Reincarnated With a Cheat System

Chapter 9 –The Whisperer

The Nishiki estate was quiet. The night air was crisp, but an unspoken tension lingered between Kaien and his brother, Lein, as they walked through the grand halls. Phyro and Klein, still reeling from the events of the night, exchanged glances before silently following at a distance.

Ayaka took Nico upstairs, sensing that whatever was about to be discussed wasn't meant for young ears. Phyro and Klein, however, had no intention of missing out.

Kaien led Lein into his office, a spacious yet dimly lit room lined with bookshelves filled with ancient tomes and records of the Nishiki family history. A large desk sat in the center, covered in neatly stacked papers and a half-empty glass of wine from earlier in the evening. The moment the door shut behind them, Kaien's calm mask faltered, and his expression hardened.

"This better be important, Lein," Kaien said, his tone sharp. "You don't just show up unannounced after years of silence."

Lein sighed, running a hand through his silver-streaked hair. He looked older than Phyro remembered, the weight of time visible in the lines on his face. "Trust me, Kaien, I wouldn't have come if it wasn't urgent. The world is changing. You need to be prepared."

Phyro pressed himself against the door, his heart pounding. Klein, standing beside him, placed a finger over his lips, signaling for silence. They listened intently, their curiosity overwhelming their better judgment.

Kaien narrowed his eyes. "Get to the point."

Lein leaned against the desk, his voice lowering. "Dungeons are appearing all over the world."

Kaien stiffened. The weight of those words was not lost on him. "Dungeons?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lein nodded. "Massive structures filled with monsters that aren't from this world, traps, and treasures beyond our imagination. In the Snow Country, they've become common knowledge. People are exploring them, gaining power, growing stronger. Some have died, but others have conquered."

Kaien exhaled sharply, pacing the room. "And what of Argenia? Why haven't I heard a word of this?"

Lein's expression darkened. "Because the King refuses to acknowledge them publicly. Only his lineage and a select few are aware of their existence. He fears what will happen if the people find out. Panic, rebellion, chaos—he believes ignorance is the best way to maintain order."

Klein's grip on the door tightened. Phyro, meanwhile, felt a chill crawl up his spine. The idea of undiscovered dungeons, teeming with creatures and treasures, was exhilarating—and terrifying.

Kaien shook his head, rubbing his temples. "So you came all this way to tell me about some dungeons? What do you expect me to do?"

Lein straightened. "I expect you to be ready. This secrecy won't last forever. Once people start realizing the truth, there will be a rush for power unlike anything we've seen. The noble families will want a stake in it. Wars might break out over control of the most resource-rich dungeons. And if that happens, the Nishiki family will be caught in the middle unless we act now."

Kaien clenched his jaw. "So, what are you suggesting?"

Lein took a deep breath. "I want you to send someone—someone capable—into a dungeon. We need firsthand knowledge, proof of what's inside. The Snow Country has already produced dungeon conquerors, warriors who have ascended to new heights of power. If we wait too long, Argenia will be left behind."

A heavy silence settled between them.

Kaien was clearly conflicted. He knew Lein was right—he always had a sharp instinct for these things—but the risks were undeniable.

"Do you have proof that the dungeons won't spill over into our world?" Kaien asked.

Lein nodded. "So far, the monsters remain within the dungeons. No reports of them escaping, at least not yet. But that doesn't mean it'll stay that way forever."

Kaien exhaled, crossing his arms. "If what you're saying is true, then we have little time to waste."

Outside the door, Phyro's mind raced. Dungeons. Monsters. Treasures. This was beyond anything he had imagined when he was reincarnated. His excitement bubbled beneath the surface, but there was also an undeniable sense of dread. If the world truly was on the brink of change, then what role would he play in it?

Klein finally stepped away from the door, his expression unreadable. "This is big," he whispered.

Phyro nodded, his crimson eyes burning with determination. "Yeah. And I don't think we can just sit back and watch."