Chapter 114: Stay here a little longer

"The Head of the Association?" Kai asked in surprise. "Did he really do that?"

Adam nodded. "I had a similar reaction when I first heard about it. However, the person who relayed those words to me is far closer to the Chairman than almost anyone else at the headquarters."

Kai leaned back in his seat, falling silent as he considered the implications. After a few moments, he finally spoke.

"So, from what you’ve just told me, I no longer need to worry about the Vancroft and Scarlette families?"

"That’s right," Adam confirmed. "My informant has verified that the Vancroft family has already withdrawn all its personnel and resources involved in interfering with your life. And to put your mind at ease, my informant happens to be the Association’s Vice-Commander himself, the eldest son of the Vancroft patriarch."

Kai raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Mr. Daniel Vancroft? You heard about the Chairman’s conversation with the two patriarchs from him?"

Adam nodded. "Indeed."

"And how did he react?" Kai asked thoughtfully. "I imagine he wouldn’t have been particularly pleased to hear that his father and family had been threatened."

Threatened might have been a slight exaggeration, considering Adam’s account of the conversation. However, if Kai was reading between the lines correctly, the Chairman’s message had been unmistakable. He had directly warned both family heads to keep their actions in check, making it clear that any attempt to target Kai or his family would come at a price.

"I don’t believe my father will stop here."

Jean’s voice came from the entrance to the living room. She had apparently overheard enough of their conversation to understand what they were discussing.

Kai turned toward her, concerned that talking about her family might upset her.

Jean caught his gaze and offered him a reassuring smile. "If we want to live peacefully, it’s better to discuss these things openly," she assured him.

Kai sighed before nodding. "You’re right."

He rose from his seat and brought over a chair for her. Once Jean had settled down across from them, Adam continued.

"I find it hard to believe that the Scarlette patriarch would dare go against the Head of the Association, considering their history."

Kai hummed thoughtfully. "What history?"

Adam shook his head. "I’m not allowed to talk about it. Just know that if there’s one person Xavier Scarlette would think twice before opposing, it’s the Chairman of the Association."

Jean could only agree with Adam’s assessment. She had seen her father speak of that man on several occasions, always with a grim expression and a deep frown marring his face. It was as though even the mere mention of the Chairman’s name was enough to stir up displeasure and distress within him.

"But even if there’s a chance that Mister Xavier goes against the Chairman’s warning, I’ll make sure you’re informed firsthand," Adam assured them. "I won’t lie to you. I have a feeling someone has already informed both families of my close relationship with Hunter Kai."

There was little doubt that word had spread. The Chairman had openly declared Adam the bridge between the Association and Kai, their savior. Such a significant announcement would hardly have gone unnoticed, and the news must have reached the concerned parties by now, including those residing in foreign nations.

"So, there’s a chance that if the Scarlette family still intends to target you, they’ll resort to more discreet methods, knowing I’ll be keeping an eye on them."

Kai nodded grimly. He understood that Adam wasn’t trying to absolve himself of any responsibility should things go wrong in the future. Rather, he was warning them of the worst-case scenario in the event that a certain member of the Scarlette family decided to act recklessly.

"Knowing you’re on our side is reassuring enough," Jean murmured. "You’ve already helped us so much, Mister Adam."

Adam nodded sincerely. "It’s my duty to ensure that the savior of humanity can live safely whenever he’s outside a dungeon."

Kai chuckled at that. "You say that, yet I’ve only been into a couple of dungeons so far." He sighed before adding, "Well, I’ll think about this matter later."

Now that his identity had been exposed, entering dungeons without attracting attention would no longer be easy. However, he couldn’t afford to let others discover which dungeons he visited, either. After all, the news that someone who had cornered a Void Monarch was struggling against a B-rank monster would inevitably raise questions, and before long, those questions could turn into accusations.

Clearly, he would have to be much more careful about how he conducted his hunting activities from now on.

"I understand. In that case, once you’ve decided where you’d like to move, please let me know." Adam paused before offering another suggestion. "And if you’d prefer to stay here and keep my home lively for a little longer, you’re more than welcome to do so."

Kai hummed as he rose from his seat and followed Adam toward the door. "We definitely aren’t leaving for at least another week, so you’ll have to put up with us a little longer."

Adam offered a faint smile, and the two men shook hands.

He then turned to Jean, gave her a brief nod, and stepped out of the house.

Jean and Kai stood by the entrance, watching Adam leave. They remained there until he was out of sight, after which Kai reached for the door and pulled it shut.

Click.

As the sound of the lock echoed through the quiet house, Jean turned toward him.

"Kai... do you think we’ll be fine?"

"You’re talking about the Vancroft and Scarlette families?" Kai shrugged. "I believe we have nothing to worry about for now. Still, just to be on the safe side, I’ll try to have a chat with the Head of the Association."

Jean’s eyebrows rose in surprise. "Would they even let you meet him? I’ve heard that getting an audience with the President is much easier than meeting the Head of the Association."

Kai’s lips curved into a faint smirk as he shook his head.

"It shouldn’t be difficult. After all, I already have an invitation."