Chapter 201: The Faction Dilemma!

Chapter 201: The Faction Dilemma

"Erm... not so fast. Before you take the realm evaluations, you have to join a faction," Hovi announced, his tone shifting to something more commanding.

Tessa stiffened. I knew it. All that gentlemanly charm was just a ruse to recruit me into his faction, she thought, her mind recalling the similar attempts by the three old men earlier. But she kept her expression neutral, masking her irritation.

"Why should I join a faction?" she asked after a long, measured sigh.

"Protection. Growth. Nurturing," Hovi replied, ticking off the reasons as if they were self-evident truths. His confidence only grew as he launched into his explanation.

"The power realm is no place for lone wolves. It's teeming with sadistic gods who wouldn't think twice about crushing a potential threat. And let's face it, you are a threat. You're showing signs of power that rival—if not surpass—some of the veterans here. Do you think they'll sit idly by and let you rise unchecked?" He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "No. They'll snuff you out before you even have a chance to blossom. But..."

He paused dramatically, his lips curling into a confident smirk. "If you join a faction—my faction—you'll have the protection of my father. He's one step shy of the cosmos level, an apex god in his own right. No one in the lower or middle realms would dare touch you."

Tessa's gaze remained steady, but inwardly, her mind raced. So this is the game—safety in exchange for loyalty. But at what cost?

"What about the higher realm?" she asked, her voice calm yet laced with curiosity. If she was destined to face enemies, she wanted to understand the risks at every level.

Hovi faltered for a moment, a crack appearing in his otherwise confident façade. "Well," he began, his tone slightly less assured, "my father has... connections. That problem can be resolved in time."

Tessa noted the slight edge of discomfort in his voice. He was trying hard to sound convincing, but his earlier bravado was beginning to wane. She could see the gears turning in his mind, calculating her worth and the potential consequences if she chose another faction—or worse, none at all.

The silence between them stretched, thick with unspoken tension.

Tessa's sharp senses picked up the subtle change in Hovi's demeanor. His relaxed posture had stiffened ever so slightly. The faintest flicker of something dangerous flashed in his eyes—something that sent a chill down her spine.

He's already considering the possibility of eliminating me if I refuse, she realized, her muscles instinctively tensing.

Hovi, oblivious to the razor-sharp edge of her awareness, pressed on, his voice dipping into a persuasive rhythm. "Listen, Tessa. You're not just talented—you're extraordinary. The kind of power you possess could tip the balance in a war of gods, should one erupt without warning. And wars, as you might imagine, don't wait for preparation—they strike suddenly, like a man caught off guard by a situation in which he is unable to control his rectum due to incontinence… Such an unfortunate circumstances can creep up on you."

Tessa's expression flickered for a moment, a mix of confusion and incredulity at his peculiar analogy. Quickly regaining her composure, she tilted her head, feigning deep contemplation as she assessed her options. She couldn't ignore the logic of his argument, but she also couldn't ignore the underlying threat.

Her voice was steady, though her mind churned like a storm-tossed sea. "And if I say no?"

Hovi's smirk wavered, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. "That would be… unfortunate," he said, his tone laced with thinly veiled menace. There was no extra way out of it, it is either you join us or you die, those were the options Hovi was dropping in an unspoken fashion.

Tessa felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She was no stranger to danger, but this was different. This wasn't a fight for survival—it was a delicate game of power and politics, where every move was fraught with deadly consequences.

Her gaze locked with Hovi's, the tension between them palpable, a silent clash of wills. She took a slow, deliberate breath, her resolve hardening.

Whatever happens, I won't let anyone dictate my path.

"Can I take the evaluations with your faction as my in-name faction, and afterward, make an official choice?" she asked, her tone calculatedly hesitant. "After all, I'm new to all of this, and I haven't even told my parents…" Tessa also won't give in like a chicken to the slaughter, she had to make some preparations.

Tessa played her part masterfully, feigning innocence while subtly angling to use Hovi as a use and dump artillery... Ahem.... shield. She needed his faction for now, but only until she could achieve her goals.

Hovi's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized her, searching for cracks in her facade. Yet, Tessa remained unreadable, her expression carefully composed. As one of the most powerful factions, the Rose faction rarely struggled to attract high-level Xanthex and even some Imogis. Tessa's reluctance gnawed at Hovi's pride, but he couldn't deny that he might have approached her too aggressively. For now, he decided, it was better to accept her terms.

As the wheels turned in his mind, Tessa watched him closely. She knew he was plotting—but so was she.

Finally, Hovi extended his hand. "Okay," he said, his voice measured. "Welcome to the Rose faction."

Tessa clasped his hand, her lips curling into a polite smile that remained cold and detached. You think I'm naive? Don't worry—let's see who has the last laugh, she thought, her resolve hardening behind her poised demeanor.

From the sidelines, three older men observed the handshake, their expressions sour. They had no idea of the terms Tessa had negotiated and assumed she had fully committed to Hovi's faction.

"What a waste," one muttered. "He snatches every promising recruit we scout. What a tyrant."

"He's nothing but an arrogant bastard," the second added, bitterness dripping from his tone.

"Quiet!" the third hissed, glancing around nervously. "He'll hear you! Don't forget, his father is an Imogi."

The first two turned on him immediately, their whispers sharp with disdain. "Coward." "Spineless bootlicker."

"Chicken," one spat, as the other scoffed, shaking his head.