An Unexpected Request

Victor emerged from the bustling flea market, gripping his latest acquisition firmly. The Buddha statue wasn't just any artifact—it was a relic of profound significance. In the original narrative, Leon had gained immense power from this very item.

Sliding into his parked car on the roadside, Victor wasted no time and drove away, leaving the chaotic market behind.

From a distance, Leon stood motionless, his sharp gaze locked onto the vehicle vanishing into the horizon. His expression was cold, calculating.

"I know we'll meet again. This isn't over," he murmured, his voice carrying a quiet intensity.

---

Sitting in the driver's seat, Victor stared at the hologram before him, a look of satisfaction spreading across his face.

[Congratulations, you have obtained the Magic Blueprint: Sword Heart.]

This was his reward for acquiring the Buddha statue. The Sword Heart—he knew it well. Though it might seem mismatched with his current weapon of choice, a staff, Victor understood that the Sword Heart could adapt to any weapon.

Normally, the Sword Heart was something only achieved by those who had reached the pinnacle of weapon mastery. Yet here he was, holding its essence in the form of a Magic Blueprint.

A Magic Blueprint was no ordinary item. It served as a repository of magical techniques, a kind of enchanted manual containing precise instructions for learning and mastering an arcane skill. With it, the owner could bypass years of rigorous training or mentorship, accessing the knowledge and applying it as though it had always been their own.

Closing the system interface, Victor accelerated toward the outdoor café where Alvin was waiting. Alvin wasn't just a casual ally—he was a vital piece of Victor's plans. That was why Victor had brought him into the fold.

In the original plot, this meeting wouldn't have taken place. Tonight, Alvin was meant to meet Leon. But Victor had rewritten the story, and Alvin was now playing a role in his version of events.

Within ten minutes, Victor arrived at the café, spotting Alvin still seated in his chair, absorbed in his phone. Parking the car, Victor stepped out and approached him.

Alvin glanced up as Victor drew near. "Where have you been?" he inquired, his tone laced with mild irritation. "You've been gone for nearly an hour."

"You wouldn't believe me—I found something incredible," Victor replied, sliding into the chair opposite Alvin with a satisfied smile. He placed the Buddha statue on the table with a deliberate motion.

"What's that?" Alvin questioned, his curiosity immediately piqued.

Victor turned the statue, revealing its front to Alvin.

The moment Alvin saw the statue's face, his expression shifted from curiosity to shock. His eyes widened as he leaned forward. "Holy hell, Victor. Where did you get this thing?" he demanded, his voice low and urgent.

"Do you recognize it?" Victor countered, his tone steady but probing.

Alvin swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the relic. "Is this why you dragged me out here? If the Qin Empire finds out about this, they'll stop at nothing to get it back. Do you even know what you're holding? If I'm not mistaken, this is one of the relics created by the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Legend says this statue houses the Buddha's soul. That is, if it's genuine."

"It's real," Victor replied with a smirk, his confidence unwavering.

Alvin exhaled sharply, his demeanor shifting from shock to calculation. "You're not joking, are you?"

Victor's faint smile deepened. "Come on, Alvin. Do me a favor. Can you sense any mysterious energy emanating from it?"

Alvin nodded reluctantly, his fingers grazing the surface of the statue. "Yeah, I felt it the moment you set it on the table. That's why I was so sure when I first saw it. But seriously, where did you find this treasure?"

"That's not important," Victor replied dismissively. "What matters is this: I need you to use your feng shui skills on the statue and unlock its seal."

Alvin studied Victor carefully, his gaze sharp. "If this statue holds something extraordinary, you're planning to keep it for yourself, right? So, what's in it for me?"

"You'll gain a powerful ally," Victor assured him, his grin turning sly. "Alvin, I'm not the same Victor you used to know. And if you help me with this, I might even help resolve your family's issues with the Ludenville family."

Alvin's eyes widened, a flicker of hope breaking through his skepticism. "Are you serious?" he asked, leaning closer.

"Of course," Victor affirmed smoothly. "But don't expect miracles overnight. These things take time—you understand that, don't you?"

Alvin nodded slowly, determination settling in his features. "Fine. I'll give it my all."

Victor's smirk remained as he rose from his chair. "Well then, let's head to my villa."

Alvin followed, the resolve in his expression matching Victor's. Together, they stepped into the car and drove off, the faint hum of the engine punctuating the silence.

-----

It took less than thirty minutes to reach the villa. However, something felt off the moment they arrived. The gate stood slightly ajar, swinging faintly in the breeze, and a sleek black car was parked conspicuously in front of the villa, its glossy surface reflecting the dim glow of the surrounding lights.

Victor's expression darkened as unease settled over him. "It seems we have guests," he said, his tone sharp. "Let's find out who they are."

Stepping out of the car, he and Alvin approached the villa. The cool night air carried a faint rustle of leaves, and their footsteps echoed softly against the stone pathway. From a distance, Victor noticed the door was open, spilling warm light onto the porch. Inside, two men in dark suits sat on the sofa, their calm posture contrasting with Carlo, who stood rigidly before them, his expression tense.

Victor stepped into the villa, his eyes immediately falling on the two visitors. He recognized them at once.

"Well, welcome to my villa, Mr. Lionel and Mr. Eirik," he greeted with a smile, masking the suspicion flickering in his gaze. "You should've informed me of your visit so I could welcome you personally."

Lionel and Eirik rose from their seats, offering polite smiles. "Good evening, young master Victor. Apologies for not notifying you. I bring good news and a matter to discuss," Lionel said smoothly.

"And what might that be?" Victor asked as he took a seat on the sofa, gesturing for Alvin to sit beside him. Lionel and Eirik resumed their seats, their composed demeanor unwavering.

"The good news is that your request has been granted," Lionel said, placing a lion-shaped token and a small blood-stained wooden plaque on the table.

Victor picked up both items, examining them with keen interest. A faint smile of satisfaction crossed his face as he instantly grasped their significance.

"You must recognize them. That token is a special artifact of my family. I don't know what you intend to do with it, but it's yours now. As for your other request—to take one item from the Nine Realms Guild's treasure room—that has also been approved. When would you like to visit?" Lionel asked.

"Maybe a week from now—or sooner? I can visit whenever I please, right?" Victor replied.

"Of course. I was simply asking if you'd like me to accompany you," Lionel said.

"That's very kind of you, Mr. Lionel. And now, let's discuss what you wanted to talk about," Victor said.

Lionel's expression turned serious, his body language shifting. He locked eyes with Victor, his tone steady but heavy with meaning. "Young Master Victor, you must know my true identity, correct?"

"Yes, I know. You're Lionel Sky, the rightful successor to the leader of the Nine Realms Guild," Victor said without hesitation.

Eirik stiffened, his composure faltering as Lionel, on the other hand, became even more focused, surprised that Victor answered so directly.

"Well, then I'll get straight to the point. Your request to access the Nine Realms Guild's treasure room was a heavy burden, and it has affected my position. So, since that day, the elders agreed to abolish the guild's old traditions and officially elect a new leader," Lionel said earnestly.

Victor's face betrayed no surprise as he replied, "Let me guess—they've already chosen a new leader, and it's Godwyn?"

Both Eirik and Lionel visibly tensed, their surprise evident.

"How do you know?" Lionel asked, his voice tinged with astonishment.

Victor smirked faintly. "I won't answer that. So, it's true that Godwyn will become the leader of the Nine Realms Guild. And I'm sure you didn't come here just to tell me that, did you? What do you want?" he asked.

Lionel glanced briefly at Alvin, hesitation flashing in his eyes before returning to Victor. Understanding immediately, Victor said firmly, "He stays."

Lionel exhaled deeply before continuing, "I want you to compete with Godwyn to become the leader of the Nine Realms Guild."