Chapter 42 : Securing a Major Financial Backing

Inside one of the most secure wings of Arcania City Hospital, the atmosphere felt tense.

Security was unusually tight.

Armed guards stood at every hallway entrance. Surveillance cameras rotated silently. Even high-ranking hospital staff were required to show clearance before entering the restricted floor.

The level of protection was so extreme that even other VIP patients were whispering among themselves.

"Who exactly is being treated here?"

No official announcement had been made.

But everyone understood one thing.

Whoever was inside that room was extremely important.

Inside one of the presidential suites, reserved only for nobles and elite figures—

Arthur lay unconscious on a pristine hospital bed.

The room looked more like a luxury hotel suite than a hospital chamber. Soft lighting glowed warmly against polished marble floors. Advanced medical devices surrounded the bed, humming gently as they monitored his heartbeat, oxygen levels, and mana fluctuations.

The steady beep of the heart monitor echoed softly.

Then—

His fingers twitched.

His eyelids fluttered faintly.

Slowly, Arthur’s eyes began to open.

At first, everything was blurred.

Bright ceiling lights.

White walls.

A silhouette standing beside him.

He blinked several times, vision slowly clearing.

As the blur faded, he noticed a woman standing next to the bed.

She appeared to be in her early thirties.

Platinum blonde hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders. Her features were refined and striking. Her posture carried elegance and quiet authority.

She was undeniably beautiful.

She wore a tailored, luxurious outfit that fit her perfectly—subtle, yet clearly expensive. Everything about her presence screamed wealth and status.

The moment she realized he had regained consciousness, relief washed over her face.

"He’s awake!" she called out firmly.

Then she raised her voice toward the door.

"The boy has regained consciousness!"

The guards stationed outside reacted immediately.

One of them called for the nurse and the attending doctor without hesitation.

Arthur watched her closely.

Recognition struck him.

Ravina Crown.

Isabella’s mother.

’Wow... she’s so gorgeous,’ Arthur thought quietly.

He tried to sit up instinctively.

A dull ache ran through his muscles.

Ravina immediately stepped forward, concern evident in her eyes.

"Please don’t push yourself. You’re still recovering."

Arthur gave a faint smile.

"Thank you, ma’am... but I’m alright."

The door opened.

A nurse and a senior doctor entered quickly.

They began checking him thoroughly.

Pulse steady.

Mana stable.

Reflexes responsive.

After a careful examination, the nurse nodded reassuringly.

"Everything is alright."

Ravina exhaled softly.

"Thank you."

The doctor adjusted his glasses and spoke calmly.

"You experienced severe physical and mana strain. Please do not exert yourself. Proper rest is necessary."

Arthur nodded respectfully.

"I understand."

The doctor and nurse exited the room quietly, closing the door behind them.

Silence returned.

Arthur turned his gaze back toward Ravina.

"Is Isabella alright... ma’am?"

Ravina stood straight.

Then she surprised him.

She bowed her head slightly.

"The Crown family will forever be grateful for what you did."

Her voice softened.

"And yes... she is alright."

Arthur blinked.

"It’s nothing, ma’am. I didn’t do it for fr—"

Before he could finish—

The door suddenly flung open.

A girl stood in the doorway.

Breathing heavily.

As if she had run all the way there.

It was Isabella.

Her hair slightly messy.

She wore a simple white blouse tucked into high-waisted jeans, the effortless combination somehow making her stand out more than anyone dressed for attention. A light jacket rested loosely on her shoulders, and her movements carried an easy confidence that turned casual into captivating.

Behind her, two voices echoed urgently.

"Don’t run in here! What if you fall? You just recovered!"

A tall man with brown hair stepped inside.

Oliver Crown.

Behind him stood a young man with platinum blonde hair and sharp, calm eyes.

Logan Crown.

Ignoring them completely—

Isabella slowly walked toward Arthur.

Arthur smiled faintly.

"You didn’t forget our deal, did you?"

Isabella’s mouth twitched.

"Seriously? That’s the first thing you say after waking up?"

Arthur shrugged lightly.

"How rude. I’m just reminding you so you won’t go back on your word."

Isabella crossed her arms.

"I won’t, you poor bastard."

A vein bulged on Arthur’s forehead.

"Do you know who I am?"

Isabella scoffed.

"Why? Are you some noble or something?"

Arthur leaned back slightly.

"No. I’m the man who saved you after you got your ass kicked by that rapist bastard and begged for help."

Isabella’s face turned crimson instantly.

"How dare you—!"

Before she could continue—

Ravina’s voice cut through sharply.

"Alright. That’s enough."

The room fell silent.

"No more fighting."

Isabella turned toward her mother.

"But—!"

"But nothing," Ravina said firmly.

"He saved you. You should be grateful."

Isabella looked away, cheeks still red.

She pouted quietly.

But she said nothing more.

A deep, composed voice broke the moment of silence.

"So you’re Arthur, huh?"

Arthur shifted his gaze toward the speaker.

Oliver Crown stood there with calm authority. Logan stood beside him.

Both father and son bowed slightly.

It was not a deep bow.

But it was enough to show respect.

Enough to show gratitude.

"Thank you," Oliver said steadily. "For saving my daughter."

Logan also inclined his head. "We are in your debt."

Arthur scratched the back of his head lightly.

"Don’t worry. We made a deal. That’s all."

Oliver raised an eyebrow.

"A deal, you say? And what exactly was this deal, young man?"

Arthur smiled casually.

"Nothing much. Just her paying me back several times over after helping her."

For a moment, silence lingered.

Then Oliver burst out laughing.

A loud, genuine laugh.

"Hahaha! I like you."

He stepped closer.

"Whatever you want, come to me after you get discharged tomorrow or any other day. I’ll see that it gets done."

His eyes softened slightly.

"Anything for you. After all... you saved my precious daughter."

Arthur gave him a thumbs-up.

"We have a deal."

Inside his mind, Arthur calculated calmly.

’Alright. I’ve secured major financial backing. I can cash that in whenever I need.’

Logan stepped forward cautiously.

"I don’t mean to be rude," he said politely, "but I heard that you’re an F-ranker. Is that true?"

He looked at Arthur carefully.

"It’s hard to believe even after seeing those video feeds."

Isabella nodded immediately.

"That’s what I was saying!"

Ravina sighed softly.

"Logan, it’s rude to ask something personal about their abilities."

Suddenly—

Arthur started laughing.

"Hahahahaha."

Everyone looked at him.

’Good thing they found the camera footage,’ he thought calmly.

Arthur waved his hand dismissively.

"I get why you’d think that. But I was just extremely lucky."

He shrugged.

"It was nothing more and nothing less."

Ravina smiled gently.

"My, my. What a modest and humble young man."

Isabella immediately snapped.

"Liar! I’ve seen you fight. You looked like you enjoyed it... and you were really good at it too!"

Arthur smirked.

"Oh? Looks like you were impressed."

He leaned slightly forward.

"You can come learn from me if you want. But my fees are very high, okay? And I don’t train spoiled brats."

For a second—

Silence.

Then Oliver and Logan burst out laughing.

Even Ravina covered her mouth with a smile.

Isabella gritted her teeth, muttering something under her breath.

Arthur looked around casually.

"So I can get discharged tomorrow, right?"

Oliver nodded.

"Yes. You can."

Then his expression turned cold.

"There was a slight issue with the Blue Magic Tower Master. That scumbag disciple of his was involved in this."

His voice hardened.

"But don’t worry. I’ll take care of it."

Arthur observed him quietly.

"Of course he will. Even if he isn’t awakened, the wealth he controls makes him someone feared not only in this country, but in many others. And once the Hunter Association reviews those video feeds, they won’t remain silent.

The Blue Magic Tower will inevitably fall under investigation as well—after all, Jordan has killed countless people inside dungeons to gain power."

After all, nearly half of the funding for the major magic towers came from Oliver Crown.

Arthur nodded respectfully.

"Thank you."

Oliver gave a small nod in return.

Ravina clapped her hands lightly.

"Alright, that’s enough for today. Arthur needs rest."

She looked at her family.

"Let’s leave him alone."

All three nodded.

One by one, they exited the room.

The door closed.

Finally—

Silence.

Arthur slowly leaned back against the pillow.

Only a minute had passed when—

Click.

The door opened again.

Arthur turned his head.

Isabella stood there.

Alone.

"What do you want now?" Arthur asked lazily.

Isabella’s face was slightly red.

"Give me your address."

"And your phone number."

Arthur blinked.

"And why should I do that?"

She hesitated.

"Because... because..."

She struggled for a reason.

Then quickly said, "How else am I supposed to repay you if I don’t have your contact information?"

She nodded firmly.

"That’s it."

It almost looked like she was trying to convince herself.

Arthur crossed his arms.

"Then I don’t think you should have it."

Her mouth fell open.

"Why not?"

Arthur’s tone shifted slightly.

"Because I’m going to leave this country soon."

Isabella’s expression darkened.

"Why?!"

Arthur sighed quietly.

"Despite your father’s assurance, which I appreciate, I killed the disciple of a Magic Tower Master."

His eyes sharpened slightly.

"That brings shame to them. No matter what Jordan did."

He continued calmly.

"I know the Blue Magic Tower Master. Just like his disciple, he’s prideful. Arrogant. He doesn’t tolerate challenges to his authority."

Arthur looked directly at her.

"I did exactly that."

"You’ll be safe."

"But I won’t."

Isabella stepped forward.

"Then I’ll provide you security!"

Arthur shook his head.

"Sorry. I don’t like relying on anyone."

He looked toward the ceiling thoughtfully.

"I value my freedom. I like traveling. Growing in different places. Learning new things."

His voice softened slightly.

"It helps me grow stronger."

"And it’s a dream of mine to see everything the world has to offer."

He exhaled.

"I don’t like living the same routine every day."

Isabella muttered quietly.

"Helps you become stronger... huh..."

’Maybe I can grow too...’ she thought.

She looked back at him.

"When are you leaving?"

Arthur answered simply.

"The day after tomorrow. I think."

The moment she heard that—

She turned.

And ran out of the room without looking back.

Arthur blinked.

"Well... that was odd."

He leaned back into the pillow.

"Whatever. At least it’s peaceful now."

He stared at the ceiling.

"System."

A familiar voice responded instantly.

[I was just waiting for you to call me, host.]

A slow smile formed on Arthur’s face.

"It’s time."

"Let’s check the spoils of war."

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A/N:

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