[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-164":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828501,2432,"Chapter 164: Kings Beneath the Shadows","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-164",164,"\u003Cp>Kings Beneath the Shadows\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need to see Eon, I have something important that I need to talk to him about.\" The moment Victor said this, a huge giant of a man popped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doorway itself seemed smaller when he emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a mountain deciding to walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara, who saw Brinda and Eon standing there beneath the crimson lantern light, immediately knew who they were. Well anyone in Fantom City knew who these two people were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enchanting beauty talking sweetly to Victor was the Witch of the Northern District, Brinda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the giant of a man whose mere presence seemed to press upon the alley walls was Eon—The Ox King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of the three kings of the underworld of Fantom City stood before her...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and acted subservient to Victor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That realization did not arrive gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara’s thoughts spun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t Victor just arrive in this town a few weeks ago?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the hell did he subdue two of the three kings?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pulse stumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her purple eyes shifted toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood there in his black shirt and golden jacket as though commanding underworld kings was no stranger than ordering dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much of him did she not know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much had she mistaken for reckless bravado... when it had been calculation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind raced further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait don’t tell me it’s not just these two, but even the third one was done in by him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third one she was talking about was none other than Gian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kingdom’s deadliest assassin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That can’t be... he’s the best assassin of this kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her own thought betrayed itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked again at Victor, now exchanging familiar glances with Brinda and Eon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No... if it’s him then it might be possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a man who laughed in the face of an A-rank monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man who had slaughtered a Hydra as if stepping on an ant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impossible kept becoming routine around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane noticed Clara’s stunned silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, smug softness crossed her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned close and whispered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Surprised?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara gave her a sharp glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You knew?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane only answered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know enough to stop underestimating him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside Victor, Videl folded her arms with quiet pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It pleased her, watching Clara’s certainty fracture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that was how it began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then fascination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Videl had already seen the edge Clara was approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda, meanwhile, had not missed Clara’s reaction either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her purple eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How adorable,\" she purred, \"the new girl is only now learning your true nature, Sir Victor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor gave her a sidelong look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t sound disappointed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped nearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slit of her robe revealed toned thigh as she moved, deliberate as temptation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voluptuous figure curved beneath violet silk, impossible not to notice, and even Clara—despite irritation—found herself understanding why Brinda was called a witch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I simply wonder how many women realize too late they’ve already become caught.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane’s hand slipped around Victor’s arm possessively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Careful,\" she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sounds like a challenge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl added dryly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She mistakes herself for the hunter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you all mistake yourselves for rivals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I leave and let you four settle territorial disputes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Eon snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which somehow made Clara more unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did this bizarre scene feel almost... domestic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hated that thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And hated more that Victor looked entirely at ease in the middle of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Eon stepped fully forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Massive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black-haired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Broad as a fortress gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His dark gaze fixed on Victor with that familiar rough-edged hostility that somehow never quite became genuine hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More ritual than rebellion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you want?\" Eon looked at Victor still with a dissatisfied look. He might not be able to do anything to Victor physically, but he still wanted to glare at the bastard even though it was nothing more than a little act of defiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s mouth twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" Eon grunted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The warm greeting I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda covered a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane outright smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Clara nearly did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon scowled deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I should throw you through a wall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor stepped closer, lowering his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve threatened that often enough to sound affectionate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For one dangerous second it looked like Eon might actually swing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead he folded his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gesture made the ground feel smaller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You two flirt more strangely than lovers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara choked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon growled,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will crush everyone here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor looked utterly untroubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The playfulness vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel entered his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And everyone felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Brinda straightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Eon noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor only became this serious when something mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that made the alley itself seem quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wind moved between the lanterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somewhere distant, laughter from the brothels drifted strangely far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara felt a chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was another side of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the teasing man at dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the battle-mad warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strategist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one kings might fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor looked directly at Eon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I came because I learned something important about you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What nonsense now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor did not answer immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He studied him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if seeing bloodline through flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Memory through amnesia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lineage through ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There may be answers about your past.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harder than threats ever could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon’s jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda’s teasing expression faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane and Videl exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Clara understood now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>this was no casual visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor had brought her here not merely to reveal underworld ties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because she was beginning to be trusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought warmed and unsettled her at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She masked it quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>something in her chest moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon finally spoke, voice lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of answers?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor gave only a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The kind worth discussing inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda stepped aside with graceful invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her eyes lingered on Victor differently now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not flirtation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was watching ambition move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching fate rearrange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somewhere deep inside, Clara realized with startling certainty—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she had stepped into something much larger than an adventurer’s party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had stepped into Victor’s hidden kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And perhaps—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>there was no stepping back.\u003C\u002Fp>",1032,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.928Z",1,"novelbin.me","77086aa5a39eaa8ebe689fb5290b14653e03d9c84acda69145d39e63e30d2495","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-165","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-163",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]