Kael’s pupils contracted slightly.
Although he didn’t fully understand the significance of what Jonas had just revealed, he could already tell this wasn’t something ordinary. Four surviving human Safe Zones, all connected by a single mysterious Rift... the implications were far greater than he had initially imagined.
Still, he remained silent.
He simply listened as Jonas continued.
"At first, everyone was shocked. Fortunately, no one acted rashly. After several rounds of discussion, the four Safe Zones reached a temporary agreement. We decided to form a joint exploration team made up of Hunters from each Safe Zone and send them into the Rift together."
A faint smile appeared on Jonas’ face, though it carried little joy.
"At the time, everyone thought it was the perfect solution."
His smile gradually disappeared.
"But it didn’t last."
Kael’s expression grew serious.
"The moment they entered the Rift, they discovered it wasn’t like any Rift humanity had ever seen before."
Jonas’ voice became noticeably heavier.
"It wasn’t filled with monsters."
"It wasn’t some strange world waiting to be explored."
"It was... a treasure vault."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Everywhere they looked, there were treasures," Jonas continued. "Ancient weapons, precious ores, rare herbs, mysterious artifacts, materials that had never been recorded before... it was as though someone had gathered countless priceless treasures into a single world."
He slowly shook his head.
"Human greed is a frightening thing."
"What began as a joint exploration quickly became a battlefield."
"No one trusted each other anymore."
"Arguments became confrontations."
"Confrontations became battles."
"And before long..."
"They were killing each other."
The office fell silent.
Even though Jonas spoke calmly, Kael could easily imagine the scene.
A place overflowing with treasures capable of changing a person’s fate.
Four different Safe Zones.
Four different interests.
Conflict had been inevitable.
"In the end," Jonas continued, "the surviving members had no choice but to abandon the expedition and retreat."
"But the disaster didn’t end there."
"When news of the treasures reached the four Safe Zones..."
"The war simply spread outside."
"When news of the Treasure Rift spread, the four Safe Zones immediately turned against one another. Everyone wanted exclusive ownership of it because no one was willing to share something that valuable."
He let out a quiet sigh before continuing.
"For months, battles broke out one after another. Many died. Each Safe Zone suffered heavy losses. Countless resources were exhausted, yet nothing was accomplished. No Safe Zone was strong enough to completely seize the Treasure Rift, and no one was willing to back down."
"Eventually, everyone realized the same thing. If the fighting continued, we’d only keep weakening ourselves while gaining nothing in return."
"So they stopped," Kael muttered.
Jonas nodded.
"They stopped."
"Since then, the Treasure Rift has been treated as neutral territory."
"The entrance is jointly guarded by representatives from all four Safe Zones. Every movement around it is monitored to ensure that no one secretly attempts to seize it."
Kael nodded slowly.
That made sense.
With all four sides watching each other, no one could act without immediately provoking another war.
Jonas leaned back slightly before continuing.
"However..."
"That changed a few months ago."
"The leaders of the four Safe Zones finally agreed that this deadlock couldn’t continue forever."
"So another meeting was held."
"This time..."
"They reached a conclusion."
Kael listened quietly.
"A tournament."
Jonas looked directly at him.
"Each Safe Zone will send its most talented young Hunters."
"The only requirement is that they must be under the age of twenty."
"The participants will compete against one another."
"When the tournament ends, the final rankings will determine how many entry slots each Safe Zone receives for the Treasure Rift."
"The better a Safe Zone performs..."
"The more people it will be allowed to send inside."
Kael lowered his head slightly as he fell into thought.
Compared to endless wars...
This solution was undoubtedly better.
Instead of sacrificing thousands of lives over ownership of the Rift, they would settle everything through a competition between the younger generation.
There would still be winners and losers.
But far fewer coffins.
After thinking for a while, Kael looked back at Jonas.
"I don’t think you told me all of this simply because you want me to represent the Eastern Safe Zone in the tournament."
Jonas smiled.
"As expected."
"You’re right."
"I do want you to participate."
"But..."
"That isn’t the main reason."
The atmosphere inside the private room subtly changed.
Kael immediately noticed it.
Everything they had discussed until now...
It had merely been the introduction.
What came next was the real purpose of today’s meeting.
Jonas remained silent for several seconds before speaking again.
"Kael."
"Have you ever heard of... Laws?"
Kael’s heart skipped a beat.
The word was familiar.
Very familiar.
Varek had already explained the concept to him before.
It was the power that governed reality itself.
The foundation upon which the universe operated.
Yet none of that showed on his face.
Instead, he frowned in confusion.
"Laws?"
"What’s that?"
Jonas sighed.
"To be honest..."
"I don’t know much myself."
"I only know bits and pieces."
He folded his hands together as he searched for the right words.
"From what I’ve learned, Laws are connected to the very foundation of reality. They govern order, existence, and the way the universe functions."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"And according to the Association President..."
"Once a Hunter reaches a certain stage, leveling up becomes impossible."
Kael remained perfectly still.
"Their level freezes."
"No matter how many monsters they kill or how much experience they accumulate, they can no longer advance."
"The only way forward..."
"...is through comprehending Laws."
Silence filled the room.
Several moments passed before Jonas spoke again.
"The Association President has already reached that stage."
"He has been stuck there for years."
"He believes..."
Jonas looked directly into Kael’s eyes.
"...that the Treasure Rift may contain something capable of helping him break through."
The room became completely quiet.
"He wants your help."
Kael didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, countless thoughts raced through his mind.
An item that aided Law comprehension?
Even Varek had once said such treasures were extraordinarily rare.
Across the vast cosmos, they were treasures countless experts would kill to obtain.
The probability of one appearing on Earth should have been unbelievably small.
So, why was the Association President so certain? Or as he not certain at all?
Was this simply the desperate hope of someone who had reached the end of the road?
Someone who had exhausted every possible option and was now willing to chase even the slightest possibility?
After thinking for a moment, Kael finally spoke.
"I have three questions."
Jonas nodded.
"Go ahead."
"First..."
"Why me?"
"Second..."
"How are you so certain that an item capable of helping someone comprehend Laws even exists inside the Treasure Rift?"
"And finally..."
Kael’s gaze remained fixed on Jonas.
"Even if such an item truly exists..."
"How can you be certain that I’ll be able to recognize it?"