Chapter 256: Face-to-Face Talk

Hearing Henwell’s sigh, Newwood reaches over and slides the plate of tomahawk steak closer to himself.

“I envy you, having your own territory, a stable life, and even the chance to start a family.”

Henwell snorts, “I wake up every day thinking about how to feed over a hundred thousand mouths! Always worrying about how to hold onto my land. Not only do I have to watch out for others scheming against me, but I also have to figure out how to scheme against them. My life’s like a big villain’s, people wanting me dead could line up all the way to the gates of Silver Peak City!”

After venting, Henwell pours Newwood a glass of wine. “Everyone has his own troubles.”

Newwood raises his glass. “Yeah! I was hunted down so badly back then, I almost ended this beautiful life more than once!”

Henwell nods. “True. But you’re impressive, you’ve already reached Glory Knight rank. It won’t be long before you become a Domain Master. I can’t compare. I’ve been training since I was a kid, over ten years now. Only with your help did I barely reach Iron Knight. Glory Knight feels like a distant dream.”

Newwood pauses, then bursts out laughing, “Ha! How old are you? How many years have you been in this world? You really think I’m about your age? Does that even make sense?”

Henwell looks puzzled. “Bishop Atwood mentioned some things about you. You were a Battle Knight fifteen years ago. So in these fifteen years, you’ve gone from Battle Knight to Grand Knight, Iron Knight, then Glory Knight. Your talent’s clearly way above mine!”

Newwood chuckles, “Heh, you’re not slow either! Ten years ago, you weren’t even a Battle Knight. You made Iron Knight in just ten years. At that rate, you’re leveling up every three years, and getting faster!”

Henwell retorts, “It’s not that simple! It took me seven years just to move from Knight to Battle Knight. Only after I got more resources did I go from Battle Knight to Grand Knight in four years. I’ve had several brutal battles, and maybe it’s my unique power system. I absorb enemy strength during fights, which makes me stronger.”

Newwood takes a big swig of wine. “You’re right! Fifteen years ago, I wasn’t just a Battle Knight, I was already a Grand Knight. My promotion speed is about the same as yours. I only took three years to become an Iron Knight. From Iron Knight to Glory Knight, it took me seven years.”

”So, five years ago, I was already a Glory Knight. The reason I was being hunted so relentlessly wasn’t because I wasn’t strong enough to kill them all. Once I showed I’m at Glory Knight rank, it would attract the attention of the gods!”

”As for helping you level up, sure, I played a part. But the truth is, you were already close to Iron Knight rank yourself! Actually, I’m thirty-nine now! Before I was fifteen, I was a slave. I only gained freedom at twenty, and I didn’t even start touching the professionals until I was twenty-two.”

Henwell sizes up Newwood—jet black hair, features more European, but he looks barely in his early twenties, not at all his actual age.

Newwood isn’t as tall or bulky as Henwell but stands over six feet tall with a well-proportioned build.

He always wears a gentle smile, like a kind-hearted big brother.

Newwood chuckles bitterly, “I’ve said it before, we’re special employees. We only get the first investment from above after proving our worth. Not many reach where you and I are.”

”I’ve met seven like us over the years. Four have died for various reasons. The other three have drifted away from the mission given from above and probably won’t get any more support.”

Henwell’s eyes widen. “You’ve met others like you? Who killed them? The top professionals or ruling class in this world?”

Newwood pauses, then shakes his head softly. “Not all of them. I killed two of them myself.”

“Why?”

“One tried to take credit using me, the other wanted to leak things they shouldn’t, such as our company’s missions.”

Henwell falls silent for a long moment, suddenly realizing Newwood’s true role. He is more like that of an overseer.

If anyone strays from the mission or harms the interests, Newwood is the one sent to deal with them.

After a while, Henwell breaks the silence. “If those three colleagues ever try to leak things they shouldn’t, is it your job to ‘clean’ them?”

Newwood doesn’t answer immediately. He finishes his drink, then looks up at Henwell. “You’re the strongest colleague I’ve ever met. Stay firm in your goals, keep pushing forward, don’t stop, don’t take chances, don’t slack off. I’m used to killing, but I don’t want to have to kill you one day. After all, in this world, we’re among the few who can truly rely on each other.”

Henwell gives a bitter smile. “Heh… I wish I could stop, but given the situation now, I don’t have chance to do so.”

Raising his bottle, Henwell toasts, “Here’s to us miserable interns—may we get promoted soon!”

Newwood raises his bottle too. “And may the salary match the risks we take!”

“I’m hoping for a year-end bonus!”

“Hahaha…”

Their laughter echoes through the kitchen.

Though both are powerful figures in their own right, it’s been a long time since either felt this genuinely relaxed and happy.

They then shift the conversation to their respective power systems.

Newwood tells Henwell, “Your power actually consists of two kinds, you’ll have to figure out the details yourself. Mine is pure and simple: born for killing! One of your power types is somewhat similar, which explains why you grow so fast in battle.”

’But your fighting style seems to rely on desperate, do-or-die struggles to show its true strength. If we’re just talking about fighting skill, you’re not as good as me! It’s like in a strategy game, you’re the kind of leader who promotes the growth of a faction.”

Henwell asks back, “So you’re the solo combat hero?”

Newwood grins and throws his head back. “No way! I’m the guy who kicks the opponent’s chair offline during the match!”

Henwell can’t help but chuckle, finding the analogy weird but oddly fitting.

Newwood then reassures him, “Don’t be discouraged. You’re a late-game class. It’s okay to be weak early on. Once you develop, you’re really strong.”

Henwell nods. “So you’re an early-game class?”

“Nope! I’m strong all game long!”