God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World! Chapter 483 483: White Phantom

XMan gazed at the notification for several moments, since private messages seldom reached him.

Whenever they did arrive, they typically came from familiar types. Low-level groups seeking a scout. Casual gamers asking about shortcuts through ancient ruins. Occasionally, someone needed him to interpret symbols or outdated quest logs they were too lazy to examine.

He opened the sender's profile with a click, only to find it anonymous, heightening his wariness.

Yet, in the end, his curiosity prevailed.

Cautiously, he began typing a response.

[Hello. I'm XMan. What do you need help with?]

After a brief pause, he appended another line.

[If it's about research or hidden lore, I might be able to help, but you will have to pay.]

He hit send and eased back in his seat a bit.

Shortly after, within New Dawn, Gabriel got the alert.

He had barely wrapped up a quick directive to a supply hand when the forum ping showed up. He sent the worker away, headed to his quarters, and promptly accessed the message.

Gabriel scanned the text once before firing off a direct reply, skipping any small talk.

[I'm interested in your Soul Key theory.]

Across the connection, XMan went still upon reading the reply.

Soul Key.

Of everything this nameless sender might mention, it zeroed in on the Soul Key.

A slight frown creased his brow.

Initially, skepticism gripped him. Too often, others had ridiculed him. Certain players feigned curiosity solely to kill time or mock him afterward. Thus, he refrained from jumping to believe it.

This time, his response came more deliberately.

[Most people think that theory is nonsense. Why are you interested?]

Gabriel absorbed the message and nodded subtly to himself. XMan's caution made complete sense; Gabriel himself would react similarly.

Without overthinking, he replied once more.

[Because I have one.]

The response popped up on XMan's display, making him blink repeatedly.

For an instant, he assumed it was a prank. Impossible otherwise. Not after so long. Not with constant accusations of madness.

His fingers flew across the keys far quicker now.

[You have a Soul Key? An actual one?]

Wasting no extra words, Gabriel pulled the shadowy key from his inventory, snapped a crisp screenshot holding it, and attached the photo to the forum chat.

Instantly, XMan spotted it, his eyes bulging at the sharp picture and subtle etchings along its surface.

Above all, the system tooltip beside it.

Undeniably authentic.

XMan leaped from his chair, nearly toppling it over.

"No way…" he gasped, his pulse quickening sharply.

All those threads.

All those comments.

All the mockery, rejections, and claims he fabricated it.

Yet here was proof from someone who discovered one.

Not just discovered—shared evidence.

His fingers danced rapidly on the keys.

[It's real. You actually found one. Where did you get it]

He halted briefly, then hammered out more urgently.

[No, wait. Sorry. We should meet.]

Gabriel perused the messages with composure. XMan's belief was secured at last. Gabriel anticipated needing stronger persuasion.

[Good. Meet me near the outskirts of the Valerian Kingdom.] He typed and dispatched it.

XMan gulped. The Valerian Kingdom lay distant, yet accessible with swift login and travel.

[Alright.] He responded.

[When?]

[As soon as you can.]

Come the following day, XMan donned the headset anew, reentered the game, and hurried off without delay. His modest level barred quicker paths teeming with elite monsters favored by powerhouses, prolonging the trek.

When he arrived at the designated outskirts, dusk was settling.

Silence enveloped the spot. A crumbling stone trail wound amid modest trees and weathered field barriers. Distant from bustling city routes, few lingered long.

XMan scanned vigilantly but spotted nobody, so he held position and awaited. Minutes ticked by with the path deserted, his initial thrill fading gradually as suspicion infiltrated.

Perhaps a hoax after all. Perhaps a troll dug up his ancient posts for a laugh, faking a pic to mock his eagerness. Not the first such incident, as dominant players often toyed with underdogs for sport.

XMan adjusted his stance and peered down the lane once more, yet emptiness persisted. He exhaled deeply and dipped his chin.

"Idiot," he whispered to himself, regretting his gullibility.

Right when conviction of abandonment hit and departure loomed, distant motion caught his eye. A silhouette approached, prompting XMan to snap upright instinctively.

Clad in pristine black leather gear—not standard player fare. The striking attire was unmistakable, complemented by an odd mask.

As proximity grew, details sharpened.

XMan's gaze expanded in recognition. Not firsthand, but via forums, whispers, viral videos—especially Monkey Paradise raid footage. That pale-masked icon had surged in notoriety.

Still, among possible encounters, this was the ultimate surprise.

"White Phantom?"

…

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