393 A Scheme Within A Scheme [Part 2] When Thirteen and Renz arrived at the Bestiary, the caretaker immediately led them to the place where the monsters labeled as "Extremely Important" were kept. Of course, the caretaker found this amusing. In his point of view, there was nothing special about the monsters being kept at the Vault of the Bestiary, where the most important monsters were kept for breeding or safekeeping. "These are the monsters that were entrusted to me, Lord Renz." The caretaker first bowed respectfully at the second-in-command of the Elrod Clan, then to the teenage boy beside him. "You may leave," Renz ordered. "Close the door behind us, and make sure not to let anyone in. If you break my order, you will be replaced immediately. Do I make myself clear?" "Y-Yes sir!" The Caretaker immediately stood in attention before leaving in a rush as if his pants were on fire. Thirteen gave Renz a sidelong glance before walking toward the three monsters who were inside a transparent prison cell that prevented them from escaping. The first monster he saw was none other than the Mirror Slime. The Mirror Slime in the cage was a Rank 2 Monster. Thirteen especially asked for a Rank 2 Monster because Rank 1 Mirror Slimes didn't have the Mirror Ability, which they would only gain after they had increased their Rank by one. Since his version of the Immortal Parade of a Hundred Demons didn't have any requirement about the monster's rank, he simply chose the monster whose abilities would be useful to him. Just as the name indicated, the Mirror Slime had the ability to make a copy of itself. This copy would be weaker than the main body by 50%, but it was still an annoying ability, especially when the Mirror Slime reached higher levels. The Copy, which was sometimes called the Mirror Copy, would do exactly what the original body does. So if the Mirror Slime were to unleash an acid spray, the Mirror Copy would do the same simultaneously. If the Main Body were to tackle its target, the Mirror Copy would do the same, and both would hit their targets at the same time. Perhaps because of this ability, the Maximum Rank a Mirror Slime could reach was a Rank 5 Alpha Monster. They were Rare Monsters, but as long as they lived in an environment where slimes were born, a Mirror Slime would appear in one out of a thousand Slime Eggs. Thirteen could only place a hundred monsters inside his Black Flag, so having the Mirror Slime's Mirror ability would instantly double that number without too much effort. "You said that these monsters are going to be used for an experiment, right?" Renz inquired. "I'm curious. What kind of experiment are you planning to do, Zion?" "An experiment that will allow me to overcome my current limitations," Thirteen replied with a smile. "Although I will be a Rookie for life, that doesn't mean that I couldn't find other ways to become stronger." "Oh? So you mean these monsters will help you break your limitations?" Renz asked with genuine curiosity. "No, they won't," Thirteen answered. "But, it will certainly make things more interesting for me." "So, in short, you're using our resources for your own personal gain?" "Something like that." "Aren't you afraid that I'll tell the others about this?" Renz inquired. "Of course not," Thirteen replied. "Even if you tell them, what can they do? Stop me?" Thirteen smirked before giving the strategist a sidelong glance. "You're a smart person, Renz Elrod," Thirteen stated before looking at the next monster beside the Mirror Slime. "So I believe you already know that I don't really need the Dvalinn Federation. It's you guys who need me." Renz smiled faintly but didn't say anything to refute Zion's words. After all, given the achievements of the teenage boy, it would be foolish to say that they didn't need him. "So you're showing your true colors to me, but are you sure you want to do that?" Renz smirked. "The two of us only met each other for a short time, and we had a rather bad start. If I were in your shoes, I would never do such a thing—especially since I cannot trust you completely." "That's fine, Renz Elrod." Thirteen nodded as he rubbed his chin while looking at the Rank 3 Monster Karma Chameleon in front of him. "I trust you more than your brother. I trust you more than the Monarchs. And I trust you more than the Thrones. Tell me—aside from me, is there any other strategist who has gained your recognition?" "This question is so random," Renz arched an eyebrow. "Why are you asking me this question?" "Just humor me," Thirteen replied. "Who is the strategist that you think would definitely play a role in the invasion of the Cygni Continent?" Renz pursed his lips and pondered if he should answer Zion's question. But seeing that the teenage boy was now looking at the third monster, which was known as the Purple Plumed Cockatrice, he thought that answering his question wouldn't be that of a big deal. "The Sage of the Hero Party," Renz answered. "Although I don't want to admit it, that person is a very promising individual as well." 'I see, so that's the person who is fated to defeat Renz,' Thirteen thought before nodding his head. "I see. I thought you weren't going to answer, but since you did, it means that you and I can share some secrets between us." Renz frowned. "Share some secrets between us? You don't strike me as a foolish gullible person. Are you perhaps trying to purposely mess with me?" "Renz, you're too smart for your own good," Thirteen commented. "Because of that, you tend to overthink. Didn't your brother send you here to watch over me and find out why I specifically asked for these monsters? "Since I already know the reason, I decided to just tell you. After all, even if you knew, things wouldn't change. You can tell your brother what I told you earlier if you want. Anyway, even if he's suspicious about my true motive, he would still collect these monsters for me as a way to get on my good side." Thirteen then walked to the fourth cage where the final monster was located. "Right now, the Dvalinn Federation needs me, and until the Northern Regions are liberated, your brother will do what I tell him to do. Isn't that the same for you?" The teenage boy then shifted his gaze to the man who held just as much importance to the Dvalinn Federation as their Monarch. "Hey, Renz~" Thirteen gave the strategist a devilish grin. "Isn't it fun to treat Monarchs and Thrones as pawns? Isn't that the reason why you became a strategist? You might not be as strong as your brother, but your ability as a strategist has given you the status and influence that let you stand on the same peak as them." Thirteen's voice was like that of a devil, telling Renz the things he had been keeping hidden at the deepest part of his heart. "You've worked hard for many years to gain recognition, yet in just the span of a day, my importance superseded all of your accomplishments. "With a word from my lips, the Monarchs will move. With a wave of my hand, the Thrones will obey. And with a whisper, entire armies would mobilize. This is power, Renz. This is the thing you've been seeking your entire life. So, why don't we strike a deal?" Thirteen walked toward the man who was taller than him and looked up at him. However, even though it was the teenager raising his head to look at him, Renz subconsciously felt that he was being looked down on. "Renz Elrod, would you like to have the power that I possess right now?" Thirteen asked as he raised his hand for a handshake. "If you take my hand, I promise that I will let you borrow my influence and help you realize your deepest, darkest desires. "What the world needs right now are competent people. Those who do have power but are incompetent only serve as chess pieces in a game of chess. What I want is for you to become mine, Renz. "Your loyalty, your devotion, your everything. Give it to me, and I shall free you—a frog from the well, and let you play on a bigger playing field that will allow you to experience what it's like to stand at the top of the world." Renz subconsciously gulped as he stared at Thirteen's bright green eyes that seemed to contain all the knowledge of the world. However, instead of shaking the boy's hand, the strategist of the Dvalinn Federation walked away with shaky steps. "I will not fall into your schemes, Zion Leventis," Renz said as he walked towards the exit of the bestiary. "Do you think I don't know that you will just treat me as one of your chess pieces? Not a chance, kid. Talk back to me when you're no longer wet behind your ears." Thirteen watched as the strategist of the Dvalinn Federation finally disappeared. "You will not fall into my schemes?" Thirteen said with amusement. "But you will, Renz. In fact, you are already part of it." Renz didn't know that the teenage boy was someone who specialized in laying out schemes within a scheme. The type of scheme that would fool one into thinking that they could still get away from it because they had discovered it early. Unfortunately for them, they were already moving according to the other scheme that the boy had orchestrated, making them fall deeper into the quagmire that the System of Cannon Fodders had prepared the moment he stepped foot in the Dvalinn Federation.