Chapter 178

Max remained seated, his expression cold as Elias White stood before him, flanked by two companions. One was a tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp eyes and a quiet demeanor, clearly someone who preferred action over words.

The other, a woman with auburn hair tied into a sleek braid, carried an air of quiet confidence laced with disdain. Her piercing green eyes immediately locked onto Max, scrutinizing him as though he were an unwanted pest.

"Quite the coincidence, meeting you here again, Max," Elias said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I didn't expect to run into you so soon after… you know."

Max's lips curved into a smirk. "Life is full of surprises, isn't it?. " His gaze flicked briefly to Elias's companions, but he made no comment on their presence.

Elias gestured toward the chairs around the table. "Mind if we join you?"

Max shrugged. "Suit yourself."

The three settled into seats, Elias taking the one directly across from Max. The tall man and the auburn-haired woman positioned themselves on either side, their presence feeling more like a barrier than casual company.

"So, what brings you here?" Max asked, leaning back and crossing his arms.

Elias scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "After the explosion at the mine and… well, the city being literally torn in half, we had no choice but to leave. Kain-city seemed like the best option, so we used a teleportation service to move here."

Max nodded, his expression unreadable. "Makes sense. It's not every day your home gets split down the middle."

"And you? What are you doing here?" Elias asked.

Max leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "I usually operate around Kain-city. You could say I'm a local. When we met last time, I was just resting from my journey back here after taking care of some business."

Elias tilted his head, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "So, you're staying here for a while, then?. In that case we might find opportunities to help each other "

Max's smirk deepened. "Actually, no. Kain-city will no longer be my base. I'll be leaving soon."

Elias frowned. "Why's that?"

Max glanced around the restaurant briefly, he wanted to try and send this guy out of the city just in case, for all he knows he might be an uncontrollable variable in the upcoming ordeal, and this was a good opportunity to send him away.

After he glanced around Max leaned closer, lowering his voice, ,"Something's off. Between the news and all the movements happening lately, it's like the city's being set up for something big. If you take my advice, you should leave too."

Before Elias could respond, the woman at his side scoffed loudly. "And why should he trust the advice of some random person?" she said, glaring at Max. Her tone was sharp, almost accusatory, and her words were clearly aimed at undermining him.

Max turned his gaze to her, his smirk vanishing as he studied her with a look of mild confusion, as if she'd just said something incomprehensibly stupid.

Elias looked at Max with suspicion upon hearing his companion's words.

Max shook his head. "Seems you're eager for another life lesson, my confused friend," Max said, his voice dripping with amusement.

Remembering their last conversation Elias felt some annoyance and discomfort deep down, but he said nothing.

Max leaned back in his chair, adopting a more casual posture. "Let me explain something about advice. There are two kinds of people who give it. The first are those who stand to gain something; emotionally, materially, or otherwise. For example, let's say you want to quit smoking. A friend who smokes might try to discourage you, simply because they don't want to feel left behind or judged for their own habits. They'll drag you down to stay comfortable in their own misery."

Elias and his companions listened intently, though the woman's glare hadn't softened.

Max continued, his tone calm and measured. "The second type are those who have nothing to gain from your decisions. These are the people you should pay attention to. your success or failure won't effect them, and when they bother to speak, it's worth considering their words carefully."

The woman sneered. "And you're claiming to be the second type?"

Max turned to her, his face blank, before his lips quirked into a smirk of pure amusement. "Of course not. I don't give a damn what happens to any of you. My advice was just a casual remark, you idiot."

The woman's face turned red. "Than why did you say all that? Couldn't you've simply spoke directly."

Max shrugged. " it might be because I am bored or You can say I have a thing for monologuing, it doesn't matter."

This time she said nothing as Max's attention shifted back to Elias.

Max's smirk grew wider, "Still, I'd recommend keeping certain brainless people on your side. They'll keep life entertaining, if nothing else. Although they might be the reason for it to end."

Elias's companions stiffened, the tall man clenching his fists while the woman looked like she was ready to retort. But Elias raised a hand, stopping them.

" Enough Max, sorry we Disturbed you, I simply had some questions I thought you might've been able to answer, but forget about it. And thx for the advice."

Max stood up, brushing nonexistent dust off his jacket. "Well, I've said my piece. Do with it what you will."

As he turned to leave, his expression darkened slightly, though his smirk remained. While he'd been trying to mislead Elias and his group, his words wasn't wrong, not even a bit.

Max exited the restaurant without another glance, leaving Elias and his companions in tense silence. The woman fumed quietly, while the tall man stared at Max's retreating figure.

"Don't think about it, we're not trouble makers, plus he is strong, and if you make a move, it might escalate to a death or life matter, there is no need for that." said Elias. After which he went deep in thought, replaying Max's words in his mind. There was something unsettling about them, something that made him question whether Max's warning was more than just a casual remark.

" I don't like his tone, but there's something wrong with the city." said the tall man suddenly interrupting the silence.

"Even if there's something wrong we don't have enough money to teleport hundreds of people again." Retorted the woman.

"Let's observe for a day or two first, and just in case We don't have to teleport, the surrounding regions aren't too dangerous, and it can be a good opportunity to train the weaker remembers." spoke Elias ending the discussion.