Chapter 313: Machinations in the Dark [Bonus]
Licirius frowned, but in the end, he felt that the odds his cousin was correct were high. Still, he felt that there was something wrong.
Sure, there were plenty of ways to hide one's true Level. Sylas himself had experienced such a thing due to Lauren and Alex. But, usually, such methods would pick something that made sense. Both Lauren and Alex had picked Levels that matched the situation, but picking Level o just seemed foolish. It wouldn't fool anyone.
There seemed to only be two explanations.
Either Sylas was truly Level o, or...
He was just fond of snubbing his nose at other people.
Licirius could easily imagine a world where a lone warrior like Sylas wanted to go around with Level o hanging above his head just to show off.
If it really was the latter case... Licirius couldn't help but grit his teeth.
Plinli let out a laugh. He laughed so hard that he grabbed his stomach.
"I see. You probably thought of running, but didn't because you thought he was a real Level o. What a saint."
"Fuck you."
Hearing this, Plinli only laughed harder.
Indeed, Licirius only fought after noticing Sylas' Level. That was because if Sylas was truly a Level O... he was a top priority target to be killed.
Having such strength at Level o was not normal. It demarcated an individual who was trying to excavate all of his potential before accepting the baptism of the system.
If this was a Summoned World, it would only be natural. Children all did this, only continuing on to Level 1 when they had unearthed the best foundation they could.
However, in a world in the middle of its Summoning, this was several times scarier.
Summoned Worlds had a set number of resources that were already mostly divided between various factions, and often those resources had to be used as tributes and taxes to even larger overlords. Even if you had more potential to be excavated, such a thing would, in all likelihood, be wasted.
In a world in the process of being Summoned, even though there was technically a potential cap as well, it was flexible depending on the situation.
Earth was a decent world. It was capped at Bronze potential and could likely bloom a few Silver experts at best. This already put it slightly above average and that was why so many wanted a piece of it.
However, if the system found something or someone that it was interested in, it might be willing to invest more. That was an unacceptable outcome.
That was because if certain powers of Earth gained enough favor, and they succeeded in completing their Summoning, it might even be possible for them to qualify for an Ascension.
If that happened, the powers that had invested so much into taking down Earth before it could bloom would be left with nothing at all.
"Sylas Grimblade, you said his name was? We can try to monitor information about this, though it will be difficult with the restrictions-."
"That's easy enough," Licirius sneered. "They're all nothing but fools. Just bring one in from the streets, offer them a few F coins and they'll tell you everything you need to know."
They weren't allowed to access Earth's Nexus, so they didn't know what the leaderboard situation was like. And they also couldn't interact with Earthlings directly without the use of special methods. But that didn't mean that they didn't have their ways.
"That's tricky. I'm not ready to face a Taboo backlash right now. This is a sensitive time. Plus, it's something we have to save for if Casstle Main shows any signs of fighting back."
"I still don't know why you're so obsessed with Casstle Main. If we pay a little, I could just go wipe it out myself."
Plinli shook his head. "Stop taking the system so lightly."
"I'm not taking it lightly. I know there'll be a price to pay. But if you hold all your cards to your chest, you might miss the time to actually use them. I heard that Azrael is dead."
Plinli's gaze flashed, but he didn't reply. After a long while, he still shook his head.
"There's something fishy about Earth this time. We've planned meticulously, but things that are out of our control keep happening. This is a world with only Bronze potential, but they show far more tenacity than normal.
"Every time we ruin their laws and shackle their Runes, they still somehow manage to return to technological dominance. Although that technology is still weaker than what they once had in the past, it shows that we cannot underestimate them in this last leg.
"If you can confirm for me that this Sylas is truly a Level o, I would be willing to do what it takes. But as for now, focus on Casstle Main, they have to be dealt with.
"Their City Lord was given a Destiny Quest, and though she's only managed to complete the Fragmented level of it, the rewards were ample from our calculations. If we want to control this region, she's a variable we can't allow."
Licirius grunted and pushed himself up. He shook his head and sneered.
"Didn't she already lose the Fragmented Reward of her Destiny Quest? She hasn't even had the time to make headway into the Common leg. Still feels like you're making a mountain out of a molehill."
This time, Plinli didn't respond. He knew his cousin well. He was the type to sneer and complain, but then he would do something like he had today if he thought it was for the betterment of their goals. He wasn't someone he had to worry about.
"Go heal yourself."
"When's the Level cap going to increase beyond 15? I'm itching over here." Licirius grumbled.
Plinli chuckled. "When that time comes, maybe we'll really be able to let loose. It's a good
thing that this happened to you this time. Maybe you'll learn to stop underestimating people. Don't forget to actually load in your skills this time."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."