CHAPTER 86: CH-86

This was getting nowhere.

Even if I kept pretending to be in pain, it wouldn’t change the fact that my options were limited, and honestly the idea of killing this bastard right now was far too tempting.

My last option was to concede: negotiate now, get my revenge later.

"I..."

Just as I was about to give up, the crushing pressure on my body suddenly vanished.

’What happened?’ I raised my head and looked around.

Sakamoto was annoyed, and I followed his gaze to see an old man in his eighties walking with a black crane.

He wore a traditional long robe, the fabric deep navy with golden embroidery tracing the shape of a dragon across the chest and down the front.

In his eyes gleamed two pairs of silver aviator glasses, matching the gray of his hair perfectly.

Beside him, two others walked in simpler, more practical robes.

The intensity in their eyes and the way they carried themselves made it clear they were far from ordinary bodyguards.

My brain wouldn’t shut up. Who the hell were these three? Enemy, friend... or something worse?

"Master Tang..." Sakamoto blurted out, the words slipping before he could stop it.

The name didn’t ring a bell, but judging by the change in his expression, this person was someone with serious power, and authority that demanded respect.

"Junior," the old man spoke, his voice steady and calm, far more commanding than his antique appearance suggested.

"I came to visit my wife’s grave, and instead, I find you bullying a kid. Don’t you think that’s it’s unbecoming for someone of your status?"

Sakamoto didn’t flinch. "This is a personal matter. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interfere."

Judging from their exchange, it was safe to assume they weren’t on friendly terms.

"Oh? Looks like you’ve grown some backbone. Did getting filthy rich give you the courage to talk back to me?"

"I’m not a kid anymore," Sakamoto scoffed. "I’ve already surpassed you in every way."

Master Tang smiled faintly. "Is that what you tell yourself to fall asleep? That money makes you better than me?"

"Money rules the world," Sakamoto snapped back.

"Junior... some things never change. Your mind’s stagnant. No wonder all those resources went to waste and you’ve yet to awaken any power."

Sakamoto gripped his fist, this was the first time that I’ve seen him lost composure.

"Ooooh..." Master Tang’s smile stretched. "So the reason you’re bullying the young man is because he has something you don’t? Let me guess—his gift to surpass humanity?"

"Enough!" Sakamoto snapped, though it was clear he lost this round of words.

Master Tang brushed his long beard with one hand and turned to face me.

"Kid... do you want to join my dojo? You’ve got a strong body, perfect for martial arts."

"MASTER TANG!" Sakamoto screamed again.

"I can hear you. No need to shout, junior—I’m old, not deaf."

"You can’t take him as a student."

"Why not?" he shrugged, calm as a mountain.

"Are you really asking that? You know who’s backing me—and they won’t take kindly to this."

"Oh, I know them very well," Master Tang’s tone hardened, his earlier composure slipping into disdain. "You traded your soul for greed and gold, Sakamoto. Now look at you—nothing more than a well-fed lapdog."

BOOM!

The ground around the trio shook violently.

Pressure kept building, shaking the earth beneath them, yet his group remained untouched, standing like statues in the eye of a storm.

"Junior, you might want to control your dog a little," Master Tang said slyly. "If you don’t, my friend here will teach him a thing or two about manners."

As if on cue, one of the guards stepped forward. His eyes glowed yellow, and in an instant, all the crushing pressure vanished.

Another S-Class.

What the hell was happening? Why were these so-called strongest seekers appearing out of nowhere?

Could it be that the reason there were so few S-Ranks climbing the towers was because the rich hoarded them for their own benefit?

"I’ll remember this Master Tang," Sakamoto cursed and walked away without even giving me a look.

To think that arrogant bastard actually backed down...

Who the hell was this old man?

And why did all these rich folks have S-Ranks popping out of nowhere like they were calling in pocket-sized monsters for backup?

"Are you alright, kid?"

I nodded, pushing myself to my feet. The pressure hadn’t done any real damage to me to begin with.

But I still continued acting weak.

"Thanks for saving me, Master," I cupped my hands and bowed my head.

"Don’t be so formal," he laughed, slapping my back with a playful thump. "You really impressed me back then."

"You mean all that shouting? That’s what impressed you?"

"Hahaha, of course not. I was impressed by your patience. You got enough power to take down Sakamoto with your bare hands, but you didn’t. That showed me you could stay level-headed even under pressure."

"I don’t know what you mean... I’m barely a D-Rank at best."

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" He slapped my back again—hard enough to rattle a few bones—then leaned in close.

"No need to play dumb, kid. I already know what you’re really capable of... Alexa told me."

"You..." I managed, words tripping over each other. "You didn’t just show up here by coincidence, did you?"

He didn’t answer—just gave me a knowing look and started walking ahead, cane tapping lightly against the stone path.

"Come along, kid," he called over his shoulder. "Let’s talk somewhere quieter. Graves aren’t the best place for secrets."

"Actually, it is," I shot back, smirking. "Don’t you know the saying? Dead men tell no tales."

He paused, then laughed again. "Alexa is right—you really are an interesting young man."

Thirty minutes later, I found myself inside his car. It was the latest Rolls-Rose model and was very comfortable.

Our journey continued until we reached another green district, and there I found a mansion embedded in the mountainside.

From afar, it looked like it was made of simple wood, but as we got closer, I was completely mesmerized by how beautiful and enormous it was."

The roofs were pagoda like and tiled, reminiscent of the eastern countries from my past life.

We didn’t stop for pleasantries and went straight to a meeting room that looked more like a storage space—there weren’t even any chairs.

The only place available for me to sit was neatly prepared with straw mats.

"Tea?" he offered.

"No thanks,"

"Are you sure? These leaves come from the higher floors of the tower. They help relieve stress and make your skin look young. They’re very expensive, you know."

"I don’t need it, I’m only twenty. All I want is the truth."

"Suit yourself." He took his time pouring the tea from an expensive-looking pot.

I knew it was costly because the ripples on the surface of cup were smaller and more precise as he poured.

When he was done, he took a sip and savored it before speaking.

"You should have some idea by now. We’re the group actively opposing DARKNESS, and everyone working for them."

"I can see that," I leaned forward slightly. "But why save me? Does this mean that you’re letting me join you?"