The contradictions within Kael deeply shocked Rudra.
Despite having his "beloved family and friends" lying dead at his feet, Kael could still make such confident statements.
To deceive a deity, one would typically need to be mentally disturbed or under hypnosis. If this deity understood that Kael's "beloved family and friends" was no term of endearment, everything would make sense.
"Hm... hm hm hahahahaha—" Rudra covered his face and laughed heartily, like someone who'd discovered an fascinating new toy.
Like his divine domain, he embodied both violence and healing — his very existence a contradiction. Rudra was also a divine name shared by dozens of Gods.
In the story's future, he would make a similar invitation to Ryuu, who had been corrupted by hatred after completing his revenge. In his eyes, that female elf— who carried justice yet was consumed by hatred and immersed in slaughter — was exactly his type.
Now...
"Interesting, you're so very interesting. I can't see through you at all! Your beloved family and friends tell me this isn't a deal we can't discuss. Tell me... what would it take for you to join my Familia and become my child?"
Faced with this olive branch once again, Kael replied indirectly, "Even if I agreed to change Familia, it wouldn't mean anything, right? Can you get my patron deity to agree?"
Rudra shrugged, "You misunderstand. I'm not asking you to join my Familia immediately. You can stay in your Familia for now, and I'll contact you when necessary. Don't worry, it won't take long before I make it so your patron deity won't be able to object. As long as you cooperate. Then, you won't have to stay among that pile of trash anymore. You'll have broader horizons, stronger power! Oh, and you won't need to pick up this scrap metal anymore."
As he spoke, he reached into his robes, pulled out a blood-red dagger, and tossed it out.
"Take it."
Kael glanced at the gleaming dagger on the ground and bent down to pick it up. His handsome face reflected clearly in the crimson blade, and as he felt the evil aura emanating from it, he couldn't help but feel tempted.
This is...
"A cursed weapon! Be careful — if you get cut by it, even healing magic won't cure the wound." Rudra explained.
Hearing this, Kael abandoned his thought of testing its sharpness on his armor and looked up, "What do you want me to do?"
"When necessary, just tell us some minor intelligence. Like where your patron deity likes to go, that sort of thing."
"What? You want me to betray Lord Soma? Don't you know he's my adoptive father?"
Rudra replied indifferently, "Though I like you, the organization isn't run by me alone, so... you need to demonstrate some value. This is my show of sincerity."
He pointed at the dagger.
Kael played with the dagger in his hands, remaining silent.
"I was born in Soma's Familia..."
Rudra looked around at the carbonized corpses, "Someone like you still cares about such things? Besides... Soma's Familia? How can someone of your ability let such a Familia hold you back?"
Kael carefully wrapped the dagger with a strip of cloth from his pants and put it away safely, "You misunderstand, Lord Rudra. Your words have opened my eyes and cleared my confusion. However, I was born in Soma's Familia and have received much 'care' from Lord Soma since childhood. He is truly like a second parent to me!"
After a pause, he stamped his foot with gritted teeth, looking as if he'd suffered a great grievance.
"Well~ Show me the money!"
Hearing this, Rudra was stunned for a moment before clutching his stomach in laughter.
"Ah, you... hahaha, you're really something! Alright! How much do you want?!"
Kael thought for a moment and held up five fingers, "Five..."
"Good! Five million Valis!" Rudra clapped his hands, and a red-haired cat-person adventurer emerged from the shadows of the corridor.
This was the Rudra Familia leader 'Slaver Cat' Jura Halmer, who in the main story was stabbed six times with a dagger by Ryuu yet could still bounce around energetically.
He stared coldly at Kael for a few seconds and said in a low voice, "Lord Rudra, we only brought 6 million Valis this time — it's meant for purchasing slaves."
"Shut up. Give it!"
Jura's voice caught, and after giving Kael another cold stare, he took out a large leather bag from his backpack and threw it to him.
Kael looked down at his hand showing five, then at the small sack by his feet filled with high-denomination yellow Valis.
Wait... he really gave it? I was only going to say V$500,000, but it ended up being ten times that!
He tossed his bag of recovered magic stones into the sack and tucked it into his chest. The dwarf's loose armor perfectly accommodated the large package.
A rustling commotion came from the distance. It seemed the earlier screams of Gannu and the others had attracted some Adventurers' attention.
"Those justice whores are coming." Jura warned.
Rudra looked at Kael with satisfaction, "I'll take care of the blame for this. Remember, I need you to climb up and reach the management level of your Familia within three months. When the time comes, I'll send someone to find you! Don't forget."
"No problem!"
Don't blame me, adoptive father, he's offering too much! A great man living between heaven and earth — how can he remain dejected under others forever!
Kael shrugged, shouldered his equipment, and left, brushing past Rudra.
"Three months is too long. One month! I want your people to find me in one month! I'll give you all a big gift!"
"Oh..." Watching him gradually disappear, Rudra's eyes showed increasing interest.
Jura's mouth twitched in confusion, "Lord Rudra, is it necessary to waste so many words on that kind of trash?"
"Don't look down on him just because he's Level 1 — he's no trash." Rudra said with a knowing smile, "Ruthless, greedy, cunning. Most importantly, he has huge potential. To instantly defeat a small Monster feast, such ability is rare even among Level 2s. And killing people gives more experience than killing those Monsters! Someone like him will achieve transcendence quickly! Though we have many people, we lack transcended executives..."
"Even so, there's no need to give out 5 million Valis at once. For those low-level Familia nobodies, 500,000 Valis would be enough to buy their loyalty." Jura didn't understand.
"What do you know? This is called winning people over with virtue." Rudra's gaze became profound, "More importantly, he wasn't surprised to see you at all and showed no fear. This indicates he has cards we don't know about — at least cards that could let him escape from your hands! Is it magic?"
Jura's eyes widened, "Impossible! I'm Level 3! Forget crossing two ranks — even at the same Level, I couldn't possibly let him escape!"
Rudra narrowed his eyes, "That's exactly the issue! If he hadn't agreed to my request, I really wanted to have you test him. If someone like him can't be used by us, he'll definitely become our great enemy in the future."
He then sneered at some thought.
"Soma? Hahaha... it's really hard to imagine how such a peculiar creature suddenly appeared among that shut-in's children. And he just happened to be delivered to me! Soma... he's confused!"
Jura hesitated, "What if he isn't?"
Rudra flicked his gold earring, "Then he's just a casual move, and casual moves have their uses."
Jura tilted his head, "Why don't we test him?"
"Oh?"
Jura grinned, "I've sent people to 'hunt' him down. After all, how can he prove his innocence if he doesn't really escape from our hands?"
Rudra showed no anger, and with his hands behind his back, disappeared into the dark alley, "Well then... let's wait and see."