Chapter 40: Ruins of Atlantis? What if… I Buy a Private Jet and fly there Myself!

Kaelen picked up his phone to check the date, only to see that five days had passed. He had spent five whole days in pain, writhing in the void of his World Authority Fragment.

That also meant his car was ready for pickup, so he swiftly sent a text to Helen before booking a ride and disappearing into the shower for a bath.

As soon as he stepped out, he got a notification that the cab had arrived before his mansion. So he quickly dressed up in one of his new outfits, grabbed his card, and left the house.

He wanted to pick up his car first, so the cab took him there first. He tipped the driver handsomely before entering the car dealership, and without wasting any time, he got into the Koenigsegg and drove off to the central bank.

He didn’t have President Hunter’s contact and could only drive there unannounced. As soon as he stepped into the lobby, he went straight to the bank teller, and without explaining his business, he simply showed the cashier his bank card.

"Good day, sir. How may I be of assistance?"

"I’d like to see President Hunter."

He didn’t know if that would work, and held his breath as he stared at the bank teller. When she nodded once and picked up the telephone, dialing a number.

"There’s a VIP guest here who wants to speak with President Hunter," she said into the telephone before covering the mic and turning to Kaelen.

"What’s your name, sir?"

Kaelen lowered his head as he exhaled softly.

Plan B.

Bam—

He slapped his hand on the counter as he looked up at the confused woman.

"I’d like to withdraw one billion dollars!"

"W-What?" The cashier was stunned and didn’t know how to react to the absurd amount, but she didn’t doubt him for a second.

Unlike the last time, not only did Kaelen have a VIP black card, but he was also dressed in designer clothes that made him look worth more than that.

She quickly relayed his information into the same telephone, nodded once at the reply of the person on the other end, and quickly gestured for a colleague to take her place.

"Please come with me, sir."

They took the same see-through elevator, with a beautiful view of the city sprawled before them.

It didn’t take long before they arrived at the familiar top floor, and the cashier guided him up to the office door before rapping lightly and making a curt bow to Kaelen.

"President Hunter will see you now."

Kaelen nodded and pushed the grand doors open, entering the office he remembered was in shambles before he left the last time. It was as good as new once more.

President Hunter was at the same spot he’d seen him before: the private bar, pouring himself a drink.

Kaelen was starting to believe this man had a thing for mixing cocktails.

"It’s great to see you again. The moment I heard there was someone trying to withdraw a billion dollars, I knew it had to be you. You sure have a thing for creating a scene everywhere you go, don’t you?" President Hunter said with a hidden meaning.

Kaelen caught the reference immediately. After all, the white-haired man was the only one who truly knew his name and probably his background.

"I don’t think I know what you’re hinting at," Kaelen said as he plopped down on the couch.

President Hunter smiled and poured a drink for both of them before handing Kaelen his, which he didn’t refuse this time around.

"To what do I owe this pleasure of your visit?" President Hunter said as he sat opposite him.

Kaelen didn’t reply immediately as he went through his phone and pulled up the forum post before sliding it across the glass table to President Hunter, who picked it up and carefully read its contents.

"You know, you can buy this sort of information from the black market at the right price. But I’m glad you came to me. It won’t be free either." President Hunter made himself clear, not refuting the credibility of the post.

"As long as it’s within my power, and wouldn’t inconvenience me or make me risk my life for it, then we have a deal," Kaelen proposed sharply.

President Hunter chuckled softly. "Sure. So tell me, what do you want to know?"

"Everything."

"Everything? Sure. But if you’re interested in participating, not only do I think it’s dangerous for you at the moment, but it’s also too late."

"Why so?"

"The location of the Ruins of Atlantis is still a mystery to everyone but the Emperor, who is leading the expedition." President Hunter paused to let that sink in.

"This would easily be the biggest expedition Evolution Online has ever witnessed, consisting of numerous lone star players—including the Governors of the Strongholds—and the top guilds and factions. Which is why it’s been kept confidential, and those who are going to be present on that day can only be invited by the Emperor himself. No invite, no expedition. Except, if you want to walk up to the Emperor and tell him you’re Kaelen Cross, causing so much stir across the game, then I’m sure you’ll get a VIP invitation for sure."

"And how do I get this invitation with a fake identity?" Kaelen said, not discouraged.

From the scale of the expedition, Kaelen was certain that was the exact type of hunting ground he needed. It didn’t matter if his enemies were there. In fact, it was even better to meet them there. He’d make that his first act of revenge.

"You have to fly to the Capital to apply for an invitation, and if you’re approved, you’re good to go. Except, everyone who was interested in going is currently in the Capital as we speak, and no airline is willing to fly that far from Stronghold 5 at the moment."

"Why’s that?"

"Strange beasts have begun surging in the wasteland, and it only gets worse at nightfall. You should know better than I do about that."

No shit. Kaelen had been bluffing about crossing the wasteland and hadn’t gone deeper than the outskirts of the wasteland from the slums to hunt for small beasts.

But he couldn’t give up his chances of going on that expedition. There had to be some other way. That was when an idea came to him.

"You said no airlines are willing to fly that far, right?"

"Exactly."

"What if... I buy a private jet and get there myself?"