Jiang Han felt a chill in his heart, and his body unconsciously sat up a bit straighter.
He knew that this was the main event of the night. Laic's nervous appearance was definitely not just as simple as letting him meet a superior.
"Do you know anything about the core members of the Team Rockets?"
Athena's index finger tapped lightly on the tabletop; each tap felt like it was drumming against Jiang Han's heart.
Jiang Han's brow furrowed imperceptibly.
core member?
He shook his head and said frankly, "This subordinate does not know."
He truly didn't know, but the moment he heard the term, his mind began to race.
Core—the word itself represented status, resources, and trust.
Could it be something similar to those so-called Core Lineage Trainers of the League?
Or those fellows born with silver spoons in their mouths, enjoying the most superior resources from a young age and receiving personal guidance from Elites and Champions?
"Is it similar to the League's Core Lineage Trainers?"
Athena let out a light chuckle, her laughter carrying unconcealed contempt.
"The League's core lineage lackeys? No, it's not the same."
"A core member of the Team Rockets carries far more weight than those flowers in a greenhouse."
She leaned forward slightly, and an invisible pressure washed over him, making even the air seem to grow thick.
"Let me put it this way. In the Team Rockets, no matter how hard you work or how much merit you achieve, your position is capped at Intermediate Cadre."
"Wanting to promote further? It's as difficult as reaching the heavens."
"It's not because they lack strength, nor is it because they lack merit."
Athena's gaze was as sharp as a blade, as if she wanted to dissect Jiang Han from the inside out.
"It's because the Team Rockets does not fully trust them."
"You are a smart man," she paused, saying each word deliberately, "I believe you understand what I mean."
He understood.
How could Jiang Han not understand?
Trust!
In any organization, these two words were far more important than ability.
Whether it was the companies in his past life or this current world where the strong preyed on the weak, the subordinate a superior most wanted to see always ranked ability second; loyalty was first!
For a massive organization like the Team Rockets that operated in the shadows, this was even more true.
The true core positions, the highest quality resources, and the most confidential intelligence would only be reserved for those they could truly control and truly trust.
Others could be sacrificed at any time and replaced at any time.
Having thought through this point, Jiang Han felt a chill run down his back.
He instantly understood Athena's purpose tonight.
This wasn't the distribution of mission rewards at all; this was an interview, an interview that would decide his future path in the Team Rockets!
Laic wasn't his guide; Athena was.
And his previous performance had clearly passed the preliminary screening, entering the field of vision of this special executive officer.
Now, the choice was in his hands.
To continue being a peripheral member who could be discarded at any time, or to seize this opportunity to soar to the heavens and become a true insider?
Did he even need to choose?
Jiang Han sneered in his heart.
What was his purpose in coming to the Hoenn region? Wasn't it for a position, for more opportunities, and for more resources to quickly become stronger?
So-called loyalty was merely a shackle the strong gave to the weak.
When he possessed the power to overturn the chessboard, who would be qualified to demand his loyalty?
But before that, he needed a backer, a platform that could provide him with enough nutrients.
And the woman named Athena before him was currently his best choice.
All these thoughts were completed in a flash.
Jiang Han didn't hesitate for a second. He abruptly stood up from his seat, took a step back, and under Athena's slightly scrutinizing gaze, dropped cleanly onto one knee!
His movements were standard and powerful. His lowered head could not hide the calmness and determination deep within his eyes.
"I, Jiang Han, am willing to pledge eternal loyalty to Lady Athena!"
His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, echoing in this luxurious private room.
Of course, he didn't believe a single word of it himself.
No one could truly lead him, and no one could truly control him.
He lived only for himself!
But at this moment, he knew this was an incredibly profitable deal.
Using an ethereal vow in exchange for a shortcut to the peak of power.
Worth it! It was so worth it!
Looking at the kneeling Jiang Han, a trace of genuine satisfaction finally appeared in Athena's fiery red eyes.
She appreciated smart people, and she appreciated smart people who knew how to adapt to the situation even more.
Jiang Han's decisiveness exceeded her expectations and made her very satisfied.
"Very good."
She spoke slowly, "Rise."
"From today on, you are a core member of the Team Rockets. Remember the words you said today."
Jiang Han slowly stood up and sat back in his seat, his posture a few degrees more respectful than before.
Athena picked up the cup of coffee that had already grown slightly cold, but this time she drained it in one gulp.
She set down the cup, stood up, and looked down at Jiang Han from above.
"The end for those who disappoint me... is usually very miserable."
Her voice was very soft, like a lover's murmur, yet it carried a bone-chilling coldness.
"You have great talent, but only a genius who grows up can be called a genius. Those who die young are nothing."
These words were a warning as well as a reminder.
Jiang Han understood in his heart and bowed his head in response, "This subordinate understands."
Athena said no more, only lightly clapping her hands.
Clap! Clap!
Two crisp claps fell.
An eerie scene occurred.
The wall directly facing Jiang Han—the wall hanging an expensive oil painting—suddenly emitted a slight mechanical whirring sound.
Immediately after, the wall slid open silently from the middle to both sides, revealing a deep passage shimmering with a metallic luster.
The lights inside the passage were bright, filled with a sense of future technology, forming an extremely sharp contrast with the classical and luxurious decoration of the cafe.
On one side was the mundane world; on the other, a cold abyss.
"Go on, collect your reward."
Athena's voice came from behind him, carrying a hint of playfulness.
"I hope you don't disappoint me."
As her words fell, she had already turned around and, stepping in her high heels, elegantly left the private room as if everything that just happened had never occurred.
The door to the private room was closed again, leaving only Jiang Han alone in the room, along with that open metal passage leading to the unknown.
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