BXBX NOVEL Chapter 164: The Person in the Mirror
If I remain unaware of your true identity and your genuine intentions, how can I place my full trust in you during our subsequent collaboration?"
Kean"s tone had now become markedly calmer than it was before.
Having acquired sufficiently formidable power, Kean no longer needed to be as anxious as he had been previously.
Faced with Kean"s question, the voice from within the mirror did not immediately provide an answer.
After a prolonged silence, the voice from the mirror slowly remarked, "You may refer to me as "the person in the mirror." The reason I am offering you assistance is that I hope you can enable me to gain a greater ability to interfere with the real world."
The response from the person in the mirror inadvertently provided Kean with a wealth of information.
From the other party"s answer, Kean could deduce that they currently lacked the capacity to significantly interfere with the real world.
Moreover, the name "the person in the mirror" seemed more like a codename.
This also implied that "the person in the mirror" could very well represent an organization rather than just the individual conversing with him.
"How can I enable you to gain a greater ability to interfere with the real world? You are providing me with assistance now, yet you seem to demand nothing in return."
Kean did not directly press whether "the person in the mirror" was an individual or an organization.
He understood that this question was likely the most closely guarded secret of the other party. Therefore, Kean decided to start with other pertinent inquiries.
Upon hearing Kean"s question, the voice from the mirror sighed softly. "Since you"ve already utilized the ritual I provided, a portion of all the power you gain henceforth will be allocated to me."
Upon hearing this response, Kean"s expression suddenly turned exceedingly grim.
Kean raised his weapon and pointed it at the floor-to-ceiling mirror before him. "How dare you! If a portion of my acquired power is diverted to you, doesn"t that mean my progression speed will be significantly slower than before?!"
At this moment, Kean was overwhelmingly furious.
He had not anticipated that collaborating with "the person in the mirror" would come at such a steep cost.
If his level-up speed became too slow, Jeremy might very well have a significant advantage over him in terms of levels at the moment of their final showdown.
The voice in the mirror also sensed Kean"s anger.
It hurriedly explained, "While I will indeed receive a portion of the experience points you gain, I can assure you that the amount I take is minimal. It will not hinder your leveling speed."
"Moreover, if the power you acquire comes from an exceedingly strong entity, I will be unable to transfer that power to myself."
After listening to the explanation, Kean felt his rage subside somewhat internally.
However, Kean maintained the same expression on his face. He feigned an appearance of extreme anger and shouted at the other party.
"How do I know you"re not deceiving me right now?! If you wish to continue collaborating with me, you must show greater sincerity."
Kean"s intent behind these words was to compel the other party to provide him with more assistance.
Whether it was assistance in terms of intelligence or help with items and equipment, Kean was willing to accept it.
What Kean could not tolerate was the other party hiding in the shadows, seeking to enjoy the final victory without paying any price whatsoever.
The voice in the mirror seemed to grasp Kean"s thoughts.
In the center of the massive floor-to-ceiling mirror, a vortex began to form, slowly transmitting a broken pocket watch through it.
"This broken pocket watch serves as proof of the sincerity of "the person in the mirror."
This pocket watch was once a very powerful piece of equipment owned by Jeremy. Although it is damaged, you can still use it to gain an advantage in your battle against Jeremy."
Kean picked up the broken pocket watch and examined it carefully. He immediately recognized it as the Hourglass of Time.
"Isn"t this the divine artifact that Jeremy obtained? How did it get damaged? Where did you acquire this divine artifact?"
Kean fired off a series of questions in quick succession.
However, the other party offered no answers. They merely responded indifferently, "Now, can you trust my sincerity? If so, then proceed with your actions quickly."
Kean scrutinized the broken Hourglass of Time closely.
"I can trust your sincerity now, but you must still agree to one final condition of mine."
The voice in the mirror provided no response.
Kean continued speaking to himself, "Since you can obtain a divine artifact that Jeremy once possessed, it means you can absolutely provide assistance in my battle against Jeremy."
"The final condition I need you to agree to is this: If I truly face Jeremy in a showdown, you must provide me with ample assistance."
"No problem at all."
The voice in the mirror responded without any hesitation this time, agreeing immediately after Kean stated his final condition.
"I have accepted your terms. Now, all you need to do is swiftly carry out the task assigned to you by the great entity that bestowed power upon you."
After saying the last sentence, the person in the mirror vanished.
The surface of the enormous mirror in front of Kean returned to normal. powered by NovelBin|empyr
Kean carefully put away the broken Hourglass of Time. Then, he immediately called his butler, Farmer.
"Master, did you call me because you want me to bring you something?" Farmer answered the phone quickly.
At that moment, Farmer assumed that Kean was calling to request items to be sent to the confinement room where he was currently located. Therefore, Farmer wasn"t overly concerned.
"I lack nothing here. The purpose of my call is to have you come over immediately, I need to leave the confinement room as soon as possible."
Kean"s words left Farmer utterly stunned.
For a moment, Farmer even forgot to breathe.
After a while, Farmer finally regained his composure. In a tone filled with astonishment, he asked, "Master, you can"t be serious, can you? You"ve only been in confinement for less than a week. According to your grandfather"s orders, the head of the Lannister family, you should be confined for at least two weeks. How can you leave now?"
Kean was fully aware that Farmer"s words made perfect sense.
However, once Kean had made up his mind, he wouldn"t be easily swayed by anyone.
"Stop wasting time. I am well aware of my grandfather"s words. The reason I need to get out immediately is, of course, for the future of our entire Lannister family."
"As my butler, it is imperative that you follow my orders. I am well aware that you possess the keys to the confinement room. If you dare to come here, I can leave this place immediately. Should you fail to come, I will ensure you understand the true meaning of suffering."
Kean did not hesitate to begin threatening Farmer.
Farmer found himself in a dire dilemma.
If he dared to release Kean directly, the consequences for him would undoubtedly be dire.
Conversely, if he did not release Kean, he would still face severe repercussions. After all, as Kean"s butler, failing to maintain a good relationship with him could be tantamount to committing social suicide.
As Farmer hesitated, Kean"s mood grew increasingly foul.
"What are you still deliberating about? If your indecisiveness delays my actions and ultimately causes my plans to fail, you will not be able to bear the consequences."
Kean threatened Farmer once again.
However, this time Kean"s threat had no effect, instead, it backfired.
Farmer had calmed down by now.
After carefully weighing the pros and cons, he ultimately decided not to release Kean.
"Master, as your butler, I must offer you some advice. Even if your actions are urgent and crucial for the Lannister family.
You should still obtain the head"s permission before leaving the confinement room. It is absolutely impossible for me to release you directly as you are asking."
If you believe that my actions show you disrespect, then you can simply relieve me of my duties as your butler. However, regardless of the outcome, I will stand firm in my judgment: you must remain in the confinement room for the full duration of the two weeks."
After delivering these words, Farmer promptly ended the call.
Though Farmer"s tone over the phone was confident and composed, the trembling of his hands after hanging up revealed the immense pressure he had felt while speaking.
Kean had never imagined that his butler would dare to hang up on him.
In a fit of rage, Kean hurled his phone to the ground.
"What a damned fool!"
Kean cursed Farmer aloud, but at this moment, there was nothing else he could do but vent his anger.
Moreover, Kean couldn"t count on any assistance from the person in the mirror.
Although the person in the mirror had previously aided Kean, bestowing upon him the powers of a deity, there was no way they could help Kean escape from the Lannisters" confinement room.
After all, the person in the mirror lacked sufficient influence over the real world.