CHAPTER 142: CH-142

Master Tang shook his head.

"Kid, it will matter. Fear worked better than most tools. We just needed the others to see they couldn’t push their agenda without facing retaliation, and this would also show that we aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty."

Once again, I noticed a lot of holes in his reasoning.

"But doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose? You said before that Darkness and the Order are in a delicate balance. They would know the hit came from us from miles away. Only a fool wouldn’t connect the dots."

"Oh, they would. But without proof, they couldn’t point a finger. And the Order wasn’t the only group standing against Darkness. Plenty of others were already fed up with them."

His request was a bit unreasonable, yet turning it down right away might put me in a bad light. The Order’s pull and reach still played a big part in the plans I wanted to push forward.

"What’s in it for me? And don’t say money. I already have more than enough."

"Oh, it’s something you can’t buy with cash alone. It’s an item."

The look on my face said I needed more details. "What kind of item are we talking about?"

He chuckled and slid a modern tablet across the table.

The screen lit up, showing a sleek green armor that covered only the torso. It looked light, designed to protect just the chest and back, its surface resembling hardened turtle shell.

"That," he tapped the image, "is the Aegis Prime Armor. Celestial‑grade. It’s strong enough to let you withstand three strikes from a boss above the Tenth floor."

"Three strikes?" I echoed, frowning. "Does that mean it doesn’t matter how strong the attack is? Even a light hit counts toward the three?"

He shook his head. "No. It only activates if you’re hit by an attack strong enough to take you out in one strike."

My eyes widened. Three strikes from a boss above the Tenth floor? That was like having three extra lives.

"And you’re just giving this to me for a single mission? Isn’t that too good to be true? I’m sure every S‑rank in the Order would kill to get their hands on it. So what’s the catch?"

No response came, so I pushed. "Master Tang, if you’re not willing to be fully transparent with me, I won’t be able to help. This mission is practically suicide as it stands."

"Okay." He raised his hands in surrender. "You got me. This mission... it’s not officially from the Order. It’s my personal request."

I narrowed my eyes a little, waiting for him to spell out exactly what he meant.

"And that item," he continued, "is a treasure I painstakingly smuggled from the Eastern border. Not even the Order knows it’s in my hand."

A doubtful look flashed across my features. The more he spoke, the less I wanted to take the mission.

"Your credibility just hit rock bottom because of that, you know." I shot back.

Master Tang’s eyes darkened, and his hands clenched on the table.

"Kid... you think I lied about the senator being a puppet of Dark Rock?" His voice was more emotional. "That part is true. But there’s more you don’t know."

"Then tell me. I’ll decide after that."

He looked me in the eye and started speaking.

"That senator... he was the head of a research facility before entering politics. They mixed human DNA with monster DNA. Innocent civilians, countless lives... ruined because of those illegal experiments. And he was behind all of it."

His voice trembled, revealing his resentment. This was more personal, specific. Could it be that he had lost someone he cared about to this very facility?

Before I could even ask for more information, he spoke.

"Forget about it, Kid. I’m sorry if I pressured you. When I sensed your aura earlier, I got hopeful and exited... thought you could pull it off for me."

Just like that, all his earlier positivity vanished. His shoulders slumped slightly, and he lifted his sake again, drinking with a forceful face, as if trying to drown a painful memory.

thud!

He poured another cup and downed it in one go, then did it again and again.

"Master Tang, I never said I wouldn’t take the mission."

My words made him pause mid sip,

"But if you’re serious about this, then I have one condition."

"What is it?" He almost jumped up from the mat.

"The armor. I want it upfront. That senator won’t show up without a bunch of S‑rank guards. Better to be fully equipped before walking into something like that."

Frankly, a small part of me hoped he would refuse. But instead, he burst into a loud laugh.

"Alright, Kid. I’ll hand over the Celestial Gear now. Just promise me you’ll make that bastard suffer for his heinous crime."

"Master Tang, I’ll do more than that. But just so you know, it’s not just about the item. You had my back before, and I plan to repay that. I hope you can keep this mission just between us—for both our safety."

"Of course!" He chuckled softly, a mixture of relief and pride in his expression.

"Kid, you really are one of a kind. I’m glad I stepped in back then and got to know you. Don’t worry—I’ll keep this between us, no matter what."

He raised his cup of sake, and we clinked them together in the air.

After lunch, he led me to the basement. The walls were made of cobalt stones, and walking through it made me feel like I was inside the Tower.

At the end of the long corridor stood a bronze door, etched with small dragons patterns. Even the handle was carved with intricate designs.

"This is my treasure room. I don’t let just anyone come here, but I trust you like my own grandson." he smiled at me before sliding a strange key into one of the dragon’s mouths.

He didn’t stop there. He used ten keys in total, one after another, until a deep rumble echoed from behind the door.