Chapter 151: [151] Cain’s Ploy

A few minutes ago...

"Is that the skeleton you were talking about?" Francis cocked his head to the side as he stared at Ark from a distance.

Ark had walked into the hall with both the fable beauty and the Phantom assassin hand in hand, and then made a show of making them fight for him like two girlfriends.

"Talk about making an entrance." Francis took a sip of his glass of whiskey as he continued staring.

"Ahh..." He clicked his tongue. ’He is also pretty good looking for a skeleton...’

"Hey..." Francis nudged his friend in the ribs. "Who do you think is better looking, me or that pile of bones—"

Click— Schkkk!

The glass in Cain’s hand suddenly exploded within his fingers. His face was an emotionless mask, but his eyes were filled with layers and layers of malice.

He was meant to be the star of today’s meeting.

His countless achievements were meant to be announced during the award ceremony, but now, Ark had swooped in and stolen all the glory simply by chance.

Cain felt his blood boil. His heart pounded in his chest, the rush of blood occluded his ears, and his golden eyes shone brightly, an aura of dread slowly seeping out of his body.

Those who noticed wisely distanced themselves from him, afraid that they would get caught up in his rage.

But Francis just yawned as he watched him. He was used to Cain’s tantrums.

After a few seconds, Cain let out a steamy breath, and it was as though his anger flowed out along with the steam.

Then he smiled.

"This might yet be good fortune." Cain wanted Ark dead, and he saved them the trouble of having to find him themselves.

He glanced at his friend. "After seeing him for yourself, what do you think? Can you do it?"

Francis’ eyes swept across the room to the boy who nervously scratched his head in the face of the press.

Then he smiled, eerie golden energy slipping out of his skin. His eyes darted to his friend’s, only that this time, they had grown darker.

"What do you take me for, Cain?"

He may have been Order’s vassal, but it would be an insult to his guild if he was to challenge Ark to a duel.

A skeleton with only rumours to his name, someone who was not affiliated with any guild, unconnected to any noble family—

"You would make me the lesser man?"

"You are confident. That is good." Cain smiled and held his shoulder. "Don’t worry, I will provide the appropriate justification you need."

<•••>

The present time...

"Cain Order, Demon and Warlock. It has been a while, Ark Karras..."

He raised his head a bit. "Or should I call you the Mad Skeleton?"

Unlike Cain, Ark was not a performative bastard. Sure, he was surrounded by hundreds of the top awakeners in Venaris.

And now that he had accidentally pulled himself into the spotlight, they were likely watching his every move, trying to assess just what type of person he was.

But Ark never really cared about public opinion.

"What the fuck do you want?"

Whispers began to spread through the crowd like wildfire, and Cain did his best to hold back his smile.

’He is just like I remember.’ He mused as he raised his head.

Cain needed to find a way to instigate Ark so that he could provoke him into a duel.

Using the duel, Cain would first publicly embarrass Ark, quelling the foolish rumours and false reputation he had built for himself, just before he would wipe him away from this world.

Since Francis was his vassal, and considered weaker than him, the glory would naturally go to Cain.

His reputation would be elevated, while Ark would be forgotten, like he should have been a long time ago.

"Why so harsh? We are both survivors of that hellish tutorial, are we not?" Cain’s face fell. "We should welcome ourselves with joy."

He walked towards Ark with open arms, trying to hug him.

Cain had expected him to shove him to the side, after which Tristan would come up and call out the insult, before challenging him to a duel.

But even Cain couldn’t have expected what happened next.

Ark raised his leg and pounded his foot...

Right into his face.

The hall went deathly silent.

He did not even reduce his strength behind the blow, he had gone in with full force!

One second, Cain was standing, and in the very next, he found himself on the floor, his ears ringing.

Cain felt something warm slide down his nose, and when he reached for it, he drew back blood.

His eyes went wide. "Did he just..."

Ark glared down at his pitiful form. "Do you think you can act all buddy buddy with me after the shit you pulled in Eden?"

"Ark..." Soo-jin pinched his arm with a concerned look on her face. "W-what did you just do?"

"What?" He frowned as he folded his hands across his chest.

"Did I go too far?"

Personally, Ark felt it was moderate, considering Cain’s actions in the past.

"Yes. You went too far." Tristan sighed. "You just kicked the heir of Order in the presence of his clan. Do you know what that means?"

"Y-you bastard! What did you just do?" Cain growled with rage.

The room was suddenly brightened up with sparks as dozens of players began summoning their weapons.

From long swords to broad blades. Fauchards to polearms. Magic staffs to grimoires...

Adding the Order guild to its vassals, over fifty players had now directed their killing intent towards Ark.

Ark frowned as he stared around the hall, unmoved by their paltry display. The darkness around him stirred.

It didn’t matter that they were much stronger than him, if they wanted a fight. Then that was exactly what he would give them—

But before Ark could even summon his warriors, Tristan held his shoulder and pulled him back.

His eyes grew cold as he addressed the crowd. "Do not forget where you are, Order."

Behind him, the countless association members also summoned their weapons, turning the hall into a showcase of steel.

Mana buzzed in the room as a tense silence engulfed them all, war threatening to break out within their midst...

And then silence was interrupted by a battle scream, as a player in black leather armour suddenly appeared by Ark’s side, swinging his sword right at his neck.

"How dare you disrespect Order?!"

Ark glanced at him and frowned. He could have easily intercepted the attack, but there was no need to...

Clang!

Soo-jin stepped in between them. Her sword whistled through the air in an upward arc, sparks erupting as the blades collided, sending the player’s sword flying back.

And then she pressed her blade to his neck, her crimson eyes reflecting on the smooth, silver blade.

"I would be careful if I were you..."