Kyle narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized the boy before him. “I've barely warmed the seat, and you're already chasing me away?”
“Don't you have anything better to do?” Anthony asked.
“On the contrary, which goes to show just how much I value you! Even with my busy schedule, I was still determined to find the time to meet you,” Kyle replied, unashamed of putting his bootlicking skills to use.
A glint of mischief flashed across Anthony's eyes. “So, you're here because you wanted to see me... Now that we've met, is there anything else?”
“Of course! I don't even know where to start!” Kyle exclaimed. Ha. The more Anthony wants me to leave, the more I refuse to... Something's up with him. I'm sure of it.
“Oh? What is it?”
“Well...” Kyle uttered as he raised his eyebrows. “For example, I still have no idea what you're doing here.”
Even though he had meant that as a joke, everyone else was so taken aback that the atmosphere turned somewhat awkward.
Anthony quickly shot a glance at Thalia. Since the latter wasn't saying anything, he pondered the question before looking up at Kyle determinedly. “I'm here because I have some personal matters to settle.”
“Personal matters? Like what?” Kyle asked before dropping his voice to a whisper. “Perhaps I could be of some assistance.”
After a brief moment of hesitation, Anthony replied, “I want to build my own team.”
“Huh? What did you say?” Kyle muttered in disbelief. Given Anthony's personality, he'd either deny everything or beat around the bush. I can't believe he answered me so readily!
“I said I want to build a team that I can mobilize anytime,” Anthony repeated, his voice loud and clear.
Still not believing his ears, Kyle stared at the boy before turning to Thalia.
I knew Anthony came here for a reason, but I never imagined it'd be this.
By then, the atmosphere in the room was undoubtedly tense and frigid.
From the look that Kyle gave Thalia, it was apparent she had not told him anything.
“You don't need to look at Thalia,” Anthony piped up. “I was the one who tricked her into coming here. She knows nothing about this.”
Upon hearing that, Thalia furrowed her brows. “He didn't trick me. I do know a little about this matter.”
“No, you don't. I never told you anything!”
Judging by the interaction between Thalia and Anthony, Kyle was sure that the two got along very well. However, he also knew Thalia wasn't a dim-witted person who could be easily manipulated.
Despite that, he tamped down his irritation and looked at Anthony. “Are you saying you want to leave Darknetz?”
“I don't intend to.”
“But isn't that the whole point of building your own team?”
“My team won't pose any threat to Darknetz.”
Kyle couldn't help but let out a wry chuckle. “How can I trust you?”
“I don't have a way to prove that now, so you'll have to take my word for it. I always mean what I say,” Anthony answered.
“In that case, are you aware of the rules of Darknetz? Anyone who breaks the rules will be expelled!”
Anthony suddenly fell silent.
Ah. I guess we just can't avoid this grim subject...
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