Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 210: NOT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME

"So? What's your decision?" Greg asked, his gaze steady as he looked at each of the gathered board members. His tone was calm but carried the weight of finality, as though he already knew the answer before he asked.

Cain leaned back in his chair, the wooden frame creaking slightly under the motion. He folded his arms across his chest, one brow raised in amusement. "As long as you don't try to boss me around, I'll be staying for a while," he said, his voice laid-back but firm. There was a subtle warning in his words, a reminder that while he had agreed to cooperate, he wasn't someone to be controlled.

Brian looked over at Chris and Elizabeth, silently searching their eyes. A brief exchange passed between them—Chris gave a nod of support, and Elizabeth, though quiet as ever, inclined her head in agreement.

Brian then turned back to Greg. "I'll join too."

Greg gave a curt nod. "Very well. Then it's decided." He rose to his feet, the motion smooth and unhurried. "We'll establish the guild the moment the apocalypse descends. Not a second sooner."

There was a pause, the words sinking in like the ominous toll of a bell. Everyone present knew what he meant—that once the world changed again, they would need unity more than ever.

Greg took a step toward the exit, but then stopped. "I have unfinished business to attend to," he said without looking back. "If you'll excuse me."

"Nemesis…" Brian's voice cut through the silence, a touch of urgency lacing his tone. "I wish to speak with you."

Greg turned slightly, only his head moving. "Speak," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Brian clenched his fists at his sides. "The Grey Empire… I believe you hold a grudge against them. I want to fight them too. The other kingdoms—there's unrest building. If we ally with them, we could take—"

"I already plan to deal with the Grey Empire," Greg interrupted.

Brian blinked. "You… already plan to? When?"

"In two days," Greg said. "Alone."

The silence that followed was sharp and immediate. The air itself seemed to freeze.

"What?" Brian asked, stunned. His voice came out louder than intended. Chris, who had been calm until now, frowned in disbelief. Elizabeth's eyes, usually unreadable, briefly widened before she composed herself.

Cain, who had been casually observing, chuckled under his breath. Unlike the others, he wasn't shocked. Somehow, deep down, he had sensed this would happen. The man called Nemesis had never played by the rules.

"You can't be serious," Brian said, stepping forward. "That's suicide! You can't possibly expect to survive a solo assault on the Empire!"

"Suicidal?" Greg repeated, turning his head toward Brian. His expression didn't change. "Yes. For you. But not for me."

"Stop being so damn arrogant!" Brian snapped. "You'll surely die if you go through with this!"

Greg turned fully now, his gaze cold and unwavering. "Listen carefully," he said. "Don't project your limits onto me. I'm not like you. You can't imagine it yet—but our capabilities are on different planes entirely. For someone like you, yes… it's suicide. But me?"

He pointed to himself.

"I am not you."

With that, he turned around and walked out, the sound of his footsteps fading into silence.

Brian stood frozen, the echo of Greg's words ringing in his ears. He felt a heat rising in his chest—not from anger alone, but from shame, from the bitter sting of inadequacy. He had come hoping to fight alongside Greg… only to be dismissed, deemed unworthy without a second thought.

Dual Blade watched from the side, and for a moment, he saw his own past reflected in Brian. That same twisted emotion—the realization that you were insignificant to someone far beyond your level. He had felt that once, and now someone else did too.

For the first time, Dual Blade pitied him.

Cain stood up, his cape brushing the ground. He looked at Brian with a small smirk. "Told you. You guys can't compare. He doesn't even think of you as a rival." He turned to leave. "He doesn't think anyone is."

And just like that, he left as well.

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In the depths of the imperial castle, hidden far beneath the marble floors and golden chandeliers, was a vast underground chamber—cloaked in silence and darkness.

There, surrounded by flickering torches and stone walls lined with arcane sigils, stood Emperor Augustus.

Number Twenty leaned lazily against a column, a playful smile curling on his lips. "So, Your Majesty… did you miss me?"

Augustus didn't react to the sarcasm. "Did you pry any information from him?"

"Of course," Number Twenty said with a grin, twirling a knife between his fingers. "Your enemy is bold. He plans to attack in two days. Alone." He let the word hang in the air, filled with disbelief and amusement. "Brave lad… or crazy strong?"

Augustus's face remained unreadable, but inside, his mind raced. A foreigner, declaring war on an empire, alone? It was beyond madness—or perhaps, it was a different kind of certainty.

"Ready all shadow slaves," Augustus ordered, his voice calm. "Before that date."

He turned and left the chamber, his robes trailing behind him like flowing shadows. He ascended the stairs slowly, returning to his throne room where ministers awaited him.

After cleaning up and dressing in his ceremonial garb, he entered the courtroom.

"Let us begin," he announced.

One by one, the ministers delivered reports—territorial disputes, demon raids, collapsing trade routes, and fortress repairs. All necessary affairs, but Augustus barely heard them. His mind remained fixed on the approaching storm.

As the ministers finished, the nobles began to bow and leave—until one voice broke the procession.

"My Lord," said Prince Jason, stepping forward and kneeling.

"Yes?" Augustus asked.

"I've been weaving my net around the foreigner, just as you ordered. I'm close to binding him. Soon, he'll be ours."

"There's no need for that anymore," Augustus said.

Jason looked up, confused. "What do you mean?"

"He's coming to us. In two days. Alone."

Jason froze.

"Alone…?" he echoed, unable to believe it.

"He intends to attack the Empire head-on."

Jason's mind whirled. That damn foreigner… was he insane?

"I'll handle it," Jason said, bowing deeper. "I will capture him with my own hands and bring him before you."

"You're being given one final chance," Augustus said. "You may take the knights under your command. Don't fail. You know what will happen if you do."

Jason's heart skipped. He knew.

"I understand, my Lord. I swear—I will not fail."

Augustus gave a dismissive wave, and Jason stood, leaving the chamber.

Outside, he clenched his jaw tightly, storm clouds gathering in his mind.

"That bastard foreigner… always getting in my way," he muttered. "I'll make him suffer for this."

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Far from the Empire, in a quiet forest untouched by war or corruption, Greg sat perched on a thick tree branch. The leaves rustled gently in the wind, but he didn't notice them.

His body remained perfectly still—eyes half-closed, breath steady.

But within his mind, he was fully alert.

He wasn't idling. He was diving into the depths of a hidden interface—the system store, connected to his sister's unique talent.