Reverse PUA

"I happen to know the location of the Second Divine Key."

Lin Wei's casual remark startled Otto. What did he mean? Mockery? Surrender? Something else entirely? 

Otto had given up on obtaining information about World Serpent and the Second Divine Key the moment Lin Wei revealed Pandora. Their conflict had escalated beyond petty squabbles. The priority now was damage control.

They were on the brink of a full-blown confrontation.

While Lin Wei appeared relaxed, Otto knew an invisible blade was pressed against his throat.

He'd already tested Lin Wei's resolve. The man was a madman.

It was like a game of chicken. Otto had floored the accelerator, confident his opponent would swerve. Instead, Lin Wei had not only matched his speed but had thrown the steering wheel and brakes out the window. The pressure was now on Otto.

And to add insult to injury, Lin Wei had smashed his own windshield, revealing his true intentions—mutually assured destruction.

Otto hadn't felt this threatened, this… afraid, in centuries. He realized he had no choice. He had to play Lin Wei's game.

He'd considered using the simulated Feather of Truth, but he wasn't sure it would work. And if it failed… he wouldn't get a second chance.

"If only Fu Hua were here…" The thought immediately turned to despair. Fu Hua, wielding the real Fenghuang Down, had been defeated by this man.

He'd initially suspected collusion, but he no longer did. Fu Hua, with her weaknesses and vulnerabilities, was easily manipulated.

And now, this madman was offering him the Second Divine Key? What was this? A change of heart? Another scheme? Otto decided to wait and see.

"Such suspicion, Overseer, after my display of sincerity, is… hurtful," Lin Wei sighed dramatically, his expression, however, betraying no real concern.

He wouldn't have made this offer if he hadn't pushed Otto to the brink. He couldn't let this escalate further. It was time to cash in his chips.

Not every card was meant to be played. Some were better kept hidden, used at a critical moment. Like Yae Sakura's existence.

Revealing her now would only serve as a bargaining chip, nothing more. Keeping her hidden, however, strengthened his position, a secret weapon to be unleashed when the enemy least expected it.

Pandora was different. Its projection abilities, while useful, were redundant against Otto, who possessed Void Archive and could even cosplay as Gilgamesh. As for its corruption abilities…

It was a powerful weapon, but this wasn't the time for a showdown with Otto. Even if he killed him, the consequences would be dire.

Kiana, driven by revenge, would be the first to attack. That was manageable. He could reconcile with them eventually. But the rest of Schicksal… Durandal and Rita might understand his "reasons," but they wouldn't accept the outcome. They would become his enemies.

While they might initially show restraint, they would eventually blame him for the ensuing chaos, for Otto's death. Reconciliation would be impossible.

Anti-Entropy might understand and even offer support, but they were too weak to be of much help.

The only winners would be World Serpent and their stigmata project. He'd be clearing the path for them. He wouldn't play their pawn.

He had to keep Otto wary but not desperate. He had to maintain a delicate balance of threat and appeasement. He'd applied enough pressure.

Now, it was time for a gesture of goodwill. "You want the Second Divine Key? Fine, I'll give it to you." And while you're at it, take your anger out on World Serpent.

While seemingly returning to square one, the dynamics had shifted. Now, he held the power. Otto was no longer in a position to make demands. This offer was both a peace offering and a demand. You want it? Pay the price.

He wasn't worried about Otto's silence. Take it or leave it.

Otto, after a moment of contemplation, understood Lin Wei's intentions. He was relieved that Lin Wei didn't seem intent on all-out war, but his pride was wounded.

"Finally remembering your place, Mr. Lin Wei?" he sneered.

"Indeed. But if the host forgets his manners, I don't mind being a… bad guest," Lin Wei retorted. He couldn't understand Otto's repeated mistakes. He was arrogant, never learning from his past failures.

He wouldn't rehash the New York and Siberia incidents. More recently, after seeing the revived Herrscher of the Void nearly kill Fu Hua in her Divine Key battlesuit, how could Otto have been so confident sending Rita after Kiana? Did he think she wouldn't unleash her full power? Apparently, the previous lessons weren't painful enough.

And then, knowing the risks, he'd sent Rita to investigate Heliopolis Life Sciences, walking right into a trap, nearly getting herself killed. If Kiana hadn't intervened, he would have lost a valuable asset.

And if Rita had died, Durandal wouldn't have arrived, Kiana wouldn't have been "contained," and Mei would have taken her. Then, with Kevin's return, Otto wouldn't have been able to pursue his Herrscher of the Void obsession.

His entire plan would have collapsed.

He was a terrible strategist.

As for his seemingly brilliant maneuvers since Kevin's return… well, desperate times called for desperate measures. He'd admitted himself that treating K-423 better would have saved him a lot of trouble.

"Fine, I apologize," Otto conceded, but he wasn't letting Lin Wei off the hook so easily. "But you should be hostile towards me. Why this sudden… change of heart? Why offer me the Second Divine Key?" He was wary of another trap.

"It's because of the Key of Corruption," Lin Wei said, his voice sincere. "I wouldn't have it, or even be alive, without… Kallen's legacy."

"So, I'm… inclined to… support your… endeavors."

Who says Otto can't be manipulated?