Chapter 710: "Unraveling The Trump Card"

When Paul heard Ainsley's question, he immediately knew that Ainsley kept him alive because she was sure that he still had a hidden trump card. 

Indeed, it was a trump card, but one that would bring mutual destruction after he was sure that he would die. 

But Paul wanted the trump card to be a surprise for the Slown Family. If he confessed everything now, would it be a surprise? 

Alas, he peeked at Marietta and recalled one of the woman's special abilities. 

It seemed to be...hypnosis? Couldn't she do that to extract information from him too? 

Paul realised that he had to execute his trump card plan immediately. After all, Ainsley would know about his trump card earlier than he expected. 

Thinking like this, Paul touched the gold-crimson ring on his right ring finger, which was a unique form of communication to send a signal to someone who also wore the ring. 

And the one entrusted with the other ring was the shaman, the only shaman the Naran Family had. 

Right after Paul poured his energy into the crimson ring, the ring on the shaman's finger suddenly flashed with a red light before turning dim. 

It was a one-use ring created in the case of emergency, and now, it became Paul's way to send a signal to his people. 

When the shaman saw the ring flashing for a second, he instantly knew that Paul wanted them to carry out the plan immediately. 

It means that Paul's team failed to retrieve the plan, and they wouldn't live for long. 

Seeing the signal, the shaman had a sorrowful expression on his face before he looked at the fifty or so people behind him, the people who were the crux of their trump card plan. 

Each of them had a syringe with an unknown substance inside, and all of them wore black robes that covered their skins from head to toe. 

All of them had precautions so as not to suffer from their own plan, but the clothes still seemed to be necessary. A second layer of protection, maybe. 

Seeing how the group of fifty people seemed to be ready for their mission, the shaman cleared his throat and waved his right hand. 

"Go. You guys remember what you have to do, right? Remember. Only choose those who are weakened and unconscious." 

"Yes, sir!" 

The fifty people clearly looked trained to do their mission. It seemed that the Naran Family had prepared for them a long time ago, even before the tournament started! 

Maybe even before they knew that this year's advancement method would be through a tournament. 

"Good. You guys can depart now. The others– protect these people." 

The shaman mobilised more people from their Naran troops to protect the fifty people to do their mission smoothly. 

After the shaman gave his command, the fifty people immediately entered the yards and scattered all over the battlefield. 

There would be at least two ability users on their side, acting as their bodyguards or something. 

At the same time, Ainsley was still trying to make Paul talk on his own. 

Unfortunately, Paul only looked at Ainsley and shook his head. 

"It's impossible. I can't tell you anything about my trump card." 

Ainsley raised an eyebrow at his response. "So you admit that you still have a trump card?" 

"...yes." Paul didn't deny Ainsley's probing and generously admitted it. After all, he knew that Marietta would use her hypnosis on him sooner or later. 

He just tried to prolong his life for a few more minutes or so. 

Ainsley seemed to understand Paul's way of thinking, and she immediately beckoned Marietta to come forward. 

"Let's not waste our time with this useless chit-chat. Marietta, use your hypnosis ability and ask him what kind of trump card that he's hiding." 

Ainsley felt that asking Paul once more would be a waste of time. Of course, she didn't think that trying to ask Paul first was a waste of time. 

In the end, she knew that Paul honestly had a trump card, and she wouldn't be using Marietta's power needlessly. 

At Ainsley's order, Marietta immediately looked into Paul's eyes while she opened her mouth. 

"Look at me. Listen to me. Do not tell a single lie." 

Marietta's voice became strangely pleasant to the ear, even more so than before. It seemed to carry a certain type of magic that made people want to listen to her voice and obey her. 

But it's not a type of audio charm...it should be a relaxing voice that makes people lower their guard instead of showing their affection to the voice's owner. 

Paul soon fell under Marietta's mysterious gaze and her relaxing voice. 

He subconsciously nodded at Marietta while his pupils became slightly confused and murky. 

Seeing Paul's response, Marietta nodded in delight. "Good. Now, tell me, what kind of trump card are you hiding? Don't lie. Tell me the truth." 

Under Marietta's hypnosis, Paul subconsciously frowned, wanting to struggle for a while. He clearly wanted to tell a lie or not speak at all, but in the end, he gave up. 

Paul slowly opened his mouth with his gaze seemingly wandering around, not knowing where to look. 

"Trump...card...it is...a...virus. A unique virus...will kill ability users below the core-splitting realm..." 

Paul's words came like a bomb. For a moment, everyone in the Connecting Hall could only look at Paul with wide eyes. Their faces were full of horror as they broke in a cold sweat. 

What?? Virus that can kill ability users below the core-splitting realm? 

T