Asura in Arknights

Li Ang agreed with this statement. Just as he and Marna were about to leave, there was a knock on the door of the lounge, and a middle-aged man's voice clearly reached their ears.

"Is Li Ang still here? I am a spokesperson for Pol Pharmaceuticals. I have something I would like to discuss with you."

Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Small Gift

Good heavens... they're from Pol Pharmaceuticals?

Li Ang had just finished discussing the matter of Pol Pharmaceuticals with Marna when Pol Pharmaceuticals sent people to his door. This made Li Ang suspect that the two of them had been in cahoots all along.

However, in Li Ang's perception, Marna clearly frowned, seemingly surprised by the man's arrival.

Then Marna gestured to Leon to open the door, while Marna himself slowly retreated to a blind spot in the lounge, and an extremely obscure Originium energy reaction gradually enveloped his entire body.

Only then did Li Ang realize with surprise that Marna's presence had become extremely faint. Even if he was within the range of Li Ang's perception, he would not be able to detect Marna's presence unless he actively explored his hiding place.

From the perspective of ordinary people, it is even more difficult to detect Marner's existence. He is almost integrated into his surroundings, and without some special methods, it is impossible to find any trace of his existence with just eyesight.

With such sophisticated concealment methods... no wonder Marner was confident in keeping the business alliance in the dark.

Although Leon seemed to have a subtle misunderstanding, Marna certainly didn't intend to appear on such an occasion.

It's true that the Business Alliance's surveillance of him has been weakening, eventually being completely delegated to the Unarmored Alliance, but he still wants to erase as much of his existence as possible. Given the status of Pol Pharmaceuticals within the Business Alliance, the spokesperson sent over might already know of his presence.

After confirming that Marna would not show up, Li Ang stood up, walked over and opened the door to the lounge.

A middle-aged man stumbled through the crack in the door, as if afraid that Li Ang would suddenly shut the door on his dream.

"Excuse me, excuse me, I'm here to see Knight Li Ang. Is he available right now?"

"I am Li Ang. What do you want with me?"

The man straightened up, looking at Li Ang with some surprise, and then asked, "Excuse me, isn't your agent here?"

“He’s dealing with those annoying reporters. You can talk to me directly if you need anything,” Li Ang casually made up a reason, omitting Marner’s presence. “I can make the decision.”

"That would be best. Please allow me to take up some of your time." The man immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

It's simpler to communicate directly with the esports knight than to argue with those annoying agents. It seems that although he arrived a little late, he was still quite lucky.

"First, let me introduce myself. I am Adam, a spokesperson for Pol Pharmaceuticals. The company recently heard about your performance at Arena Seven, so we sent me to contact you and inquire whether you are interested in cooperating with our company."

“I still have some time today, let’s sit down and talk first,” Li Ang said, pointing to the sofa next to him.

Li Ang and the man who called himself Adams sat back down on the sofa, while Marna remained in the corner of the room, observing coldly without offering any suggestions or hints. Since that was the case, Li Ang decided to proceed with the conversation at his own pace.

“I’d like to ask, what exactly do you mean by cooperation? Actually, people from Howling Guard and Brilliant Shield came by earlier, and they both gave me specific contracts.” Li Ang pointed to the two documents on the table.

Adams hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Excuse me... may I take a look at these two contracts?"

Li Ang nodded.

His current goal is not to extract more profits from Boll Pharmaceuticals, but to infiltrate their company without arousing suspicion, so it wouldn't hurt to let him see the contract.

While trying to have your cake and eat it too sounds wonderful, it is actually very difficult to do.

After receiving permission from Leon, Adams picked up the two contracts on the table and quickly scanned them.

"I see. I've already read through both contracts."

"The terms offered by Howling Guard are quite good. From my personal perspective, if you like their armor, I suggest you sign the contract. It does not conflict with our company's contract."

"As for Brilliant Shield Industries' contract... to be honest, it's a bit harsh. It seems they don't recognize your abilities."

"But our Pol Pharmaceuticals is different. We see your potential. We have a very comprehensive system for training new riders. As long as you choose to join us, we will strongly support you in everything you do in this Major. With the help of Pol Pharmaceuticals, you have a high probability of entering the top eight in this Major."

Reaching the quarterfinals of the Major... that's already a very high expectation. Even the old-school Knights of Kazimierz aren't guaranteed to have their players make it to the quarterfinals.

"But I'm not a native of Kazimierz, and I have contracts with other companies. Is that all right?"

"It's alright, it's alright. These little things are easy to discuss. Even if a contract has been signed, can't it be terminated? This is a normal business activity recognized by the Business Federation. It's fine even if you're not a local. I believe you'll come to like this country."

Adams was indeed very eloquent; if Li Ang hadn't clearly known his purpose, he would have been completely bewildered by the conditions Adams offered.

Leon interrupted Adams, who was still rambling on, "I already know what you're saying, but I want to confirm that even if I join your knightly order now, my position in the order wouldn't be high, and I wouldn't be able to get your full support, right?"

"Uh, that's the principle, that's true," Adams said somewhat guiltily.

"There's no point in signing a contract now. I have no interest in starting from the bottom. So let's leave it at that. If I can achieve even better results in the future, will you revise the terms of this contract?"

Li Ang makes no secret of his thirst for money and power; for these businessmen, those who have needs are easier to control.

Adams paused for a moment, then said somewhat awkwardly, "This...this is beyond my authority, I can't give an answer right now."

"That's settled then. You can report this to the person with the authority. Now I want to know what kind of help Pol Pharmaceuticals can offer me that other companies don't, besides financial support."

Upon hearing Li Ang's answer, Adams visibly breathed a sigh of relief, then placed the small metal box he had been carrying on the table and pressed the open button on the side of the box.

"This is a small token of our appreciation from our company, and it will definitely come in handy in the Knights' Arena."

Cold mist slowly seeped out from the gaps in the suitcase, where three crystal-clear glass syringes lay quietly in the center.

"This is an energy supplement certified by the association. Just one injection can wipe away all your fatigue."

"Trust me, you'll love that feeling."

Chapter Thirty: Scapegoat

After leaving the briefcase and the medicine inside, Adams smiled and bid farewell to Leon.

Now, only Li Ang and Marna remain in the lounge.

"Is this what you're looking for?" Li Ang asked.

Beside him, Marna slowly emerged from her concealed state, took a syringe from her briefcase, and examined it carefully.

After a moment, he shook his head and said, "I'm not sure, but I don't think it's the kind of drug I'm looking for."

“Boll Pharmaceuticals won’t just hand that thing over to someone else so easily.”

"Too."

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Li Ang only won one match and gained a little fame. And according to Marner, what he's looking for is an extremely rare potion, circulating only among a very small group of people. How could he just give it away to others so easily?

In short, Marna still planned to take a sample of the medicine for inspection to prevent Pol Pharmaceuticals from actually giving that medicine to Li Ang.

After thinking for a few seconds, Li Ang simply said to Marna, "This thing probably needs to be stored in a low-temperature environment. You should take all three vials with you. I don't need this kind of thing."

Adams's ambiguous smile as he left gave Li Ang a very bad feeling. In any case, Li Ang would never use such an unknown drug.

A potion officially certified by the Knights Guild... Does anyone really believe that? Thinking about it in a more sinister way, this potion might just be a means for Bell Pharmaceuticals to control certain knights. Li Ang has seen this kind of despicable tactic many times in various works.

Marna did not refuse. After putting the vial back, she took the whole box with her.

"We'll probably be separated for a while from now on, and we won't have the chance to meet openly."

"Why? Aren't you my manager now?" Li Ang wondered.

“Based on my understanding of that fat pig, he won’t let this opportunity slip by. I’m afraid he won’t even wait until tomorrow; he’ll kick me aside and become your agent himself,” Marner said calmly.

Fat pig... are you referring to that minister?

Li Ang frowned. He disliked this kind of behavior of using one's power to seize the fruits of others' victory. The thought of having such a despicable person by one's side made him feel disgusted.

"He will take all the results I've achieved during this time for himself. If nothing unexpected happens, he will give you some benefits to prevent you from telling anyone. Don't refuse then, just agree to it."

“I can no longer act as your agent. Now that Pol Pharmaceuticals has taken notice of you, this is my chance to get out of this mess.”

After listening to Marna's explanation, Li Ang understood his plan.

All of this was the minister's own initiative, and Marner was able to extricate herself from this vortex without leaving a trace and return to the shadows.

Marner probably didn't place any hope on Li Ang at all. Li Ang and that minister were just targets used to attract the attention of Pol Pharmaceuticals... This money is indeed not so easy to earn.

"How can I contact you if anything unexpected happens?"

"If needed, you can contact me through this address."

Marna pulled a bunch of keys from his pocket and tossed them to Leon. "This is also your advance payment, but I suggest you go alone, away from everyone else."

“There’s a surprise waiting for you there.” Marna gave Li Ang a deep look.

……

What happened in the following period unfolded exactly as Marner had predicted.

After the two returned to the company that day, the fat pig indeed delivered himself to their door, randomly transferring Marna to some unknown position and making himself Li Ang's agent.

To shut Li Ang up, the minister also spent a lot of money, but he also gained more from it, so he was both suffering and happy.

He thought he had gotten a great deal, but little did he know that this was just the beginning of a nightmare. If what Leon and Marna had done was exposed, the minister would be the first to be punished, and his fate would be unimaginable.

But Li Ang felt no sympathy whatsoever; he had only himself to blame, and there was nothing to regret.

Thanks to the minister's efforts, Marner's traces were completely erased from Li Ang's life. Even when Li Ang took the initiative to walk around the headquarters of Bell Health Products, he couldn't find him.

If it weren't for that set of keys, Li Ang would have thought that the deal with him was a delusion, and he would have no idea where Li Ang was hiding or what he was doing.

Li Ang didn't have a chance to check the address on the key. He was extremely busy during this time. Besides competing under the company's arrangement, all sorts of people came to him every day seeking cooperation.

Although that minister's character was a bit scummy, he still had at least some ability, and even so, they were still extremely busy every day.

After signing contracts with several companies, Li Ang's equipment was completely revamped: genuine armor from Howling Guardians, weapons crafted by Glorious Shield Industries, and an emergency treatment system from Pol Medicine—equipped with standard first-aid medications, without any unnecessary additives, capable of saving his life in critical situations.

Although they are not the most prized possessions of each company, they are all good products that cannot be bought on the market.

Without any support from the Knights, Li Ang had a mixed record of wins and losses during this period. He maintained good control and did not display any overly outrageous strength. When encountering some seeded players who had already been pre-selected for the main draw, he would also take the initiative to fight back.

Li Ang's Major points are steadily rising, and now he only needs to win a few more regular matches to secure a ticket to the main event. The major newspapers in Kazimir have already begun to celebrate this rising star.

His skill level has been recognized as a Level 2 Knight, making him one of the strong contenders for the quarterfinals of the Major. Every time he appears in a match, it attracts a large audience, and Li Ang can earn a considerable share of the revenue as a result.

Today, Li Ang came to the arena again, but this time he wasn't there to participate in the competition; he was there to watch.

"Brother Renn, are you ready?"

Today is a very important game for Ryan. If he can win this game, he can be promoted to a Level 4 Knight. But if he loses... at least during the Major, he will not have such an opportunity.

"...To be honest, I'm not very confident."

Looking at Li Ang, who was completely encased in armor, Raine replied with a wry smile.

Chapter Thirty-One: Zofia

Let's go back to a short time ago.

Adele arrived at the Nearl family's manor as usual.

Since taking over Sarah's job, Adele has come here every day. The manor is so large that it requires an astonishing number of people to manage it every day, but the Nearl family has declined and simply cannot afford to hire so many people.

Including Sarah, the Nearl family only employed three people in total. Adele had met the two of them once during this period, but they were just nodding acquaintances. However, Adele had a good relationship with Maria, the eldest daughter of the Nearl family... although she didn't usually show any signs of being a young lady.

The two were of similar age. Due to family circumstances, she rarely had contact with people her age before the decline of the Lin Guang family. Over time, the two gradually became acquainted.

After finishing her work, Adele would often use a room in the manor. Although the Linguang family had declined, the manor's facilities were still intact and could provide Adele with a lot of help.

If Adele wanted, she could even move directly to the manor; Maria wasn't the type to care about such details.

But Adele also needs to take care of Sarah, who is pregnant. As time goes by, Sarah's belly grows bigger and bigger, and things that were easy to do before become more difficult.

At this crucial moment, her husband, Ryan, had to work hard to make a living and could not be by her side.

Adele could only travel back and forth between the two places every day, and her days were very busy. However, Sarah took them in, which was something Adele should do, so she didn't complain too much.

Time passed peacefully and fulfillingly, and Adele gradually made some progress on how to restore the notebook left by her father, and not long ago she made a cautious attempt.

At this moment, Adele had just finished her work for the day and was resting with Maria in the hall of the mansion.

Maria spent the whole morning working on her little workshop. She really loves things related to machinery, and even during her break, she still couldn't put down the few parts she was working on.

"Maria, I've come to see you."

A vibrant voice came from afar, and soon the mansion gate was pushed open and the person walked in, "I thought you were still staying in the workshop and wouldn't come out."

"Aunt?! What brings you here?"

Maria paused for a moment when she saw the young woman who had entered, then quickly dropped what she was holding and went to greet her.

"Don't call me aunt!"

The woman Maria called her aunt looked a little angry and tapped Maria on the head, saying, "I'm only five years older than you! You're making it sound like I'm really old."

"Hehe... But you are my aunt." Maria chuckled foolishly, not taking what she had just said to heart, and continued to call her aunt as she pleased.

"...Never mind, do as you please."

The woman held her forehead and waved her hand weakly.

She had tried to correct her so many times without success, and she had almost gotten used to it. But every time Maria called her that, she felt like she had aged ten years out of nowhere, which made her feel somewhat unwilling.