Emperor's Reckoning

Lyon knew he had to give a reply, however, a simple nod would make him really suspicious. Not to mention that the 9th already had his doubt.

"I disagree."

He let out a sigh of relief inwardly before gazing at the source of the voice. From the voice, it was easy to detect that the assassin who rejected his ascension was a male. His figure was slender and by the looks of it, he was probably the tallest of them all.

"Oooh? 8th, I can see your reason from miles away, but if I recall correctly, the position of a higher rank does not interest you," the leader's voice turned deep, "why now?"

Lyon couldn't read their expressions behind the mask nor the slight movement of their body language. (Looks like this organization has some infighting).

The 8th Abyss opened his arms, "The reason is not that I'm eyeing the 7th spot, but rather the 10th skill that is inadequate."

The leader clasped his hands, "You have a point, then what do you suggest we do then?"

"Of course, it's going to be a test, a test to prove his worthiness."

"A test? You mean to fulfill a contract worthy of a 7th Abyss level ?"

"I believe that is the best solution, and I know everyone else agrees with me," the slender man took a glance at the others but their expressions of agreeing and disagreeing were well hidden to the public.

(Really? They look like they don't give a shit to me).

"Sadly, the contract of such level is not currently available," answered the leader.

"Then the slot must be left vacant—"

"Now, now, don't be so hasty. Killing cultivators are not the only job we do you know," said the leader with a smirk before he put his hands on top of the table. Like a magic trick, he flipped his hands, and a piece of paper appeared on each palm.

"Here I have a bounty on a demonic beast while the other one was to steal an item, both are dangerous quests with a certain degree of death."

"What will you choose?"

(Are you sure?! Isn't this too convenient?!).

Lyon touched his chin as he contemplated. He didn't know the exact pros and cons of each contract and he couldn't ask him in this situation but he needed to make a quick decision to avoid suspicion. Without much thought, he chose the one for thievery.

The leader smiled before rolling the contract into a scroll and threw it across the table under everyone's watchful eyes. Just as Lyon caught it, the leader said, "Dismissed!"

The assassins instantly disappeared from their seats leaving not a single traceable object. Lyon was baffled by their skills but the contract in his hand was now more important. This was the ultimate ticket to getting out of here however, he knew better that he must not open this in an open area like this.

Soon, he made his way back to the room where he arrived. The servants were told to standby outside the room as he entered. Opening the scroll, the paper immediately lit up and a snake-like image suddenly came out of it before it attempted to bit his neck.

The snake whizzed as it couldn't move further. Its entire body squirmed before it realized its neck was clamped by a transparent claw that slowly revealed itself. "Measly worm."

Shen destroyed the snake into bits of lights before becoming transparent again.

"Thanks, grandpa!"

"Anytime!"

Lyon realized that if the snake bit his neck then he was forced into a contract that he didn't know what it was about. Usually, this kind of high-end contract would bind one life to a task and it was more dangerous than just killing an emperor of a world.

He furrowed his eyebrows as he read the content of the contract. The more he read it the more his face turned confused. He tried to turn the paper around but there was no writing on the other side. He immediately took a sit with his fingers tapping the floor as he contemplated.

"This has turned into quite a mess, what did I get myself into this time."

Lyon let out a sigh before he stood up, "I guess, there is no choice, to the top floor it is."

He immediately left the room and made his way back to the round table but this time, he was going upstairs, to the room where the leader resided. Standing in front of the door, a voice from inside already spoken, "It's not locked."

Lyon gulped his saliva, though if a battle must happen he was confident enough not to die by his hands. At the very least, he wouldn't die that easy.

He slowly pushed the door open and a fresh scent of jasmine immediately lingered in his nose. His mind immediately turned to relax and his heartbeat slowed down.

"You like the smell? It's a new incense I found in the black market," the leader continued, "please, sit down."

Lyon noticed that the wrecking he did to the place was nowhere to be seen as if he was never there. The reparation speed was astonishing, considering that he blew off the entire roof. Begrudgingly, he took a seat right in front of the desk.

"Let's get down to business shall we."

The leader casually waved his hand before he sealed the entire space in the room.

"Oh? You're not even nervous, is it because of the aroma or is it because of your latent talent," the leader continued with a breath, "but that was how I wanted to be."

Lyon could only look at him, his voice was distinctively different from the original 10th Abyss. He was once again stuck in a dilemma.

"You must be wondering why I summon you here, why is the content of the contract was to meet me here."

Lyon kept his silence.

"However, we are the same, you and I, we are both liars, it is part of the job."

The leader took a seat behind the desk as he clasped his hands. His eyes deep stared into Lyon's as he said, "I know you are not the original 10th Abyss."