despite both being of the same realm, Nemesis’ pride had been deeply wounded. He was bound to make irrational decisions in the future... ones Michael could exploit.

"Thank you for the help." Michael smiled warmly. "But how did you manage to react so fast?"

Nicole’s threatening presence melted at a moment’s notice.

"Oh, I actually eavesdropped on the entire conversation."

She admitted with a giggle.

"I was waiting for my turn to speak with you, but you proved too popular... so I decided to seize the opportunity and deal with the pest myself. See now? Suddenly, no one wants to approach you." Nicole smiled seductively, tilting her head to the side.