For minutes, Lee Bai and I sat in silence, gazing at each other. We had more to say, but clearly, both of us were running short on time, so we couldn't delve into those conversations.

At least, not at the moment.

"So, what do you say?" Lee Bai broke the silence first.

Sigh!

Letting out a heavy sigh, I shook my head, and he frowned.

"I have my problems, you have yours. Let's keep it that way," I said while twirling my phone in my hand. "However…"

Lee Bai's brows knitted at the last word, but his curiosity made him lean forward. The curiosity in his eyes couldn't be hidden—this made me certain he needed me more than I needed him.

"However, I'm willing to work as a mercenary," I said. "As long as I gain something out of it, I don't mind helping you out occasionally."

Hearing this, he nodded slowly but maintained his frown.

"Fair enough," Lee Bai admitted and jumped off my bed.

He glanced around the room a bit before turning in my direction.

"Still no Chinese tea and Go board?" he asked. "Is this how you treat guests?"

"Guests?" I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "You are no different from a bandit who breaks into my home whenever he feels like it. I should be calling the police on you, not entertaining you."

Hahahaha!

Lee Bai laughed at my words and raised his hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay… I won't bother you anymore. I'm sure you have a lot on your hands," he said, and I nodded.

Snap!

His spatial rift spun to life before me, making no sound or suction force. Once again, if I wasn't looking, I wouldn't be able to tell it even appeared here.

I couldn't help but wonder how many times he had upgraded this skill to reach this level.

"I'll see you soon," Lee Bai said. "That's if the female Gatekeeper doesn't end up killing you."

With that, he walked into the rift—but I never planned on letting him off the hook that easily.

"Don't let Mallory win again!" I laughed, and as expected, a furious voice came from the other side of the rift.

"IT WAS A DRAW, DAMN IT!"

Xiu…

The next moment, the rift vanished like it never existed, and I was left alone once again.

Huff!

Exhaling loudly, I leaned back on the sofa and switched on my phone. While it booted, I couldn't help but wonder how much time I spent with Lee Bai.

"System, how much time have I spent here?" I asked.

[Am I your personal stopwatch?] it retorted—rudely, at that.

"Fuck you." I rolled my eyes, returning my attention to my phone.

I browsed through the news, checking up on any major updates, but there was nothing worth my attention. Then I went through my private messages, and apart from Pamela's text asking if I accepted the mission, there was also a message from the Texas Limitless Agency scheduling a meeting between me and the Texas Governor three days after my monthly break was over.

"The governor wants to meet with me?" I was taken aback.

I didn't think I was important enough to get a meeting with the governor so soon.

"Is there a reason for this?" I couldn't help but mutter with a hint of suspicion in my eyes.

After a few minutes of pondering, I decided to let it go.

"I'll find out when I meet them," I said before switching off my phone and hitting the shower.

Name: Adam Black

Level: 12

Race: Human/Demon

Devotees of Chaos: 300,000 [600 EXP daily]

Talent: Gatekeeper

Talent Tier: SSS-Tier

---

[Stats]

Strength: 16 + 5

Speed: 13 + 5

Vitality: 14 + 5

Intelligence: 10 + 5

Health Points: 150/150 + 50

Energy Points: 40/40

Experience Points: 8,150/13,600

Corruption: 1%

Universal Fragments: 0

Dark Fragments: 0

Blood Fragments: 0

Limitless Fragments: 0

Solinthar Fragments: 2,330

Orc Fragments: 12

[Skills]

Name: Door

Status: Upgradeable

Tier: C

Cost: 1 EP

Proficiency: 30%

Technique: Doorpost

Name: Blood Pact

Status: Upgradeable

Tier: A

Cost: 10 HP

Proficiency: 0%

Name: Might of Man

Status: Upgradeable

Tier: C

Cost: Nil

Proficiency: 100%

Name: Wavelength of Madness

Status: Upgradeable

Tier: B

Cost: Nil

Proficiency: 100%

Name: Blood Ignition

Status: Upgradeable

Tier: B

Cost: 10% HP

Proficiency: 0%

Name: Crimson Threads

Status: Upgradeable

Tier: B

Cost: 1 HP per thread

Proficiency: 0%

Name: Angel

Status: Upgradeable

Tier: B

Cost: 3 EP

Proficiency: 0%

Name: Omen Pulse

Status: Fixed

Tier: B

Cost: 5 EP

Proficiency: 0%

Name: Corrupted Growth

Status: Fixed

Tier: A

Cost: 10 EP

Proficiency: 0%

Name: Magic Acumen

Status: Fixed

Tier: SS

Cost: Nil

Proficiency: 100%

[Territory]

Solinthar Empire [Living Realm]

Perk: +5 to all Stats & +50 Health Points

---

After suppressing the six kingdoms, I gained over two hundred thousand devotees who feared me, and this increased my daily experience points gain to 600 EXP. Because of that, leveling up has never been easier.

That is why I insisted on fighting this war—because I was growing much stronger at a faster rate. If I could end the battle with Seo-Yun as a draw, I was certain I would win the next encounter.

[If you must use dark talents, then improve your Intelligence and Vitality stats. It will help you resist the darkness better.]

'Huh?'

My brows furrowed at the message as I sat up properly. It was rare for the system to drop tips out of nowhere. But this reminded me of a weapon I never got the chance to use:

Vanguard's Curse.

Lord Ravus's weapon was something I wanted to wield for a long time, but I never got the chance to do so because I was lacking in Vitality and Intelligence.

In fact, that was the reason I started investing in my Vitality stat in the first place. However, after losing Nightfall Dominion, I stopped improving the stat.

Huff!

Exhaling loudly, I lowered myself back into the bathtub and shut my eyes.

[You should improve those stats before you hit the 2% Corruption mark, or you will not be able to resist the call of the Abyss!]

The system warned, but I said nothing.

Shutting my eyes, I ignored everything else and focused on the heat piercing through my skin and warming my cold soul.