Alex trembled.
"You know, I am not lying. The contracts in 'Evolution Online' are binding. Even if I wanted to, I could not cheat you here. How about it? Hmm? It's a good trade, isn't it?
"Do you really know where she is?" Alex bent her head down and asked again. She was visibly quivering.
"Yup, I really do know where she is. I also know that she is in danger. I am really not lying. You know how much I care about Mia. Why would I lie? More than anyone, I want her to be safe and sound."
Jonathan could see that he had successfully hooked onto the fish, so he said a few more reassuring words and walked closer. "Come on, Alex. Mia needs you. Don't be so stubborn."
"It's just a legendary item in a dumb game. How much could it even be worth? Isn't Mia's life worth more to you? Don't you want to protect her?"
Alex nodded with a listless expression. "How can I be sure that this information is correct?" Her voice almost came out as a whisper. She really seemed to be on the verge of breaking.
Jonathan's grin became wider and he became more confident. "Let's say a very reliable person divined to me her future, her location, and, of course, our future together."
Alex once again shuddered.
"You should know that in the future, all three of us will live together once again as a happy family. You both will bear many children for me."
"Shut up. You are lying. This is all just nonsense."
"I am sorry, my dear. I am really not lying. Alright. That last part was a lie but hey, shouldn't you be thanking your savior? I am being so generous that too. Tch. Tch."
He clicked his tongue and continued, "Well anyway… the first part was definitely not a lie. That man's words are never false. So tell me, are you ready to make a deal or not?"
Jonathan walked forward to once again place his arm around Alex when she suddenly gripped his wrist hard enough to crack the bones inside and twisted his arm as she turned.
The sadness, insecurity, fear, and anxiety she just displayed were also no longer there. Instead, she smirked maliciously. "Thank you for that, dearest uncle. Deal? I don't think that is required anymore. I already got the information that I wanted."
Alex knew exactly whom this snake was talking about. So why make a deal with the snake when she could directly contact that person?
"You stupid bitch, let my arm go," Jonathan screamed in pain. "Guards! Guards!" He started shouting.
"Relax, uncle. You are a grown man. Behave like one. Why are you screaming like a 12 year old. Can't even take this much pain? He He." Alex laughed. "A filthy trash like you wants both me and Mia? Can you even handle us? You seem to not have the balls for that, little bitch."
She pushed him away, and he stumbled and fell down, gripping his hand in pain. He even downed a health potion in the hope that the pain would go away, but it was still hurting like hell.
Seething in anger, he looked to the guards who had arrived. "Arrest her. She attacked me!"
"Nope." Alex calmly shook her head. "He placed his hand on me first without my permission."
"Fucking liar!"
Alex shrugged. She no longer cared to explain. The guards, as well, looked at both of them and then dispersed. And before leaving, they, of course, bowed to Alex.
"Greetings, Sir Paladin."
"We pay our respects, Sir Paladin."
Alex grinned and waved at them. "Did you see that, you spineless cockroach? I can do whatever to you, they wouldn't even give you a pity look. So the next time you see me, don't come and stand in front of me. Run and hide! Ptui!"
She spat at the snake and started walking away. She wanted to do more but even she was not confident that she could get away with it.
"Arrogant bitch! You think you are all that? Aren't you just a slave to that man? Do you think he will always be around to protect you? You can spread your legs as much as you want, but soon you and your guild are going to be wasted! Mark my words, your end is fucking near."
Alex chuckled and continued to walk away. Her time was far more valuable than this barking dog.
"Bitch, this game is nothing. Do you think that you are the kings of this world? The real powerhouses are all silent and hiding, you stupid bitch. Very soon, it will be our time. And when it comes… ha ha ha…."
"I am going to own you. Both you and Mia. Not here in this make-belief place, but in the goddamn fucking real world. You will be slaves licking my dick day in and day out, you stupid bitch."
"And when I am done with you both, you will disappear from the world just like my bastard brother."
Alex shuddered. She couldn't help but pause after hearing this. This game is nothing. In the real world? So they were not the only ones who knew about this?
"That's right! Ba ha ha ha! What do you think my bastard brother and his wife would have become if they were still alive? I think my brother would have become a paladin and that bitch would have become a priestess. It's funny how divine affinity seems to run in our blood."
Jonathan continued taunting Alex about Mia's dead parents, but he also seemed to realize that he had let slip something important inadvertently. So he never spoke about that again.
Alex turned to give him another glance before finally leaving that place and entering the class hall. It seemed like they needed to move faster and become stronger. How could they possibly have known that things were going to start happening in the real world?
No matter how much she thought about it, the only person she knew was capable of figuring out something like this was the mysterious oracle, the one Liam told her about.
That means Jonathan Hofstader definitely knew that oracle. There was no mistake about it. Also, he clearly belonged to the other S-Rank guild Battle Gods. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to enter this Empire.
Alex quickly connected all the dots in her mind. Everything unmistakably pointed to one and only one thing. The oracle was somehow associated with the other S-Rank guild Battle Gods.
That was the only explanation for all of this. And judging from what the idiot blabbed, these guys were silently recruiting talented individuals under their banner while distracting them with weaklings like Dragons of Justice.
If Crimson Abyss grew complacent just because of a single victory, then these powers in the shadows would suddenly swallow them one day when they least expected it.
Alex furrowed her brows. Things were starting to become complicated. It looked like everyone was making their preparations when the shit hit the fan and reality changed. They needed to hurry up!
