Kyle's mind continued to whirl. Or did something happen while Anthony went offline?
Kyle hastily typed: What do you mean?
Anthony: Exactly what you read.
Kyle: Were you so thoroughly defeated by Shadow Seeker for you to decide that, or did you bang up your head or something?
Anthony: You're the one with the banged-up head!
Kyle: Then what's going on with you?
Anthony explained: I wasn't utterly defeated. I have always been defeated.
Kyle was speechless. He never expected someone as arrogant as Anthony to utter these words.
Suddenly, he remembered Anthony and Shadow Seeker had disappeared at almost the same time during the competition. Wait a minute. What if something really happened during that time?
An outrageous thought crossed his mind, and Kyle asked: Did you rendezvous with Shadow Seeker?
Anthony was shocked by Kyle's question, and he replied: Hey, watch your language!
Kyle: Is that not the case? Both of you disappeared at the same time during the competition. You didn't reply to me when I contacted you, nor did Shadow Seeker. I can only arrive at one conclusion—both of you rendezvoused!
His conclusion struck Anthony dumb.
It's true we met, but it's hardly appropriate to describe our meeting as a rendezvous.
Still, Anthony knew he could not tell Kyle the full story.
Meanwhile, his prolonged silence prompted Kyle to text: So? Did I guess right? Don't worry! I'm very open-minded! I wouldn't judge you if you did!
Anthony was at a loss for words.
Meanwhile, Kyle carried on: Tell me what Shadow Seeker looks like! To this day, no one knows her appearance! Or his! I can't believe you were lucky enough to meet the legend in person!
Anthony frowned as he read Kyle's message, and he replied: Well, I only have my exceptional charisma to blame for that!
Kyle: Wait, so you really met Shadow Seeker in person!
Anthony had no idea how to explain the situation and gave up.
Knowing Shadow Seeker's true identity hardly changed his stance. Anthony would never give away any information about his mother, after all!
Normally, Kyle would have peppered Anthony with hundreds of texts, begging the latter to share a sliver of information about Shadow Seeker. Currently, however, Kyle was preoccupied with other thoughts.
If Anthony is acquainted with Shadow Seeker, we could even use their relationship to convince Shadow Seeker to join our ranks. That would make things a lot simpler!
Kyle's excitement grew as he recalled how far they had come. From failing to track Shadow Seeker down to making contact and Anthony meeting the hacker in person, the signs all seemed to indicate to Kyle that Shadow Seeker's and Darknetz's fates were intertwined. It was only a matter of time before Shadow Seeker joined their organization.
Suddenly, Kyle felt as though lady luck was smiling upon him. If Shadow Seeker joins Darknetz, our growth can literally be measured in seconds!
With that thought in mind, Kyle asked: What is Shadow Seeker like as a person?
Anthony: Hmm, how should I put it? One-of-a-kind, maybe!
Kyle: Really? How?
Anthony: Shadow Seeker's aura, appearance, figure, temper, and abilities are all one-of-a-kind!
His dreamy description hardly helped Kyle to imagine the legendary hacker's appearance.
Kyle: Do you have more concrete descriptions? Like facial features? Height?
Anthony: I can't share that.
He quickly sent another text: You also know there are far too many people trying to cause Shadow Seeker trouble.
Kyle: What? You don't trust me?
Anthony: Uh-huh!
Kyle was flabbergasted.
The slightest crack appeared in their friendship.
Kyle argued: You're protecting Shadow Seeker already? After one meeting? Don't you trust me anymore?
Anthony: Yup!
He even sent a smiley-face at the end of his text, seemingly unbothered by Kyle's feelings on the matter.
After a moment of silence, Kyle texted: I can just imagine the goading look on your face right now!
Anthony: Jealousy is warping your sight!
Despite his curiosity, Kyle understood Anthony's reasoning. If he was so eager to share the news of Anthony and Shadow Seeker's rendezvous, he was hardly a friend deserving of Anthony's trust.
More importantly, if Anthony easily revealed important news about Shadow Seeker, it would show that he was not a discreet person.
Kyle instantly felt better about the situation.
He texted: Can I ask a question then?
Anthony: Ask away.
Kyle: Did Shadow Seeker like you too?
Anthony: To tell you the truth, I'm Shadow Seeker's precious darling!
Kyle: Oh my God, I'm gonna puke!
Anthony: Hmph, whatever!
Doubts lingered in Kyle's mind. Still, despite Anthony's audacious behavior, he had never failed on a promise yet. Kyle could only concede that Anthony had the chops to behave audaciously. Plus, Anthony did not boast about his abilities, nor did he enjoy submitting in deference to someone else.
Kyle's curiosity toward Shadow Seeker was piqued.
Just how charismatic can Shadow Seeker be to make Anthony bow in deference?
After some thought, Kyle texted: Which of you took the initiative?
Anthony: What initiative?
Kyle: To meet up, of course.
Anthony: Do you really wanna know?
Kyle: Enough with the nonsense!
Anthony pondered Kyle's request and eventually responded: Owing to your uncultured language, I won't be answering your question today. Right, it's daytime now, and I didn't sleep at all last night. Time for me to snooze. Let's chat tomorrow.
Kyle's sharp eyes snagged on a sentence in Anthony's text, and he asked: You didn't sleep at all last night?
Anthony read his text but did not feel like replying.
A persistent Kyle asked: Were you the only one who didn't sleep, or was it both of you?
Kyle: Hey, answer me.
Kyle: Let me remind you about something. I have no opinions about your relationship but tread carefully, okay? Darknetz can't afford to be the target of Shadow Seeker's wrath!
His texts were met with silence.
Kyle: Where did you go?
Annoyed, Anthony texted: Get lost!
Then, he went offline, quashing the opportunity for Kyle to say more.
Nonetheless, Kyle could not help but smile at how things had turned out.
At the end of the day, Anthony had impressed with his skills. Though he lost to Shadow Seeker, it was merely a difference of a few seconds.
More importantly, now that Anthony and Shadow Seeker were involved, the hacker would never aid another organization in taking on Darknetz, and that was more than enough.
Shadow Seeker's existence had always been a threat to any organization. Once her threat was ruled out, however, they could develop and expand their organization in peace.
Kyle was also confident that Anthony would not endanger the organization over his personal affairs.
Hence, Kyle concluded that his friend's relationship with Shadow Seeker was nothing but beneficial to Darknetz.
He propped both legs up on his table and whistled happily. A smug smile appeared on his face.
Meanwhile, Anthony's lips curved with a smile even after he shut down his computer.
He had an urge to laugh as he recalled his conversation with Natasha the night before. Though the excitement had begun to wear off, the joy he felt would remain with him for a long time.
More than anything, Anthony was relieved that he no longer had to hide his activities from his mother. It was this thought that kept a smile on his face as he clambered into his bed and drifted off to sleep.
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