Infinite Wealth System: Crazy Tasks, Insane Rewards! - Chapter 199

Chapter 199: Say It Properly
The transporter flickered one last time before it vanished into nothing.

Royce stood there for a moment, chest rising and falling as the silence of the alley pressed down on him. It was hidden at the white alley, a forgotten corner where only guards ever came. Only the Commanders enters this place freely.

No one saw him arrive. No one even knew he had left.

He exhaled and stepped out of the shadows, tucking the signal key into the inside of his jacket. His boots tapped softly against the steel ground as he made his way toward the Test Base.

He walked like he belonged, head up, shoulders firm, the perfect soldier. But his mind was racing.

Jayden Cole.

The Absolute Guide.

The truth he now carried was heavy, almost crushing.

When he reached the Test Base. Inside, it seemed a bit less busier unlike other days, and they were few anchors on the test rooms. It was already a usual thing to see Royce visiting, so no one threw any suspicious look at him as he stepped in with his ever-serious face.

He didn’t stop to watch. He went straight in.

Straight to her.

Esta was standing near the edge a test room, arms folded, watching the other doctors who clearly appeared to be under her, with a hard gaze. Her sharp features softened slightly when she noticed him walking up.

“You’re back,” she said, her tone even, but her eyes told a different story. She had been waiting.

Royce gave a quick nod. “I found him.”

Her brow lifted. “Found who?”

He gestured a “shhh” sign as he led her into her office. They couldn’t risk having a conversation in an area where their words could be open to other ears.

As soon as they reached, he went on with his news.

“The one we’ve been looking for. The one with the Absolute Guide.” He let the words drop heavy, like stones in the quiet.

Esta turned fully to him now, studying his face. “You’re sure?”

“Yes,” Royce said firmly. “It’s him. Jayden Cole. The President of Nortasia.”

For a moment, she said nothing. Her lips parted slightly, then closed again. The news seemed to settle inside her, slow but deep. Finally, she gave a faint smile, the kind that only reached one corner of her mouth.

“So it’s true,” she murmured. “Our plans are moving just as they should.”

Royce nodded. “It is.”

“So, what’s next?” Esta asked.

“He’s going to need more info. Infos on their moves and every timing possible so they’d be able to make an effective plan. I don’t know how, but we have to find a way to communicate with him from here. It’s very important,” Royce replied.

Esta gave a cold nod. “I’ll try to find a way. If I can get something useful from my father’s study, it could be useful.”

Royce nodded. “Okay…”

Esta puased and nodded. “Okay.”

He should have left right then. But he didn’t.

He stayed, staring at her, and she stared back.

It wasn’t the look of plan partners and or friends. It wasn’t even the look of alllies. It was something else. Something strange. Their eyes lingered longer than they should, and neither broke the silence.

Esta shifted slightly, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “You should get some rest,” she said softly, her voice no longer as sharp as before.

Royce turned to leave, but before he could take a step, her voice came again.

“Royce.”

He stopped and looked back.

“Do you mind if you meet me this evening,” she said. Her tone was lighter now, almost hesitant. “For a drink. Just us?”

Royce blinked once, and then the corner of his mouth curved. “Yeah… I’d like that.”

Esta gave the faintest smile before turning back to the wide screen on the wall, pretending her attention was fixed on the data being displayed on it. Royce didn’t miss the way her hand lingered at her side though, tense, as if holding back words she wasn’t ready to say.

He walked away with a strange feeling in his chest. Lighter than usual. Almost glad, as he headed back home after a very long day.

…

Royce slashed the key over the scanner and pushed the door open with a quiet creak. His eyes scanned the hallway quickly before stepping in.

The familiar scent of dust and faint smoke greeted him. He didn’t bother switching on the light, his senses were sharp enough in the dim glow spilling through the blinds.

He had just taken two steps in when a voice cut through the silence.

“Home late again, Royce.”

Royce’s eyes narrowed immediately. His posture stiffened, though he didn’t flinch. He closed the door behind him with calm precision, then turned his gaze toward the armchair in the corner.

Kael sat there, leaning back lazily as though the place belonged to him. His boots were crossed on the edge of the rug, his hands folded neatly across his chest. The half-smirk on his face said he’d been waiting for this moment.

Royce’s tone was flat, cold. “You’re in my house.”

Kael chuckled, lifting a brow. “Sharp as ever. Don’t worry, I let myself in. You really should fix your locks if you don’t want guests.”

“What? Fix? Just say you found a way to get a key for my door,” Royce glared. He shrugged out of his coat and hung it over the chair by the table. “And by the way, I don’t get many guests.”

“Well, except one,” Kael replied smoothly, his eyes glittering. “Esta, wasn’t it?”

Royce froze just long enough for Kael to notice.

“Well, she had never been here,” he muttered.

He walked to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down with deliberate calmness. He clasped his hands, resting them against his lips, and stared at Kael.

“You’ve got too much time on your hands if you’re keeping track of my movements.”

Kael grinned wider, leaning forward now. “Maybe. Or maybe you’re just easy to read. You disappear for hours, come back with that little spark in your eyes, trying hard to hide it… What else could it be?”

Royce’s expression didn’t waver. “You think too much.”

“Do I?” Kael tilted his head. “Or maybe I just know you better than you think. Cold on the outside, but soft enough to get distracted when a woman looks at you twice.”

Royce’s eyes hardened. “Stay out of it.”

That only made Kael chuckle again, as he rose from the chair and walked slowly across the room, stopping just in front of Royce. His presence carried a certain weight, but Royce didn’t shift, or even didn’t blink.

“You can be as cold as you like,” Kael said, his voice low but amused. “But I can see through it. Don’t worry, though. Your secrets…” He tapped Royce lightly on the shoulder. “They are safe with me.”

Royce leaned back slightly, his gaze never breaking. “What do you want, Kael?”

Kael gave him a straight glance and laughed softly, licking the side of his lips. He appeared silent for a moment, not wanting to answer the question because in the end, he already knew that Royce knew he just wanted to intimidate him.

“The soldiers,” Kael said. “The final session of training begins tomorrow. You’re needed, even though all the soldiers on your side had decided to join me”

Kael smiled.

Royce gave a curt nod. “I’ll be there.”

Kael didn’t move as he smirked, sly and unyielding. “Say it properly.”

Royce’s jaw tightened. “I said I’ll be there.”

“Not enough,” Kael teased, tilting his head like a cat playing with its prey. “Come on. You know the word.”

Royce’s stare turned icy. “Don’t push it.”

“Oh, I’ll push it.” Kael’s grin widened, showing a flash of teeth. “Say it, Royce. You’re too good at pretending you don’t care. But we both know you hate bending even a little. That’s what makes this so fun.”

The room fell into silence, heavy and still. Royce’s hands tightened on the table’s edge. He hated it. Hated the smug look on Kael’s face, the way he toyed with him. But resisting now would only feed Kael’s amusement further.

Finally, Royce exhaled through his nose, slow and sharp.

“I’ll be there. Boss.”

Kael laughed, delighted, and clapped him hard on the shoulder. “There it is! That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

Royce didn’t answer. His gaze remained cold and raged, fixed on the man before him.

Kael, satisfied, turned toward the door. “Sleep well, Royce. Big day tomorrow.” He walked out without another word, his laughter still echoing faintly down the hall.

The door clicked shut, leaving Royce in silence once more. He leaned back in the chair, expression unreadable. But beneath the mask, a thought lingered.

‘It won’t be like this for long.’

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[A/N: Let’s try to support with gifts in anyway we can. Means a lot and would keep author motivated. Thanks in advance!]