CHAPTER 190 - COLLABORATION

Han Wu’s goal in infiltrating the Title Civilization was twofold: to gather intelligence about this world and to increase his strength. Myriad City was the largest city of this civilization, so it was only natural that someone exceptionally powerful would be guarding it. The Myriad King fit that role perfectly.

The three Diamond adventurers didn’t know Han Wu’s intentions. Their only task was to obey the king’s command and ensure Han Wu’s safe return to the Merchant Alliance.

When the final contestants emerged from the training site, the Myriad King rose to his feet and announced each team’s score. The Merchant Alliance came in first, securing a staggering lead over the rest. They had obtained 3,246 points and held six Diamond tokens.

The runner-up was another large adventurer team. They had a Diamond adventurer in their ranks, the only one who had survived among the four who had entered. They had obtained 1,134 points and had collected two Diamond tokens.

In third place came the Shadow Alliance, managing only 621 points.

Everyone had anticipated the results to some degree, but the Merchant Alliance had surpassed all expectations. Not only had they defeated two seeded teams, but they had also crippled the Shadow Alliance’s team. That performance explained the vast gap between their score and the others’.

The Myriad King continued to announce the results, his face devoid of expression, “The first four factions will receive the rights to allocate the resources acquired by Myriad City over the next five years.”

The Adventurer Guild and the Imperial Knights were gnashing their teeth in anger. Had the Merchant Alliance not eliminated all their contestants, neither faction would have lost their seats or fallen outside the top four.

Meanwhile, the Shadow Alliance’s leader was conflicted. His faction still resented Han Wu for killing their Diamond adventurer, yet their position remained unchanged. Their share of profits for the next five years was unaffected.

Overall, they had lost only one Diamond adventurer. Though significant, the loss remained manageable. After all, casualties were expected in every contest.

Several factions had lost all their representatives, yet not a single one voiced a complaint. In the end, strength dictated everything. The weak didn’t even qualify to speak.

Once the ceremony ended, the Myriad King stepped toward Han Wu. He lowered his voice to a near whisper, quiet enough that only Han Wu and the Merchant Alliance’s leader could hear. “I will not tolerate you killing my son. Return in three days for a fight to the death, or the Merchant Alliance will be wiped out of Myriad City.”

The king’s voice remained calm, but Han Wu sensed the fierce anger he was holding back. He was not surprised by the outcome; he had predicted something like this would occur.

The Merchant Alliance leader’s face drained of color when he heard the king’s words. The threat was not aimed at Han Wu, but at the Merchant Alliance. Han Wu was strong and operated alone, able to slip away whenever he wished. The Merchant Alliance, however, was deeply rooted in Myriad City and could not disappear completely within three days. The leader already envisioned his faction’s destruction at the hands of the three rival factions.

After the ceremony ended, everyone returned to their homes. Han Wu and his team headed to the Merchant Alliance’s headquarters to collect their final payment. Given their exceptional performance, the alliance should have increased their reward. Instead, the fifty Platinum adventurers surrounded them the moment they arrived.

“Leader, what is the meaning of this? Are you going back on your word?” Saurman howled.

Xue Feng and Lady Mei braced themselves, ready to fight at any moment.

The Merchant Alliance’s leader waved his arm weakly, signaling the fifty adventurers to step down. The higher-ups looked clearly displeased. They all believed Han Wu and his team were to blame for the Merchant Alliance’s downfall. They had drawn too much attention

“I said stand down. Did you not hear me?” the leader shouted, and the other higher-ups left with dissatisfaction.

Only the leader and Han Wu’s team remained in the hall. The leader handed them a list of rewards to choose from. He had originally promised this, and although Saurman and the others hesitated at first, they soon watched as workers delivered their rewards. On top of that, the leader gifted each of them an additional Diamond Title Scroll.

With that, their contract was complete, and they were free to go. The Merchant Alliance’s leader waved goodbye. Saurman and the others urged Han Wu to leave quickly, fearing the alliance would block their path again. At least they could fight together if that happened.

Han Wu shook his head. “I want to stay here a few more days. You guys can leave first. The leader won’t hold you back.”

The Merchant Alliance’s leader stared at Han Wu in confusion. Now was the perfect moment for Han Wu to escape, yet he showed no sign of fleeing.

Does he have something else up his sleeve? Is he not afraid of the Myriad King? he wondered.

Saurman and the others chose to trust him but left shortly afterward. Only Han Wu and the Merchant Alliance’s leader remained in the hall now.

The leader spoke bluntly. “The Myriad King has ruled this city for decades. Even at Platinum rank, you still lack the strength to defeat him.”

“You can’t be certain of that,” Han Wu replied. “I could defeat Diamond adventurers at Gold rank. Why wouldn’t I defeat him at Platinum?”

The leader fell silent. Han Wu’s abilities had clearly surpassed his expectations, yet he remained uncertain if Han Wu could win.

Han Wu proposed, “What if I do defeat the Myriad King? Your crisis would end, and you would become the strongest faction in Myriad City.”

“That depends on whether you can truly defeat him,” the leader said gravely. “Forgive me, but I still cannot trust you.”

“Don’t worry. Let me prove my full strength.” Han Wu then revealed his interface and all of his titles.

Thirty minutes later, the leader seemed like a different man. His vigor had returned, now stronger than before.

“If you have no objections, we can base our alliance on the death of the Myriad King,” Han Wu suggested.

The Merchant Alliance’s leader nodded. “If what you’ve shown me is real, then I’m willing to take that gamble. Tell me what you need over the next three days, and we’ll do everything in our power to secure it.”

“Thank you. Then I look forward to a fruitful partnership.” Han Wu smiled, then followed the maid to the quarters the Merchant Alliance had prepared for him.

Even after Han Wu left, the leader’s heart pounded fiercely. “Unlimited reinforcement and strengthening... Two of the strongest Diamond titles. Even the Myriad King won’t stand a chance. Hahaha, the Merchant Alliance has finally found a powerful ally. With him on our side, who would dare make a move against us?”