"Why did you call me, grandfather?" Lin looked at the man opposite him, who appeared to be around 30–35 years old, even though he was nearly 70.
Noro smiled.
"I heard you became a Physical Awakened? And you even specialize in speed. In short, I want to bring you back into the family," he slowly leaned back in his chair and said.
"I refuse." Lin shook his head and flatly rejected Noro's offer.
"You refuse?" he smirked and laughed: "Ha-ha! Truly an interesting boy."
"But..." his gaze became piercing, as if he were staring at an enemy, and he said:
"Do you have the power to reject the offer of the Head of the Matrix Family? Lin, Lin, you are nothing but a mere Physical Awakened. You have no power behind you, nor your own strength to challenge me... So, what answer will you give me?"
Ron slightly trembled under Noro's gaze and quickly looked down. Meanwhile, Lin lifted his head high and snorted.
"I don't care about your power. Just like all the others who stood against me to kill me, I will kill you if needed." He raised his sword and pointed it at Noro.
"You only needed me after I got a Title, and all this time, I was worthless. That one fact is enough for me to reject your offer. But there's an even more horrifying fact that completely shatters any desire to join you."
"Oh? And what is it?" Noro asked with interest.
Lin's face turned furious, and blood boiled in his veins. Through clenched teeth, he growled:
"The murder of my family!.. That fact alone is enough for me not only to reject you, but to destroy everything here to hell!"
Noro frowned.
"You're reacting too emotionally, and it clouds your judgment. Think again — if you join us, you'll get everything you desire! From Distorted items of Green level, to a large number of Soul Shards every month. Anyone in your place would let go of their grudges and accept the offer."
Lin snorted coldly and gently stroked his sword.
"I don't need that. My sword is enough to kill those who have better items and support. Maybe you don't know, but since I was ten, I've participated in deadly battles and killed quite a few people." He looked at Noro and continued, "I don't need those things. I get everything myself, with my own abilities and skills."
Noro chuckled.
"With your own abilities and skills? And you think that's enough to defeat those we've supported since childhood? Ha! What an amusing claim! Sin gave birth to a fine and brave son."
Hearing his mother's name, Lin's face immediately changed, but he quickly returned to his usual cold expression.
"Very well! Then you'll fight one of ours. If you win and prove your words, you can walk away freely, and we won't bother you again. But if you lose..." Noro smiled broadly and continued, "You'll join the family."
Lin nodded.
"I accept."
"Ha-ha-ha! Truly fascinating." Noro looked at Ron and said, "Call for Silia. Let her fight Lin."
Ron instantly nodded and left the room.
"Silia? She became an Elemental Awakened a few months ago and has ice abilities... That could be a big problem, especially considering my combat experience and skills," Lin thought and left the room together with Noro.
After some time, they arrived at the training room. Entering, Lin saw a large number of people discussing something and smiling. These were Lin's relatives — members of the Matrix family.
When Lin and Noro entered, everyone stopped their conversations and greeted the Head of the Family.
"Greetings to the Head of the Matrix Family!"
"Hello, dear."
"Grandpa, grandpa! Sister Silia will beat that half-blood!"
Everyone treated the family's leader warmly, but their reaction to Lin was awful — they tried in every way to insult or humiliate him, but Lin didn't care about their words.
A little girl around eight years old approached Lin and kicked his leg. Lin didn't even feel the pain and looked at the girl, whose hair was half white and half black.
"Take that, half-blood! That's what you get for refusing grandpa's offer!" she kept kicking Lin's leg, but he didn't even move.
Lin smiled wickedly and said to the girl:
"If I killed your parents and left you on the streets for six years, then came back and offered you a piece of candy, would you take it?"
The girl looked at Lin's face and nearly burst into tears. She grabbed Noro's leg and said:
"Grandpa! He's scary! Do something about him!"
Noro laughed slightly and comforted the girl:
"It's okay. Your sister Silia will defeat him soon."
"Yeah yeah! Sister Silia will punish you!" she stuck out her tongue and showed it to Lin.
"..."
Lin shook his head and walked forward. Many family members looked at him and whispered among themselves, but he paid them no mind. The only thing that concerned him was the fight with Silia.
Approaching the center of the arena, he saw a beautiful figure in tight white pants and a black top. She had silver hair pinned with a clip, bright violet eyes like two sapphires, and an alluring figure that could mesmerize any man. This was Silia Matrix, Lin's cousin.
She slowly raised her beautiful eyes and looked at Lin. In an instant, she analyzed his body and features and then looked at the sword in his hand.
"Is that a Distorted item?" she asked.
"Yeah. And yours? It looks rather unusual." Lin replied and asked about her weapon.
Silia held a rather thin sword in her hand, resembling a rapier but clearly not one. She smiled slightly and answered:
"It was my sixteenth birthday gift. A Green-level Distorted item from the Steam World — Ice Unveiling."
"And mine is the sword of a great warrior from the Magic World — the Fallen sword. It's White level." Lin showed her his rusty sword and smiled.
The girl fell into a slight stupor while looking at Lin's sword, then sighed.
"I thought you'd have something interesting if you dared to challenge the Matrix family, but I guess I was wrong." She took a stance and prepared to attack.
Lin said nothing and simply took a stance himself.
Ron stepped out from the crowd and began the announcement:
"Today's battle is between Silia Matrix and Lin."
"Lin said he could defeat anyone who's had support since childhood. He mocked the Head of the Family's offers and even pointed his sword at him, threatening to destroy the Matrix family."
After his words, a loud uproar began. Many people expressed outrage at Lin, while others eagerly supported Silia to defeat him.
"Go sister! Kill that half-blood!"
"He's so arrogant. Defeat him, daughter."
"I've always wanted to see our nephew's abilities — show them to your uncle!"
The noise filled the arena, then quickly faded. Everyone fell silent and prepared to watch an exciting fight.
"You may begin!" Ron announced the start of the battle!