While the people in Moonlight City were each preoccupied with their own affairs, various factions within the capital were intensifying their activities.
The major families of the federal elite, in light of the increased difficulty of the Apocalypse game, were continually seeking opportunities for their awakened members to gain greater strength.
Meanwhile, the power struggle between the military headquarters and the federal assembly had escalated into an exceptionally fierce contest.
Under such circumstances, Kean felt that he no longer needed to be overly anxious.
For at this moment, Kean was no longer the focal point of attention for the major families within the federal elite.
Even within the Lannisters, Kean had ceased to be the center of interest.
The head of the Lannisters, who happened to be Kean's grandfather, was busy scheming to seize high-ranking positions in the federal government held by other families.
Meanwhile, Kean's uncle was constantly contemplating how to acquire additional resources for strengthening awakened individuals from other families.
In the absence of scrutiny from everyone, Kean could naturally attend to his own affairs with ease.
After completing his awakening, Kean took a few days to recuperate, following the guidance of The Person in the Mirror and The Son of the Sun.
During these days of rest, Kean remained inside his villa.
He closely monitored the actions of those within his villa, focusing particularly on his butler, Farmer.
Although Butler Farmer had been loyal to Kean for a considerable length of time.
Kean had never fully trusted him.
Kean always had the nagging suspicion that Butler Farmer was a pawn planted by the upper echelons of the Lannisters, lurking right beside him.
During these days of recuperation, Kean discovered that Butler Farmer had been in constant communication with the upper echelons of the Lannisters.
Initially, Kean had assumed that Butler Farmer's interactions with the Lannister leadership were merely to relay information regarding his own whereabouts.
However, after observing the situation with great scrutiny for a period of time, Kean became entirely convinced that Butler Farmer was actively assisting the Lannisters in their schemes against him.
Butler Farmer had even divulged comprehensive details about the weapons and equipment that Kean possessed to the higher-ups of the Lannisters.
Such actions on Farmer's part had unequivocally crossed the line of acceptability for Kean.
After taking a few days to recuperate, Kean felt that his condition had reached a state of complete stability.
He was resolute in his decision to utilize his newly acquired talent as a Deity Proxy to tackle a particularly challenging instance located in the outskirts of the capital.
Before setting off, Kean specifically summoned Butler Farmer to his side.
"My condition has largely returned to normal. As an awakened individual, I must attend to the instance located in the outskirts of the capital."
Kean shared his plans with Butler Farmer.
Butler Farmer quickly replied, "Young master, I believe you should consider resting for a longer period. I do not think your current state is truly satisfactory.
Moreover, the difficulty of the instance in the outskirts of the capital is exceptionally high. If you were to recklessly enter such instances, you could very well find yourself in life-threatening danger."
While Butler Farmer's words seemed to express concern for Kean's well-being, the true intent behind them was merely to thwart Kean's actions.
This was because the upper echelon of the Lannisters had recently issued instructions to Butler Farmer.
After confirming that the passage had stabilized, Kean stepped directly into it.
Following a disorienting sequence of temporal shifts, Kean found himself emerging in a valley on the outskirts of the capital.
In this valley, two Persons in the Mirror were awaiting his arrival, while the Son of the Sun observed the surroundings from a short distance away.
"Isn't your pace a bit sluggish? We were beginning to think you had reneged on your promise once again!"
One of the Persons in the Mirror addressed Kean with a tone tinged with mild irritation upon seeing him.
"My speed has indeed been somewhat delayed, but this is not due to my own shortcomings. There are numerous idle onlookers around me, and I must avoid drawing their attention."
Kean offered a brief explanation.
Though he felt that under normal circumstances, he had no obligation to provide such a detailed account,
Kean realized that he still needed to collaborate with the Persons in the Mirror.
If his relationship with the Persons in the Mirror were to deteriorate excessively, his subsequent actions would become exceedingly difficult.
"Since we are already here, let us dispense with any further trivialities. The instance we are about to enter is directly related to the Fool." The Son of the Sun abruptly interrupted the ongoing conversation.
He began to elaborate on the specifics of the upcoming instance.
Upon hearing the name "Fool." a look of surprise crossed Kean's face.
"Isn't the Fool considered the most formidable among all apocalypse game planners? The difficulty of an instance associated with Him must be exceptionally high.
I have only just completed my awakening, I believe we should first venture into an instance of relatively lower difficulty. I need to gradually familiarize myself with the talents I have acquired post-awakening."
Kean's concerns were certainly not unfounded.
Although no one had ever engaged in direct combat with the Fool.
Everyone agreed that the power He wielded was immensely formidable. Even the weapons and items associated with the Fool were known to possess remarkably potent effects.
The Son of the Sun did not counter Kean's assertions.
He merely provided an explanation for his course of action.
"The Fool is indeed exceptionally powerful, and the instances related to Him are undoubtedly perilous. However, the more dangerous an instance is, the greater the rewards it can offer.
If we wish to revive the great Sun swiftly, we must be willing to assume certain risks. As long as it leads to the resurrection of the great Sun in the real world.
Even the cost of our lives would be worth it."
In truth, Kean did not concur with The Son of the Sun's perspective.
His collaboration with the Persons in the Mirror was solely aimed at enhancing his own strength. He had no intention of recklessly sacrificing his life for the sake of resurrecting the Sun.
However, since The Son of the Sun had articulated such sentiments, Kean found himself without any viable alternative.
"Very well, then let us not engage in any further idle chatter. You must possess more information regarding this instance, correct? Before we enter the instance, I hope you can divulge all the details you are aware of."
Although Kean sometimes struggled to manage his emotions, he was, in essence, a highly professional player of apocalypse games.
Thus, upon deciding to enter the instance, Kean would focus all his thoughts and energy on the task at hand.