Grandpa Kalvin, deciding to take care of his unfilial sons later, left the living room and then quickly headed to his study where he called one of his men.
āRodrick, do you have a terminal near you?.ā He said,
āYes sir.ā The man replied.
āIā¦ Do you know about Theodore White?ā He asked.
āSir, Is this line secure?ā Rodrick asked.
āYes,ā Kalvin replied.
āHe is one of the targets for our surveillanceā¦ He is very dangerousā¦ā Rodrick replied.
āI already know that. He is on the blue listā¦. I want to know a few things, like his wife and children's names.ā Kalvin said.
āOhā¦one momentā¦ā¦ā Rodrick said, then quickly proceeded to search for the relevant info.
Kalvin heard the sound of a keyboard typing from the other side.
āYesā¦ The information is scarce, No official wives list. But the unofficial list of partners contains 3154 entriesā¦ As for his childrenā¦. Letās seeā¦ Nick, Nicky, Max, Roxy, Roxan, Rex, Pan, Mary, Cara, ā¦. About 317 registered under his name. He might have unregistered ones.ā
āSearch for Victor, Alice, Mike, and Lara,ā Kalvin asked impatiently.
āOhā¦One second ā¦ There is no Lara, but the others existā¦ Thatās strange... Some of his children were registered in the system when they reached 17 or 18ā¦ā Rodrick said.
āSome hidden powers seem to have rules like thatā¦ Now, tell me about the names I asked you about.ā
āAh yesā¦. First, Alice White. Blue list. Mother is Elena. Father is Theodoreā¦. Very successful entrepreneur in BlackFountain Cityā¦ She has some dark activities, but nothing too brazen, just some underground arena. She enjoys extreme sports and likes powerful menā¦. Many young masters around the city might have been castrated by herā¦. And she rarely appears in public. Thatās about itā He said, swallowing his salivaā¦ Apparently looking at her photo.
āSecond, Mike White, mother: Elena, on the green list. He runs a casino and a few strip clubs in new Lure cityā¦ A pervert who likes to collect whoresā¦, He also sponsors many orphanages.ā He drank some waterā¦.
āLastly, Victor White, mother: Elenaā¦ On the red List. He appeared last month in Vein city. He is attending the academy where some people reported him for indecent behaviorā¦. And he has many properties around townā¦. ā
āWaitā¦ Red list?ā Kalvin opened his mouth wideā¦. He knew well what this meantā¦The lists were created to categorize the people that belonged to the hidden powersā¦
White meant no power. Blue for economic power, green for those who do minor illegal activities. Yellow for the media powerā¦ā¦ Red for maniacs and terrorists.
āWhat did he do?ā Kalvin asked.
āWellā¦His car blew up firstā¦ then A few weeks ago he blew the sports car of his half-brother, Nick, killing himā¦. And a week after that, he threw a grenade on the highwayā¦ There were even reports of some weapons transfers to his mansionā¦ and his media company had some bombs purchased for the special effects but they went missingā¦.ā Rodrick explained.
ā..Did the government do anything?ā Kalvin asked.
āNoā¦ Apparently, his family took care of itā¦ All charges were droppedā¦ā Rodrick said.
āWhat about their mother Elena?ā He asked.
āNo infoā¦ We only have the nameā¦ Not even a surname, Do you have any idea?ā
āNoā¦. Thatās all for nowā¦. Take careā¦ā Kalvin said as he hung up with complex eyesā¦.
Thirty years ago, when he worked in the special forcesā¦ They were following a very nefarious international human trafficking organization, they fought with them many times almost annihilating them completely. Thenā¦ they were ordered to back down. No explanations. No questions allowed.
They didnāt want to, but as soldiers, they could only complyā¦ But he and his team had questionsā¦ So they began to do some little investigationā¦ Every time they found a clue the plot got thickerā¦ They couldnāt even imagine that something like this was hidden in plain sight!.
After going all over the data they had for the third time, they were forced to believe the terrifying truth. The government that ruled the Principality was a puppet, controlled by some force from the shadows... Not only their government, all the governments around the world it seemed. They couldnāt believe it at first, but the more they searched the more they confirmed their guesses. Who was this force, and how did they do it?
It took them three years to know that. The force was a conglomerate of families and hidden powers that slipped inside the system controlling everything from behind using agents that they put in place using various meansā¦ Even the many resolutions and assassinations around the world were their work!
The president, the leaders, the army, and police commanders all worked for them. And the criminal organization they were following, belonged to one of those as wellā¦ They controlled most of the major criminal organizations around the world.
His team was shocked, but after seeing the atrocity that gang didā¦.They decided to do something about this. But how? The government refused to act. They were even demoted after asking!
So, they formed a secret organization with the goal of collecting information about those guys and then eliminating them. They used the armyās and the government's capabilities for thisā¦ Secretly of course.
They have discovered that those forces had lists of names that the government could not interfere withā¦ as if they belonged to a different class. They policed themselvesā¦. And from those lists, his team started their search!
All went well until they were discoveredā¦ No, those guys were aware of them from the start, but they ignored them, as a lion ignores a fly.
Kalvin doesnāt know what exactly happened, but his best friend found something, something that caused those powers to kill him with most of the teamā¦ Their bodies were cut into pieces and then thrown into the sea.
He only survived because his friend was smart enough to split his organization into two parts when he created it. One active and one passive. Kalvin was one of the leaders of the Passive section which remained hiddenā¦ Or were they ignored on purpose? He didnāt dare to think about that possibility.
His friend only left one sentence before he died, IT IS A GAMEā¦ PLAYERS!
What does that mean? He didn't know, but it caused his friend's death!.
He decided to keep a lowkey and only collect information that is available in the public records. And social media latelyā¦ nothing that would make them think of him as a threat.
It has been 20 years. His organization has grown a lot, and they recruited many others who also discovered the same truth and wanted to fight itā¦ but still, they didnāt dare to make a move. They saw others try and die miserably.
Now, his daughter turned out to have married one of those hateful guysā¦. Damn it! He should not have been this stubbornā¦ He shouldnāt have let her go back then.
Kalvin sighed as he left the study... Waking in the corridor, He noticed something. Victor was dragging that grandson-in-law, Archie somewhere, They headed upstairsā¦ Kalvin, despite his age, followed them soundlessly as they entered an abandoned room and closed the door.
He eavesdropped on them.
ā.... but what does the young master want to ask about?ā Archie asked just as Klavin placed his ear on the wooden doorā¦ A man his age shouldnāt be doing this, but he couldn't resist.
āYou seemed scared when my sister Aliceās name was mentionedā¦ Have you met her before?ā Victor said arrogantly.
ā.... I had the honor a few years agoā¦I might have offended herā¦.. It didnāt go well.ā Archi didnāt elaborate.
āShe is the decisive type, but she has a good heart, or you would have been dead by now,ā Victor said, making Archie cough... He didnāt agree.
Kalvin wanted to see Archie's face at that moment, but he didnāt dare to moveā¦
āNowā¦ Since you belong to the princeās familyās direct lineā¦ Why are you still not awakened?ā Victor asked. Making Kalvin almost gaspā¦ He didnāt know that his grandson-in-law was this important. What did he mean by awakened?
āAwakened?ā Archie asked. It seemed like he didnāt know either.
āDoesnāt your family have a secret ritual? Why didnāt you do it?ā Victor asked, making Kalvin listen more attentively as Archie seemed to be thinking of an answerā¦
āIā¦. I made a mistake when I was youngerā¦. I was forbidden from attending the ritual. Andā¦. I was demoted in the familyā¦ I canāt even attend their meetings.ā Archie said with clear hatred in his voice.
āIt was Troy who baited you? Didnāt heā Victor asked, making Kelvin's eyes narrowā¦ Troy Wiren. He is on the black list which was reserved for the worst of the worst.
āDoes the young master know anything?ā Archie asked.
āNoā¦ Just the way your face distorted when I told you his name earlierā¦ Seems like I was right.ā Victor said.
āYesā¦. He tricked me into giving away one of the family's heirlooms to a girl I likedā¦ A b*tch ā Kalvin didn't elaborate. Kalvin didnāt need more info eitherā¦ It was the classic trick. The pitiful girl asking for help.
āYou are an idiot,ā Victor said. Kalvin outside nodded.
āI knowā¦ You donāt have to rub itā¦.ā Archie replied.
āNoā¦ I mean seriouslyā¦ My cousin Marlie is probably working for someone too... I am not sure yet thoughā¦ā Victor added.
āImpossible!ā Archie said, making Kalvin nod again. Marlie might be a slut, but she is a good girlā¦
āHow did you meet her? She wanted help?... No, you wonāt fall for the same trap twiceā¦. Ohā¦ You must have been in trouble, and she saved your lifeā¦ āVictor said.
Archie didnāt replyā¦. Victor was telling the truth.
āDonāt worry, now that she knows your status she would never sell you offā¦ Not cheaply anyway.ā Victor said,
Archie didnāt reply.
āI am not telling you to abandon her, she might have some feelings for you after allā¦ She is still young... Kids nowadays don't know what's good for them.ā Victor said, making his grandfather want to slap himā¦ How old are you to say that Marlie is young? She is older than you!
āWhat then?ā Archie askedā¦ He seemed to be beginning to believe Victor.
āShe is my cousin, after all, and I don't want her to be hurt... So, You just need to be more vigilant around her and only feed her select informationā¦ You know what I mean...I donāt hire idiotsā¦. You see, I am planning to let you work for me, are you interested?ā Victor asked.
āYou want to use me to get at Troy? What do I get in return?ā Archie askedā¦
āYesā¦ Nowā¦ A few of Troyās men attacked my mansion yesterday. He needs punishmentā¦ And I decided that he is no longer fit to be a hair to the prince's seatā¦. Do you want his place?ā Victor asked casually as if he was replacing a chair in a dining room.
āYes,ā Archie replied immediately, with clear anticipation in his voice.
āBut in return, I will need your full obedienceā¦ You would be my dog. The Wiren family would by my b*tch!ā Victor said plainly.
āI am willing.ā Archie didnāt hesitate, making both Kalvin and Victor a little surprisedā¦
āTroy did something else other than taking your position in the family didnāt he?ā Victor asked calmly.
āHe killed my sisterā¦ He doesnāt know that I knowā¦ā Archie didnāt say any more.
āOh... Well, thatās your businessā¦. Anyway, I have to say thisā¦. If you have any thoughts of betrayal you better back down now, or your end would be miserableā¦ This is your last chance to back downā¦ Once I speak my next word there will be no way back.ā Victor warned again,
āI am willing!ā Archie said with firm words as Kalvin pressed his ear harder on the wooden door.
āFine thenā¦.First, we need to make you a Player.ā Victor said, sending a shiver in Kalvinās back. A PLAYER!
āA Player?ā Archie asked.
āYesā¦ Your cousin should be a semi-player, your grandfather and father the sameā¦ You will be better than them. But you will have to keep everything a secret thoughā¦ If anything I will tell you now gets leaked, not only you, your entire bloodline might get executed.ā Victor saidā¦ Kalvin had the illusion that Victor was talking to him.
āYesā¦ What is a player?ā Archie asked.
āI will only tell you the outline, butā¦ Simply, we live in a world that has game like rulesā¦ and people who can use those rules are called players. Like Video games.ā Victor said.
āAhhā¦ā Archie didnāt say anything. Then he yelledā¦ āYou are flying!ā Kalvin thought that they were scamming him for a minute thereā¦ He really wanted to open the door and have a lookā¦ He better not do that.
āYes, some of us can fly, shoot fire, and teleportā¦ Like superheroes. Or Villians, Mostly supernatural skills, and almost every awakened have superhuman strengthā¦.Your family are only semi-players, they are slightly more powerful than normal humans and they can only use about three or two skills per person. If you become a full player you would be far stronger than any of themā¦ You would be able to level up, they canāt do thatā¦. Thatās all I can tell you for now.ā Victor said.
āHow can I become a player?ā Archie asked with anticipationā¦ Kalvin who was in a little disbelief listenedā¦. When he fought with that gang in the past, all of them were inhumanly strongā¦ and one of the men breathed fireā¦ He remembers that. But he thought it was some kind of an exotic weapon back thenā¦ What if it weren'tā¦ Impossibleā¦ At this moment he remembered many thingsā¦
āBecoming a player is very hardā¦ Your family has been trying for centuriesā¦. But I happen to have a method but it dependsā¦. Can you fight?ā Victor asked.
āYes, I can use a spearā¦ Family trainingā¦ā Archie said.
āThen you would be fineā¦. There is a risk of deathā¦. But this is the fastest wayā¦.ā Victor said, āOr you can wait for a year or two, I might find you a better method..ā
āNoā¦ Grandfather might abdicate this winterā¦ And Troy is the only candidate!.ā Archie refused.
āOhā¦ Then firstā¦.. Take this.ā Victor said.
āA contract? How did you get it from thin airā¦ A Skill?ā Archie asked.
āYesā¦ This is our agreement. You will be my slave and not tell anyone about my secrets, and in return, I would help you get rid of your cousin Troy and then help you take his seat.ā Victor said.
āHow do I sign it? There is no placeā¦ā Archie asked not caring about being a slave.
āYou canāt sign it, only players can. After becoming a player, drop some of your blood on itā¦. Rememberā¦ AFTER becoming a player.ā Victor said, āIf you leave that place without signing it, I will make sure you die like a dog.ā He added.
āI understand,ā Archie said, as a paper folding sound could be heard.
āThen Go there. This is called dungeon awakening,ā Victor saidā¦ Apparently giving a paper to Archie. āThey will give you what you need and tell you what to do.ā He said.
There was silence after that.
āWhat are you waiting for? The ritual can only be done once and it would start by sunrise. You need at least 6 hours to get thereā¦.ā Victor scolded again, making Archie run out of the room and then leave the house without even saying goodbye to his beloved.
Kalvin was not in the corridor, he had successfully returned to his study just in time. He was breathing rapidly.
āGrandpaā¦ You also better keep this a secret.ā Kalvin who sighed in relief as he closed the door, heard a voice from behind him, scaring the sh*t out of him. It was Victor. When did he get there? His instinct as a soldier told him one thing. His grandson was dangerousā¦ Too dangerous... He remembered RED LIST.
āIs it true?ā He asked. Found a seatā¦ He was too old for running.
āEvery bit of it.ā Victor said, āDidnāt you see the Mantises in the newsā¦. That guy who fought them was a playerā¦. āVictor added, making his grandfather opened his eyes wideā¦. Wasnāt it an army experience? Some people even said that it was aliensā¦.
āIf that guy is a Playerā¦ What is the mantis?ā Kalvin asked.
āA monster from another world,ā Victor said briefly.
āAnyway, the reason I let you hear my conversation with Archie is for your benefit. You belong to SunRizeright?ā Victor asked, making his grandfather sweat, but he did not answer.
āAnyway, the things you heard will be leaked to the public very soon. And the situation in the world is about to change, so the hidden powers would probably start to search for the leakerā¦. So you better stick your head in the sand and keep your little organization hidden for now and focus on information gathering. That's all I can tell youā¦ You might be able to be more active laterā¦ā Victor said as he headed to the studyās door, making Kalvin sweat moreā¦ Not knowing what to thinkā¦ He better calls his partners and ask, as he was just one of 7 leaders of the organizationā¦ But if those guys decided to eliminate them, they wouldnāt be able to resist.
āOhā¦ā Victor stopped leaving the room as if he remembered something. Then he threw a bottle of some liquid to his grandfather, who caught it in mid-air.
āDrink this now,ā Victor ordered.
Kalvin hesitated.
āIf I wanted to kill you, you would have already been dead,ā Victor said Kalvin didn't moveā¦ He just eyed the bottle.
āI have to do it myself, it seems,ā Victor said as he disappeared. In the next moment, Kalvin felt like the bottle in his hand was forcibly moved and pushed into his mouth. He didnāt dare to swallow but a light press on his throat forced him to.
āYou need to be more trusting, you know. I am your grandson.ā Victor said as he materialized in front of his grandfather...
Kalvin opened his eyes in shock and then felt as if his body was getting rejuvenated. Every old injury in his body was healing. His back no longer ached, and his joints were more flexible. Even his ***** was working again for the first time in 10 years. What is this drink?
āThis is my meeting gift to you. A healing elixir.ā Victor said as he headed to the door. āKeep it a secret, people with loose mouths tend to lose their heads a lot around here,ā he added with an innocent smile that sent shivers in his grandfatherās back.
āWhat is a player?ā Kalvin managed to ask just as Victor reached the door.
āOhā¦ I already explained it to Archieā¦. Victor said, then stuck his head with his hand āAhā¦. Sometimes I forget how old some people areā¦ Sorryā¦.. Wellā¦.. I noticed you have a new BoxStation 7 in the living room.ā Victor said.
āOh That thingā¦ Your uncles bought it to let their children be less noisy when they visit hereā¦. They are still noisyā¦. Why are you asking?ā Kalvin asked with annoyance. Did this bastard just call him old?
āTry playing a game called World of Truth, I am sure it is already installedā¦. You will know what a player meansā¦ It was made to teach potential players about the rulesā¦ā Victor said with a smile as he stepped out of the room, leaving his confused grandfather.