World System's Wrath: Primordial Architect of Taboo Creations

In the dark room, Cyrus sat on his sofa, his eyes fixated on his phone. A number was displayed on the dial pad, and he just needed to hit the call button, but he was swimming in a mire of indecision.

This time, the indecision was overwhelming.

'Which day did Helen give me her card? And now I need it.'

He had already called Tracy, who told him that acquiring such a large number of beast cores would be difficult. He reached out to his others contacts, but he still hasn't gotten a solution; either their number was out of reach or obtaining the cores was unfeasible. Now, he was left with Helen. If she truly had the connections she claimed, she must have a way to verify his identity when he called.

He had planned to keep his skills hidden until he became an Archon, but life is fickle.

When a man places his plans in a jar, life comes from nowhere and shakes the jar.

'Why am I so worked up about my identity being exposed? If asked, I could just say I was born with it. There are many unexplainable phenomena in this world, and the Power Module is one. I would just avoid crazy scientists.'

'If I had time, I would devise an elaborate plan, but time is a luxury I can't afford right now. Well, if I had time, why would I resort to this plan?'

Steeling his resolve, he hit the dial button and placed the phone to his ear.

After five rings, someone finally answered.

"Hello?" a groggy voice came from the other end.

Deepening his voice, Cyrus replied, "Good morning, Helen. It's Benedict. Sorry if I woke you."

"Which Benedict?" she asked, still sounding half-asleep.

Cyrus was momentarily stunned, surprised that she had forgotten him so quickly.

"The one you owe five million credits."

"Oh!" Her voice sharpened, losing its grogginess. "What do you want?"

Her sudden alertness sent a chill down Cyrus's spine, but the arrow had already been released the moment he called.

Inhaling deeply, he asked, "You said you had a wide range of connections, right?"

"Yes."

"I need a thousand Awakened beast cores. You already owe me five million credits, so I'll add the remaining credits to cover the deficit," Cyrus said calmly.

"What do you need the Awakened beast cores for? Don't tell me you want to absorb impure beast cores."

"No. Just for a project. I'm not stupid. So, can you do it?"

"When do you want them?"

"Tomorrow morning."

She fell silent for a moment before saying, "You know that's impossible, right?"

"Impossible? No. Difficult? Yes. That's why I called you, since you boast of wide connections."

She chuckled at his response.

"Yes, you're correct; it is difficult but not impossible. I can get it if I pull all my connections, but why would I do that for a stranger who I only owe five million credits to? Paying many times the price for the Eminent Armored Crab is already enough."

"I saved your students. Consider it a form of appreciation because her death would have been on you when you intentionally slowed down to test me." Cyrus kept his voice calm and steady.

Her playful tone echoed from the speaker. "That's a big slander because I never did that. However, I wouldn't deny that I'm grateful for your effort in saving Lily, but that's not enough since I'll owe favors to others."

"What do you want?"

"Aid me on a mission."

"To Talent unleashment stuff?"

"Yes."

"Sorry, but the price is insufficient. However, I can propose a new deal. I'll give you the chance to see my face, allowing you to contact me and find a way to convince me to join you. I also wouldn't avoid you. But that will only happen if you can get the Awakened beast cores tomorrow," Cyrus spoke calculatively.

"What makes you think I'll accept that kind of deal?" she asked, her tone playful.

"Because I'm the prize you want."

"Are you sure you're the prize?"

"Yes. Your behavior proves it," Cyrus replied confidently. "You want my skill. Even if you track me, I will avoid you. Nobody runs faster than me."

She fell silent for a moment before sighing ruefully. "Why did I make that mistake?"

"Where do you want to receive them?" she asked calmly, making it hard for Cyrus to gauge her mood.

"I'll call you tomorrow when I find a perfect location."

"Perfect location?"

"Thanks for the deal. Goodnight, and sweet dreams. See you tomorrow."

Cyrus quickly hung up, not ready for any further questions from her.

Then he went to bed, as morning was approaching, to take a short nap.

'I don't have a weapon or any equipment. Sigh.'

Feeling depressed, he thought about many things before finally drifting off to sleep.

When his alarm woke him again, it was 5 AM.

Taking a deep breath, he quickly showered, got dressed, and headed to Tracy's house.

To keep his movements out of sight, he walked along the path between houses, hoping that anyone monitoring his tracker wouldn't raise suspicions.

The morning was still shrouded in darkness, but that posed no problem for him. After a few minutes, he arrived at a story building, beautifully decorated and well-designed. He gave a light knock, but nobody answered. Just as he was about to knock again, the door opened, revealing Yuna in a tight leather dress.

Without a word, she walked toward the garage.

"You were sure I would come?" Cyrus asked, following her.

"You? No. But in the face of death, almost everyone will choose the path of survival," she replied without looking back.

They both climbed into the truck Tracy used, with Cyrus settling into the passenger seat and Yuna taking the driver's seat.

She handed him a blank band. "Wear this on your wrist."

Cyrus took it and put it on without saying a word.

Once he was ready, she ignited the engine and pressed the gas pedal, driving off in silence.

Just like last time, there were patrols at the edge of the Silvaran fence, who saluted Yuna upon spotting her and opened the gate.

Yuna drove out, accelerating once they were in the clear, speeding into the distance.

The car was oddly silent.

After about thirty minutes of driving, Yuna broke the silence first.

"You know, I spoke with Tracy last night, and she shared her thoughts about you. I found myself putting myself in your shoes."

"And?" Cyrus turned to her, though his eyes showed little interest in the conversation.

"Everyone's actions are very suspicious. From Tracy to the Archon. The timing." She chuckled. "I even found myself suspicious; my actions combined with Tracy's and the arrest felt like a well-calculated scheme."