Several hours later…
Because the events occurring inside Zenith Online were of no importance to Kieran at this moment, he took the time to act according to Scar's advice. In this case, it was easing his mind and focusing on stabilizing his emotions and outlook.
While leaning his head back over the hotel's luxurious and plush sofa, he gazed up at the chandelier overhead. Though the chandelier itself was magnificent, it seemed quite strange if looked at from the right angle.
Perhaps it was the crystal that comprised the opulent piece, but some areas of the room were engulfed in distorted shadows rather than clear light. As Kieran stared at this phenomenon, his eyes flashed with a strange light. 'It's all the same material, but different positions result in a difficult outcome. In some absurd way… there could be a lesson here.'
Part of Kieran's mind revisited the advice regarding his Fiend Baptism multiple times but that wasn't his biggest issue. He had to overcome the limitation of his recently refined body. Let alone performing any fine movements of Mana; he could barely accomplish precise movements that expressed his stellar physicality.
At least according to the standards he held himself to.
Though these worries plagued him, Kieran's attention was drawn away by a repeated knock at his team's suite door. Without approaching the door, he squinted at the door and attempted to glean information through his perception alone.
It was a solid attempt but it was clear his senses were neither robust enough nor tempered enough to sense through material objects.
Nevertheless, he had an inkling regarding this person's identity.
Lackadaisically waving his hand, Kieran issued a voice command to the door, allowing it to open a few seconds later.
"Welcome, Allan," Kieran greeted, his eyes forward.
While the steps behind him approached, Kieran lifted a finger off his lap, attempting to draw upon those energies that only appeared when his body was in peril.
A flicker of reddish-black energy atop for finger for a millisecond before dispersing.
Behind him, Allan walked up and coughed, clearing his throat. "Mr. Silver—"
"Kieran," he interjected. "No reason to be so formal. Unless you believe we haven't moved up to a somewhat friendly stage. If not, then by all means, you can remain as formal as you like."
Taken aback for a moment, Allan stared at the young man before him. He felt unsettled and small standing behind this seated young man for some unknown reason. It wasn't a matter of their body size.
After all, Allan was not a small man, standing over 180 centimeters tall.
This was more of a mental impression.
Allan had difficulty pinpointing it, but it was clear that something about Kieran's mental state had changed. He seemed calmer, but not a calm that made others feel safe and secure.
It was an eerie calm that put everyone within his orbit on edge.
Subconsciously, Allan turned squirrelly the moment Kieran's exhausted and distant eyes fell upon him. "Kieran then."
By the end, Allan's tone was akin to a whisper as he took a seat beside Kieran before continuing his earlier conversation. "Are you prepared for your interview? It'll essentially be your debut."
"Would it really be a debut? I'm sure many know of my name by now."
Taking a moment to adjust his glasses, Allan nodded. "You're partly correct. Many would know the name of Aatrox by now. But I reckon that not a single person is aware of your real identity. Many have attempted to gather information on you, but our corporation has safeguarded you. Well…"
A pause befell the room but Kieran's calm response quickly shattered it.
"What is it?" Kieran questioned, momentarily giving Allan some side-eye. Whatever he needed to say, he was clearly conflicted about mentioning it.
"Some of the corporation's brass might be against your attachment to the corporation. A public address could potentially put you on the radar of Devil's Advocate. And not just you… myself included."
Allan's grimace had deepened so much that his face displayed wrinkles beyond his age. The stress of this entire situation was doing quite a number on him.
Even his office episode failed to compare to the breakdown he had inside the corporate vehicle on the way to this small meeting.
A silence followed and Kieran's lack of reply began to unsettle Allan, tickling his nerves in a way that didn't sit well with him. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead though the hotel room was kept cool.
Finally, a reply came. "I don't hear anything out of the ordinary. Isn't it normal for those that feel threatened to retaliate? I don't blame them."
Evident by the expression of terror on his face, it was not what Allan had expected at all. Had this kid lost his fiery aura. The predatory instinct of a hunter? The more Allan's thought process went down the rabbit hole of despair, the paler his face grew.
"W-what?! Kieran? What are you saying here? Are you saying you're willing to be a target without retaliation? This is not ideal for any of us. You don't understand how ruthless and cutthroat those who hire the Devil's Advocate are! Don't you know the act of hiring this hitman agency is just to maintain a lack of involvement in the matter?"
Finding some amusement in Allan's attempt to desperately change his mind, Kieran revealed a faint smile. "Oh? Why are you so scared? Need I react violently to everything you reveal?"
"That's because everyone one of their members is rumored to be a super soldier that participated in one or many of the Continental Bloodsheds! They're killers, heartless psychopaths that thrive on savagery. They have no issue dismembering people. I don't want that."
"If you don't want that, then either get stronger or find someone to offer you aegis," Kieran shrugged.
Stumped and his mouth agape, slowly it occurred to Allan why there was a lack of response from Kieran. The realization hitting was as visible as a star in the night sky.
"You… you want them to send out The Devil's Advocate. You were already aware of their existence and want to know if those who wish to oppress you will utilize them.
"You hit the nail on the head. Somewhat."
Kieran was only aware of the Devil's Advocate's existence because the Golden Brigade had once commissioned their service to help assail a tripartite assault.
As Allan claimed, their ways were increasingly savage. But more than that, some of the members of this enemy assault would suddenly vanish in real life.
Apparently, "cleaners" had been dispatched to deal with these individuals before they could become a substantial problem.
"Somewhat? What could I have missed?"
"It's quite simple, actually. I want to draw out everyone. The Devil's Advocate? I couldn't care less about them. I care about those who wouldn't even attempt to waste their time on a bunch of nobodies."
Allan's eyes trembled and his lips quivered, his rationality overpowered by disbelief. "Wait! NO! No way. You couldn't mean…"
Kieran gave a subtle nod but it made Allan's stomach plummet.
"Correct. Those who operate everything but stay in the shadows. They are my goal. Or, as many would call them, the Leviathans who take control of pretty much every industry they sink their claws into."
"Please tell me I'm just a fool and that you don't want to challenge those Leviathans," Allan pleaded, dropping to his knees with his hands clasped.
In his eyes, he could see his future—a name written on a tombstone in a relatively wealthy graveyard.
"In all honesty, that'll rely upon their reactions. I have one purpose and one purpose only: finding the truth. If they stand in the way of that, then I'll have to clash against them. Though, as you said, that isn't ideal. I'd be a fool to try and shake their ironclad foundations."
He paused for a moment, stretching out his hand with a rigid expression. "But that's only in this world. When it comes to Zenith Online, I will not allow anyone to become stronger than me. The lead belongs to me and it will stay that way."
"Uh… not to rain on your parade Kieran, but you're not the highest-level character. Some players have surpassed you and continue to surpass you."
"Oh?" Kieran arched an eyebrow, his entire being emanating his intrigue. "Is that right? Do you think a player's level is an indicator of strength? If I recall, didn't players, many with levels higher than my own, attempt to fight against me in the thousands? What was the outcome?"
"A massacre," Allen gulped and answered, feeling foolish for his outburst seconds prior.
Kieran's gaze hardened, the pressure he exuded seeming to be forged and tempered by war and brutality. "Now, I'll ask again—do you think levels are an infallible indicator of power?"
"No. Forgive me for my foolish oversight. My words were a blunder."
"It's normal for those that do not experience firsthand to hold an opinion full of errors. If your interest in the matter is genuine, I'd advise you to step inside Zenith Online and experience everything for yourself. Honestly, it'll happen sooner or later," Kieran suggested.
"Ahem, maybe we'll talk about this another time. I don't have enough time in my packed schedule to worry about that. Our main focus is you—we must prepare you for what's to come. The questions can be especially brutal and possibly trample upon your ego," Allan intoned, beginning to address his concerns.
"Oh. Media training. How fun," Kieran attempted to give what could be construed as a smile but failed miserably. If there was one thing he remembered, it was how superficial and vain media people were.
"Now. As we begin, we need to cross-reference your attitude and eliminate the rough points smoothening your image in the eyes of the public. Then we need to…"
Whereas Kieran released a pained groan, Allan retrieved a clipboard from his briefcase and began going through a never-ending checklist.
All the while, only one message repeated in Kieran's mind, his boredom overactive and screaming in anguish. 'Oh, brother…."
