Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

Chapter 613: Crazy Accusations



Lingering in the background as the others stretched their bodies, making full use of the medical facility's training area, Kieran stared into space, his attention gripped with questions about the future.

'I couldn't call her a deep well of knowledge... but at least she's a treasure trove of rare secrets,' Kieran thought.

The things she shared remained on his mind even after her departure.

The August

shrouded in mystery but more frightfully steeped in harrowing rumors - would soon make their move, and she suspected they were aware of secrets linked to Zenith Online. Aside from the August, Kieran was also somewhat concerned with the direction Zenith Online would take in the near future.

In sharing knowledge, Alexandra also issued warnings that she pleaded for Kieran to follow. With the August slated to join the playing field, the Behemoths, who were frightened by the idea, were going to act out of their character.

Or, as Alexandria put it... reveal their authentic self.

'Ensuring they at least have a slice of the pie before the gluttons get to it? Or... are you preparing to go to war for the scraps left over?'

This all reminded Kieran of the condition of the world on the day he died. The Golden Brigade kept coming to him, requesting that he be more amenable, but he flat-out refused. He knew their actions were all a facade, parading as if they were relishing in wealth and riches... but really, they were drowning.

Everyone was embroiled in conflict, and the Golden Brigade required a war chest to back their efforts before they were bled dry. There was no proof it stemmed from everyone vying for the same resources, but that's what many speculated when taking to the forums.

Something was in seemingly limited supply, and it riled the sharks in the water.

'What resources were those? And... was the War of the Behemoths nested in Xenith or Earth? Learning the location changes everything because it hints at what the Behemoths view as gravely important.'

Kieran foresaw endless conflict in the future, but he also smelled bountiful opportunity. A massive falling out with all the Behemoths, each acting with only their longevity and success in mind, meant some of those names would crumble beneath the onslaught of being attacked on all sides.

The first to go would be the weakest.

And... Kieran felt motivated to force someone to be the weakest. He had a wilting vendetta, but the thought intoxicated his impressionable mind.

Kieran smiled.

Perhaps it was because of his evil thoughts, or maybe it was the changes that happened to his body, but that smile was devilish, sinister, and unnerving.

'I know... I know...'

Something macabre and eerie glinted in the depths of Kieran's eyes when he suddenly waved his hand by his ear and shifted his body as if he were about to talk to someone, but no one was there.

'Right. The desire was dying, but you see... I can't waste this opportunity to finally destroy these withering seeds of vengeance. All it takes is one flare-up for them to bloom. I can't afford that.'

Kieran crossed his arms and shook his head.

"Not having it," he said out loud. After a pause, he continued speaking. "No, we're doing this. It's not like it's an immediate change. There'll be time to plot, deliberate, and execute. All the specifics should be ironed out by then, or at least a plan should have formed."

Silence descended in the training room, and it was suffocating and accusatory. All eyes were now on Kieran, and to ensure they weren't going mad themselves, everyone blinked a few times.

Yet, Kieran continued chatting with himself.

"Do you think I'm wrong to do this?" he asked.

After a while, the corner of his visage revealed a pleased grin. "Mhm. I'm glad you agree. They have to be dealt with for the sake of our sanity. Our mental will never recover if we know there could be countless victims of their vile machinations."

Off to the side on the sparring mat, Bastion elbowed Altair in the ribs, pointing and gawking at their leader. "Am I seeing and hearing this right? Is the boss goddamn chatting with himself?"

Altair frowned before answering, reluctantly confirming with a nod. "I'm beginning to think that may be the case. Unless he's on the phone?"

"Hell no," Nemean interjected. "That man isn't on the phone. Did any of you see the flash of light from the receiver?"

"No," everyone remarked in unison.

Unlike the others, however, Altair was present during the aftermath of the Trial and Advancing, where Kieran had briefly sparred against his master. Their conversation wasn't extremely loud, but Altair remembered Scar mentioning voices to badger his pupil.

With that thought, Altair's gaze gradually changed from one of judgment to question. Was his friend manifesting the drawbacks of his abilities on Earth, too?

If so...

Altair shuddered and looked down at the shadow between his toes.

Would he have to deal with eyes appearing in his shadow? Despite its link to him, Altair couldn't help but think how creepy that ability was. It was created to accompany and placate the Nameless Dark's loneliness, but this aligned with the reason people feared darkness. The idea that something unknown could reside in the dark was horrifying. Meanwhile, Kieran turned his head, noticing all the eyes on him. He met them with a puzzled head tilt. "What?"

"Oh, dear gods! He doesn't know. He doesn't know!" Bastion yelped hysterically.

Kieran furrowed his brow, a deepening frown contorting his lips. "Would someone like to fill me in on what's going on here?"

Bastion shakily raised his finger, pointing directly at Kieran with an aghast expression. "You were talking to yourself, dude. I don't mean like regular conversation where you ask yourself questions to try and persuade yourself. You responded back after posing a question to yourself!"

Kieran arched a brow and shook his head. "Sounds crazy, couldn't be me. You all must have drank too many X-hancers and gone mad. Perhaps we should adjust the dosage to keep you all from going insane."

"Wait... what? Huh?" Bastion murmured, then turned to the others. "Is that a thing? Can we go mad from X-hancers?"

"Well... I know you can blow up," Nemean answered, seeming unsure and slightly fearful. "Like guts go kaboom and all. But going crazy? Maybe it's possible? The boss isn't talking to himself now, and he doesn't remember doing so... so maybe we are crazy?"

Altair glanced between the two and then stared at Kieran without a word. Something seemed... off. He didn't know how to put it, but now that his friend was fully energized... Altair squinted and grumbled to himself, "Am I imagining this right now?"

Kieran examined the state of the training room before gazing up at the ceiling where the research room was located. He passed by everyone and exited without saying anything more, leaving a shocked trio.

Bastion stammered and sputtered. "You don't find that suspicious? When has the boss just walked off like that? And did you see the look in his eye? I shit you not, it was blank. Like absolutely nothing was there."

"No," Altair shook his head, and his expression was the most concerned, evidently deeply bothered by what he discerned. "To say there was nothing there is wrong. A burning flame of vengeance. That's what I saw in him."

Two staggered gasps pierced the brief silence. The long-time friends winced and smiled wryly, understanding Altair's comment did not sound too good.

"So, are you guys just going to tell me if I'm crazy or not? If we're crazy?" Bastion asked.

Altair couldn't help but shrug in response, unable to compile and answer. He had his suspicions, but he didn't know if Kieran wanted the others to know the burdens he shouldered

because of his Advancing.

Such information was left out of the visual recount the Compendium provided.

All he could do was cross his arms and stare at the entrance.

'I guess it's up to me to keep an eye on you. Of course, if it comes to be too much...'n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Altair shook his head, soon following Kieran's example by leaving the training room. Then, Bastion and Nemean departed, returning to Xenith as their leader had discussed beforehand.