God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World! Chapter 528: Hunting Himself?

The return trip to the ChaosKnight base was marked by an oppressive silence. Gabriel occupied the back seat, an arm resting idly on the door frame. Opposite him sat Vv, encased in full armor, maintaining a statue-like stillness throughout the journey. The palpable tension between them was so thick that even the driver, seated in front, couldn't help but steal furtive glances in the rearview mirror before quickly averting his gaze.

ChaosCleric had opted for a separate vehicle.

Whether driven by prudence or apprehension, Gabriel found himself indifferent. His focus remained fixed on Vv, and this time, he made no effort to conceal his intense scrutiny. There was an inexplicable magnetism about Vv that repeatedly drew Gabriel's attention, a feeling that transcended the mere allure of the armor or the profound silence.

After a period of quiet contemplation, Gabriel finally broke the silence. "What is your name?"

Vv offered no immediate response. The vehicle glided through the city's streets, the exterior lights momentarily illuminating the armor's crimson surface with fleeting streaks of light. It was only after several more seconds had elapsed that the figure finally responded. "Vv."

Gabriel's eyes flickered. The name resonated with a faint echo in his memory, conjuring a fleeting image of someone he once knew. However, the recollection vanished as swiftly as it appeared. The person he recalled was not prone to such reticence, and more importantly, would never conceal themselves beneath such formidable armor.

Ultimately, he dismissed the thought.

The vehicle soon veered towards the district housing the ChaosKnight headquarters. The towering skyscraper, with its gleaming glass facade and polished metallic accents, came into view. The sheer number of guards and players milling about the entrance signaled that this was no minor organization posturing for significance.

Despite their repeated defeats at his hands, Gabriel could not dispute the fact that ChaosKnight stood as the most formidable player-driven guild.

The moment Gabriel disembarked, hushed whispers erupted among the onlookers. Players near the entrance froze, some pointing openly while others hastily accessed their interfaces to begin typing. A mix of excitement and apprehension was evident on their faces, yet every individual present instantly recognized the figure concealed by the white mask.

"Is that White Phantom?"

"What is he doing here?"

"He's actually going inside."

"That's ChaosKnight's tower..."

The murmur of voices intensified with each passing second.

High above, observing from the panoramic window of her office, IceQueen noticed his arrival. Initial surprise registered on her features, as even she had not anticipated the encounter to materialize so swiftly. This surprise rapidly transformed into palpable excitement, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of her desk, betraying the depth of her intrigue.

Securing White Phantom had been her ambition.

And now, he was willingly entering her domain.

Gabriel was escorted without delay. The elevators ascended smoothly, guards promptly relinquishing passage upon recognizing his companion, and soon the office door swung open, revealing IceQueen bathed in the ambient glow of the city lights. The expansive space exuded a modern, somewhat sterile elegance, a common characteristic of affluent locales. A broad desk dominated the central area, and the glass wall behind it offered an unhindered vista of Stellar City shimmering under the evening sky.

ChaosCleric broke the silence, his report, delivered once the door had sealed shut, encompassing all pertinent details: the decimated Black Star base, the fallen bodies, the structural collapse, and the astounding fact that White Phantom had single-handedly accomplished this feat. As he recounted the events, even he seemed increasingly aware of the immense value standing before them.

"He accomplished it alone," ChaosCleric stated. "Black Star has ceased to exist."

IceQueen's gaze remained locked on Gabriel as she inquired, "And the terms?"

ChaosCleric offered a solemn nod, his eyes briefly shifting towards Gabriel. Gabriel, however, opted to preempt any potentially inaccurate reiteration. "I will state them myself," he declared.

IceQueen inclined her head slightly. "Proceed."

Gabriel's voice retained its composed cadence. "Should I agree to join, I demand a status equivalent to the highest authority beneath you. I will not be regarded as a common subordinate. Furthermore, I require special privileges, unrestricted freedom of movement, and the liberty to act autonomously without constant oversight."

He allowed a brief pause. "One final stipulation: my association with your guild must remain confidential. Its knowledge will be confined solely to this room."

ChaosCleric regarded him with renewed attention, and even Vv shifted slightly, an indication of heightened focus. IceQueen remained silent for a moment, her fingers tapping rhythmically against her armrest. Her gaze remained fixed on Gabriel, meticulously evaluating the true implications of his demands.

His request was far from trivial.

He sought a position of authority nearly mirroring her own, demanding secrecy and the latitude to enter and exit ChaosKnight's affairs without public acknowledgment. This arrangement offered him protection from exposure while granting them access to his formidable capabilities when required.

It was an exceptionally demanding proposition for any leader to entertain.

Nevertheless, IceQueen had witnessed sufficient proof. Black Star was not lacking in strength. The fact that White Phantom could single-handedly annihilate them and then appear in her office afterwards indicated a value far exceeding that of any standard second-in-command.

After a period of prolonged silence, a nod of acceptance was given.

"Very well, I concur."

ChaosCleric exhaled a gradual breath, the existence of which he hadn’t even realized.

IceQueen proceeded, "Should you assist us in eradicating Broken Heaven permanently, I am prepared to offer you remuneration exceeding even that."

Gabriel registered her words and found the situation bordering on comical. He was being offered a bounty to hunt himself, yet his mask concealed any hint of amusement from his expression.

"Excellent," he responded. Casting his gaze between the two individuals, he added, "Summon me when my assistance is required. I do not intend to openly operate for your guild at this juncture. Premature action might arouse suspicion."

Gabriel turned towards the exit, but before he could depart, IceQueen's voice halted his movement.

"Actually, there is something else you might be able to assist us with."

He paused, turning his head to look back.

IceQueen's demeanor had shifted to a more solemn one. "We were unable to accomplish this task on our own. Perhaps with your presence, we might finally achieve it."