The Debt Vision

6. The Former Owner

The warehouse fell silent. Even the three men who had attacked Sebastian instinctively stepped back while the old man walked with measured steps. His polish leather shoes echoing against the cracked concrete floor.

Sebastian slowly lowered the broken plank in his hand. His ribs throbbed with every breath. A thin trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth yet his eyes never left the old man.

The silver words floated quietly before him.

[Claimant #1 Confirmed.]

[Former Owner : Graystone Logistics ]

It was possible for him to believe as Graystone Logistics had declared bankruptcy twelve years ago. Its owner had disappeared. Officially, the company no longer existed. Then who….

The old man stopped three meters away from him as his calm eyes swept over Sebastian's bruised face before settling on the cracked section of concrete.

For the first time, a faint smile touched his lips. “So..” His voice was deep but gentle. “You found it.”

Sebastian tightened his grip unconsciously. “You know what's under there ?” The question escaped from his mouth before he could stop himself.

The old man looked back at him. “I buried it. So of course, I know.”

The answer stunned everyone. Even the three thugs exchanged uneasy glances while their leader frowned.

“Mr. Ashcroft…”

The old man slowly turned only his head in his direction. “What did you call me?” His tone remained calm.

The thug swallowed. “I…I mean….”

“You were not speaking.”

The bodyguard standing beside the old man took one step forward and that single movement was enough to scare them.

The Thug immediately lowered his head. “I..I'm sorry.”

Sebastian's eye noticed every detail of how the thugs started trembling under this old man's presence while their shoulders stiffened. Even they feared this old man too deeply.

The old man ignored them and returned his attention to Sebastian. “You've been having a difficult few months.

Sebastian's expression remained unreadable. “You know about me ?”

“I know enough.” The old man said calmly.

“You know I was framed ?” Sebastian asked without even thinking twice.

The room fell silent for a moment as the old man's eyes lingered on him for several seconds. Then he sighed.

“Young man…” He clasped his hand behind his back. “The moment you purchased that debt…” He continued. “...your past stopped mattering.”

“What does that mean ?” Sebastian frowned.

“It means your enemies are no longer the people who framed you.”

A chill crept down Sebastian's spine.

“They're much worse.”

The warehouse seemed colder with the old man's sudden confession. Sebastian instinctively took a slow breath.

He had spent the last three months believing the Hartwell Investigation was the greatest disaster of his life. And now someone was telling him…it was only the beginning.

The old man walked toward the cracked concrete. His polished shoe gently tapped the floor. “Do you hear it?”

Sebastian tried but heard nothing. “What am I supposed to hear ?”

“The sound of greed.” The old man's faint smile returned.

His fingers brushed lightly over the dusty surface. “Politicians, investors, bankers and many more. They all came, yet they all failed.”

Sebastian's heart skipped a beat. “What exactly is buried here?”

The old man looked directly into his eyes. “A key.”

“ A key to what?” Sebastian instantly asked, unable to control his curiosity.

Instead of answering, the old man asked another question. “Tell me…” He paused. “ Why did you refuse two hundred and fifty thousand dollars?”

Sebastian's mouth fell open as he realized the old man already knew about the deal. He knew more about him than he imagined.

At first, Sebastian hesitated to answer. He himself felt confused at that moment. What should he tell him?

Because of the debt vision? Because of his instinct? Or because something felt wrong ?

Finally he answered honestly. “I wanted the truth.”

The old man looked at his face, studying his expressions like trying to find any lie but all he found was truth.

The old man's eyes softened ever so slightly. “For the first time in twelve years…” His voice calmed. “..someone gave me the correct answer.”

Sebastian blinked. “What?”

“The others always wanted money.” His gaze shifted toward the three silent thugs. “They would have sold the city itself if the price was high enough.”

The thugs lowered their heads as no one dared to object.

The old man looked back at Sebastian. “You wanted the truth.”

For a brief moment, he kept staring. There was a certain kind of approval in his eyes.

The silence shattered when a loud ringtone echoed as one of the bodyguards immediately answered the call and his expressions changed almost instantly.

He stepped closer to the old man and whispered something into his ear and the old man's smile disappeared. His face became expressionless.

“So soon…” He murmured.

Sebastian caught only part of it.

“...Blackstone Asset Recovery….they have located the warehouse.”

The moment he heard Blackstone Asset Recovery his heartbeat stopped for an instant because it was his former company where Sebastian worked. Marcus Hale, Nathan Brooks. Why were they here ?

The old man turned toward Sebastian. “This conversation ends now.”

Without warning, he removed an old brass key from inside his coat. Its surface was scratched with unfamiliar symbols. The old man looked at it for several seconds before extending it toward Sebastian.

“Take it.”

Sebastian didn't move. “What is it?”

“The first key.”

“The first ?” Sebastian narrowed his eyebrows.

“There are three.” The old man informed.

Sebastian slowly reached out as the cold metal touched his palm. The moment his fingers closed around it , the silver screen exploded before his eyes.

[Hidden Relic Acquired.]

[Debt Vision Synchronization : 3%]

Sebastian shut his eyes as new information flooded his mind. Suddenly, thousands of fragmented images of maps, names, ownership records flashed before him.

Sebastian staggered back, pressing a hand against his temple as the pain was unbearable for him. His breathing became ragged.

The old man watched quietly. “As expected.” He whispered.

Sebastian looked up, sweat beading across his forehead. “What… did you just give me?”

The old man smiled sadly. “Something your father once protected.”

Sebastian froze. “My… Father?”

Before he could ask another question a convoy of black SUVs screeched to a halt outside. The silent warehouse echoed with the sound of door slamming and dozens of footsteps approaching them in a hurry.

One of the bodyguards looked toward the entrance. “They're here.”

The old man nodded. “I know.” He looked at Sebastian one last time.

“When they ask..” He paused. “...tell them you never met me.”

Then he turned and began walking away. Sebastian instinctively took a step forward.

“Wait ! I don't even know your name.”

The old man paused without looking back and after a few seconds passed, he answered quietly.

“My real name no longer matters. But once…people called me Edward Gray.” He left then.

Sebastian's eyes widened. Edward Gray, the legendary founder of Graystone Logistics. The one who was officially dead for twelve years now.

At that exact moment, the warehouse doors burst open. Nathan Brooks rushed inside with several Blackstone Asset Recovery investigators behind him.

His eyes immediately locked onto Sebastian then on the cracked concrete and then finally on the brass key clutched tightly in Sebastian's trembling hand.

Instantly, Nathan's face drained of color as he took an involuntary step backward.

“No…” His lips quivered. “How did you get…”

Before he could finish the Debt Vision finally displayed one final line.

[Main Quest Updated.]

[Recover the Remaining Two Keys before Blackstone Asset Recovery.]