Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 35 - : THE KNIGHT IN THE SHADOW

Kyle's battle was the last Apocalypse tournament broadcast of the day, as well as the final battle of the event.

People returned to their activities afterward, but the hype remained. It was still the most discussed event. Children, teenagers, youths, and adults talked about it as if it were a major sporting event. Even women and young ladies, though fewer in number, engaged in discussions. Guessing the final winner became the most intense debate of the day. Speculating on the matchups for the next round was another hot topic. A significant number supported Nemesis, others backed Abyss, some rooted for Scarlett, while some favored Kyle. The rest had smaller followings.

Dual Blade's loss, Nemesis's cold-hearted actions, Abyss's cruelty, Kyle's nimbleness and great accuracy, Shadow's overwhelming presence—enhanced by the shadows enveloping her like a majestic dress—were all widely discussed. Odin, however, did not receive much praise. Gold Goblin's cunning and trickery, as well as Jacob's quick thinking, were also major points of conversation.

The people at the center of these discussions continued their daily activities in different ways.

Nemesis was simply relaxing, contemplating his next moves far ahead, hardly caring about the event. Scarlett, on the other hand, worried about her brother—the darkness slowly seeping into him, the monster within him awakening. She was mentally preparing herself for the day he would finally cross the line into being a killer. It was a shame; in his past life, he had already taken that step. Now, the difficulty of doing so again was almost nonexistent.

Shadow was engaged in mental training, replaying her first-round battle in her mind, analyzing the best choices she could have made and how to improve in the next game. Gold Goblin, however, had no time for such reflections. The moment he logged out, duty called. He had been working non-stop, holding several delayed meetings, all while cursing his fate for being so ridiculously rich.

Odin, as usual, was sulking—reading posts and comments online about himself. Seeing the negative remarks and people calling him a "lucky winner" made him want to throw up his soul. Ever the petty one, he wasted no time becoming a keyboard warrior, attacking his haters online—of course, under a fake fan account. Nemesis would kill him if he did otherwise.

Jacob, on the other hand, was enjoying himself with friends, the possibility of being the final winner feeling more tangible than ever.

Kyle, though, was facing his father, and the atmosphere was far from pleasant.

"You. Tell me what you did wrong in the event today," Mr. Albert asked his son.

"I didn't ensure that Nemesis was knocked out of the event. I allowed arrogance to take control of my actions and let him remain in the competition," Kyle said, his head bowed.

"And the consequence?" Mr. Albert pressed.

"His guild members won the first part of the event, and he's now a strong contender for first place."

"And your other mistakes?"

"I allowed someone else's guild to have stronger members than mine. I failed to recruit or eliminate powerful talents before they could be a threat," Kyle admitted.

"Hmm. While watching the event, I couldn't help but notice many talented players and guild masters. You enjoy competition now?" Mr. Albert asked, his gaze sharp.

"I don't, Father. But most guild masters hide their identities, wearing the mass-produced masks created by the Hedj Guild. It's become a tradition, making it difficult to identify them," Kyle responded humbly.

"So many excuses. How can you be such a disappointment? I never raised a failure, yet here you are, proving me wrong." Mr. Albert's voice grew sharper. "It's a tradition?! You can't uncover their identities?! Nonsense! Yes, Nemesis and his guild executives hide their faces. The other big guilds follow the trend as well. But tell me—do you truly not know who the guild master of Dark Star Guild is?"

Kyle felt sweat forming on his brow and neck. His body tensed. "I do," he admitted.

"So?" his father demanded, raising an eyebrow.

"Father… Jessica is a member of—"

"A member of what, exactly?" Mr. Albert interrupted, his tone threatening. "Her parents are lower-ranked members. They wouldn't dare make a sound if I decided to take their daughter's life. So what nonsense are you trying to tell me?!"

Kyle swallowed hard. "Nothing, Father."

"I'm disappointed in you, Kyle. How many times have I told you to let go of your emotions? You don't want to harm her, do you? You're making excuses because what—you love her?" Mr. Albert scoffed. "Love will only lead to regret, just like it did with that worthless friend of yours. What was his name? Ah, Greg."

Kyle's eyes widened.

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"What? You think I didn't know that you and Jessica have been secretly protecting those siblings?" Mr. Albert continued coldly. "You fool. If you had let those siblings follow their parents, their deaths would have been a perfect accident. The entire family wiped out in one stroke. I wouldn't have had to exhaust myself trying to seize their wealth.

"But no—you found out Jessica had feelings for him, and now you're subtly regretting your decision?" Mr. Albert sneered. "Pathetic."

"Father, I—" Kyle tried to defend himself, but his father wasn't finished.

"The president's son was going to make a move on that damn girl—Annabelle, was it? A move I was more than willing to allow. It would have given me leverage over the president and my rivals, whose foolish sons would have joined in on the act. But you—you ruined it.

"You ran to Greg's house, planning to thwart the plan. And if that failed? Perhaps you intended to sully the girl yourself, preventing anyone else from desiring her. Or maybe you wanted to strengthen Greg just enough to fight back?" Mr. Albert smirked.

Kyle clenched his fists but said nothing.

"Oh, and let's not forget your little attempt to fake their deaths so you could hide them. I know everything, Kyle. I just let you do as you pleased, hoping you would eventually return to the right path. But I see now—I was wrong."

Kyle stood frozen.

"I won't tolerate your nonsense anymore," his father declared. "You will capture Jessica and ensure she spills every piece of information about Nemesis. And second, you will tell me where Greg and his sister are.

"Your little deception won't fool me, son."

With that, Mr. Albert rose from his seat and walked away, his butler following closely behind.

Kyle remained rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do.

Hurt Jessica?

He couldn't.

He couldn't hurt the one he loved.

He had already lost his closest friend.

Losing Jessica too…

That would shatter him completely.

A bitter chuckle escaped his lips.

"Ha… Greg… I wish it were true. I wish I were your brother instead of being born into this family. Maybe then, I wouldn't have to suffer this torture."

*******

Kid Kyle sat at the table, watching the happy and cozy atmosphere of Greg's family. He couldn't help but feel jealous. Why can't it be me having such a wonderful family? Why does it have to be Greg? Why do I have to have terrible parents while Greg gets to have such a lovely family? he thought, his face downcast with sadness, unable to partake in the food.

Mrs. Austin, noticing Kyle's expression, couldn't help but call to him softly, "Is everything alright, dear? You haven't eaten a thing," she asked, clearly worried.

"I'm fine, ma, just had some sad thoughts," Kyle answered, trying to force a smile.

"Why would a child like you have such sad thoughts? Come on, son, don't keep it in. Let it out—you're too young to be bottling up emotions," Mr. Austin said, clearly distressed by Kyle's words.

Unable to hold back his tears any longer, Kyle began to weep, his cries pitiful and heartbreaking.

"Oh, child," Mrs. Austin said, rushing toward Kyle and comforting him in her embrace.

"Shup cwying, big bwother," little Annabelle said, trying to console Kyle. "Greg said it will mash you wick!"

"Yes, Kyle, heroes like us don't cry, 'cause if we do, who's going to save the innocent and stop them from crying?" Greg said with a smile, warming Kyle's heart.

Sniffling, Kyle used his sleeve to wipe his eyes, trying to clean the tears from his face.

Mrs. Austin watched this, a gentle smile finally appearing on her face. "Don't listen to Greg," she said kindly. "It's alright to cry—just don't stay down for too long. In the end, make sure you smile. Just like darkness, sadness should be fleeting, because morning always comes." She patted young Kyle's head.

"Now, eat up. The food is getting cold," she said lovingly.

After dinner, Kyle stayed with Greg and his baby sister, Annabelle, while Mr. and Mrs. Austin left on important business.

"You know, Greg," Kyle said after a while, his voice quiet, "I actually envied you. I wished I could take your parents from you and make them mine. I'm a scumbag, right? I honestly don't deserve to be friends with you." A sad smile crossed his face.

"What are you talking about? You're my best friend. There's no way you don't deserve to be friends with me," Greg said while playing with Annabelle. "Besides, there must be a reason you feel that way, right?"

Kyle watched them play, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the house.

"Well... your family is peaceful and loving. Your mum and dad don't shout at you over every little mistake. And you have Annabelle with you. I couldn't help but feel jealous... I'm sorry," Kyle apologized, slightly downcast.

"Bwig bwother Kyle, you're family with me, Mum, Dad, and Gweg!" little Annabelle said playfully as she walked slowly, careful not to fall. Moving toward Kyle, she giggled, "Play with me, bwig bwother Kyle!"

Kyle couldn't help but feel his heart warm at her words.

"Annabelle's right," Greg said with a cheeky smile. "We're family. We always will be. So no need to be jealous over your own family."

********

"I'm sorry... I couldn't protect our family, Greg," Kyle whispered, the memory a painful reminder of his failure to save the only family he had ever found comfort in.