At that very moment, Anthony's phone rang. It turned out to be a call from Kyle.
He hesitated for a while before answering it.
“Hello.”
Just as Kyle was about to say something, he was stunned when a kid's voice sounded from the other end of the line. “What happened to your voice?”
“Why? You don't like it?”
“Good gracious! Why are you using a voice changer?”
Anthony was utterly speechless.
Hmph! Now that I'm thinking of revealing my true identity when liaising with him, he doesn't believe me!
“What is it? Cut to the chase,” Anthony urged him without making any explanation.
His words reminded Kyle of something. “How could you still have the cheek to say so? Why did you post the bounty list on Hacker Community?”
“You saw it?” Anthony drawled.
Kyle took a deep breath. “How can I overlook such an eye-catching post?”
“Since you'd seen it, what's the point of asking me again?” Anthony snapped.
“You—I want to ask what you intend to do.” Kyle finally went straight to the point.
“Didn't you see that? I'm trying to track down Boss!” Anthony hissed with intense abhorrence in his tone.
Kyle could not sense that on the other end of the line. He said, “Vermillion Base has nothing to do with us. Don't you think you'll only put yourself in deep water by acting impulsively?”
Anthony lowered his voice. “There's nothing between Darknetz and him, but there is something between him and me!”
Kyle frowned. “What do you mean?”
Anthony did not utter any words. There was a hint of hostility in his eyes.
Dumbstruck, Kyle only asked hesitantly after a while, “Did they inflict any harm on you?”
After remaining silent for a while, Anthony lowered his voice and enunciated, “They didn't lay a finger on me but targeted someone who is the most important to me instead!”
In a split second, realization dawned on Kyle. After remaining silent for a while, he asked, “So that was why you went to Spaunia?”
Without hesitation, Anthony answered, “Yes!”
“I got it!” Kyle blurted out.
“No! You don't understand! Apart from tracking him down and offing him, I vow to eliminate Vermillion Base!” Anthony stated resolutely. His childlike voice was not loud, but Kyle could sense the intense fury in his tone.
“Anthony—”
“Don't try to stop me if you treat me as your friend!” Anthony cut him off.
“I'm not trying to stop you. It's a rule that Darknetz should never step on anyone's toes, but it doesn't mean we are scaredy-cats. If he has the gall to provoke you, the whole Darknetz won't let him off!” Kyle emphasized solemnly.
Flabbergasted, Anthony asked tactfully, “Aren't you angry?”
“Of course, I'm still mad at you!” Kyle snorted.
“Then why did you—”
“I'm mad because you didn't mention a single word about this matter!”
Anthony was rendered speechless. He was caught off guard by the sudden change in Kyle's demeanor.
“Is that the reason you have been stopping me from looking for you?” Kyle asked again.
“No. That's not the sole reason...”
However, Kyle assumed his instinct was right and tried to appease Anthony.
“Anthony, I admit that I had been standing in your way before this as I did not wish to see you end up being chastised by the others. However, things will be different if they have gotten on your nerves first. Heed my words. Darknetz is fearless. If they dare to provoke you, they are actually going against the whole Darknetz too. Just hang on. I'll meet you right after resolving Holden's matter. Let's discuss this in detail later!”
“It's all right—”
“Enough of that! There's no need for formality now. Wait for me, okay?”
“But—”
“All right. I have a call from Holden. Just wait for my call.” With that, he hung up on Anthony.
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