Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

Kieran expected the explosive increase to happen, but he didn't expect it to transpire so soon.

The notice had only been announced hours ago, but Alice complained of a surging, ever-growing influx of recruit applications.

Based on the sheer number of applicants, Alice assumed roughly 95% of them would be turned away after failing to meet the baseline.

A baseline that had yet to be set.

Kieran sat on the information briefly before patting the seat beside him.

"Take a seat. Let's talk and come to an agreement regarding this recruitment boon."

Partially shocked by Kieran's request, Alice's brow arched, surprise swimming within her shimmering gaze.

"Are you sure this isn't something you want to review by yourself? Sure, it may take longer, but I'm almost positive you have a more discerning eye for talent. I'm not as keen in that regard."

There was truth to Alice's words; Kieran's eye for talent was unmatched. But it was also unnatural, backed by the unattainable knowledge of his future.

More importantly, though, Kieran understood talent wasn't everything.

"As attractive as talent may be, it isn't the end all, be all of a great player. I'd take an average player with an unlimited drive over a talented player with a sub-par drive. Not only would the former be more receptive to training and direction, but their ethic will prove far more reliable than their initial presence. But more than that… I value your opinion. I wouldn't exclude you from this decision."

Kieran knew firsthand the adverse effects of a one-dimensional recruitment standard. Such a lackluster approach failed to take into account something unquantifiable by number or performance—attitude.

Could the recruits mesh well with the team?

Were they an agreeable person?

Did they harbor traits that would deem them undesirable?

These were the more pressing questions. The greater the number of negative traits a recruit bore, the higher the likelihood they'd betray the sanctity of a guild's bond.

Especially if they were approached by a grander name.

The number of times Kieran witnessed a vain, prideful, and emotionally vulnerable player succumb to poaching was too many to count. But that wasn't the worst of it.

Many, if not all, big names suborned espionage and treachery.

It was a practice of the shadowy elite.

Kieran preferred to weed out potential deleterious members before the roots of deceit settled, breeding future trouble.

Alice made a collection of odd gestures, bringing up enough virtual documents to fill the entire room. Her usual reserved expression vanished, replaced by sharp focus. Her laser-focused gaze scanned the documents, something like a resume but not quite.

They were accomplishment reports, partially redacted status screens, and attached video proof.

Skills were being demonstrated, casual talks were being carried out, and nerves got the better of the applicant in some of these videos.

Among this vast number of players were some acceptable candidates. But it'd take an exceptional amount of sifting to unearth them. Luckily, Kieran and Alice felt up to the challenge.

But, they weren't alone.

After hearing subtle clamor in the main living room, Altair emerged from his private room, his keep silver eyes inspecting the spattering of virtual documents.

"That many have come in already?"

"No…"

Alice paused for a moment and grimaced, covering herself with a robe. "This here is approximately a quarter of what we've received. It looks like it's going to be a long night."

"Long night? Aren't you hopeful?"

Altair chuckled, amused by Alice's ignorance.

"Knowing Kieran, this won't suffice at all. This is simply the initial elimination. He's probably poised to conduct in-person interviews or evaluations — whatever you wish to call them — once this is over."

Kieran grinned, faint but proud. Altair had captured his intentions faultlessly without having to voice his plans. That kind of thorough, practical, and tacit understanding only emerged from minds of near identical likeness.

"I'll get you guys refreshments while you work. Also… Kieran, don't you have something else to talk about? Don't you dare forget our agreement!"

Lillian rose from kneeling, giving Kieran an expectant and intense look. Altair exchanged furtive glances with Alice, but she shook her head. Knowing Kieran, he was about to bring it up anyway.

Kieran stopped paying attention to the revolving documents before him and exhaled, acting on Lillian's advice. Under normal circumstances, Kieran wouldn't feel comfortable sending a proxy, but his current condition probably wouldn't heal quickly.

Wendell wielded power that, while seeming innocuous, was terrifyingly harmful. The X-hancers regenerative qualities were essentially suppressed, most of its efficacy tasked with dispelling the residual energy Wendell left behind.

Kieran wondered how frightening Wendell's energy control had to be to permeate his body without causing cuts. That meant his energy output was so concise it could enter fine apertures like the pores on one's skin!

Like an injection from inconceivably thin needles.

No wonder they referred to the man as a dreadful viper in human skin. Either way, Kieran felt fortunate Wendell didn't wield venomous elements.

"Xane, are you comfortable acting as my proxy to visit Caelum Lenders?"

Xane's brows furrowed. The request wasn't unreasonable in any regard, not to ordinary law-abiding citizens. On the surface, Caelum Lenders appeared as the world's most respected and ethical banking institution.

But, in this world, nothing was ever as simple as it seemed.

There was more than what met the eye.

And with Caelum Lenders, what met the eye was both the truth and a facade. The institute abided by every law regarding the management of inconsequential accounts or just officials insusceptible to corruption.

There remained a shadowed facet of Caelum Lenders, a group of skilled and morally challenged individuals who all operated outside the purview of the law. Their manipulation skills were unmatched, which was precisely why Kieran wanted to get into business with them.

But he also wanted to shelter the others from this exposure. It was now a choice that he would have Altair decide.

After disseminating some vital information, of course.

"Am I missing something here? You're wearing a strange expression while asking me to visit a bank."

Kieran met Altair's gaze, his expression calm, steady, and slightly cautious.

"I am not asking you to visit that place on a surface level. You'll have to ask for the… venal characters, those susceptible to usury, law-breaking, and other amoral behaviors. Given the nature of their transactions, there are likely to be extremely dangerous people there. Which is why I'm asking rather than demanding you do this."

Altair's expression suddenly darkened, his eyes becoming filled with icy hatred.

"I only have one question."

"Ask it."

"Are these the kinds of people the Wiyan Family would employ to handle their finances."

Kieran soon understood the reason behind Altair's change in expression. It had nothing to do with the morality of Kieran's request but everything to do with the chilling hatred that came from the possibility of crossing paths with his estranged, detestable family.

"Undoubtedly. Granted, we have no way of knowing when, where, or how we can begin to locate the people you hate."

A dark, grim, and eerie energy leaked from Altair as he clenched his hands, his eyes dulling and filling with gloom.

"We don't need to seek them out. I promise… when we're done… they'll be the ones to actively seek us out. And we'll crush their fragile egos to dust when that time comes."

Alice and Lillian shuddered whilst being exposed to this unadulterated hatred; meanwhile, Kieran was more intrigued by Altair's display of surly gloom.

'Another manifestation of inexplicably linked abilities. What the hell is going on with us?'

Altair's manifestation paled compared to the presence Kieran could muster, symbolizing a disparity in station. Still, Kieran felt the makings of remarkable power buried in the gloom.

While unsure it matched Argexes' power completely, the source of the Deathless Gloom had to transcend human limits, perhaps even more unfathomable limits.

Gradually, Kieran walked Altair through what needed to be done, reviewing specific details with meticulous and even redundant paraphrasing and repetitions.

Though, as Lillian and Alice listened, they questioned the rationality of this meeting. Based on Kieran's explanations, many of the potential interactions and pretty much all of the staff seemed far removed from their sanity.

Yet, Altair didn't exhibit any signs of fear. It was quite the opposite, in fact.

An innate thirst for conflict and battle jetted to the front of Altair's subdued gaze. Those emotions could surge forward with the smallest incite.

All of a sudden, Altair snaked his hand forward, picking a page out of the masses. "This kid… I've seen him before."

Intrigued, Kieran peered at the virtual document. As his gaze traveled downward, his eyes fell upon some information he found oddly interesting and partially disturbing.

'There's no way there's a damned coincidence as strange as this. Couldn't be….'