Terumi's world shattered as she witnessed Han's real power. For the sake of power, Terumi faced many hardships. One of the hardships that she had to face for the sake of becoming strong was a venture to the second floor. It was not an easy task. She and her group of HTC friends challenged the guardian of the 1st floor.

That was a very strong opponent that they faced. The guardian was so strong that while defeating it, they lost half the members of their team. Those who were lucky enough to survive struggled to live in the harsh and deadly environment of the second floor. After only 6 months with the exception of her, the whole team died. But after that when Terumi finally came back she was stronger than ever.

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But when she saw Han, the elder of the ghost faction who had never kept a foot out of the 1st floor was stronger than her… That boiled her blood with anger. She became too enraged at herself. Why was he stronger than her?

"I have a plan, my lord," Terumi said when she heard the conversation between the old master and the elders…

"What is it?" the old master asked.

"We should tell them that if they want to sign the peace treaty then it should be done in a place that is neutral for both parties involved. This way we could at least be sure that there is no ambush waiting for us." Terumi said.

"Arcane city?" the third elder asked.

"Yes. That is the only neutral place for us and them on the 1st floor." Terumi said.

"I will have to talk to Alman then." The old master said.

"Yes, it seems that way," Terumi said.

"Ok, then it is final. I will talk to Alman." The old master said then he got and started walking towards the door of Terumi's office. Then the third elder also excused himself as he had to see the security arrangement for this venture. Thus only Han and Terumi were left in her office…

"Thank You," Terumi said to Han.

"Why?" Han asked.

"For sticking up to me. I know that if you hadn't stick up to me then the old master must have been furious right now." Terumi said.

"It's ok… By the way, Terumi, if you don't mind me asking, why do you hate me so much?" Han asked.

"You are a clever as well as strong guy Han. I don't hate you. It is just that….. Forget it. I am at fault here. I shouldn't have doubted your intentions. You are an elder of the ghost faction. I should have trusted you more." Terumi said.

"It is ok… It was not like you were wrong or anything." Han said while sipping the last sip of wine left in his glass.

"Yeah right…. Wait... What?" Terumi asked as she got stunned by Han's statement.

"I need some more wine," Han said and he got from his seat. He then walked towards the bar and opened a new bottle of wine….

"What did you just said?" Terumi asked again. While opening another bottle, Han started speaking…

"Terumi I know you love your strength. Do you know why you love it?"

"What are you talking about? Answer my question, Han… Did you just said that I was not wrong?" Terumi asked.

"First listen to me… You love your strength because you worked very hard for it. You bleed, you endured and you wasted a vast amount of your life obtaining it. That is why you love your strength. Similarly I… I have the same feeling for the Cullen family. I have protected them and served them for the most of my life." Han said.

"What are you trying to say?" Terumi asked.

"Few days before my retirement, I was lying on my bed. I was thinking about what to do after I retire. I barely have any life left. I knew that the Cullen family didn't need me. They have you protecting them. And I don't have to worry about your strength. With the secret techniques of the ghost faction that I would give you, in just a few years you will be able to surpass me. So I don't have to worry about the Cullen family anymore…" Han said while sipping wine.

"What secret technique?" Terumi asked.

"This secret technique has been passed down from generations in the ghost faction. I used that technique, that is why I became this strong." Han said.

"You would pass it down to me?" Terumi asked it in disbelief.

"Yeah… This technique is passed down to the guardian of the ghost faction. The last wall. Till now that was me. After me, it will be you. Then you would pass it on to someone else who is just as crafty and cunning as me and you." Han said.

"Woah," Terumi said. She was really surprised that Han chose her as his successor.

"Why do you think that I kept you around? In this large faction, only you were the only person that seems dependable. While all others were simpletons who did what they were just ordered." Han said.

"…" Terumi kept quiet as she didn't know what should she say.

"So as I was saying… I served the Cullen family for most of my life. There was no need for me to stay. But there was one thing that I was most afraid of." Han said.

"What?" Terumi asked.

"The old master," Han said while taking in a sip from his wine glass.

"The old master?" Terumi asked.

"Yeah… He and the rest of the core family members of the Cullen family are all idiots. They are so stupid that I believe that in the future, they would destroy the strong foundations that our ancestors fought so hard to preserve. So you were right and wrong Terumi." Han said.

"What?"

"Yes… You were right and wrong at the same time. You were right that I was not planning to kill off the head of the Cross family. My target was actually the old master and rest of the Core family members of the Cullen family." Han said.

As soon as Han explained his intentions, Terumi started sweating like crazy. She didn't what she should do in this situation. Han standing in front of her was a very strong man. And she had only recently realized that he is also a very cunning man. If he revealed this fact to her, then it could only mean that he wants to know whether she is with him or not. And if she says no, then she didn't have the power to stop him.

"You want to kill the people that you fought so hard to protect?" Terumi asked

"Yes," Han said.

"Then what would you do next? Form a noble family of your own?" Terumi inquired

"Of course not. I would retire like a normal guy. Look at me, I am an old man. My only dream is to be finally free and live the rest of my life leisurely." Han said.

"Then why are you killing them?" Terumi asked

"To preserve the Cullen family of course. All the core members are idiots. I will leave the Cullen family to a person that is well-deserving and does actually have a brain." Han said.

"Who?"

"That girl Phyllis. She may not have the pure blood of a noble but she is reliable as well as influential. With the combination of both her and you, the Cullen family will reach a height that they have never reached before." Han said.