The Devil's Cage

"How is it?" Eiderburgh asked anxiously when Kieran stepped out of the door.

"Not bad," Kieran answered before looking at Smith.

Although there was a door in between them, Kieran's Advance Rank Intuition allowed him to know what was happening in the living room very clearly.

This professor who resided at the edge of E Block was much more mysterious than he thought.

Whether it was his research or his strength, both points told Kieran as such.

Whilst being stared at by Kieran, Professor Smith was leaning back on his sofa without moving a muscle. With the leather container in his hand, he really looked like those drunkards on the streets.

Professor Smith didn't seem to care about his gaze, so Kieran kept it away.

Despite the unusual strength and background, Professor Smith's attitude said it all.

Given Kieran's personality, he would not pursue a thankless goal.

Therefore, after nodding at Eiderburgh, Kieran headed outside but before he left, he couldn't help but glance at the room to the left of the corridor.

The wooden house was filled with a fruity aroma, the smell of the roast meat covered very thoroughly. Others couldn't pick up on the oily smell of the meat but to Kieran's nose, it gradually clearly.

'Too bad I can't find out what it is.'

As the thought lingered in his mind, Kieran wanted to leave the house, but before he could really step out, Smith, who laid on the sofa lazily, suddenly sat up.

"What did you smell?"

Smith placed his hands on his knee, his neck leaned forward with his head slightly tilted, eyes blurry with a sense of judgment.

"2567, think carefully before you answer!"

Before Kieran could speak, Eiderburgh reminded him in a hurried manner.

He knew his friend said Kieran was just average or decent, but in Smith's heart, he admired the First Seat quite a lot, otherwise he would have just let Kieran leave.

An opportunity! A great and huge opportunity!

Eiderburgh hoped Kieran could seize it!

"The smell of oil," Kieran said after a slight pause.

"Not bad. I am lacking an assistant. Come here tomorrow and help me," Smith said with a nod.

"Not interested," Kieran said before he walked out.

Eiderburgh looked at Kieran in astonishment.

He didn't understand why Kieran had given up such a great opportunity; Smith was surprised, but he quickly smiled.

"Interesting fella."

Smith uncorked his container as he smiled. A few big gulps later, he laid back on his sofa and snores sounded again.

Eiderburgh didn't care about his friend anymore, chasing Kieran, who was reaching the car.

"Why didn't you say yes?" Eiderburgh asked angrily.

"Why should I?" Kieran answered calmly.

Eiderburgh was stunned at the answer and Kieran's calm reaction.

"Do you know you've just given up an opportunity that a lot of people would fight for?"

A deep breath later, Eiderburgh couldn't hold his agitated words back anymore.

"That is their business, not mine. People might have sought this opportunity, but it doesn't mean I do. I know what I want."

Kieran opened the car door, sat in the passenger seat and closed his eyes.

Eiderburgh was stunned for another two or three seconds at Kieran's reaction, shaking his head and sighing as he went behind the wheels.

'Why am I always running into weird people?'

With lingering doubts, Eiderburgh started his car.

The front lights of the car were shedding light over the road in E Block.

Unlike the center of E Block, which was prosperous, the edge was filled with trees and fields.

There was still an asphalt road but there weren't accompanying street lights or other public infrastructures.

Kieran slightly opened his eyes for another glance at the shrinking wooden house, then closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat.

Smith had some great secrets with him without a doubt.

If Kieran wasn't committed to his plan, which he had planned for a very long time, he would have stayed behind.

Why not accept the position and continue with his plan?

Kieran wasn't someone who would belittle himself.

As a professor's assistant, especially one for the eccentric Professor Smith, he would have much work to do, in addition to his intentional tests. Kieran wasn't sure he could do both at once. The professor might spot something unusual in his behaviour.

Giving up his plan?

Kieran knew what kind of rewards would be waiting for him should his plan succeed.

When comparing an already known reward to an unknown one, given Kieran's vigilant character, he'd go for the former.

…

The car stopped at E Block freshmen dorm.

After Kieran got out of the car, Eiderburgh rolled down the window and passed him a paper bag.

"This is the lunch that I've prepared for you, I guess you can take it as dinner now. It's meat buns and some braised beef. It's already cold but better than nothing," Eiderburgh said.

"Thank you," Kieran took the paper bag and thanked Eiderburgh politely.

"Be lively a bit, you sly little fella!" said Eiderburgh as he turned his car around and drove to the cafeteria.

Kieran saw the car off and vanished into the night. He then walked towards his dorm, grinning when he sensed a familiar presence.

The little grin was wiped away quickly as he walked towards his dorm normally.

Garcia was waiting for Kieran in front of the door and when he saw Kieran come back, his eyes shone. He managed to hold his anxiety back and greeted Kieran. "Good evening, 2567."

"Good evening," Kieran replied with courtesy. Unlike the politeness that he showed Eiderburgh, Kieran was much more stiff and distant.

He didn't speak anymore after the simple greeting, neither did he invite Garcia into his room. All he did was stand there and look at Garcia blankly.

Garcia's stiff face showed a sense of helplessness, as he really didn't want to mingle with the likes of Kieran because other than Kieran's weird character, he was very calculative and fought over the smallest troubles.

However, when Index of Eat came into his mind, Garcia, who represented a certain professor, kept his feelings to himself and took a deep breath.

"We agreed to your terms but you must guarantee that we get Lude," Garcia said in a heavy tone.

On top of the first Proper Meal class food, even though he was required to pay only half of it, paying a second Proper Meal class food was quite straining even for the professor behind Garcia, therefore he must have some assurance.

It wasn't orders from the professor but something the professor would like to see and Garcia's existence was to make sure it happened.

"I can't guarantee you that. It's like last time when I gave you precise information about Lude and yet you people failed to catch him. Lude is much more cunning and stronger than you can imagine," Kieran shook his head and wanted to go into his room.

"Wait!." Garcia knew once Kieran opened that door, the conversation would be over and before he got what he came here for, he didn't want the conversation to end.

"We at least want something more comprehensive about Lude," Garcia compromised.

"That particular information is the content of the second deal. When you pay me what you owed from the last deal, then we can talk about the new one," Kieran repeated what he said.

"It's the content of the second deal?" Garcia was a little surprised.

"Of course. Why'd you think it is worth a Proper Meal class food?" Kieran nodded.

Looking at Kieran's nod, Garcia thought of a lot more instantly and each thought unconsciously 'complete' Lude's image.

As Garcia was nearing his 'completion', a bad feeling rose in his heart.

He thought of something bad, and if things were as bad as he thought…

"Come find me after you think it over," Kieran interrupted Garcia's thoughts and wanted to go into his room.

"We will pay you right now!" the thoughts in Garcia's mind couldn't allow him to hesitate anymore, hence the abrupt answer.

"I want what is mine," Kieran emphasized.

"Of course! Please wait for a moment, I'll make the necessary arrangements."

Garcia then strode towards the stairs. Kieran saw Garcia off before he took his badge out and opened the door to his dorm.

Just like Kieran's thought, Garcia wasn't just good at seizing the timing. He'd never hesitate, especially when his heart was troubled by some bad thoughts. Garcia was used to solving problems with a swift and ruthless decision.

This was the reason why Kieran chose Garcia over Darwend.

The latter had some flaws in terms of capabilities and his hesitant character restricted him from doing anything big but he'd barely caused mistakes.

Garcia was used to causing a spectacle to achieve something big but likewise, his mistakes would be huge once made.

Ding!

The steamer in his dorm rung.

The smell of meat buns and braised beef flowed out as Kieran removed the lid, filling his face in an instant. Kieran took a big breath and the rich, beefy smell and aromatic buns tingled his appetite; the soup in the buns was extra surprising, it was very tasty.

"Shrimp and crab roe?"

Kieran savoured the taste carefully, his face showing a smile.

5 meat buns and 1 kilogram of braised beef were annihilated in less than 10 minutes by Kieran the food killer. He took a glass of water and drank it to ease the meaty flavour.

"Too bad I don't have soup. Even just a plain egg soup would be perfect," Kieran muttered before he walked to the door.

He already heard footsteps from Garcia, and not just him but 5 more people.

Even though he hasn't seen those 5 person, Kieran sensed that this group of people was emanating a faint, fierce presence. Maybe they were a little lackluster against Eiderburgh but definitely better than Senile.

It seemed like Garcia spent quite the effort to escort a Proper Meal class food.

Risk-takers are everywhere, anytime, let alone Theorate at night.

Kieran could also tell there were at least 20 more men behind Garcia and his escorts. If it wasn't for the escort's strength, the 20 more men would have made a move.

Kieran opened the door before Garcia's knock landed on the door.

Garcia wasn't surprised, turning around and taking a fully sealed metal box with only a small glass window at the top from his men. He passed it to Kieran.

" The Proper Meal class, Golden Cake!" said Garcia.

As a matter of fact, Garcia didn't have to introduce it, Kieran already knew when he took the box and saw the contents inside through the glass window.

Lines of description appeared before his eyes.

[Name: Golden Cake (Replica)]

[Type: Food]

[Rarity: I]

[Attack: None]

[Defense: None]

[Attribute: Golden Blessing (Incomplete)]

[Effect: None]

[Able to bring out of dungeon: Yes]

[Remark: People's love for the Golden Egg was undoubted in the golden age, not just because of its smell but also because the direct benefits. Although the Golden Cake in this era was just a mere replica baked according to the recipe left behind, the main ingredient was lost, yet it still has the similar effect of a true Golden Cake.]

…

[Golden Blessing (Incomplete): Replenish, optimize your attributes]

…

Unlike the first time when he ate the big drumstick, the Golden Cake presented its attributes clearly to Kieran.

"Waited too long?"

Kieran was wondering what caused the missing attributes of the first drumstick.

"Let's sign a new agreement." Kieran said.

Garcia didn't reject, or rather, since he had lived in Theorate for 4 years, he was used to abiding to Theorate's rules.

After everything was prepared, Kieran took out a paper and pen. Garcia signaled his men and the 5 of them scattered into position right away, some blocking the surveillance and some guarding the stairs.

Garcia's eyes were completely focused on Kieran's writing.

Most of what Kieran wrote was made known to him already but he didn't rush Kieran. Soon, he saw something that he didn't know of.

"Sil Inner Sect? A Dark Sect?! The Sil Sect has a Dark Sect within!? And Lude is from this Sil Inner Sect?!"

Garcia showed shock in his eyes.

Kieran smiled in delight in his heart when he sensed the surprised gaze. Most of what he wrote was true; it was all the real background of the Lude and only a few parts were 'edited' by Kieran, like the so-called Sil Inner Sect.

Sects indeed had an open and secret division, but those were limited to some truly secretive sect and Sil Sect was not listed as one.

Kieran knew it, so he ought to 'make' himself a Sil Inner Sect.