NOVEL WEB Chapter 965: Max's Plan
'They're using this as a way to get rid of him,' William thought grimly.
His eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint flashing in their depths. 'I told them not to touch Max… and yet here they are, preparing such a sinister plan to kill him.'
The thought stirred a deep, quiet anger within him, though outwardly he remained composed. His voice carried no trace of his inner fury as he looked back at Max, but the tension in his gaze betrayed the fact that he was already weighing the next move—and considering how far he was willing to go to make sure certain factions regretted crossing that line.
President William leaned forward, folding his hands atop his desk, his sharp gaze fixed on Max. "How do you think we should handle this problem?" he asked, his tone measured but carrying the weight of authority.
Max didn't hesitate. "I'll go alone," he said firmly. "This is my problem. My friend was taken because of me, and I intend to bring them back with my own hands."
The air in the room seemed to grow heavier as President William's expression darkened.
"Absolutely not," he said flatly, his voice like a hammer striking stone. "You're asking to walk straight into a trap set by the Void Soul Tower and the Thunder Monarch Hall. They aren't simple opponents—they will have prepared for you, expecting you to come. Going alone is not bravery, Max. It's foolishness."
Max met his gaze without flinching. "You misunderstand me, President William. I'm not asking for your permission—I'm telling you my plan. Also I am not going alone."
President William's eyes narrowed. "What is your plan?"
Max took a step closer to the desk, lowering his voice but letting the steel in his tone sharpen. "You send someone from the Hunter Association to tail me in the shadows. They won't reveal themselves unless I'm in a situation where I truly can't survive. If I can handle things myself, they won't intervene. That way, the Hunter Association isn't directly interfering in political matters it's sworn to stay out of. You'd simply be protecting one of your guest elders from being assassinated."
William leaned back slowly, his fingers drumming against the arm of his chair. "You want me to send my people to tail you while tying their hands to only interfere if your life is in danger?"
"Not exactly mine but the person I am trying to save." Max said solemnly. "I have many ways to protect myself and I even dare to say that even if you were to block my path, I can easily escape from you."
"I refuse." President William shook his head. "I can't risk your life on your little promise. Even if you have many means, you must not underestimate Void Soul Tower and Thunder Monarch Hall. They are overlords of the Middle Domain and have many means to kill someone if they wanted to. And now they are setting up a trap to kill you, there is no telling what you might find yourself if you go there."
President William's voice rose slightly, the edge of command in it now. "And I can't allow you to throw yourself into the jaws of two of the most dangerous forces in the Middle Domain without proper support. If you die, then everything will be in vain."
He added. "Recently, things are very chaotic in the Middle Domain and someone I deeply trust said to me that a calamity is coming to the entire world. In a situation like this, I don't want to risk your life."
"Which is exactly why I'm giving you a way out," Max countered, his tone steady but intense. "You can't officially help me without breaking the Association's neutrality. I understand that. This way, you're only defending one of your own if things get too far out of hand. No one can accuse you of bias for ensuring the safety of a guest elder."
President William's brows furrowed as he studied Max for several long moments. The silence between them was thick, each man unwilling to give ground. Max's proposal was dangerous—but so was refusing him outright.
Finally, William exhaled slowly, his tone still stern. "You're stubborn, Max. Stubborn to the point of recklessness. But I see there's no stopping you."
He leaned forward again, his voice firm. "I will consider your proposal—but if I agree, you will follow every precaution my men lay out for you. If you deviate, even once, they will drag you out of there whether you like it or not."
Max gave a small, satisfied nod. "Fair enough. That's all I ask."
Neither of them said it aloud, but both knew that what they were agreeing to wasn't a safe plan—it was a razor's edge, and one wrong move could cut them both.
"Elder Liam," President William said at last, his tone solemn and carrying the weight of command. His eyes shifted toward the silver-haired elder who had been quietly standing a short distance away during the entire discussion. "You will be the one tailing Max. I want you to make absolutely certain he doesn't get into any trouble. If things turn dangerous, you step in immediately—no hesitation."
Elder Liam inclined his head in acknowledgment, his expression calm but his gaze sharp. "As you say, President," he replied without a trace of doubt in his voice. There was no mistaking it—if William entrusted him with this task, he would see it through without fail.
William fell silent for a moment, his brows furrowed as he considered something. Then, as if making up his mind, he reached into his robes and retrieved a small, crystalline object. It was a cube no bigger than a fist, glowing faintly with an inner blue light, its surface etched with intricate runes that pulsed softly as if alive. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it toward Max, who caught it smoothly.
"This," William said, his gaze locking on Max's, "is my mana essence. It is directly tied to me. If you ever find yourself in a situation where there is truly no way out—where death is inevitable—crush that cube. No matter where you are, I will come immediately." His voice was steady, but the weight behind his words was unmistakable; this was not a gift he handed out lightly.
He exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair, a faint sigh escaping him. "It's not that I don't want to come and help you directly, Max. If it were up to me alone, I would. But as the leader of the Hunter Association, there are certain protocols I must follow. If I overstep them, it will cause problems far bigger than either of us want." He shook his head with a weary expression, as though the chains of responsibility weighed heavily on him.
Max closed his fingers around the cube, feeling the faint hum of power within it. He gave a small nod, his voice calm but resolute. "I understand, President William. Don't worry—everything will turn out fine."
William's eyes lingered on him for a long moment, as if weighing the certainty in Max's words against the dangers ahead. Finally, he nodded slowly. "I hope so," he said, his tone quieter but no less firm.