CHAPTER 97: CH 97: NEED TO GET RID OF HIM- PART 1

The Tower had officially opened, and the world was in a frenzy.

The looming structure—visible from nearly every city skyline—was both majestic and ominous, pulsing with ancient energy.

People across the globe were glued to their screens as news networks debated endlessly about its origin, purpose, and risks.

But for the elite, for those who had waited and trained their entire lives for something like this, only one question mattered:

[Who would be the first to step inside?]

To answer that, a virtual summit was called.

The top guilds from across the world logged in—dozens of powerful organizations, each with their own claim to glory.

The digital conference room was filled with live avatars and muted faces, their names floating above them like flags on a battlefield. Prestige, power, and reputation were on the line.

The bidding began immediately.

"I’m offering full dungeon maps of the East Europe zones and monster evolution data."

One guild leader declared.

"We’ll share high-efficiency weapon schematics using abyssal steel."

Another countered.

Then came Julie.

Elegant and composed, she leaned forward slightly, her virtual avatar catching every eye as her voice cut through the rising chaos.

"I propose something different. Let the Secret Hunter Services enter first, and we will unlock all our research—everything—to the rest of you."

She said.

Gasps filled the room.

Julie continued, calm and deliberate.

"We’ve been developing drugs, enhancements, and rare extracts from dungeon flora and monster remains for years. Access to our formulas, our biochemical knowledge, our prototype potions—all of it will be made available to the guilds who support this decision."

It was a powerful offer. Irresistible, even. Already, many leaders were nodding or typing hurriedly to their advisors. Tactical benefits like this didn’t come often.

A consensus was beginning to form—until a deep voice cut through the noise.

"That’s not fair."

The meeting froze. The speaker was Mark Spencer, ranked #3 in the world and leader of the Supreme Guild. He was known for being direct, brutally honest, and nearly untouchable in power.

Mark narrowed his eyes at Julie’s avatar.

"You make it sound like you’re doing us a favor, but none of us know what the Tower truly is. What if your team fails immediately? What if you trigger a global catastrophe just by entering?"

A few leaders shifted uncomfortably.

"We can’t risk a solo guild going in blind. I propose we send an elite team—a joint task force from multiple guilds. The best of the best. That way, we’re prepared, no matter what’s inside."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the meeting. Julie frowned but didn’t protest. Even she couldn’t deny that Mark had a point.

Mark saw the tide shifting and pressed further.

"Besides, if we exclude everyone else, do you think the other hunters around the world will just sit quietly? No. They’ll riot. The system’s changed. People want fairness, and they want hope. Not another backdoor deal."

He then turned toward a silent participant in the upper corner of the room.

"Rick. You’re quiet. What does Legion think?"

Mark said.

Everyone turned toward Rick, who until now had simply been observing the discussion with folded arms and a neutral expression.

Rick unmuted his mic.

"Legion would be sending a guild team this time."

He began slowly,

A beat of stunned silence.

"And Mr. X is going.""

Rick added, voice sharpening.

That name hit like lightning.

The entire room erupted in gasps, whispers, and frantic messages. Julie leaned forward, her eyes wide. Mark’s mouth twitched, as if trying not to smile.

"You mean the real Mr. X? He’s officially joining the tower climb?"

Someone asked.

Rick nodded once.

"He insisted. So, even if we don’t send a team, we’ll still be placing a bid."

It was chaos after that.

The promise of Mr. X participating changed the entire atmosphere of the meeting. No one wanted to miss the chance to compete in the same space as the legendary figure.

Offers were revised. Bargains collapsed. Alliances shifted in seconds.

Julie clenched her jaw. Her earlier advantage was gone in an instant.

Mark, however, was practically glowing.

"Well, I guess we’re all in agreement now."

He said to the group.

No one dared object.

The Tower was open, and Mr. X was walking in.

This wasn’t just a competition anymore. It was the start of a new era—and no one wanted to be left behind.

______

As soon as the virtual summit ended and the screen faded to black, a loud crack echoed through Julie’s sleek, glass-walled office.

The ceramic shards of her porcelain tea cup scattered across the marble floor, tea soaking into the pristine white rug.

Her secretary flinched at the sound, frozen halfway through organizing a stack of files.

"Miss Julie... are you alright?"

Julie didn’t answer at first. Her perfectly manicured nails dug into her palm as she stood motionless, shoulders tense with fury.

Then she turned, her expression a mask of barely restrained rage.

"Nothing is going my way. Nothing. That damn Mr. X had to make a public appearance now of all times."

She said through clenched teeth.

Her voice rose with each word, venom dripping from every syllable.

The screen on her desk still glowed faintly with the virtual room’s last feed, where the buzz over Mr. X’s participation had drowned out every other voice—including hers.

"I was this close—this close—to securing first entry. And now? That man’s existence ruins everything."

Her secretary shifted uneasily, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

"What... are you going to do now?"

Julie let out a slow breath, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, they gleamed with calculating malice.

"If I can’t find Mr. X before the raid, then I’ll make him come to me."

She said, her voice cold and focused.

"Make him? How?"

Her secretary echoed, confused.

Julie began to pace, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

"We still have the false intel we planted last year. I’ll have it ’leaked’ again—modified this time, of course—to lure him in. If Mr. X is anything like the rumors say, he’ll investigate."

She turned and gave a tight smile.

"And when he does... I’ll be ready. I don’t need to defeat him. I just need to touch that power. Get close enough to analyze it, replicate it, even a sliver of it. That’s all I need."

Her secretary watched her, concern creeping into her features.

"That sounds incredibly risky. He’s not... normal."

Julie’s smile widened.

"Exactly. That’s why it’s worth it."

She turned to the full-length window overlooking the city skyline, the newly emerged Tower casting a long shadow in the distance.

"Let the world chase his legend. I’ll make sure I’m the one holding the reins before they realize what’s happening."

Behind her, the secretary quietly muttered.

"Is it too late to change jobs?"

Julie didn’t hear—or maybe she did and chose to ignore it.

One thing was certain: now that Mr. X had entered the game, every player, every guild, every secret alliance... would have to shift their pieces.

Julie intended to stay ahead, no matter what it took.

Julie crossed her arms, eyes narrowed at the distant silhouette of the Tower.

"If I can’t overpower him, I’ll outsmart him. Let them all chase glory—I’ll chase control.She muttered.

Her secretary, still silently contemplating her career choices, slowly stepped back, deciding it was safest not to offer any more comments.