Hero of Darkness

In front of Kahn, knelt one of the most prestigious and top figures of the empire. Although it was because of a borrowed strength.. He still had an upper hand for the moment. 

"Good… they fooled us all for good." said Stronoff. 

Soon, the aura released by the token subsided and Kahn was on guard again. The recommendation token senses that Kahn was no longer in mortal danger so it temporarily deactivated itself. 

"The recommendation tokens are also used for the protection of the candidates chosen by the faction and contain the aura of the faction leaders that's enough to incapacitate any opponent for a short time when the bearer is under danger or about to get harmed." said Stronoff as he panted heavily. 

"So I guess you're not without a proper backing after all. No one can even touch you as long as the competition is going on." spoke the fourth stage saint with an irritated expression.

[Why is he telling me this? He should try to hide this sort of information in order to blackmail or pressurize me.] wondered Kahn if the saint had some ulterior motive behind revealing this information. 

A minute later.. He finally managed to get back on his feet and brushed off the dust on his armor. 

But instead of getting angry or acting hostile, he took a deep breath and spoke to Kahn again. 

"Let's settle things with words again then. My previous offer still stands. You should know better which side will bring more benefits to you." he said. 

And the next moment, his gaze shifted to Albestros who was still rooted on the spot this whole time. 

"Master Albestros… Do you really want to see Kahn's talent and his life go to waste? 

And do you guys think that those extremist vampires will let him stay as a human?" he questioned. 

Both Kahn and Albestros had puzzled expressions on their faces. 

"What do you mean?" asked Kahn. 

"Our entire Mikealson clan is made from humans and I wanted to bring him into our midst in a proper way. But that won't be the case if he joins the Vandereich clan." he reiterated. 

"Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me what it is." spoke Albestros, his expression agitated at this point. 

"We have records of one of their rituals they acquired from the Vampire Empire centuries ago which could turn a human into a vampire. 

And if Kahn sticks with them.. They will definitely make him a vampire and also their slave if he doesn't give in." explained the saint. 

However, Kahn was not an idiot to blindly believe that statement. 

"That is my matter to take care of. It's not related to you in any way." spoke Kahn with a high-pitched tone. He no longer had any good opinions about the man in front of him. 

"Fool. You are too overconfident of yourself if you think you can face those bloodsuckers on your own? 

I may seem like an enemy now but once this competition is over… you will see the truth behind my words. 

Your life is barely hanging by a thread and you don't even see it." scoffed Stronoff. 

"I'm a better choice than that Ismaetrazel in every way. He and I have fought many times in the past and I have never been defeated by him. 

And what I said before, you will understand the gravity of danger when you become a saint in the future. 

But given your current circumstances and your reach.. You might not even become one in this lifetime." declared Stronoff as he folded his hands behind his back. 

"What are you trying to imply here?" asked Kahn with a serious tone. He felt like it was something that he needed to know. 

"Let me ask you something… 

Absorbing mana cores no longer works and your levels have hit a plateau, haven't they?" questioned Stronoff and he tilted his head and inspected Kahn's body with his gaze alone. 

[What the.. How does he know?] thought Kahn. 

Because even with his Divine Abilities and eating SS Rank cores everyday.. Kahn was still stuck at level 150 from over a month as if his Divine Abilities no longer worked. 

"After reaching the semi-saint rank and level 150.. Your strength will not reach the new realm no matter how many cores you absorb or how many decades you spend. 

Why do you think there are more than 200 semi-saints in our empire but all the saints belong to either of the three factions and the top noble clans?" asked Stronoff in a mocking tone. 

Kahn on the other end had a moment of enlightenment after this question. 

"The World Energy!" exclaimed Kahn. 

"Exactly. Why do you think the cores of the fallen saints are protected by every powerful clan? 

It's for their semi-saints to absorb world energy from and then cross level 200 after their bodies become completely adapted to it. Only then can one finally enter into the Saint Rank." revealed the swordsman. 

[System, isn't this the same condition you told me?] asked Kahn to the system. 

[Yes. But the host has no restrictions on world energy sources such as Saint's core.] replied system. 

[Then why aren't my levels increasing?] questioned Kahn. 

[Because the host hasn't absorbed or mastered enough World Energy for the next spike in levels.] explained the system. 

[I see. So that's why I have been stuck. I guess I'll have to take care of this issue after this competition.] he thought. 

"Given your current reach and authority.. Can you even manage to get your hands on one in this lifetime?" mocked the middle-aged man. 

Kahn stood silent on the spot. 

[Bitch, I already have!] 

"I can help you become a Saint even before you cross 30 years of age. And I will personally train you as well as provide a suitable environment, authority and prestige. 

If you accept my proposal, that is." said Stronoff with a righteous expression as if he was doing all of this out of his goodwill or some sort of obligation as a swordsman.

However, Kahn quickly replied in a tyrannical voice as if he had enough of this charade. 

"Tell your lies to someone else.. I'm not buying all this bullshit."