"In other words," Snowshade began, "you expect me to question how you are going to blackmail me?" Her voice was rough, her hands clenching into fists.
"No. No, why would you say that?" Jung denied and asked in surprise, improvising on the spot.
The woman eyed Jung. It didn't seem like he was lying. His reaction appeared genuine, as if he was telling the truth.
However, she knew better than anyone that trust shouldn't be thrown around, and Jung lacked the requirements to meet her criteria.
"Then what do you want?" she asked, curiosity clear in her steps as she sat down on the second couch.
"Now we are talking," Jung exclaimed and went straight to business. "I am guessing you know what's going on in the world."
Raising her light-coloured eyebrows, Snowshade agreed. "How is that relevant right now?" she asked, interested in where the boy wanted to take the discussion.
"That's the essence of our collaboration," Jung spoke, standing and walking around the office. He added, "Do you honestly believe that Archeons would remain idle and let it happen?"
"Go on," the woman declared, nodding her head. She was attentive to his every word.
Tapping the table, pens, and books in the office, Jung never broke eye contact with Snowshade, and, behaving as a trustworthy and confident child, he continued.
"The second Fracture is approaching," he said, standing in place. "And they elected their champion."
"Let me jump to the conclusion," the woman said in doubt. "You want to say that Archeons chose you, of all people?"
Jung agreed, "I noticed you had great insight," collecting his words, he added, "I am the Messiah. Selected by Archeons, the sole hope of humanity."
"Dumbass," Nero interjected Jung's thoughts.
[It should be the Chosen One, not the Messiah,] the system said disapprovingly.
Jung ignored both of them. No one could teach him how to perform.
Snowshade laughed before Jung was done with his self-praise. "You… are going to save Maskera?" she had a hard time accepting his words.
Even if Jung spoke convincingly and acted like a smart and competent child, why would she trust his words?
Jung understood this fairly well. Not losing his composure, he said, "I knew it." Going towards the door, he was about to leave the room.
"What do you think you are doing?" Snowshade roared, her aura exploding, making Jung's knees weak.
"What am I doing?" Jung repeated her question, "What about you?" He returned a question of his own.
The woman shut her lips. This wasn't how she expected things would escalate.
"I am telling you about the impending danger this world will face. I am representing Archeons and speaking in their name, but after seeing your reaction, I am doubting my choice to chat with you." Disappointment and sadness covered Jung's childish face.
As for the Snowshade, she was stunned. She didn't want to believe his words, nor could she. Yet a drop of doubt crept into her thoughts, merging with a possibility that whatever Jung said might be true.
Let's say he wasn't lying. What would happen if Archeons truly named their champion, and she didn't trust him?
She would miss a great chance to play a leading role in the upcoming apocalypse. Even worse, the world might be doomed because of her actions.
Snowshade stood next to him and said, "I don't trust you,"
"You don't have to," the boy answered. His confidence was like an impregnable fortress. "I am known for actions, not by my promises."
"Good, but I need to hear more. How did they choose you? Where are they? How did you guess my archetype?" she had a never-ending of questions.
The gravity of the situation was visible in her response.
But if she found out the inner thoughts in Jung's mind, she would shred him to pieces.
'I did it, a bit more and she is completely mine.' His thought process, mixed with the Vex's and Nero's rumblings, would stay as a mystery, yet he continued his explanations.
"I am not entitled to disclose anything about them, even though I only know a thing or two," Jung said, but gave Snowshade enough to deepen her trust.
"They blessed me with an archetype talent," he clarified. "Which makes me the best human to bet on if you want to protect the world, and if you don't believe me, just wait until the information about me spreads."
"And why would you think I am going to do that?" Snowshade asked, getting closer to Jung. "Imagine I want to destroy or rule Maskera; how can you be sure I am trustworthy?"
Jung locked his eyes on her body. He even scrutinized her from top to bottom, gazing intently. "I don't care," he said playfully.
It was his turn to laugh. "You don't intimidate me. The Messiah—that's who I am, and I am not afraid to lose my life."
Having said that, Jung wasn't done. He stood before her, his eyes darting into her deepest mysteries, reading, observing, and analysing her.
"Archeons are on my side. You can't even touch my ass cheeks." He showcased his flat butt while displaying the confidence that couldn't be faked.
However, Snowshade didn't immediately trust his claims. The boy had to prove himself, but it would take some time.
"Tell me more about your archetype talent," she said, interested in his capabilities.
Jung was quick to slap her with words. "You don't need to understand more; just know that I have the highest aptitude and can easily discern people's archetypes and tiers."
After this talk, a silence descended. Both of their heads were filled with thoughts, but they went in different directions.
"Tell me more about your plan," Snowshade demanded. She wanted to at least uncover his current goals.
Yet Jung wasn't in the mood to converse; his stomach grumbled, and his fatigue arrived, making him hungry and tired at the same time.
"I have to catch up to the trial," he said, turning to the door. "We can talk more some other time."
"I can arrange your admission," the woman offered.
But she was rejected in the same second. "I am good. See you soon," Jung said, leaving the office without asking for her permission.
Hopping around and thinking about his future, he was in high spirits.
[So,] the system said, her voice showing that she was smiling as well. [You are planning to fool the entire world into believing that you are the Chosen One?]
"It's going to be the ultimate magic trick, don't you think?" Jung said, and climbed down the stairs, ready to pass the trials.