Grim shade's communication request came through almost immediately.
"Who are you? If you have something to say, then say it quickly. I'm very busy," Kaito said in an impatient tone as he accepted the call.
"Do you know who I—" Grim shade's voice caught, his irritation spiking at Kaito's bluntness. For a moment, he nearly lost his composure, but he forced himself to endure it. This was an assignment from his superiors, and he had to see it through. If anyone else had dared to speak to him in such a manner, they would already be regretting it.
"If you have nothing important to say, I'm hanging up," Kaito cut in flatly.
Grim shade snapped back, "Why would I contact you if I had nothing to say?"
"Then get to the point. I don't have time to bicker with strangers," Kaito replied, his voice laced with annoyance.
Grim shade's rage flared again. A mere loose expert like Kaito daring to speak to him this way was unthinkable. But after a moment's thought, Grim shade realized Kaito simply didn't know who he was dealing with.
I need to calm down, he told himself. Once he learns my identity, he'll be stunned.
Taking a measured breath, Grim shade said slowly, "I am the spokesperson for Underworld. I assume you've never heard of us—that's because Underworld is a vast, hidden organization. Its strength rivals that of a gold-ranked power. Only those who meet our extremely high standards even qualify to know we exist."
Grim shade's tone shifted, carrying an edge of pride.
"As for Underworld's strength in Glory, I can tell you this— even an assassin expert like Nightshade Vale, after grinding for four years straight, has only just managed to qualify as an outer member of Underworld. And even then, he's still considered at the very bottom."
"What? Nightshade Vale is only an outer member of Underworld?" Kaito's eyes narrowed in surprise.
He had once instructed Kia to dig into Nightshade Vale's background, yet nothing about an organization like Underworld had surfaced. If what Grim shade said was true, it explained why—Underworld wasn't just hidden, it was a gold-ranked hidden organization. With Kaito's current network, it was impossible for him to have learned about it beforehand.
He had never even heard the name Underworld, let alone understood its influence. But if a top-tier assassin like Nightshade Vale, someone whose skill Kaito had witnessed firsthand, was only an outer member, then Underworld's true depth was unfathomable.
Kaito didn't think Grim shade was lying. After everything he had experienced in Glory, he had developed a sharp instinct for reading people. Grim shade's words carried the natural weight of someone used to speaking from a higher position—like an emperor addressing commoners. That was not the sort of presence one could fake.
They're not here for revenge over me killing Nightshade Vale… are they? Kaito wondered.
Previously, he had seen no guild emblem on Nightshade Vale and assumed him to be a hidden solo assassin. He had never imagined the man had such a powerful backing. Even in reality, his investigation into Nightshade Vale's background had turned up nothing—meaning their secrecy and reach extended far beyond the game.
Grim shade, noticing Kaito's momentary shock, allowed himself a faint, satisfied smile.
Grim shade's eyes glinted as he leaned forward, his voice carrying a faint edge of pride.
"Actually… this isn't anything special," he said, almost as if the weight of his next words made the statement more ironic. "As a gold-ranked power, Underworld wields influence you can't begin to imagine—both inside Glory and in the real world. The resources and information we possess far exceed anything you've likely encountered."
His tone deepened, confident yet deliberate.
"Even as an outer member, the strength you'd hold could make a silver-ranked corporation in any major city tremble. People you already know—Velena and Zephyr, for instance—would have no choice but to show respect to even an intermediate member of Underworld, let alone someone from our upper management."
A quiet laugh escaped him, not mocking, but full of self-assured pride.
"I'm not telling you all this to boast. I'm telling you so you understand the kind of background you're dealing with. If you don't believe me, go and ask Velena or Zephyr yourself. Without sufficient strength, most people don't even have the right to know we exist."
Grim shade's gaze sharpened. "The reason I'm contacting you is simple—you've already caught the attention of Underworld. You now possess the qualification to join."
Kaito's expression didn't change. "Is it because I killed Nightshade Vale?" he asked calmly.
"You could put it that way," Grim shade admitted after a pause. "If you didn't have the strength to kill Nightshade Vale, there's no way you would have earned our attention."
Still, something in Grim shade's eyes betrayed mild astonishment. Kaito's tone was steady, almost indifferent. Most people, upon receiving such an invitation, would be beside themselves with excitement—eager to accept, even desperate. Joining Underworld wasn't just an honor; it was a ticket into the world of major players. Members gained access to high-level contacts, mission opportunities, and inside information that could shape their future both in Glory and in reality. The organization's network was vast, its power recognized even within the Federation's upper echelons.
For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—one that could accelerate both in-game progression and real-world influence. But Kaito simply regarded it with a calm, almost detached curiosity.
Inwardly, Grim shade wondered what kind of man could face such an offer without even a flicker of excitement. Has he already dealt with too many storms to be moved by this? Or is he just playing it cool?
"So," Kaito finally said, his voice steady, "you're telling me that as long as I agree, I can become an outer member of Underworld immediately?"
Grim shade gave a firm nod.
Kaito didn't waver. He had weathered far too much in both his past and present life to be dazzled by titles or promises. The immature youth he had once been—someone who might have leapt at the offer without hesitation—was long gone. What stood here now was a man who understood the value of caution, the weight of hidden obligations, and the dangers of aligning with a power as deep and shadowed as Underworld.
In Kaito's previous life as the guild leader of Genesis, he had never once heard the name Underworld. But that fact didn't surprise him in the least. Back then, Genesis had only been a second-rate guild—an ant in the eyes of first-rate powers, unworthy of mention, let alone acknowledgment.
Grim shade's voice broke through his thoughts.
"You can put it that way as well. But let me make something clear—just because you have the qualifications to join doesn't mean it will be easy. In Underworld, we follow one rule: if you want something, you must pay an equivalent price for it. Only when you can afford that price will you officially become an outer member."
Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly. "Then tell me—what's the price?"
Grim shade smiled faintly, his tone matter-of-fact.
"The price to join Underworld is… substantial. Even Nightshade Vale spent four years meeting the requirements before he could enter. However—" he paused for emphasis, "—you're extremely fortunate. My previous investigations revealed that you possess a certain flame—one capable of significantly boosting your attack and destructive power."
Kaito's expression remained unreadable, but inwardly, the realization clicked into place.
"As long as you hand over that flame," Grim shade continued, "and pay a monthly membership fee of ten gold coins, you will be officially recognized as an outer member of Underworld."
"I see…" Kaito murmured, the pieces falling together in his mind.