In the dead of night, Anthony finally went online secretly.
Kyle asked once he saw Anthony: Why are you always so late?
Anthony replied: I was busy!
Kyle: Why are you always busy before you have to get online? Isn't that too coincidental?
Anthony: Well, I am indeed busy.
How dare I get online before Natasha goes to bed? I don't have a death wish.
Kyle couldn't be bothered to argue with him, so he changed the subject of the conversation and asked: Where is Thalia?
Anthony: She's injured and still resting at home.
Kyle grew nervous and asked: Injured? What happened?
Anthony explained: It's just some private matter. Don't worry about her. It's only a minor injury.
Kyle thought for a while and asked: Did it happen because of a man?
Anthony: How did you know about that?
Kyle responded: Given Thalia's skills, it won't be easy to hurt her unless she is willing to take it! Has she found the man?
Anthony said: Yes. They ran into each other!
Kyle: D*mn! What a coincidence!
Feeling surprised, Anthony asked: Do you know about this as well?
Kyle: I only know a little about it.
While Anthony arched his eyebrow, Kyle changed the subject of the conversation: All right. Let's not dwell on it. I have something important to discuss with you!
Anthony questioned: What is it?
Kyle became excited when they started talking about this topic. He typed: Did you know that Shadow Seeker was online yesterday?
Once Kyle brought this up, Anthony's heart skipped a beat. Nonetheless, he pretended to be nonchalant and replied: I guess every hacker knows about this. Why are you bringing this up now?
Kyle asked: Are you not excited?
Anthony: Of course, I'm excited!
However, it wasn't hard to tell that he wasn't excited at all.
Kyle ignored him and continued typing: When she offered rewards, I happened to have some information and provided it to her. Do you want to guess what happened next?
Anthony was startled for a while before he replied: Did she agree to join Darknetz?
That was just a guess, but deep down, Anthony thought his position would be precarious if his speculation turned out to be true.
Kyle answered: Well, she didn't. I can tell she's still determined not to join any organization!
Upon hearing it, Anthony heaved a sigh of relief. He asked: In that case, why are you so excited?
Kyle quickly responded: Even though she didn't join Darknetz, she promised to fulfill three of my requests!
Anthony: What requests?
Kyle: I haven't thought about it. However, an idea did pop into my mind!
Anthony's gut instinct told him that the idea was related to him. He questioned: What's your idea?
Kyle proposed: I'm planning to let you and Shadow Seeker compete against each other!
Instantly, Anthony was rendered speechless.
Can I refuse?
Kyle added: Although Shadow Seeker is a legend, you're not bad, too. After all, you're the most awesome hacker I've ever seen, other than Shadow Seeker. I'm curious about the gap between the two of you!
The next moment, Anthony responded without hesitation: I refuse!
Kyle: Why?
Anthony: There is no reason. I refuse, and that's it.
Kyle asked provocatively: Are you afraid of losing?
Anthony: No!
Kyle: You must have a reason, right?
Anthony couldn't bring himself to explain to Kyle.
How should I tell him? I can't possibly reveal to him that Shadow Seeker is my mom and that she'll find out about me being a hacker if we compete against each other, right?
Moreover, Kyle would think he was crazy and delusional even if he spoke the truth.
After giving it some thought, Anthony responded: I don't know how I should explain it to you, but I refuse to accept your proposal!”
However, Kyle didn't want to take no for an answer. He typed: If you can't provide a reason, your refusal is invalid. Come one. Can you stop dilly-dallying and worrying about losing? Besides, it's not embarrassing even if you lose to Shadow Seeker. Many wish to compete with her but don't get the chance!
Anthony had no idea how he should respond.
I'm not concerned about being embarrassed!
While Anthony was deep in thought, Kyle sent another message: All right. It is decided. Anyway, it's all right if you lose, for the next thing I will do is to make her accept you as her disciple. I'll turn you into the next Shadow Seeker because you're Darknetz's future!
Kyle didn't hide how much he valued and appreciated Anthony's talent.
In addition, he was sure that Anthony wouldn't leave Darknetz.
Would it be too late if I quit now?
Kyle: All right. The matter is decided. I'll arrange everything in two days and let the two of you compete against each other!
Knowing that his refusal wouldn't make a difference, Anthony decided to stop resisting. All he could do now was to take things one step at a time.
However, he was currently more concerned about the information that Kyle provided to Natasha.
Anthony asked: By the way, do you know anything about the tattoo?
Kyle had no intention of hiding it from him. He replied: I got some information about it when I was on a mission a few years ago!
Staring at the screen, Anthony thought for a moment and typed: Tell me about it!
Kyle: Are you interested, too?
Anthony came up with a random excuse and replied: Since I'll compete with Shadow Seeker two days later, I thought it'd be better to have something to talk about with her!
Instantly, Anthony was rendered speechless.
Can I refuse?
Kyle: Didn't you refuse to accept my offer? Why have you changed your mind so quickly?
Anthony: Do I have a choice?
Kyle: Hahaha! I'm glad that you understand!
Anthony: Tell me now!
After Kyle told Anthony everything he knew, Anthony couldn't help but frown deeply.
After a few moments of pondering, Anthony asked: Who has an edge on the other between Darknetz and that organization?
Kyle: Shadow Seeker also asked me a similar question today!
Anthony was startled for a moment before he asked: What did you answer?
Kyle: Do you even have to ask? We're entirely different from them. While we only want to make money, what they do are hideous. Hence, one shouldn't lump us together. However, if we insist on comparing Darknetz and them, they have a slight edge over us. While they function like rebels, our members are carefully selected. Although our team is expanding these years, our Achilles' heel is that we're not as cruel as they are.
After reading Kyle's explanation, a thought flashed through Anthony's mind as he typed: I understand now!hile before typing: I didn't have a goal in the past, but I have one now. I must destroy this so-called mysterious organization!
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