There were many hawkish faction's members within the Association, all advocating for reform, but they were divided into several groups.
Teradein indeed belonged to the hawkish faction, and he was also a central figure of the Anti-Chairman faction, consistently promoting fundamental reforms to the Hunter Exam.
He was one of those who helped fuel the recent 'pressure storm' within the Association.
Because this was a rare opportunity to force Netero to step down.
After Netero stepped down, he would try every method to become Chairman and then implement reforms.
The moderate faction was currently helping Netero counter the negative narrative of 'major errors in judgment leading to the sacrifice of Association's members and many innocent civilians' by emphasizing 'merits and contributions'.
Teradein approached Law today specifically to use Law's outstanding performance in the Chimera Ant incident to undermine Netero's 'demonstration of merit'.
For this matter, he had specially prepared several trump cards, one of which was the trio of Machi, Uvogin, and Nobunaga, who were A-class wanted criminals.
However, upon actually starting contact with Law, he realized he had been very mistaken.
Threats?
Cooperation?
Mutual benefit?
Whatever the possibility, however many trump cards he had prepared, the Aura emanating from the man before him had already clearly told him the outcome.
"Yes..."
Teradein admitted, his gaze slowly lowering.
As his gaze lowered, Law looked up.
Their line of sight exchanged: Law looking down, Teradein looking up.
"Then there's nothing more to say."
Law stood up to leave directly, but paused after taking a single step.
He looked at the steaming teacup, picked it up, drank the tea in one gulp, then set it down and left.
Before leaving the office, he threw down a statement.
"Strength might not be a strict requirement for becoming Chairman, but without strength, you're not suited for that position. You're too weak, Teradein."
Faced with this highly critical statement from Law, Teradein could only stare silently at the empty teacup before him, powerless to refute.
He never considered himself weak, but if compared to powerhouses like Netero and Law, then he indeed was weak.
After a moment, he let out a low sigh.
'This path is blocked… I'll have to find another way.'
Teradein never imagined he would be refused by Law without even a chance to speak.
The oppressive feeling that had just now stirred every nerve was still lingering vividly.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
Teradein suddenly looked towards the office door.
The door opened, and a tall man walked in. He looked at Teradein and asked, "Should we take action?"
"No."
Teradein shook his head decisively, calmly stating, "Do not provoke him. I will think of another method."
Hearing this, the man said no more, simply nodding in acknowledgment.
…
Law left Teradein's office, heading towards the elevators.
Seeing the elevator doors in the distance, he also saw a familiar figure… Pariston.
He was standing there, giving Law a warm, sunny smile from afar.
"You should just change your name to Elevator Fanatic."
Law arrived at the elevator and threw this jab at Pariston.
"That nickname doesn't sound very good," Pariston objected very seriously.
Law didn't dwell on the topic, reaching out to press the elevator button. "Were you waiting here specifically for me?"
"Yes," Pariston admitted directly.
Law tilted his head to look at Pariston. "If you and Teradein are on the same side, then don't waste your breath."
"You misunderstand. My reason for finding you has nothing to do with Association's internal matters."
"Stop beating around the bush."
"Sorry, sorry, it's a habit." Pariston's eyes curved. "Beyond wants to ask you for a meeting time and place."
Law raised an eyebrow, looking at the smiling Pariston. After a moment of silence, he said, "In five days. Tell him to come find me on Whale Island."
Right then, the elevator doors opened.
Having spoken, Law walked directly into the elevator.
Pariston watched Law enter the elevator but did not follow. Before the doors closed, he looked at Law and suddenly said, "Every person with a purpose thinks about utilizing any condition they can use. Right now is a critical period, and your people are, after all, A-class wanted criminals. You should be careful."
As soon as the words fell, Law suddenly darted out from inside the elevator, grabbing the unsuspecting Pariston by the collar and lifting him physically off the ground.
A flicker of something crossed Pariston's eyes, but he allowed Law to hold him by the collar, smiling. "It seems they are very important to you. However, I was just kindly reminding you. So, would this count as repaying kindness with enmity?"
Law stared directly into Pariston's deep, pool-like eyes, saying coldly, "I advise you not to do anything you'll regret."
Listening to Law's highly threatening words, Pariston's face still wore his ever-present smile. "My virtue lies in self-awareness."
"Let go of the Vice-Chairman!"
Suddenly, an angry female voice came from around a corner in the corridor.
Both Law and Pariston turned to look in the direction of the voice. They saw over a dozen women clustered together, glaring at Law with angry eyes.
The leader was a petite woman with pink hair tied with a pink polka-dot ribbon. Her eyelashes were meticulously long, she wore heavy blush on both cheeks, and her lips were somewhat thick, resembling sausages. She wore a strapless dress printed with pink circles and held a sparkling magic wand. The earlier voice was hers.
A total of twelve women, storming angrily towards the elevator area.
"Your girlfriend?"
Law silently withdrew his gaze from the woman and then looked at Pariston.
Even Pariston, with his strong composure, couldn't help but have his smile falter momentarily.
"No, she is not," He explained very seriously.
That petite woman was the Single-Star Cute Hunter. The other women with her were also Pro Hunters, all Pariston's admirers.
The woman was named Cutie Beauty, publicly recognized within the Association as the leader of the Vice-Chairman's personal guard. The other women were members of the guard.
They had accidentally seen their beloved Pariston being treated so roughly and barbarically by a man, and instantly, they were furious!
"Let go of the Vice-Chairman right now!"
Cutie arrived first, her eyes seeming to blaze with intense flames, her body radiating an extremely aggressive Aura.
The other women, just like Cutie, all released their Auras.
Their stances clearly conveyed to Law: if he didn't comply, they would resort to force.
Judging just from those Auras, it was clear these women were serious.
"Scram."
Law shot them a glare. An Aura tinged with the lives of countless powerful magical beasts roared out, washing over the bodies of the personal guard members.
Pariston narrowed his eyes, also feeling this Aura up close.
Law's Aura was like a gale, while the Auras on the women were like candle flames. With that single glance, the candle flames were instantly extinguished. Each woman's face paled, and they stood there dumbfounded.
Having intimidated the personal guards, Law released Pariston.
"Remember my words well."
Law threw down this statement and walked into the elevator. This time, the elevator doors closed for good.
Pariston glanced at the floor number displayed on the elevator panel, then turned around, using a gentle tone to comfort the members of the personal guard who had been intimidated by Law's aura.
Law took the elevator back to the Lawlin Museum, where he saw Cheadle sitting in the guest area.
'What are these guys doing? Coming one after another...'
Law sighed inwardly and went straight to Cheadle.
"We've extracted some useful information from the assassins," Cheadle stated directly.