Chapter 64: Chapter 64: The Proposition

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: The PropositionShiru looked at Damian as if she were seeing a ghost.

From the moment she met him, her innate ability, [Window of Fortune], had been buzzing in her senses like crazy.

Her ability had never failed her before.

In this cruel and unforgiving world, she had survived without a single wound or scratch because of it.

It hadn't even been an hour since she met Damian, yet her innate ability hadn't stopped buzzing.

She knew what it meant.

It meant that a great window of opportunity had arrived.

It wasn't just her supernatural intuition or instincts; everything within her was pointing at Damian, screaming that she couldn't miss this chance or she would regret it for the rest of her life.

That was the only reason she had been going out of her way to answer every single question Damian had asked.

She worked for the System and the System alone.

She had no obligation to answer to Awakeners, even if they wanted to interrogate her.

She was only accountable to the System.

If any Awakeners tried to harm her, they would be held accountable by the System itself.

Yet, she answered all of Damian's questions while trying to gauge him as much as she could.

And now, she was sure of one thing: Damian was no ordinary Awakener.


She just didn't know why yet.

Ever since Damian registered his Awakener title, 'Infinity,' they had been inside the [Awakeners' Hall], so neither Shiru nor Damian was aware of the change in the Awakener grade rankings.

Unbeknownst to them, a new Awakener with the title 'Infinity' had taken the first place on the Golden Tablet Ranking in the Sky.

Now, having learned this from a friend, Shiru finally understood.

A person named 'Infinity' had claimed the top spot in the rankings, and that person was none other than Damian.

The very man she had been talking to.

The very man who could be her chance to turn her life around.

Damian wasn't sure what she was thinking, but he was certain it had something to do with the golden tablet ranking that her friends had just mentioned.

It seemed to be the cause of all the commotion outside.

"What is this golden tablet she was talking about?" Damian asked.

"It's a ranking system that evaluates all the Awakeners in Solarta based on their potential and talent as Awakeners. People from every faction can see it by looking at the golden tablet, or the screen if you prefer to call it that, floating in the sky. It's kind of a big deal here," Shiru explained. 

She then went on to describe the Awakener grade rankings in detail, making sure to mention that Damian's Awakener title, 'Infinity', had taken the first spot on the rankings.

This meant that Damian was officially recognized as the Awakener with the highest potential within the First Tower Realm, Solarta.

"Mmm... I guess I shouldn't be surprised by this. I have awakened numerous talents, abilities, constitutions, traits, master-level skills, and even completed all 20 trials in hell mode. Still, I didn't expect my potential to rank this high. It seems I've been underestimating myself," Damian mused to himself, noticing Shiru looking at him with a strange expression.

"Anyway," Damian continued, cutting Shiru off before she could say more.

He had already gathered all the information he needed from her.

"How much do I owe you for the information you've provided?" Damian asked.

The staff in the Awakener Hall were answerable only to the system, which also protected them.

Awakeners could pay them for their time, and since Damian had taken an hour of Shiru's precious time, he imagined she'd demand payment.

She could ask for any amount she deemed fair, and Damian would have no choice but to comply.

The system wouldn't interfere with the payment unless she demanded an unreasonable amount. 

"I want to make a proposition," Shiru said. But before she could continue, Damian shook his head.

"Not interested. Just name your price. I've got work to do and don't want to waste any more time here," Damian replied bluntly.

"Just hear me out, alright?" Shiru said, her expression almost pleading as she took a deep breath.

"Unless it benefits me in some way, there's no point in listening," Damian responded, crossing his arms.

He would have left if not for the system notification floating in his field of vision.

[Warning: You have purchased information from the staff member 'Shiru.' She wishes to be paid for her services. Until you pay a price equivalent to the value of the information provided, you cannot leave.]

"Please listen to what I have to say," Shiru implored.

"I will form an official contract with you. I will work exclusively for you and do everything you ask of me, as long as it doesn't cost me my life."

"I'll also provide you with all the information I can gather through my position, completely free of charge. Additionally, I have the ability to sense opportunities. I'll give you everything except my freedom and life."

Damian shook his head. "Even if I were to form a contract with you, what's in it for you? I can't give you anything. Hell, I won't even stay in this place for long. You'll gain nothing from me."

"That's exactly what I'm counting on," Shiru said with determination.

"I want to go with you. I just want you to take me with you as you climb the tower. That's why I'm asking to form an exclusive contract with you. I want to join the faction you're about to create."

"You do realize that everyone has to complete their missions on their own before they can advance to the Second Tower Realm, right? Sure, you could fulfill the 'join the faction' condition by joining mine, but what will you do about evolving your race?"

"And let's not forget, I haven't even registered my faction yet, and I'm not sure if I even have enough gold to do that," Damian said, shaking his head as if the idea amused him.

"If you ask me, it would be more practical for you to join the vampires or werewolves. They could turn you into one of their own, so you wouldn't have to work and wait for the system to finally send you an evolution mission."

"Look, I know what I'm asking seems ridiculous and doesn't make much sense. But to me, it does," Shiru replied.

"Give me your hand. I'll show you."

Damian didn't move for a full minute, his gaze locked on her outstretched hand.

His silence made Shiru feel awkward and embarrassed.

"Ugh..." Damian finally rolled his eyes and relented, placing his hand over hers unwillingly.

It wasn't like he could refuse her outright; the system would punish him if he tried to leave the Awakener Hall without resolving this.

Besides, the stubborn woman didn't seem like she'd give up anytime soon.

He was also a little curious about what she wanted to show him and her reasons for wanting to join his faction.

-----

[Innate Ability: Window of Fortune]

[Effects:

-Grants the ability to sense opportunities when they are near.

-Enables the ability to sense dangers.

-Increases luck by a small margin.

-Enhances perception by 20%.

-Significantly boosts intuition.

-Passively strengthens judgment and decision-making.

-Passively sharpens natural instincts.]

-----

A status window appeared in Damian's field of vision, showing the details of her innate ability: [Window of Fortune].

Removing her hand, she looked at Shiru. "Is it because of this ability that you believe your opportunity for ascension lies with me?"

"I do... I have always believed in my ability. It has never let me down, and I don't think it will be any different now," Shiru replied, confidence radiating from her expression as though she truly believed in her power.

Damian shook his head as if exhausted from the conversation. He wasn't much of a talker to begin with.

Sitting silently, Damian mulled over the situation.

He was in a pickle, and looking at the woman in front of him, he couldn't help but think, "Why are women so stubborn?"

"Look," he began, his voice even but firm, "you and I are from different worlds, different cultures. You don't know me, and I don't know you. More than that, I think I can't drag you along with me. You'll only slow me down, and I don't want that,"

Damian said openly.

"Trust me. This will work..." Shiru insisted, unwavering.

"Woman, how do you expect me to trust you? I just met you," Damian replied, spreading his arms in frustration.

"Then trust my ability," Shiru shot back, unconvinced by his arguments.

Damian had said everything he wanted to, but Shiru still seemed nowhere near being convinced.

"Damn this wicked woman", Damian scolded inwardly.

She was using her position as the system staff perfectly to put him in a tight spot.

He couldn't leave because he hadn't completed the payment for her service earlier, and if he tried, the system would punish him.

And yet, this stubborn woman wouldn't back down from her proposition.

After a few minutes of thinking, Damian made a decision.

He would leave this to fate.

Summoning an item from his system inventory, a silvery card appeared in his hand, glowing with a soft drop of light.

-----

[Item: Path Finder Card]

[Using the Path Finder Card, the user can find the best possible course of action to follow from the moment the card is used, based on the user's atmosphere, knowledge, fate, luck, truth, awareness, prediction, fortune, and abilities.]

-----

Shiru's eyes widened when she saw the card appear in Damian's hand.

Of course, she knew what it was.

"Is that... a Path Finder Card? How do you have that?" Shiru asked, dumbfounded.

She knew how rare and expensive such cards were.

"I got them as a trial reward," Damian replied casually.

"Them? You have more than one?" Shiru asked again, completely floored.

"Yeah."

"Tell me, did you complete the trials in nightmare mode?" Shiru asked, her eyes widening further.

She only knew a handful of people in Solarta who had cleared the trials in nightmare mode, and she couldn't believe the man in front of her might be one of them.

"No, I didn't complete the trials in nightmare mode," Damian replied, his tone nonchalant.

"Oh... Then how did you get them?" Shiru asked, trying to think of any other possible explanation for how he could have obtained the Path Finder Cards.

"I got them from hell mode trials," Damian said matter-of-factly.

"Hell mode, huh... Wait, what? Hell mode? Did you just say you completed the trials in hell mode?" Shiru stepped back in shock.

She had never even considered the possibility that someone could clear the trials in hell mode.

She couldn't believe it, but looking at Damian's expression and demeanor, she couldn't sense any sign of deception.

And thinking about her ability, which had promised her that he would be her way out, she couldn't help but believe that maybe, ...just maybe, Damian had succeeded in the hell mode trials. 

Damian didn't wait for her to speak.

While her mind was being wrecked and fried by the absurdity of him clearing the hell mode trials, Damian crushed the card in his hand.

The card vanished into specks of light before entering his head.

"Tell me, is it in my best interest to take her in?" Damian asked silently, waiting for the answer.

A few seconds later, he felt a warm sensation enter his mind along with the answer.

Damian looked at Shiru, shook his head, and sighed in resignation. "Fine," he said.