"You learn quickly," Xavier paused for a moment. His gaze sharpened as he looked at Fyar sitting on the floor. "Just so you know, you just killed a Level 45 Hunter. Impressive, isn't it?"
Fyar swallowed. Cold sweat ran down his back. A strange sense of pride mixed with relief filled him.
Level 45. We could win? We won against a level 45?.
Maybe because of our power combination? Zaefal with his Void-absorbing magic and me neutralizing it. Or perhaps we were just lucky because Wilas was tired and the space was cramped. If I had been with another Hunter, perhaps I would have lost. Well, thank goodness we won, at least. Fyar let out a sigh of relief, although his chest still felt tight. He replied, "We were just lucky."
"Oh, is that so?" Xavier chuckled softly.
He then placed the thick parchment scroll on the metal table in front of Fyar and Zaefal.
The Kingdom's wax seal gleamed dully under the light of the magical lantern on the ceiling. "The mechanism of instant level increase by killing another human whose level is much higher," Xavier began, his voice low and flat, "is one of the most dangerous secrets guarded by this Kingdom."
He leaned forward slightly. The air in the stuffy room felt even heavier.
"If this information leaks to the public or to the adventurer, the resulting chaos would be unimaginable. Hunts for high-level adventurers would run rampant. Civil war could break out simply due to greed for instant power."
Xavier looked at Fyar, then at Zaefal. "The Prince and the Kingdom cannot allow that risk. Especially now, with the political situation being... fragile."
He pointed to the document on the table. "This is a Royal Secrecy Contract. Magically binding. Its content is simple: Both of you swear to never, under any circumstances, reveal this level-up mechanism to anyone outside the approved circle."
Fyar looked at the document, then at Xavier. "Approved circle?"
"Myself, Lieutenant Autumn, and the Prince himself," Xavier answered curtly. "And Zaefal, since you already knew about it beforehand."
Zaefal nodded slowly. He had expected this to come. He was actually relieved it was just signing a contract and nothing worse.
"And... the consequence for violating it?" Fyar asked, although he could already guess the answer.
Xavier's eye met Fyar's directly. "Death," he said firmly. "Instant execution, no trial. This contract will ensure your compliance."
Autumn, standing near the steel door, slightly shifted her hand's position on her sword hilt. The small movement emphasized Xavier's threat.
"Then what about the criminals out there? Surely some of them must kill high-level adventurers too, right? Maybe those criminals leak it to others?" Fyar asked. Although he had discussed this with Zaefal before in the dungeon, he was still curious about the Kingdom's answer.
Xavier chuckled. "We hunt them. Usually, place a bounty on them." He then sighed. "Just think, why would they share something like this cheat with citizens or adventurers who aren't part of their group?"
"And well, you know, there are funny cases where... they would even kill their own comrades if they leaked it to anyone besides their comrades."
"Plus, killings of high-level adventurers or those with such level differences are extremely rare. Even if it happens... they keep quiet."
I suspected as much. Well, I admit this situation is quite unique, where criminals and the Kingdom work together to keep a secret, Fyar muttered inwardly.
He then looked at the document again and glanced at Zaefal, who gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod.
"Give me the pen," Fyar said. His tone was hoarse from exhaustion and residual pain.
Xavier smiled faintly again. He took a special quill pen and a small ink bottle from under his cloak, placing them beside the contract on the cold metal table.
Fyar picked up the pen. Its tip felt sharp against his finger. He signed his name at the bottom of the document. The ink glowed red for a moment before sinking into the parchment. Zaefal did the same afterward.
After they both finished, Xavier took the contract back and handed it to Autumn, who stored it carefully.
"I have another question," Fyar said. His eyes looked suspiciously at Xavier.
"Ask."
Fyar glanced towards the contract in Autumn's hand. "Why did you act like you already knew we would kill a high-level adventurer?" Fyar paused for a moment before continuing. "I mean, when you arrived, you asked immediately, and even had the contract prepared." His eyes narrowed. "Like you knew from the start. Like you predicted, this would happen. Like you already know future."
Hearing that question, Xavier smiled widely. He walked closer to Fyar and stared sharply into his eyes. "Who knows. Why do you think that might be Fyar?"
Fyar just chuckled softly. "Hah, I figured as much."
this Motherfucker... They must be planning something, he muttered inwardly.
ah yeah, the pain is gone.
I forgot to check my level. Fyar then took his adventurer card from his pocket to see his current level.
[Fyar]
[Age: 26]
[Level: 29]
[Status: Active Adventurer]
[Class: Hunter]
[Level Up Status: 99%]
[Requirement for Level 30: Kill 4 Dungeon Bosses on the same day]
Level 29. Gained eleven levels. No wonder it hurt so much. I wonder what the limit for using Neutralize now, Fyar muttered inwardly.
Xavier, peering over Fyar's shoulder, clapped him hard on the back. "Congratulations on your level up!"
"I can't wait to report this to the Prince! Hahaha!"
"What level are you, Fyar?" Zaefal asked.
"Twenty-nine," Fyar answered curtly.
Hearing the answer, Zaefal smiled faintly and gently patted Fyar's shoulder. "Congratulations."
"Wh-where is this?! Oi!"
"Who the hell are you people?!"
Vorlag's panicked voice suddenly erupted from the metal chair. Vorlag looked around the unfamiliar room with frightened eyes. The anti-magic shackles on his wrists clicked as he tried to move. "B-bastards son of a bitch! Martis will definitely kill you! Martis will kill you-you fucking animals!"
"oh, so Scary," Xavier muttered. He looked towards Autumn. "Get the artifact."