Noah stared at the floating GAIA contract above the table.
He was still in disbelief, his mind focused on something else for a split second. Then he raised a serious question:" I have never heard of this GAIA contract before, despite being in the business domain for a decade. What is this, and how authentic is it?"
Yone wasn't surprised by his question and calmly replied," It is a government contract, and breaking it is the same as breaking other contracts, so no worries about that point. You can even do the research yourself. As for how authentic it is, after doing your research, you won't just learn how real it is… but how dangerous it can be."
Noah gulped his saliva and changed the subject," You serious about your identity?"
Yone nodded," I don't bluff Noah, and I don't ask for favors I can't pay back."
Noah's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the young man before him, he felt the need to contact the biggest shareholders for a moment and take their opinion on the matter before he went against it,' They will most likely feel threatened and refuse it from the get-go without hearing the details, it's a waste to ask for their opinion.'
He wasn't breaching any contract with his current shareholders, and outsiders investing in Guardians Angels was always possible. Therefore, it wasn't necessary to inform his current biggest shareholders.
With that thought, he couldn't help but probe to be on the safe side," If you're really Requiem… then you're the top-ranked player in Eclipse right now, even though it is only on terms of level it still shows your skills. The forums are blowing up about that fight at the fountain you know that right?"
"I know," Yone replied flatly. "Which is why I'm here before the crowd realizes I'm not just a level and temporary rank that talks without biting. I'm not Syclone, Noah."
Noah exhaled slowly and leaned back.
Goosebumps rose all over his body as he recalled the tragic fate of the top-ranked player on End World. Yone was filled with confidence, had a plan and was already on track of doing it, but Noah doubted he could escape the super guilds if he ever crossed them.
'Does it even matter? If his identity is hidden and is just a shareholder but not a player under us, they can't target us,' His mind raced with the consequences.'Was this too dangerous?", his forehead dripping with sweat despite the coolness of the room.
He looked at the flash drive again, then at Yone's body language which made him wonder for a second if he was truly speaking to a youngster that just entered the real world," And this info you talking about, you offering as a bonus?"
Yone gave a thin smile," I myself don't know the future, but I already figured out a bit of the game that is insanely helpful not just for solo players but also guilds. For starters, a stat-growth secret that could give your top two to five members permanent passives."
Noah's throat tightened. "...You came prepared."
"I always come prepared."
'Well, it does suck for White Wings but it's not like I'll forsake any potential advantage I get just to uphold a bit of morals. You just gonna have to be faster Anonymous and HealtheWorld,' He chuckled as he faintly imagined the face of Ano when a few if not all of the stat passives were taken by another guild.
He even imagined the scenario where he would turn on him but paid it no heed and continued on the meeting.
Another beat of silence.
Then Noah stood and extended a hand across the table.
"I'll verify the GAIA contract. If it's as you say, and if your data checks out… welcome aboard, Partner."
Yone shook his hand firmly. "You won't regret this decision, I can promise you that."
'I can also promise that you will be the first one to get kicked out of the guild, partner,' Fury rose from the depths of his soul as he recalled the one who pushed the vote for his services to be dismissed but still controlled his anger and kept things professional.
He needed to grow for the sake of his family, and more importantly their future...he can't keep being the same impulsive kid acting based on emotions, running behind gold-diggers for the sake of beauty and befriending people who backstab you the moment you take your guard down!
***
Outside the meeting room, Amy was anxiously waiting for Yone to come out and hear the news from his mouth rather than through the phone. She was nervous as she chewed her lips, with the fact that she couldn't hear what was going on inside, her anxiety went through the roof.
"Come on… don't mess this up, Piggy."
She glanced at the time. Ten minutes had passed. She was truly worried that he messed things up and Noah was just entertaining him for her sake.
'Damnit, If only I was an ordinary girl, would I even have to suffer all these detours and act just for the sake of pleasing my father!' She was furious but still calmed herself down and focused on what's important right now.
***
Inside the office, Noah opened the GAIA contract file and began the verification process through different government official websites and even contacted his AI assistant to check on it as well.
The moment the ID was validated, Noah looked up, a spark in his eyes as he looked at Yone with even more respect.
[Verification Complete: Requiem UID confirmed. Government Contract Confirmed. Although hidden and out of the radar for unknown reasons it is still authentic, binding initiated.]
"Amy has no idea who you are… does she?"
Yone's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Let's keep it that way, Partner."
"What made you think I won't snitch up and provide your real identity for Iron Fang, you know they looking for you don't you?" Noah was genuinely curious about this question, as he found that the young man was a bit too careless as he now thought about it after calming down.
"Ehh it's actually very simple, the benefits of having me after hearing and seeing what I did far outweigh the risks for both of us, you know that so you took the smartest decision. Also, Serina is a known kind person, at most she will give me a slap on the wrist and nothing more."
"Hahaha, you clearly don't know Serina don't you?"
"Hahaha, as the popular saying goes. Ignorance is bliss," Inwardly however he rolled his eyes,' Sadly you are the one who is ignorant and doesn't know Serina's fate after three years of her operation inside of Eclipse Online.'
'Pity indeed.'