Chapter 203: Chapter 97: [Jade Realm] Defector! (Part 2)
"What if I said I could help you complete the ’Jade Pattern Key’?"
Rekano, who had been turning away, froze.
The falling petals around them also halted in mid-air.
A crushing force, as if the very air were solidifying, pressed down hard on Zorn.
Vines as thick as a man’s arm began to writhe and climb rapidly throughout the Jade Ball Cage.
Several particularly thick vines even slithered toward Zorn like giant pythons.
Rekano turned back around, his face twisted and ferocious. Wood chips, dry twigs, and withered leaves continuously fell from his body with a soft rustle.
He looked like a withered and decaying ancient tree, constantly shedding pieces of himself.
His voice was a constant roar, a mixture of fury and tears.
"I did so much for the Jade Realm."
"And for one tiny mistake, you want to kill me."
"I burned away my life, even severed the chains of knowledge on the Jade Magic Ring."
"I’ve already returned everything I could possibly give back."
"For all these years, I’ve been hiding, running from place to place."
"Terrified that one day, I just wouldn’t wake up."
"I’ve done all of this."
"So why... why are you still hunting me? Why..."
The old Rekano roared until his voice was hoarse.
Seeing the terrifying vines about to ensnare him, Zorn stated in a steady voice,
"I am not from the Jade Realm. I have no grudge against you, nor am I here to hunt you."
"If we must speak of a connection, it’s that I can offer you help—and even strike a blow against that dreadful Jade Realm."
"Damn you, bastard! You think I don’t know? You’re one of the Believers of the Jade Realm! You can’t fool me."
"Only someone from the Jade Realm would know about the Jade Pattern Key. You damned Deceiver!"
"KRAK KRAK KRAK..."
The cage-like vines were already tightening around Zorn’s Holy Armor, causing it to creak and groan.
One after another, Golden Arms extended from all over Zorn’s body, forcibly prying the Jade vines apart.
"Perhaps you should use your Ability to take a closer look with your Perception first and see if I’m telling the truth."
"Even if it’s true, it’s a trap! You won’t deceive me."
"But at least you could truly obtain the Jade Pattern Key and have a chance to reclaim what you’ve lost."
"Instead of remaining like this, forever unable to get back the parts of your memory and Ability that belong to you."
"Besides... haven’t you already snuck back into the Jade Realm several times?"
Zorn’s words finally struck a chord deep in Rekano’s heart.
These secret existences hidden throughout Ogrande City each had their own unique stories and timelines.
If one wanted to interact with them, gain something, or even get their help, Players had to continuously complete quests, fulfill their needs, and even help them become whole again.
Only then... could a new path be forged.
For example, this "Rekano" from the Jade Realm was one of the crucial leads for entering the Jade Realm itself.
By changing his path and pushing it forward, Zorn could intervene in the war of the Jade Realm.
Of course, the Rekano lead was for fighting against the Jade Realm.
To cooperate with the Jade Realm, one would need to go to Saintisman and find another key figure.
RUSTLE...
The masses of python-like Jade vines slowly receded.
Rekano, who had just been a whirlwind of madness, fury, and sorrow, now returned to the form of a wizened old man.
Rekano, having been stripped of a part of himself, had a normal human form that was completely different from his ancient Tree of Life form.
Unless he could reclaim what was his and make himself whole again.
"You... how do you know so much?"
The light in the depths of his eyes was like a knife, trying to see right through Zorn.
But the terrifying "Spiritual Realm" and the cryptic, obscure "Holy Witch Spirit Body" prevented him from probing any further.
Zorn didn’t answer, simply stating flatly,
"That is not within the scope of our discussion."
"You... you can really complete the ’Jade Pattern Key’."
"You’ve already sensed it, haven’t you?"
Zorn replied in a deep voice.
"The opportunity you’ve been trying to seize is right here in my hands."
As Zorn finished speaking, Rekano’s body trembled slightly, and a manic excitement appeared on his aged face.
"Yes... I can feel it. What you said is true. It’s right here, so close I can almost taste it..."
Suppressing his inner turmoil, Rekano looked at Zorn, took a deep breath, and said slowly,
"Then... Your Excellency Zorn, what do you need me to do for you?"
Hailing from the Jade Realm, he knew very well that to receive, one must also give.
"This time, many forces have infiltrated the Ancient Porcelain Holy City: the Pirate Gangs from the seas, the official forces of Saint Grellele, the Forbidden Messengers, and possibly... even forces from the Jade Realm."
"For so many powers to infiltrate the Ancient Porcelain Holy City, something extraordinary must be happening."
"I need to know what their ultimate objective is!"
’Based on the original World’s trajectory, this operation had at least a dozen variations. When there were so many possibilities, the plans I knew might as well have been no plans at all.’
That was why Zorn needed Rekano, this powerful being with immense information-gathering and perception abilities, to help him acquire the core intelligence.
As long as he grasped the core information, Zorn could deduce their primary plan.
His gaze lingered on Zorn for a moment, probing.
Only then did Rekano retract his gaze and say slowly,
"I know where to obtain this core intelligence, but our kind, the Time Track Recorders, are not powerful in combat. Therefore, I need Your Excellency Zorn’s help to complete a dream visit to the Forbidden Archbishop."
’Visit the Forbidden Archbishop’s dream? The Archbishop of the Harvester Temple’s Forbidden Messengers... that’s a Level 10 Powerhouse.’
Hearing this, Zorn couldn’t help but rub the bridge of his nose.
"Mr. Rekano, you’re not trying to send me to my death, are you?"
"It’s just one visit to a dream. Besides, I will help you fill in the gaps in the dream’s information, making it impossible for him to detect you."
"After all, as you know, these Forbidden Messengers have consumed far too much Forbidden Blood."
"Their dreams are mad and depraved."
"All of their dreams are sealed away, imprisoned deep within the Taboo: Dream Corridor."
"Furthermore, their maddest thoughts and memories must be periodically extracted and cast into the Pools of Oblivion inside their respective sealed rooms."
"Otherwise, they would descend into complete madness."
"I can help you steal their intelligence without being discovered."
"Visiting the dream of a Level 10 Powerhouse is a critical step in obtaining this intelligence."
"If you’re unwilling, then there’s nothing I can do."
Upon hearing this, Zorn fell into deep thought.
’It’s not that I’m unwilling. But if I were to die and undergo Resurrection, this Mr. Rekano would instantly perceive a great deal of information about me. Then again, I have many tricks up my sleeve now, so leaking a little intelligence is no big deal. Besides, there’s no guarantee I’ll die on this mission, anyway.’
After weighing the pros and cons for a moment, Zorn nodded slightly.
"No problem!"
