Return Of The Strongest Player

Blaire hesitated, wondering if the two would pester her for information about Erk's arrest. And, she was not mistaken.

"How did Erk get arrested?" Arthur inquired, scrunching his eyebrows. Randy nodded, reinforcing Arthur's words. His expression contained curiosity and excitement, like a tiny puppy with sparkling eyes.

"Nux won't allow…"

"Did Nux allow you to speak of it?" Arthur asked, leaning back as a faint smile blossomed on his face. "Did he allow you to let us know of the matter? Are we qualified to consume such information?"

"No…"

"Then, what's the problem?" Arthur replied, winking. "If you've already spilled the beans, why not satisfy our curiosity. Also, what's stopping us from telling Nux about the blunder you made? On the other hand, he won't know if you tell us the entire story."

"You cannot inform Nux. I am not even aware of his location, most of the time. He would not have informed you."

"Do you really believe that?" Arthur asked, letting out a sigh while shaking his head. "Oh, how naive you are, Blaire. If Nux took the trouble to apologize to us and inform us of your location, what is to say he didn't inform us of his location?"

"Because he never tells anyone his location."

"There's a first time for everything, Blare," said Arthur in a consoling tone, clicking his tongue. "I know you feel betrayed, but that is just how Nux is. Have you ever seen him apologize to you? Ever?"

Blaire's expression crumpled at those words. It was true. Nux had never apologized to Blaire, but that was because there wasn't a reason to. However, Blaire couldn't think of such a possibility at the moment.

Doubt corroded her mind, causing her to re-think her relationship with Nux.

Had he truly revealed his location? The more she entertained the possibility, the more it nestled in her subconscious. If he truly revealed the location of his abode to mere newbies, what was their relationship worth?

More than that, if the players sitting before her decided to reveal the contents of her mistake to Nux, she would suffer severe consequences. Nux's act of telling her such information was an act of trust.

And she'd broken it.

'Why didn't Nux just tell them about the matter?' Blaire thought, stroking her chin. Then again, the matter about Erk was a secret, while Nux's location was simply something the High Guardian promised to tell her someday.

The two weren't on an equal level.

"If I tell you the reason Erk was arrested, you will refrain from telling Nux about my mistake, correct?" Blaire inquired, clenching her teeth. Arthur nodded, revealing a smile as he locked eyes with his prey.

Randy watched silently. He was aware of what Arthur was planning, and couldn't help but shiver at his tactics.

He wasn't surprised about the hoax.

What surprised him was the fact that if he were the victim, he wouldn't have questioned it. Arthur could've convinced him easily, and Randy wouldn't even be aware of the massive scandal he'd fallen for.

That was what scared him.

Arthur, on the other hand, was regretting it. Although he could receive an item and valuable information, the possibility of forming a business relationship with Blaire would practically crumble.

Although she didn't seem to be a competent blacksmith, her weapons were immaculate. Arthur observed them as soon as he entered the smithy, and was somewhat shocked by the precise heating, quenching, and tempering of the metals.

She was definitely someone worth signing a contract with.

Unfortunately, once she realized that Arthur was simply manipulating her, all chances of reconciliation would shatter.

One should never antagonize someone they couldn't control indefinitely. That was, if the person had useful talent.

Someone like Aditya could neither be manipulated indefinitely, nor had potential Arthur could use. On the other hand, a blacksmith such as Blaire did not possess the former quality, but had sufficient talent to be useful.

'Then again, this information might be more useful. There are plenty of blacksmiths in the tower, but only a few people are aware of such information, including this chatter-box. Receiving the information from her might be most beneficial.'

"All right. To be honest, Erk's arrest and Heather's affiliation to Nux are related. Heather's Administrator powers, too."

Arthur and Randy raised their eyebrows.

"Once upon a time, perhaps a few decades ago, there was a Guardian named Gyuu. He was incredibly competent, and a person valued by the Tower Administration. Even Nux valued him dearly."

"Gyuu was one of the best Guardians the Tower Administration had ever had since the High Guardians began hiding their presence. He was the representation of the organization's ideology, and someone every player seemed to admire."

"He was known and liked by almost everyone in the tower."

Arthur nodded subconsciously. During his tenure as the ruler of the 98th floor, he discovered records of almost all Guardians. Gyuu was definitely one of the most admired. He was strong, but nowhere strong enough to be considered the strongest.

His most important trait was his kindness.

"However, when the Tower Administration considered promoting him to the position of a High Guardian–a position none of the newer Guardians had ever been able to receive–he committed a grave sin."

"Gyuu directly revealed the location of a powerful inheritance to a low-rank clan, allowing it to become a mid-rank clan capable of rivaling the high-rank clans. This change toppled the balance of the tower."

"The mid-rank clan was quickly destroyed by the high-rank clans, and Gyuu was labeled a Fallen Guardian. He ran for a few years, hiding from the Tower Administration using all means necessary."

"Eventually, his body was found on the 98th floor."

"Nux was distraught, and didn't even interact with me for a few months. After that, things returned to normal. Erk, one of Gyuu's best friends, assumed a more terrifying and ferocious persona."

"Instead of his generous personality, Erk became more distant from other Guardians. Many believed this was because of his connection with Gyuu. Many believed this was simply trauma due to his death."

"But that's when Nux and I found out…"

"Gyuu had a daughter."