F-ranker Sword Saint: My Soulbound Sword is Secretly SSS-tier!-Chapter 255: Wretch Reunion

Ten measly minutes.

That was the limit Hailey set for herself for the temporary catch-up with her younger brother.

Fortunately, it seemed his story was quite compelling, and the two of them would be able to discuss it in detail under the label of Official Business.

Trapped in an Underworld Realm...

That sounded horrifying for Hailey, at least when she imagined her poor little brother struggling there, unsure of where to go.

Of course, her imagination is the product of a lack of information.

Caleb definitely wasn’t being whipped by demons and crying out in agony while bathing in lava.

Nonetheless, the Underworld is a largely unexplored topic. There were many sources and many articles.

However, their claims were very different from each other.

Some said the Underworld was not dangerous at all, as long as one abided by the limit of their keys. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Others claimed they’ve been to an icy realm with Demons of Frost that are level 250 and above. Yet, with their great survival skills, they’ve survived. A load of rubbish.

There were also a few who said there was nothing to obtain there.

That while the environment is quite interesting, they didn’t acquire anything of value nor meet any of those "demons" claimed by the others.

There could’ve been more harrowing testimonies. Unfortunately, dead men tell no tales. Or trapped ones...

As for the Neo-Earth World Government, they naturally tried sending an entire elite party on an expedition in the past.

But none of them returned.

This information was valuable and was kept secret from the Seven Sword Guilds, though Hailey doubted the hegemons themselves didn’t attempt an exploration.

Perhaps they’ve failed, too, or somehow succeeded.

In any case, the price paid was probably astronomical for them to share their results for free.

Maybe too priceless.

So, very little was known of the Underworld. There has definitely not been a known case even remotely close to that of her younger brother’s.

Well, there probably were. A lot of them. It was just that no one had achieved what the rascal did.

Hailey — feeling quite proud — would’ve discussed everything right then and there...had work not been waiting for her in another Aisle.

"Let’s discuss this in-depth soon. I’ll inform my superior first, then secure a schedule. You can tell me everything you know in the official meeting."

Caleb nodded.

He was quite privy to how the government operated, and his older sister, who was probably a very high-ranking personnel right now, should be extremely busy.

Besides, this wasn’t the place to talk about such confidential matters.

They could use this information to their advantage, after all...

While her younger brother was seemingly deep in thought, Hailey’s eyes brightened.

She suddenly stood up and pulled Caleb by his wrists.

"Come, I want to introduce you to someone. Maybe you’ll be working with him a lot in the future. He’s quite a bit younger, so be nice."

Caleb’s brows rose.

This was quite a peculiar situation, wasn’t it? But somehow, it made sense. When would there be a more convenient time?

Only, he thought that he would be introduced to one of his sister’s underlings, perhaps even under the cover of a bodyguard.

He never expected that he would be introduced to another patient like him.

The moment they turned an aisle, puzzlement settled. Caleb tried, but eventually, he failed to resist his curiosity.

"Wait, why are we i–"

Before he could finish his words, however, they’d already arrived in front of another cubicle. Cubicle Thirteen.

His sister pulled the covers to the side without hesitation.

Daru, sitting on the chair beside his bed, instinctively turned to look. He froze.

Caleb met his eyes and froze, too.

"D-D-DARU!!"

"Caleb..."

Hailey’s eyes widened, then she turned to her younger brother, then to Daru.

Based on the latter’s shocked expression, the two...knew each other?

"W-What the hell! We were in the same facility! Hahaha! Saves me the trouble, then. Allow me to introduce you to my sis–"

Then, Caleb realized something, abruptly stopping.

Why was he the one introducing his sister to...

It dawned on him.

His eyes widened even more, then he looked at her sister. "S-Sis! You know Daru?"

"Why, isn’t it obvious? I was about to introduce him to you, after all. How the hell did YOU get to know him is the question."

Hailey was extremely smart.

Her own mind answered her own question just half a moment after she asked.

"W-Wait, did you two actually..."

Well, what else could have happened? Her younger brother probably met Daru, who was also stuck, and the two worked together to escape.

That made a lot of sense.

How else would they wake up on the same day at almost the same time?

Two moments later, Hailey’s mind adjusted, and a smile emerged on her gorgeous face.

"Great. This makes things a lot easier..."

***

The next day.

Daru sat inside a private, soundproof room in a luxurious restaurant in Edgehaven.

He had been arranged for an accommodation by Hailey in a hotel that was secretly a partner of the government, and was told that the three of them would meet on official business today.

With two important matters in one schedule, it was very easy for the division leader to secure a few hours.

Daru was picked up at the hotel lobby by what was disguised as a private car and was brought to this room.

Now, he was waiting for Hailey and Caleb, who were apparently siblings.

That was quite a shock to him.

Another surprise — one of the unpleasant kind — was how horrifying hotels were.

It was like a massive labyrinth, with many hallways that looked exactly the same.

He would shiver every time he recalled the time he was led to his room. It was like the time he got lost in Cryzhar’s labyrinth.

Only, there was no loot or Swordspawns to fight. It would be an utter tragedy to be lost in a hotel.

’How did those hotel staff even manage to navigate those treacherous halls every day?’ he wondered.

Fortunately, he was snapped out of his terrible thoughts as something clicked and beeped on the ground some distance away from the table.

Daru’s brows rose as a hidden passage opened. Caleb and Hailey emerged from the ground, ascending metallic steps.

It was as though they’d emerged from the Underworld.

"Yo, Daru," the former greeted in a casual yet energetic manner.

"Hello, Caleb, Miss Hailey." Daru nodded in response.

Caleb sat beside him while Hailey took the seat in front of them, as though setting up for an interrogation.

Well, she was — just not the unfriendly kind.

"So...let’s eat first," Hailey began, "we’ll discuss official matters after."

With a press of a button, the door opened, and a butler pushed a cart full of premium food in.

There were selections of savoury meat, seafood, vegetables, rice, bread, light champagne, and other beverages.

Daru gulped.

Baal didn’t have authority over Neo-Earth, so he was already quite famished. Furthermore, such a lavish meal...he had never had one before...

A faint smile appeared on Hailey’s face. She knew, of course, and while the effects were minimal, a good impression was a good impression. She’ll take it.

Soon, the butler finished laying everything on the table, bowing to an exit shortly after.

"Well, don’t be shy, boys. Dig in."