Cybernetic Evolution System-Chapter 138: Fame Accross The Departments
After finishing, Ezekiel sat back in his chair and placed his VR headgear on.
He was curious about the results of his attempt to overshadow Ivory, whether anyone had recognised him, and what was happening within the dungeon.
The moment he logged in, he swiftly navigated to the forum.
-Eve of Ash: Has anyone uncovered who was responsible for completing the Goblin annihilation quest?
-SilverMonarch: No. I'm still waiting for that info to drop. Please @tag me if someone posts it.
-miniman: Me too. What are you guys in the Magical Swordsman Department even doing that you can't uncover such a simple piece of information? If it were the Assassin Department, this intel would've been known long ago! You guys are truly incompetent!
-ZeroInBloom: Hey, watch your mouth! If you're brave enough, post your true identity and see if I don't find someone to deal with you.
-miniman: (— —)
-ArcMistress:Hey, have you guys heard? There's been another monster breakout in the dungeon!
-VelvetRogue: Wait, no way! I don't believe it! A monster breakout occurred just a few days ago, injuring several Dungeon Service Nurses, some of whom were Rank Three Awakeners!
For one to happen again, doesn't that mean something's wrong with the dungeon?
-miniman: Yeah! And how come all this is only happening in the Magical Swordsman Department? Are you guys cursed or what?
Ezekiel spotted 'miniman' chatting within the forum, but scrolled down until he found what he was searching for.
-ArcMistress: According to first-hand accounts from those present at the dungeon hall when it happened, the Worst One, Ezekiel Zahara, rescued Esther and Draven, who were severely beaten and unconscious after saving three students from a Second Rank Magical Beast.
Unfortunately, one of them died. May they rest in peace.
Another Second Rank Magical Beast appeared and clashed with the former, which allowed him to rescue them. We have no further information about what's happening in the dungeon right now, as the dungeon hall has been temporarily sealed off.
It's said that the instructors have been informed and will soon join the search for the Second Rank Beast, depending on the situation. But that's not all. I just received one final piece of important information. From the descendants of the Dalgrim Clan, that Ezekiel Zahara was the one responsible for completing the Goblin Annihilation Quest!
-ZeroInBloom: Wait a minute. Are you kidding? I hope you're not just riding this wave to spread false information!
-ArcMistress: No, I'm not. I confirmed this with Gregor Ironheart, fifth-ranked Magical Swordsman of Class Two. He was there when it happened and managed to spot Ezekiel Zahara emerging from the dungeon after completing the quest.
He reluctantly shared this with me, so don't tell anyone. I'll be deleting this post in half an hour. There are also rumours that several top rankers from other classes were with him, preparing for a joint quest, but we're not certain since everyone involved is keeping quiet.
-Eve of Ash: Damn! That guy was right, there's definitely something going on in the Magical Swordsman Department.
-miniman: Screenshot! I hope you don't mind me showing this post to a few people.
It was finally out.
Ezekiel found photos and videos flooding the earlier posts at an intense rate. He was already trending as the number one topic on the cross-department discussion board under the title:
'The Worst One… or?'
Apart from a few shocked reactions and a handful calling the post fake or misleading to ride on his growing fame, many others found it hard to believe.
Some shamed him for trying to use the situation to clear his name of the accusations made by Ivory.
Regardless of what they said, Ezekiel knew his reputation was rising steadily, to the point where neither the Zahara Clan nor the Governing Council could ignore him.
The former would likely harbour malicious intentions, as the descendants of the Zahara Clan might choose to eliminate him by any means necessary, regardless of the consequences.
But as long as the Governing Council recognised that his potential was greater than Ivory's, his safety would be guaranteed no matter their schemes.
The only issue was that the Zahara Clan itself would act to preserve its reputation, using his identity as an heir to block the Academy from intervening.
Ezekiel found himself at a crossroads once more, torn between giving up his identity as the Zahara Clan's heir or holding onto it.
After being at the bottom rung of the clan for so long, it would be foolish to discard that title now, especially when it could keep other prestigious clans from meddling in his affairs. He would rather squeeze every last benefit out of his title before letting it go.
For now, that certainly wasn't an option.
Ezekiel didn't find any other important information, so he logged out of the forum. He checked his inbox and saw that he had seven unread messages. They were from Miniman, 3wordmonarch, Iamthegoat, and Queen of Solitude.
The first three had initially asked about the information he planned on selling regarding the Governing Councill, alongside Queen of Solitude sent another message asking about what had transpired in the Magical Swordsman Dungeon Hall,, and whether it was true that he had completed the Goblin Annihilation quest and rescued the top rankers of the Magical Swordsman Department from under the noses of two Second Rank Lesser Beasts.
Ezekiel quickly compiled the same information he had sent to MistPrincess02 and Queen of Solitude, then sent it to miniman and 3wordmonarch.
Given the nature of their relationship on the server, discussing payment was unnecessary.
The only one he asked for payment from was Iamthegoat.
After that, Ezekiel confirmed everything that had transpired in the Dungeon Hall and sent the full report to them.
He also added a few extra details using the perspectives of those who had been inside the dungeon at that time. After all, he was an information broker, and that was precisely why people came to him.
He needed to work harder to match the performance level of incredible brokers like MistPrincess02 and the others. Nevertheless, he didn't include too much, so as not to arouse suspicion from the other side.
This way, he could easily demand payment from 3wordmonarch next time if he needed more information.
As for miniman… forget it.
[ Sent by Miniman (Reputation: +500) - I've already received updates about what happened, but thanks for the confirmation, bro. I didn't know the Worst One was that powerful!
Defeating the monstrous genius Ivory might've been luck, but defeating Jiran thrice and the entire Windcrest Clan descendants twice? That's no coincidence! The descendants of top clans like the Zahara Clan must be far from ordinary, just like Milas. Seems I underestimated him. He's hidden himself well.
Nonetheless, if the rumours are true, doesn't that mean he used Ivory to play his own game, further proving her innocence? ]
[ Sent by 3wordmonarch (Reputation: +500) - Remember when I said you should avoid befriending the Worst One at all costs? Scratch that! Befriend him, and try to become his best friend as soon as possible. I heard that multiple descendants in the Magus Department are finally looking into what's going on because of the intensity of the matter, and they're planning to recruit the Worst One into their factions.
The same thing's happening across the Hunter and Warrior Departments. If you have any good leads or need help financing this with merit points, don't hesitate to message me. We can discuss it then and split the rewards fifty-fifty. ]
[ Sent by 3wordmonarch (Reputation: +100) - How much for the information regarding the Governing Council, Ezekiel Zahara, and the others? I don't need anything related to the Dungeon Hall. ]
[ Sent by Queen of Solitude (Reputation: +20) - Thanks for the information. I didn't expect something so shocking to resurface this soon. If only you could help me pass a message to Ezekiel directly, that would be even better. ]
Seeing their responses, especially 'miniman's, Ezekiel sighed tiredly. He quickly responded to all their messages, refusing to take on any tasks that would have him 'meeting with himself.'
Ezekiel sold the information to Iamthegoat for 700 merit points.
After he was done, Ezekiel checked and saw that Bunnytea still hadn't come online, forcing him to halt the plans he had in mind temporarily.
Switching to his second account, Ezekiel noticed a similar message from MidnightFire. He sent her the same report and reply as he had with the others, with slightly more details, keeping only the parts regarding Felix and the rest confidential.
Ezekiel logged out and placed his VR gear on the table.
He felt drained and decided to rest for the night.
Meanwhile, as the conversation about the Worst One, Ezekiel Zahara, began to intensify across the forums, the one at the centre of it all… was peacefully sleeping.
***
Dungeon, Zone 2,
They were unable to find any traces of either the Second Rank Mantle Golden Crown or Flaming River Deer Beast, no matter how long they searched.
