Chapter 117: Exposed [5]
The called didn’t connect.
Then I walk in to my room.
When I finally reached my room, the silence hit harder than I expected.
After everything that happened today from being accused to interrogated and nearly flattened by an S-rank’s killing intent, and also discovering the fact that Aria is the inspector’s granddaughter—I felt like I’d aged five years.
I shut the door behind , dropped my bag on the floor, and sighed.
"Finally... peace."
Not even five seconds later, my smartwatch blinked with the ti: 5:10 PM.
Right. I’d promised Leon and the others we’d et in an hour.
Before that, though—there was soone I needed to call.
I scrolled through my contacts, found his na, and tapped Call.
Beep—beep—
The call connected after a few rings.
"Brother Michael!" Alex’s voice ca through, cheerful but slightly breathless.
"Sorry, I picked up late—I just got back from the training ground."
I grinned a little at his enthusiasm.
"Don’t worry about it. I just wanted to ask—are you free right now?"
He paused. "Uh... well, I was going to take a shower, then maybe eat sothing and—"
"Stop," I cut him off before he could list his entire life schedule.
"et outside the Supre Hall in an hour. Dress properly. I’m taking you sowhere to eat."
There was a full two seconds of stunned silence.
Then, "Huh?! We’re eating outside?"
The excitent in his tone shot up like a puppy seeing its leash.
I raised a brow.
"You sound way too excited for food."
Alex’s laugh ca through the receiver. "No, it’s not that! It’s just that this is my first ti soone invited to do sothing together but heard brother Michael never invite anyone to eat outside’.
Michael little embarrassed to say that he doesn’t have friends that ti so he change the subject.
"...You make sound like a hermit."
"Well..." he chuckled, "you kind of are."
"Point taken," I sighed. "Anyway, one hour from now so don’t be late."
"Yes, Brother! I’ll be there on ti!"
"Good." I hung up, shaking my head as the call ended.
That kid sounded way too happy for a simple dinner.
Then again, after today’s interrogation, maybe I needed so cheerful company.
I stretched, rolling my neck until it popped.
Now... ti for a shower.
Twelve Minutes Later
I erged from the bathroom towel-drying my hair.
Fresh clothes, clean skin, and a mont of silence .
it almost felt like the world wasn’t trying to assassinate anymore.
Almost.
I tossed the towel aside and flopped into my chair, opening my drawer.
Inside was an old cracked smartphone that I used before I got Academy Smartwatch, one of the few relics of past Michae,l I’d kept from before my mind change again.
My fingers hovered over a single saved contact: Chairman Denzo (Dawn Guild).
I press the call button.
It rang for four seconds before a familiar gravelly voice answered.
"Michael," Denzo said, voice heavy and brisk.
"Before you ask anything, I’ve got good news."
Good news from him usually ant bad news for soone else.
I leaned back in my crouch,now it makes interested.
"Good news? Let’s hear it."
"It’s about what you asked to investigate the bribery case involving Instructor Relaon."
My pulse quickened slightly. "You found sothing?"
"Oh, I found plenty," Denzo said with a low chuckle. "
As you suspected, he’s been taking money from the Belnic family and the transactions were cleanly hidden, but not enough."
"The bribe was sent under a ’consulting fee.’ Pathetic cover, really."
I smiled faintly. "So he really took it."
"He did," Denzo confird. Paper rustled on his end as if he were flipping through a file. "And just yesterday, he received a deposit—twenty million ℜ."
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk.
Twenty million. Enough to buy silence ten tis over.
"So he’s neck-deep in it," I murmured.
Denzo’s tone darkened. "It’s not just him who has taken bribes from this family."
I frowned. "aning?"
"This morning, I had my man Colson trace the Belnic family’s transaction history. Two more nas appeared—Instructors Vincent and Wasim. Each received ten million within the sa window."
I froze.
’Vincent and Wasim...’
The very sa two who’d signed the petition to expel .
Pieces clicked into place like a cruel puzzle finally revealing its picture.
’So that’s why the complaint against looked so perfect. They weren’t just biased—they were bought.’
I exhaled slowly through my nose. "So that’s the truth."
"Indeed," Denzo replied. "I’ll send you the full docunts by encrypted mail. But Michael..."
His voice lowered slightly, concerned replacing professionalism.
"Be careful. You’ve already made enough enemies. Don’t push the nobles any further."
I smiled wryly. "I appreciate the warning, Chairman. But don’t worry—I’m not planning to die just yet."
"Good," he said, and I could hear the faint sound of him lighting a cigar.
"Because you’ve got the kind of trouble money can’t fix."
"Speaking of money," I said, shifting the topic,
"I have good news too."
That made him pause mid-puff.
"Good news? From you? This must be my lucky day. Go on."
I grinned. "You rember the investnt I promised—the one billion I said I’d complete later?"
"Ah, that." Denzo chuckled, clearly not taking it seriously. "I assud you’d forgotten. Or decided to spend it on more important things, like avoiding expulsion."
"Not exactly," I said. "I’m not investing one billion."
He went quiet for a beat, probably assuming I’d changed my mind.
Then he sighed. "Look, kid, I know tis are tough. If you can’t—"
"Not less than one billion but —," I interrupted him by saying it, and paused then continue
"—Three billion."
There was dead silence.
"...Co again?" he asked blankly.
"I’ll invest three billion ℜ into the Dawn Guild," I repeated, leaning back with a grin.
"For dungeon acquisition, expansion, and guild restructuring."
Another second of silence.
Then—
Thud!
I winced as a loud crash ca through the speaker.
"Chairman? Are you still alive?"
"I—yes—I’m fine!" Denzo’s voice was suddenly trembling with excitent. "Did you just say three billion? As in—three billion credits?"
"That’s right."
I could practically hear him leap from his chair.
In my mind, I pictured his office chair toppling behind him as he flailed his cigar across the room.
"By the gods..." Denzo muttered, voice breaking between laughter and disbelief. "Three billion! You’re insane! Brilliant—but insane!"
"Probably both," I said casually. "So, start preparing the plan we discussed. The funds will hit the guild account tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" he repeated, sounding almost teary. "Michael... you have no idea what this ans for the guild. For all of us!"
"I can guess," I replied with a small smile. "Just make sure it’s used wisely. I’m not handing out pocket money."
"Of course!" he said imdiately. "Every coin will be accounted for. I swear it on my old bones!"
He took a long, shaky breath, then added in a softer tone, "You know... for years, I thought the Dawn Guild was finished. But with this... we might finally see sunlight again."
For a mont, his voice carried sothing heavy—pride, gratitude, hope.
I didn’t interrupt him. I knew what it ant to rebuild sothing from ashes.
"Then I’ll trust you, Chairman," I said quietly. "And please—don’t get emotional on . It’s bad for your blood pressure."
He barked a laugh, wiping his eyes—I could hear the grin through his voice.
"Hah! You brat. I’ll see you soon, Mr. Shareholder."
"Take care, old man."
The call ended with a click.
---
I stared at the phone screen for a mont longer, the faint smile lingering.
Three billion gone—but not wasted.
If the Dawn Guild rose again, it’d be another pillar I could rely on in the chaos to co.
I exhaled, glancing at the clock.
5:24 PM.
Ti to move.
Twenty minutes later, I was fully dressed—simple white T-shirt, black trousers, and a light jacket.
Nothing flashy, just clean and neat. My reflection in the mirror looked human again, not like a suspect on the verge of breakdown.
Locking my door, I stepped into the corridor and made for the lift.
When the doors slid open, I was greeted by two familiar faces.
Aurelia and Lyra stood inside.
Both were dressed casually, Aurelia in a pale-blue top and fitted trousers that sohow made casual look noble, and Lyra in a loose black jacket, her fiery hair tied back in a quick ponytail.
Their contrast was striking grace and wildfire standing side by side.
Aurelia smiled faintly. "Seems like our host is finally ready."
I chuckled, stepping in. "You two are early."
Lyra folded her arms, her lips quivering into a half-smile. "Or maybe you’re late."
"Harsh," I said, pressing the button for the ground floor. "Are you both heading to the cafeteria too?"
Aurelia nodded. "Leon said we’d et you there."
"Of course he did."
That guy always managed to organize people faster than I could say hello.
The lift began to descend, humming softly.
For a mont, silence filled the small space, broken only by Lyra’s quiet hum and the soft rustle of Aurelia’s sleeves.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirrored wall—three silhouettes reflected against the dull golden light.
Sohow, after everything today, the calm felt... strange. Peaceful, but temporary.
Lyra caught staring. "What? Got sothing on your mind?"
"Just thinking," I replied lightly.
"Dangerous habit," she said, smirking.
I grinned back. "You’d be surprised how often it saves my life."
The elevator chid open.
I stepped out first, the warm evening light spilling through the hallway windows. The sun had dipped low, painting the campus in a soft orange hue.
Behind , I heard Aurelia’s quiet footsteps and Lyra’s laugh as the two followed.
’A dinner with friends after a day like this,’ I thought. ’Maybe I deserve it.’
Little did I know, it’d be the last peaceful dinner for a long while.
(To be Continue)
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