Liam quickly vanished from Jeremy's line of sight.
Jeremy appeared to hesitate slightly; although he was aware that there was virtually no danger within the confines of the Special Situations Handling Bureau, he couldn't shake the feeling that Liam harbored a subtle animosity toward him.
Just as Jeremy was lost in thought, Liam's voice echoed from the darkness.
"What's the matter? Are you afraid to step into the darkness? If that's the case, you are free to leave right now. Because what I am about to share is information that only the courageous are entitled to hear."
Liam spoke these words in a tone that was completely different from his earlier demeanor.
Previously, Liam's tone had been exceedingly gentle, and their conversation had felt like a casual chat between long-time friends.
However, this time, Liam had abruptly adopted a very serious tone.
A faint smile crept onto Jeremy's lips.
"There is no need for you to resort to such tactics to urge me into the darkness. I am fully aware that I am a person of considerable courage. However, courage does not equate to recklessness.
I was merely assessing whether the dark area you have entered poses any danger. It is only after I am certain that it is devoid of peril that I will step inside."
"It is precisely through this approach that I have been able to emerge unscathed from one perilous instance after another."
Jeremy's explanation was indeed a reflection of his true thoughts.
Upon hearing these words, Liam couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"You are correct; exercising caution is never detrimental for any awakened individual. So, have you now completed your assessment of the dark area?"
Jeremy nodded in affirmation.
"I have finished evaluating the dark area, and it seems that there is not much danger present."
"Not much danger? Are you not implying that there is absolutely no danger?"
"The only threat within the dark area is you. I believe there is a strong possibility that you may launch an attack against me shortly."
After this exchange, both individuals gained a deeper understanding of one another.
Through his previous actions and words, Jeremy made it clear to Liam that he was not a reckless individual who relied solely on bravado.
Conversely, Liam's series of actions conveyed to Jeremy that he did not harbor complete trust in him.
After a moment of silence, the two of them spoke almost simultaneously.
"Then let us proceed."
Both were slightly taken aback to hear the same words echoed from the other.
As they uttered the phrase in unison, laughter erupted between them.
"It seems we are not devoid of common ground after all. At the very least, our thought processes align perfectly."
Liam stepped out from the shadows, a smile adorning his face as he addressed Jeremy.
Jeremy nodded in agreement. "Indeed, so now you can tell me the true purpose for summoning me. The matter you mentioned that only the courageous are entitled to know must pertain to this, correct?"
"The moment I first discovered this map, I sensed that it was emanating an immense power."
"I employed several items imbued with sealing abilities to successfully confine this map."
"Every time I retrieve this map from its seal, the power it radiates grows increasingly potent."
"I fear that it will not be long before I am unable to contain this map any longer. And once that occurs, it is certain that formidable creatures, beyond our imagination, will emerge from it."
Liam's words finally brought full understanding to Jeremy.
Liam had deliberately concealed this map.
For he knew that should this map be discovered by others, Jeremy would undoubtedly face an enormous threat. Moreover, this could very well render all of Liam's prior precautions utterly ineffective.
After delivering this sobering message, Liam paused for a moment.
Once he confirmed that Jeremy believed him, Liam slowly inquired, "You should now be able to tell me which place this map represents, correct?"
Jeremy nodded silently.
"The location represented by this map is the Tower of Exile. The Tower of Exile is a realm within the Void Spirit World. I was fortunate enough to have visited the Void Spirit World, and I even had the privilege of witnessing the Tower of Exile firsthand."
"However, I have never entered the interior of the Tower of Exile. Because within the Tower of Exile, there exists at least one planner of the apocalypse game."
"I believe you, as the director of the Special Circumstances Handling Bureau, should be well aware that the planners of the apocalypse game are referred to by a term familiar to us humans, known as deities."
As Jeremy shared the information he possessed, a flicker of fear finally crossed Liam's face.
Although Liam was the director of the Special Circumstances Handling Bureau, his jurisdiction only extended over Moonlight City.
He did not have the same breadth of responsibility as the Intelligence Bureau, which oversaw the entire federation.
Thus, Liam was not privy to much information related to the planners of the apocalypse game.
Moreover, he was unaware that one of these planners was actively seeking resurrection in the real world.
Consequently, when he heard that a planner of the apocalypse game resided within the Tower of Exile, he naturally fell into a state of deep trepidation.
"What should we do? If we do not take action, the seal will inevitably be breached by the map. At that point, the planner of the apocalypse game you mentioned could very well enter the real world."
"And even if the elite forces of the federation manage to repel the planner of the apocalypse game, Moonlight City will undoubtedly be destroyed by them."
As Liam spoke, his voice trembled with evident fear.
Jeremy nodded gravely in response.
"You are correct; therefore, I believe we must first address the troubles this map has brought us. I am convinced that only by entering the Tower of Exile will I have the opportunity to completely eliminate the crisis posed by this map."
Jeremy articulated his thoughts without hesitation.
However, Liam believed that Jeremy's plan was destined for failure.
Although Liam was aware of some intelligence related to the Void Spirit World, he felt that individuals like them, who were not among the most powerful of humanity, could not possibly gain entry into the Void Spirit World.
Liam even suspected that there was a degree of bravado in what Jeremy had said. He believed that the information Jeremy provided was likely obtained from the military headquarters.
Thus, Liam did not immediately respond to the plan proposed by Jeremy.