Darius raised an eyebrow. Then, he looked at Teivel curiously. Teivel sighed and said, "Earlier, I only told you how soul shards came to be."His gaze turned helpless. "But storing soul shards isn't as easy as you think. Soul shards can only be stored in the correct container. And human bodies are those containers.""I was wondering why that old fogey kept creating those zombie-like monsters. Now, I know. He was probably using them as containers for those soul shards. Still, it probably didn't occur to him that the regular individual's soul was too weak to withstand its container's powers."Teivel shut his eyes, looking pained. Then, he turned to look out the window at Hansley, who was still rolling on the ground. "That's why I said it's not a good thing for your father's consciousness to have the upper hand now."This body doesn't belong to him. Sooner or later, he'll become a different person. I'm capable of doing this because I'm an enlightened martial artist. My soul is strong."H
Darius looked at Teivel calmly. He knew what Teivel meant but wasn't sure he understood properly. He lowered his gaze to the ground. "Sir, you lost me.""You're still too naive." Teivel shook his head. He said amicably, "A person's soul changes after leaving the body. They might forget things or get a personality transplant. Look at me—I used to be boisterous, but I became quiet after my soul entered the book realm."He smiled. "Now that I've explained everything to you, I need you to calm down. That's the only way we can revive your father." Teivel straightened up and put his hands behind his back.He moved toward the window and looked out. "Hansley's smart. He's not as sincere as he seems." His brows furrowed deeply.He turned back to Darius. "I haven't observed you and him for long, but I can tell he's capable of bringing out the worst in you."Teivel looked grim. "I don't know what you were thinking when you spoke to him. My advice is to suppress all your negative feelings no matt
"You look like you're raring to go, sir. Are you that excited to get into a fight?" Darius said.Teivel raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Is it that obvious?" He rubbed his face roughly. "Obvious enough for you to read me like an open book?"Darius' lips twitched. Then, he said, "Yes. Now, tell me what your plan is."Teivel's expression became serious. This was Darius' first time seeing him like this. "Hansley's very sly. He must have some ulterior motive for showing up before us. There's nothing much we can do about this situation."There's one way we can catch him out, though. We need to make him think he's powerful beyond imagination and that we believe his lies. That's the only way for us to make him slip up and reveal more information to us."Teivel sighed. "Unfortunately, it's close to impossible for him to believe you've fallen for his tricks. The same can't be said for me, though."He raised an eyebrow. "Do you understand me now?"Darius looked surprised. He'd never thought about
"Anyway, I think either myself or my father should have the right to decide, not you. I'm grateful for your help, but I don't need to hide behind you." Darius stood straight as he spoke to Teivel. He looked at Teivel resolutely."Sir, I didn't intend on saying some of the things I just said, but it's all out there now. I've said my piece." Darius bit his lip and looked at Teivel.Teivel raised an eyebrow in surprise. Then, he smiled. "That makes sense. Since you insist, I'll tell you everything you need to know."Teivel sighed and shut his eyes. "Hansley wasn't completely wrong when he said the heart of your father's soul was used to build this hospital."He sensed Darius stiffen. He shook his head and continued, "Don't worry, though. He only used the power from those soul shards, not the soul shards themselves. Still, that doesn't change the fact that a person's soul needs its power to survive."Teivel sighed. "I'm sure you can guess the rest. The heart of your father's soul is incre
"That comes as a surprise to me. Why would Dream Investment Group have your father's soul shard?" Teivel said.Darius paled. "That didn't even occur to me." He clenched his fists. "Do you mean the person behind Dream Investment Group also rebuilt the organization? The organization for the black-robed people, I mean."He frowned. Teivel nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. I don't know which party acquired the other, though."Darius' eyes widened. His mind raced as he tried to process Teivel's words. He'd never even thought about the possibility of this. What were these people up to?He shut his eyes and exhaled deeply. Then, he raised his head and looked at Teivel. "I'm sorry, sir. I overlooked many things earlier; I now know where I went wrong."Darius clenched his fists tightly as he waited for Teivel to respond. Teivel remained silent as the seconds ticked. Darius slowly lowered his head and fixed his gaze on the ground.Teivel sighed helplessly at this. "Alright, alright. I t
Hansley didn't look afraid in the slightest. His mocking smile widened. "You're basically wearing your heart on your sleeve."Darius balled his free hand into a fist. He breathed deeply and looked Hansley in the eye. He knew this wasn't the time for him to reveal his emotions. Who knew how Hansley would react?To Darius, anything he did now wouldn't be beneficial. That wasn't what he wanted at all!He exhaled and straightened up. He looked down at Hansley. "I've wasted too much time on you." Then, he turned and headed to the hospital's basement. He dragged Hansley with him.Hansley's eyes widened as they approached the basement's entrance. He didn't think Darius had yet to give up on this path. He yelled, "What are you doing, Darius? Put me down, or you'll have hell to pay!"He waved his hands around, trying to break free. Darius raised an eyebrow mockingly. "You're only gonna make me mad by acting like this." He dragged Hansley into the basement.This was where Hansley had operated o
Darius looked confused at Teivel's display of power. There was no denying Teivel's capabilities, but it wasn't impossible for Darius to do the same. In fact, it was incredibly easy.Before he could say anything, he heard Teivel snort. His head shot up.To his surprise, he found that the dust wasn't piling on the ground haphazardly. It formed the shape of a dragon.Darius' eyes widened in shock. Never had he imagined something like this happening. How could a person use their life force to form such an exquisite shape? And in such a short time, too.He turned to Teivel and said admiringly, "You're amazing, sir! This is so cool!"Teivel didn't even look at him. He merely smiled proudly. Darius' lips twitched at this. He shook his head. Then, he turned to look at what used to be the wall.His eyes bulged again. "Sir, you're more powerful than I imagined.""I'm glad you realize that. There's no way you would've been able to do anything if I wanted to stop you. I'll admit that you're power
On the other end of the line, Edward fell silent for a few seconds. Then, he said, "Sir, we don't know where your grandfather is now.""Don't worry. I have my ways." Darius looked up at the room Teivel had entered. Through the window, he could see Teivel was deep in thought. He looked grim.Darius couldn't help feeling a little uneasy at this. He shook his head and took a deep breath. Then, he shouted, "Mr. Teivel, do you have any way of finding out which hospital my grandfather's in?"Teivel frowned when he heard this. He shook his head but still walked over to the window. "I already know where he is. He's at the Reid family's own hospital. His ward's on the top floor."Darius nodded and turned to leave. At the same time, he waved in Teivel's direction and called, "Hansley's still in the basement, sir. Don't forget about him! I still think it's best to separate my father's soul shards from his body as soon as possible."He didn't turn back, but he could tell Teivel was waving a hand
"If you hadn't picked on me, I wouldn't have ended up like this. No matter how wealthy I've become, I'll never be able to take these black robes off!" The mysterious man's voice was shaky. He was extremely agitated.James frowned at that. He said curiously, "You keep saying I've done you wrong, but everything I did to you was what you did to others. I only gave you a taste of your own medicine."The mysterious man's breathing sped up when he heard that. He barked out a laugh and sneered, "I'll be honest with you. I never thought I'd have the chance to meet someone as dumb as you again."He shook his head. "I find it hard to imagine what your grandson will do when he sees you like this." As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the door was kicked open with a loud bang. The man was caught off guard. He looked at Darius as his body trembled violently.Darius frowned when he saw this. It was completely different from what he'd imagined. He narrowed his eyes at the mysterious man, his
Gabriel smiled and nodded. "Alright, then. I'll return to my workstation and prepare a proposal on what to do with Noah."Darius nodded and smiled. "Good. That's all I ever wanted." He turned to leave. "You need to get to work, and I need to return to my hotel to get some rest."Gabriel stopped. Darius' words made him hesitate. "I'm sorry to be asking this because I don't think it's my place, but it's probably better for me to ask anyway. I don't remember there being any hotels nearby."You should head home if you wanna get some rest. I don't understand why you're heading to a hotel to rest."Darius raised an eyebrow, looking surprised. He turned with his hands behind his back to look at Gabriel helplessly. "I don't know how to feel about what you've just said. You're making me think you're a little silly. Wouldn't I know how to search for a hotel?"It won't take you long to prepare a proposal, but it'll take me ages to get home from here." Darius turned and left.Gabriel's lips twitc
"Because you realized the risk was far greater than what you were comfortable with," Darius said calmly.But Noah started trembling. He looked at Darius in terror. He didn't expect Darius to see right through him after some simple back-and-forth. His eyes widened in fear.Everything that was happening now made him feel like he was dreaming. Noah had only been a step away from success, yet Darius had ruined everything.Tears filled his eyes as he gazed at Darius. "I've said everything there is to say. I'm the lowest rung on this ladder, and I only have one purpose for being here. It's to make you come under the authorities' control. Once you're here, my mission's accomplished."Someone else from the authorities will be here to deal with you, but that has nothing to do with me. They wouldn't have told me about it, anyway."Darius put his hands behind his back without saying anything. He turned to leave. Noah's eyes widened as he stared in fear at Darius' back.Darius didn't see this, bu
When Darius straightened up, his face became devoid of emotion. He said calmly, "I've wasted too much time on you. Now, I only want frank answers. Otherwise, I'll punish you for every lie that you tell me. I don't see any hope in your eyes, but let's see whether you prove me wrong."Darius paused, then continued, "I've already said something similar once. That was a chance I gave you. From this moment onward, I want you to know that I won't repeat myself because I believe you've had enough time to prepare yourself."Gabriel stood beside him and put his hands behind his back as his lips twitched. He'd thought about the various reasons for Darius repeating himself. But the one thing that hadn't occurred to him was that Darius had done it to give Noah time to prepare.Gabriel felt like applauding Darius, but the rational side of him stopped him from doing so. His rationality told him he'd be in for trouble if he were to do that, so he only looked at Darius with a smile.Darius sensed Ga
Darius raised an eyebrow and smiled. Then, he said, "You're too nervous, Gabriel. It makes it seem like you don't trust me. In truth, there's nothing for you to worry about."He stretched his neck and continued, "I know very well how bad the consequences of destroying this building will be. Aside from those silly regulations, I'll also need to pay for it. I might be wealthy, but that doesn't mean I'll enjoy forking out a huge sum of money as compensation."Darius spread his hands and shrugged. At the same time, he pointed at the window and turned to look at Gabriel. Then, he said, "Look. The windows are perfectly fine. They're not even scratched. That shows my life force is non-destructive."That's why you have nothing to worry about. You can put your heart back into your chest."Gabriel straightened up and sighed in relief. Then, he gave Darius an embarrassed smile.Darius grinned but didn't say anything in response. He put his hands behind his back and turned to look at Noah. He sai
"We're classmates from the same major, too! We were interns at Dream Investment Group, remember? And we got kicked out on our first day. You broke my legs because of a tiny argument we had outside the building! The surveillance cameras captured all of this!" Noah cried.Darius tucked his hands into his pockets and rolled his eyes. Then, he said mockingly, "You're the biggest fool I've ever met. Do you think you're the only one who can tamper with the surveillance footage? Any footage that can be tampered with can also be restored."Noah's eyes widened in shock. He gulped and tried to think of a way to explain away the injuries Darius had inflicted on him. Still, he couldn't think of anything. Before he had the chance to think any further, Darius spoke.He said, "There's one thing you got right, though. Gabriel is on my side, so he'll stand up for me no matter what you say."Gabriel's lips twitched at that. He subconsciously opened his mouth to say something in return, but Darius bea
"And I don't think it's my job to make you see sense," Gabriel continued. He put his hands behind his back. He gave Noah a look that was an odd mixture of gentle iciness. "I've given you more than enough time and chances."Gabriel sighed. "It's obvious that you don't care for that, though. And so I think it's time for me to treat you as an officer should." He sat down on the other side of the desk again.Noah's face was white with fear. Gabriel acted like he didn't see this, though. He smiled. "As I mentioned, I gave you plenty of time and chances, but you didn't appreciate them."His gaze turned frosty. "If that's the case, I'm sure you won't object to me doing this per our guidelines."Noah cried, "No, wait! I don't know what Darius has promised you to make you side with him unconditionally, but there's no way I'll let you two get away with this. You have to make sure you do everything by the book. It's a reasonable request, and you have no right to turn me down!"He trembled viole
Gabriel put his hands behind his back as he looked at Noah with a smile. "Now, you've piqued my interest."Noah looked up at Gabriel. His voice was deep and hoarse as he said, "If you help me, I'll give you half of the Reid Consortium's assets once I get my hands on them. You should know that without me, there's no way you'll get a dime from the Reid Consortium."Gabriel snorted with laughter when he heard that. He straightened up and slowly circled Noah. He sounded mocking as he said, "You've lost me there. I tried to puzzle it out, but it doesn't make sense at all."Why would I want to get my hands on the Reid Consortium's fortune? Even without it, I'm perfectly independent. I don't need it to survive."Gabriel crossed his arms and looked at Noah mockingly. "Or maybe you're different from the rest of us. Maybe you'll die without the Reid Consortium's wealth." He smirked and gave Noah a sharp gaze.Noah raised an eyebrow and smirked. "You're the one making me laugh now. I don't know
Gabriel sounded gentle, but everyone knew that was far from the truth. This was especially true for Noah, who sat across from him. He felt incredibly nervous. He shut his eyes and breathed rapidly.Noah never would've expected to still be in danger after being taken in by the authorities. He frowned and looked up at Gabriel. "So, are you determined to help Darius now?" His voice was shaky, and his eyes were wide because of his nerves.His emotions were clear as he looked at Gabriel. Gabriel bit his lip, feeling like he was about to laugh. To stop Noah from noticing, he quickly exhaled and sat down with one leg over the other. At the same time, he leaned forward to place his hands on the desk.He tapped his fingers on the desk quickly but rhythmically. Gabriel's eyes were devoid of emotion as he looked at Noah. "Tell me, Noah. What happened between you and Darius? Earlier, you said he was the one who injured you. Do you have any proof?"Because we checked the surveillance footage, a