Lein gradually raised his gaze, from its feet upward, until he saw a human-like silhouette within the cloak. And when he finally stood upright, the face beneath the hood was revealed.
"Huh...?" Lein's mouth opened slightly in disbelief, astonishment flashing in his eyes.
"Hello… my name is Mharzan," said the figure with a faint smile. His long black hair flowed wildly like a wolf's mane, and his eyes radiated wisdom that was both calming and serene. His face appeared firm yet gentle, with a solid jawline and straight nose, exuding strength combined with humility.
The young man named Mharzan sat casually on the shoulders of a terrifying black figure. Lein observed the entity with unease; it resembled a grim reaper with coiled tentacles wrapped around its body, and two glowing red crystals embedded in its head and chest, surrounded by thick darkness.
The oppressive aura seemed to devour the surrounding light, making the black figure appear as if it embodied eternal darkness.
Lein swallowed hard, unsure of how to react. His expression was blank as he stared at the young man, struggling to believe what he was seeing.
He examined Mharzan more closely. The young man's clothing was unlike anything worn casually—an ancient noble robe embroidered with gold, elegant and regal. A crystal weapon hung at his waist, glowing faintly, suggesting immense power hidden within it.
But the most striking feature was the ruby necklace hanging around Mharzan's neck. The gemstone emitted a sinister aura, yet strangely, it did not diminish the subtle kindness in his demeanor. He was undoubtedly powerful, but there was a sense of calm and empathy behind his gaze.
"Hehe… sorry, I got a little bored waiting," Mharzan said with a warm smile, showing no hint of hostility. His tone was light, as if they were having a casual conversation, not encountering each other in this strange situation.
Lein gave a faint smile, trying not to seem awkward in front of the polite young man. However, inwardly, he felt like a fool meeting someone for the first time. His expression momentarily shifted, his mouth slightly agape in surprise.
"No status panel?" he thought. Usually, every entity he encountered would display a status panel before his eyes, but not this time. The panel only appeared for the black figure:
[VoidWalker – Eternal Void Explorer]
"All question marks?" Lein felt his breath catch for a moment. He had seen question marks on status panels before during the ongoing inter-race war, indicating power levels too high to read. But encountering them now, in front of Mharzan and the black figure, felt far more intimidating.
Mharzan's smile widened as he finished a soft chuckle before saying, "I'll get straight to the point. I want you to join my race."
Lein frowned in confusion. "What do you mean, Sir?" he asked cautiously, seeking clarification.
As if expecting the reaction, Mharzan gave a slight nod, his gaze soft yet firm. "If I'm not mistaken, you currently belong to the Holy Man race with a mix of others," he said clearly, as if waiting for further questions from Lein.
"Damn, how does he know what race I chose during the first-tier promotion?" Lein thought. Yes, he was indeed part of the Holy Man race, having used a Holy Man crystal core upon reaching tier-1.
At that time, Lein had picked the Holy Man race at random because the name sounded powerful and intimidating.
Ignoring how the man in front of him knew his race, Lein figured it must have been easy for him. Lein then asked, with a hint of confusion, "What exactly do you mean, Sir? I don't quite understand."
Mharzan smiled faintly, as if prepared for the question. "Become part of my race. You will gain tremendous benefits. I will protect you and help you grow," he said calmly, as if the offer was the simplest thing in the world.
Lein gave a wry smile, sensing something off about the offer. He knew that in situations , he probably didn't have the luxury of saying no. But still, he asked, hoping for a clearer answer. "Can I refuse, Sir?"
"Yes, you can," Mharzan replied without changing his expression, still calm and friendly.
"In that case, I will..." Lein began to decline but suddenly stopped. His mind raced, formulating a strategy. If Mharzan was as powerful as he seemed, perhaps Lein could take advantage of the situation.
"What's in it for me if I join you, Sir?" he asked, trying to probe deeper, hoping to understand the offer better.
"You will have my protection," Mharzan replied, crossing his arms over his chest, his tone a bit more assertive. "And I will also provide you with limitless resources."
Behind his calm demeanor, Lein felt a small spark of curiosity and greed. "A wealthy man," he muttered inwardly. Mharzan's offer sounded tempting, but Lein wasn't foolish. He knew there were significant risks in accepting the offer outright, especially if Mharzan had the potential to control or exploit his power.
A being as powerful as Mharzan could easily manipulate a weaker one like Lein to obey his every whim.
Lein smiled again, this time more softly, as if genuinely interested in the alluring deal. But his thoughts were far from what his expression suggested. He wanted to refuse, but before doing so, he planned to see exactly what was being offered.
"Pardon me, Sir Mharzan, may I see the resources you mentioned?" Lein asked directly, wearing an expression of keen interest, as if ready to accept the offer.
Mharzan gazed at him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Hmm..." he muttered thoughtfully before pulling several items from his pouch. "Since you're a player, I'll give you these as a welcome gift if you decide to join me."
Three small items appeared in Mharzan's hand, glowing dimly, and he tossed them toward Lein casually. Instinctively, Lein caught them swiftly, his eyes immediately scanning the objects. He began inspecting each item carefully, making sure whatever lay before him could be the key to his decision.