The gold-rank organization known as Underworld operated much like an enormous, highly exclusive chamber of commerce in the real world. It was a vast network where influence, wealth, and power intersected. Membership required more than just a willingness to pay; one first had to possess the qualifications to even be considered. Only those who had proven themselves in strength, skill, or resources could step through its doors.
Once inside, members gained access to a tightly knit platform for mutual assistance, privileged information exchanges, and extensive resource sharing. Deals were made behind closed doors, fortunes built in private rooms. With the organization's backing, members could secure business opportunities far beyond the reach of outsiders, accelerating the growth of their enterprises and cementing their positions in both the virtual world of Glory and the real Federation.
Grim shade's lips curled into a confident smile as he spoke.
"Since you understand," he said smoothly, "when will you be prepared to pay the price? I can't linger too long in South Glade Town. There are many other matters that require my attention."
For Grim shade, this meeting was more than a simple recruitment pitch. If he could secure the Epic-ranked flame in Kaito's possession and add it to several years' worth of accumulated contributions, he would have enough leverage to be promoted to an intermediate member of Underworld. That status would grant him the ability to influence events at will, to "call the wind and summon the rain" in both the game and reality.
But Kaito's response was immediate and firm. His tone carried no hesitation.
"Sorry," he said flatly, "but I refuse to join. You should look for someone else."
His rejection landed like a stone in still water—calm on the surface, yet sending quiet ripples through the conversation.
After living through an entire lifetime before, Kaito had long since learned a truth he would never forget—the only thing he could truly rely on was his own strength. That belief was carved into him through betrayal, loss, and the harsh realities of power struggles. In his mind, the idea of willingly placing himself under someone else's control was laughable.
The Underworld might have been a gold-ranked organization, renowned for its influence and reach, but to Kaito, that title alone was not enough to sway him. He had no desire to bend the knee to another power, no matter how prestigious. With the advantage of reincarnation, he possessed knowledge and foresight that no guild, no hidden power, and no elite organization could match. He knew of countless hidden opportunities, rare treasures, and unfolding events that were still months or even years away in Glory. He could see the direction in which the world would inevitably develop, and he intended to ride those waves on his own terms.
If Underworld had approached him as an equal, seeking a mutually beneficial alliance, he might have at least entertained the idea. But to simply join them as a subordinate? That was nothing more than working as a pawn—another cog in someone else's machine. Kaito had no interest in that kind of servitude.
Besides, Glory was a game where every player started on the same footing. Yes, real-world wealth and influence could give an initial advantage—better gear, faster progression—but in the end, everyone began with the same low-level quests, and the same grind. Even a gold-ranked or platinum-ranked power from reality had to build their influence in-game from scratch. To Kaito, the small head start such groups enjoyed was nothing he couldn't surpass with his own abilities and foresight.
He also had a hidden layer of protection. Thanks to Kia's careful arrangements, no one could connect the in-game guild Genesis to his real-world identity. This meant he could grow his power in Glory without fear of retaliation in reality. Even if his involvement with Genesis were revealed in the future, Kaito was confident that in just one or two months, his and his family's strength would be more than enough to face whatever consequences arose.
Right now, his ambitions were already within reach. The foundation for a large-scale studio was almost complete, and the formation of a major guild was no longer a distant dream. As soon as he reached a city in-game, the final pieces would fall into place. In truth, the only thing of real value Underworld could offer him was high-level insider information about Glory. But to Kaito—who had lived through it all once before—this "precious" intelligence was nothing more than common knowledge.
The only reason he had entertained Grim shade's conversation for this long was to pry out more details about Underworld itself.
"What did you just say?" Grim shade asked in disbelief. After his long pitch and all the prestige he had flaunted, Kaito had simply turned him down.
"I'm not interested in joining Underworld," Kaito repeated, his tone calm and unwavering. "You should look for someone else."
Grim shade's expression darkened instantly. "After saying so much, in the end, you were just toying with me?" he snapped, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "Do you have any idea what kind of consequences your actions will bring?"
Kaito's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a faint sneer. "You're the one who contacted me first. Now that I've declined, are you planning to threaten me into joining?"
Grim shade's voice turned cold, laced with menace. "Since you dare to toy with Underworld, you naturally have to pay the price. Hand over the flame, and I might consider letting this matter slide. Otherwise… be prepared to suffer Underworld's wrath."
Kaito chuckled, a low laugh that grew into open amusement. "Hahaha… so you've finally revealed your fox's tail. From the start, this was never about inviting me to join Underworld, was it? Your real target was always the flame." His gaze sharpened. "You must have heard from Nightshade Vale just how extraordinary it is, so now you want it for yourselves."
His tone turned icy, each word deliberate. "I have only one thing to say—if you have the ability, then come and take it."
Grim shade fell silent for a moment at Kaito's calm, unwavering reply.
He had clearly laid out Underworld's fearsome reputation, its immense influence, and its overwhelming might—yet Kaito still chose to stand his ground, refusing not only to hand over the flame but openly opposing them.
It was the first time Grim shade had ever encountered someone so dismissive of Underworld's authority.
His eyes narrowed, and his voice dripped with contempt. "If you think that simply having ties to Velena and Zephyr means Underworld won't dare to touch you, you couldn't be more mistaken. Even the mighty Stormlife Guild and Crimson Rose Guild wouldn't risk open hostility with us—let alone their mere Vice-Leaders. Don't delude yourself into thinking you're untouchable. I'll give you one last chance to hand over the flame. Do so, and you can continue to enjoy your time in Glory without… complications. Refuse, and I promise you—there won't be a single place left in all of Glory where you can safely stand."
Kaito's lips curled into a mocking smile, his voice cutting like a blade. "It seems you still don't understand plain human language. Or perhaps there's something wrong with your intelligence?" He gave a short laugh, filled with disdain. "You think you can take something that belongs to me just by spouting a few threats? Do you imagine that your Underworld runs Glory itself? Let me make this very clear—" his gaze hardened, and his tone turned ice cold, "—if you have the ability, then come and take it."
He leaned back slightly, as if utterly unconcerned. "In fact, I'm eager to see exactly what you think you can do to me."