CHAPTER 370: CHAPTER 370: CK’S OFFER...

"Hmm, to think that an ant like you could actually sense my gaze. I’ll have to admit, if it were at your level... You might have been more than I could handle. Unfortunately for you..." A booming voice was heard from the figure above.

It was so loud and deep that it was easy to tell that the figure was very used to being in power. They were probably in power even before the apocalypse.

Snap!

The figure snapped their finger as they slowly descended.

And like a magic trick. Klaus’s group was instantly surrounded.

The people who surrounded them were at least twice their number. And they were all of the same rank as them... Not in ability but firepower.

That’s right, most of them were fully equipped with laser guns and red suits which protected them from the crushing aura of higher-ranked evolvers.

They also had glasses which gave them the ability to keep up with the movement of PR3s.

That wouldn’t do much against R4s, but if they took random shots... Many would get hit and lose their lives.

It was something Klaus’s group was very much aware of after prior encounters. So they dared not a t rashly.

They decided to wait for the other side to attack before doing anything. That way they would know how to act or react.

Oddly enough, other than surrounding them, the other group didn’t do anything else.

"I am out of your league for I am above your rank" the man finished his sentence after reaching the ground.

"Sigh... Why did we have to get the dramatic antagonist? Were they out of serious dudes or something? I mean, since when were mini-bossies so chatty?’ Klaus complained to no one in particular.

However, it was obvious that he was mocking the man.

"Haha. You’ve got jokes huh? Well, fortunately for you, I like you and see potential in your rude and arrogant self. For that reason, I, Crimson King will forgive you and let you live" The man who addressed himself as Crimson King spoke.

Klaus was about to reply with more insults but Chris stopped him.

Klaus was about to insult him too when he noticed the seriousness in Chris’s eyes. For that reason, he held himself back and looked at Chris questioningly.

Chris promptly deployed a barrier around the two of them and whispered something in Klaus’s ear.

It wasn’t that it was some huge secret the others shouldn’t know. But it information is surprising enough to make everyone panic.

And that information was Crimson King’s (CK) bio.

He wasn’t a random nobody from Tactoa like the others. He was a legit R5! One of the few to have reached that level in Tactoa.

A core member from the headquarters with a level above his own.

Which meant that CK was an S rank. A being Chris wouldn’t even encounter on normal days.

While CK wasn’t one of the ten. He was definitely within the top fifty.

So he wasn’t to be messed with. He was way beyond what Klaus’s amazing but ultimately R4 strength could defeat.

And that’s what Chris was telling Klaus about.

He wasn’t telling him to give in, but to play it safe as they tried to figure something out. This was pretty much the opposite of what Klaus was doing and was planning on continuing to do.

Anyway, Chris didn’t keep the barrier up after telling Klaus what he wanted to.

Which meant that he didn’t give Klaus a chance to say anything. Which he didn’t feel was necessary. After all, Klaus wasn’t some mad dog despite his usual behaviour.

He was pretty much a male version of Jade. Which meant that he wasn’t anywhere near as dumb as he seemed to be most of the time.

For that reason, Chris trusted him to act appropriately. Everyone’s lives hung in the balance after all. And Klaus cared about them all too much to do something which would risk their lives... Or so Chris thought.

"Hey! My brother said that you’re among the top fifty elites from Tactoa. And I have to say, I’m impressed... Impressed that random trash like you who’s nowhere near the top ten dares to be so arrogant! I knew that you were a grunt from the start! Only grunts give themselves such over-the-top names. You’re probably overcompensating for something huh? I don’t know why my brother told me to be wary of you. Doesn’t he know that grunts are only around to advance the stories of main characters like me?" Klaus viciously insulted CK.

His insults were probably even worse than they would have been if Chris hadn’t said anything. This made Chris feel like he was being targeted.

That had to be the case after all, Klaus specifically mentioned him while doing literally the opposite of what he said he should do.

The saying that one shouldn’t fear god-like enemies but pig-like allies is definitely true.

Who needed enemies when they had a brother and leader like Klaus?

With all that said, Chris was really surprised by what Klaus did.

He knew his brother well enough to know that he’s only arrogant when he’s sure that he’s going to win... Or at the very least, he thinks he’s going to win...

Either way, Chris was now sure that Klaus had a plan. But he had no idea what that was. So he could only keep up his guard as he readied himself to react at any moment.

"Good good. You still dare speak out of your behind after you’ve been warned huh? If it were a lesser man, they would have folded by now. After all, your brother really advised you well. It’s quite a shame that he chose to betray us. Otherwise, with his talent and brains, he would have been someone important in the future. Likely even above me in rank. But oh well... Once you leave Tactoa, there’s no coming back... Well, unless we find your body interesting after killing you then bring it back for experiments. So he’s out of luck" CK addressed Klaus calmly.

"Is there a point to this?" Klaus asked boredly.

However, despite appearances, CK could tell that Klaus was actually quite tense and ready to throw down at any second despite the lazy appearance.

And this made him quite pleased. This made him even more interested in recruiting Klaus.

"I’m getting to it. The point is that I like you and I always get what I want. However, you’ve disrespected me too many times. So if I let you off without punishment, I’ll lose all the respect I’ve gotten" CK spoke calmly as he grabbed Klaus’s shoulder.

"Oh? And what’s that punishment?" Klaus replied without even flinching.

"Hehe. It seems now you’re starting to 6see that there’s only one way out of this. Anyway, the punishment is something simple and easy... For your initiation into Tactoa. You have to kill those two traitors behind you. That’s right, you have to kill your brother and that vixen of his. That’s doable right? After all, not only will you get to live... But even the people you gathered will survive. I’m in a generous mood. So I will give you half a minute to think about..." CK spoke with the same calm tone with a hint of arrogance.

"Well, Chris... You should have had enough time to think right? What do you suggest I do? Should I off you and sister-in-law or should we all die together?" Klaus turned to Chris without saying anything to SK.

There was a hint of glee and gloating in his eyes which he was trying to hide as he looked at Chris.

He was practically saying, "See, there’s nothing to be thought in this situation. It cannot be saved you fool!", but with his eyes.

"Sigh. Do whatever you want. But if you’re going to take me out. Can you spare your sister-in-law at least? She hasn’t done anything wrong. Her only sin is following me" Chris replied defeatedly.

He felt so mentally tired that he didn’t even react to the clear ridicule in Klaus’s eyes. Something impossible on normal days.

"No! If you’re to die, then I’ll die too! And what do you mean I haven’t done anything? I killed as many of their members as you did! And I also lost close companions. So there’s no way I could bear to live knowing that my man and companions died for no reason as I ended up back where we started. Brother-in-law, if you have to kill your brother, kill me too. And don’t worry, we understand and won’t hold it against you" Scarlett instantly refused to go along with what Chris proposed.

She didn’t even give Klaus a chance to say anything.

A tear came to Chris’s eye before it was obliterated by his mana. He would be lying if he said that he didn’t like how she was willing to die with him.

However, it wasn’t the time to show weakness.

"Aww... How touching. Klaus... It’s Klaus right? Anyway, your time is up. Take them out or you’re all dying together" CK made fun of the duo and then reminded Klaus of the decision he had to take.

"Tsk. To think my older brother would become so mushy... My sister-in-law must have cast a spell on you. Tye old you would never die for a girl..." Klaus addressed Chris while completely ignoring CK.

"Hey, boy. Didn’t you hear m..." CK spoke angrily as he grabbed Klaus’s shoulder who was facing away from him. However, before he could speak...

BOOOOOM!

Klaus turned around and punched him hard in the gut which made him fly away into the distance.

"Did I say you could touch me, Trash?" Klaus spoke coldly.

His goofiness was long gone as he looked in the direction CK flew in...