Chapter 618: A Word of Advice

"I’m from the Super City Base. The Redcliff City."

The words landed softly, casually, as though she were merely mentioning the weather. But to Thoren, they struck with the force of a thunderbolt.

Redcliff City.

One of the three Super City Bases. A city that most people would never see in their lifetime.

Thoren’s expression did not change.

Not a flicker.

Not a twitch.

His face remained as calm and unreadable as ever, his hand steady as he lifted his wine cup to his lips. But behind that mask, his mind was racing.

’Redcliff City. She is from Redcliff City.’

His thoughts churned. He had heard of the Super City Bases when he had a conversation with the Knight Order leader, Lorwen.

’Why would someone from Redcliff City come here?’

The question burned in his mind, but he did not voice it. He simply set his wine cup down with deliberate slowness and looked at her.

"So if you’re from a Super City, why do you come to this backward city?" he asked casually.

The Governor’s face tightened. A deep frown carved itself into her features, and her eyes flashed with irritation.

If not for the fact that she wanted to recruit Thoren, she would never have tolerated such nonsense. She was here to recruit him and not be interrogated by him.

Still, she forced herself to remain calm.

"You must know as a Federation officer and non-awakener, the easiest way to ascend the Federation ladder is by going to smaller cities to accrue contribution points," she explained, her voice strained despite the rage burning in her mind.

Thoren nodded slowly.

"I see."

Now he understood.

It all made sense.

The Governor was not here because she cared about Suncrest City. She was not here because she wanted to protect its people or develop city.

She was here because it was a stepping stone. A place to farm contribution points and climb the Federation ladder.

’So she is here to farm points to ascend the Federation ladder.’

Even with this realization, his expression did not change.

Many in his position would have been shocked, their composure broken by the revelation that their city was nothing but a novice village to someone from a Super City.

Unfortunately, Thoren was not like most people.

He looked at the Governor for a moment before muttering, "Now I can see the true picture of the whole thing."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Your aim is to recruit me to join your family faction, right? Then let me ask you, what is the highest floor your family faction has cleared?"

On hearing the question, the Governor’s expression shifted.

Her irritation faded, replaced by something else. A smug smile spread across her face, and she straightened in her chair as though she had been waiting for this moment.

"Our faction has cleared the sixth floor and is now trying to conquer the seventh floor," she said, her voice swelling with self-satisfaction.

"And from what I heard, it wouldn’t be long before they clear the seventh floor."

She waited for his reaction as she expected to see his shock. She expected him to finally understand the gap between them and lower his eyes.

Instead, Thoren’s brow creased. "Only the sixth floor?" he said.

His voice dripped with disdain. "What is so great about clearing the sixth floor?"

The Governor’s smile froze.

"I thought your faction would have cleared the tenth floor, but now I realize I have overestimated your Super City Base," he sneered.

A mere faction that had only cleared six floors dared to act arrogant before him.

He had cleared two floors in less than two months. In a year or two, who knew how many floors he would have cleared.

Watching the disdainful expression on Thoren’s face, the Governor felt her fury ignite.

"Brat, what do you mean a mere six floors?" Her voice rose an octave as she lost control of her rage.

"Do you know what clearing six floors means?"

"No, and I don’t want to know," Thoren said sharply.

He picked up his wine cup and took a sip, perfectly ignoring the raging Governor before him.

The Governor’s face flushed red.

Her hands trembled on the table.

"You arrogant little..." she started.

Thoren set his cup down with a soft clink.

"Governor," he said, his voice calm and cold. "You came here to recruit me. You offered me resources, secrets, protection. But you have nothing I need. Your faction is weak. Your position is fragile. And your promises are empty."

He looked at her directly.

"You are not here to help me. You are here to use me. And I do not allow myself to be used."

The Governor’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

Thoren rose from his chair.

"I will give you one piece of advice before you leave." He paused and a subtle tension hung in the air.

The Governor could feel her heart pounding heavily against her chest like a war drum.

’What is this feeling?!’ She screamed in her mind.

She raised her head and met the cold piercing Thoren deep blues. It was as though those eyes saw through her mind, unearthing all ploy and plans.

She felt naked.

She wanted to scream, react and put this arrogant brat in his plan but her body failed to respond to command. Before she could understand what was going on, her lips were trembling and a bead of sweat dripped down from her forehead.

She was shaking.

The more Thoren stared the more she felt the terror increase. Her world began to spin, her mind became slow, jumbled together.

For the first time since she arrived at Suncrest City, she was scared. Just as she thought, Thoren was going to attack her.

The strange sensation vanished.

"I’m not like any awakener you’ve ever encountered. If you cross me, then you know why I’m called the Grim Reaper.

With that, he walked out of the door, leaving behind his soft steady steps.