Enigma was in an underground location far away from the Secret Realm of Shadow Guardians.
Even though there was little chance that Dreamer would find about the Secret Realm through her comm, she had no intention of risking it.
So here she was, in her all black costume, in an abandoned bunker staring at the countdown as it hit zero.
Whoosh!
A hologram slowly took shape.
A man dressed in all white, with a mask covering his face, save for his eyes and hair which were pitch black. He had broad shoulders with lean but muscular physique.
He looked more like a body awakener than a technocrat.
But she could conclude that it was a human.
The vibe he exuded…he was like an illusion that couldn't be trusted. His eyes were filled with a myriad emotions, yet she could read none of them.
Enigma did not speak and stared at the man in white.
The man did the same.
Enigma tried to catch any signs of expressions in his eyes, but failed.
Finally, Dreamer spoke. "Too cold."
Varian said that from the bottom of his heart. He looked into Enigma's beautiful eyes for a long time trying to find any trace of emotion.
Not even a spark.
They were cold, indifferent and even though he was seeing only a hologram, he felt like he was seeing a person without emotions.
Enigma's eyes did not fluctuate and she lightly nodded, saying in an indifferent tone. "I don't care about Roxana, but you shouldn't concern yourself with the matters of Sia."
"…." Varian's eyes narrowed.
In one of Boo's post, there was a question about who Enigma rescued in the lab.
Looks like asking that question pissed her off. But doing so, she indirectly admitted about saving Sia.
"The information." Enigma said curtly. Even thought it was just her hologram, Varian felt the chill.
"I have the information of the Shadow Order's Secret Realms on Earth. All five of them." Varian said.
"!" Enigma did not utter a word, but Varian saw a ripple in her eyes.
'…you can be surprised too, huh?' He thought.
Despite that, Enigma said without any eagerness. "What do you need for the exchange?"
She did not believe in the so-called goodwill. Nor did she want to owe him a favor.
Favors were the hardest to repay.
Varian's aura suddenly changed. She did not know if it was an illusion, but Enigma saw a flash of black and white lights in his eyes.
He went from being mysterious to being regal.
An imposing bearing was formed on him as he stared at her and said, his voice sounding almost like an order. "Sia."
"No." Enigma refused without hesitation.
It wasn't even in her considerations. If this was his only condition, it was impossible to accept.
Even, Enigma's gaze turned hostile and she exuded a scary killing intent. "If this is it, then we're done."
Varian was surprised by her violent outburst. It was too contradictory to the way she presented herself.
Cold. Indifferent. Calm.
"I don't want Sia. I just want to see her. Talk to her." Varian said quickly, but without appearing eager.
Enigma narrowed her eyes.
His voice was of course changed by Boo, but the way he spoke was not.
When he spoke of Sia, however, his tone fluctuated despite his best attempts.
Enigma noticed it.
"Why?" She said, her voice turning colder.
Varian looked at the beauty in black and replied. "A talk with her for five minutes and I'll give you the locations."
Enigma raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "No. We're done."
Varian was dumbfounded. She was not budging even for this condition!
What the fuck?!
Did she really think he was helpless like in the past?
No. He was not going to let history repeat itself.
"I'm being very generous here. Just five minutes of her time and we might even be allies, yet…" Varian's voice turned cold and like a devil, he slowly said. "Are you sure you want me as an enemy?"
Boo who was watching their video call shuddered.
Even though Varian was angry many times…he was never this cold. The current him was like an emotionless devil.
Someone who could go to any lengths for their goals.
Enigma scoffed. "Or what?"
Varian covered his face and slowly laughed. "Ha..haha."
It was a cold laughter. One filled with mockery, killing intent and resolve. Even though she was on the other side, Enigma felt the blood chilling coldness.
"Shadow Guardians. Your Secret Realms. I'm sure Xanders and the army are interested." Varian's voice was low, but each of his words were filled with threats.
He pointed at her and clenched his fists. "What you built with your hands, I can destroy it all. Do not push me, Enigma. You have your confidence, I have mine."
"…" Enigma fell silent. She stared at him.
This time, Varian felt an emotion from her eyes…amusement?
'Damn it!'
"Since you don't believe my words, be prepared." He said and was about to end the call.
It was a threat, of course. If she relented, great.
If not, he would somehow try to find Sia's location and then, meet her.
"…your track record speaks for itself, I do believe your words." Enigma's words stopped his words.
Varian stared at her and frowned. "Releasing omni key, that is the only thing. It's not enough to be a track record."
Enigma shook her head and said. "Not that." Her indifferent tone turned softer and she said. "Awakening at 18 years age. Surviving the Abyssal Duke in entrance test. Joining Imperial Defense Academy. Being the number one in…"
With each sentence she said, Varian felt the temperature drop.
He clenched his fists and his breath turned heavy.
"You went from level 0 to level 5 in 2 months. And you even got some sort of treasure for the Dreamer's personna.
Dreamer only appeared a few days before you were found, so let me guess. You got that treasure after you were lost in the space crack—a Lost Dungeon or some other realm." Enigma said.
Varian took a deep breath in an attempt to compose himself.
…How?
How did she know?
For the first time, Varian found himself seriously challenged. Every person he encountered until now, even if he couldn't beat them in the present, he was sure of surpassing them in the future.
But her…
She was dangerous.
Even more so that she knew his identity.
"I don't wish to be your enemy." Enigma said, her voice was soft, yet indifferent.
However, Varian shook his head. He said lightly. "You know my identity. Then you should also know that I'll go to any lengths. Call Sia or be enemy." He gave her an ultimatum.
Enigma closed her eyes and sighed, her voice turned softer. "Sia…is fine. She is following her own will. And…she does not wish to see you."
"…" Varian's expression turned grim and he roared. "I don't believe you. I believed some shit a fat man told me and almost ruined myself. I am not believing any of your bullshit!"
"CALL HER NOW!"
Enigma looked at his bloodshot eyes and slowly shook her head. "You don't have to believe me. You have the black box she gave you, right? It's from Sia.
You can check with your treasure, the last letter in the black box was a year old. It's what she wanted to tell you."
Varian stood in shock as the call ended.. With trembling hands, he retrieved the black box from his storage ring.