Chapter 57

Jenny, wearing an annoyed expression, stood by his side, while Jordan maintained his usual emotionless face. However, what demanded more attention was the demeanor of the other customers in the bar. Previously indifferent to newcomers, they now exhibited subtle wariness toward the man seated at the bar—a slender figure with long legs stretching out near the counter.

Clad in a wrinkled suit, the man exuded a strong fragrance that permeated the air. Numerous unidentified tattoos adorned his neck beneath his shirt. Slowly turning his head upon noticing Lennok's approach, he spoke with a blunt and dry demeanor.

"Ah, you've finally arrived. I've been waiting."

"........."

His presence left a formidable impression. Large hands gripped a glass that appeared small in comparison. Offering a faint smile upon seeing Lennok, he inquired, "Do you know who I am?"

"No."

"I see. But from now on, you'll need to remember."

Whoosh!

As soon as the man finished speaking, a powerful aura engulfed Lennok. A sharp, determined energy radiated from his mana, creating a vivid sensation. This intensity would have overwhelmed an ordinary person, but it dissipated into nothingness upon encountering Lennok's impervious shield.

The man chuckled, his expression filled with interest, as he looked at Lennok, whose demeanor remained unchanged.

"Because of what you did this time, many people suffered losses."

Thump, thump.

Lennok brushed off the mana as if flicking away dust from his shoulder, and countered, "Are you someone who worked with Paul Ackerman?"

"I was a businessman who received investment from that guy."

"So you're an arms dealer."

"........."

Narrowing his eyes, the man fixed a glare upon Lennok. Silence hung heavily in the bar, undisturbed by any noise.

"Are you here for revenge, then?"

It came sooner than expected, but Lennok had already considered this possibility. Disrupting the tightly knit profit network within the 40s districts was bound to draw enemies. He had previously avoided unnecessary conflicts, but Lennok had relinquished his pursuit of cleanliness in this murky underworld. To ascend higher, he needed to seize what they held.

A collision was inevitable.

Could the man discern something from Lennok's expression? He studied his face for a while before slowly shaking his head.

"......Not today, at least."

Standing up from the bar with deliberate slowness, the man's head nearly brushed against the ceiling. He was a towering giant, easily surpassing two meters in height. His exceptional tallness was evident from the moment he sat down.

"But I've come to give you a warning."

"........"

"Kid, we don't underestimate our opponents, regardless of age. We may let it slide once, assuming you didn't know any better. However, if you dare to interfere with our business again, be prepared."

Whoosh!!

Once again, the man's overwhelming mana pressed down on Lennok's shoulders, showing his relentless nature to subdue his opponent's aura. However, Lennok had no intention of simply enduring it.

Boom!

He unleashed a tightly condensed shock spell, shaped like a fist, directly towards the man's abdomen—a punch that had instantly shattered Erikson's waist in the undeveloped zone. Astonishingly, the man only flinched momentarily before quickly regaining his composure, fixing an unexpected gaze upon Lennok.

Undeterred, Lennok met his gaze and calmly responded, "Don't misunderstand. I'm just giving you a warning."

"What?"

"If you think you can resolve matters in such a despicable manner, my client won't remain idle."

Lennok's words carried weight that couldn't be ignored, causing the man's eyebrows to twitch noticeably. While he may have suspected the existence of supporters, he hadn't anticipated Lennok's counter-threat in this manner.

Lennok maintained his calm demeanor, his mind constantly calculating. He was prepared to face danger, but that didn't mean he had to foolishly shoulder the entire burden alone. If necessary, he was willing to invoke Dyke Corp's name to divert attention from himself.

Did the man grasp the implications of Lennok's words? For a brief moment, a malicious gleam flickered in his eyes, but he swiftly concealed his emotions. He realized he was not in a position to throw a tantrum in this setting.

"...Alright. Let's pretend this never happened. Understood?"

While speaking, he cast a menacing glare at Jenny.

"It doesn't bother me. If you had wanted to work with that man, you would have sought him out already. And..."

"And?"

"My name is already circulating as your designated broker on the Deep Web."

Observing Jenny's mischievous smile, Lennok couldn't help but join her laughter. Despite just having dealt with a tense situation, she was now able to make light-hearted jokes, clearly demonstrating her resilient nature.

Lennok realized that he didn't mind her personality.

"Very well. I'll go and meet him."

"If you submit an acceptance request, he'll probably contact you. Do you know how much trouble Sebastian gave me when I was summoned last time?"

Had she already set everything up behind his back?

Instead of replying, Lennok just smiled at her and left the bar.

⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩

District 45.

It was a small commercial district where Sebastian's office was situated.

Unlike the more developed areas, the 40s districts received limited support from the government in terms of public order and welfare. However, it wasn't as desolate as the 50s districts, as people still inhabited the neighborhood, albeit with a questionable sense of ethics.

Sebastian's office reflected this unique atmosphere and matched the initial impression he had given off. It had a metaphysical design, as if a talented designer had been directly involved, setting it apart from typical buildings.

Sebastian greeted Lennok with a warm smile in front of the building, its smooth curves implying a location more befitting of the 10s districts.

"Welcome. This is our first meeting since the bar, isn't it?"

"...Is this your office?"

"Do you think I would invite someone to another person's office? Come in, let's talk."

Lennok stepped inside, passing through the fancy lobby reminiscent of an art gallery. As he ascended the spiral staircase, he caught a glimpse of a cozy office adorned with pristine white marble.

A man, who had been waiting in front of the office door, stood up awkwardly and greeted them.

"Ah, nice to meet you."

He was an older man with grizzled hair, dressed in a worn-out suit. He appeared more like a regular employee than someone associated with their line of work. If Sage from Amnac Pharmaceuticals had aged, he might resemble this man.

The bruise on his lip seemed out of place.

Sebastian introduced the man in a casual manner.

"This is Mr. Madison. He came to my office due to personal circumstances. And this is Van, an incredibly talented freelance wizard."

It was unclear when they had worked together for Sebastian to make such introductions, but Lennok saw no reason to refute the compliment.

After allowing Madison to enter the office first, Lennok whispered to Sebastian.

"So, the advance payment on the Deep Web wasn't from you, Sebastian, but from this man."

"Did you figure it out?"

It was evident since Sebastian had been waiting for Lennok outside the office, while there was already a client inside.

Sebastian had simply wanted to employ Lennok, using this method to work with him simultaneously.

Despite Lennok pointing it out, Sebastian maintained his unchanged expression and skillfully opened the office door.

"It's a common practice among established brokers. Changing the broker registered on the Deep Web is a hassle, so it's easier to borrow clients temporarily. After all, we're just exchanging fees among ourselves, so it's not a significant issue."

"I haven't agreed to the request yet."

"You can decide after hearing him out, right?"

Sebastian prepared three cups of coffee and took a seat, while Madison hesitantly began to speak.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

/chapte