In an atmosphere charged with lethal energy and clashing auras, Cloe and Danny stood on the verge of confrontation. Suddenly, a calm yet firm voice cut through the silence of the room:
"Should I applaud to encourage you?"
Cloe drew her sword quickly and sheathed it again, avoiding eye contact with Moathan. Danny didn't seem annoyed; he remained angry: "You really kill the fun! If you had been a few seconds later, I would have taught her manners and how to behave in front of a great man like me!"
Moathan replied calmly: "Please, stop that. I don't want to see you die now because I need you at the moment. Also, I will leave the continent in a few days, so I'll need you as my substitute here."
Danny laughed sarcastically: "As if I would die just playing with some bugs! Even if my body is in a terrible state, that doesn't mean I'll die from a simple fight."
Moathan responded with a light chuckle: "It's not that weak. And if 09 intervenes, you won't come out unscathed even at full health."
A look of disappointment appeared on Danny's face: "I'm twenty-four years old, and I might die tomorrow. Will you keep your promise to fight me to the death? If not, let me find someone else."
Moathan answered: "Doctors' opinions may not be accurate, but they said that if you continue taking the injections, you could stay alive for another two months. Some have managed to last until twenty-five. As death approaches due to the curse, your heart will feel an unusual tightness."
Danny laughed loudly: "I already feel it! I'll wait a little, but if I see you delaying, I'll attack myself."
Moathan's tone shifted, and a rare seriousness appeared on his face: "You are a hero unlike any I've seen. I want your death to be grand, worthy of your status. And I feel that a fight befitting you will come soon, and if not, I'll personally send you to hell, haha."
Danny turned and walked away: "I'll go see how the extermination of those monsters is going."
Moathan said: "Alright, I'll send someone to assist you after I finish the investigation."
Danny laughed as he strutted away: "It's clear! Do you even need an investigation? Just execute both of them or close your eyes!"
Moathan turned to Cloe: she couldn't lift her head from embarrassment and confusion.
"Are you alright now? How are you? And who did this to you?"
She bit her lip, staring at the ground: "I don't know… I just found myself in this state."
Moathan patted her shoulder: "I ask you as my daughter, not as a subordinate. It's clear, and I'm not stupid. Lift your head."
Cloe lifted her head, tears filling her eyes: "It was a fight between us… and I started it."
Moathan looked at her sternly, pressing her shoulder as if he could break it: "You started the fight and still lost? Didn't I teach you not to enter battles without studying your opponent? How did you even lose with that ability?"
Lia tried to intervene, but 09 stopped her with a glance, making her understand she shouldn't interfere.
Moathan let her go and sighed: "Was it that strong? Did he escape after doing this?"
Cloe lowered her head again: "I could have killed him when he was exhausted, but I didn't because of my pride. After using his ability, I was no match for him at all." Tears streamed down her face as she felt the bitterness of defeat.
Moathan bent down and patted her: "Every sky has a sky above it. It's natural to find someone stronger, but you must always avoid such unnecessary scenarios. We would have lost you today. Even if you were going to act, do it properly."
Lia shouted after hearing this: "Are you encouraging her to kill despite knowing she first tried to kill my brother?"
Moathan's gaze sharpened: "Was your brother the one responsible? Where is that scoundrel? He won't survive this!"
Lia panicked as she realized he was actually talking about Kyle and that he already knew what happened and was manipulating words to scare her: "He did nothing! He was just defending himself! He even sent me to save her, despite his miserable condition and untreated injuries; he could lose his arm at any moment!"
09 looked at Lia in surprise as she told this obvious lie but remained silent.
Moathan approached Lia, baring his teeth, then placed his hand on her head and began laughing: "No need for excuses! If you acted 'professionally,' I would have had to execute both of them. Of course, I don't want that, so I'll act as if nothing happened. And thank you for saving Chloe, I'm grateful. You may request anything you want."
Lia replied without hesitation, her eyes burning with determination: "I want a bottle of your blood and the president's blood."
Moathan laughed, his laughter echoing coldly in the room: "You ask for a lot! Those samples are reserved for researchers seeking a cure for the curse; I cannot give them to you easily."
Lia responded firmly: "I believe I can cure this curse if I get your blood."
Moathan asked, curiosity in his voice: "Did you hack the information? How did you know those samples were mine? And why do you specifically want the president's blood?"
Lia replied: "I don't know… but I feel that you're different. No matter how much I searched for classified information—about you, the production of blue salt, the injections, and the trips to the dark continent—I could find nothing. I concluded you are different. Plus, the number of missions you completed is huge, shown on your statue, and it's impossible for anyone to accomplish that in such a short time."
Moathan put his hand on his chin: "And why specifically the president's blood? There are others who were treated as well."
Lia said instinctively: "Because he is the youngest among the three. And it's hard to believe the other two are sixty!"
Moathan laughed: "Before the curse, people lived 60, 70, 100 years or more! So don't be surprised; these individuals already took the treatment from the Blouva continent. Sixty years was nothing back then; most reached that age before the curse."
He turned around and said: "But if you can make 50 stealth suits in a week, I'll provide it for you."
Lia looked astonished: "How can I do that in a week? That's nearly impossible!"
He answered: "You contributed greatly to the helicopters and jet planes with this feature. How can it be difficult for you? You even modified your bike and truck with the same feature; how is this hard for you?"
She replied quickly, flustered: "Those are huge machines made from heavy metals! But suits are different, especially if they must be comfortable for the wearer!"
He looked at her intensely: "Am I asking you to make them comfortable and combat-ready? I only want suits that allow stealth movement during missions outside the continent."
Lia asked, with a faint curiosity: "Is there a trip to the dark continent? Can I go?"
Moathan replied: "This will be a trip to Rosara continent, and Kyle will participate. You can ask him about the most important resource for making blue salt… if you have the courage. He will be searching for it."
Both 09 and Vail swallowed hard, knowing she couldn't bear the knowledge of that resource, but all they could do was remain silent.
Moathan turned and said, in a firm voice: "Go heal Kyle. Brian needs him for some tasks in Laramira."
Then he turned to Cloe: "Send Vail or 09 to assist Danny. You and the fifty other soldiers head to Veron city, which is struggling with some monsters. I suspect a gang is drawing them to create chaos, therefore take care of it and return before the Rosara mission starts. I'll leave the continent for a few days."
09 asked: "Will you head to Blouva?"
Moathan answered: "Yes, I will. They use me as a slave for missions, and it's a bit annoying."
09, with a serious and unwavering face, said: "Should I try to get the recipe or info? Even if I'm caught, they won't know where I came from."
Moathan laughed, his voice blending with the wind: "Those bastards cannot be messed with! We'll enter a fierce war where we'll lose more than we gain. So no need for risky moves now. There's an old saying: 'He who is not satisfied with a loaf will settle for half.' No need to ruin our relationship with them."