God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World!

[AN: Currently in the middle of exams, updates might be messy this period..pls bear with me]

....

”I accept.”

Gabriel gave a small nod as if that answer had already been expected.

”Good.”

He did not waste time after that. The matter was settled, and with the lead now pointing toward the Valerian Kingdom royal family, there was no point delaying. His current goal was the Soul Key. Because of that, he decided to spend some time in Stellar City, the Valerian Kingdom capital. It was the best place to watch, gather information, and move closer to the people tied to the next lead.

The trip did not take too long.

By the time they neared the city proper, the giant walls, glass towers, and layered roads of Stellar City had already come into view. The place looked as active as ever. Players moved in groups, vehicles drove through the streets, and tall modern buildings stood mixed with older structures from the kingdom.

Even after all this time, the city still had that strange feel Realm of Ascendency was known for. One side looked like an old kingdom. The other side looked almost too modern for a fantasy world.

The moment Gabriel stepped into the city in his White Phantom mask, people noticed.

Of course they did.

At first it was just a few glances. Then some players slowed down. Others stopped talking midway through whatever they were saying. Within minutes, the Realm Hub forum was already buzzing again.

[White Phantom spotted in Stellar City.]

[No way. Anyone got proof?]

[I saw him near the east entrance.]

[What is he doing here?]

[Don’t go near him. Did you all forget Monkey Paradise?]

The name alone was enough. No one dared approach. Not after the massacre from last time.

Plenty of players were curious. Plenty wanted to be the first to get close to White Phantom, maybe take a screenshot, maybe ask to join him, maybe just brag about meeting him later. But the last time people got too close to that identity, blood had followed. Because of that, they kept their distance and only watched.

Gabriel noticed the looks and the subtle movements around him, but he said nothing.

Beside him, XMan tried his best to act normal.

But it was not easy.

He was walking beside White Phantom. That alone made his chest feel oddly full. A small part of him almost felt smug about it. For once, people were not looking at him with pity or annoyance. They were looking at him because he was close to someone important.

And by pure coincidence, one of his old teammates happened to see him.

It was the broad shouldered swordsman from the last dungeon run. The man was standing near a shop with two others when his eyes landed on XMan first, then shifted to the white masked figure beside him. His expression changed instantly.

”What the hell?” he muttered.

The others beside him followed his gaze and also stared.

”Is that White Phantom?”

”What’s XMan doing with him?”

The handsome leader and swordsman of the party narrowed his eyes and quickly sent a private message.

XMan felt the notification and opened it while still walking.

[Where are you?]

[Why are you with White Phantom?]

[Bring us over.]

His eyes flickered slightly as another message came.

[Link us up. If you really know him, stop acting stupid and bring us in.]

XMan stared at the words for a second.

A few days ago these same people had used him as bait, watched him die, then tossed him scraps after the dungeon clear. Now they wanted him to bring them in because they thought he might have some value.

For once, XMan did not hesitate and replied.

[No.]

The response came back almost immediately.

[Don’t play games.]

XMan’s fingers moved again.

[I said no.]

That was all. He closed the message without waiting for another reply.

Beside him, Gabriel glanced at him once, noticing he looked slightly pissed off.

”What?”

XMan cleared his throat. ”Nothing important.”

Gabriel did not push. If it had been important, XMan would have said more.

The first place Gabriel headed to after entering Stellar City was one of the most luxurious hotels in the capital.

Its name had a slightly French feel to it, refined enough that even from the outside it looked expensive. The front entrance was clean, the glass doors were polished, and the gold letters above it shone under the city lights.

XMan looked up at it and almost slowed, amazed by the grandeur. He had only heard about it. It was a place where top players frequented. Never did he think a day would come when a low level player like him would step into a place like this.

Gabriel walked in as if he belonged there or was used to this kind of place, while XMan followed closely behind.

The front desk attendant looked up at once. His expression stayed professional, but the moment he saw the white mask, there was a tiny pause. It was not exactly a crime to walk around with a mask, but it was a bit strange and drew attention.

After a brief back and forth, two rooms were arranged.

One for Gabriel, the other for XMan.

The payment was handled quickly. Gabriel did not even blink at the amount, while XMan tried not to look too shocked.

Soon after, room keys were handed over.

Gabriel turned slightly toward him.

”Settle in. Then start gathering everything useful about the Valerian royal family and anything tied to hidden sites, ruins, gates, or any records.”

XMan nodded at once. ”I’ll get on it.”

They separated after that.

XMan entered his room and shut the door behind him, still feeling slightly unreal about the entire day. A real hotel room. A clean bed. Proper lighting. Quiet. No one yelling at him. No one treating him like baggage. And all because White Phantom had decided his research mattered.

He sat down, opened his interface, and immediately started digging for more information.

Meanwhile, Gabriel entered his own room and closed the door behind him.

The room was larger than needed. Clean floor, wide bed, dark wooden furniture, and a tall window that looked out over part of Stellar City. He walked toward it slowly and glanced outside.

Down below, the city was still lively. Players moved along the roads, lights shone from buildings, and the flow of activity had not slowed at all even though the sun had long since gone down.

Gabriel let out a breath. He was already starting to regret coming here as White Phantom.

The mask had solved one problem but created another.

White Phantom drew less dangerous attention than Broken Heaven, yes, but that did not mean it drew no attention at all. The forum was probably already losing its mind over his arrival, and that alone would make moving around more annoying than he wanted.

Still, it was better than coming as Broken Heaven.

That much was true.

At least this time he did not have a crowd of players practically waiting outside just to stare or try something stupid. He looked out through the glass again and gave a faint, humorless smile.

Suddenly, the smile turned into a frown and his body tensed as a deep wave of killing intent brushed against his senses, causing his scalp to tingle instantly.