FATE: Target of Grand Master

"Alright, let's get back to the main topic. Xia Yan, how about we make a deal?"

Hu Xia turned his gaze away from the intense battle between the two followers in the distance and made a suggestion to Xia Yan.

"What kind of deal?"

"Hand over this guy to me. I'll tell you some information I know. Don't worry, the information I give you will definitely be true and valuable."

Hu Xia's tone was extremely confident and certain.

"What if I wanted to know information about your 'Loving Seven' group?"

Xia Yan said something seemingly casually, but his eyes were actually fixed on Hu Xia.

Hu Xia was startled at first, but then immediately understood what was going on.

"Xia Yan, you've seen this guy's phone, haven't you?"

"Um."

Xia Yan's reticence at this moment was actually to allow Hu Xia to say more.

"Alright, now that you know, we can talk more openly. Want to know more about the 'Seven Loving Friends' group? No problem."

"You just sold out the organization you belonged to?"

Xia Yan countered with a question.

"Let me correct you. I didn't betray this organization; at most, I was just providing you with more information. Remember what I said before? I value our alliance highly. Besides my personal trust in you, there's another very important reason: I don't trust this organization."

Hu Xia's words did not dispel Xia Yan's concerns; on the contrary, they made him even more wary of the petite girl in front of him.

"Don't look at me like that, I can get hurt too, okay?"

Hu Xia made a somewhat aggrieved expression, and then continued, "I know you must think I'm someone who would betray the organization and is untrustworthy, but you don't know that when I joined this organization, I didn't have a choice at all. Since you've seen that guy's phone, you should also know that the organization consists of the leaders of the six major master groups plus a core organizer, and that core organizer's online name is 'Information Vendor'."

I don't know this person's true identity, but its intelligence-gathering ability is terrifying. When it invited me to join, it revealed my Master group's name, Servant information, and even my real name. Can you imagine how I felt at that moment? I felt as if I were completely naked in front of someone who knew nothing about me, and even my every move and breath was being observed.

Xia Yan put herself in Hu Xia's shoes and realized that if what Hu Xia said was true, then she must have been extremely uneasy at the time.

When people are anxious, they subconsciously seek out something that can give them a sense of security, regardless of what that thing is or who is giving it.

"So, after much consideration, I decided to join. To be honest, I didn't have a second option at the time. If I refused, I didn't know if they would release my information directly, just like Li Zhuang did to you. I also didn't know if I would have a chance to survive the trials after being opened, since I don't think I'm a chosen one like you."

Hu Xia spoke with a very serious expression and a very frank tone. She even frowned slightly when she mentioned being invited in the first place. These details made Xia Yan certain that she was not deceiving him.

"Alright, I understand your reasons for joining this organization. So, setting aside the factors that made you uneasy when you were invited to join, why do you feel that this organization is not trustworthy? Is it because this organization's goal is to monopolize all seven Grand Master positions?"

"No, actually, I was quite excited when I first heard that this organization wanted to monopolize the Grand Masters. I don't dislike ambition, nor do I object to using some means, but I do have requirements for the members of the organization. I don't expect them to join forces or cooperate sincerely, but at least they should not hinder each other, but..."

Hu Xia pointed at Oliver next to Xia Yan and said, "This guy actually betrayed my vice-captain! She was my best friend since childhood! We went to kindergarten together, and although we didn't go to the same university, we were still in the same city. We often played FGO together, did cosplay together, and stayed overnight at each other's houses. It was this kind of friend who was killed by him and his guild members!"

At this point, even Hu Xia, who had always maintained a nonchalant attitude, showed a rare expression of anger.

Artoria Alter (Lancer), who was behind Hu Xia, put her hand on Hu Xia's shoulder and patted him gently.

"Yes, I'm fine."

After taking several deep breaths and wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes, Hu Xia calmed herself down and continued, "If it were just because we met in the trial and fought for survival due to different positions, I would feel sad, but it wouldn't be unacceptable. But this guy actually had his team member defile her before killing her, and then vividly described her condition before death in the group chat. He even tagged me, saying, 'Knowing I might not be able to do it, he just took care of it for me. You're welcome.'"

Towards the end, Hu Xia practically spat out the words through gritted teeth.

"I know what he means, no, I should say he's the 'information broker' behind me. Once you join their organization, you can't have any other thoughts about anyone else. This guy did that to test whether I was really trustworthy. I don't know if he did that to others, but from that moment on, I no longer had any loyalty to this organization."

They might think this is just a survival game, where as long as they have access to information from above, they can manipulate others at will. But I don't agree with that, and I won't accept it! I want to find a way to overthrow them. I want them to know that the Master Trial is not a game they can control at will!

Xia Yan was surprised that Hu Xia had such a past, but her genuine emotions greatly improved his opinion of her.

Perhaps it was because of the death of her best friend that she put on a cynical mask.

She no longer easily trusts others, nor dares to easily trust others, and at the same time, she no longer wants to bear the pain of losing someone who trusted her.

Morgan.

Morgan, understanding Xia Yan's intentions, immediately manipulated Oliver to walk to Hu Xia's side, and Zenobi immediately stepped forward to restrain him.

"This guy is yours. Also..."

Xia Yan also told Hu Xia the conclusions of his experiment on the safe house.

"Xia Yan, what's wrong with you...?"

Hu Xia clearly felt that the information Xia Yan revealed was of value beyond the scope of the transaction he had just mentioned.

"The information I just shared doesn't count as a transaction. Consider it a tribute I offered to your friend in mourning."

"Thanks."

Hu Xia was feeling a bit flustered at the moment and could only express his gratitude in the simplest way.

"By the way, do you know who that guy who defiled your friend is? If I run into him, I can take care of him for you."

Hu Xia smiled, perhaps unaware of how long it had been since she had shown such a genuine smile.

"I appreciate your kindness. Perhaps it's fate, but I've already encountered that bastard before and given him a one-to-one replica of the tortures Koyanskaya suffered in the Qin Lostbelt prison. After dealing with this guy today, my only remaining goal for revenge is to destroy that organization."