Conquering The Game's World-Chapter 268: Exposed!

If not for the Suarez Family, he would never have been forced to abandon those disposable tools and restructure his forces from the ground up. Just so, no clue can be traced back to him.

In a way, they had educated him.

He had learned his lesson.

No more masses of expendable killers. No more faceless swarms.

From now on, only elite powerhouses would move at his command.

Though he still isn't sure if they are already suspicious. After all, Ren Varnish was missing. According to the time, he should have gone there for the monthly inspection. If the Suarez family had caught him alive. There's a high chance he's already been exposed.

For that reason, he even let his younger brother probe Luis during the entrance exam, though that resulted in nothing.

However, after waiting for so long, no follow-up actions by the Suarez family made him wonder. Did they truly find nothing? Was he overthinking?

Hence, there was a second attempt to kill him.

The failure didn't truly disturb him, no matter how displeased he had appeared before Leister. That had been a last-minute order, a hasty decision. Expecting two B-Rank awakeners to eliminate Luis in the presence of multiple S-Rank was never realistic.

It had merely been a probe against the Suarez family and a test for Luis.

"I wonder. What would their reaction be now that their heir has been almost killed twice?"

A faint smile crept onto Orneus's lips.

"You're stubborn, like a cockroach, Luis Suarez."

His voice was barely louder than the wind.

"Stepped on twice by me, and you still crawl forward."

He tilted his head slightly.

"Should I call you strong… or simply lucky?"

His gaze sharpened.

"Let's see how long that luck lasts."

The lights of the city reflected in his pupils like scattered stars.

"You survived and passed my test," he murmured. "Now, this is no longer a hunt, but a long game."

Behind his calm tone lay cold certainty.

"I have time. I have pieces. And now, I have Crownshade."

His gaze drifted downward, past the grand avenues and radiant towers, settling on a narrow alley buried in the castle's shadow.

Below, several boys from the slums were fighting over a single piece of bread.

Fists flew. Bodies slammed against the damp floor. One of them, smaller and thinner than the rest, was knocked to the ground again and again, curled up as boots rained down on him.

Blood stained the pavement. His movements slowed, breath coming in shallow, broken gasps.

On the brink of death, something ignited inside him.

A sudden surge rippled through the boy's body. His eyes snapped open. He rose unsteadily, then struck back with feral force. Within moments, the others lay scattered across the alley.

The awakened boy picked up the bread with trembling hands and disappeared into the darkness without looking back.

Orneus watched in silence as the boy was stopped by the castle guards and taken away.

"For now, you're merely a chess piece," he said softly, his voice carrying no warmth. "If you wish to stand before me one day… then grow."

A faint, disdainful smile touched his lips.

"Claw your way up. Be crushed. Be cornered. Stand on the edge of death and awaken."

His gaze hardened.

"Only when you learn to seize the board will you earn the right to face me."

He straightened, confident in his tone.

"When I win…"

He declared.

"…Maria Raven's legacy will be mine."

***

Back during lunch. Tryston City.

Luis had an excited smile, and his face was full of satisfaction as he watched Alicia's cooking being served on the dinner table by the maids.

When Lumine saw the appearance of the dishes, she hesitated a little. "It looks a little—" Somewhat raw and other overcooked.

Alicia understood Aunt Lumine's predicament. She must be worried about the food's unappetizing appearance. Hence, she glanced at Luis, signalling him to reassure her.

Luis understood the assignment, while chuckling inwardly, he said. "Don't judge by appearances, Mom. The food Alicia cooks is unsightly, but I love the taste."

Although his mischief was about to succeed, Luis was a little cautious and left a way out for him to argue. He said, 'I love the taste,' not that, 'It tastes amazing.' If they don't like it, then it's not his problem because everyone's likes and dislikes are different.

Ronald narrowed his eyes as he looked at Luis with suspicion. He was about to put the cutlery back, but the next second his frown eased. Because Luis had already started chewing down the food, relishing every bite with a smiling face.

That blissful look shouldn't be fake. Maybe Alicia's cooking is that unique. Looks abstract, but tastes good.

David was already too excited to eat his daughter's cooking that he didn't care about these details.

Next, Lumine, Ronald, and David took a bite at the same time. Then the colour on their faces changed in sync.

"How is it? Did you all like it?" Alicia was waiting for their praise in anticipation. So she hadn't yet tasted it.

Ronald felt very uncomfortable as he looked at Alicia with a complex expression. Then, at Luis, with annoyance and helplessness. 'Sly brat, tricked me. If you want revenge on your mother, why drag me into it?'

As for David, he was crying nonstop as he swallowed the food with difficulty. 'Maria! Your daughter inherited none of your cooking talent! If I keep eating this, it won't be long before I come to see you soon.'

Lumine suppressed the nausea as she looked at Alicia in shock, then her eyes turned to Luis in fury.

"LUIS!!!"

"What's wrong, Mom?" Luis lifted his head, showing a confused expression.

Lumine spoke through gritted teeth. "You are asking me, 'What's wrong?'. Reciprocating your mother's kindness with revenge. Is this your way of thanking me?"

"Huh?" Alicia was surprised by Aunt Lumine's outburst and asked in puzzlement. "Did Luis do something, Mom?"

Lumine took a deep breath to suppress her anger. Then, looking at Alicia with discomfort and sympathy, she said, "Alicia, take a bite first. You will understand."

Alicia immediately realised that something must have gone wrong with her cooking for Aunt Lumine to react this way. Her suspicious eyes glanced at Luis, who evaded eye contact and kept eating with a faint smile.

Then she took a bite.

"!!!"

Then her taste buds exploded. Unbearable disgust! As if she had put something rotten in her mouth. Her head snapped at Luis, and her gaze turned frosty.

"You lied to me!"

***

[Quiz Time!]

What would happen to Luis next?

1) He would flirt his way out.

2) They would take turns beating him.

3) He would run away.

4) Other options.