《Villain: Ultimate Mutation System in the Alternate World》 Chapter 1: Origin

Chapter 1: Origin

"Useless bastard," a man wearing ab coat, spoke in a sinister manner as he pointed a syringe filled with green serum at a poor, frail young boy. The young boy looked extremely skinny, so much so that others could see the outlines of his bones through his skin. His cheeks were sunken, creating dark shadows on his pale face, and his eyes were surrounded by deep, ck circles, showing signs of malnutrition. "Just... kill me already, " the frail boy said with a weak voice. But despite his feeble tone, his eyes were still filled with defiance and hatred. He had been kidnapped and had since undergone numerous inhumane experiments. He didn''t even know how long he had been in this ce¡ªwas it a year, a decade, perhaps? Every day, he went through a lot of painful tests that had already messed up his mind. It got so bad that he started seeing things that weren''t there and sometimes felt better just talking to himself to deal with the pain. What he endured was something nobody should ever have to go through. It was brutal. At this point, death might even be better. "You''re just ab rat, but you still act like that? You must''ve picked it up from your father," the doctor sneered, mocking the poor boy as he began injecting the serum. ''Another shot?'' Reign whispered to himself, his tone devoid of emotion. He''d taken too many drugs already, so this day felt like any other. He couldn''t do anything to stop it, so he stayed quiet as the needle pierced his skin. The moment it entered his body, he felt a searing heat inside him . He kept squirming and started tough like a maniac, then cry the next moment. It was as if all his emotions were being pulled to the surface by the serum. "Is he reacting? Is there any sign of his powers awakening?" one of the doctors asked. "No, we''ve tried everything, but there''s still no sign," another one replied with a disappointed expression. "Are you sure this kid is one of the Evil Monarch children?" "Yes, we''re certain. We checked his DNA." "I think The Evil Monarch''s blood is too weak, that''s why he''s not showing any powers. We need to get the legitimate children," one of them proposed. "That''s a bad idea. His legitimate kids are too strong. Even an army can''t catch them. And who wants that crazy monarching after us?" someone warned. "Do we have to settle with this useless bastard, ?" another doctor sneered in contempt. Despite the drugs in his system, Reign could still hear their hurtful words, although they were muffled. ''The Evil Monarch, huh? '' he chuckled quietly to himself. He remembered that name all too clearly. It was a name that struck fear into people''s hearts, but he had never imagined that his connection to him would lead him to this. It all began when he was just 14 years old. Before his mother passed away, she revealed to him that he was, in fact, the son of the evil monarch and should go to the empire to im his rightful ce. Initially, he didn''t want to go, especially considering The Evil Monarch''s infamous reputation for being a tyrant. Countless people had endured pain because of his selfishness, but they couldn''t speak out against him because they were too weak. Ultimately, everyone had no choice but to do as hemanded. However, his mother''sst request was for him to meet his father, leaving him with no option but toply. But, before he could even reach him, he was abducted by someone who had discovered that he was an illegitimate child. This was the beginning of his personal hell. ''I hate this world. I hate everyone. There''s no justice for the weak,'' he muttered to himself, feeling the unfairness of the world. If he was strong, he wouldn''t be subjected to these inhumane experiments. In the end, only those who were powerful enough to protect themselves could enjoy this game called life. But despite the sadness in his heart, he didn''t want to show weakness in front of those who had wronged him. "You better pray that I don''t awaken my powers! I''ll massacre everyone of you if my powers kick in! I''ll begin by gouging out that eye of yours!" he shouted from his bed, his voice resembling that of a maniac. "Oh, you''re too energetic!" one of the doctors chuckled. "What a fineb rat. Inject him with a higher dosage until he passes out." The other doctors nodded in response and began injecting him with more. The sensation of pain became more overwhelming, but instead of crying, he startedughing. "More! More! More!" he screamed with all his strength, attempting to appear strong despite the agony. All of a sudden, a sharp pain gripped his heart, and his vision turned fuzzy. He felt like he was about to explode from inside. "Doctor, he''s having a cardiac arrest!" "We need to save him, or he will die!" They started to panic, trying desperately to save him. It was ironic that they were so afraid for him to die, considering what they had done to him. ''Oh, so I''m finally dying? About time, ''he thought with a faint smile. Atst, he could find some peace. Chapter 2: Second Chance

Chapter 2: Second Chance

The cemetery was empty on that cold night. It was a ce with many gravestones, a vast reminder of the lives that hade to an end. It served as a reminder to all, that in the face of death, everyone was equal. In the middle of the cemetery, there was arge tomb constructed from ck marble, which suited the somber ambiance of the area. The tomb had a spacious interior, but it housed only one unfortunate soul in this vast cemetery. It contained the remains of a man who had passed away a decade ago. His family had loads of money, enough to get him his own tomb. But even with all their riches, the poor guy never got the justice he deserved when he passed away. He had beenid to rest without a single mourner in sight. His rtives had merely seized his wealth and assets, showing no sorrow or grief for his passing. Now, he remained stagnant in this ce. But in the very next moment, the inside of the coffin shifted slightly. It was as if his soul, still yearning for closure and perhaps an apology for the solitude that had gued him after his passing, wanted to make itself known. [System: Connecting the soul to the Ultimate Mutation System ] [System: Updating the system interface to match host preference and world ] [System: Now fully operational ] [System: Reward - Gift Box - Bronze Rank] ''Finally, I thought I was stuck being a corpse my entire life. This system''s download time is way too long. '' Reign sighed in frustration. He transmigrated a year ago and was informed that he would be receiving a system. However, he almost died the second time when he saw that the downloading time was 365 days. The experience inside the coffin was very painful for him. Fortunately, he managed to endure it because,pared to what he endured in that dreadfulboratory, spending a year inside a coffin, even paralyzed, felt much easier. Still, it did affect his already fragile mental state. It was a good thing that he was already crazy, so he didn''t lose too much of his sanity. "I''m going to fucking vent all my frustrations to the first person who irritates me," he grumbled. Then, after a few moments, he startedughing like a maniac. "Finally, I got this cheat system. I''m going to rule this! I''ll be a god!" he dered with pride while looking at the interface in front of him. He felt excited , and his head spun as he thought about all the cool things he could do with his system. Of course, he was still set on getting payback for what happened to him. It was fortunate that the system had told him a year ago that he could go back home after getting strong enough. As for why he was transmigrated,? Well, thinking about such stuff was useless anyway, so it was better to ept everything as it was and trust the system''s words. It''s not like he has any other options to begin with. "Status!" he happily summoned the status interface with his thought. =========== [Ding] Name: Reign Level 1 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Corpse Strength :F- Agility. :F - (corpse debuff) Stamina :F- Endurance : C+ Intelligence: C+ Skill (None) ============ Reign checked his stats and nodded in understanding. He had expected this to be the case since his body couldn''t move. It was no surprise that all his stats were F, aside from intelligence and endurance. ''Let''s check the gift,'' he said to himself. He concentrated his attention on the gift box icon, and another window appeared. [Ding] --Attribute points : 10 points --Skill :. 1 points --Race Skill¡ªBite (I) [Bite: Bite the enemy using your mouth --> Bites are determined by your strength points --> Using Bite will multiply your biting force by 1.25x [System Note: You can increase your stats by eating raw meat . Brain matters provide you with the most EXP ] ''This system is a cheapskate! If I meet a dangerous opponent now, I''ll absolutely die! '' He grumbled but quickly regained hisposure. He had survived being ab rat for years, so he knew he could endure and prevail in this situation as well. ''I should maintain a low profile until I''ve earned more strength; otherwise, I''ll just die and squander my second life,'' he made a mental note. He had learned this lesson from personal experience. The reason he had to endure so much suffering was because he had be too high profile without having enough power to defend himself. ''Alright, I will upgrade my stats,'' he said, distributing his attribute points to what he thought was the best choice. [Ding] Strength: (F-) --> (F) --> (F+) "Perfect, " he grinned in satisfaction. He put 5 points into his strength because he was worried that his current lifting power might not be sufficient to push the stone cover. When he saw that 5 points turned (F-) to (F), he added another 5 points to strength, making it (F+). It was better to add more strength points just to be safe. The coffin was sealed with cement and marble, but the top could be removed with enough force from the inside. "It''s time to leave this ce," Chapter 3: Unwelcome Visitors

Chapter 3: Unwee Visitors

"Okay, time to make my great escape," Reign dered. With all his strength , he pushed the coffin door upward, straining hard. His strength barely sufficed to move the heavy stone above him. ''My bones are so weak,'' he thought, ''they might break if I don''t strengthen them soon .'' It was a struggle, and he could almost hear the sounds of his bones creaking and cracking as he pushed. Fortunately, his decision to allocate all of his points to strength paid off. Finally, he seeded inpletely opening his grave. ''Whew, that was close! I almost ended up being a permanent resident in there. It would''ve been pretty embarrassing after getting this system,'' he chuckled. ''This system sure knows how to cut it close, barely giving me enough points to make my escape.'' he added. After rxing for a bit, he began inspecting his own bones. On closer examination, he noticed that he was nothing but a corpse, with some decaying muscles still clinging to his body. One might expect to be horrified by such a sight, but strangely, he found his current appearance rather normal. He made an effort to shift his body and muster the strength to stand up. But with his pathetically low stats, it felt like trying to stand up in a world made of thick, gooey syrup. Each attempt resulted in wobbles and struggles, making it a real challenge to get on his feet. While he was trying to get the hang of his new body, he was jolted by the sound of approaching footsteps, each step growing louder and closer. "Oh, crap. Don''t tell me I have to face my first fight with this weak body," he panicked. After some quick thinking, he decided to find a ce where he could hide. Unfortunately, he didn''t have enough time, so he left the tomb cover open and pretended to be lifeless¡ªwell, technically, he was already dead, so it was more like he justid down in the coffin. CREAK The heavy tomb door creaked open. As the steps drew nearer, he could discern from the sounds of their footsteps that there was more than just one person approaching. "Damn, someone came here before us " A middle-aged man in his 40s spoke. He was holding an axe on his shoulder like a lumberjack. "Yo!. You said that this grave was filled with treasure. But the coffin is already open." Another man spoke. They came here together, but this man is a bit younger. He''s around 20 years old and was wearing a ck jacket. "Look at this tomb. I''m sure there were treasures here before, but now it''s all gone. "Both of them look at the dead body inside the coffins. They''re veteran grave robbers, so they did not find the corpse disgusting. Little did they know, there was never any treasure in this ce to begin with. The old man''s rtives had already stripped him of all his wealth beforeying him to rest here. "What are we going to do now?" The younger one grumbled. "Stay here. I''m going to scout the area and find another target. And you should fix this grave. We don''t want others to know that there''s a grave robber in this cemetery. Those damn amateurs, they didn''t even cover their tracks," The man''s voice brimmed with frustration. It wasmon knowledge to repair the grave after robbing it to avoid drawing unwanted attention. "Alright, fine. I''ll just take a cigarette break first," the man said, sitting down and retrieving a cigarette from his chest pocket. "Don''t ck off!" the middle-aged man warned, clearly unimpressed with his currentpanion. "Don''t worry, I''ll get to it after I finish this cigarette," the younger man waved him off. The middle-aged man nodded with a suspicious look and walked out of the tomb, the echoes of his footsteps slowly fading into the distance. They were quitecent as they went about their business. After all, they were ustomed to digging graves, and felt at home in the graveyard. Grave robbing was illegal, but for them, it was a lucrative endeavor that offered substantial money if they happened to unearth a coffin belonging to a wealthy individual. Rich people often ced jewelry and other valuables inside, after all. Unfortunately, these duos didn''t take another nce at the corpse in the coffin. If they had, they would have been scared out of their wits to see the unsettling, smiling face of a dead man. ''Oh, hehehe. It looks like luck''s on my side. A feast is on the menu tonight,'' Reign chuckled to himself, his hunger intensifying as he caught the scent of human flesh from the coffin. It was as if his instincts were urging him to feast on them. ''I''m hungry! '' Chapter 4: First Bite

Chapter 4: First Bite

The young manzily smoked his cigarette and idly yed with his phone. He reclined against the marble tomb, sitting on the ground in a way that made his poor posture obvious. It was the slouching pose of someone who was veryzy and unproductive. His partner ordered him to tend to the grave, but he chose to prioritize checking his online ount to im the daily bonus. This habit was far from new; in fact, this guy was seriously addicted to gaming, to the point where he didn''t evenplete high school because he was more interested in ying. "This game is too pay-to-win. I''ve already dropped 1000 Neo dors on it, and I''m still getting thrashed by these whales," he grumbled in frustration. He watched as his character was three-shot killed by one of his opponents. "DAMN PAY-TO-WIN! You bastards, relying on your parents'' money to win this game!" He continued to trash-talk other yers like an enraged child throwing a tantrum. Unbeknownst to the young man, he wasn''t the only one fixated on his cellphone screen. Behind him, the decaying corpse of a man gazed with curiosity at his device. ''Oh, the technology in this world is a bit more advanced than what I was used to for mobile gaming,'' Reign noted as he peered at the thin cellphone the young man was holding. He observed that the screencked a camera notch on the front, and the graphics of the game being yed were in a stunning 2K resolution. It was the kind of graphics quality he had experienced with his console in the past. ''The battery of this phone must be quite the beast to handle these graphics,'' he marveled at the smooth FPS (frames per second). The young man was engrossed in an MMORPG game where magicians and martial artists battled using a variety of shy skills. Reign could only make out some icons on both the top and bottom of the screen of the phone. ''Oh, damn. I almost forgot I have to try out my bite skill,'' he jolted back to his main purpose and grinned. He smiled as he contemted a satisfying way to fulfill his mission while alleviating his boredom. It was a genuine smile, but his zombie-like appearance gave it a chilling, horror-like quality. "What are you ying?" A coarse voice echoed from behind the young man. The voice possessed a gruff and unpleasant quality. "God''s Zone," the young man replied, engrossed in his game. It took him a moment to realize that the voice was unusually creepy to be his partner. Nevertheless, he didn''t panic right away, considering the nature of their work. He assumed it was another grave robber like himself. "Hey, it''s not good to snea..." The young man began to turn his head, but before he could finish his sentence. *CRUNCH! "Ahhhhhhh!" He shrieked in terror as his face was gradually crushed by a fucking zombie. He attempted to fight back, but his strength waned as blood loss drained him. In addition to the excruciating pain of his skull being crushed, he could only plead with his attacker to stop, clinging to the hope that he might be spared. "Plea...se... I... don''t... want to die," the young man pleaded in between sobs, his tears blending with the blood and brain matter inside the zombie''s mouth. "Sorry, I''m a zombie, I can''t understand human words," Reign growled menacingly as he relished the sensation of gradually crunching on the man''s skull. Reign''s bite skill not only increased his strength but also erged the size of his bite. It temporarily stretched his mouth until it reached his ears. He could have killed the man more quickly by biting his neck, but he chose to savor the victim''s reactions, deliberately prolonging the act of killing him. "Ohhh, shit. This taste, this adrenaline. Hahaha, this is the most delicious thing I''ve ever tasted. Hahaha, give me more of this delicious brain matter." His instincts took over, pushing his mind into a half-conscious state. He liked the taste of human meat, and he couldn''t control his urge to consume everything. Even the bones were not spared, except for certain parts he considered unimportant. [Ding] (Host level up 1) (Attribute points +5) (Skill points +1) (System : Eating low-quality human meat increases some of host stats. ) [Ding] [Ding] After a few minutes, he finished consuming everything and felt a renewed surge of strength. He added 5 points to his agility to increase it''s rank by 1. Although it was challenging, he could now move somewhat better. He took the young man''s phone and checked it out. ''Good thing I still have his fingers,'' Reign smiled in satisfaction. He noticed that the young man''s bags also contained the phone charger. ''I just have to find a ce to charge this.'' he added. After cleaning everything, he heard the sound of footsteps from outside the tomb. "Hehehe. Another prey hase to me," Reign smiled as he hid by the door of the tomb. The darkness provided him with a good hiding spot, reducing the risk of being spotted. Chapter 5: Second Bite

Chapter 5: Second Bite

"Hey, you''re not done yet ?" The middle-aged man grumbled in irritation. His brother-inw had been living with them for over a year, and he was growing increasingly frustrated with the situation. He resented having a houseguest who didn''t contribute to their finances after all. In an attempt to address the issue, he decided to hire him as a helper to earn his keep. However, hisziness was so extreme that he asionally wished he could resort to more drastic measures, if not for his wife constantly reminding him to be patient and gentle with her brother. "Where is that kid?" He grumbled again, annoyed by the mess in the tomb and the absence of his unreliable brother-inw. He walked closer inside, shlight in hand, but after a few steps, he noticed something was odd. "Where is the corpse?" he asked himself, suspecting that his brother-inw might have removed it, and took it outside. But as he started turning the shlight away, a chilling voice came from behind him, "He''s in hell." He was shocked and couldn''t react, so he was bitten without even being able to turn his head. *CRUNCH! As Reign tightened his bite around the middle-aged man''s neck, he could savor the metallic taste of blood. But the middle-aged man proved to be tougher than he had expected; he managed to push Reign away to the ground. Reign might have possessed more strength, but his sense of bnce was so fragile that a simple shove was all it took to send him tumbling to the ground. ''Damn, it''s a good thing I didn''t try to confront this man head-on,'' Reign muttered to himself, relieved that his decision tounch a surprise attack had worked. He could see that the middle-aged man was already bleeding a lot. Even if he didn''t do anything, it was clear that the the poor guy would eventually sumb to blood loss and die. "What the hell are you?" the man asked, his voice strained and breathless, clutching his neck with his left hand while gripping the axe with his right. He maintained his distance even though Reign was on the ground. It wasn''t that he didn''t want to attack, but he simply couldn''t. He was already felling lightheaded from the blood loss in his neck. In fact, he was so frightened at that moment, and only the rush of adrenaline was keeping him on his feet. "I''m sorry, I don''t understand humansnguage . I''m a zombie," Reign said with a creepy grin, so unsettling that it resembled something out of a top-rated horror movie with exceptional CGI effects. "You just replied right now, you fucker," the middle-aged man spat in frustration. It was dark, and he couldn''t see Reign''s face clearly. He began to think that he might be dealing with a deranged psycho or perhaps a drug addict. ''Damn it, I''m losing too much blood,'' the middle-aged man panicked. He realized he had to end this quickly or he''d bleed to death. With out any option left, he decided to go all in with one decisive move. He rushed toward Reign, raising his axe for a deadly strike against his assant. Reign, on the other hand, panicked when he saw the man''s move. Lacking realbat experience, his initial instinct was to shield his head with his hand. SLASH! Reign felt the impact of the axe on his arm, but it wasn''t as painful as he had anticipated, and the cut wasn''t too deep. Seeing Reign still moving, the middle-aged man continued to swing his axe repeatedly . Unfortunately, he had lost too much blood already. On the fourth strike, he copsed to the ground, and died. "Oh, are you dead already?" Reign rose to his feet slowly and tapped the face of the middle-aged man, but there was no response. "Time to eat then! ," [You''ve earned XP] "Music to my ears," Reign chuckled while munching on his victim''s neck. Strangely, the taste was oddly satisfying even though the meat was raw. Perhaps it was because he was a zombie, and to him, human flesh tasted this good. After satisfying his hunger, he was left very content. Logically, as a corpse, his stomach shouldn''t be functioning, but he had devoured two adult-sized individuals with ease. He even checked his stomach, half expecting the meat to burst out, but to his astonishment, it remained intact. It was as if there was a ck hole in his abdomen that absorbed everything he consumed. ''I didn''t level up after consuming another human, but I can sense that my stats have improved a bit,'' he muttered to himself after pondering the situation. Right now he wanted to familiarize himself with the this new world. ''I wonder what is outside this ce ? '' He thought to himself as he started walking awkwardly, the moment he set foot outside, what greeted him was a dark and lonely graveyard. "This ce is so peaceful," he smiled, taking in the calm surroundings. He was ustomed to the bright lights and constant noise of doctors, machines, and his own cries of pain in theboratory. Compared to that, this ce felt just right. Here, there were no cruel people around who would hurt him. "Mother, I''m finally free," he spoke aloud, his heart heavy with emotion. He wished he could cry, but the tears wouldn''te. Deep down, he longed to convey to his mother that she didn''t need to worry about him any longer. Despite all the suffering he had endured in his past, he had never held his mother responsible. After paying his respects to her, he sat on a protruding gravestone, pondering his next steps. He was now a zombie so leaving this ce would be extremely dangerous; if anyone spotted him, he''d be shot dead without a second thought. . In the worst-case scenario, he could be captured again and be subjected to moreboratory experiments. It wasn''t that he was a coward, but the trauma of being captured and experimented was something that wouldn''t easily fade away. ''I''ll stay in this ce for now and hope that other people visit me, so I can feed on them and level up,'' he muttered to himself. At the moment, his only choice was to wait until he became strong enough to defend himself beyond the confines of the cemetery. With his decision made, he walked back to his tomb to rest again. Strangely, he felt drowsy after having a meal. *** Authors Note: Warning The story is filled with blood and violence. Our main character isn''t your typical protagonist¡ªhe''s a monster from the get-go. Unlike other leads who cling to their humanity, he embraces his monstrous nature, feasting on humans without hesitation. My aim in writing this novel was to deliver a good and engaging take on a monster novel . Chapter 6: Hunger

Chapter 6: Hunger

Reign had noticed a peculiar change since activating his system three nights ago. The first couple of days had passed without incident, but today was different. Now, lying down in his coffin, he writhed in agony as hunger consumed him from within. He couldn''tprehend how he, a zombie, could feel such things. It was a hunger unlike any he had experienced before, deep and insistent, as if his new body required a constant source of fuel. Ignoring it wasn''t an option; he needed to find something to eat, and fast. "It hurts!" Reign''s hunger had reached an unbearable intensity. He had discovered that consuming one person only kept hunger at bay for a day. ''I need to find some food,'' he said, clenching his rotting teeth and forcing himself to move. He stumbled out of the tomb, driven by his instinct to survive . But the ce was empty because it was nighttime , and he couldn''t find anyone to eat. Daytime was no good either for hunting because he felt too sleepy under the sun. Frustration boiled inside him as he realized he was stuck in a terrible situation. "Hungry!!! "Hungry!!! "Hungry!!! He kept repeating those words to himself like a broken radio while he wandered around the cemetery, hoping to spot some grave diggers or even the caretaker of the ce. But there were none. In the end, he found a ce heavily infested byrge ck rats. These rats appeared like typical rats, albeit on therger side. Their fur was dark and scruffy, and their bodies were sleek but slightly plump from feasting on whatever they could find. They looked disgusting, but for Reign, they were like the most delicious food in the world. He slowly approached them, afraid they would run away, but to his surprise, they attacked him instead. "Y''all want to munch on me, huh?" he snarled at the rats as they scurried over him. Grabbing one with his left hand, he bit its head off with a savage growl. Now it was a grim battle over who''d get eaten first. The air filled with the squeaks of rats and the sickening crunch of bones as Reign struggled against the relentless horde. But no matter how many he devoured, more swarmed in, their tiny ws scratching at his decaying flesh. "Keep oning, you little fuckers!" heughed maniacally, his scary voice echoing through the darkness. SQUEAKS! SQUEAKS! SQUEAKS! The rats found their match and scampered away from Reign, who kept grabbing at anything nearby to eat. "Come back. Don''t run!" he grumbled, his hunger still gnawing at him. He needed those rats for food. However, their squeaks grew more distant, fading into the chilly night air. After a few seconds, only the silence of the cold night remained, enveloping Reign in its eerie embrace. The rats'' blood dripped onto the ground, forming gruesome puddles, while their broken bodiesy strewn about like twisted decorations. With a grim face, he surveyed the gruesome aftermath, his dead eyes glinting with a sinister hunger. Deciding not to let anything go to waste, he leaned down, his decaying fingers curling around the limp bodies of the rats. With each grotesque bite, he tore into their flesh, the sickening sound of crunching bones echoing through the deste cemetery. Unlike eating humans, the feeling of feasting on rodents was far from satisfying. But in the depths of his cursed existence, Reign knew that desperate times called for gruesome measures. "I need more food," he grumbled discontentedly as he finished off his meal. With his hunger still bothering him, he had no choice but to seek out additional nourishment. Chapter 7: Scavenging

Chapter 7: Scavenging

Dragging his limping body through the maze of tombs and graves, Reign''s stroll led him to another horde of rats near a small tombstone. The scent was pungent and overpowering, but he didn''t care. His hunger had reached insurmountable levels, and he needed to feed. Creeping closer to the swarm, he prepared himself for the kill. With a sudden lunge, he pounced on one unsuspecting rat and sank his teeth into its flesh. The rat squealed in terror as it squirmed in his grip, but he paid no attention. He continued his feast until there were no more rats left alive. Blood dripped from his chin as he licked his fingers clean. Finally satisfied, he slumped down against a brick wall and let out a deep sigh. It wasn''t much, but it would have to do for now. "Fuck my life." He felt really down. Even with a cheat at his disposal, he found himselfpelled to consume a grimy rodent. He was fairly certain these rats feasted on corpses within the cemetery grounds. Though he was happy about having a system, his situation now was very different from the stories he used to read. Those stories said the main characters would wake up with a system that instantly made them handsome, powerful, and more. Honestly, a system that could control the mind would be much better. At least then, he could still be human and not have to worry about being chased down. But his system was different. It was tough to level up, not because he didn''t try, but because he was cursed with the body of a zombie. Leaving this ce wasn''t an option either, because he''d get caught almost immediately. He got captured and experimented on as an innocent young man, and now, as a zombie, he would definitely face an even worse fate if he became ab rat again. "Time, go back," he groaned as he stood up. His movements were slow and clumsy. In the end, he decided to go back to his tomb, where at least it was safe for him. On his way back through the quiet cemetery grounds, he spotted a group of individuals in the distance. Carrying digging equipment, they turned out to be grave robbers. "Humans!" The hunger he believed to have been filled resurfaced, his vision turned red, and then the system''s notification chimed in. [Congrattions, host, on unlocking an innate skill.] [Undead Eye ] There was no need to read the description; he instinctively grasped how these skills worked. The group of people now walking was highlighted, their flowing blood visible, glowing within their bodies. Observing them from a distance, he slowly realized there were four men in total, possibly another group of gravediggers. He knew it could be risky to face all four armed men at once, so he followed them until they split into two groups. As they separated and headed towards a nearby mausoleum, Reign silently followed them, allowing him to get close enough to hear their conversation. "I heard this one''s very rich," one of the men said, grinning eagerly. "Let''s just hope nobody catches us," hispanion replied nervously. "I don''t want to end up in jail." Reign bided his time, waiting for the right moment to strike. As soon as they had broken open the door to the mausoleum and were busy searching through its contents, he closed the distance. Then, with careful and slow steps, he took down the person who seemed to be the weakest, biting his neck in one swift move. "AHHHHHH!" His scream of agony startled the other grave digger, who, in a panic, raised his axe and mmed it into Reign''s back. *BURST The axe cleanly pierced Reign''s skin, but he didn''t stop; he continued biting until his first prey lost his life. [Level UP] ''Just in time! '' Reign chuckled to himself. Quickly, he allocated his stats to be more agile. He felt the urgency, knowing he had to move fast to kill the other grave digger before the rest joined the confrontation. "RRRRRG!" He pounced on the grave digger, his speed now faster. The grave digger attempted to fight back with his axe, but Reign purposely allowed it to hit his shoulder. This gave him the opportunity to wrestle his prey to the ground. "Let go of me... monster!" The grave digger screamed while using the base of the axe to prevent Reign''s bite. It was a good move if he was dealing with a normal zombie. But Reign wasn''t merely a zombie; he was a very smart zombie. Quickly adapting, he used his bony hands to dig into the grave digger''s eyes. Blood burst out, and the grave digger''s agonizing scream echoed through the surroundings. "AHHHHHHH! HELP ME!" The grave digger cried out in distress. Chapter 8: Hunting

Chapter 8: Hunting

The gravedigger begged, "AHHHHH, STOP!" "Sorry... I''m a zombie, can''t understand humans," Reign mumbled as he struggled to dislodge his mouth from the base of the axe. Determined to take the gravedigger quickly, he stopped focusing on biting and used his bony hands. Blood oozed from the gravedigger''s eyeballs, and a snapping sound echoed as Reign''s fingers pierced throughpletely. The gravedigger wiggled around, but after a couple of minutes, he passed out when the blood reached his brain. He was still alive, but in aa. "Yummy!" Reign chuckled maniacally as he started munching on the gravedigger''s head. He always preferred the taste of brain matter, so he relished the vor. [Level UP] "Good, good," Reign chuckled to himself. It seemed the other group didn''t hear their friends'' screams because no one came to check on them. (Attribute points +5) (Skill points +1) He quickly allocated his stats and put the 5 points on Agility. He needed to be faster in order to make his hunt more effective. He also decided to boost his Bite skill. It was his only skill that could aid in killing, making it a no-brainer to improve. =========== Name: Reign Level 3 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Corpse Strength :F+ Agility. :F+ Stamina :F- Endurance : B- Intelligence: C+ [Skill] Bite - Level III Undead Eye - Level I [Points] ============ With his agility upgraded to F+, he felt a surge of speed. It was as if he had regained the nimbleness he possessed when he was still a human. Every movement was much easier. He also saw that his stamina got better, now at B-. Eating human meat has improved these stats. He noticed his old wounds were slowly healing, so this stat boost was really helping him out. After consuming his prey, he realized his endurance didn''t increase, indicating he hadn''t reached the threshold. He didn''t mind, considering it was just an extra point. "Now let''s hunt the other two," he grinned widely. He was already full, but eating two more wouldn''t hurt. For all he knew, it might take a long time for more humans toe here. Plus, there was the risk of the authorities checking this ce if they found out that six people were missing. He needed to increase his power fast, just in case. He exited the mausoleum, his undead eyes adjusting quickly to the darkness. It didn''t take long for him to spot the remaining two grave diggers. They were digging a fresh grave, their shovels striking against the earth with dull thuds. He watched them from a distance, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. As he crept closer, he could hear their hushed whispers and asionalughter. The sound made his blood boil with hunger. "Perfect," he chuckled to himself as he closed in on them silently. When he was close enough, he dashed forward and pushed the first grave digger into the hole they had dug. The other grave digger inside the whole spun around in shock just in time to see hispanion falling into the pit before hitting him. The three of them tumbled into the open grave together, their shovels and axes ttering uselessly against each other as they struggled in vain against Reign''s superior strength. "Zombie!" one of the gravediggers shouted after seeing Reign''srge mouth . "Thanks for stating the obvious," Reign grinned maniacally as he joked around. As he continued his attack, the gravedigger desperately tried to climb off the grave, wing at the soil, but it was futile. Reign''s powerful jaws firmly held one in ce, making his attempt to escape futile. There was no mercy or anger in Reign''s eyes¡ªjust a monster acting on instinct, its prey struggling helplessly in its grasp. One of them managed to pull himself out of the hole, but Reign was quick, mping his jaws down on the gravedigger''s legs. Unfortunately, the momentum of the jump carried the rest of the body out of the hole, while his legs were left behind. "AHHHHHH!" The gravedigger started squirming in pain. As he checked his right leg, he saw that they were already mangled, with almost 90% of them bitten off. "I-- I need to escape!" He groaned and started crawling away from the hole. He could hear hispanion scream in agony, but he was in no condition to help. He also needed to survive this one-sided massacre . Chapter 9: First Evolution

Chapter 9: First Evolution

[Level Up] The Level Up notification rang when Reign killed the grave digger inside the hole . He did not hurriedly devour the corpse because he still had to take care of the other one . He was aware that the grave digger''s legs were mangled, so making a quick escape was off the table. In fact, he seriously doubted that the poor man could even manage a decent attempt at standing up. Nevertheless, to steer clear of unnecessary incidents, he decided to wrap up everything first. He slowly climbed up from the grave, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him. Eating brains always had a way of making him feel alive, even though he was technically dead. As he looked around, he noticed the wounded grave digger slowly crawling along the ground, leaving a trail of blood behind him. "Don''t move too much or you will bleed to death," Reign spoke in a creepy manner as he took his time walking towards his target. He could see the fear in the man''s eyes, and it only made him more hungry. His mental state was being influenced by his twisted system, triggering various reactions and emotions. The sense of hunger he experienced didn''t stem from mere physical requirements but rather originated from psychological needs. Reign noticed it too, but at this point, he didn''t care much because, for him, being brutal was just normal as a zombie. It would be weirder for him if he were reborn as an angel and felt the urge to feast on humans. Moreover, as he progressed, his mental well-being might also improve along the way. As he caught up to the grave digger and knelt down to look at him, he could hear the man pleading for his life. "Please, spare me! I-I''ve got a family to take care of," the grave digger begged desperately. However, Reign chose to feign ignorance, asmunication was no longer his strong suit as a zombie. With a smirk on his face, he reached out and grabbed hold of the digger''s arm. The man struggled weakly against him but it was no use. Reign tightened his grip until he heard bones snap beneath his fingers. "AHHHHH!" The grave digger howled in agony as Reign slowly tore off his arms. Then he began devouring the arm as if savoring a rare steak, relishing each gruesome bite. "That''s enough out of you," Reign growled as he tossed aside what was left of the arm before sinking his teeth into the digger''s neck. The taste of fresh blood filled his mouth as he fed on the dying man, savoring every drop like it was fine wine. It wasn''t everyday that he got to indulge himself like this, and so when it happened, there were a few things that could bepared. Finally satisfied, Reign pulled away and wiped away any stray droplets with the back of his hand. Looking around again at everything in front of him¡ªbodies scattered here and there¡ªsomething deep within him felt uneasy. Was this really all there was? Killing for pleasure? Feasting on human flesh? He felt conflicted. Aware of his own madness, he questioned whether he would really spend his existence just consuming humans. However, as if in response to his thoughts, another notification reached him from the system. [Level Up] [Congrattion Host for Reaching Level 5] The sound of the level-up was different this time. Reign could sense that this level-up marked a milestone for him. "Status," he hurriedly spoke. =========== Name: Reign Level 5 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Corpse Strength :F+ Agility. :F+ Stamina :F- Endurance : B Intelligence: C+ [Skill] Bite - Level III Undead Eye - Level I [Points] Attribute Points 10 Skill Points : 2 Evolution Points : 1 ============ Reign felt content after seeing the reward added to the points he had been saving. However, his focus was quickly drawn to the new addition to his status. ''Evolution points ?'' he muttered to himself. [System: Evolution points are used to evolve your race. You will receive (1) Evolution point every 5 levels , bypleting a special mission, or absorbing special artifacts.] Reign was excited to hear this. He had assumed that he would be a zombie for a very long time, but it appeared that might not be the case after all. "I want to use my evolution points!" Reign shouted. [DING] Evolution Store ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Tanker Zombie +10 endurance +10 stamina [1 evolution points.] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Dasher Zombie +10 agility +10 stamina [1 Evolution points] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Hunter Zombie + 15 agility +5 strength [1 Evolution points] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Reign examined his options and found himself in a dilemma. Each option had its advantages and disadvantages, so he couldn''t make an immediate decision. He needed to figure out what would be his best choice first. Luckily, he could see his post-transformation look on the screen. It resembled a ck form, like a locked character in a video game, but he could clearly make out the shape of the transformation. The Tanker Zombie was nearly twice asrge as the other evolutions, with bulging and intimidating muscles. However, he thought that this type of body would be too difficult to hide. The Dasher, on the other hand, hadrger leg muscles. It was the same height as the regr zombie, but its legs were significantlyrgerpared to its upper body. The Hunter also had bigger legs, but he could see its menacingly long w. Its form was that of the crawling variant. Reign decided to delve into the details of each zombie type to better understand them: ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Tanker Zombie: This undead creature is exceptionally durable, boasting top-tier regeneration and armor. Race Skill: Hardened Skin (I) - Reduces damage taken by 10%, with an additional 1% reduction with each skill upgrade, capping at 50%. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Dasher Zombie: This undead creature is tailored for explosive speed, one-direction sprints, possessing the fastest eleration among its counterparts. Race Skill: Crazy Dash (I) - Boosts speed by 20% when running in a single direction, with a 2% increase per skill upgrade, capping at 100%.¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Hunter Zombie: Fast and stealthy, these zombies are adept at moving quietly, sprinting with minimal sound, and navigating various terrains with agility, including running, climbing, and jumping. Race Skill: Night Crawl (I) - Conceals your presence in the darkness of the night, with quieter footstep sounds as the skill level increases. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- "Oh, these evolutions are fantastic!" Reign was very satisfied with these options. While all the choices were appealing, he eventually decided on the Hunter Zombie. Its survival potential far exceeded the other ranks at this stage. ''I''ve killed six people in total , so someone would be looking for them already. I need to gain more skills to increase my chance of surviving ,''he muttered to himself . Chapter 10: New Guy in Town

Chapter 10: New Guy in Town

CLICK! "ARRRRRGH!!!" Reign cried out in pain as the transformation gripped his body. He felt a searing pain radiating from his insides. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before¡ªas though thousands of needles were piercing him all at once. He heard a sizzling sound emanating from deep within him, making him wonder if he was being cooked alive. Moreover, hot air, in the form of mist, started escaping through the pores of his body. Though hecked a sense of smell, if a human were present, they would catch a whiff of the pungent and spoiled odor of a frying corpse. But then something strange began to happen. His decaying body started to recover, with fibers forming and filling up the cavities until they formed ck muscles that bulged beneath his skin. His legs got longer and stronger, and his hands turned into sharp ws that gleamed eerily in the moonlight. Finally, his whole body underwent aplete metamorphosis, evolving into a sleek, crawling variant reminiscent of a deadly hunting creature. He could still stand straight if he wanted to, just that he would be able to run faster using all his limbs. His muscles and sinews joined together, shaping a streamlined body that gave off a menacing vibe. Now, he resembled a feral beast, his face still retaining a human semnce, but his jaw had undergone a refined and protruding transformation. His hair had grown longer, and his skin had turned ck due to the effects of ck putrefaction. He attempted to stretch out his arms and legs, sensing his muscles extending. A surge of power filled him, making him believe he could sprint at a high speed with these elongated legs. "I need to test this," he said aloud to himself, grinning wickedly as he scanned the graveyard . At first, he felt awkward because he wasn''t used to walking on four legs. He stumbled a few times before eventually finding his footing and starting slowly and steadily. He moved his right hands first, then the left, then the right legs, then the left legs, until finally, after a couple of tries, he began adapting to his new body . His movements became faster and more precise, and moving became second nature. Without knowing it, he found himself leaping from one grave to another like some kind of tiger, ready to pounce if there was prey nearby. "I''m fast!" He let out an exhrated snarl as he tested out his new legs by running across the graveyard with ease. He couldn''t help but let out a chuckle of excitement as he leaped across the tombs. His new body enabled him to move effortlessly and silently; his legs were perfect for muffling the sound of his steps. And yet, there was still something missing. He wasn''t sure what it was exactly¡ªmaybe it waspanionship or something else to do? But those were just silly human emotions that didn''t belong in his world. Still, the feeling persisted and left him feeling wistful. Shaking off his thoughts, he continued to explore his new body''s capabilities. He ran faster than ever before and jumped higher than he ever thought possible. It was exhrating. *** A day passed by just like that. Underneath the moonlight, he sat atop the roof of his tomb, preparing for the worst. He had anticipated the police arriving to investigate the disappearance of six people, but none of them showed up. Maybe the families of those people didn''t want to report this to the police, considering grave digging was illegal. Or, perhaps, it wasn''t umon for the people he killed to be away from home for extended periods. Nevertheless, it gave him some time to prepare. At this point, he pondered whether it was time for him to leave the cemetery. He wanted to get stronger and evolve faster. Maybe he''d look more like a human. He didn''t dislike his current form; he just felt it would be easier if he turned into something like a vampire. Then, he wouldn''t have to hide all the time. "Forget it. I''ll just take a quick look ande back here," He finally gave in to his curiosity. Even though he might have turned into a monster, he was human before, and he wanted to see the world outside of this ce. It did not take him long to get out of the cemetery with his speed. As he looked into the horizon, he realized that this ce was actually situated in the mountains, and the city was a distance away. Seeing the light, he felt tempted to check out the city and observe the differences in this worldpared to his old one. However, he remained calm-minded and simply started following the road down the mountain. Making sure he stayed hidden in the bushes, he was careful not to be seen. He didn''t want people talking about him like he was some kind of mythical creature and getting unwanted attention. After walking for 3 miles, he could see a small town just below. The town was nestled among trees, with houses made of wood. It was only 10:00 p.m., but all the houses were already closed for business. The streets were empty except for a few stray dogs roaming aimlessly. They kept barking at him, but just one growl was enough to make them scatter. Their instincts must have kicked in, deeming him dangerous. As he crawled through the small town, he noticed that there seemed to be some nightlife activity in this ce. A faint sound of music drifted through one of the windows nearby. He approached a small bar on one corner of an intersection and peeked inside through its dusty windowpanes. Inside were a few patrons sitting at tables, drinking beer, and chatting loudly. He felt tempted to attack the whole ce for the sake of leveling up, but it seemed too dangerous. The area was filled with people, some even carrying weapons. He chose to wait outside and observe before making any moves. Suddenly, his attention was drawn towards an alleyway where two men were arguing heatedly over something. One man pulled out a knife and stabbed the other. The wounded man fell to his knees, gasping for air as blood gushed from his wound. Reign witnessed the brutality of the attacker, who aimed to finish off the wounded man. SWOOOOSH! So he sprinted towards the alley to intervene, grabbing the attacker''s hands. However, he forgot about his wed hand, so the attacker''s arm was identally punctured. "AHHHH!" The attacker wailed in pain. "Shut up!" Reign panicked as he attempted to cover the man''s mouth, but, to his shock, the same thing happened¡ªhis wed hand pierced the man''s neck instead. ''I need to learn how to use my ws,'' he sighed. Chapter 11: Scouting

Chapter 11: Scouting

"Thanks for saving me," the stab victim mumbled, blood dribbling from his abdomen as hey face down on the ground. He didn''t see how Reign identally killed his attacker. In his mind, he imagined a good person had rescued him, and now he felt safe. All he needed was to ask for help to get to the nearest clinic for his wounds to be treated. Then, he could have the attacker''s wife all to himself. Actually, he had been seeing the attacker''s wife secretly. That''s why the husband came after him. "Please..." he began, only to be rudely interrupted by a whooshing sound SLASH! With a gory stter, his sentence was permanently stopped by the severing of his neck. Clearly, his savior wasn''t here for a casual chat over tea and biscuits. Reign, the supposed hero, stood over the scene, twirling his bloodied w with a nonchnt air. He scratched his head, pondering the absurdity of the situation. ''Well, that escted quickly,'' he muttered to himself, as if surprised why that man thank him? ''Save him? '' he questioned. Why would a monster like him bother to rescue a human? What merit would there be in that? The only reason he hurried was because he feared missing out on the EXP if he didn''t kill him directly. That would be a waste of resources. He licked the blood from his w and nced around, contemting his next move. Perhaps he''d go grab a burger in the bar. After all, even monsters need some good food. "I need to get rid of the body first," Reign muttered to himself after realizing that he was a monster. He then slipped into feast mode, where he lost control and devoured everything in sight. Unfortunately, blood wasn''t something he could just wipe away from the ground. However, noticing the absence of stars in the sky, he figured there was a high chance of rain tonight. Within minutes, only the clothes were left of the corpses. He believed leaving them there would spark panic, so he chose to carry them instead. After his feast, he leaped from one wall to another, reaching the top of the bar. Aware that killing too many people might lead to unwanted attention, he decided to y it safe for now. Instead, he focused on mapping the entire town in his mind. This way, he could n his hunts more effectively next time. He crouched on the rooftop, his keen eyes scanning the ce sprawled out below him. With a silent leap, he jumped from one roof to another, effortlessly traversing the small town. As he moved, he noted the quaint Western-style structures that dotted thendscape, their aged charm standing out against the backdrop of the modern world. Peering into the distance, he spotted the lone police station, its presence highlighted by the simplicity of the surrounding buildings. A small congregation of officers lingered outside, perhaps unaware of the danger that lurked above. Nearby, the hospital loomed, its size showing its true nature as more of a clinic. Further along, the church rose majestically, a beacon of faith in the midst of the sleepy town. Reign observed it with a mixture of curiosity and indifference, its significance lost on a monster like him. He paused, his thoughts briefly consumed by a nagging uncertainty. Would he burst into mes after crossing the threshold of the sacred church? He had seen enough movies to know that demonic entities were unwee in the house of God. With a wry smirk, he entertained the idea for a moment. After all, what harm could a little experimentation do? But then again, he wasn''t one to tempt fate unnecessarily. Shaking off the notion, he refocused his attention on the task at hand. There were hunts to n, and he had no intention of letting superstition stand in his way. Hiding back into the shadows, the question lingered, unanswered but ultimately dismissed. After all, in his world, he was the one who bent the rules. As he continued his reconnaissance, he counted the rows of houses, noting their small numbers. The streets below were quiet, the asional passerby oblivious to the predator silently watching from above. Among the scattered residences,mercial buildings stood around thendscape. The close-knit buildings stood silently, their doors shut tight, as if in slumber. Even though it was quiet, the smell of freshly baked goods filled the air from the bakery. The clothing store and flower shop were closed, but their colorful disys added brightness to the calm surroundings. The marketce was empty, with its lively stalls closed for the day, giving a peaceful view into the lives of the town''s people. But amidst this simplicity, Reign found a distinctck of modern amenities. There was no grand mall or sprawling department store, only the humble offerings of a town content in its own modesty. He pondered why this cecked modern buildings, especially considering the advanced cellphone he saw with one of the grave diggers. Then it dawned on him¡ªperhaps this ce intentionally embraced a rustic theme. It wasn''t umon, even in his previous world, especially in the West, where some people cherished the simplicity of country life. With his mappingplete, he prepared to go back to his tomb. He had seen enough to n his hunts effectively, his predatory instincts were sharpened by the knowledge of his surroundings. As he leaped effortlessly into the night, the town below remained oblivious to the danger that lurked in their midst. Without the townsfolk realizing it, their lives were in danger, controlled by one monster who transmigrated from another world. Chapter 12: News

Chapter 12: News

"Hey, have you heard the news?" asked the man in the leather jacket, his ss of beer in hand as he leaned against the counter. It had been two days since a report surfaced about some missing people in theirmunity. In this small town, news spread like wildfire, swiftly transforming into rumors of a serial killer on the loose. While there were some suspects,cking concrete evidence hindered any decisive action. The bartender, wiping down the counter, nced up. "What news?" The man leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "There''s talk about another disappearance. Some people think it''s connected to thest one." The bartender''s eyes widened slightly. "Another one? That''s unsettling." "Yeah," the man replied, taking a sip of his beer. "People are starting to get nervous. Keep an eye out, you know?" The bartender nodded solemnly, returning to his task as the patrons continued their conversations, the air heavy with unease. This rumor wasn''t confined to the bar alone; it echoed throughout the town, seeping into every corner and crevice. In fact, the recent events had prompted authorities to impose a curfew, prohibiting anyone from wandering the streets after 9:00 pm. This new restriction casts a pall over the nightlife, including the bar ie stream. The usual jovial atmosphere was reced by an air of urgency as patrons hurried to finish their drinks before the curfew. As the clock ticked closer to 8:30 pm., the bartender reluctantly began informing customers of the approaching deadline. "Folks, I hate to break it to you, but we''ve got to close up early tonight. Curfew''s in effect, and we need to get everyone home safely." Grumbles of disappointment rippled through the crowd as sses were hastily drained and jackets grabbed from hooks. With a collective sigh, the patrons bid farewell to one another, their faces etched with concern as they ventured out into the night. And so, as thest of the customers dispersed into the night, the bar fell silent, its doors closing behind them . After 9:00 p.m. Outside, the streets were empty of the usual residents, devoid of the usualughter and chatter. The distant sound of a police siren served as a grim reminder of the danger lurking in the darkness. "They''re being too careful," Reign sighed to himself. He had already leveled up to 8 and was now here to hunt again. His usual targets were drunkards, but s, the number of his victims had increased so much that the police were now patrolling the area. It was fortunate that they hadn''t searched the cemetery first because it was quite a distance away, so no sane man would go there at night in the first ce. As for the gravedigger? Well, they were not from this town, so they were not considered in the investigation of the missing people. However, the curfew and patrols posed a problem for him. He could only level up by feasting on humans, so finding a cleaner way to boost his power was out of the question. "Should I go for an all-out massacre and then flee from this ce?" he thought to himself. If he could consume dozens of people, then he could level up to 10 and gain another evolution point. With luck, he might even evolve closer to a humanoid form. But for him to do that, attacking one house after another would be too risky. After observing the residents, he realized that most of them owned guns. Despite being a monster, he would still sustain heavy injuries if he faced a barrage of bullets. Even a shotgun st to the face could prove fatal. ''I need to find an easier target tonight,'' he thought to himself. As he roamed the dark streets, his senses heightened, scanning for any signs of vulnerability. Then, a glimmer of hope flickered in his mind¡ªa secluded cabin on the outskirts of town, far from prying eyes and armed residents. It was a long shot, but perhaps there, he could find the prey he sought without attracting unwanted attention. Normally, it would take the police a considerable amount of time to investigate isted cabins like those. So, this made it the perfect target for him. With a new objective in mind, he set off towards the cabin, his undead instincts driving him forward. Finally, he reached the cabin, hidden amidst the dense forest. He approached, his hunger gnawing at him with every passing moment. As he entered the cabin, his senses tingled with anticipation. Inside, he found a lone upant¡ªa weary traveler seeking refuge from the dangers of the night. Without hesitation, he pounced, his feral instincts taking over as he sank his teeth into his unsuspecting victim. The taste of blood flooded his senses, exhrating and satisfying in equal measure. With each bite, he felt his strength grow, his powers surging to new heights. As thest traces of life drained from his prey, he felt a surge of power wash over him. [Level UP] The sound of a notification made him grin, and he hurriedly checked his new stats. =========== Name: Reign Level 9 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Hunter Strength :E Agility. :E+ Stamina :F- Endurance : B Intelligence: C+ [Skill] Bite - Level III Undead Eye - Level I Night Crawl I [Points] Attribute Points 30 Skill Points : 6 Evolution Points : 0 ============ "I''ve saved up enough points now. Should I allocate them?" he mused to himself. He had been holding onto his reward because he wanted to assess his options after the next evolution. That''s why he hadn''t used it yet. In addition, he always caught his prey by surprise, so he never really felt the need to increase his stats yet. ''My endurance stopped increasing after it reached B,'' he muttered to himself. He had a feeling that advancing from B to A would require more effort. Following this logic, it also meant that he would need to allocate more skill points. ''Let''s increase stamina for now. I feel like I''ll need it once I start having to fight more people at once.'' Stamina: [F-] ¡ú [F+] After increasing his stamina, he didn''t feel any immediate change. Nevertheless, he knew that it woulde in handy in the future. As for the skill points, he decided to save them. His bite was now enough to kill a person in one go, and his ws were sharp enough that a normal swing was already deadly. He would keep the skill points until he found a better skill to spend them on. Chapter 13: Search

Chapter 13: Search

Another day went by, and more people went missing. Families of the grave robbers stepped up to report their loved ones who had disappeared. Most of the missing individuals were not from this town, and ording to their families, these six were the first to vanish if they counted the time they left their home. Word quickly spread across the small town, prompting everyone to join search parties. The mayor, visibly worried, reviewed the growing number of reports, a cigar clenched between his teeth. It was the first time such an incident had urred in the town. This ce had always been very safe, and everyone got along well. So, such cases made everyone feel restless. In fact, this ce was notcking in modern technology because it was poor; the people here simply preferred the simple country life, so they maintained a more rustic theme. But this time, they felt genuinely afraid, with 14 people missing. Some of them were even considering leaving until this case was solved. Such a reaction was understandable, given the number of victims. "Has the city police been notified about this?" The mayor turned to his assistant and inquired. They have their own police force here, but most of them are just volunteers, so they needed assistance from real experts. "Yes, they mentioned that our vige is quite remote and will be here in the afternoon," the town sheriff confirmed. The mayor nodded and turned around again to look at the records. Having lived here for many years, he was familiar with the ins and outs of the town. "Marko, go to every house and check everyone''s residence," the mayor ordered. Normally, this would require a warrant, but he was growing impatient. Luckily, the townsfolk were very cooperative. "Remember to check them thoroughly," the mayor reminded. The police officers diligently inspected the houses with the owners'' consent, yet they found nothing. They also organized search parties tob through the woods, but their efforts yielded no results. Eventually, they regrouped at the za to discuss their next steps, now that the city police had arrived. "So, still no clue?" the city police officer inquired. They hade to assist with the situation, but at this rate, they might need to search again. "What about that cemetery at the top of the mountain?" they suggested. "We sent someone there to check this morning, but they didn''t see anything," the mayor replied. The City Police officer nodded. "It''s alright, let''s check it again. We have police dogs now," he replied. "Okay," the mayor nodded. With that, five police cars headed towards the mountain to check the cemetery. It didn''t take long for them to reach the cemetery. This ce was actually famous because of the scenic view it offered. That''s why some wealthy families decided to build tombs here. *** The sounds of multiple car tracks caught Reign''s attention. It was still early, so he was chilling at his tomb. He could tell they were here for him. And he had anticipated it already, especially since some people had visited the cemetery just a few hours ago. "Oh, they finally came?" Reign smiled as he stood up from his coffin. He stretched his arms and adjusted his posture. He now felt more confident, sensing that he had grown stronger. He would have been afraid if it were morning, but with the sun setting, he felt more capable of defending himself. With the sun no longer an issue, he leaped from his tomb and climbed a tree. "Let''s see who our new visitor is," Reign smiled. He had already noticed that more than a dozen people had entered the cemetery. The majority of them were wearing blue police uniforms, while others were dressed in green trench coats . He was around 500 meters away from them, but he could still clearly see them because of his undead eye, which also improved his vision. He wanted to eat them now, but it was 5:00 pm so his stats were lower than normal. His weakest point was at 12:00 noon, where his stat penalty was at 80%. "Lieutenant, we did not see any trace of the missing people. " "Nothing ?" A man wearing a ck leather jacket scratched his head while looking at the reports. He was around 50 years old, but his body was still in good shape and couldn''t be underestimated. "It''s getting dark, sir; what''s your decision?" One of the policemen spoke. "Let''s continue the operation until 8:00 pm" "Roger Sir!" Under the Lieutenant orders, the policemen continued searching for missing people in the cemetery until 8:00 pm. [Clock :6:15 pm] "Rawr, Rawr, Rawr," a group of three cops were startled when their police dogs began barking at a big ck tomb. The policemen quickly shushed their dogs and decided to investigate it. "The dogs are feeling anxious. There must be something inside." One of them spoke up. "I agree. Let''s report it to the Lieutenant." "Don''t be a pussy. Let''s check the tomb ourselves and get the credits." A fat policeman spoke with an arrogant expression . The three of them looked at each other and agreed to check the tomb first. They pull out their guns and walk slowly. Carefully, they opened the tomb''s door; the inside waspletely dark, and they could hardly make out the objects in it, so they used a shlight. "There''s nothing here." One of the police spoke after scanning the ce. "Rawr, Rawr, Rawr,"The dogs keep barking, but this time they were looking at the ceiling. One of them noticed it, so he nced at the ceiling, and he saw a strange face smiling at him. Shocked by the creepy face, he took a step back and drew his gun with his trembling hands. "Mons..." Authors Note: Please leave a review, it will help me a lot. Chapter 14: Dark Encounter

Chapter 14: Dark Encounter

In the blink of an eye, he caught sight of the creature as it swiftly jumped down from the ceiling, its body twisting in mid-air before it pounced on them with ferocity. With a quick swipe of its w, the creature effortlessly tore into one of the police officer''s neck, causing his body to copse to the ground. "Shit, what the heck is that thing?" The two remaining police officers witnessed the gruesome scene unfold before them and instinctively raised their guns. However, the creature moved too quickly, and their proximity was too close. They couldn''t react in time, still reeling from the shock of watching theirrade meet such a sudden and gruesome death. SWOOOOSH! The sound of the creature''s movements echoed. Next moment. "Agggghhhhh" Their screams of pain pierced the air as the monster began the attack, its ws shing at them with lightning speed. Caught off guard, they couldn''t even muster a response as they instinctively tried to shield themselves with their arms¡ªa dumb move, given the monster''s razor-sharp ws. As expected, the monster''s w tore through their arms, but since they had bones, it didn''tpletely sever them. Nheless, the damage was too much, rendering any difference negligible. All they could manage was a chorus of pained cry and iling limbs as they were tossed around like hapless ragdolls in a particrly scary game of run from the monster. "Free food! Hehehe," Reign eximed in a chillingly casual tone, his demeanor reminiscent of a horror movie viin who just stumbled upon an all-you-can-eat buffet. With a twisted grin, he licked his w, savoring the taste of their blood as if it were some exquisite delicacy. Truly, he seemed more like a creature straight out of a horror tale than anything else. "Monster..." One of them managed to gasp weakly, blood spurting from his hands and chest. "Where? Where is the monster?" Reign''s head whipped around frantically as he searched for the source of terror, only to realize with a chuckle, "Oh, it''s me!" He pointed to himself, his w gleaming in the dim light. "Agghhhhh, my hand!... It hurts!!!" Another one screamed, his cry echoing through the darkness as he realized the consequence of his foolish attempt to use his hand as a shield. "Well, your hand''s gone, so I guess that''s a pretty standard reaction, huh?" he remarked, his tone yful and his confidence evident. After realizing his advantagepared to ordinary humans, he became moreid-back. Even in the face of firearms, he realized that he could fight back. In this dark ce, he stood as the apex predator. With each kill, he anticipated ascending to a higher level and evolving even further. "Don''t worry... I''ll savor every part of your body," Reign grinned maniacally, wasting no time as he began devouring the first corpse . The two soon-to-be dead policemen watched helplessly as he devoured the corpse of theirrade like a frenzied beast, unable to intervene due to their fatal wounds. As for the dogs, they wasted no time in fleeing at the sight of their owner being consumed like a rare steak. After the first target, Reign started devouring the other two, and his feasting became much faster. In no time, he finished them off, leaving behind only the evidence of his gruesome feast. [Level Up] [Congrattions for Reaching Level 10] [Evolution Points Awarded] ============ Name: Reign Level 10 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Hunter Strength :E Agility. :E+ Stamina :F+ Endurance : B Intelligence: C+ [Skill] Bite - Level III Undead Eye - Level I Night Crawl I [Points] Attribute Points 30 Skill Points : 7 Evolution Points : 1 ============ Reign, aware of his Evolution Points, checked the avable evolutions he could choose from. [DING] Evolution Store ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª *Shadow Hunter [+10 Agility] *Paralyzer Hunter [+5 Agility] *de Hunter [+ 15 Agility] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [More Information] Shadow Hunter : Undead creature with the best stealth abilities among the hunter type. It could move quickly and silently, especially at night. This made it ideal for an assassin-like role. Race skills : Shadow Veil (I). This skill allowed the creature to darken its form entirely, creating an optical illusion that it had transformed into a shadow. [] Paralyzer Hunter: This undead creature is extremely dangerous, possessing lethal abilities. Its ws secrete a potent chemical capable of paralyzing its victims. Race Skill: Paralyzed (I) - Enables the host to paralyze victims with its ws. [] de Hunter: Swift and formidable. It boasts superior attack and speedpared to other hunter types. It can extend its ws for added reach, making it the optimal choice for DPS among the three. Race Skill: wer (I) - Grants the ability to adjust the length of ws and enhances their durability. [] ''The Shadow Veil skill is great for hiding, but it bes pretty useless during the daytime or in brightly lit areas. Plus, it''s too simr to my Night Crawl ability, and considering I''m already pretty dark-skinned, I think I will pass on this one'' He muttered to himself. It seems like the Shadow Hunter path was out of the question. ''Paralyzer is decent,'' he muttered to himself, ''But honestly, I don''t need to immobilize my opponent. I''ll just cut their legs off; it''ll have the same effect.'' He had no better choice, so he figured his best option at the moment was to choose the de Hunter Race. It offered the highest stat boost, and the wer skill was very useful. It had the ability to catch enemies off guard and inflict significant damage. CLICK! [Evolving to de Hunter Race ] Chapter 15: Open Hunt

Chapter 15: Open Hunt

After undergoing the transformation into a de Hunter, Reign''s physical form underwent a metamorphosis. His once robust physique underwent a noticeable slimming, carving out a sleeker profile that exuded both agility and strength. The previously ordinary ws adorning his fingers elongated and hardened, morphing into formidable weapons capable of effortlessly cleaving through stone. At the same time, his thighs broadened, imbuing him with enhanced stability and power, facilitating swift and forceful movements. Besides these significant physical changes, his hairstyle went through a noticeable transformation. Cut shorter than before, his hair gained a sturdy texture, like steel wire. Each strand seemed stronger, resisting even the lightest breeze. His facial features had also altered, with his skin now exhibiting patches of gray, suggesting a drawback of his improved race. While he had gained strength, this change made him slightly more conspicuous. "It''s time to hunt ," A wicked grin appeared on Reigns lips. He was now addicted to the feeling of getting stronger. **** Bang! Bang! Bang! Multiple gunshots reverberated and echoed throughout the cemetery, and the surrounding area was filled with chaos and fear . "Code 3 , Code 3, Code 3. We are being attacked by a monster!" The policeman hurriedly spoke on the radio. He was on the sidelines while the other cops were on the field, gunning down the monster that just attacked them. "Damn it, he''s too fast " "We can''t kill this thing. We need to run " "Are you an idiot ? We''re going to get killed one by one if we do that." Fear coursed through their veins as the realization of their impending death became more and more clear . "Fuck it!" One of the police officers could not take it anymore and started running in the opposite direction. This sudden actionpelled the others to follow suit in order not to be left behind. "Chance!" Reign saw this and dashed forward to bite off the head of the nearest officer . CRACK! The police head was crushed like a cookie and died instantly. Reign''s brutality stunned the other officers, who stared in shock and disbelief as their colleague''s lifeless body slumped to the ground . "More ... I need more to level up. I need more meat. I need more brains. " Heughed maniacally. With every bite, he could feel his body growing faster and stronger . He was like an eating machine with an endless hunger for human meat. He fixed his gaze on the remaining cops, who ran with their tails between their legs. With every step, he felt his blood boiling, as if something beyond himself was controlling his movements . He started running again, and with an explosive first step, he ran into another cop in a matter of seconds. He moved by instinct and with the speed of a hunter. He was an unstoppable force of nature that would eat everything in his wake. "No!!!" One of the policemen felt a tingling sensation on his neck . It was followed by a sudden change in his vision. "Eh?"The policeman gasped in horror, unable toprehend the gruesome scene unfolding before him. He saw his own headless body as he fell. Reign didn''t even give him a second look and continued hunting down the others. "Got you!" Another police officer fell victim to his massacre. With incredible strength, Reign ripped the man''s neck from his body. "Agggggghhhh." The policeman managed onest cry before his brain registered that he was already dead. "Another Brain" Reign opened up his mouth and swallowed the whole head like an apple . Then he continued his manughter without any remorse or sympathy for the innocent. *** Outside the cemetery. "Sir, we got reports that a wild animal was attacking us," A timid policeman reported the current situation . The lieutenant''s face turned grim at the report. "Where is the special force? It''s been 20 minutes since we called them," he muttered through gritted teeth, his anger mounting. They were taking too long to send a response unit. His frustration grew as he checked his watch repeatedly. "Sir, that''s the bad news. We just received a call that the special force would bete." "This..." The lieutenant was taken aback. "I need to call them then. " He sighed with a heavy heart and pulled out his personal phone. He dialed the number he knew by heart, his heart thumping heavily in his chest. Chapter 16: Old Mate

Chapter 16: Old Mate

A few fleeting seconds passed before someone finally picked up the call. "Hello, John! It''s been ages!" A seasoned voice, bearing the wisdom of sixty years, greeted from the other end of the line. John the lieutenant, hesitated before speaking. "I know you''ve retired, but I''m in a bind," he confessed with a heavy sigh. "What''s the matter?" Dominic''s tone shifted to one of concern. "I need your expertise. We''re dealing with something... supernatural," John revealed, telling his old friend about his current situation. Understanding the urgency, Dominic''s voice turned stern. "Order your men to fall back, John. This is beyond the capabilities of ordinary humans," he advised, a tinge of frustration evident in his words. With a solemn nod, John acknowledged the severity of the situation. He and Dominic shared a history from a mission a decade ago. In fact, Dominic once saved him from the clutches of death during a harrowing encounter with a serial killer. Little did he know at the time, the perpetrator was not merely human but a supernatural being with a voracious appetite for human flesh. In his weakest moment, Dominic''s quick action prevented John from meeting his death, ultimately ying the dark creature and ensuring his survival. He had entertained the idea of sharing his extraordinary encounter with others, but Dominic cautioned him against it, warning that he would likely be dismissed as delusional. The government, in its efforts to maintain order and stability, was serious in concealing such unsettling truths from the public eye. The revtion of monsters among them was deemed too dangerous, a potential catalyst for widespread panic and societal upheaval. "Alright ," Trusting in his judgment, John epted the grim reality that this threat surpassed conventional solutions. As John gazed up at the night sky, memories of his first encounter with the supernatural flooded his mind. ''They should''ve revealed the truth long ago,'' John muttered, puffing on his cigarette before reaching for his radio. ''Why keep the truth hidden? '' he added. "Fall back! Evacuate the cemetery, now!" John''s urgent message echoed through the radio waves, a clear directive in the face of danger. Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the bustling city, Dominic found a moment of rest, a chance to steady his racing thoughts and quell the emotions churning within him. The weight of the impending mission pressed down on his shoulders. Demons, those elusive and cunning creatures, possessed a keen sense of timing, emerging from the shadows only when they were confident in their power. The brazen act of this particr demon, openly disying its lethal intent, served as a chilling testament to its confidence. d in his crimson kimono, he steeled himself, his hand resting firmly on the hilt of his sword. Each breath served as a stark reminder of the daunting task thaty ahead. "It''s been too long since myst demon encounter," he reflected, his gaze fixated on the gleaming de of his katana. Memories of near-death battles resurfaced. He could have reported this to the Demon Hunter association, but he knew they were currently stretched thin in manpower. With a high-level Demon currently being hunted, everyone was upied with their duties, leaving little room for additional tasks. At the same time, hearing John''s narrative , he could tell that demon right now was just a lower rank. Demons are typically ssified into various categories: Unranked Demons, Lower Demons, Middle Demons, High Demons, Upper Demons, Demon Lords, Demon Kings, and the legendary Demon Gods. Each tier represents a different level of power and hierarchy within the demonic realm. Unranked demons upy the lowest tier, having recently emerged into existence andcking power. These fledgling demons must be quickly eradicated before they have the opportunity to mature and strengthen their abilities further. "I hate being a demon yer," he sighed, the weight of his duty heavy upon him. He was already retired, but the call to protect humanity was stronger. He knew he couldn''t turn a blind eye to the demon''s threat. Chapter 17: Big News

Chapter 17: Big News

[Level Up] The system notification woke him out of his frenzy. As he regained control, all that met his eyes were the remnants of his victims. Theyy mangled beyond recognition, even by their loved ones. It was a gruesome and disturbing sight, yet to him, it was just another day. He didn''t see his actions as wrong; after all, he was a monster . To him, humans were mere sustenance, and any sense of pity towards them indicated a w in his mind. For a being like him, showing concern for human life was akin to a mental disorder . "I need to escape," he muttered, his senses tingling with urgency. Realizing he had no time to spare, he fled from the cemetery, this time veering away from the town and into the depths of the forest. Knowing that dogs could follow his smell, and with a path of dead police officers behind him, he understood it wouldn''t be long before others would be chasing him. He had managed to deal with those policemen easily because they were unprepared and armed only with pistols. However, he knew that facing a special forces team, equipped with heavy machinery and thorough preparation, would be a different story. If they were to pursue him, catching him would be easy for them. SWOOOOOSH! SWOOOOOSH! His four legs ran through the forest, the cold air of the night brushing on his face . He needed to create a distance before morning. Good thing that he increased his stamina so he wouldn''t get tired that fast. Unlike living beings, Reign''s stamina operated differently. When it depleted, he didn''t experience tiredness; instead, he would instantly feel the need to sleep. He made this discovery when he pushed himself to run to his limit a few days ago. As he fled deeper into the forest, his feet pounded with each leap from one tree to another, his movements quick and agile. Branches blurred past him as he navigated the dense foliage, his senses heightened to the slightest rustle in the undergrowth. Finally, he stumbled on a serene river snaking through the heart of the forest. ''I feel sleepy already,'' he muttered, stifling a yawn as the weariness of his escape took its toll. Despite the urgency of his situation, he forced himself to scan his surroundings. To his relief, he spotted a cave nestled amidst the rugged terrain. Dragging himself into the darkness of the cave, he copsed onto the cold, rocky floor, surrendering to the embrace of sleep as the world faded into oblivion around him. *** Back to town. Themunity received news about a wild animal, possibly a grizzly bear, that was killing people. So, they were all instructed to stay at home. While some of them who were not superstitious believed the story, others suspected that it might not be just a grizzly bear, but rather a supernatural creature instead. "Could it be a werewolf?" A man voiced his concern as he peered out the window, clutching a shotgun. He felt the need to safeguard his family if there was something lurking in the darkness and harming people. "Do you believe in that nonsense?" His wife responded, reclining on the bed while scrolling through her phone. It seemed more usible to her that it was simply a wild animal behaving erratically, possibly due to rabies. While instances of bears having rabies were exceedingly rare, it was not impossible, given that all mammals could contract the disease. The husband stopped arguing and stayed watchful. "Mama," a small voice echoed from just behind their door. Hearing their daughter''s voice, the mother walked slowly towards the door, opened it, and saw a girl around the age of 12 holding her doll. "Did the noise wake you up, sweetie?" The woman patted her daughter and gave her a hug before lifting her up. "Mama, are monsters real?" the kid asked. "Of course not, sweetie. Your father is just superstitious, that''s all," the woman replied, reassuring her daughter. "But Daddy is right," the kid replied. The mother wanted to reassure her again, but before she could do anything, she felt a cold sensation on her neck. Then there was a thud, and her head fell down. The father witnessed everything and pointed his gun towards his daughter, who was now floating in mid-air, using his wife''s blood as a stool. "Daddy, are you going to kill Anna?" the girl said with a sad expression. "I..." He hesitated, the girl in front of him was his daughter after all. "I won''t." He dropped his gun and knelt on the ground. He had known all along the true identity of his daughter, but he had hidden it because of his love for her. "Daddy, let''s go to the forest and save my own kind," she said as she walked towards him and patted his head. Chapter 18: Family of Two

Chapter 18: Family of Two

The forest enveloped them in a cloak of darkness as they made their way through it. A middle-aged man walked cautiously while holding a shotgun. His daughter perched atop his shoulders, her small hands gripping his hair for stability. However, the middle-aged man knew well that his daughter possessed the capability to walk on her own. Her choice to ride on his shoulders was merely a yful gesture, a game she often yed. Anna, with her blonde hair flowing and her blue eyes dancing with mischief, was adorned in a ck Lolita dress, adding to her youthful appearance. Long ck socks concealed her small legs,pleting her attire. Twenty years had passed since her birth, but she remained perpetually frozen in the likeness of a twelve-year-old girl. The woman Anna killed before wasn''t her real mother at all; she was merely a stepmother. Her motives for the murder stemmed from her own instinct to kill. Anna''s real mother remained a mystery in his father''s past. He had met her during his college years, captivated by her beauty that seemed almost too perfect to be real. Drawn to her sweetness and kindness, he fell deeply in love. However, their romance ended when she disappeared from him after conceiving Anna. Initially, he doubted Anna''s parentage, but a DNA test confirmed she was 99.99% his blood rtive. From then on, he vowed to protect her, even though she harbored a demonic side. He discovered Anna''s exceptional intelligence early on, initially attributing it to her being a prodigy. However, everything changed when he witnessed the cold-blooded murder of his first legal wife. Though he should have reported her to the authorities immediately, his irrational love for his daughter clouded his judgment, leading him to make illogical decisions. In the end, he chose to conceal the truth, constantly moving from one ce to another until they finally arrived in this town. He had hoped that Anna had changed her ways after years of abstaining from killing, but her recent aggression resurfaced with the appearance of another monster. He sensed that his daughter longed to encounter someone simr to herself, someone who understood her. "Anna, did you see the guy we''re looking for?" he asked, attempting to start a conversation. "Yes, Daddy. Anna saw him scouting our town ," she replied in her sweet, childlike voice. It was astonishing to witness how she, the cold-blooded killer who had taken her own stepmother''s life just hours earlier, now spoke with such innocence and calmness. "Is he dangerous?" he asked, knowing Anna wouldn''t harm him, but uncertain about the other monster lurking out there. "He''s still weak," Anna replied. "But I sense his potential is much bigger than Anna," she added. "What will we do if he attacks us?" he asked. "Don''t worry, he can''t beat Anna yet," she replied confidently. As they continued their conversation, a rustle in the nearby bushes caught their attention. Suddenly, a massive wild boar emerged from the bushes, its tusks gleaming menacingly. Without hesitation, Anna spoke up. "Don''t worry, Daddy," she whispered. As the wild boar charged towards them, Anna extended her hand, her fingers curling into a fist. With a surge of power, she summoned forth the blood within her, manipting it with precise control. The blood, tainted with the essence of her stepmother, responded to hermand, forming sharp, crimson tendrils thatshed out at the wild beast. The crimson tendrils pierced the boar''s skull with precision, instantly ending its life. There was no wasted movement; the fight was one-sided, with Anna killing the bore effortlessly. Looking down to her father, Anna shed him a triumphant smile. "See, Daddy? I''m really strong," she said, her voice filled with pride. His father forced a smile, though he was inwardly troubled by the realization that his daughter had grown even stronger after taking another life. For some inexplicable reason, she only targeted women with whom she had been intimate. The pattern unsettled him , raising questions about the nature of her powers. "Daddy, he went that way," she said confidently. "Are you sure?" he asked, confusion evident in his voice as the vast, dark forest loomed around them. "Anna is sure. I can smell blood from there," she replied with a wide grin. Chapter 19: Severed

Chapter 19: Severed

As they headed deeper into the woods, the scent of the elusive monster grew stronger, guiding their path like a beacon in the darkness. Fallen trees blocked their way, their twisted branches creating natural barricades. For most people, dealing with these obstacles would be a bit of a hassle, but for the father-daughter team, it was no big deal. With a flick of Anna''s wrist, multiple crimson tendrils extended from her, parting the branches effortlessly and allowing them to pass. Her mastery over these tendrils was so precise that they felt like extensions of her own hands. She didn''t need to consciously direct each one; they simply responded to her will, moving effortlessly as if guided by her very thoughts. With excitement in her heart and her unique ability at her disposal, they pressed on. Each step forward brought them closer to their objective . As they got closer to the river bank, tension filled the air. Fear was written all over Anna''s father''s face. Unlike Anna, he was really scared. This was his first time meeting another monster besides his daughter and ex-wife . Every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs rattled his nerves, yet Anna stayedposed, her senses sharp, and her focus steady. Anna tightened her grip on her father''s shoulders, her eyes gleaming with excitement . "We''re almost there, Daddy," she reassured him, her voice filled with joy. For so long, she had lived as a solitary figure, yearning forpanionship from someone like herself ¡ªsomeone who wasn''t bound by human limitations, someone who could trulyprehend her inner struggles and desires. She longed to ask the monster about their shared origins, wondering if there existed a ce for beings like them, akin to the realms depicted in fairytales where demons and monsters live. THUD! She leaped down from her father''s shoulder, allowing him to check his shotgun, just in case of a full-blown confrontation. Despite his daughter''s being 20 years old, she asionally disyed a spoiled child''s mindset. He feared the monster they were about to confront might harm her. While he was confident in her power, the fear of the unknown still made him anxious. In contrast, Anna''s eyes were widening in delight. She could sense it: within the cave, someone with more potential than her was currently sleeping. Despite her father''s concerns, she felt drawn to the monster''s scent for reasons she couldn''t exin. As they stood at the entrance of the cave, her excitement grew more. "Anna, are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Yes, Daddy. I can feel it. There''s something special about him," Anna replied, her eyes shining with delight. Her father hesitated, torn between his instinct to protect his daughter and his trust in her abilities. But seeing the determination in Anna''s eyes, he nodded reluctantly. He was really weak-minded when it came to his daughter''s affair. Even though he knew she was a monster, he still spoiled her. "Be careful, Anna. We don''t know what we''re dealing with," he cautioned. "Don''t worry, Daddy." With a reassuring smile, Anna stepped into the cave, her senses heightened as she followed the scent of the sleeping monster. Her father followed closely behind, his shotgun at the ready, locked and loaded to defend his daughter at a moment''s notice. As they headed deeper into the darkness, the air grew heavy with the scent of the monster, mingling with the earthy aroma of the cave. Anna''s heart raced with excitement, her anticipation building with each step. Finally, they reached the inner chamber of the cave, where the monstery sleeping, its presence filling the air with a sense of power and mystery. Anna approached cautiously, her senses on high alert. As she stood before the sleeping monster, she felt a strange connection, as if they were kindred spirits bound by fate. Without hesitation, she reached out and gently touched its forehead. "You''re safe now," she whispered. Suddenly, the monster stirred, its eyes fluttering open to reveal a feral gaze. "RARRRRR" Out of nowhere, Anna found herself under attack as the creature lunged forward, its jaws mping down, severing her head from her body. . Chapter 20: First Meeting

Chapter 20: First Meeting

*CRACK! Reign anticipated feeling the satisfying crunch of a human head as his jaws closed on his prey. However, he was surprised to find himself in a stalemate, unable to shut his mouth. A few seconds ago. He just woke up, feeling threatened. His instincts screamed that the individual in front of him was dangerous, so he immediately went for the kill, but failed . "I''m not here to hurt you," the girl in front of him said with a sweet, gentle voice. As his vision cleared, he realized she was just a little innocent looking girl. His mouth was now held by some kind of solid blood, preventing him from moving despite using his bite skill. ''Who is she? '' he muttered to himself. He would be an idiot to believe that they had just came here to chat. . He also noticed a man at the entrance holding a shotgun, pointing it directly at him. ''Are they here to kill me?'' he added, his mind racing for possible solution . CREAK-- CREAK-- CREAK. Reign exerted more effort to bite down, but his mouth only moved slightly. He attempted to move his body, but it was also bound by the blood tendrils. He had no means of escape whatsoever. SWOOOOSH! His ws suddenly extended, directly targeting the mysterious girl''s abdomen. It was supposed to be a surprise attack, but before his w could touch her, it was blocked by some kind of blood barrier. CLANG! The sound of his w hitting a solid object echoed in the cave. This thing took the term "blood is thicker than water" to a whole new level. "Don''t waste your time. You were just born, right? Anna is stronger than you now," the mysterious girl spoke as she patted his head. Reign''s mind raced with confusion and frustration. How could this seemingly innocent girl possess such power over him? She seemed unfazed by his resistance, maintaining a calm demeanor as she observed him. "You''re not ready yet," she said softly, almost sympathetically. "But don''t worry, I can help you." Reign''s instincts urged him to fight back, to break free from her control, but a part of him was intrigued by her words. What did she mean by helping him? And why did she seem so confident in her abilities? Before he could ponder further, the girl released her hold on him, allowing him to move freely once again. Reign cautiously backed away, eyeing her warily. He knew he needed to tread carefully around this mysterious figure. ''Is she some kind of secret boss?'' he thought, feeling his desire to fight fade away. He realized it wasn''t worth risking a conflict with someone so powerful at this early stage. Knowing he''d get stronger eventually, Reign decided to step back for now. In gaming terms, he could be considered ate game hero. "What are you?" Reign grumbled, struggling to speak clearly with his monster physique and distinctive facial features. The mysterious girl smiled back at him as she heard him speak, her eyes shining even in the dark. As she continued to gaze at him with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine, Reign realized that there was much more to her than met the eye. With a wary stance, he decided to keep his guard up and tread cautiously around her. "Answer my question," he demanded, his voice tinged with a hint of defiance. "Who are you, and what do you want from me?" "My name is Anna, and I am like you," she said, letting out a wide, innocent smile. ''Like me? She also had a system?'' he thought to himself, his mind racing with questions. "What do you mean?" he asked, seeking rification. During this type of unexpected meeting, where the other party was willing to talk, it would be far better to gather some information first before jumping to conclusions. "Umm," she said, touching her lips while contemting, her innocent appearance emphasized by her cute habit. "We are both not humans," she added with a grin. "I could tell that much," Reign replied with an annoyed tone. There was no way she was human. If she were, she would already be in his stomach. The mysterious girl giggled after hearing his response. "Let''s be a family, you will be my little brother," she added, with a grin that made him wonder if she was serious or just teasing him. "Why should I do that? And why should I be the little brother" he asked, his mind already devising an escape n. She might be powerful, but he was confident in his speed. If he ran with all his might, it was possible for him to escape. With determination pulsing through his veins, he tensed his muscles, preparing to bolt at the slightest opportunity. He cast a quick nce around, assessing the surroundings for any obstacles or potential hiding spots. As his gaze returned to the mysterious girl, he noticed her watching him intently, her expression unreadable. "Don''t think of escaping, little brother. My blood is faster," she warned him with a smile, her tone yful but filled with confidence . He knew that she was telling the truth. Her demeanor and the strange power she exhibited left little doubt in his mind. ''Just wait till I evolve. I''ll make sure you regret doing this to me,'' Reign sneered in contempt. He was a vengeful and petty person, and he didn''t care what his enemy looked like at all. Cute? Innocent? It just made him think that she would taste delicious. "Fine, but call me Reign," he muttered under his breath, reluctantly giving up for now. "And don''t expect me to trust you just yet." Anna''s smile widened, a glint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Fair enough," she replied. "Okay. Let''s go now, Reign. This ce is dangerous," she said, walking closer and offering her small hand. Author''s Note: If you enjoy the book, please consider leaving a review. Your feedback is greatly appreciated! Chapter 21: Weird Girl

Chapter 21: Weird Girl

Anna kept on rambling about herself as if she were on a field trip, causing Reign to feel irritated. He had this urge to lunge at her and rip her head apart because she was so talkative, but s, he knew that he would be pierced by her blood tendrils before he could even get near her. If she desired, she could kill him, so maybe she really intended to help. The situation was unexpected, but Reign knew he had to adapt. He wasn''t some protagonist of a web novel who would miraculously power up when facing a stronger opponent. Reign knew he had to be strategic, biding his time until he could catch Anna off guard before making his move. He had a system that would make him stronger over time, but it would all be for naught if he died prematurely. Well, technically he was already dead, so it was more urate to say he would cease to exist. Looking over at her father, George, Reign noticed that he seemed just like any other regr guy. But something about the way he fussed over Anna seemed a bit too much. He even carried her on his shoulder as if she were a dotted innocent child. ''Why can''t you see that your daughter is a fucking monster? The reincarnation of evil ? Why spoil her? ?'' Reign pondered silently. He couldn''t understand why any human would willingly coexist with such a creature. If he were human, he would steer clear of her. Hell, he even entertained the thought of running away, and he was a goddamn zombie for Godsake. From just a nce, he could discern that Anna was far from virtuous; she emitted a sinister aura. With a voice that seemed to grumble like distant thunder, Reign asked, "Are we returning to the town?" His words slurred slightly, as if they were being dragged from the depths of his ragged throat. "Town''s too risky. Let''s head deeper into the woods for camping. My daddy got a cabin less than 10 km from here. We''ll be safer there," she suggested. "Okay," After walking for what felt like 30 minutes, the trio climbed a rugged mountain path. Eventually, after an hour or so of walking, they saw the cabin nestled within the dense woods. The cabin stood weathered and worn, its wooden exterior bearing the scars of time and nature''s embrace. Moss clung to the walls like a shroud, and the roof sagged under the weight of years gone by. Surrounded by towering trees, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The emptiness of the ce made George skin crawl, casting a spooky vibe all around. But both Reign and Anna couldn''t help but feel like it was a darn good spot to settle down. "It''ll be morning soon, so we better head inside," Anna said, taking the lead. "You struggle in the mornings?" Reign inquired. "Obviously, don''t you?" Anna raised her eyebrows. Mornings always left her feeling drained and drowsy. While sunlight didn''t spell her death, it did irritate her, so she usually choose to stay indoors. "Same," Reign replied, finding it rather clich¨¦ that monsters despised the sun. Theck of originality in this world was obvious . Or perhaps it was just a standard across different worlds that monsters had an aversion to sunlight. CREAK! After opening the door, the trio headed inside to rest. Reign became even more cautious now. While he knew that Anna had no immediate ns to harm him, he also recognized the need to bolster his own strength for a safe escape, or perhaps even to kill her. Knowing that he gained experience points from consuming humans, he considered that he might gain even more from consuming her. ''If I''m lucky, I might even be able to steal her powers,'' he muttered to himself. After all, his father, the Evil Monarch, was rumored to possess the ability to replicate other powers. As his offspring, maybe he had inherited that ability as well. *** In the morning, the events at the cemetery had made headlines. Unsurprisingly, the me was pinned on a rabid bear, masking the existence of real monsters in the world. At the same time, after hearing that three more people had gone missing, some residents decided to leave. With George, his wife, and daughter nowhere to be found, many assumed they had already fallen victim to whatever lurked in the forest. "Sir, this isn''t the best time for you to be here," one of the residents, the owner of the local bakeshop, cautioned as he handed a bag of freshly baked bread to an elderly man d in a ck jacket. "Why not?" The old man''s voice cracked with years of experience as he gazed at the baker. "There''s a rabid animal on the loose, so most residents are leaving for the time being," the baker exined, his tone tinged with concern. "A rabid animal?" The old man smiled, a glint of nostalgia in his eyes. "That''s just perfect. I used to be an animal hunter back in the days," he replied confidently. "Sir, we''re talking about a rabid animal here, not a deer," the baker chuckled, thinking the old man was simply humoring him. "Of course," the old man smiled back, then he turned around and strode in the direction of the forest. "I''m getting too old for this," the old man sighed, eyeing the mountain ahead of him with a mixture of exhaustion and resignation. Chapter 22: Salamander

Chapter 22: Smander

At 6:00 PM in the evening, Reign opened his eyes to the darkness of the cabin basement. He had chosen to sleep here because he was morefortable in dark, cold ces. After all, a year in a tomb could really mess with one''s housing preferences. ''I should double-check my stats,'' he muttered to himself. He had hurriedly allocated his stats during the fight with Anna, but even so, he still wasn''t able to fight back. The gap in their power was evident, and he guessed that he needed to first reach Level 15 to evolve further before he could even contend with her. But, even then, victory was far from assured, as he was still unsure about her true capabilities. "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 12 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: de Hunter Strength :C Agility. :D+ Stamina :F+ Endurance : B Intelligence: C+ [Skill] Bite - Level III Undead Eye - Level I Night Crawl I wer : I [Points] Attribute Points 5 Skill Points : 10 Evolution Points : 0 ============ His strength had been upgraded from E to C-, however, after reaching the C rank, the necessary attribute points needed to increase the rank had doubled from 5 to 10. As for his speed, it had now increased to D+ after evolving into a de Hunter. ''What should I do with my skill points?'' he sighed. He wanted to save more skill points for the future when he acquired a more valuable skill. If skill points functioned simrly to attribute points, then it was only logical that the cost for leveling up a skill would increase as well in the future. It wasn''t that he was being stingy; rather, his system only provided a fixed amount of points per level up. He had hoped that it would increase alongside his level, but his system proved to be a tough nut to crack. With no better option, he decided to increase his Night Crawl and wer skills to level III, spending 4 skill points in total. This way, his chances of escaping would be much higher during the night. ''Alright, time to escape this ce,'' he muttered to himself as he slowly got up and crawled towards a door leading out of the cabin basement. However-- BOOOOOOOM! A loud explosion suddenly reverberated outside, and he could see an orange light seeping through the gap in the woods. "What the hell is happening now!" he eximed in shock. *** Outside "So you''re the demon that''s been going on a killing spree?" Dominic spoke in a calm manner. The wind gently stirred his red kimono in the moonlight as he stared the demon down, his tone filled with confidence as if the demon in front of him were nothing but air. He reached across his body with his right hand, gripping the handle of his katana just below the guard. With a swift motion, he pulled it out and drew it forward until it pointed directly at the demon. "Grandpa, why are you hurting little Anna?" her voice quivered, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at him with a hurt expression. She had a habit of referring to herself in the third person from time to time. It was her way of speaking in a cute manner. The old man just unleashed a me wave a few moments ago by waving his sword. Normally, she would be interested in beings with powers. But she knew instinctively that he was different. He was no monster at all. "A demon mimicking the face of a girl. How wretched. I despise demons like you the most. Taking advantage of the human emotions," Dominic replied with a serious tone. Seeing George, Dominic realized he was just a regr human. He figured George must have been tricked into following her. "Young man, don''t waste your life. Lower your gun. The girl in front of you is an evil demon," Dominic dered. "SHUT UP. She''s my daughter," George dered, locking and loading his shotgun, ready to shoot. BAM! He clicked the trigger, and the shells scattered towards Dominic. However, in an instant, Dominic vanished out of sight, dodging the hail of bullets. He had actually moved before George was able to pull the trigger, a testament to the reaction time of a veteran Demon Hunter like himself. Dominic moved really fast, utilizing a foot technique that made it appear as if he had teleported. But Anna, far from being a normal human, understood the secret behind this technique almost instantly: timed blinking. Dominic had timed his movement to coincide with the moment her father blinked, creating the illusion of teleportation. However, for Anna, whose reaction time was equally high, she could see him clearly. With her ability, sharp blood tendrils sliced through the air, hurtling towards Dominic with the intention to kill him. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! The sh of Dominic''s de and Anna''s blood tendrils echoed loudly, filling the air with the sound of metal meeting metal. Their battle intensified with each passing moment. Dominic quickly blocked Anna''s attacks with his swords, while Anna''s blood tendrils aimed to overpower him. ''A middle rank demon?'' Dominic clicked his tongue in frustration as he realized he was dealing with someone problematic. Chapter 23: Gap in Power

Chapter 23: Gap in Power

Dominic found himself in a dilemma. A middle-rank demon was not an opponent he could handle for long. In his prime, perhaps he would have stood a chance, but now, with age catching up to him, his stamina wasn''t what it used to be. And even if he wanted to end the battle, he found himself unable to get near her. The blood tendrils could attack from any direction, leaving him no opportunity to strike back. His full focus was on blocking and dodging, leaving him unable to mount any offense. CLANG CLANG CLANG His swords continued to block and burn the blood tendrils. It was the only action he could take for now. As for escaping, he would be an idiot to turn his back on a demon with long-distance abilities like hers. Normally, if she were a low-rank demon, he could have either defeated her before bing exhausted or waited for her to tire first. Demons often had explosive power butcked stamina in prolongedbat. This was why Demon Hunters like him relied on efficient breathing techniques to ovee demons. "Grandpa, feeling tired?" Anna grinned manically, noticing Dominic''s struggle to block and his gradual slowdown. "Don''t call me grandpa, you wretched demon!" he sneered in contempt. He detested the fact that Anna was using the innocent face of a human girl to manipte his emotions. "But we''re just ying, right?" Her voice held a hint of innocence, tinged with mischief. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke. With each move, she exuded a childlike joy, thoroughly enjoying the battle and testing her skills. Before, she had merely practiced moving the blood tendrils in their basement, making it her routine until they felt like an extension of her body. She might act childish and spoiled from time to time, but she was dedicated in her own personal training . This was the reason why she was able to be so strong despite not having killed too many humans. ''I can''t hold on any longer. I didn''t want to resort to this technique, but I have no choice. I''ll die either way,'' Dominic mused inwardly. "Demon, you''ll apany me to hell," he dered, fixing his stance and beginning to inhale deeply. Anna, on the other hand, sensed something amiss. Her intuition was heightened, and she could tell that her opponent was nning something. But at the same time, her curiosity overcame her. She wanted to know how her power stacked up against his. "Come," she smiled widely, pausing her attack to give him time. Dominic noticed this and was d to know that his enemy was an arrogant demon. This technique would cripple him, even leading to his death. But he had no choice if he wanted to win. "Smander Breathing Technique - Final Breath" He inhaled an unnatural amount of air into his lungs, drawing in the tremendous power of the oxygen with a deep breath. Concentrating this power on his stomach, he allowed it to flow through every vein and muscle in his body. The energy was so powerful that the old man''s muscles began to tremble, and his eyes turned red from the intense blood pressure. His breathing tempo shifted again, causing his skin to flush red and grow hotter. Hot air also began to seep from the pores of his skin. "You asked for it, demon!!!" The old man stepped forward, and the air around him began to distort from the intense heat he emitted. ''Damn. This old man is changing gears,'' Reign felt conflicted after witnessing the old man''s transformation. He had been observing the entire battle from the sidelines. He realized that the old man could probably kill him multiple times over, but Anna just toyed with him. How powerful was she to show such dominance? "Begone, demon!" Dominic''s voice rang out . SWOOOOSH! His first step left a trail of me in his wake, using it to generate more speed as he moved towards Anna. There was no timing involved; it was simply his raw speed after using his breathing technique. He was so fast that even Reign couldn''t keep track of his movements. It was over; that was the only thought in Reign''s mind. There was no way Anna could dodge this attack. SPLAT! "Blueeh..." The old man''s throat convulsed as he vomited a mouthful of blood, the metallic taste flooding his tongue . Before he could reached her, blood tendrils erupted from the ground, their sinister forms slicing through the and directly hitting his abdomen, tearing through his flesh. As the tendrils burrowed deeper into his body, agony surged through his nerves, overwhelming his senses. "AGHHH," he groaned in agony, fully aware that the majority of his internal organs had been ruptured. The moment Anna pulled the blood tendrils, he would instantly bleed "Is that it?" Anna shook her head in disappointment. She had expected too much from him. "Y--You... be hunted .... by .... others," Dominic spoke up amidst his rugged breathing. His eyes were slowly losing their vision, and at any moment, he could breathe hisst. He came here to hunt a demon, but what happened was not even a fight. It was a one-sided massacre. He realized that Anna could have ended the battle anytime she wanted. She had been ying with him all along. "Anna is innocent, right Reign," she spoke up, turning towards him. She had detected him from the very beginning and had intentionally prolonged the battle to show off. ''Fuck my luck,'' Reign sighed to himself. He felt like this girl wouldn''t let him go easily. ''Why am I always getting kidnapped?'' he added . He just wanted to grow stronger at his own pace, but Anna''s presence made that impossible. "Reign, eat him right away so you can grow stronger," Anna smiled widely as she controlled her blood tendrils, carrying Dominic''s dying body to him "This..." he was speechless. She was treating him like a child. Chapter 24: Mutation

Chapter 24: Mutation

Reign savored the lingering taste of aged meat in his mouth as he consumed Dominic whole. Though Anna might have been treating him like a child, pride would not helped him survived. After all, it''s not like being stubborn could fill his belly or fend off hunger. He also couldn''t help but wonder what would ur if he devoured someone as powerful as Dominic; maybe he would gain more experience points from such a meal. [Level UP+] [Level UP+] As expected, he leveled up twice, confirming his hypothesis that devouring more powerful individuals yielded greater EXP. But that wasn''t the only perk he gained. [System : Mutation Option Avable ] ''Mutation?'' he mumbled, thinking to himself. It was different from evolution. He quickly checked his window and noticed a new buttonbeled "mutation." With excitement bubbling inside him, he clicked it and nearly jumped for joy. >> Smander Heart >> Smander Lungs >> Smander Skin [The host had devoured a human who practiced the Smander Breathing Technique. All the parts of the human body had mutated and evolved to cope with the power of this technique. However, due to old age, the effectiveness of this mutation had degraded to only 20% ] [Because of the ipatibility of this mutation with the host''s current weak body, particrly vulnerable to fire, the efficiency would be further reduced to only 10%.] [Warning: There''s a chance of random ipatibility issues.] [Would you like to mutate?] [Yes] or [No] "Shit, my luck is stabbing me in the back again," he sighed, realizing the skill was a terrible fit for his current body. Being of the zombie type, fire techniques were bound toplicate things for him. With a heavy heart, he clicked "no." [System: Recycling Mutation Body Parts into Skill Points] [+3 skill points] "Well, at least I got something out of it," he chuckled. Three skill points were almost like leveling up three times, which was definitely a good thing. "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 14 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: de Hunter Strength :C Agility. :D+ Stamina :F+ Endurance : B Intelligence: C+ [Skill] Bite - Level III Undead Eye - Level I Night Crawl I wer : III [Points] Attribute Points 15 Skill Points : 10 Evolution Points : 0 ============ Looking at his stats, he realized that even devouring that man wasn''t enough to elevate his endurance from B. It just highlighted how many more humans he needed to consume before it would increase further. "Did you enjoy your meal, Reign? Did Anna did a good job? " She strolled towards him with a cheerful expression. She resembled a kid who had just aced a test and was seeking praise. Reign nodded. At the moment, hecked the strength to confront her, so it was best not test his luck. In fact, noticing her keen interest in him, Reign decided to capitalize on her doting nature to grow stronger. He resolved to gain her trust first, then stab her in the backter. It was a cunning and sinister idea, but as a monster, he saw no need to dwell too much on morality. Even his father, the Evil Monarch, was reputed to be a very cunning individual. He recalled reading an article about how his father hid his power from the world, controlling everyone in the shadows like a parasite. Back to the topic at hand, Reign locked eyes with Anna. He wanted to ask something that had been bothering him. "How did you know I would get stronger by eating him?" he asked, curious to know if she was aware of his system. "What do you mean?" Anna replied, her expression cute and confused. "I thought monsters like us grow stronger by eating humans," she said, touching her cheek. "You''re right," he grumbled, acknowledging that eating humans was amon instinct for monsters like them. It wasn''t really a far-fetched idea. In books and novels, monsters always ate humans to grow stronger. "How about you?" Reign asked, noticing Anna eyeing the blood on the floor. "I grow stronger by absorbing blood," she replied, raising her hands as all the blood on the ground was sucked dry. "Reign, this ce is no longer safe. There''s a Mine nearby. We should massacre everyone there," Anna suggested. "Why? I think we should hunt quietly," Reign protested. This girl was too bold, basically asking for everyone to hunt them. She might be powerful, but attracting too much attention would only lead to more trouble in the future. Anna contemted for a moment. It was a relief that she was willing to consider Reign''s suggestion. "Anna agrees with you. Let''s head to the mine then," she replied. "You really know a lot," Reign remarked. Despite her youthful appearance, she disyed maturity. Anna started to giggle after hearing hispliment. "Anna had been studying and researching just in case this happened," she added with a very joyful look. She even threw up a peace sign to emphasize how proud she was. It was downright hrious that this girl, who normally acted like a spoiled kid, turned out to be a powerful demon. She''d switch from ying with dolls to strategizing like a seasoned general in the blink of an eye. "Let''s go, Reign, Anna will be your guide," she dered, fearlessly grabbing Reign''s arms and pulling him towards the eastern direction. Author''s Note: Feel free to point out any instances where I''ve mixed up the point of view. I''m juggling writing my other novel (First Person POV) alongside this novel (3rd Person POV), so it''s easy for me to get confused. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Chapter 25: Searching for Base

Chapter 25: Searching for Base

The trio walked slowly along the deep mountain path, their shapes barely visible under the moon''s dim light. Reign felt the urge to run, but Anna was adamant on walking. Despite her mastery over blood , her physical strength was not that good, so she would asked her father to carry her from time to time. "We are moving too slow," Reign grumbled, eager to quicken their pacing to the mine so he could level up more. The confrontation between Anna and Dominic was a strong wake up call. He realized that stronger opponents would likely hunt him down in the future. Feeling vulnerable and insecure, he wanted to increased his strength fast . "Don''t worry, we''re almost there," she reassured him. Reign looked at Anna and sighed. He had tried running away before, but her blood powers had immediately caught him. "Why are you even helping me?" he asked, curious about her true motives for sticking by his side. "You and Anna are the same," she replied, her smile innocent and pure. "Is that all?" he asked. "I''m sure there are other monsters like me out there." "Maybe," she said, her voice soft and warm, a gentle smile curving her lips. "But Anna have taken a liking to you." ''This...'' Reign scratched his head in disbelief. He never imagined his firstpliment in this world woulde from a loli girl. Realizing that talking with her would only result in this kind of awkward interaction, he decided to stay silent and keep up his pace. With her presence by his side, he now had his own personal bodyguard, which wasn''t such a bad thing after all. They continue their travel and would stop from time to time because George would need a rest and eat some snacks before continuing. Seeing George dotting on her, Reign pondered if this was a normal fatherly love for his offspring. He couldn''t help but wonder if his own father would treat him the same way, but then he remembered how wicked and brutal his father was. The thought of his father being loving and caring was as likely as winning the lottery without even buying a ticket. "George," Reign patted George''s shoulder, and George instinctively cowered, afraid that Reign might suddenly decide to eat him. "Do I really look that scary?" Reign grumbled. "Have you ever looked in the mirror?" George replied with a sigh. "You..." Reign felt a little bit insulted, but he kept hisposure. He knew that Anna might kill him if he did anything to her father. "Anna thinks you''re very handsome," Anna giggled. CLICK. George cocked the shotgun and pointed it at Reign. "I would never approve of you for my daughter," he muttered in annoyance while clicking his tongue. His cowardly demeanor changed when it came to her daughter. "I''m a different kind of monster," Reign tried to defend himself. He felt as though he was being judged. "Good, it''s a good thing that you know your ce," George stood tall, appearing more intimidating now. ''You''re lucky that your daughter is here, or I would have eaten you already,'' Reign growled inwardly. "Anna wont mind though," she giggled as she hugged Reign arms tightly, herughter breaking through the tense atmosphere. Her warmth contrasted sharply with the cold night . "I know it , you are too dangerous!" George''s words cut through the moment like a sharp de, his voice dripping with disdain as he once again pointed the gun. ''Damn, both the father and daughter are crazy,'' Reign sighed in defeat . *** Around 4:00 am, they finally arrived at the mine. It stood there, a relic of the past, its entrance barely visible in the darkness. The mine was small and weathered, like a forgotten secret hidden in the earth. As they approached, the faint sound of dripping water echoed from within, creating an eerie atmosphere. The entrance resembled a gaping mouth, beckoning them into its depths. "Are you sure this mine is still in use?" Reign asked, his voice tinged with doubt. "Well, our information is from five years ago, so maybe they''ve already closed it," George replied, acknowledging the possibility. ''So we wasted our time?'' Reign grumbled to himself. "Anna can smell humans, lots of them," she broke the silence. "Are you sure?" Reign quickly asked, his hopes rising at the possibility. "Anna is 100% sure ," *** Three years ago, this cave was abandoned when its owner deemed it no longer profitable. Highbor and production costs outweighed the revenue, leading to its closure. However, unwilling to let his investment go to waste, the owner decided to repurpose the mine as a drugboratory. Deep inside the cave, the drugb sprawled across the damp, rocky floor, illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights dangling from the low ceiling. Makeshift tables cluttered with ssware, beakers, and chemicals lined the walls, while rows of shelves held various substances in mismatched containers. The air was thick with the acrid scent of chemicals, mingling with the earthy dampness of the cave. Shadows flickered on the walls, creating a heavy atmosphere in the secret drugb. Although everything looked makeshift, it seemed like each part was chosen carefully for the job it had to do, giving the ce an organized feel. In one corner, a row of industrial-sized drums stood , their contents unknown but undoubtedly for making drugs. Nearby, a series of pipes snaked along the floor, connecting various apparatuses in aplexwork of production. The sound of bubbling liquids and hissing gases filled the air, punctuated asionally by the tter of equipment as workers moved about their tasks. "Is the next batch of meth ready?" asked by a man, holding a rifle. Chapter 26: Unexpected Findings

Chapter 26: Unexpected Findings

Reign''s group moved deeper into the cave, oblivious to the fact that it had turned into a drug hideout. Regardless, their safety wasn''t much of a concern with Anna by their side; the likelihood of dying was practically nonexistent. As they progressed deeper, the atmosphere grew darker. The air hung heavy with an unsettling silence, broken only by the asional drip of water from above. Moisture slicked the walls, and the ground squelched beneath their feet as though they were trudging through thick, dry mud. As they went deeper into the cave, Reign noticed faint voices and a distant light around the corner with his sharp senses. He stopped abruptly, causing Anna and George to paused as well. In their group, Reign yed the role of the tank, always leading the way. "There''s someone ahead," he grumbled. "I can''t quite make out what they''re saying." Anna, who was trailing behind, sniffed the air "They''re bad guys," she confirmed, her expression bored. "I can smell it in their blood." She wasn''t overly worried; even if there was a whole battalion there, she believed she could take them all out . Reign nodded, his narrowed monster eyes fixed on the light ahead as he strode forward. ''I feel like they intentionally left the entrance empty,'' he muttered to himself, finding it peculiar that there were no lights or stationed people at the entrance whatsoever. But Anna was aware that there had been a lookout at the entrance before. She had discreetly taken out that person without anyone noticing. The voices grew louder as he approached, and he could make out the shapes of several figures huddled around antern. They seemed to be arguing over something. As he drew closer, he realized that these weren''t miners at all. They were different, heavily armed three individuals equipped with automatic weapons. Their task: guarding some kind of gate with reinforced steel . One of them, apparently the leader, turned to address hispanions. "Hey what do you mean that we lost 10kg of drugs?" he demanded. "We payed the authorities right ?" The others shrugged, looking ufortable. "It must have been one of those damn kids," another one muttered. "They''re really dumb you know,." Reign''s blood ran cold at the mention of "kids." He knew exactly what they were talking about: kids being used as drug mules. It wasn''t so much that he cared about the kids themselves; he simply disliked the idea of adults exploiting them. Like himself, he had also been used and discarded by greedy adults for their own gains. ''I''m doing the world a favor by eating these guys,'' he muttered under his ragged breath, his eyes burning with annoyance. ''They might have guns, but as long as I''m quick, I can rip them to shreds before they can react.'' Reign crouched low, watching the drug dealers intently. They wereughing now, oblivious to the danger that lurked nearby. He knew that the slightest noise would alert them, so he had to move fast. With a powerful first step, he sprang forward,nding in front of them. His monstrous body was so intimidating that the four individuals were momentarily stunned into silence. Having a terrifying face proved advantageous in such situations. "M¡ª Monster!" One of the eximed. But before the man could react, Reign''s powerful jaws mped down on his head, tearing through flesh and bone. Reign''s did not wasted this opportunity, his w extended quickly, slicing through the air like a razor. It connected with one of the guards'' arm holding the gun, severing it cleanly from his body. The man screamed in agony, toppling to the ground, but his cry was quickly silenced when Reign''s w pierced his throat, pinning his head to the floor. "Fuck!" Another dealer tried to aim his weapon at Reign, but he was too fast. He leaned forward, his w shing through the air, tearing the third guard chest open in a spray of blood. The third guard gasped only once before crumpling to the ground, his chest overflowing with blood and his insides staining the ground beneath him. Just like that, the three armed guards died without even having the time to pull the trigger. George and Anna witnessed it all, unable to deny that Reign was really smart ''Is he really a newborn?'' Anna whispered to herself after seeing Reign''s abilities. While she sensed he wasn''t yet that strong, his efficiency in using his body intrigued her. Little did she realize, unlike normal monsters, Reign originated from another world as a human. Despite not manifesting any powers, he was still the offspring of the Evil Monarch, renowned as the most intelligent being ever known. It followed naturally that Reign was also exceptionally brilliant. In fact, he was so smart that prior to his kidnapping, his ability to learn and adapt surpassed normal limits. He could grasp concepts quickly and envision scenarios with rity in his mind. Usually, such traits could be deemed superpowers on their own. However,pared to his half-siblings who possessed special abilities, the scientists regarded him as a failure. That was all in the past now. One thing was certain at the moment: with a system granting him power, his intelligence would maximize his abilities, transforming him into a terrifying creature in the future. "You take the blood, I''ll eat the meat," Reign spoke up. Chapter 27: Cut Off

Chapter 27: Cut Off

After Anna took in the blood, Reign began to feast on their dry remains. As he had done many times before, he entered a different mental state when consuming his prey, disconnected from his usual self. It didn''t take him long to consume all the vital parts he needed. It seemed that his level-up had made him a more picky eater. Regardless, the meat still tasted delicious to him. However, there was one issue. He felt disappointed when he didn''t level up. The requirements to advance from level 14 to 15 were higher than he had anticipated. He thought that reaching level 15 and evolving was within his grasp, but it would have to wait for the future . Seeing his disappointed expression, Anna approached him and ced aforting hand on his shoulder. "Don''t worry," she said while smiling . "Anna senses more humans inside. We''ve got this." Reign simply nodded in response, choosing not to reply. He hadn''t fully trusted Anna yet. Despite her kindness towards him, the trauma from his past had made it difficult for him to believed others so easily. His rtionship with her was solely because of his circumstances. He recognized his own weaknesspared to her strength, leaving him with no choice but to follow her lead. CREAK He slowly pushed the metal door open and found no one guarding the way. This ce waspletely devoid of any Inte signal, intentionally cut off from the outside world. The owner had designed it as a drugboratory with minimal presence, and so far, it had operated sessfully. The drugs they produced might not have been of the highest quality, but they were affordable. As a result, many broke drug addicts opted for their products over the premium alternatives. "Stop," Reign grumbled, his eyes catching a red dot in the corner. "CCTV," he mused aloud, all too familiar with surveince after years of living under its watchful eye. Every moment of his life was meticulously recorded by the organization that had kidnapped and tortured him through those inhumane experiments. "Anna will handle this," she dered, raising her hands and destroying the CCTV with a blood projectile. BAM! The CCTV waspletely pierced through, rendered useless in an instant. "Anna did a good job , right?" She asked . "Shit!" Reign cursed aloud, realizing that destroying the camera would raise suspicion. "Stay here, I''ll attack them first!" he roared, darting towards theboratory . After turning two corners, he found himself at the entrance of the firstboratory. Through the partially open door, he could see around ten people bustling inside, busy with their drug-making operations. They were all wearing Yellow clothing and even a helmet, that were usually wore during times when they are handing dangerous type of material that could poison the skin , or even worst internal organs. With a quick assessment of the situation, Reign knew he had to act fast. So without a word, heunched a brutal one-sided killing spree on the unsuspecting individuals inside. His ws, teeth and feet became weapons as he slice and dice everyone . "My legs" "Ahhhhh...Help!!!!" "Monster!" "Run!" The cries of pain and desperation filled the room as Reign kept killing . The air smelled strongly of blood as bodies fell one by one under his brutal attack. To him, these humans were nothing but prey, and it was easier to kill them because of the evil deeds they hadmitted. BAM! Four armed guards kicked open the other metal door and immediately opened fire on Reign RATATTT-RATTTATAT-RATTTAAAT The rapid gunfire echoed through the cave, momentarily disorienting him Quick on his feet, he grabbed a nearby table and hurled it towards the guards, disrupting their aim and buying himself precious time. With the guards momentarily distracted, he grab a drum of chemicals and throw it at them. One of the guards made the mistake of shooting at it, causing the liquid to burst out. The strong-smelling substance made contact with their skin, making them feel an intense itching sensation. Seeing the opportunity, Reign made a break for it. His ws extended like deadly talons, slicing through flesh and fabric alike. He tore into the guard''s torso, rending flesh and muscle bleeding in just one strike. *SPLURT! Blood sprayed in all directions , leaving nothing but the target mangled flesh. "Die, monster!" one of the guards shouted as he managed to pick up his gun again and open fire. Fortunately, Reign was already close, so he just mped his jaws around the gun, making it useless. With a powerful shake of his head, he flung the guard into the wall. But it was not over yet. Reign used his bite, quickly eating through the heads of the remaining two guards in one clean swoop. [Level Up+] "No time to waste," Reign grumbled, his determination driving him deeper into the cave. He made a mental note to return and feed on the dead bodiester; for now, his priority was to eliminate everyone before they could report. ''He''s getting stronger by the minute,'' Anna mused to herself, realizing just how powerful and extraordinary Reign was. Just imagining his future made her really excited. Chapter 28: Evolving Again

Chapter 28: Evolving Again

As she watched Reign continue his rampage, she couldn''t help but wonder what he would do once he was powerful enough. ''Will he leave me,'' Her heart suddenly ache after thinking about it . This was the first time in her life that she felt afraid . She couldn''t lose him now, not when they were so close. But what could she do? With no good options , she started absorbing the blood of the corpseying on the ground. It was the only way she could increase her strength, after all. Though the increase in her power was not significant due to the low quality of the blood, the quantity of it made up for theck of quality. ''I need to be more powerful so he won''t leave, no, he can''t leave me. He will y with me forever...'' Anna thought, her demeanor changing from that of an innocent-looking girl to one that showed her true color. *SLASH *SLASH *SLASH Reign continued his killing spree, paying no heed to the blood that stained his body or the bullets that pierced his flesh. He was bing more agile, effortlessly dispatching any guard that dared to stand in his way. His actions were guided by an instinctual knowledge, operating on a level far beyond that of monsters or humans. Looking at him, he resembled a fish finally swimming in the wide ocean. Killing was ingrained in his nature, and with each repetition, his muscle memory adapted quickly, making him even more dangerous. As he picked off the guards one by one, the rest of them knew they had to switch things up. They huddled together, whispering quick ns. Then, they split up, each group taking a different path through the mine''s narrow passages. They knew they couldn''t let their guard down for a second, as the monster they faced was cunning and crazy. Every shadow seemed to hold danger, and every echo sent shivers down their spines. Suddenly, a faint noise echoed through the tunnel¡ªa soft scrape of ws against rock. The guards froze, exchanging nervous nces as they gripped their weapons tighter. Could it be the monster, closing in on them ? With bated breath, they listened intently, straining to discern the source of the sound. But all they heard was the eerie silence of the mine, broken only by the faint drip of water from the ceiling. They felt relieved for a moment, but as soon as they rxed their guard, Reign sprang into action with the wheelbarrow. He throw one, then another, to distract them. BAM! As the guards dodged, Reign lunged forward, his ws extending. With a swift, fluid motion, he shed at the first guard''s throat, silencing him before he could even cry out. ''Next one,'' Without a moment''s hesitation, he quickly pivoted towards the second guard, who had barely registered the death of hisrade. He shed the second guard''s abdomen, causing a spray of blood to paint the air. He then seized the head of his prey and used it as a makeshift baton, delivering a powerful blow that sent the third guard hurtling into the wall. Then, for the final strike, he extended his w , quickly beheading the third guard with a single, decisive stroke It ended just like that. ''I''m improving,'' he thought to himself. He felt more in control of his body, knowing the best way to handle his enemies. After a few more minutes, he managed to eliminate everyone inside. Those he missed were dispatched by Anna, who guarded the passage. THUD THUD THUD The sounds of dead bodies hitting the ground reverberated as Reign systematically piled them up, one by one. It would be too much of a hassle to consume them in scattered locations, so it made more sense to gather them. George, unable to stomach the scene any longer, decided to step outside for a smoke. So now only Anna and Reign remained . Anna was the first to feed, her senses drawn to the fresh flow of blood emanating from the corpses. As the crimson streams converged towards her, it was as if multiple threads of blood were eager to merge with her body, forming a surreal scene. She closed her eyes, appearing defenseless in that moment. ''Should I kill her now?'' Reign pondered to himself. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to end her life and consume her. He was confident that devouring her would grant him a significant boost in power. However¡ª The moment he took a step forward, his intuition screamed at him to stop. His danger senses were on high alert. ''She''s that powerful?'' Reign muttered in annoyance. He still needed to tread carefully around her for much longer . "Anna is finished" she spoke afterpleting her task. "Can you give me some privacy while I feed?" Reign locked eyes with her. "Anna will wait outside," she nodded in agreement and exited the room. With Anna out of the way, Reign was now free to check his status. ============ Name: Reign Level 15 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: de Hunter Strength :C Agility. :D+ Stamina :F+ Endurance : B Intelligence: C+ [Skill] Bite - Level III Undead Eye - Level I Night Crawl III wer : III [Points] Attribute Points 20 Skill Points : 11 Evolution Points : 1 ============ Evolution Store *Toxic de Zombie Hunter *Viral de Zombie Hunter [More Information] *Toxic de Zombie Hunter : Could secrete acidic liquid from its ws, capable of melting human skin and, with enough upgrades, even hard metals. *Race Skills: Toxic sh (I). This skill allowed the host to unleash very strong acid when performing a sh. ¡ª *Viral de Zombie Hunter: This undead creature is extremely dangerous, possessing lethal abilities. Its ws secrete a powerful virus capable of causing various random side effects depending on future upgrades. *Race Skill: Viral sh (I) - Enables the ability to create and secrete virus. ¡ª ''What should I pick?'' Chapter 29: Right Choice

Chapter 29: Right Choice

Both of them has good effect overall. The Toxic de Zombie Hunter was a solid choice if he was seeking instant impact in his attacks. Its ability to dissolve objects with acids offered a practical advantage against enemies which are stronger , restricting their ability to do both offensive and defensive maneuvers. Just the knowledge that their bodies could dissolve if they weren''t cautious granted him an advantage already. Contrary to the Toxic de Zombie Hunter, the Viral de variant didn''t pack as much at first. This was particrly evident when facing off against someone like Dominic, who must had a strong immunity against viruses. Plus, there were doubts about its effectiveness on monsters like Anna. However, its potential surpassed that of its counterpart significantly. The capability to generate various strains of viruses would allow him to be more flexible , offering versatility and strategic advantage. While it might have started off weak, as he upgraded this power, it would grew stronger to the point where creating a virus capable of causing a pandemic worldwide wouldn''t be out of the realm of possibility. ''In the end the Viral one is the best choice for long term,'' Reign muttered to himself after considering his options. As he pressed the Evolution button, his body underwent another change. A sensation of itching began in his stomach, signaling the start of his evolution processed. Inside, a specialized nd started to form, capable of producing viruses. It looked like a small, pulsating sac, tucked among his inner organs. Its surface shimmered slightly, with delicate tendrils extending from its core, forming patterns like microscopic circuitry. The purpose of this nd was to enhance Reign''s capabilities by equipping him with the ability to produce viruses. It would store viral particles. If necessary, it released these viruses by linking the nd to the w through a dedicated veins, the viruses can be delivered directly into his attacks, infecting enemies upon contact. When the transformation wasplete, Reign didn''t notice any outward changes, but he could feel a new type of power surging within him. It was still weak, but he instinctively knew how to use it. His mind was filled with basic information about how this skill operates. ''So I need to absorbed viruses ,'' he muttered to himself. After contemting, Reign remembered that viruses were omnipresent, existing all around him, albeit often weak and harmless. He recalled a study stating that there were more viruses in existence than stars in the universe. However, most of them could be easily neutralized by the human immune system. With a deep breath, he reached out with his consciousness, seeking to absorb the essence of a nearby viruses. As he focused his mind, he felt a surge of energy coursing through him as the viral particles merged with his own [System : Ordinary Viruses Detected ] Lethality : 0.01% Incubation periods : 2 days Transmission routes : Contact Virulence : Very Weak "Damn, this virus wouldn''t even kill a normal person," Reign sighed to himself. He had expected this scenario, but seeing it in real life was entirely different from imagining it. Fortunately, there was a way to increase the lethality of the virus: upgrading his skill. Reign discovered that with each level, the capacity of his nd to absorb viruses would expand. Therger it grew, the more viruses he could take in, enhancing his potential to create a more deadly type of strain. This realization sparked a glimmer of hope within him, as he saw the path to unlocking the true power of his abilities. Viral sh I >> Viral sh X [Capped] Upgrading the Viral sh he discovered that he was capped to up to level 10 . ''As expected, I''ll need to level up more to raise the cap,'' Reign mused. It seemed the system naturally bnced itself this way. Or, he could just saved his skill points and invest them all in one skill. With his upgraded skill, Reign began absorbing viruses into his body again. This time, the suction force was way stronger, and he could sense the particles around him with greater rity. He felt like a vacuum, effortlessly drawing in the viral essence. It now took him a full minute to fill his nd to capacity. [System : Ordinary Virus Detected ] Lethality : 5% Incubation periods : 15 minutes Transmission routes : Contact Virulence : Weak ''It''s still weak, but at least the incubation period has sped up,'' he mused to himself. A 5% lethality rate could be deemed very dangerous if the virus were highly contagious. He recalled a virus from his past life that triggered a global pandemic, despite only having a 3% lethality rate. However, his virus was different. It only spread through contact, and once the host died, the virus itself gets killed off within a couple of minutes. Triggering a pandemic was currently out of the question. Next on his agenda was upgrading his w skill, having noticed that he still had two skill points avable. w III >> w V He tested his w to assess the effect and was highly satisfied with its increased hardness and quicker expansion speed. "Now it''s time to level up more," his gaze locked on the pile of corpses before him. He had saved them to fully relish their taste. Keeping the corpses for too long wouldn''t be ideal; after all, meat tastes best when it''s fresh. Chapter 30: Feeding More

Chapter 30: Feeding More

"Dry meat taste like shit," Reign grumbled to himself about the taste . Anna had already absorbed the blood from the corpses, leaving them parched andcking moisture. It felt more like eating dried fish than a satisfying meal. However, there was a bright side to this. At least the brain matter, which was the tastiest part of the corpses, stayed intact. So, he enjoyed its vor. [Level Up+ 1] Finishing the first batch, the sound of leveling up echoed in his ears, but he simply ignored it and continued to feast on the remaining corpses. [Level Up+ 1] Afterpleting everything, he leveled up for the second time. However, the number of corpses required to gain a level had increased again, causing him some concern. Just contemting how many people he had to kill to boost his level made Reign realize that he would have a very difficult life. Forget about keeping it low-key, his system was rewarding him for killing and eating people, so there was no way for him to gain levels without attracting the attention from others. His fate was sealed the moment he acquired this system. He would be an enemy of mankind. Not that it bothered him much. To him, people were just as wicked, if not greedier, than monsters. Monsters, at least, didn''t fake being good or morally upright. They just killed because it was their nature. "Are you done ?" Anna asked , after seeing Reign crawl out . "Yes," Reign grumbled , She began to observe him from head to toe, and despite his appearance remaining unchanged, she sensed that he had grown stronger again by smelling his blood. The stronger the scent, the greater the potential it held. "Anna feel like you have grown stronger," she voice out, after being the first to notice how Reign had gotten more powerful. But, she couldn''t help but feel curious about how quickly he was advancingpared to her. "What''s your secret? Anna wants to know!" She pouted her cheeks, hoping to coax an answer out of him. Unfortunately, Reign remained unmoved by her actions. He was a monster, and even in his past life, he was never the type to be easily swayed by girls, especially someone like Anna who looked too young. Anna was the type of girl that, if he touched her, some guys in suits would be knocking on his door, and he would bebeled as a criminal, regardless of the fact that she was already of legal age. From his perspective, she was more like potential food than anything else. "I''m done," he answered. "So, what''s the next n?" he asked. There seemed to be no reason for them to linger here any longer. "Anna has a n, but for now, let''s just stay here," she replied with an excited smile. Reign paused, considering the situation. This location was ideal for their hideout, and there was a chance that some of the workers here would arrive, presenting another opportunity for him to consume. "Okay," he nodded, having considered everything. *** A couple of dayster In the heart of Summit City stood the imposing headquarters of the Demon Hunter Association, a bastion of power and influence in the supernatural world. Within its walls, McGaven, a prominent figure in the Association, loungedfortably in a leather chair, while checking his emails. A sharp knock interrupted him, and a sexy female secretary entered, bearing a document in her hand "Sir, the investigation team has sent over a document. Please, have a look," she said, her voice dripping with professionalism. "Hand it over" With a nonchnt gesture, he epted the document, his eyes wandering appreciatively over the secretary''s curves as he did so. It was clear from her reaction that such lewd act were normal. In fact, she even gave her a seductive smile. They were in a rtionship, and he was cheating on his wife for her "I''ll treat you to dinner tonight," he said, subtly touching her hands. "I''ll be waiting," she winked at him before leaving the office. Alone in the office, he stared at the document. It was in a ck envelope, indicating its importance. Moreover, it was sealed with a type of technology that would cause it to self-destruct if opened by someone unauthorized. He opened up the documents and started reading it . "Five Demon Hunters dead?" His facial expression soured the moment he read the report. ording to it, the High-Level Demon had sacrificed its own life to take down the Demon Hunters with it. While five might seem like a small number to some, for a Demon Hunter, it was a significant loss. Searching for and training individuals with the aptitude for this kind of work was extremely taxing. RING RING RING. His phone suddenly rung and he picked it up . "Hello," he answered, his brow furrowing as he nced at the unfamiliar caller ID. This was his personal number, and only a select few people knew it. "Mr. McGaven?" came a female voice from the other end. "Speaking," he replied, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar caller. "My name is ine, and my grandfather, Dominic, told me to call you if something happened," she said, her voice tinged with anxiety. "What happened to him?" he asked urgently. Dominic had been his mentor in the field, and he held great respect for him. "He told me that he would be hunting for a demon, and that if he didn''te back after 5 days to call you. My grandfather hasn''t contacted me since then," ine exined, her voice trembling with worry. "What!" he eximed, knocking his desk in frustration. ''That old man, I told him to retire already and enjoy his life!'' "Don''t worry, ine. I will send someone to look for him. Just give me the information he gave you," he reassured her. He knew Dominic''s work ethics well, and he was sure that he had left behind some information that could be used to track him in case of an emergency. ine quickly sent the information via email, and McGaven wasted no time. He immediately called for a group of young Demon Hunters to assemble for a search and rescue operation. Chapter 31: Hunter Association

Chapter 31: Hunter Association

McGaven mmed his hand down on his desk in frustration. "What do you mean we cant send a team to search for Dominic?" he protested strongly, his brow furrowed with concern. He had requested a team of demon hunters, but his plea was refused by the head office. Demon hunters always went in a team of three to ensure they could watch each other''s backs. The problem now was that the existence of multiple high-level demon attacks happening in the shadows had be more frequent due to the season. It was currently November, a month notorious among demon hunters for the surge in demonic activity. This was the time when demons tended to grow more erratic and hyper, posing a greater threat to both humans and supernatural beings alike. They simply did not have the manpower to spare for searching for a retired hunter. ''F***ers!'' McGaven cursed under his breath, his frustration reaching boiling point. He had an overwhelming urge to smack the faces of those high-ranking officials who had refused his request. Dominic had dedicated his entire life to serving the organization, risking everything in countless deadly missions. Now, in his time of need, when he was old and retired, they didn''t even care enough to search for him. "I understand your frustration, McGaven, but we''re stretched thin as it is. We simply don''t have the manpower to spare," a man with a big belly and a haughty demeanor interjected, his tone dismissive. Despite his attempt at exnation, McGaven could see through the facade of false concern. The words only served to stoke the mes of McGaven''s anger, his jaw clenched tightly as he fought to contain his emotions. "Forget it!" McGaven''s voice boomed with frustration as he stood up and turned away from the corrupt officials before him. It was futile to continue trying to reason with people like him. They were so entrenched in their bureaucratic world that they couldn''t possibly understand the urgency and desperation of the situation. These officials never experienced the dangers of fieldwork firsthand, nor the bonds forged in battle. They were detached, their priorities skewed by politics and self-interest. How could theyprehend the gut-wrenching fear of losing arade, the gnawing uncertainty of not knowing if they were alive or dead? In the end, he knew he could only rely on his own team. He made the decision to send them out after they returned from their current mission ''Please be alive, old man,'' he muttered under his breath, his eyes filled with hope. ''I still owe you for saving me years ago,'' he added. *** Underground Mine "My stomach hurts!" Reign grumbled as hey on the ground. "Did you eat anything bad?" Anna asked, her expression innocent and charming. "I have a healthy and specific diet lifestyle. I only ate humans," Reign countered. "Maybe you ate too much? Want Anna to rub your belly? " she asked with yful grin. Reign gave her a double take and slowly got up, feeling irritated by her childish behavior. He couldn''t understand why she insisted on acting like a child when she was clearly a monster. It grated on his nerves, dealing with her immaturity . But what she did next made him snap. She unexpectedly jumped on his back, turning him into her makeshift mount. "What the fuck are you doing!" Reign roared in anger, his voice echoing with frustration. He tried to shake her off, but to his surprise, she used her blood to stick to him like glue. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t dislodge her. Caught off guard by her unexpected actions, Reign found himself momentarily at a loss for words. But beneath the surface, a simmering rage burned within him, fueled by the realization that he was being toyed with by someone he considered little more than a nuisance. ''Please, god, give me more power so I can fucking kill this annoying piece of shit!'' Reign gritted his teeth. What he was experiencing right now was beyond embarrassing. As a man eating monster, he found himself reduced to praying for strength to deal with the situation. The irony of it all was frustrating to him. Here he was, a creature of darkness and power, brought to his knees by the antics of an annoying girl. However ¡ª While Reign was consumed by thoughts of how to rid himself of Anna''s presence , she on the other hand was feeling excited . Despite her youthful appearance, she was already of legal age, and her feelings were far more developed than her outward face suggested. "Stop bothering me!" Reign roared again, his frustration reaching its breaking point. This time, Anna followed hismand and jumped off his back,nding gracefully on the ground. "Anna just wants to y," she said with a smile, her expression showing no hint of remorse for her actions. "y with your father," Reign scoffed, his toneced with disdain, before turning on his heel and walking away. Anna watched him go, her smile faltering for a moment before sheposed herself. Despite his harsh words, she couldn''t help but feel a pang of disappointment at the way their exchange had ended. But she knew better than to let it show, masking her true feelings behind a facade of indifference as she turned to go about her own business. ''Idiot,'' she sighed to herself. Chapter 32: Dull Routine

Chapter 32: Dull Routine

Another day went by, and Reign found himself stuck in a dull routine of procrastinating . Realizing he was just wasting time, he started working out and improving his fighting skills. He knew that being strong wasn''t enough if he wanted to get better. With a body of a monster and an explosive speed attributed to his crawling form, Reign made improving his sense of bnce his top priority. He dedicated time to practicing, meticulously adjusting his movements. From time to time, he would fall asleep suddenly as his body shut down. It was odd for an undead being like him to worry about such things, but he had no choice but to deal with it. Over time, he observed his bnce sharpening, enabling him to maneuver with faster agility and precision. His new nimbleness provided him with a clear edge in close-quartersbat scenarios. "Why''s she not bothering me?" Reign muttered after waking up from a short nap. Anna had been unusually quiet, sparking his curiosity. He decided to leave his spot and check on her, just in case. It wasn''t that he cared about her; he was simply curious. If she did leave this ce and abandon him for good, then he would have to find a new hiding spot. He was pretty sure more demon hunters woulde for him. Reaching the corner of the mine, Reign spotted George standing there, his expression serious. "What''s happening?" Reign grumbled, and George, unsurprised by his sudden appearance, simply answered. "Anna told me not to tell you this, but look," he said, pointing his finger. Reign turned his head to follow the gesture, and his eyesnded on a red cocoon pulsing with energy, resembling a beating heart. "What the hell is that ugly thing?" Reign asked in confusion. "Fuck off, that thing has my daughter," George scolded. "We got attacked?" Reign inquired, but it didn''t seem to be the case, as George showed no signs of panic. "No, it''s not that. It''s... something else," George replied. "Anna has been going through some changestely. She''s been acting strange, talking about her heart aching and feeling like she''s on the brink of breaking through to something new. When I asked her what she meant, she told me not to disturb her." ''What the hell! Don''t tell me she''s also evolving? Reign cursed inwardly. Here he was, thinking he was catching up, but now Anna was also growing stronger. At this rate, his chance of killing her might be gone for good. Little did he know that he was the cause of all of this. Anna felt a new emotion stir inside her the moment she saw him, but his cold attitude towards her made her depressed . Subconsciously, this disappointment triggered her evolution. ''Alright, I''ll kill her now,'' Reign decided. This was the perfect moment to finally get rid of her. He was a monster, so killing someone like her wouldn''t even affect him in the least. Slowly, he approached her cocoon with the intent to sh it open. It appeared thin and fragile, so he felt confident that he could do it. But before he could get any closer, his body froze as he heard a whooshing sound. Blood tendrils started attacking him, forcing him to run away. "Wait, she''s awake?" he muttered aloud after seeing that the tendrils stopped chasing him after a certain distance. "I forgot to mention, you''ll be attacked the moment you get close," George spoke. "Tell me that beforehand, you old man with a daughterplex," Reign cursed. He anticipated protest from George, but George remained calm. He seemed like a different person altogether now that Anna was confined . "Hey, I know you want my daughter dead, but even for an ugly monster, your attitude is uneptable," George replied with a tone filled with disdain. He looked down at Reign, showing no signs of fear. Was this the same cowardly person as before? "She came all the way here just to save you. You''d be dead by now if that old man found you. She killed him for you, even fed you, and you didn''t even say thank you once," George added sharply. "Fuck off, I never asked her to do that. She''s the one who''s been forcing herself on me," Reign retorted, clicking his tongue. George locked gazed with him and sighed. "You''re just a child," he added. Reign was stunned after hearing him figured it out. Kidnapped as a child, he had spent years in aboratory, forced to mature through pain and violence. But, deep inside, hecked the experiences necessary to mature into an actual teenager. "Do you want me to tell you the story of how I met her mother?" George opened up. "Nope, why should I?" Reign shook his head. "Hey, just listen. It''s not like you''re doing anything," George insisted. ''I know it, Anna inherited her stubbornness from her father, ''he sighed to himself and decided to listen. He might learn a thing or two. Chapter 33: Obsession Part 1

Chapter 33: Obsession Part 1

20 Years Ago [Summit City] A man in his mid-twenties strolled across the campus, heading towards his office located in the corner of Summit Capital University. This man was Professor George Martin, one of the professors here who was conducting his own research on various types of minerals. This ce held the top spot in the region and ranked 8th in the entire country. It was a prestigious institution where not just anyone could enter, and most graduates ended up working for reputablepanies or government agencies. "Professor George, Let''s walk together, " a sweet female voice called out to George from behind. When he turned around, he saw a beautiful woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a simple white blouse paired with a knee-length ck skirt. Her outfit waspleted with a delicate silver ne and matching earrings, entuating her natural beauty. She was so stunning and youthful-looking that just seeing her made him feel happy. Not just him though, almost every guy in the college fantasized about dating her, but she ended up turning them down . He would be lying if he told himself that he was not attracted to her. Just being near her was enough to excite him, to the point that he always had to remind himself not to cross the line. He already had a wife whom he dated way back in high school, and though they didn''t have a child yet, he loved her and couldn''t bear to cheat on her. "Annabele, I told you not to act too close when we''re outside. I don''t want others to misunderstand," George scolded her. He didn''t want any rumors to spread, not for his own sake, but because he cared for her. A beautiful woman like her hanging out with a young professor like him was a recipe for some college romance drama. "What''s there to misunderstand, Professor?" Annabelle touched her lips, acting cute and feigning ignorance. ''She''s too cute, damn it,'' George sighed in defeat. He couldn''t win against her no matter what. At that moment, he also noticed some college students looking their way, their whispers barely concealed as they exchanged nces. Some nudged theirpanions, their expressions a mix of curiosity and amusement. A couple of them even pointed discreetly, their eyes lingering on Annabelle and George before continuing on their way, their hushed conversations continuing long after they had passed. "Fine, let''s just walk," George finally gave in, feeling a bit flustered. He decided to walk faster, and Annabele followed suit, still smiling and even hopskipping while walking, making the scene even more rumor-worthy. As they walked, George couldn''t help but think about how much Annabelle had grown in just the span of a few months. When she first came to him as his student assistant, she was so shy and timid. Now, she was confident and beautiful, with a sparkle in her eye that made him wonder what the future held for her. He hoped she would find happiness and sess in whatever path she chose. They finally reached his office, and it was filled with rocks enclosed in vacuum-sealed ss. It was a sight to behold, each specimen carefullybeled and organized. George took pride in his work, and it showed in the meticulousness of hisb. Annabele, however, seemed more interested in George himself than the rocks. She stood close to him, her face inches away from his, and he could feel her breath on his neck. "So, Professor Martin, what''s your favorite rock in here?" she asked, batting her eyshes yfully. George couldn''t help but feel a blush creeping up on his cheeks. He cleared his throat and pointed to arge crystal of quartz encased in ss. "Well, this one is quite special. It was mined from a remote location in Mount Raven, and it took me years to authenticate and acquire. It''s a testament to the beauty and resilience of our world," he said, trying to focus on the rock and not Annabelle''s beautiful face. She hummed in appreciation, leaning even closer, and George''s heart skipped a beat. "You know, Professor, you could use a little bit of that beauty and resilience yourself," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. He could feel her breath on his ear, and it sent shivers down his spine. "Annabele, you''re being inappropriate," he said, trying to maintain some distance between them. But she justughed, a tinkling sound that filled the room with warmth and light. "Professor, you know you like me, don''t you? And I like you too. So what''s holding you back?" Annabelle asked. George was not the least bit surprised by her confession. He would be an idiot if he couldn''t read the signs all along. "I have a wife, and I love her," he replied. It hurt him to reject someone like Annabelle, but he was a man ofmitment. "You''re so loyal and faithful, Professor. Maybe that''s why I fell for you. But what about your wife?" Annabelle''s facial expression shifted, a hint of challenge in her gaze. "What do you..." He started to ask, but before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by her. "She''s cheating on you!" Chapter 34: Obsession Part 2

Chapter 34: Obsession Part 2

"Stop lying. It''s not a good trait for someone as young as you," George sighed. He couldn''t believe that she would stoop so low as to lie right in front of him. "But..." she tried to exin, but her words were cut off by his interruption. "Don''t... Just stop before I get angry," George shook his head, feeling a pang of disappointment. He had always seen potential in her, but this behavior was disheartening. Despite his frustration, he knew he had to address the issue calmly. Berating a young student like her would leave a bad taste in his mouth. In his mind, she was simply blinded by her infatuation, a result of her youth and inexperience. "Listen, honesty is important," he began, his tone gentle yet firm. "Lying like this will backfire in the future." Annabelle avoided his gaze, her expression shifting from defiance to uncertainty. George could sense her inner struggle. "I understand it might be tempting to bend the truth sometimes, but it only leads to more problems," he continued, hoping to get through to her. "I believe you''re capable of better than this." As George spoke, he saw a flicker of remorse in her eyes. It was a small victory, but he knew there was still work to be done. "I''ll go to my office now," he said, creating an exit strategy from the awkward situation. It was better for her to have some time alone to calm her emotions. Being called out for lying was embarrassing for a young girl like her. She must have been thinking that she had just tarnished her own image in the eyes of someone she cared about. He turned around and walked towards his desk, choosing to act as though the conversation had never happened in the first ce. However ¡ª ''Why?... Why can''t you just love me?'' Anabelle bit her lip in frustration, her eyes turning red as her blood boiled inside her. If George were to turn around right now, he would witness the face of a beautiful demoness consumed by love. ''You trust that bitch too much? Fine, I''ll destroy her image for you,'' she added as she walked away. *** A few dayster. Inside a Mall. Amanda, George''s wife, was happily shopping in the supermarket to cook her husband his favorite dish. She appreciated him and knew that he was a loyal and faithful person deserving of her affection and trust. The same could be said for Amanda; she was also quite a catch. In fact, back in college, multiple men tried to woo her, but she felt that everyone just wanted her body, except for George. They had been friends for a long time, and never did he talk to her because of ulterior motives. In the end, she fell in love with him first. ''What drink would he like to go along with it?'' she touched her lips as she contemted. Her husband normally loved to drink beer, but there were three brands he liked. Ultimately, she decided to buy all three brands, just to be sure. "Miss Amanda?" A sweet voice called out to her, and she turned around to see a beautiful young woman with blond hair and blue eyes. "Annabelle," Amanda greeted with a smile. She knew this girl because she had met her once when she visited George''s office. At first, she was cautious and a bit threatened by Annabelle. She was beautiful to the point that even Amanda doubted her husband could resist someone so pretty and charming. But her trust in George outweighed everything, and she chose to believe that he would never betray her. "I hope I''m not interrupting anything," Annabelle said, her tone gentle. "Oh, not at all," Amanda replied, ncing at her shopping cart filled with various items. "Just picking up a few things for dinner." Annabelle nodded, her gaze lingering on Amanda for a moment longer than necessary. "You know, the professor speaks a lot about you. He often mentions how lucky he is to have such a wonderful wife." Amanda''s heart fluttered at thepliment, momentarily easing her doubts. "Thank you, that''s very kind of you to say." The two women exchanged pleasantries for a few more minutes before parting ways. "Is that her?" A tall, muscr man with styled hair and a cocky grin walked up to Annabelle. His designer clothes clung to his toned physique, and his smirk oozed with arrogance. "Yeah, that''s her," Annabelle replied with a nonchnt expression. "So all I have to do is talk to her? Make it seem like we have something going on, and you''ll pay me?" The man asked, seeking rification. "If you can do more, then that would be better," Annabelle responded. "Seducing a married woman is my forte, don''t worry. Consider this job done," the handsome man replied with confidence. "Looks like I''ll get paid and get some action at the same time," he added with a smirk as he walked towards Amanda. Alone in the corner, Annabelle couldn''t help but feel excited. "You will be mine, Professor George, no matter what," she muttered to herself . Chapter 35: Deception

Chapter 35: Deception

"Where are you taking me?" George retorted, attempting to pull his hands away from Annabele. However, he felt as if he was being held by a strong man rather than a petite, beautiful girl. "Just trust me, professor," Annabelle insisted, her tone growing more urgent. "This is very important" "This is a hotel! I don''t want rumors to start," George protested. But, he ultimately thought that causing amotion would attract more attention. Thus, he decided to let her bring him, nning to scold her once they were inside the room. The moment they reach the door, Annabelle''s hand twisted the knob and pushed the door open. George was expecting an empty room, but what greeted him was his wife on top of another man. The two of them were naked, and Amanda was the first one to notice . "G¡ªGeorge!" Amanda eximed in shock, hastily pulling away from her lover and covering her mouth. Her eyes welled up with tears from the overwhelming guilt and embarrassment. For George, it felt like the world was crumbling down before him. The woman he had loved with all his heart, despite enduring countless trials and temptations, was now revealed to be unfaithful, shattering his trust and breaking his heart into irreparable pieces. He had been a devoted husband to her¡ªloving, faithful, and always attentive despite his demanding schedule. He showered her with affection, never neglecting her needs, and always making her feel cherished and cared for. "W¡ªWhy?" That was the only word he could utter. He had always been a calm person, and even now, he didn''t have the energy to scold or screamed at her. Instead, he wanted to know what he wascking. Why did she do it? But before he could get an answer, Annabelle held his hands firmly. "I will never betray you, Professor. You don''t deserve to be cheated on!" she dered, her grip tightening on his hands, her eyes brimming with frustration and a hint of anger on his behalf. He was taken aback by her deration. He could tell that she was serious. Faced with a young girl versus a wife who had cheated on him, it was obvious whose side he should take. "Honey, please let me exin," Amanda pleaded, seeing that her husband might be taken away from her. She never intended to betray him, but the other man had a way of charming her, making her feel uniquely special and beautiful. In a moment of weakness, she sumbed to temptation, convincing herself that it was okay to do it once. "Let''s end our rtionship," George spoke up in neutral tone. He did not show any anger, just pure indifference. Then he turned away and pulled Annabelle closer to him. "I win," a sly smile crept onto Annabelle''s face, and Amanda saw the wickedness in her expression. In that moment, she realized that everything had been prenned all along, and the girl she had once believed to be pure was the mastermind behind it all. "W¡ª" she attempted to call out for her beloved husband, but her lover quickly covered her mouth, silencing her desperate plea. Everything had unfolded exactly as Annabelle had nned, leaving Amanda humiliated and heartbroken. *** "What the hell... no wonder Anna is so good at manipting people, it''s something she inherited," Reign spoke up, shaking his head in disbelief. He ended up feeling curious and listened to the whole story. "But why the hell did you tell me that? Those are useless information," he eximed, shaking his head in frustration. He felt annoyed, realizing that he had wasted his time expecting to uncover secrets about Anna''s origin and powers. "Useless information?" George chuckled. "You really are a kid," he added, his tone condescending. This remark fueled Reign''s annoyance, and he felt the urge to ripped George head, but before he could act, he heard a bursting sound. The Pulsating Sack where Anna was confined burst open, releasing a massive amount of blood that threatened to flood the entire ground. "Fuck you, so you were buying time!" Reign growled in anger, unable to believe that he had been deceived. But George only smirked. Like father, like daughter. DRIP! DRIP! DRIP! The dripping sound caught Reign''s attention again. This time, he saw something or someone standing up slowly from the pool of blood. He expected seeing little Anna, but what stood before him was far beyond his expectations. Instead of small girl, a young looking tall girl emerged, with captivating blue eyes and long, flowing blond hair. The blood covering her body added an unexpected allure, clinging to her curves and concealing her private parts with a tantalizing effect that only heightened her irresistible appeal. If Anna used to look like a cute girl, her body now resembled that of a senior high school student; she was notpletely mature, but her body was enough to seduced any man. "Reign, do you like my new body?" Anna spoke up, her voice now more teen-like and sweet, carrying a powerful charm. He was taken aback by her words. He believed he had already relinquished all his human desires, yet he found her irresistible for a moment. Fortunately for him, his instinct as a monster was still more powerful, allowing him to remain level-headed. He chose not to respond at all. Anna noticed his reaction and remained unfazed. Instead, she closed her eyes, concentrating her thoughts. With subtle control over her power, she fashioned a dress from the blood around her¡ªa flowing red garment with intricate patterns that seemed to dance with every movement. Her evolution had not only changed her physical body but also her mind. She had been pondering all this time why she was unable to evolve despite umting so much power. Finally, she got her answer¡ªit was desire. Shecked the desire to grow, and it had been preventing her from evolving. However, Reign''s indifferent attitude to her small body made her self-conscious. So, her subconscious mind willed for her body to be reborn anew. ''Will he look at me now?'' Anna thought to herself, feeling excited about her goal to capture Reign''s heart. Just like her mother, once she became obsessed with someone, she wouldn''t be able to love anyone else. Chapter 36: Reign鈥檚 hidden desire

Chapter 36: Reign''s hidden desire

"Reign," Anna called out, her voice now more mature and calm. But for some reason, he had be more annoyed and started avoiding her altogether. He didn''t even looked at her, and instead started to walk away on all fours, deeper into the mine, while Anna remained at the entrance. She insisted she was protecting him, in case more hunterse, but he felt like he was locked in this ce. His snobbish behavior made Anna''s heart ache , but instead of being dejected she started thinking of ways to get his affection. ''I need to find more humans to feed him,'' she thought to herself. Maybe if she helped him get stronger, he would appreciate her more. But at the same time, it could also backfire on her, leaving her powerless if he decided to leave. It was a real dilemma, and just thinking about it made her heart ache. Seeing her daughter like this, George couldn''t help but sigh, recognizing that she had inherited her mother''s stubbornness. Well, at least, George was quite the looker in his younger age. But what about Reign? He was a monster, half-corpse, with a face so ugly that even the best stic surgeon would throw up their hands in defeat. ''What did she see in that guy?'' George pondered . ''I know love is blind sometimes, but even a blind person wouldn''t dare to be attracted to such a thing.'' He added. "Hey, Anna, can we talk?" George finally couldn''t tolerate it any longer. Anna had be more mature in both appearance and speech, so he no longer treated her like a child. In all honesty, acting afraid and cowardly before was just a lie. George was actually a calm-minded and smart person, intentionally portraying himself as weak to be underestimated. "What is it, Dad?" she asked, sitting beside him and leaning on his shoulder as if it were the most natural thing to do. "What do you like about that thing?" he asked. Anna was taken aback by his words, and she started blushing, caught off guard by the direct question by her own father. This only irritated George further because he could sense that her feelings for that ugly monster was genuine. Just imagining what his grandson or granddaughter would look like if they became a couple sent a chill down his spine. Not just that, George didn''t even know if Reign had the ability to procreate in the first ce. He seemed entirely disinterested in sexual matters. "I don''t know, but I like his smell," Anna replied with a bashful tone. "You like his smell? He smells like a dry corpse," George retorted, unable to fathom Anna''s fetish. Reign didn''t smell exactly rotten, but it wasn''t exactly pleasant either. "Dad, please stop insulting him!" Anna pouted, her cheeks flushed with indignation. Hearing him badmouth her crush didn''t sit well with her. "Alright, alright," George sighed in defeat. Just her acting cute like this was his weakness. "But what''s your n now? Being with him would put you in unnecessary danger," he added with a firm tone. He had been supportive of her until now because she was just a small kid before. Now, he wanted to see if she was more logical after growing up. "Of course I will protect him!" Anna replied with a wide grin, fullymitted to sacrificing herself for Reign. "I take my words back. You''re way more stubborn than your mother," he shook his head, acknowledging Anna''s determination. As for the person in question, he was now lying in one corner, still trying toe up with a strategy. ''How the hell do I kill her?'' Reign muttered to himself. He could tell that Anna had be stronger, so fighting her would be out of the question for now. Even though she kept insisting that she was doing this to protect him, he would be a fool to just believe that and entrust his life to her. He was betrayed and experimented on at a young age, which left him unable to trust almost anyone. No matter what good deeds Anna did for him, he couldn''t shake the fear that she would use him someday, just like those doctors in that godforsakenboratory. ''That''s right, I can''t trust anyone. Trust will just make me weak and vulnerable,''he uttered those words with conviction, vowing never to be taken advantage of again. ''I need to practice more,'' he added, forcing his body to move deeper into the mine where there was more space for him to train. With nothing to eat to level up, improving his control over his body was the only option he had. Both of them had different goals, but they shared onemon trait: they were both stubborn to the core. *** Inside the Forest "Is this the ce?" a man in a ck suit spoke up, his long blonde hair and sharp green eyes giving him a unique appearance. "We are on the right track, James. I can see their footprints," a woman of short stature replied. She had ck twin tails and was d in a dark dress. Her eyes were pure white like a blind person, but she could see clearly even in the darkness. "Don''t be too impatient, Bro," another voice echoed, this timeing from a man with green hair and green eyes. He also wore a ck suit, but his had the shoulder part ripped out. He was adorned with earrings, even in his nose. These three were the team that MCGaven sent out to search for Dominic. They were only three digits hunter, but they could probably take out a Middle Rank Demon if they worked together well enough. "I''m not impatient. I just want to kill that demon fast and finish the mission," James responded with a nonchnt tone. [Note: Hunters are given ranks. Single Digit Hunters are the top dogs.] Chapter 37 New Version 37 New Version "Dad, stay here," Anna said suddenly, standing up from the ground. Her gaze sharpened as she sensed the approach of three individuals. The distinct scent of their blood made it easy for her to figure out their identities; they were certainly no ordinary humans. They had the same scent as the old man she had killed before, but theirs was noticeably weaker inparison. George could see the seriousness etched on his daughter''s face. He felt the urge to reason with her, to just leave Reign behind , but he knew that she wouldn''t listen to his words. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om He knew all too well how deeply in love she was, to the extent that it bordered on mental disorder. "Can you handle it?" He asked with a worried tone. Anna turned toward him, wearing a confident smile. "They''re easy prey," she repliedbefore utilizing her improved control of blood to increase her speed towards the depths of the forest, ready to confront the enemy head-on. For years, she had lived cautiously, avoiding the spotlight, knowing that too much attention often led to trouble. However, the presence of Reign shattered her logical reasoning, and now all she could focus on was protecting him. It was somewhat amusing to consider that she fell in love with a monster simply because he smelled good to her. But, for Anna, he had already be an irreceable presence in her heart. ''I won''t let anyone hurt him,'' she vowed . Her senses heightened as she got closer to them, each hunter moving through the foliage with confident strides. She could feel their blood pumping through their veins, their hearts racing not with fear but with anticipation. But the same sentiment applied to Anna as well. She was also excited to test her new powers after evolving. She was confident that this version of herself was far more lethal in every aspect. Anna delved deeper into the forest, her anticipation growing with each step. She spotted a tall tree nearby and quickly devised a n. Using her blood tendrils, she scaled the tree, reaching a strategic vantage point in the canopy. Though she felt stronger than before, the prospect of facing three opponents simultaneously was still something she had never experienced yet. "They''re close," she whispered, her eyes turning red as her aura shifted into something more dangerous. It was aplete shift from her usual sweet demeanor. . If Reign were here right now, he would likely be contemting whether his n to kill her was the right choice. He had severely underestimated Anna due to her attitude towards him, forgetting that she was an existence even the strongest hunters would approach with caution. "James, hold on, someone''sing," Cyle, the woman in the group with pure white eyes, raised her fingers to signal herpanions. She possessed the keenest senses among them and specialized in scouting. Scouting hunters were actually quite rare. While they might not be the strongest fighters, they were invaluable members of any team. A team with a hunter possessing scouting abilities had twice the survival ratepared to those who didn''t. In fact, she had always been sought after by other teams. And the sole reason she stuck with this team was because she had feelings for James since their days in the academy. She believed James had the potential to be a double-digit hunter in the future, and was betting on it. "Keep quiet, I need to concentrate," she whispered. In her vision, she spotted a faint aura atop the tree. It wasn''t particrly powerful, likely emanating from a demon of lower rank. "What kind of demon is it?" Jake, the green-haired hunter, asked with aid-back attitude. Cyle contemted for a moment. Normally, demons wouldn''t bother hiding their true aura, as they were prideful creatures. However, when they did, it was often easily detected by fluctuations. "It''s not fluctuating, so it must be just a lower rank," she concluded after considering all variables. "That''s it? Are you telling me that a lower rank demon could not be killed by an ex double-digit hunter?" Jake asked, his tone tinged with doubt. "It''s not really impossible. Master Dominic had been retired for a long time, so his power might not be that impressive anymore," James responded. It was the only exnation he could think of. No matter how powerful a hunter was, they were still humans, not immune to the passing of time. "Alright, let''s use formation B for this one," James ordered. Formation B was their default strategy when dealing with unknown types of demons because it offered the highest defense rate. Jake took the front position, as he was the most tanky in the group, while James defended the rear. Cyle positioned herself in the middle because it was the safest spot. "Let''s go!" Jake bent his knee, and on cue, he unleashed his breathing technique to increase his speed. This was followed by the other two as they leaped from one tree to another to directly confront the demon. Since it was just a lower rank, they didn''t have to worry about it setting up some kind of trap, as lower-rank demons were typically not very cunning. However¡ª "Jake on your right !" Cycle cried out. She saw something in her vision , in one of the trees something shot out like a projectile . "I got it," Jake said after hearing her, immediately concentrating on his surroundings to prepare for an iing attack. "Hawk Breathing Technique, Whirlwind !" he roared, and mid-air, he rotated his body together with his sword to create a wave of wind to block the attack. The projectile hit the wind and scattered into pieces, but before Jake could have a breather, another shout erupted from behind him. "Don''t stop, it''s everywhere!" Cyle cried out in distress, and what followed was a barrage of projectiles bombarding the group from all directions. They were forced tond on the ground to gain some footing and relied on their sword techniques to sh out and hold on. "What the fuck, Cyle! You said we were dealing with a Lower Rank Demon!" Jake berated, struggling to control his breathing to conserve energy. If they had known the demon was this powerful, they would never have chosen to confront it directly. "I..." Cyle stuttered, feeling responsible for their predicament. However, she was genuinely confused because she hadn''t observed any fluctuations before. "Stop ming her and focus," James interjected. He, too, was dealing with the projectiles, but unlike the other two, he found it much easier to stop the projectiles. He swiftly swung his sword, deflecting the iing projectiles with precision. His movements were efficient, ensuring each attack was redirected away from himself and hispanions. Amidst the chaos, James remainedposed, relying on his training to defend against the onught. In the distance. ''Oh, they''re better than I thought,'' Anna pondered to herself as she watched everything. Chapter 38: Disposable Pawn The bombardment of projectiles persisted, and after a while, all three realized they were dealing withpressed blood being shot at lethal speeds, enough to endanger normal humans but easily handled by their katanas. Fortunately, their weapons weren''t crafted from ordinary metals. While they might not have been made from the most expensive materials, they were forged from Carbonized Steel, with a blend of Chromium Alloy, making them both lightweight and durable. With the addition of their skillful use of these swords, they were able to sustain blocking the onught without losing their sword''s durability. Suddenly, the barrage of attacks stops, granting them a momentary break. However, they remained vignt, not lowering their guards. "Cyle, take your phone and try to contact HQ. I''ll protect you," Jamesmanded. He knew the importance of reporting their encounter, as their target was far stronger and smarter than they had anticipated. A smart demon was far more dangerous than a strong one, and judging from the ambush, there was also a chance that they were dealing with multiple demons at the moment. Normally, demons despised each other and were reluctant to join forces. However, the demon that Cyle saw was of low rank, suggesting that the one attacking them now could be an entirely different entity altogether. "Alright," Cyle hurriedly nodded and reached for her phone, but before she could move further, she felt a cold sensation in her stomach. "BUAHHHH!" She vomited as the blood on the ground formed and actually pierced her stomach. The two guys managed to leap away, but Cyle momentarily lost her focus when she reached for her phone. "Cyle!" James gritted his teeth midair, but the blood tendrils didn''t give him the opportunity to save her as they formed and homed in on him . "You will pay for this!" James roared in anger. His breathing became much heavier, and his eyes began to turn pure ck. "Venomous Scorpion Breathing Technique, Venom!" he shouted. Purple smoke was released from his pores, and it slowed down the blood tendrils around him. SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! Each of his shes generated more smoke, and in the end, it was hard for him to be seen . As for Jake, he knew that the smoke was dangerous, so he leapt from one tree to another to keep his distance. ''James snapped. The situation is getting more serious,'' he muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. Their leader, typically level-headed, transformed into apletely different person when put to the edged. ''I need to find the demon,'' Jake muttered to himself. Now that the demon was preupied with dealing with James, it was his time to search and hunt it down. He leaped from one tree to another, heading towards the first location where Cyle had spotted it. But when he reached the location , there was no one at all. "Fuck, where is that thing?" he cursed aloud. After a moment of contemtion, he realized there was no use in getting angry. Instead, he had to start searching another area. As he prepared to execute his n, he suddenly heard the sound of rushing leaves. Instinctively , he turned towards the source and drew his swords as a defense mechanism. CLING! Though he managed to block the iing attack, he was forced to step back four times. When his body stabilized, he saw a demon crawling on all fours. It had an ugly face, and the stench of death was overwhelming. Hunters had better senses than ordinary humans, so everything was magnified, even their sense of smell. "So you''re that lower-ranked demon," Jake said, readying his stance as he faced Reign. *** 5 minutes ago. Reign got tired of the deep part of the mine, so he headed back up. When he reached the entrance, George told him that Anna had faced the enemy by herself. At first, Reign thought it was his best chance to escape. However, after seeing she was dealing with three hunters, he realized the situation was bing more dangerous , not just for her, but also for him. If she got killed, then he was sure he would be next on their list. Judging from the fact that they were able to get this close, it was logical to assume they had a way to track demons down. ''Can I even survive alone if I''m hunted?'' he asked himself. Despite Anna being annoying, at least she was powerful enough to protect him . ''That''s right, I''ll just use her for now like a disposable pawn,'' Reign chuckled sinisterly. Just listening to his own thoughts made him satisfied with how cunning and evil he was. The other thing that made him more interested in helping was the fact that these three hunters might havepatible organs to his body, unlike the old man. He finally made the decision to help, cautiously crawling closer to the scene. Moving slowly and carefully, he kept his senses sharp, ensuring not to alert anyone to his presence. As he approached, he observed the hunters'' movements, noting their positions and tactics as they desperately tried to survive Anna''s attack. Taking cover on a tree, he prepared himself when an opportunity arose. "He''s moving," Reign grumbled, noticing that Jake was heading in his direction. Now, he just had to hide his presence and wait for an opportunity. Fortunately, the darkness provided cover, making it difficult for him to be seen due to his natural coloration. The moment Jakended, Reign''s muscles tensed, and he dashed towards him, nning for a surprise attack. However ¡ª Jake''s reaction time was not to be trifled with. He quickly drew his sword and parried Reign''s w. As the two attacks collided, sparks burst forth. Reign felt that he was physically stronger than Jake after that encounter. Realizing this, he utilized the fact that he had two arms and didn''t give Jake a chance to take a breather. He unleashed sh after sh, changing the direction and tempo from time to time to mess with Jake''s defense. In the end, Jake was left defending, but he wasn''t troubled by the attacks that much. He could sense that Reign was only a low rank and could be handled alone if he was given some time to regain his bearings. The real problem at the moment was the demon controlling the blood. If that demon killed James and came here, then he would be dead for sure. ''I need to kill this mob fast,'' he muttered to himself, focusing on controlling his breathing. "Hawk Breathing Technique, Talon!" he roared. The wind started converging around his katana, and as he shed it down, Reign could tell it was very dangerous. But Reign was confident in his own defense, so instead of dodging, heunched his own attack, putting all the weight of his body into his w center of bnce. This bold move surprised Jake; he had thought Reign would dodge, and he even had a follow-up attack in mind. However, it was toote to stop his own attack, so he could only tighten his grip on his sword hilt. He put all his energy into his sword, determined to sh through Reign''s w in one decisive blow. CLANG! When Reign''s w and Jake''s sword collided, a big spark illuminated the dark forest for a split second. The force between their attacks was almost equal, and both of them felt their bodies vibrating from the impact. But one of them suffered more damaged . Chapter 39: Regrets "Fuck you," Reign grumbled in anger. Although he managed to block the actual sword, the winding from it struck his body, leaving him severely wounded. He couldn''t feel pain, but he was well aware that he was now weakened. He had underestimated the hunters after witnessing Anna deal with them so effortlessly. Now, wounded, he realized that he was wrong in his assumption. This realization stung his ego more than the actual physical damaged he suffered. "You can talk?" Jake immediately adjusted his stance after hearing Reign''s words. For a demon to speak, it meant it was on the brink of breaking through the middle rank. However, he could tell that the demon in front of him was stillcking in strength. This begged the question: Where did he get his intelligence from? And his assumption was correct; lower demons could barely speak at all. The only reason Reign was an exception was that he used to be a human beforeing to this world. His intelligence was already high from the get-go. But for Jake, a different idea came to mind: Catastrophe-type demons. These demons were already intelligent from the moment they were born. It was said that these kinds of entities inherited some of the knowledge of ancient demons who shared their DNA, making them inherently more intelligent. And unlike their weaker counterparts, these demons grew and evolved faster. That was why hunters like him always prioritized killing this type of demon before they could be a threat. Otherwise, when they reached their peak, they could single-handedly destroy a city, hence the category Catastrophe. Jake took a deep breath and gathered his strength, preparing for another attack. He knew he couldn''t let his guard down now. "You''re dangerous, I need to kill you," he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to the demon in front of him. "Hawk Breathing Technique, Shuttered Wings !" With an intense gazed, heunched another barrage of wind shes at Reign. This time, however, he aimed for Reign''s legs, trying to cripple him and make it easier to finish him off. The wind howled through the air, forcing Reign back several steps as he struggled to defend against the attack. His legs began to twist and bleed under the immense pressure, and soon, one of them was severed. Reign grumbled in annoyance as he fell to the ground, clutching at his bleeding stump where his legs used to be. He felt weakened further by the loss, but he still managed to summon enough strength to speak. "I will fucking kill you," he spat through gritted teeth, his expression twisted into a snarl. Despite the damage his enemy sustained, Jake knew he couldn''t let his guard down now. The demon was still dangerous, and he had to finish this quickly. With a quick nce at the wounded demon before him, he took a deep breath and prepared for one final attack. He walked towards him and raised his sword, ready to behead Reign."Die, you piece of shit, " But before he could deliver the fatal blow, Reign''s w suddenly extended, catching him off guard. Due to the position of his sword, he waste to block, and five long ws pierced his abdomen. "BUAHHHHH!" A gut-wrenching scream tore from Jake''s lips as the w pierced his abdomen, unleashing a torrent of blood. The excruciating pain twisted his face, contorting his body in agony. Each convulsion sent waves of nausea through him, and he spat out blood, the metallic taste overwhelming his senses. He used his sword to steady himself, but ultimately, the pain forced him to kneel on the ground, his breaths ragged and shallow. "Idiot," Reignughed maniacally, his n working like a charm. All this time, he knew he could not defeat Jake head-on, so he decided to sacrifice his legs to lower his guard. Then, at thest moment, when Jake raised his sword to go for the kill, Reign used his hidden skill and swiftly sucker-stabbed him. "Man, you''re taking too long to die," Reign mused aloud. He avoided getting too close, wary that Jake might have some surprises left. Safety first, he reasoned. Instead, he began twisting his ws, causing Jake''s innards to spill from his stomach. "Looks likesausages," he thought, noting the high quality of Jake''s internal organs. He must have been eating well and staying healthy. "BUAHHHHH!" Jake vomited another gush of blood, his vision already fading. All he had left was his willpower, allowing him to hear the mockingughter of the demon responsible for his death. In hisst breaths, tears of blood welled in his eyes as he recalled his family, who died because of demons. He was the lone survivor of a demon attack, and he had be a hunter to seek vengeance for his loved ones. He had hoped to find the demon responsible for his family''s death, but his owncency and errors resulted in his downfall. . All these regrets began to weigh heavily on his heart, threatening to engulf his very soul. [System: Target is umting Vengeful Aura. Would you like to create a darkened heart?] [Yes] or [No] Reign''sughter stopped after seeing the notification. He wasn''t sure what a darkened heart meant, but if the system was offering it, there must be plenty of benefits. "Yes" The moment he agreed, Reign felt an energy released from his ws. Two secondster, Jake slumped to the ground, finally finding eternal rest. Reign, with his missing leg, crawled towards the dead corpse using his hands. He began tearing open its chest, curious to see what had be of his heart. "It''spletely ck!" he eximed after seeing it. He reached out to touch it and realized it had crystallized for some reason. "This thing looks delicious," he mumbled as he examined it in his hands. It had no discernible smell, but something inside him urged him to eat it immediately. CRACK. As his teeth sank into the crystallized heart, it began to crack and dissolve in his mouth, like some kind of pop candy. The sensation was peculiar, but what really intrigued him were the fragmented memories flooding his mind. They weren''t Jake''splete memories, but rather shes of his worst nightmares ¡ªa life marked by tragedy. He saw images of a family torn apart by the merciless ws of a demon, the anguish and despair etched into their faces. ''What kind of demon is this?'' he pondered silently as he observed the creature in the memory. It appeared to be a hybrid of human and bird, with three crow heads fused together to form its grotesque face. ck feathers adorned its body, and it boasted three bird-like legs, adding to its creepy appearance. Looking at the monstrous creature, he couldn''t help but feel that his own appearance was rather tame inparison. Despite his almost decaying skin andrge canine teeth, he realized that he was nothingpared to the abominable being he had just witnessed in the memory. He had always considered himself rather scary looking, especially when his basis for a demon was Anna. Regardless of his feelings of resentment towards her, he couldn''t deny her beauty, even by human standards. ''So that annoying girl is an exception,'' he muttered to himself. [DING!] Chapter 40: Darkened Heart [System: Host Consumed Darkened Heart] [First Rewards Activated] [+5 skill points] [System: Darkened Heart Mission: Kill the Three-Headed Crow] [Reward: Silver Rank Gift Box] "Finally, a mission!" Reign eximed. It was the first time he''d received a task from the system. And he had even begun to think his system was the type that didn''t offer missions at all. As for why the system asked him to do this,? Well, he really didn''t care, as long as there were benefits involved. There was no need to oveplicate things in the first ce. "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 17 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Viral de Zombie Hunter Strength :C Stamina :F+ Endurance : B Intelligence: C+ [Skill] Bite - Level III Undead Eye - Level I Night Crawl III wer : V Viral sh X [Points] Attribute Points: 30 Skill Points : 7 Evolution Points : 0 ============ Examining his stats, Reign felt satisfied to find an extra 5 skill points, in addition to the two he had received from leveling up when he ate those drug makers in the cave a few days ago. Skill points normally came with one per level, so discovering another source was a wee surprise. Still, there were aspects that left him disappointed after the battle. One of them was his Viral sh ability. It was almost useless unless hended a clear hit on his opponent. Even then, the effect was minimal against hunters with higher vitality and immunity than humans. ''Did I choose the wrong ss?'' he wondered. ''Maybe the acid power would have been a better choice in the early stages.'' ''Forget it, it''s toote for regret now,'' he muttered to himself. Reign wasn''t the type of person to dwell too much on spilled milk. He refocused his attention on consuming the corpse before him. He was eager to see what options he would gain from consuming a young hunter like Jake. *CRUNCH Reign''s actions became almost automatic as he fed on the corpse. His mind let go of all distractions, focusing solely on the task at hand. He tore into the flesh, devouring everything in sight. The taste offlesh filled his senses, and he enjoyed every bite. At the same time, while devouring Jake''s corpse, Reign noticed some movements: Jake''s blood was flowing in another direction. He figured it must be Anna, getting her share of the spoils. ''That annoying girl still want to get stronger?,'' Reign muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. But despite his irritation, there was little he could do about it. He had witnessed how effortlessly Anna confronted the hunters without even revealing herself. In fact, he was certain that she could have handled all three of them alone. When Reign finished consuming the corpse, the awaited notification finally rang out. [System : Mutation Option Avable ] >> Hawk Skin >> Hawk Bones [The host had devoured a human who practiced the Hawk Breathing Technique. All the parts of the human body had mutated and evolved to cope with the power of this technique. However, due to the humanck of talent , the effectiveness of this mutation had degraded to only 30% ] "Wait, so that guy isn''t even a talented hunter?" Reign mused aloud. He finally figured out why he was able to kill Jake with his surprise attack. Regardless, the mutation options were still beneficial to him, so he clicked Hawk Bones first [Hawk Bones : Cost 3 skill points] [Effect: Increase the hardiness of host bones and ws by 10% while making it lighter.] ''Motherfucker,'' Reign cursed inwardly, realizing the steep cost of this system. Skill points were already hard toe by, and now his system was asking him to sacrifice them. And not just skill points, even leveling up had be harder. Reign didn''t even gain a level after consuming a young hunter. [System: Mutation option will be gone after 60 seconds.] "Fuck!" Reign wanted to punch the system if it had a physical body right now. Sadly, he didn''t have time for that; he had to quickly check the effects of the other option and choose the best one. [Hawk Skin Cost: 3 skill points] [Effect: Hardened Host skin by 30%] ''This isn''t much of an option,'' Reign sighed after seeing that the Hawk skin effect wasn''t that good. So, he decided to go with the Hawk Bone instead. He didn''t want to spend too many of his skill points in one go because there were still two more hunters who might have better organs. As Reign purchased the Hawk Bone, he could feel the pain of his bones breaking and restructuring themselves. Normally, Reign didn''t experience pain, but this particr sensation emanated from his very being, forcing him to endure it. Along with the difort, there were unexpected benefits; he noticed that his severed leg was now growing faster. Perhaps it was because the system had to reconstruct his body, elerating the healing process. For the actual severed leg, it began to dpose until it turned into dust. He made a mental note of this discovery, recognizing it as a handy loophole for the future. When the process wasplete, he couldtell that he had grown much tougher. "Status" ============ Endurance : B ¡ª> B+ ============ The increase was satisfactory, especially considering he couldn''t even dare to imagine how many attribute points he would have needed to increase his endurance. "Is she done?" Reign slowly stood up and looked in the direction where Anna was fighting. There was no longer any sound of fighting; all he could see were two red cocoons standing on the ground. "Reign, are you finished?" Anna''s voice rang from behind him, catching him off guard. He hadn''t even noticed her until the final moments. "Yeah, I''m finished," he replied casually. He didn''t want her to catch on that he hadn''t noticed her, worried she might perceive him as weak. "Then let''s go get the other two," Anna suggested, taking Reign''s wed hand as they walked side by side towards the Cocoon of blood. It was really ironic how a powerful and sadistic demon like her was treating him like a king, while she treated others like trash. As Reign watched Anna, aplex expression flickered across his face. There was acknowledgment of her strength, but it was coupled with a sense of annoyance at her demeanor. She continued to assert herself, never giving Reign a chance to act independently. In the end, this kind of life wasn''t what he desired. He felt stifled by her constant control, and he was only tolerating her because of her usefulness. When they reached the two cocoons, Reign could see that they were pulsating like a heart. "Don''t worry, I kept them alive and fresh for you," Anna remarked with a wide, happy smile. Looking at her, she resembled a housewife presenting a delicious meal to her beloved husband after a hard day at work. The twist? The ingredients were human meat, and the drink was blood. ''To think she was able to capture them alive, how strong is she?'' Reign pondered to himself. Killing and capturing an enemy were on totally different levels. To capture an enemy, one needed to have an overwhelming advantage in every way. And Anna did it to two people at the same time. He couldn''t help but marvel at her strength and cunningness. "Which one do you want to eat first? The boy or the girl?" Anna asked, noticing Reign''s brief paused. "Which one of them produced that smoke before?" he inquired, recalling the smoke he had witnessed earlier and sensing its potential usefulness. If his guess was correct, then it would be highlypatible with his current ss. This would be a game-changer for him. "That one," Anna said, pointing her finger to the right. Chapter 41: Hidden Meaning "Just¡­kill...me...already, you monster," James muttered weakly through gritted teeth. His body was locked up by blood tendrils, his hands and legs bound, his clothing torn, and his skin marred by superficial wounds inflicted by Anna. She ensured not to strike vital parts, prolonging his suffering and preventing a quick death. "You.. Will.. Pay¡­" Exhausted and unable to break free, only his sheer willpower sustained James''s ability to speak. He had hoped to at least inflict some damage on the demon he fought by waiting for Anna to tire out, but he was defeated before that even happened. As James strained to lift his head, his gaze met the demon who had mercilessly overwhelmed him. In that moment, he understood why his team was defeated so one-sidedly. He could tell that Anna was already in the level of a High Demon. She might have just reached this level, but her intelligence made up for herck of powerpared to others. He also nced at the ugly monster beside Anna but didn''t see anything special about it. It was just a lower-ranked demon whose IQ was normally too low to even be a threat to a well-prepared Hunter. SLAP! Anna''s hand struck James sharply across the face. "How dare you look at my Reign like that!" she gritted her teeth in anger, her eyes shing with fury. She felt insulted of how James gazed lingered on her beloved , and it only fueled her rage further. ''My Reign? Since when did this woman think she owned me?'' Reign grumbled to himself, feeling a surge of irritation. He hated it when others acted like they owned him; it brought back painful memories of his past life, where he was treated like an object. "Hey..." Reign protested, wanting to set things straight, but before he could say more, Anna started pping James again. SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! The sound of her brutal beating echoed nonstop, and her eyes were filled with killing intent. She was doing all of this because she felt really irritated. It was clear that her frustrations were manifesting in her actions, and Reign could only watch insilence as she vented her anger. "Did you want to say something, Reign?" Anna asked with a wide smile, her face tainted with James''s blood, making her appear both beautiful and wicked at the same time. "Ah... nothing," Reign replied, deciding not to push his luck for now. It was better to keep quiet and avoid further confrontation with her. He realized that Anna''s evolution had made her even crazier. If he said the wrong words, she might lock him up forever. No, there was no doubt about it. Judging by how crazily she acted, he was pretty sure that she would lock him up if she saw that he was nning to escape. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, and he resolved to tread even more carefully around her, knowing the consequences of crossing her. "I see, Reign how about you eat him now ? It''s look like his going to die soon," Anna responded. ''And who do you think made him like that?'' Reign scolded her in his mind. He thought he was crazy, but he felt like a sane personpared to her. Are all demons like her? He hoped not. Refocusing his thoughts, he began consuming James. With each bite he took, the meat and bones crunched together, dissolving into nothingness. The blood oozing from the ruptured organs started to also flow towards Anna, her pores absorbing everything like a vacuum. Eventually, all that remained were fragmented bones, his katana, and tattered shreds of clothing. A sigh escaped his lips, heavy with disappointment, as he whispered softly to himself, "No darkened heart..." It looked like there were some requirements for that thing to appear, and James did not have them. Reign felt a pang of frustration at the missed opportunity, but he knew he had to move on. [Level UP+1 ] [System : Mutation Option Avable ] >> Scorpion Venom >> Scorpion Pores [The host had devoured a human who practiced the Scorpion Breathing Technique. All the parts of the human body had mutated and evolved to cope with the power of this technique. However, due to the humanck of talent , the effectiveness of this mutation had degraded to only 30% ] ¡ª [ Scorpion Venom : 3 Skill Points] [Effect: Ability to secrete Scorpion venom into host ws. Can be used alongside Viral sh.] ¡ª [Scorpion Pores: 3 Skill Points] [Effect: Ability to secrete smoke from host pores. Can be used alongside Viral sh, but the effectiveness of the virus would be heavily restricted if the viruscks the Air Transmission Trait.] ''The Scorpion Venom is good, but I can only afford to buy one skill for now,'' Reign muttered, disappointed that hecked the skill points to purchase everything. In the end, he decided to go with the Scorpion Pores because it was the thing he needed right now. The transformation this time was quicker, and he only felt a little bit itchy, nothing more. Next on the agenda was the girl. Unlike James, she started begging for her life, but it was futile because she was talking to a bunch of cold-blooded monsters. Reign consumed her like any other, without any bias at all. For Reign, his eating habits did not discriminate based on gender. He was what others would call a gender-neutral monster. [Level UP+] Reign experienced an unexpected level-up. Surprisingly, the girl he had thought was the weakest actually gave him more experience points than the other two. Or perhaps it was James, whose impact had a massive effect, and the girl just pushed the level up. Regardless, this was good news for him. [System : Mutation Option Avable ] >> Mantis Eyes : >> Mantis Skin Reading the skill description, it was an easy choice for Reign to pick the Mantis Eyes. The advantages and effects were so good that he felt the three skill points were a worthy investment. With 16 types of photo-receptor cells, having these eyes would allow him to perceive colors and prized lights in ways humans could not fathom. His vision might be good during the night, but the sun made him almost blind during the day, which was a big disadvantage. However, with this new skill, he no longer had to worry about that. ''Maybe if I could consume more powerful organs, I could also find a way to bypass my weakened state during the day,'' he thought to himself, the prospect exciting him. Speaking of day , he thought of something he found weird. ''Wait, why the hell did these peoplee at us during the night? Don''t they know that we get weaker in the morning?'' Reign thought to himself, puzzled by the attackers'' timing. It was a foolish move to confront them when they were at their strongest. ''Maybe it''s just a coincidence?'' he guessed, trying to rationalize the hunters actions. Little did Reign know, the real reason for all this was that he was the only one severely weakened in the morning, unlike normal demons. Even Anna could still kill the three during the day without issue. While she might find the sun bothersome, it wasn''t to the point that she would be useless. Demon Hunters paid little mind to whether they pursued demons during the day or night, save for a select few powerful ones. "You''re growing too fast,," Anna''s cold voice snapped Reign from his thoughts, leaving him with a sense of unease as if her words had some hidden meaning. Chapter 42: Bolder Approach ''This is bad,'' Reign felt a cold shiver down his spine as he sensed her presence behind him, fearing her anger if he said the wrong thing. With his life hanging in the bnce, his mind raced for solutions. Even though he wasn''t keen on romance, it would be foolish not to realize that she was infatuated and obsessed with him. This was reality, and he wasn''t like those oblivious main characters from romanticedy anime who couldn''t read the room. He was simply inexperienced, which was why he didn''t know how to react. In the past, he had to pull away, but faced with her frustration, he realized he needed a different approach. And what was the universal way to make a woman happy? Appreciation, of course. Even her mother had loved it when heplimented her in his past life. But the problem here was his appearance. Normally,pliments from handsome men had a 100% sess rate, but in his case, he was so terrifyingly looking that even if he remained silent, it would have a negative impact. ''Maybe she''s not into handsome guys,'' he thought to himself, considering the possibility. After all, even in his past life, there were girls who fell in love with real corpses, so it wasn''t such a far-fetched idea. "It''s because of you. I can''t imagine what would have happened to me if you weren''t here," Reign forced himself to turn around, putting on a facade of gratitude. However , His monstrous appearance made his smile way creepier. Surprisingly, Anna didn''t seem to mind. In fact, she blushed and looked away after hearing his words. ''Huh?'' Is she really this gullible?'' Reign muttered to himself, observing how she reacted so flustered to just his words. Empowered by Anna''s reaction, he continued topliment her, finding that each kind word seemed to deepen her infatuation. "I''m really d that I met you," he remarked, watching as her cheeks flushed with delight. ''You dimwit,'' Reign chuckled inwardly, feeling a sense of satisfaction as he recognized the extent of his influence over her. ''Very well, I''ll continue showering you withpliments, but remember, one day I''ll eat you.'' He chuckled inwardly. "It''s okay," Anna replied sheepishly, her cheeks still tinged with a rosy hue. Her love for Reign had clouded her usual logical thinking, reducing her sharp intellect to that of a lovestruck teenager. They say love can blind you, but for Anna, it was as if her brain had simply shut down. Logic and reason evaporated in the presence of her overwhelming feelings for him. Reign, observing her vulnerable state, decided to push the boundaries further. With a wed hand, he gently touched Anna''s head. He had no intention of harming her at that moment; she was still useful to him. His action was more of an experiment, a test to see if she would flinch or evade his touch. To Reign''s surprise, Anna didn''t budge at all. It wasn''t just that she didn''t move; it seemed like she didn''t even consider the possibility of him hurting her. Her love for him was so deep that she trusted himpletely, without a second thought. "Hey, are you finished?" George''s annoyed voice jolted the two. Seeing his daughter act foolishly soured his mood. Anna felt a twinge of disappointment at her father''s interruption, but out of respect for him, she chose to express her annoyance by simply pouting her cheek. ''You silly girl,'' George sighed heavily as he observed her reaction. He realized that she was deeply charmed by her feelings for Reign, to the extent that even if Reign were to harm her, Anna wouldn''t hold it against him. The ironic part was that he couldn''t me his daughter for her emotions; he knew all too well that what she was experiencing was part of her nature. "We have to get out of here. I''m suremore people wille after us," George spoke up, feeling the weight of responsibility to inject reason in the team. With Anna''s mind seemingly lost in a blissful haze, it fell to him to lead the group. As for Reign, George harbored no expectations, not because hecked intelligence, but just due to hisck ofmon knowledge and understanding of the world. "Uhm" Reign nodded in agreement. The mine was alreadypromised, so there was no reason for them to stay there. "There''s another town nearby. I think we should head there toy low," George suggested. "But the issue here is you," he continued, casting a nce at Reign''s imposing figure. "You''re too intimidating and scary." Reign paused and contemted. While he acknowledged the wisdom of hiding and keeping a low profile for safety''s sake, he couldn''t shake the feeling that it was the wrong decision. What he truly desired was power¡ªmore power to protect himself . ''I need to be bolder,'' he thought to himself, then nced at Anna. It would be a waste not to take advantage of her power. Perhaps if he hadn''t met her, he would have opted for a stealthier approach. However, Anna possessed the ability to kill a lot of people in a quick manner, which could elerate his growth. "Let''s kill everyone in the town and make our escape," he dered. "Are you insane?!" George''s voice erupted, a mixture of shock and frustration evident in his tone. His fists clenched tightly at his sides as he struggled to contain his anger. The n was sheer madness, it was suicidal . He wasn''t concerned about Reign, but his daughter''s safety was more important. No matter how powerful Anna was, her strength had limits. If they were pursued by dozens of hunters, she wouldn''t stand a chance. George looked to Anna, expecting her to intervene and knock some sense into Reign. He hoped that her influence would sway Reign towards a more rational course of action, one that prioritized their safety. However¡ª "I''ll go along with your n," Anna replied, her face lit up with a smile. "ANNA!" George screamed in anger. But when he nced at Anna, her eyes were filled with sadness, and George''s anger waned, reced by a wave of guilt. "Dad, I understand the risks, but I think it''s best if we part ways," Anna responded, her words jolting George with a cold realization. He knew that Anna''s suggestion wasn''t solely for his safety; she wanted to be alone with Reign. ''You monster¡­.'' George boiled with rage, his fists clenched tightly as he fought the urge to attack Reign for exploiting his daughter''s vulnerability.But he held back, knowing she would defend him. "If you''re going to go through with this, you need a solid n. That means taking out everyone quickly so we can make our escape. I''ll find us a van, and then we''ll get out of there," George exined firmly. Reign nodded, admitting that George''s n wasn''t half bad. Securing a car would certainly expedite their escape. As much as he hated to admit it, hecked the ability to ride or drive due to his monstrous body. "Alright, let''s do that," Reign agreed, and the trio returned to the mine to gather some supplies. George made sure to stock up on food and other essentials before they set off on their journey towards the next town. Little did the residents of that town know, their fate was now sealed by the actions of one overly dotting father. Chapter 43: Locked Gazed "Status," Reign muttered to himself as he waited for George to get ready while Anna was guarding the entrance. ============ Name: Reign Level 19 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Viral de Zombie Hunter Strength :C Stamina :F+ Endurance : B+ Intelligence: C+ [Skill] Bite - Level III Undead Eye - Level I Night Crawl III wer : V Viral sh X Hawk Bones [30%] Scorpion Pores[30%] Mantis Eyes[20%] [Points] Attribute Points: 40 Skill Points : 0 Evolution Points : 0 ============ At the moment, he had a bunch of attribute points saved up. He checked his status and tried to understand it better, wanting to know how many attribute points he needed to upgrade each rank. As he pondered it further, the system seemed to grasp his thoughts, and another window popped up. ============ (E)¡ª> (D+) = 5 AP (C-) ¡ª> (C+) =10 AP (B-)¡ª> (B+) = 15AP (A-) ¡ª>(A+) =20 AP ============ ''This is much better,'' he thought to himself. Now that he had a much clearer idea of how much each rank cost, he would be able to n his allocation better. He had two options. First, he could opt for a bnced build, increasing all attribute points equally. It would be the most cost-effective since it''s cheaper to upgrade lower-ranked attributes. The second option was to specialize in one attribute. It would cost more, but he could have one attribute that could dominate his enemy. For instance, he could focus on increasing his strength, making all his attacks heavier. Alternatively, he could boost his speed to increase his damage per second and maneuverability. ''Increasing my strength would be more expensive, and I don''t think it would make much of a difference in a fight,'' he mused, reflecting on his fight against Jake. In terms of strength, they were almost equal, but Reign was at a disadvantage because of technique. Their battle was akin to a match between two cars with identical engines. However, Jake''s car had superior aerodynamic design and otherponents, so Reign ended up losing in a frontal confrontation. Moreover, the driver, was more experienced. Stamina was not a priority for now; most of his fights ended too quickly for it to make a difference. Besides, he felt like the stamina stat was something he would needter, once he had more powerful skills. Using skills drained his stamina, but right now, most of his abilities were not too consuming. So, in the end, his only option was to increase his agility. It was the most logical choice ,and also the one that would give him the most overall improvement. AGI:(D+)¡ª>(C-)=5 AP AGI:(C-)¡ª>(C)=10AP AGI:(C)¡ª>(C+)=10AP AGI:(C+)¡ª>(B-)=10AP Just like that, 35 AP points were gone. Reign felt a twinge of annoyance at being broke again, but at least the improvement was satisfying . Testing his body''s movements by running around, he sensed that his speed had doubled. Not only that, but his reaction time had also improved a lot. Though he couldn''t quite put it into words, he knew that if he faced Jake again, he would now be able to block 50% of the wind strike. SLASH! SLASH SLASH Next, he tried attacking the rocky wall with his hardened w, and just as expected, the speed of his attacks had be faster. This also made each of his strikes stronger due to the increased momentum and velocity. Normally, his body wouldn''t be able to withstand the sudden increased in his attack speed because his other stats wasgging. But his high endurance, coupled with the Halk Bone, made his body more durable. Scanning the scratches from his attack, he discerned that his ws had also be sharper. After finishing his test, he turned on Mantis Eyes, and his vision transformed. He had previously turned off this ability because he was afraid Anna would notice it. In the Mantis perspective, the world appeared with a panoramic view, allowing him to see a wide field of vision at once. Colors were heightened, and movements seemed to slow down a bit, enabling him to perceive even the slightest of movements with rity. Additionally, he noticed a heightened focus on details, as if every object and surface were more sharper. It was as if he had gained an entirely new dimension of perception, offering him a unique and enhanced understanding of his surroundings. If there was a drawback to this ability, it was the fact that he could not use Undead Eye alongside it. ''This skill is OP!'' he muttered with an excited tone. He felt like the benefits that he got were beyond what he paid for. Little did Reign know, this ability was exceedingly rare. Cyle was one of the few hunters endowed with such an inborn skill, making Reign exceptionally fortunate to have absorbed it. Lastly, he attempted to release some smoke from his skin, but unlike James, the smoke he released was actually colorless. He figured that perhaps the reason for this was because he did not possess any poison-type ability to infuse into it. ''That''s everything,'' Reign muttered, flexing his arms and legs after ensuring he had a basic grasp of his new abilities and status. "Let''s go," George called out to him, now holding a big bag containing all the food and water he needed for the trip. Reign simply nodded and followed him out. Once they were outside of the mine, the trio wasted no time and began their descent down the mountain. *** Four hourster, after stopping from time to time to rest, the trio finally caught sight of the next town. Though it was still quite a distance away, the lights shining from within it infused them with renewed energy. An hourter. "It''ll be morning soon, so I think it''s better for us to find a ce to stay first," Georgemented, noting that the sun would set in just a couple of hours. "Alright, I''ll see if I can find one," Anna replied, and without waiting for their response, she sprung into action. SWOOOOOSH! Using her blood tendrils, she turned them into a web to jump from one tree to another. Then, spotting two trees that served as perfectunching pads, she stuck two wide blood tendrils on them and propelled herself upward like a slingshot. SWOOOOOSH! When she reached a sufficient height mid air, her blood tendrils transformed into thick, t clothing, slowing down her descent. "Is she a genius?" Reign couldn''t help but be amazed at how efficiently Anna had used her power. She wasn''t just dangerously strong but also very smart. "Yes, she is. Her IQ is actually 180," George replied with a smug look on his face. "By the way, my IQ is 150," he added to point out that he had good gics. Reign looked at George with a judgmental expression. He couldn''t believe that George actually wanted topete with him in terms of IQ. He remembered that his IQ in his past life was around 200+. If not for all those experiments that had broken his mind, he would outmatch Anna easily in terms of intelligence. "Are you sure you''re not pulling my legs here ? I can believe Anna, but not you," Reign retorted with a mocking tone. His creepy smile added an extra dash to the insult. "Unfortunately, I''m a downright honest person, but by the way, you stink and you''re ugly as hell," George jabbed back, his frustration spurring him to insult Reign. The two men locked gazes, both of them itching to tear each other apart. The only reason they refrained was because of Anna''s presence. George feared that Anna would be heartbroken, while Reign feared he might end up getting killed. But there was one thing they agreed on: they absolutely despised each other. Chapter 44: Bad Intentions "I found a farm !" Anna''s voice rang out as shended gracefully on the ground. She had taken care to create a spring-like blood object on her feet to cushion the impact of her descent. Watching Anna''s impressive demonstration, Reign couldn''t help but feel a bit envious of her ability. Her power was so flexible, unlike his own, which relied more on direct methods and use. It made him reflect on the limitations of his abilities and consider how he might learn from Anna''s approach in the future. ''Maybe if I eat her, I could gain that power too?'' Reign pondered to himself, his eyes scanning Anna from head to toe, considering the possibilities. Anna, on the other hand, couldn''t help but feel Reign''s intense gaze on her. Blushing slightly, she thought to herself, ''Wow, did he fall for me ?'' Little did she know, Reign was contemting her not as a potential love interest, but as an equal to a whey protein shake to increase his strength. If only she knew what was going on in his mind. "Nice find," Reign grinned, giving her a yful pat on the head. His smile seemed a bit forced, though, but it was already so creepy that whether it was forced or not didn''t make much of a difference. George, being observant as ever, noticed the ulterior motives behind Reign''s actions but wisely chose to keep quiet. He could tell that her daughter was eagerly ying into Reign''s hand, much like an enthusiastic puppy eager to please its owner. No, in fact,paring Anna to a puppy would be a stretch. At least a puppy would get some love from its owner. Reign, on the other hand, just sees her as a mere tool, a means to an end without any genuine care or affection. "Let''s head there now," Anna said, grasping Reign''s wed hands without any fear. The trio headed to the farmhouse, which was east of their current location. They followed Anna''s lead, making their way through the dark sky. When they reached the edge of the farm, it was already nearing 4:30 am, with just a few more hours before the sun would rise. ''This ce is bigger than I expected,'' Reign muttered to himself, his eyes catching sight of some cows grazing in the moonlight nearby. The farmhouse itself in the distance was a simple structure, its wooden exterior weathered by time and its windows glowing softly with the warm light from within. As they got closer, the trio spotted several individuals dressed in simple farm attire going about their morning routines. Some were feeding chickens, others were checking on the cows, and a couple were tending to the vegetable garden. One person stood near the farmhouse door, likely overseeing the morning tasks. In total, they saw eight people working diligently around the farm, each focused on their respective duties. It was a scene of typical farm life, with everyone pitching in to start the day''s work. Seeing the workers going about their morning chores, Reign felt a sudden urge to attack them, his hunger for power overriding any sense of reason. He imagined feasting on their flesh, fueling his own strength with their lives. In his desperation to grow stronger quickly, he was willing to resort to any means necessary. However¡ª "Don''t," George interjected sharply, jolting Reign from his dark thoughts. "Why?" Reign grumbled in response, his desire for power clouding his judgment. "We''re nning to massacre the town anyway, so eating now wouldn''t make a difference." George''s expression hardened as he stared at Reign, his voice firm. "In the off chance that they call for help, we''ll be done for," he exined, emphasizing the potential consequences of their actions. Unlike the mine, where signals were disrupted and ess was restricted, this ce was wide open. If someone screamed, it would take time for Reign to reach them, giving them a chance to call for help. The vastness of the area only added to the risk of being discovered. Of course, Reign also took this into consideration. He was confident in his ability to kill without being noticed, relying on his stealth and agility to carry out his ns without raising suspicion. In his mind, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to eliminate the people at the farmhouse. All he needed was one more level, and he could evolve again, bing stronger and more confident in their n for tomorrow. ''What should I do?'' Reign thought to himself, acknowledging his imposing appearance and the likelihood of causing rm if he approached the people at the farmhouse. ''Wait¡­'' He cut off his thoughts abruptly and turned towards Anna. She was the perfect person to use in this situation. "Anna, can you take care of those people for me without alerting anyone?" Reign asked. He knew she was intelligent enough to figure out the best course of action; he just needed to give the order. "Wait here," Anna replied with an excited giggle, pleased that Reign was openly relying on her. She harbored the impression that if he found her useful, then he wouldn''t abandon her, even as he grew stronger. Standing up and bending her knees, Anna dashed forward, using the cover of the dark sky to conceal her movements. As for George, he chose to wait and shut up. He understood that Anna, with her stealth and agility, had a much lower risk of getting caughtpared to Reign. ''Why am I helping this monster?'' George sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of guilt and weakness at the thought of her beloved daughter being used as a mere tool. He couldn''t shake the feeling that Reign had bad intentions, making the entire situation even more difficult to ept. As for the act of killing the innocent, George did not care at all. The ordeal of raising his demon daughter had numbed him to such matters. After all, Anna just killed his wife a few days ago, and he hadn''t dwelled on it much. In a way, he realized he was also weird, perhaps even exhibiting signs of being a "psycho" himself for tolerating such atrocities. . . . 15 minutes passed , and the whole farm became more silent . Even the dogs that guarded it were only able to bark once before they were taken care of. While George remained unaware of Anna''s actions, Reign observed everything with interest as she dispatched the farmers with ease. Using her blood as a deadly weapon, she shot them in the throat, silencing them before they could even cry out. It was a brutal and efficient method of disposing of people. ''She''s going inside,''" he mused as he watched her open the door to the house. After about five minutes, she emerged and waved her hands, gesturing that the task wasplete. ''That was fast, I knew it. She''s a really useful tool,'' Reign chuckled sinisterly, his dark thoughts swirling as he contemted Anna''s efficiency in carrying out his orders. On their way towards the house, Reign picked up the dead bodies of the farmers and slung them over his back. He nned to group them together and then consume them in one go. When they reached the front door, they saw Anna smiling and waiting. "Good job," Reign said, patting her head again. She seemed to really like it, so it became one of his ways of manipting her emotions. Chapter 45: Crazy Figure? Reign locked himself in the basement to consume thest corpse without interruption. [Level Up!] Finally, after consuming all the farmers, he heard the notification sound . It highlighted just how much the requirements had increased with each level. In total, he had consumed fifteen humans to level up, a considerable number, almost equivalent to a full basketball team. ''Ah, forget about it,'' Reign shrugged off the expensive price for levelingup, deciding to focus on the present,. Eager to bolster his strength, he quickly checked his avable evolution options. The sooner he grew stronger, the better off he''d be. He couldn''t rely on Anna indefinitely. In the event that she was killed, he needed to have enough power to survive on his own. DING! The system window pops up in his vision, disying the avable evolution routes. ¡ª¡ª¡ª Irond Infector : This type of creature is a unique (System Created)type specializing in defense. Their skin can harden at will. Additionally, ithas apact and fastbattle style, leading to a smaller body size for increased agility. Thisbination of traits makes it a formidable opponent, able to withstand attacks while quickly maneuvering inbat . Iron sh : Increase speed by 100% in 5 seconds. Iron Skin : Increase durability by 50 % in 10 seconds. ¡ª¡ª¡ª RapidInfector:This type of creature is a unique (System Created) type specializing in offense. It can shoot projectiles using its w . w Bullet:lethal projectile weapon designed for mid range and short quarterbat. w Barrage : Increased the fire rate of the w Bullet by doubling its speed of deployment. ¡ª¡ª¡ª ''That''s it? '' Reign felt a twinge of disappointment with his next evolution. The avable options weren''t as impressive as he had expected, especially considering that he was reaching level 20. He had hoped for a more humanoid form, not out of a desire to be human, but because seeing Anna inbat made him realized the flexibility advantage of a human body. ''What should I choose?'' he grumbled inwardly, his brows furrowing in frustration as he mulled over his options. The Irond Infector effect was appealing, doubling his speed and enhancing his durability, which would increase his chances of survival. On the other hand, the Rapid Infector race offered the potential for more varied attacks, he rememberedhow Anna effortlessly overpowered the hunters with projectiles. This skill mightck the speed and quantity of Anna''s Blood Bullets, but with enough leveling up, they could bemuch tougher and more resilient. After all, it wasmon knowledge that metal washarder than blood. [Purchase Rapid Infector] In the end, he opted for the Rapid Infector, convinced it provided superiorbat versatility. While the speed and toughness offered by the Irond would be more useful in the long run, he prioritized immediate power. The long range abilities it provided were also perfect, particrly if he developed a very lethal type of virus. He felt a change stirring within him. ncing at his body, he noticed a slight decrease in size, and he sensed his face undergoing subtle reconstruction. After the transformation wasplete, he searched for a mirror and examined his new appearance. He found himself less ugly, though still pretty hideous . However, he didn''t mind; looks weren''t his top priority anyway. ''Oh, my skin has healed up,'' he remarked, raising his arm to inspect it. Gone were the decaying patches; instead, his skin appeared pure and dark, a stark contrast to its previous spoiling and meaty appearance. His elongated nose had also ttened out, erasing the appearance of a decaying mix between a zombie and a severely deformed wolf. ''Let''s see.'' He raised his hand and then focused on the wall of the basement. BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! His five ws shot forward with muffled noises, leaving small crack markings on the wall. Though not as quick and powerful as real bullets, they possessed more than enough force to pierce a human body. ''Next,'' BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! This time, he unleashed w Barrage, feeling as though his knuckles had upgraded from a pistol to a semi-automatic. The force behind his attack had also been amplified, judging from the impact of each projectile. The force was so powerful that wide spider cracks began to fracture the walls. ''Yeah, this feels way better,'' he nodded with a satisfied grin. With his testplete, it was time to rest and prepare for the mission tonight. *** At 5:30 am in the town market, a vendor, ustomed to receiving fresh supplies from a nearby farm, found himself in a predicament. Anticipating the arrival of his usual batch of locally sourced goods, he was disappointed to discover that there were none . Concerned, he walked towards his desk and dialed the farm phone number. RING RING RING. "Hello," came a male voice from the other end of the line. Though unfamiliar, the vendor didn''t find it odd, considering the farm had multiple employees. "Hello, this is Mr. Strin from the market. I haven''t received any deliveries yet," the vendor spoke up, his tone tinged with a little bit annoyance, but he still maintained hisposure . "Oh, sorry about that. Can you tell me again what the deliveries were?" the man responded. The vendor, not wanting to dy any further, repeated the list. "Alright, I''ll deliver it," the man replied before ending the call. CLICK (Drop the call) "Dad, who''s that?" Anna asked, sipping on her fresh cow milk. "Nothing important. By the way, I''ll be making some deliveries, so you should go to bed after finishing your breakfast," George responded before walking away. "Alright," Anna nodded, not probing further. She trusted that her father had important matters to attend to. After neatly stacking the supplies in the warehouse, he loaded them onto the truck''s bed, each item snugly fitting into ce. With a twist of the key, the engine rumbled to life, its steady hum filling the air. As the truck warmed up, he poured himself a cup of coffee, its aroma wafting through the stillness of the morning. With the newspaper in hand, he scanned the headlines, absorbing the day''s news. ''Time to work,''he muttered to himself, stretching his legs before climbing into the truck. He pressed down on the pedal, setting off into the morning as a productive citizen. VROOOOOM! *** "Are you a new employee?" Mr. Strin inquired after seeing an unfamiliar face. "Yeah, I just got hired today," George replied with a warm smile. He was very good at instilling trust in others and remainedposed, making it unlikely for anyone to suspect that he was aiding two monsters on their killing spree. Observing George''s casual andposed demeanor, Mr. Strin refrained from asking too many questions and simply allowed him to continue unloading the supplies. Afterpleting his rounds on his order, he began walking around town, familiarizing himself with itsyout and catching up on thetest news. Anna might be powerful, but having additional knowledge about this ce couldn''t hurt. Along the way, he struck up conversations with the townspeople, eventually even stopping to enjoy a cup of coffee with one of them. ''They''re really nice,'' he thought to himself, observing the simplicity and refreshing lifestyle of the people in this peaceful town. Unlike city dwellers, the citizens living in small towns like this were far kinder and easygoing. ''Too bad they will all die tonight,'' he added silently, his expression still kind as he assisted an elderlydy in crossing the street. Chapter 46: Silent Killing Part 1 "P¡ª Please don''t kill me," pleaded the young man. But before he could get a response, he felt his throat itching. Hurriedly, he raised his hands to cover the hole in his neck. Blood began to gush out, and he tasted the metallic tang in his mouth before he vomited blood that tainted the ground. "BUAHHHHH," he vomited again, knelling to the ground and desperately covering his mouth, hoping to stopthe flow of blood. His death was slow and agonizing. The strike failed to prate his spinal cord, sparing him from immediate fatality. In this moment, he felt deep regret. If he had stayed home and not joined his friends, maybe just maybe, he wouldn''t be in a situation like this. But it was toote; there were no "what if" scenarios in real life. THUD! He copsed to the floor, together with six more lifeless bodies who were his friends, all killed by a beautiful woman they had assumed to be innocent and harmless. And who could me them? She possessed soft, flowing blonde hair and eyes of a captivating blue, their radiance undimmed even by the darkest of skies. Her skin was wless; her face was delicate in its contours; her nose charmingly small, and her lips exuded an irresistible charm. She eclipsed even the most renowned actresses on television in her sheer beauty. They hade from the cityto camp, and after seeing Anna, they were instantly captivated by her appearance and invited her for a drink,pletely unaware of her true nature. When one of their friends touched her shoulder, she became furious, and they foolishly thought they could force her down to the ground and take advantage of her. However, they all ended up dead instead. "I have to get back soon," Anna muttered to herself. They nned to attack the town around 10:00 pm, so George instructed her to be on standby until around 8:00 pm. While she was sitting on the roof to kill time, she spotted a camp fire in the distance and decided to investigate. That''s how she ended up with these six corpses. "I''ll just bring them to Reign as an appetizer," she giggled, and absorbed their blood first to lighten their weight. Then, she created a crimson rope and began pulling the corpses, their bodies leaving a mark on the ground as she dragged them along. Arriving at the farm house, Anna presented the corpses to Reign, who greeted her with a chilling smile. "Excellent work, Anna," Reign praised, examining the lifeless dry bodies . ''She''s really useful,'' he chuckled, thinking it would''ve taken him much longer to get stronger without her. He began devouring the six corpses, his eating speed had increased a lot after reaching level 20. It didn''t even take him two minutes to consume everything. Anna, too, was curious about how Reign was able to devour everything as if he were a bottomless pit. Inparison , she condensed the blood she got and slowly absorbed its essence, while Reign even consumed the bones. The only exnation she coulde up with was that his stomach acid must be incredibly strong, instantly dissolving everything it touched. ''Not enough,'' he thought to himself. The six corpses didn''t push him to the next level. But he wasn''t bothered because he knew he''d soon attend an all-you-can eat buffet. "Do we really need to wait any longer?" Reign asked, his impatience evident. He might be intelligent, but he was also a psychotic monster, so his patience asionally sumbed to his primal instincts. "Timing is the key. You will sneak into their homes without a noise, taking out your targets quickly while they''re fast asleep. Meanwhile, I''ll wait on the truck, to make our getaway after we''re done." George exined. Reign sighed and nodded. It wasn''t a bad n, so he didn''t bother arguing. . At around 8:00 pm, they climbed into the truck. George took the driver''s seat, with Anna beside him in the front. Meanwhile, Reign had to conceal himself in the back, wrapping his body with a sheet to hide his monstrous body. As soon as George hit the pedal, Reign could feel the jolts of the bumpy road beneath him. He felt annoyed, wanting to scold George for what seemed like purposely making the ride difficult. And he was right. George would intentionally elerate when encountering bumps, fully aware that Reigncked a seatbelt. Anna, on the other hand, remained oblivious to it all. Her sense of bnce was so good that the bumps hardly bothered her. Moreover, her limited knowledge about cars meant she didn''t find anything unusual about George''s driving style. ''That damn psycho!'' Reign grumbled, his frustration mounting. He clenched his ws, digging them into the car floor in irritation. ''Why am I surrounded by a bunch of crazy people?''he added. They continued their travel,, the truck rattling along the dark country roads. After an hour, they finally spotted the town. It was much smaller than Reign had expected, but that worked to their advantage. It would be easier to find their targets and make their escape without being detected. As they neared the town, George pulled the truck into an abandoned house instead of stopping on the side of the road. Having scouted the area earlier in the morning, he knew the abandoned house was uninhabited. It served as the perfect temporary hideout: dark, secluded, and conveniently close to the residential area they intended to target. He climbed out, motioning the two to start. "I''ll take the right, you take the left," Reign ordered, knowing full well that splitting up with Anna would make their mission faster. "Uhm," Anna nodded in agreement, wasting no time as she dashed towards the first house. Reign went in the opposite direction, his increased agility allowing him to leap onto the roof effortlessly. His n was simple: ess the house through an unlocked window, as most people didn''t bother to lock them. If that option wasn''t avable, he''d improvise and find another way in. ''Lucky,'' he thought to himself after seeing a loose window. With a swift motion, he reached out and utched the ss, sliding it up effortlessly. Gently, he hoisted himself inside,nding silently on the soft carpet. Inside, Reign heard the gentle sounds of snoring and observed two couples nestled together in each other''s arms. SLASH! SLASH! With cruel efficiency, Reign''s ws ruptured the necks of the two couples. They died so quickly that they never even realized they were dead. In a twisted way, it was an act of mercy for them. Reign began devouring them there, the blood soaking the bed as he fed. Once he finished his grisly meal, he turned to leave the house.. There were still some people in this ce, but they were children, and the thought didn''t sit well with Reign. He even instructed Anna not to harm any kids, recalling his own traumatic experience of being kidnapped and used in aboratory when he was a child. It might be hypocritical for him to act this way, but Reign didn''t care. He believed in having a bottom line, and for him, harming children was where he drew it. ''I''m too good for my own good,'' he sighed to himself before leaping out of the window. Chapter 47: Silent Killing Part 2 After an hour, the mission in the residential area was a sess. Anna and Reign met up and exchanged sides. He eagerly feasted on the humans she had killed, while Anna absorbed the remaining blood from Reign''s targets. He made sure that his targets bled profusely before devouring them. One advantage of Anna''s absorption ability was that she could absorb blood regardless of whether it was dried or soaked in bedsheets . ''This is almost like a date,'' Anna giggled. It was like a twisted amusement park date for them, except instead of cotton candy and roller coasters, they had blood and terror. They made quite the gruesome duo, like a couple of monsters gleefully stomping on humans as if they were nothing but ants. 20 minutester. "Are you done?" George asked casually, taking a sip of his coffee,pletely unfazed by the fact that his daughter had just killed dozens of people. "Yes," Anna replied with a worried expression. After finishing her rounds, she realized that her growth was now moving very slowlypared to before. Prior to meeting Reign, she hadn''t cared much about her own power, but now she felt a strong urge to keep getting stronger so she could be useful to him. It was her emotions clouding her logical thinking. "Is there something wrong?" George asked, noticing his daughter''s worried expression. Anna nced at her father, hesitating for a moment, before deciding to confide in him. "I feel like my growth is slowing down," she admitted, her tone tinged with concern. "Oh, so you''re already at that stage, huh," George replied, his tone indicating that he understood the situation. "You know what''s happening, Dad?" Anna hurriedly asked. George paused for a moment, a solemn expression crossing his face. "I think it''s time for you to know the truth about what happened to your mother," Anna locked gazes with George. She had never cared much about her mother, but if learning about her could help her grow stronger, then she was more than willing to listen. "I lied to you when I said she just disappeared on us," George admitted, his voice a little bit sad. "The truth is," George began, his voice tinged with sadness as he recounted the past, "she told me that she needed to leave because her life was in danger. She didn''t feel powerful enough to protect the two of us. Just stealing blood from blood banks wasn''t enough to make her stronger." "So she also experienced what I''m feeling right now?" Anna asked, seeking rification. "She called this the limit of her bloodline, and she mentioned she had to do something to break through it," George added. "Did she tell you about it?" She leaned closer to her father, her eyes wide with excitement as she eagerly awaited his response. George noticed the anticipation in Anna''s expression, but unfortunately, he didn''t have all the answers. "No, she told me she woulde back, but that never happened," he sighed heavily, a pang of sadness evident in his voice. Despite Annabele''s use of underhanded methods to get him, he still loved her deeply because she was the perfect wife material. It was true that she was very cunning, but she even stopped killing people when she got together with him; instead, she resorted to stealing blood from hospitals. In a way, Anna was even more ruthless than her mother in that regard, perhaps because she had fallen in love with a man-eating monster like Reign. ''Yeah, my daughter is a good girl, it''s all his fault,'' George muttered, shifting the me onto Reign,pletely forgetting that he too was at fault for being too dotting and spoiling her. In his mind , Anna did kill before, but it was usually out of irritation. She had also used blood from hospitals to grow stronger. However, since Reign entered the picture, she has be more brutal. In fact, she began to enjoy killing more, finding it to be a shared hobby with the creature she loved. ''That damn monster is a bad influence,'' he grumbled to himself, frustration evident in his tone. *** "Why do I feel like someone is badmouthing me?" Reign wondered to himself as he finally consumed thest corpse. [Level UP+1] *** So far, he had leveled up four times after eating over dozens of humans, and he couldn''t shake the feeling that the requirements for his evolution were costly. Little did he know, his growth was actually much faster than others of his kind. The silver lining, was that from level 21 onwards, he was now gaining 10 attribute points instead of the previous 5. "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 24 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Rapid Infector Strength :C Stamina :F+ Endurance : B+ Intelligence: C+ [Skill] Bite - Level III Undead Eye - Level I Night Crawl III wer : V Viral sh X w Bullet I w Barrage I Hawk Bones [30%] Scorpion Pores[30%] Mantis Eyes[20%] [Points] Attribute Points: 45 Skill Points : 3 Evolution Points : 0 ============ For the skill points, he allocated everything to w Bullets. While w Barrage boasted greater power and speed, it depended on w Bullet as its foundation. Thus, enhancing w Bullet first would directly enhance w Barrage, essentially killing two birds with one stone. Next were the attribute Points. Agility (B-) > (B) =15 AP Agility (B-) > (B+) =15 AP Agility (B+) > (A-) =15 AP He quickly spent 45 attribute points to elevate his Agility to an (A-) rank. He was curious to see what would happen after increasing one of his attributes that high. DING! [Congrattion Host for Reaching (A-) in one attribute .] [Reward : 10 Skill Points] [Reward : One Speed Type DNA] ''Speed type DNA?'' He clicked the more info button to see what the (SPD) about. [Speed Type DNA : Allow host to upgrade a skill and turn it into speed type skills. ] Another window popped up, disying two ceholders where he could drag a skill and use the Speed Type DNA. Curious, Reign decided to try it with Night Crawl to see what would happen. === Night Crawl >> Night Crawl (SP) Night Crawl (SP): Increase the skill base speed by 50% === ''Whoa, this is awesome!'' he eximed to himself, impressed by the results. A 50% increase was very beneficial, especially because it was a percentage-based boost. This meant that the faster he became in the future, therger the bonus increase would be. However, as Reign contemted further, he realized the limitations of applying the Speed Type DNA to Nightcrawl. The skill was heavily weakened during daytime, making it less versatilepared to the other skills he possessed. This realization made him hesitate to proceed with the transformation. After all, wasting such a valuable resource on a skill with limited utility could prove to be a costly mistake. ''Let''s try the others,'' he decided, removing Night Crawl and recing it with w Barrage in the ceholder. w Barraged >> w Barrage (SP) w Barrage (SP): Increase the skill base Speed by 25% This time, the increase wasn''t as big. However, the w Barrage was already a speed-enhancing skill to begin with. Adding this buff on top of another would likely have a better overall effect. "Combine!" Chapter 48: Bane of All He didn''t feel any noticeable changes after upgrading w Bullet, but his w knuckles felt more heavy . ''Let''s test it out,'' Reignmused, raising his arm and pointing his w at the wall. However, he paused, realizing the noise it might create . ''Yeah, I''ll just test itter,'' Reign sighed inwardly, making his way towards the window. With his missionpleted at this location, it was time to move on to the next destination. Bending his knee, he jumps out of the window. SWOOOOSH! SWOOOOSH! SWOOOOSH! Leaping from one roof to another, he quickly made his way to Anna and George in the abandoned house. He had to admit that George''s n was really good, and the amount of information he got was very useful. ''Old man''s sharper than I gave him credit for. More dangerous too,'' Reign reflected silently. Smart people tend to be more dangerous than those who rely on strength alone. During their first meeting, George acted weak and timid to make Reign lower his guard. This showed George''s cunning personality and intelligence. ''I should keep an eye on him more,'' Reign reminded himself not to underestimate George, despite him being just a regr human. 15 meters away. ''Is there something wrong?'' he wondered to himself, noticing Anna''s troubled expression from afar. When he reached them, Reign noticed that the conversation between the two had stopped, raising his suspicions. He didn''t appreciate these kinds of situations, given his trust issues. "Let''s move on to the next part," Reign hurriedly ordered with an annoyed tone. George sensed Reign''s unease but attributed it to a monster usual grumpiness and impulsive behavior. "Alright," George nodded and jumped into the truck. Their next destination would be the market area, as most store owners lived on the second floor of their establishments. As Reign followed suit, preparing to join George, the tranquil night sky underwent a sudden and drastic transformation. What had been a serene expanse overhead morphed into an ominous sky, painted with streaks of crimson that seemed to seep into the darkness like blood spilled across the night. A shiver crept down Reign''s spine as he gazed upward, his instincts prickling with unease. Something was amiss, and the air hummed with tension, setting his nerves on edge. With a furrowed brow, he exchanged a wary nce with Anna, silently questioning if she, too, felt the sinister shift in the atmosphere . Reign noticed Anna''s shocked expression and saw her take a step back. Despite her surprise, Anna quickly regained herposure, steeling her heart to conceal any signs of weakness. "What the hell is that?" Reign eximed, his gaze fixated on humanoid figures hovering in mid-air. To his astonishment, there wasn''t just one, but three of them. SWOOOOSH! She immediately jump the roof of the truck. "Reign, they''re dangerous!" Her urgent warning was apanied by a defensive stance, blood tendrils swirling around her in a protective barrier. Seeing the seriousness etched on her face, Reign felt a knot tighten in his stomach. She was genuinely afraid. The usually confident and powerful girl was now trembling, her expression reced by visible fear. "How powerful are those guys for her to be this afraid?" Reign muttered to himself, his mind racing with uncertainty. He wasn''t strong enough to gauge their strength, so he could only rely on his instinct, which screamed at him to run. If his intuition could speak, it would likely say something along the lines of, "Run, Reign, Run!" But regardless of the ring gap in power, he knew that he couldn''t afford to sumb to fear. What he needed at that moment was to calm his mind and think things through. He reminded himself of the old adage, "Where there''s a will, there''s a way." The three humanoid figures above began a slow descent from the sky, gradually revealing their features to Reign''s eyes. It was astonishing how effortlessly the three figures defied gravity, hovering in the air as if walking on invisible tforms. There was one man and two women, all with unique white hair and piercing red eyes. The man was d in a ck formal coat adorned with a red ribbon at the neck, and he held a ck cane topped with a red ball. The two girls, on the other hand, donned ck gothic-themed dresses that enveloped their entire bodies. Even their necks were veiled by a thinyer of silk, punctuated with small holes to reveal hints of their skin. Their wless appearance was a huge contrast to their evil aura. Only Anna could perhaps rival the two girls, though not by a big margin. ''Who are these people?'' he wondered inwardly, his mind racing to decide what to do next. He couldn''t imagine they came for a cozy chat and a cup of tea. "Anna," the handsome guy with short, white brush-up hair said, his voice carrying a strange echo that made Reign wonder if he had a hidden sound amplifier tucked away somewhere. ''She knows him? Don''t tell me that guy is a secret lover or something?'' Reign thought, his mind immediately conjuring up dramatic scenarios straight out of a soap opera. "Who are you?" Anna demanded, her voiceced with a hint of annoyance. It was evident she was trying to maintain herposure despite the pressureing from the three. Reign, on the other hand, remained silent, adopting the role of a mere bystander. He knew this wasn''t a battle he could win, so he opted to stay quiet and bide his time for a chance to escape. As for Anna and George? Well, he couldn''t care less about their fate. It was true that they had helped him a lot, but he never asked for their assistance in the first ce. It was more like Anna forced herself into his life, so he didn''t feel responsible for them. Besides, acting like a hero now would be idiotic; for all he knew, that white-haired guy could flick his body into oblivion. He wasn''t delusional enough to believe that his hidden bloodline power, inherited from his powerful father, would suddenly awaken and allow him to jump levels. If that were the case, it would have manifested in his previous life already. The white-haired, handsome man smiled before introducing himself. "My name is Alexander. I am your fiancee," he dered with an air of nobleness . ''Fiancee? If that''s the case, then they''re not here to kill us. Good, good,'' Reign reassured himself, feeling a glimmer of hope. ''Just take her away and please leave me alone,'' he added silently, hoping his wish would be granted. "I don''t care! I only love one person, and that is Reign!" Anna''s voice echoed with conviction, her eyes zing with determination as she stood her ground. ''What the fuck are you doing you stupid dimwit ?'' Reign grumbled, unable to hold back his curses, as Anna pushed him towards certain death. ''I know it, women are the bane of all men!'' he gritted his teeth in frustration, hoping that Alexander would take Anna''s words as a joke after seeing how ugly and scary lookinghe was. It was ironic that at this moment, he felt relief that he wasn''t reincarnated as a super hot guy like those cliche novels Chapter 49: Frustration and Humiliation ''Please don''t believe her,'' Reign mumbled to himself. As long as he didn''t die, he was sure to be strong enough to take over this world, thanks to his system. Thest thing he needed right now was a premature death. "Is that true ?" Alexander''s tone turned cold, and Reign could tell that his question was directly targeted at him. ''Why are you looking at me? Shouldn''t you look at George first? Appearance-wise, he should be your first guess, and not me, who looks like a Halloween costume,'' Reign cursed, frustrated by Alexander''s acute intuition. ''Don''t be angry, I just need to deny it ,'' he thought to himself, and took deep paused to deny everything. He would even offer Anna on a silver tter if necessary. "N¡ª" "You don''t have the right to question, My Reign. I''ll kill you!" Anna cut him off short and dashed forward, determined to take on Alexander head-on. She wanted to show Reign that she would rather die than be with another man. She did not even bother to listen to Alexander''s origin; for her, none of it was important. Her love for Reign had empowered her to face her fears. Despite sensing Alexander''s overwhelming power and feeling every instinct urging her to flee, Anna found courage in Reign''s presence. She was determined to protect him at all costs. Alexander could be the god of this world for all she cared, and she wouldn''t give a damn. Reign, on the other hand, felt really annoyed right now. ''Why are you acting like we''re a couple that shared decades of memories or something? If you want to die, then please don''t drag me along with you. We''ve only known each other for a couple of days,'' he grumbled. ''Forget it, I''ll just find a way to escape. Maybe she has some sort of trump card,'' he thought to himself. She was a smart girl, so she wouldn''t just rush in there without a n. As Anna closed in on Alexander, crimson blood orbs erupted from her back, hurtling towards him with astonishing speed. Each projectile sliced through the air with a piercing whir, showing just how deadly each of them was. Even Reign couldn''t help but feel the intensity of these blood bullets, admitting they could easily riddle his body with holes despite his upgrades. It was evident that Anna was going all out. "This thing can''t hurt me," Alexander smiled confidently. With a wave of his hand, the blood bullets collided with an invisible barrier, dissipating harmlessly upon impact. When Anna witnessed this, she intensified her attack, creating more blood orbs and bombarding the invisible barrier relentlessly. However, Alexander remained unfazed, not even flinching. The two girls apanying him were even giggling at the spectacle. Anna, whom Reign once considered irritatingly strong, now appeared weak in the presence of her opponent''s overwhelming power. It wasn''t that she was weak; rather, her enemy simply operated on an entirely different level. "You''re powerful for your age, but this is your limit. After all, you are only at the beginner stage of being a High Level Demon," Alexander exined calmly. "And your battle IQ ismendable, but as I said, the gap in power is too big," he added, his tone instructional as he continued to critique her attacks, creating an atmosphere akin to a teacher guiding a student. But Anna did not listen and decided to change her attack pattern. This time, shebined blood tendrils with blood bullets, hoping to increase their effectiveness. The blood tendrils emerged from the ground,unching their assault on Alexander from all directions. But just like before, their attacks were stopped before reaching him. She persisted, continuously refining her attacks, brainstorming ways to ovee her opponent. However, she also sensed that she was approaching her limit. It was her sheer willpower that fueled her stubbornness. "What a foolish girl, thinking she can defeat Lord Alexander with such pathetic attempts," remarked the girl with long braided hair, her tone dripping with mockery. "Even if you had attacked with all of your power, it wouldn''t have made a dent in his barrier." She added. The other girl with a short white hair chimed in, continuing to mock Anna. "To think that she''s the granddaughter of the Blood King. Maybe her human blood made her weaker. What a letdown" Their voices dripped with disdain as they belittled Anna''s efforts. However, their words didn''t even bother Anna at all. Instead, it was someone else who felt irritated. ''What''s with the insults? Just because she''s the rtive of someone powerful?'' Reign couldn''t help but feel frustrated by their words. He was annoyed because he had experienced simr treatment due to his father. Just now, he felt an urge to use his w Barrage on them. ''No, don''t do anything stupid,'' he scolded himself, surprised that he would feel angry for Anna. ''I should run away and forget about her,'' hethought to himself, noticing that Alexander was upied with Anna. As for George, for some reason, he had stopped moving since the red sky appeared. "Oh, nning to make a run for it?" Reign''s heart skipped a beat as he heard the chilling voice behind him. Slowly, he turned to find the girl with the long white hair staring at him with disdain, as though he were nothing more than trash. Caught off guard, Reign swallowed hard, trying to maintain hisposure despite the creeping sense of unease spreading through him. "What if I am?" he replied, his voice wavering slightly. The girl''s lips curled into a contemptuous smirk. "So you''re just a coward, huh? As expected of someone with a trash bloodline," she taunted, taking a step closer. "I''m pretty impressed that you can actually talk with that little brain of yours," she added. ''Bitch, what trash bloodline? Don''t you know that I''m just getting started? Wait until I evolve more, and I''ll rip that tongue of yours!'' Reign grumbled inwardly, restraining himself from vocalizing his anger. He had no plot armor whatsoever, so he couldn''t just spout nonsense, knowing he had no way to win. Being called a coward was not enough to make him do something stupid. He might lose the battle tonight, but he would win the war in the future. "I''m just a lowly demon, please just take her away. I don''t want any trouble," he prostrated himself, knowing full well that pride would not be able to save him. Reign''s unexpected action caused Anna to stop her attack, not out of disappointment in him, but rather due to the pain in her heart at witnessing her beloved forced to kneel in such a manner. Guilty emotions flooded her as she realized her own weakness in failing to protect him. "My god, I''ve seen a lot of demons with trash bloodlines, but at least they have some guts! You don''t just have a trash bloodline, you also have a trash personality," the long haired girl started to giggle more, feeling amused by what she was seeing . Reign gritted his teeth in frustration, but he kept his head down to not show his angry face. ''This humiliation, I''ll remember this¡­,'' he vowed silently, making sure to remember the faces of the people who made him suffer today. Chapter 50: Everything "Hey, do you really want to live that much that you would beg for your life? " Silvia, the girl with long hair, asked with a yful smile before quickly disappearing and reappearing in front of Reign. It wasn''t teleportation; she was simply too fast to see with the naked eye. "I.." SLASH! Reign suddenly felt a cold sensation on his cheek, and in the next moment, a long wound appeared. He didn''t even see how the girl had attacked him. And that wasn''t all; he actually felt pain from the attack, indicating that it wasn''t just normal physical damage. At that moment, he realized that this bitchy woman could kill him effortlessly if she wanted to. The gap in their power wastoo wide. Facing her would be pure suicide and idiocy. ''Fuck you...'' he gritted his teeth, but he didn''t show any anger outwardly. "I want to live," Reign swallowed his pride and ego, pleading like a coward. "Say, please!" Silvia continued to mocked him. "Enough!" Anna''s voice sliced through the tension like a de. "What an impatient woman," Silvia chuckled. With a graceful leap backward, she dodged Anna''s strike like it was nothing. On the other hand, Anna quickly turned two blood des in her hands, positioning herself protectively in front of Reign. "Don''t touch him with your filthy hands," Anna gritted her teeth, her eyes zing with anger and frustration. "Hey, bitch. You might be Lord Alexander''s fiancee, but know your ce," Silvia''s tone turned ice-cold after being called filthy. SWOOOOSH! SWOOOOSH! SWOOOOSH! Multiple whooshing sounds echoed, and superficial wounds appeared on Anna''s body. "This is just a warning. I can kill you with my eyes closed," Silvia sneered in contempt. The air between the two women started to get more intense. It was clear that Silvia was targeting Anna out of jealousy. "Stop this nonsense ande with us," Alexander interjected, breaking the tension. "If you do, I''ll spare this beast." "I¡­" Anna felt conflicted. She didn''t want to separate from Reign, but she also couldn''t bear the thought of him dying. But what could she do ? She knew she couldn''t win against Silvia, let alone Alexander. "Go with them ," Reign spoke from behind. "But..." Anna wanted to protest, but when she looked back, she saw Reign''s serious expression. It was the first time she had seen him this angry. She didn''t need to hear him say anything; she could feel it. He was serious about taking down the three of them. ''I see. You will save me in the future, right?'' Anna felt a surge of happiness, seeing Reign''s determination. They were underestimating him, but that''s because they''re unaware of his growth rate. Anna was confident that, given time, he would surpass everyone. And when that timees, he will save her, just like the heroes in fairy tales. The mere thought of this greatly lifts her spirits. ''Just go with them, you dimwit,''Reign grumbled inwardly, frustrated that Anna couldn''t take the hint. Save herter, like a hero? Absolutely not. He nned to eliminate the three in the future for his own satisfaction. He didn''t care about Anna at all. "I''ll go with you, but promise me you won''t harm him or my father," Anna responded, finally giving in to his threat. "I give you my word," Alexander stated solemnly, cing his right hand on his chest to emphasize his sincerity. Anna didn''t fully understand the significance of this gesture, but she knew it held immense weight, especiallying from someone as powerful as him. "Bye now," Anna bid her farewell to Reign without turning back. She understood the importance of not showing any actions that might make Alexander change his mind. "Boring!" Silvia shook her head, then grabbed hold of Anna''s body and flew towards Alexander. "Please, keep your promise," "Don''t worry. I promise not to kill him and your father, but this town was now under my domain, so everyone aside from the two must die," Alexander replied with an indifferent expression . Raising his hand, he initiated a devastating action, causing everyone in the town to die one by one, sparing none. They didn''t even know how they met their end. Then, an invisible energy surged from the dead bodies, flying towards Alexander . When he was finished, the crimson sky returned to its normal color, and they disappeared into the night. ''Are they gone?'' Reign asked anxiously, scanning his surroundings to ensure his safety. After a minute of not sensing anything, he finally sighed in relief. Checking on George, he saw that he was still sleeping. Whatever that domain was, it must be very harmful to humans. "Should I kill him?" Reign mused, but before he could act, something caught his attention. ''This smell...'' he paused, sensing death all around him. He ran towards the market area and other ces in the town. As expected, everyone was dead but their bodies were still in good shape. ''This is an opportunity for me!'' he eximed in delight. All the townspeople were now his for the taking. Wasting no time, he started devouring everythingto level up quickly and achieve his next evolution. Seeing those three powerful beings made him realize that he was far too weak. He needed to grow stronger, so strong that no one would be able to humiliate him. "Just you wait, you fuckers. Next time we meet, I''ll eat you all alive after making you suffer!" Reign chuckled crazily. His monster instinct and broken mind magnified his hunger for power. Little did he know that the more negative emotions he harbored, the more EXP he earned from consuming humans. It was the system''s way of rewarding him for bing more inhumane. [Level up ] *** The sound of the roosters crowing in the morning signaled the start of another day. George slowly opened his eyes and found himself back in the bedroom on the farm. "Anna!" he screamed in worry, remembering losing consciousness just seconds after he saw three individuals with white hair. He was familiar with these white-haired people because his wife had warned him about them before. "Stop shouting, you''re ruining the taste of my coffee," a voice resounded from his right side. When George turned to the source of the sound, he saw a man with a skull-like face, ck hair, and blue eyes that seemed to flicker like mes, sitting and drinking coffee. The unknown man was also wearing a farm attire, the type with a checkered pattern on it. "Where is Anna? What did you do to my daughter!" George shouted in anger. He didn''t care what kind of monster he was facing right now. "Do to her? Hey, old man, have you gone senile?" The man asked with a chuckle. Hearing the words "old man," George finally realized who he was talking to. It was the person he hated a lot. "Are you him?" he asked. The skull-faced man did not move and just stared at George. George could feel it; the being in front of him was more dangerous than his daughter Anna. "The one and only," the skull face man smiled widely, his pure white teeth adding a touch of creepiness to his overall expression. Chapter 51: The Real Deal "Reign..." George was stunned by the confirmation. He couldn''t believe how much Reign change in just one night. What kind of crazy growth was that? Moreover, he sensed something fundamentally different about him, something much deeper than just an increase in power . "What happened ?" *** Last night [Congrattions, Host, for sessfullypleting the BETA-TEST and meeting the minimum requirements for the Evolution Chain] [Downloading the real Ultimate Mutation System.] [Downloading Complete.] ''Beta Test? Real? '' Reign muttered to himself, his mind swirling with confusion. He couldn''t fathom that what he had been using all this time wasn''t the real system. "This fucking system .." He curse aloud in frustration, but he paused, considering that perhaps the system was testing his worthiness. If he had died earlier, it would have been game over. ''What about this Evolution Chain?'' he mused, redirecting his attention to the present. The word was entirely new to him, sparking a sense of curiosity. Fortunately, a new window appeared, offering a detailed exnation of this unfamiliar term [After reaching Level 25, host could select a DNA of a creature from this realm. Previously, the Host''s race had been determined by a random gene generator/Mixer, devoid of any legacy or bloodline, thus limiting efficiency and potential. ] [Avable Race : Bronze Rank to Gold Rank ] Werewolf Ghoul Fairy Ghost Elemental As Reign nced at the number of races before him, the scroll slider seemed to shrink under the weight of countless options. This sight alone made him aware of the inferiority of his old systempared to the genuine one. ''I need to choose the best one,'' he thought to himself, fully aware of the weight of his decision. The choice he made now would serve as the cornerstone of his future development. He began reading through the options meticulously, aware that each choice came with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Reign remainedposed, resisting the urge to act impulsively, and continued to examine each option thoroughly until he reached the end. [Ding: System Detected that Host already own a legendary Bloodline, however this bloodline could not exist in this realm ] [Would you like to sacrifice your own bloodline to gain ess to Legendary Bloodlines] "Yes," Reign replied immediately, his decision made without a moment''s hesitation. Just the word "legendary" was enough to convince him. What was a gold rank inparison? Why should he settle for less? Regarding the legendary bloodline he possessed, he guessed that it must have originated from his father. To think that his cursed bloodline could actually help him right now was awee surprise. Of course, this benefits was enough to alter his perspective on his estranged father in any way. [Legendary Bloodlines] Titan Spacial Walker Destroyer Bone-spirit Skull fiend Unlike the number of bloodlines avable before, Reign saw that there were only five options in the Legendary rank. This limited selection hinted that only these five were deemed legendary in the eyes of the system. The silver lining was in the extensive branches of the Legendary Rank, offering more advancement in the long run. For instance, the Ghoul evolution offered paths such as , Vampire, Vampire Noble, and Vampire Lord. Inparisons , the Titan progression included stages like Titan, Grand Titan, Supreme Titan, Colossus, Behemoth,, and Apocalypse Titan. He mulled over the description of the Titan race with careful consideration. He found it reassuring that the new system was incredibly helpful, providing not only detailed descriptions but also visuals of theraces and all other important information. The temptation of its formidable strength was irresistible, offering unparalleled raw power and resilience on the battlefield. ording to the description, at its peak, the Titan''s skin was so tough that it could withstand an attack capable of obliterating an entire city. However, as he delved deeper into it, he couldn''t shake a sense of hesitation. The sheer size of a Titan''s body would make him a towering presence on the battlefield, drawing attention from allies and foes alike. Even in the initial stage, he would grow to around 20 feet in size, towering as tall as a two-story building. Concealing his massive body would be impossible, rendering him a walking target for every hunter in the area. He would face constant danger of being hunted down. ''Shit, this thing is overpowered, but I can''t pick it. What a bummer,'' Reign sighed to himself, feeling heartbroken. Next, he turned his attention to the Walker Race. He was fascinated by the agility and speed of the Walker Race . The system exinedthat this race''s evolutionary branch could lead to impressive speed, allowing it to teleport short distances. However¡ª The small size of the Walker Race, standing at a mere two feet tall, gave him pause. While this type of body undoubtedly contributed to its nimbleness, it also made him wary of its vulnerability inbat situations. Additionally, the softness of its skin presented another concern, in the description it says that this race was weak against all elements. Despite the temptation of being able to teleport, Reign found himself unable to overlook these drawbacks. What''s the use of being fast if the enemy could one-shot him? Reign proceeded to examine the Destroyer Race. Its imposing stature, with a ten-foot-tall body adorned with protruding muscles, four arms, red skin, and two menacing horns, certainlymanded attention. However, he found himself apprehensive about the multiple passive Berserk skills it boasted. The prospect of these abilities potentially wreaking havoc on his mind dissuaded him from considering this option further. Already mentally unstable, he feared that further exposure to such crazy mindset would destroy him. The Bone Spirit ss piqued his interest. Spirits, ethereal beings unbound by physical constraints, possessed a range of unique characteristics and advantages. Firstly, their incorporeal nature granted them unparalleled maneuverability and stealth, allowing them to traverse through obstacles and remain undetected by conventional means. Moreover, spirits wielded powerful supernatural abilities, such as telekinesis, invisibility, and maniption of the elements. The main drawback was the Walker Race''s vulnerability to light. Choosingthis race meant Reign had to steer clear of daytime activities to avoid being harmed by sunlight until he evolved further. Additionally, holy elements and fires were highly effective against this race. Lastly, there was the Skull-fiend, itcked any standout characteristicpared to the others. However, one evolution along its path caught Reign''s attention. The Skullfiend had the potential to transform into an Overlord , granting it power over death. This ability allowed it to raise an army of undead beings and, at the same time, revive itself as long as its soul remained intact. He realized that instead of striving to be a Titan or other powerful legendary race, he could simply find the corpse of one and transform it into his ve. At the same time, he had the option to use mutation, allowing him to continually alter this race topensate for its weaknesses. [Skull fiend ] He decided to choose this race due to its flexibility and appearance. Although it might appear bony at first, its height resembled that of a human the most. Additionally, he considered the possibility of acquiring someone else''s skin to use for a more human-like appearance. "AAAAHHHHHHH!" Reign screamed in agony as the transformation began, feeling an unbearable amount of pain coursing through him. Chapter 52: System Enhance As the transformation unfolded, he felt his muscles melting away and his bones undergoing intense reconstruction, as if he were being ground down in real time. With each passing moment,his insides were vanishing in real time, every fiber of his being unraveling and dissolving into nothingness. "FUCK!!!!!!!!!!" The agony became unbearable, prompting him to scream in anguish, his bones contorting under the intense pressure of the transformation. [System discovered that the Skull-Fiend body has numerous limitations for the Ultimate Mutation System.] [Enhancing racepatibility with the Ultimate Mutation System.] [Enhancement Complete] Suddenly, another sensation overtook him as his insides began to reform, along with his muscles. However, it felt different from the real thing. When he looked down, he noticed that these new organs were made of some kind of blue energy, mimicking real organs. Once his insides were finished, the skin began to form too. [DING] [Transformation Complete] [All Skill Points Reset] Gasping for breath, Reign hurried to the mirror to inspect the oue of his evolution. The blue energy skin had transitioned into a more normal looking pale appearance, but his face retained its skull-like visage. However, unlike ordinary bones, it resembled a skull mask, devoid of any hollow spaces except for the eye sockets, which flickered with blue mes. "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 1 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Skull Fiend (System Enhance) Strength :B- Stamina :C+ Endurance : B+ Intelligence: C+ Energy: F- Bite I Undead Eye I Night Crawl I wer I Viral sh I w Bullet I - w Barrage I(SP) Death Aura Hawk Bones [30%] Scorpion Pores[30%] Mantis Eyes[20%] [Points] Attribute Points: 50 Skill Points : 25 Evolution Points : 0 ============ ''Amazing,'' he muttered, ''so I can still use my previous skills! But how does it work?'' Reign began to test his abilities. First was the Bite skill, which caused his mouth to expand like before. Next, he activated the Night Crawl skill, causing his skin color to darken. Viral sh, w Bullet, and w Barrage all functioned as usual. "So these blue fibers are like nanomachines, adapting to allow me to use my skills," he pondered. Each time he used a skill requiring a specific organ, his body quickly create that organ . Even Mantis Eyes manifested behind his blue-med eyes upon activation. "This is too overpowered," he chuckled in satisfaction. He had expected to search forpatible mutation skills for his new bloodline, but the reality far exceeded his expectations. ''So, this is the power of the real system,'' he mused sinisterly. ''Thatst one felt like a jokepared to this.'' To put this in perspective . What he had before was akin to an old PC without a dedicated GPU and was using a HDD, while the real system was thetest, equipped with the fastest GPU, CPU, SSD, NME.2 and numerous other high specs hardware. The two could not bepared at all. Returning to his status, he made a mental note of all the changes in hisnew system. He saw that some of his stats had increased, and all his skill points had been reset, which was a good thing because he needed to rethink his skill allocation now. There was also a new skill avable. [Death Aura: The host can release an aura, the intensity depending on Energy Level. The higher the host''s Energy, the more the Death Aura would increase the power of undead beings that the host considered as allies and decrease the stats of hostile enemies.] ''Sweet, this is a good skill for weakening enemies,''Reign nodded in satisfaction. He began stretching his new body, still naked, so he searched for some clothing . After finding clothing, he sat on a chair and proceeded to allocate his attribute points and skill points. Energy (F-)¡ª > (C) = 45AP Reign felt a sudden surge of power from within his body after putting almost all of his attributes to energy. It wasn''t the type of power associated with raw strength; instead, it felt more metaphysical. Intuitively, he knew that he could now infuse this energy into his attacks as a buff to increase their power. "Let''s test it out,'' Raising his hands, he created bones into long, sharp projectiles that pierced the air and hit the wall. SWOOOSH! The damage wasn''t particrly impressive, but he expected as much. Next, he unleashed the same skill, but this time he infused it with energy. SWOOOSH! When the projectile hit the wall, the impact was almost doubled in terms of intensity. "Sweet," a smile formed on his face after witnessing the effect. ''Now I know which skills to improve'' he thought to himself. w BulletI > w Bullet X. w Barrage I (SP)> w Barrage X (SP) wer I > wer VIII Those were the three skills that he thought would provide him with immediate effect . As for the others, he would increase themter when he had ample skill points. *** Back to the Present "Why are you standing like an idiot?" Reign asked George. George was jolted by Reign''s mocking question and quickly rposed himself. "Where is Anna?" he asked. "Oh, they took her away," Reign answered with a nonchnt tone. His voice was now more human-like, so George could tell how uninterested Reign was about her daughter''s well-being. "You just let them take her?" George bellowed in anger. "Let them? They were too powerful. Even in this state, I doubt I could win," Reign shook his head and continued to drink his coffee. His sense of taste was now better than before, so he wanted to savor the moment. George was lost for words. Reign had a point, but he was still pissed off by his attitude. "So what now? When are we going to save her?" George asked. ''Save her? What the hell is this old man talking about?'' Reign thought to himself. He just spared him because he wanted information about those three. But he realized that revealing his true intention would just make George less cooperative, so he decided to go along with his delusion. "Don''t worry, I promise to save her. But for now, I need some information about those three," Reign shifted the topic. George sighed in relief after hearing Reign''s words. Of course, he did not fully believe him, but in his current state of mind, he would even believe the word of the devil himself. "Those people are Vampires, "George revealed. "No shit, Sherlock. I could figure that out just by looking at their faces. I wanted to know something more specific, like where their base is or why they came for Anna. You know, useful stuff," Reign shook his head in disappointment. Anna''s disappearance had turned George into aplete idiot, and Reign felt like punching some sense into him. "I..." George''s voice wavered, his eyes darting nervously around the room as he struggled to find the words. "I don''t know" ''This old man is useless,'' Reign sighed, his disappointment evident in his tone. He had hoped George would be more useful, but it seemed he had expected too much. ''But he still has some use to me, so maybe I''ll keep him around,'' Reign mused, stroking his chin. He didn''t know much about this world, and having George as a ve would make his life easier. He just needed to keep pretending that he was doing all of this to save Anna, and George would obey him like a dog. "We will find her, don''t worry," Reign reassured George, using the carrot-and-stick approach to motivate him. Chapter 53: Our Deal The wind swept through the open window of the truck as George and Reign went on their journey down the long highway road. With the news of the town''s tragic fate, it was certain to attract unwanted attention, so they made the decision to leave the area behind and make their way towards the city. Reign continued in deceiving George and manipting him, using Anna rescue mission as leverage to ensure he had his own chauffeur. He chose George for the task because it was umon for someone like him, ahuman, to remain unaffected by the numerous deaths surrounding him. This quality made him an ideal servant for a monster. ''Fresh air,'' As the scenery unfolded before him, he observed mountains and an abundance of trees stretching into the distance. Memories of his hometown flooded back; it too was surrounded by trees, and he often went hiking with his mother before she got sick. ''Not good,'' Reign muttered to himself, realizing he was getting sidetracked. This was his new world now, and dwelling on the past was a waste of time. Contemting this, he decided to speak with George to gain more general knowledge about this world. Engaging in such discussions was far more worthwhile. "So, can you tell me about Summit City?" Reign inquired, now adorned with shades, a scarf, and a hoodie, concealing much of his skeletal face. "Are you referring to the entire area in square kilometers or just the city?" George inquired, seeking rification. "Just the city," The measurement used in this ce was the same as on his own, a realization he came to after asking George about various things. It served as proof that no matter the world, mathematics remained a consistent and universalnguage. ''At least this ce uses meters, and not feet. That wouldplicate things,'' Reign added, appreciating the simplicity of the metric system over the imperial system. "It''s just a medium size city ,around 400 square kilometers, " George replied while focusing on the road. "Only 400?" Reign mused, taking note of Summit City''s size. It was very smallpared to his home city in his past life, which epassed 1,200 square kilometers metropolitan area. In fact, thergest city in his former world, his father''s territory, spanned a whopping 72,000 square kilometers metro city. The enormity of the city was such that the tallest building had its own oxygen supply due to its height. The entire area relied on a Hyperloop train system for transportation, facilitating movement throughout the city. Additionally, it boasted apoption of 180,000,000 people . He even heard rumors that thergest mall there was so big that it would take a person two weeks to walk through the entire ce. While his father, the Evil Monarch, may have had a notorious reputation for being ruthless, when it came to the welfare and security of the citizens, he was unparalleled in governing his own nation. "What do you mean only 400? So you''re telling me that you know a city bigger than this? I thought you said you were a newborn demon?" George raised his eyebrows in skepticism, questioning Reign''s im. "I just think it''s small ,nothing much to it ," Reign replied. There was no need to exin himself to a servant . Observing Reign''s haughty attitude, George feltpelled to borate further. "Listen,, Summit City might not be impressive to you, but let me enlighten you on how cities are measured," George stated with a serious tone, drawing on the rumors he had heard from her wife before she disappeared on him . "We got Tier 4, a modest 300 square kilometers requirements. Then there''s Tier 3, clocking in at around 2,000. Tier 2 steps it up to 10,000 square kilometers. And finally, Tier 1, with 50,000 square kilometers. That''s the real scale of cities, and Summit City doesn''t evene close." "I see," Reign nodded in understanding "No wonder there are still towns in this area," he murmured, gently touching his chin in thought. "That''s not entirely correct," George interjected, shaking his head. "Some simply prefer the tranquility of country life," he rified. Reign remained silent, showing little interest in further discussion on the matter. "How about those people wielding swords?" he redirected the conversation. George paused, deep in thought. "I don''t have all the details, but ording to my wife, there are individuals in this world who hunt demons in the shadows," he exined. "Its not really far-fetched, considering how news of demons is often suppressed, I wouldn''t be surprised if there are more of you evil monsters lurking around." "Why hide it though?" Reign inquired, perplexed. In his old world, the existence of superpowers was widely acknowledged and epted. "Maybe because it would freak people out?" George suggested with a shrug. "I mean, knowing there are demons out there munching on humans wouldn''t exactly keep everyone calm," he added with a wry smile. Reign absorbed George''s words, empathizing with his perspective. In his previous world, people with superpowers were acknowledged, but they all looked human, making it easier for society to ept them. Their abilities were seen as just that¡ªpowers, nothing more. However, demons, with their habit for devouring humans to grow stronger, posed a much greater challenge to eptance. In fact, demons and humans were fundamentally different, making coexistence virtually impossible. "You''re quite chatty today," George remarked, pulling Reign from his thoughts. "Yeah, I just want to learn moreSo, you mentioned a ce where I can hunt down more humans, right?" Reign responded. The two struck a deal; George would disclose the location of a safe hunting ground where Reign could harvest humans to enhance his strength. Even if he managed to locate Anna, saving her would be impossible without sufficient power. That was the bait Reign used to hoodwink George into helping him. "Yeah, there''s a mental hospital I know of," George began to exin. "Most of the patients there are criminals, and it''s located in a pretty remote area, atop a mountain. If you were to attack it, it would take the authorities quite some time to respond," he borated. "You really know your stuff," Reign was impressed by George''s resourcefulness . He nced at Reign and let out a sigh. "I hate to admit it, but I''ve been doing some research, just in case Anna decided to go on a killing spree," he confessed. "If she did, wouldn''t it be better for her to target criminals?" he asked, trying to justify his actions. "I don''t really care if they''re innocent or a criminal," Reign chuckled. He couldn''t help but feel that George was being hypocritical, just like him, for not wanting to harm children. "Sure you''re a monster so you wont understand the feelings of a human," George shook his head. "To call yourself human is quite funny, don''t you think?" Reign mocked George with a sly tone. "You let your daughter kill people, and now you''re assisting me in killing more ? I''d say you''re more of a monster than I am," he added, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I..." George was speechless, unable to find words to reply. ''Is it just me, or did this monster be smarter?'' George thought to himself, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. Chapter 54: Road Trip As the truck continued its journey down the winding highway, George found himself grappling with conflicting emotions. He couldn''t shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of his stomach since the moment he agreed to help Reign. After talking to Reign more, his initial impression of him as a reckless and impulsive monster began to change. He couldn''t help but wonder what darknessy behind those shaded eyes. Lost in thoughts, he barely noticed when Reign spoke, his voice cutting through the silence. "Stop," George slowed down the truck and parked it on the side of the road. "What''s wrong?" he asked, but before he could get an answer, Reign stepped out of the vehicle, his gaze focused on the forest in front of him. He could only make out the trees along the road, thick with bushes and sloping upwards gently, more like a hill than a small mountain. ''Something is there,'' Reign muttered to himself. Ever since he had evolved into Skull-Fiend, he had be more sensitive to the smell of death. Right now, he could tell that there was a strong scent of malice nearby. "Wait here, I''ll check something out," Reignmanded. George wasn''t much help inbat, so it made sense to just think of him as a personal driver. Even though George wanted to argue, Reign''s serious tone made him think twice. "I''ll wait here, " With a resigned sigh, he nodded silently, understanding the gravity of the situation. He watched as Reign disappeared into the dense foliage of the forest, his body blending seamlessly with the trees. Inside . With calm steps, Reign continued to follow the trail of the ominous scent. His eyes , searching for any sign of movement or disturbance. Every rustle of leaves, every whisper of the wind,did not escape his ears. SWOOOOSH! He heard the sound of running footsteps approaching from behind him. Judging by the rhythm, he could tell it wasing from something with four legs. "Mantis Eyes," he muttered, activating his ability to increase his reaction time and widen his field of view. With heightened senses, he scanned his surroundings. In the periphery of his vision, Reign spotted a four-legged monster, its form covered by a bush. There was no mistaking it for a mere animal¡ªthe aura of malevolence emanating from it marked it as something far more sinister. However¡ª ''It''s weak,'' Reign thought to himself, his enhanced senses allowing him to judge the strength of creatures far weaker than him with ease. But, the creature was not as smart so it failed to notice the gap in their strength. It dashed towards Reign''s back, intending tounch a surprise attack. "Oh, and it''s also slow," Reign chuckled inwardly as he effortlessly dodged the creature''s first strike without even looking back. After failing in its attack, the creature stumbled to the ground, revealing its full body . It was arge dog, standing as tall as a human, with long, pointed ears resembling those of a Doberman. Its eyes glowed red, its teeth gnashed together, and there were even some drooling bubbles forming. "Is that a rabid dog?" Reign wondered silently. "RAWWWR" The dog barked and attack again "What a stupid mut," Reign muttered sarcastically, shaking his head. As the dog leaped, he timed his move perfectly, seizing its neck and holding it on a chocked position. "RAWWWR" "RAWWWR" "RAWWWR" Reign continued to toy with the dog, maintaining his grip on its neck as it struggled. In a yful manner,he maneuvered around its frantic attempts to break free. ''I''m pretty sure this is not a ckhound ,'' Reign pondered for a moment, recalling his knowledge of the various creatures he had seen when the system offered him to change race. As he scrutinized the dog in his grasp, he realized it didn''t quite match the description of the ck Hound. "The ck Hound," he mused, recalling the details he had read before. The ck Hound was said to be a formidable creature, possessing a sleek, shadowy coat that seemed to absorb light. Its eyes were said to gleam with an otherworldly intensity, and its presence instilled fear in all who crossed its path. It was rumored to possess supernatural abilities, capable of tracking its prey with uncanny precision and striking with lethal force. However, the creature in Reign''s graspcked the distinct features and auraassociated with the legendary ck Hound. It was also too weak to be a ckhound. [System :Scanning] ''Oh a new ability,'' Reign''s smile widened as he saw a new ability given byhis system. It was like stumbling upon an unexpected option, adding a pleasant surprise. [Race: Demonized Doberman] [The Demonized Doberman is ssified as an unranked demon, having undergone a transformation from a regr dog into a demonic entity. Despite their demonic nature, they are rtively weak, with their potential limited to the lower ranks of the demonic hierarchy.] [System: Would you like to devour Demon Aura to earn skill points ] [Yes] or [No] "Yes," Reign quickly answered. As he spoke, he sensed a peculiar energy emanating from the Doberman, a shimmeringdark aura that seemed to pulsate with a mysterious power. Gradually, the dog began to undergo a transformation, its body shrinking and contorting until it reverted back to its original size and appearance. [+1 skill Points] "WOOF WOOF WOOF" With a yful bark that sounded almost like it was happy, the Doberman began to wag its tail. It even allowed Reign to pat its head, a sign of newfound trust or perhaps gratitude. "Who''s the good dog? Who''s the good dog?" Reign yfully eximed as he continued to interact with the Doberman. He found himself genuinely enjoying thepany of this pet, remembering that he had always wanted a pet before he was kidnapped in his previous life. "What should I call you?" he pondered aloud, considering a name befitting both the dog''s nature and his own sense of style. He sought something with a cool,manding presence. "Wick, I''ll call you Wick from now on," Reign dered, giving the Doberman a pat on the belly. It appeared that Wick rather liked the name, responding with a contented wag of his tail. *** "What is that thing?" George asked, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. He had expected Reign to return from his mysterious errand with tales of battling demons or ghosts, but instead, he was confronted with the sight of Reign proudly leading a Doberman. Reign grinned"Surprise! Meet our newest team member." George blinked, struggling to process the absurdity of the situation. "Our team has a dog now?" "Two dogs now, to be exact," Reign spoke up with a mischievous tone. "Two dogs? Where''s the other one?" George asked, scanning the ce for any sign of a second unexpected caninepanion. "What are you talking about? This dog is called Wick, and the other one is called George," Reignughed hysterically, enjoying the scene. George''s face contorted in annoyance, a mix of frustration and resignation washing over him. Once again, Reign was poking fun at him, and the worst part was that he had no way to talk back. He could only let out a gruff huff of indignation, silentlymenting his misfortunes. Chapter 55: Cold Air Night had fallen by the time they arrived at the base of the mountain, where the mental hospital stood. The road winding upward was steep, devoid of any signs of human activity stretching for miles around. The destion was further emphasized by the biting cold air, creating an eerie atmosphere that seemed to permeate the entirendscape. The only source of light on the road was George''s truck''s headlights, casting a solitary beam that cut through the darkness, illuminating the lonely stretch of road ahead. ording to George, theck of people around was normal. The entire mountain was owned by the mental hospital, and its notorious reputation meant that no one in their right mind would choose to live in such close proximity to the institution. "How about we y some music?" George suggested, his voice tinged with weariness from the long drive. "Sure," Reign agreed with a nod. George reached out and turned on the radio, filling the truck''s cabin with the soothing melodies of a song. After thirty minutes of driving, they finally reached the outer perimeter of the hospital. The mental hospital loomedrge in the darkness, its massive structure was very visible even in the dark. The walls surrounding it rose to towering heights, casting a foreboding shadow over the surroundingndscape. With its weathered look and imposing presence, it resembled more of a prison than a ce of healing for the mind. However, there was something unsettling about this ce: there was no light whatsoever. ''This ce looks straight out of a horror movie,'' Reign mused to himself. As a monster himself, he found no fear in the eerie surroundings; it was merely an observation. "And where are the security guards?" he inquired, scanning the area for any signs of personnel. He expected someone guarding the premises, but the guard box at the entrance was empty. "Strange," George muttered to himself. "A ce that houses dangerous criminals should always be heavily guarded." CLICK! Reign swung open the door of the truck, his eyes narrowing as he nced back at George. "Wait here and babysit your brother Wick," he quipped, a hint of sarcasmcing his words. "Enough with the dog jokes," George muttered, his tone tinged with irritation. "Who says I''m joking ? Reign replied with a smirk Then, he stepped out onto the cemented road, the sound of his boots crunching underfoot echoing in the still night air. ''Let see¡­'' he walked along the edge of the walls, his gaze scanning the surroundings for an alternative entry point. The walls of the facility rose high, nearly as tall as a two-story building, its metal construction indicating the severity of those housed within¡ªthe mentally ill seen as criminals by society. But for Reign, such obstacles were mere inconveniences. He retraced his steps, gathering momentum, he propelled himself forward, muscles coiling like springs beforeunching into the air. There, on top of the wall, Reign maneuvered his body past the prison wire to avoid his clothing being rip apart. THUD! Afternding on the other side, he finally got a glimpse of the yard. To his surprise, even within thepound, thin metal fences dotted the area, further emphasizing the stringent security measures in ce. However¡ª Reign furrowed his brow, cing his hands on his chin in contemtion. Despite his heightened senses, he couldn''t detect any signs of people whatsoever. The absence of any human presence puzzled him further. To confirm his suspicions, Reign cautiously approached the building, his senses on high alert. He scanned the area, searching for any signs of human presence. He reached therge door made of thin blue metal, which served as the entrance to the building. Initially, he thought it was locked, but when he pressed it with his palm, it creaked open, revealing the dark corridor beyond. Fortunately, his ability to see well in the dark meant that this was not an issue for him. Inside, the air was stale and thick with dust. The halls, once clean and orderly, were now cluttered with debris and broken furniture. Moonlight streamed through cracked windows, casting eerie shadows across the worn linoleum floors. The walls were bare and peeling. Broken light fixtures hung precariously from the ceiling, their wires exposed and dangling. In one room, Reign''s gaze fell upon a familiar sight¡ªa chair equipped with restraints, likely used for restraining mental patients during experimental procedures. It was fortunate that his trauma had begun to heal; otherwise, encountering such a scene might have triggered a painful response. ''Shit this ce has been abandoned,'' he spected, considering theck of activity and the state of the whole building. George''s information was outdated, leading them to a ce long forgotten by society. ''So this is a waste of time,'' he sighed, disappointment evident in his voice. He mentally noted to give George a piece of his mind once they returned, perhaps even a literal p in the face for wasting his time. ''Wait!'' Reign stopped abruptly in his tracks. It was subtle, but he felt a presence¡ªa lingering malice that seemed to permeate the air. And just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished. ''What''s down there?'' he pondered to himself as his eyes fell upon a staircase leading downwards. Curios, he approached cautiously and peered down the spiral stairs, noting how deep it was. ''There''s a hint of malice, but it''s not too strong. I think it''s safe to go down,'' he thought to himself, weighing the potential risks against the opportunity to gain more skill points. With only one skill point acquired from Wick so far, he considered the possibility of encountering a more powerful demon that could offer greater rewards. Feeling more sure of himself, he was confident he could handle whatever came his way¡ªunless it was those three vampires. He was ready to face any challenge, but if things got too dangerous, he could always run away. STEP STEP STEP His footsteps echoed as he descended further, nearing the bottom of the stairs. The malice he sensed grew stronger with each step, but it wasn''t enough to make him feel afraid. After reaching the bottom, he was greeted by a long hallway. The walls here appeared much older than those above, their weathered appearance suggesting they had been standing for at least fifty years. The smell of mold and dust was also strong, permeating the air with its musty odor as he walked further into the hallway. DRIP DRIP DRIP After walking for over three minutes, he heard the sound of water as he approached a corner. Upon reaching it and turning, he was met with another door, but this one resembled a vault door rather than a standard entrance. ''This thing is very thick,'' Reign muttered to himself as he knocked on the vault door. The sound resonated with a deep, heavy thud, indicating its thickness¡ªreminiscent of the same type of door used by banks. There was even a wheel-type mechanism to open it, reminiscent of a traditional vault. ''I don''t know why a door like this is here, but I''m sure that the malice ising from inside,'' Reign stated with a more serious tone. He knew that whatever was beyond the door would likely not be friendly at all. Chapter 56: Paths and Sound As Reign turned the vault wheel slowly, it generated a loud creak. Judging from the sound, he could tell it was old and rusty. The wheel had rusted so much that it became extremely heavy, well beyond what an average person could turn. This neglect suggested ack of maintenance for along time, making it stiff . CREAK! CREAK! The sound of the vault door''s gears turning reverberated through the space behind it, akin to the interior of a cave. CLICK! After finally unlocking the vault door, he grasped the handle firmly. With a steady pull, he gradually swung it open wider until it was fully open, revealing another corridor . The scent of death immediately filled his nostrils, and through his undead vision, he could see a ck-red aura emanating from the inside. It was condensed, a sight that would normally signal danger. However, for some inexplicable reason, he felt drawn to this aura. It defied logic, but his instinct urged him forward. ''What is this thing?'' Raising his hands, he felt the red dark aura enveloping him, akin to a rejuvenating breeze. While it might look dangerous, for a creature like him, it seemed to have a positive influence. If just this amount of energy could elicit such a response, whatever was generating it promised to be extremely advantageous for him. "I know that this aura is be good for me, but..." He nced at the dark corridor, and the feeling of danger intensified. It wasn''t enough to make him flee, but it did cast doubt in his mind. The walls and floor of this ce were different from outside. They were made of pure cement, and as he knocked on them, he could tell they were very thick. He had a feeling that whatever was inside this ce was not meant to leave its confines. ''Am I an idiot or something? Why would I walk inside this ce?'' he asked himself. Sometimes, he felt being a monster made him either too brave or an idiot. ''This isn''t worth it,'' he sighed, turning away. He came to the realization that entering an unfamiliar ce was a dumb idea. [Ding] [System detected condensed negative energy. If absorbed, the host would gain massive EXP and skill points.] ''No gain, no pain, right?''he chuckled wryly after reading the word "Massive" . The temptation was just too strong to ignore. He pressed on walking further, the negative aura growing stronger with each step. Suddenly, a strange feeling welled up from within him. However, he did not react. He just stood there quietly, and prepare himself. As he stands there in the darkness, the faint echoes of footsteps draw nearer. He raised his hands and unleashed his ability, "w Bullet" SWOOOSH SWOOOSH SWOOOSH Five projectiles made of his own sharpened bones pierced the air as he tried to hit what ever was in front of him. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! With a sharp ngs, his attack hits the wall, the sound echoing down the corridor. He pauses, listening intently, and realizes the distance was much farther than expected. ''There''s nothing?'' Confusion clouds his mind as he wonders where the sound of footsteps could have originated from. Could it be an echo, or is there something else lurking in the shadows, ying tricks on his senses? With his undead eyes, he could see clearly. And, the corridor wasn''t too wide, so there was no way he would miss if something approached. "Fuck this," he grumbled, steeling his will. He continued to move until he reached the end. To his right, he saw another path and turned that way. There, he found another set of stairs leading downward. After walking for a couple more minutes, he realized there was another turn, this time curving both right to left. Both paths emitted the same amount of negative aura, making it impossible to discern which one to take. SLASH! He made a mark on the path just in case, then chose the right one, simply because it was to the right. Another five minutes passed, and he was greeted by two more different paths. But this time, Reign clicked his tongue in annoyance. He lifted up his hands and touch the same mark he had created before. ''You gotta be kidding me,'' he gritted his teeth in frustration. He had fallen for the oldest trick in the book: the looping corridor. The looping corridor was like the most overused trope in horror movies, like a bad joke that just keeps repeating itself. *** Outside "That monster is taking forever," George grumbled, his patience wearing thin. He had already gulped down two cans of coffee, and Reign was still nowhere to be seen. ncing at the time, he realized it had been an hour already since he left. "WOOOF WOOOF WOOOF!" Wick started barking, and jolted him from his thoughts. "Are you hungry?" he asked, offering it some jerky, thinking it might be hungry. But instead of eating, it continued to bark. "WOOOF WOOOF WOOOF!" George squinted his eyes, trying to decipher what the dog wanted. "Do you need to pee?" he asked. "WOOOF WOOOF WOOOF!" Wick answered. Hearing this, George opened the door of the truck. But before it was fully open, Wick jumped out and bolted away. "Get back here!" George yelled, attempting to catch Wick, but the dog was faster than any normal canine. In just a matter of minutes, it had vanished into the distance. "Reign will kill me," George sighed, feeling weak in the knees. *** Back to the Looping Corridor. Reign continued to backtrack his way, but no matter which direction he tried, he ended up in the same ce. Next, he attempted walking to the left, but it proved just as futile. ''Don''t tell me I''ll be trapped here forever,'' Reign sighed, sitting on the floor. He had no ability or skill that could help him solve his current issue. It would have been better if the thing ying tricks on him showed itself, but right now, even the sound of footsteps had vanished. "WOOOF WOOOF WOOOF!" Out of nowhere, Reign heard a familiar sound. He recognized it to be Wick''s barking, and it wasing from his right. "WICK!" Reign screamed and dashed towards the source of the sound. As he followed Wick''s bark, he noticed that the corridor didn''t send him back in a loop. Instead, it continued as a straight line. Encouraged by this unexpected turn of events, he pressed on, his hope renewed. With Wick leading the way, he felt confident that he would eventually find his way out of the mysteriousbyrinth. Finally, he emerged into a small clearing, where he found Wick standing proudly, wagging his tail happily . Relief flooded through Reign as he knelt down and embraced his faithful friend. "You little troublemaker," Reign chuckled, ruffling Wick''s fur . "You just saved me!" But as he looked around, he realized that this wasn''t just any ordinary clearing. Strange symbols and text adorned the walls, etched into the stone like some kind of doodle . He leaned in closer, squinting to make out the texts of scratches that formed what appeared to be words. "This Hospital is hell" "The doctors are killing the patient" "We are not crazy" "Please help us" "They take out our brains" Reign read the text aloud. Chapter 57: One-Sided As he read the text aloud, his voice echoed through the clearing, mingling with the eerie silence of this ce. The negative energy in the ce intensified , and out of nowhere , the text started bleeding , ''Oh, what a cool special effect'' Reign thought to himself, amused by the situation. He couldn''t help but find it ironic¡ªif he were human, he might have fled in fear like a frightened child. But as a monster, getting scared by something like this would be rather funny. "WOOOF WOOOF WOOOF," Wick barked, seeking refuge behind Reign, clearly sensing something bad. "Don''t worry, I''m here," Reign reassured, cing aforting hand on Wick''s back. He also took a step back, just in case something jump out of the wall. Better safe than sorry, he figured, deciding it was wise to tread carefully in this mysterious ce. [Ding] [System detected condensed negative energy. Would you like to absorbed it?] The system notification filled Reign with happiness. Coming to this ce was a good decision after all. Without wasting any time, he hurriedly said yes, and like a vacuum, all the negative energy started to converge in his stomach. He could feel his body growing stronger, the surge of power invigorating him. After a while, constitutivenotifications chimed in. [Level up+ 1] [Level up+ 1] [Level up+ 1] [Congrattions, Host, for Absorbing Negative Energy. You are rewarded with 10 skill points.] "Sweet," Reign chuckled aloud. Ten skill points was a huge boost, especially considering he had only gained one by absorbing Wick''s negative energy. *** Attribute points :35 Skill Points : 14 *** Seeing his rewards , he started to allocate his points fast. The danger was not over yet; Reign still hadn''t figured out where that unsettling sound of footsteps before wasing from . He would be an idiot to think he could simply wander into a ce like this and reap the rewards without consequences. There had to be something more sinister lurking in the shadows, waiting to challenge him. Energy (C) ¡ª> (C+)= 10 Energy (C+) ¡ª> (B-) =10 Energy (B-) ¡ª> (B) =15 w Bullet X>XX w Barrage X (SP) > XIV "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 4 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Skull Fiend (System Enhance) Strength :B- Stamina :C+ Endurance : B+ Intelligence: C+ Energy: B Bite I Undead Eye I Night Crawl I wer VIII Viral sh X w Bullet XX - w Barrage XIV-(SP) Death Aura Hawk Bones [30%] Scorpion Pores[30%] Mantis Eyes[20%] [Points] Attribute Points: 0 Skill Points : 0 Evolution Points : 0 ============ "This power," Reign murmured, opening and closing his palm as he felt the surge of negative energy coursing through his body. It was a satisfying feeling, and he could sense that the energy within his body had be more condensed. If hebined this energy with his w Bullet skill, even hard metal would be prated effortlessly. And with w Barrage, he would be like a walking tank equipped with a cannon and a high-powered armor-piercing Gatling gun. Right now, his full power attack would be twice as strong as Anna''s Blood Bullet. His growth was mind blowing . ''Those three will regret letting me go,'' a sadistic smile formed on his skull-like face. The reason he wanted to grow stronger quickly was so he could exact his revenge on them. Just imagining the fear-streaked face of that long-haired girl who had badmouthed him was enough to bring a twisted sense of joy to Reign. He relished the thought of torturing her until she begged for death. In fact, he would be disappointed if she died too quickly. He wanted her to suffer, to endure every ounce of pain and anguish he could inflict upon her. Only then would he feel truly satisfied. "EEEEEEEEK!" Suddenly, a loud wailing sound echoed from the distance, jolting Reign from his twisted imagination. It was like the sound of multiple cries, and he could hear it loudly approaching. ''I know it, something owned those negative energies. Too bad I stole all its hard work,''Reign chuckled, not feeling any guilt at all. A demon must have been cultivating all this negative energy like a farm, and he ended up reaping all the benefits. Talk about bad luck. When the Demon finally got close , Reign saw a mangled corpse around 10 feet tall , it has a humanoid body ,with multiple faces , all crying in pain. "Oh, a Weeping Monster," he thought to himself. It was a good thing that he had memorized such information from the system before selecting his race. A creature with multiple crying faces was known as a "weeping monster." These creatures are said to have several faces, each expressing intense sorrow or distress, making them a haunting sight to behold. Normally, this monster would be deadly when encountering humans, as it could evoke emotions such as fear, and sadness. But for a monster like Reign? The cryings was just a little bit annoying. "What an unlucky piece of shit," Reign dered, activating his Death Aura. The negative energy emanating from him filled the area, enveloping the hostile monster. As the aura took hold, the creature''s movements slowed and its strength weakened, forcing it to kneel before the sheer might of Reign''s power "EEEEEEEEK!" "EEEEEEEEK!" "EEEEEEEEK!" It began crying louder and louder, trying to intensify its skill. But how could Reign''s Death Aura be defeated by mere cries? "Stop crying, you''re too noisy," Reign spat, annoyed by the creature''s incessant wailing. With a swift kick, he sent the creature flying, crashing into the wall with a loud thud. But it was not over yet. Reign walked closer towards it, grabbing one of its faces and grinding it against the wall as he ran. ck blood gushed out from the weeping monster, but Reign didn''t stop. Why was he doing such a brutal act? Simply because he wanted to power trip. "Yelp," Wick whimpered from the sidelines, making a mental note never to anger his master, or face the consequences. After Reign was done, the Weeping monstery on the brink of death. Weak andpletely defeated. It had been born from all the suffering that had urred in this ce, cultivating negative energy to evolve further. But how could it have predicted that all its hard work would be stolen by a more terrifying monster than itself? "P¡ªplease avenge us," The weeping monster talk, at its final moment it was able to convey its feelings. Reign paused for a moment, feeling a twinge of pity as he sensed the creature''s pain. BAM! Without hesitation, Reign stepped on one of its faces,pletely destroying it. "Bro, I kill humans like it''s nothing. You really think begging would work?" Reignughed maniacally, his voice echoing through the chamber. With a sadistic grin, he began stomping on each face one by one. BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! Blood burst forth, staining the entire floor with its dark hue as he relentlessly crushed each face like it was some kind of bubble wrap. When thest face was finally smashed, a notification chimed in. [System: Would you like to devour Demon Aura to earn skill points ] [Yes] or [No] "Yes" [+3 skill Points] "What a haul," he remarked, pretending to be exhausted as he stretched his arms. However, he couldn''t conceal the eerie grin that spread across his face. He was really pleased by this turn of events and rather enjoyed the idea of bullying his enemies in such a manner. Chapter 58: Standby "Reign!" George called out as he noticed the gate open, spotting Reign and Wick together. He felt the urge to scold Wick for running off, but seeing how closely it stuck to Reign like a good dog, he thought better of it and chose to stay silent. "WOOOOF," Wick barked smugly. George could sense that even Wick was treating him like a joke. He realized that this dog was smarter than average. And he was correct. When Reign removed Wick''s demonic powers, it returned to a normal state, but it retained its own supernatural abilities. This enabled the dog to find the clearing, which was saturated with negative energy, forming a naturalbyrinth. Wick''s keen sense of smell surpassed even Reign''s, allowing it to navigate the terrain effectively. "Did you get what you want?" he asked, thinking that Reign had consumed all the mental hospital patients inside. "No, this ce is useless," Reign shook his head. "You just wasted my time you dimwit," he scolded George before walking towards the truck. "The next ce better be good, or you can forget about rescuing your daughter," Reign added with a cold tone. It was important for George to understand his ce, to realize he was nothing more than a tool. "I... I will," George replied dejectedly. He was not someone who would normally tolerate this kind of treatment, but without Anna, Reign could just kill him whenever he want. And it wasn''t as though Reign was wrong for being angry. Their agreement was clear: assist him in getting stronger to ultimately rescue Anna. Poor guy, little did he know that Reign actually benefited greatly from this ce, and he was just being manipted. ''Idiot,'' Reign couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly after seeing George''s defeated expression. With this, he was confident that George would put more effort into finding better locations for him to farm and gain more levels. ''That''s right, you better serve me like your life depends on it. Consider this my payback for all that bullying before,'' Reign scoffed. He was a very petty and vengeful person, so he remembered clearly all the wrongs done to him. "Let''s go," Reign ordered , acting like he was getting impatient . "Please, just a few hours of rest," George pleaded, his eyelids heavy with fatigue. "Why the hell were you wide awake while I was gone?" Reign scolded. George, hearing the scolding, walk to the driver''s seat with annoyed face. He slid inside and ignited the engine of the truck, the revving of the motor drowning out his whispered curses . "It''s your fault if we get in an ident," George warned as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "You think a car crash could kill me? Ha! You''re the one who needs to watch out," Reign replied with a sly smile, his confidence shining through. "If our truck crashes, I''ll just munch you like snack when you kick the bucket to honor your memory," he added casually, then reclined his chair to take a nap. "You wouldn''t actually do that, would you?" George asked, beads of sweat beginning to form on his forehead, his voice tinged with nervousness. "I''m a freaking monster, do you think I have morals? Just sitting here with you, I''m fighting the urge to rip your head apart," Reign replied. "Stop talking, I''m going to sleep," he added dismissively. ''You''re the reincarnation of evil,'' George grumbled in annoyance as he pressed down on the pedal. *** [Author''s Note: There was a typo in the previous chapter regarding the ranking system; this is the corrected version. Each rank is also divided into Beginning, Half stepand Peak levels.] [Example: Anna is a Beginning High Demon Rank.] >>Unranked >>Lower >>Middle >>High >>Upper >>Demon Lords >>Demon Kings >>Demon Gods *** Hunter Association Summit City. "Sir, it''s been two days, since we''ve lost track of James'' team. We think they''re already dead," McGaven''s assistant spoke with a heavy voice as she ced the files on the table. McGaven''s hand tightened around the file, his brows knitting together as he read the report. The corners of his mouth turned downward, his expression souring at the news. The team he sent was one of his five, and though they might have been the weakest, they were still important. Theck of information about them suggested they might already be dead. "Should we dispatch another team?" The assistant spoke up, noticing his silence. McGaven contemted for a moment , this was huge blunder because the mission was not official . If the head office found out, he would likely face reprimand. At worst, he could be demoted for utilizing personnel on an unauthorized mission. "Report that they never returned after theirst official mission," McGaven responded, a calcted decision to cover their tracks. The best course of action, in his view, was to conceal the truth by tampering with the files. This was precisely why he hadn''t reported James'' team returning from their official mission earlier. When a hunter teampleted a mission, they were required to report it to their high-ranking officials. These officials would then ry the information to the branch office to im the reward forpletion. "Alright," the assistant nodded, turning away. Being his lover, she resolved to carry out his orders without question. But before she could leave, her phone buzzed with a new text message. Her expression changed as she read the contents. McGaven saw this and asked" What''s the matter?" "A Peak Upper Demon attacked an entire town¡­ everyone is dead," the assistant replied with stunned expression. "A peak Upper Demon? Are you sure? What''s an Upper Demon doing in our area?" McGaven unconsciously stood up from his desk due to the shock. This was huge news; a Peak Upper Demon was a very dangerous threat that they wouldn''t be able to handle with their current personnel. After all, Summit City was only a Tier 4 City. "The research team went to investigate, and they found fragments of a Domain, covering the entire town. It was small, but only a Peak Upper Demon could create something that big," the assistant exined further. "And not just that," she added, her brows furrowing with concern. "What is it?" George probed. "The town''s location was near where we sent James'' team. I think they were killed by the Peak Upper Demon," she concluded, her voice tinged with apprehension. "No way¡­so that exins why we lost contact. If itwas a Peak Upper Demon, its aura alone would have been enough to kill them," he remarked, sinking into his chair as his knees weakened under the weight of this news. He knew all too well the power of a Peak Upper Demon. Its presence alone instilled fear wherever it roamed. In his entire career as a hunter, he had only encountered one before during a mission. Among the thirty hunters who attempted to kill it, only he survived, solely because he had been lucky enough to be the first to flee. "What did the head office say? Are they sending a Double Digit?" he asked, his tone filled with urgency. "No, the message says that we go on standby. The other branches are also dealing with their own issues," she replied. "Standby? More like we can''t do anything," McGaven smiled wryly, his expression revealing his deep understanding of the inner workings of politics within the Hunter Association. Chapter 59: Acquaintance "Why did you turn?" Reign asked, sensing that the truck veering onto a rough bumpy road instead of the smooth asphalt highway. George gestured toward the bustling highway, where a checkpointy ahead. Patrol cars were stopping cars creating a long line of traffic. "If you don''t have a skin and an ID, it''s like shouting to everyone that you''re a monster." George sighed heavily, exhaustion weighing on him as he longed for a quick nap. He had been driving nonstop, and Reign hadn''t even given him a break. It was sheer willpower that had kept him going this long. "So, where are we going?" Reign asked in a nonchnt tone. He understood George''s logic, so he decided to just go along with it. . "I know someone who can help us," he stated. "Alright , just wake me up when we get there; the sunlight is killing me," Reign said, covering his face again with a cloth before continuing to nap. He discovered that this skull-fiend race might not be that weak against the sun, but he still felt sleepy from time to time during day time. Around 7:30 am in the morning, they arrived at another location: a trailer park nestled within a clearing, surrounded by towering trees. The trailers, weathered by time and use, stood in neat rows, their metal frames glinting in the morning light. Some were adorned with colorful curtains or potted nts, adding a touch of homeliness to the otherwise modest setting. A faint breeze whispered through the branches, carrying the earthy scent of pine and damp soil. Despite the early hour, signs of life could be seen as smoke curledzily from a few chimneys, indicating that some residents were already awake and starting their day. "Is this my new hunting ground?" Reign could see that there were a lot of humans in the area. If he could kill them all, he would surely level up. "Please don''t go around killing people here. My contact lives here, and we''ll need her if you want to get ess to the city," George exined. "But this ce is perfect for killin," Reign spoke up, his skull face concealed by thick clothing and a shade, masking his expression. Yet, the intensity in his voice showed his eagerness to indulge in more bloodshed. He was a monster, and the sight of so many humans triggered his primal instinct to kill¡ªit was embedded deep within his DNA. "Listen, there is a group we need to sign you up. After that, you can take on missions where you can target humans,"George exined. The organization he was talking about was something he had discovered when Annabele, his wife was still with him. It was more like a mercenary group that epted anyone that wanted some extra dough . His n was to sign Reign up with this organization so he could obtain identification and other resources. "Why bother with all of that?" Reign asked, his tone tinged with annoyance. All this roundabout was making him feel frustrated. He knew the importance of covering his tracks well. What he couldn''t grasp was why he should join an organization in the first ce. "I know what you''re thinking, and you might think that you''re strong, but don''t underestimate the humans too much. There''s a reason why we are still at the top of the world," George warned. "Besides, this organization is well-known in the underground world, so if you carry out missions through them, you''ll be seen as a criminal rather than an actual monster," George added, attempting toy out the pros and cons of joining. Hearing this, even Reign couldn''t think of a goodeback. The fact was, humans were still able to live peacefully despite the existence of demons. In fact, many of them remained oblivious to the existence of demons altogether, showcasing just how much influence humans have in this world. "Alright, I''ll humor you," Reign gave in. After parking the truck, they were immediately greeted by a group of ten individuals, all armed with rifles and shotguns. "So this is a free country as well, huh," Reignmented. "What do you mean?" George raised his eyebrows. "Let me guess, the citizens have the right to own high powered guns?" Reign responded with a chuckle. "Of course, they can. It''s in the amendments to protect the welfare of the citizens against the infringement of our right to bear arms." ''I know it, this ce has a lot inmon with my old world,'' Reign thought to himself. He could not help find it ironic that even in this new world, somews remained the same. "Hey, state your business here!" A man with red hair and a prickly beard spoke up, his ent noticeably different from George''s fluent way of talking. "I''m here to see Melissa. I''m an acquaintance of hers," George spoke up first, concerned that these people might rub Reign the wrong way and end up getting killed. "Melissa?" One of them raised an eyebrow. "What do you want with her?" "It''s personal. How about you lead the way?" George pulled out a stash of cash from his pocket and handed it to the person who appeared to be the leader. Regardless of the world, money was a universalnguage. "Oh, you want to meet Miss Melissa? Sure, sure,e with me," the leader of the group said, his attitude immediately changing after epting the money. Now, he treated George''s group like VIPs. ''Pathetic,'' Reign sneered in contempt at how easily a human could be swayed by a piece of paper. With that settled, George, Reign, and Wick were escorted towards a trailer at the far end. It wasrger than the others; in fact, it looked like 12 trailers put together As George and Reign stepped inside, they were greeted by a spacious interior that defied the modest exterior. Thebined trailers created arge open space, with various rooms branching off from a central living area. The walls were adorned with makeshift decorations, giving the space a cozy and lived-in feel. Afortable couch sat in the center of the room, facing a small but well-equipped kitchte. Natural light also streamed in through the windows, illuminating the space and giving it an inviting ambiance. "George, long time no see," a female voice echoed from the kitchte, and a woman with dreadlocks, dark-toned skin, and a voluptuous figure slowly walked towards them. "Hi, Mellisa ," George force a smile , the two of them have someplicated past. "Where''s Anna?" Mellisa inquired, her eyes scanning the room. She knew all too well that George was a sucker for her daughter, and would always bring her with him. "She''s not here," George sighed heavily . Mellisa saw this and figured out that something must had happened. She knew George would not act like this without a valid reason. "You guys can leave now; these two are my friends," she ordered, and the people who had guided George and Reign nodded before departing. "Take a seat," Mellisa gestured towards a long brown sofa. "Thank you," George epted the offer, and Reign followed suit without uttering any words. When the trio settled in there was a moment of silence , Reign face was still hidden so there was no way that Mellisa could read him at all. "You''re not human, are you?" Mellisa directed her question to Reign. *** Authors Note; Tomorrow (April 1st)will be my first month of MGS, so I need to follow my quota unlike before. This means a more consistent daily upload of two chapters per day, and of course, a bonus chapter for every 200 Power Points. Thank you. Chapter 60: Guest Reign was taken aback by Mellisa''s words momentarily, so he chose to stay quiet instead of responding. If she really worked in the underground scene, a world teeming with criminal activities, it made sense that she had ess to information notmonly known to the public. "Don''t worry, you can trust her," George vouched for her. Reign nced at George, refraining from any impulsive actions. However, he remained vignt, keeping his guard up for any unexpected urrences. If Mellisa harbored any ulterior motives that could put him at a disadvantage, Reign promised himself that he would take decisive action, regardless of George''s assurances. At this stage, mere guns wouldn''t be enough to stop him; he was prepared to do whatever it took to ensure his safety and goals were achieved. "You''re friend is not the talkative type?" Mellisa giggled, attempting to lighten the mood with her charming voice. "Why is this monster so quiet?" George thought to himself, puzzled by Reign''s unusual silence. Normally, Reign enjoyed taunting him with insults, but now he seemed like a mysterious protagonist from a cultivation novel. Little did he know that Reign harbored deep-seated trust issues. The only reason Reign feltfortable talking to him and Anna was because there was a glimmer of trust in their dynamic, albeit subconscious. Even Reign himself wasn''t fully aware of it. He believed he was keeping George around for convenience, but deep down, he harbored a degree of trust in the guy. "So you want him to join the Veiled Night, right?" Mellisa inquired, her tone tinged with curiosity as she observed Reign''s obscured appearance from head to toe. The Veiled Night was an organizationprised of ex-Special Forces operatives, seasoned assassins,bat specialists, individuals with extraordinary abilities, and sometimes even Demons. Yes, in this world, it wasn''t just demons and hunters who possessed superpowers. There were also humans who awakened unique abilities, known as ''Divergent''. They manifested powers akin to those of their demon lineage but exhibited less aggression and didn''t rely on consuming humans for sustenance. This was why they were not usually epted by the Hunter Association; their blood was considered tainted. Additionally, there were cases where a Divergent turned into an actual demon. "Yeah, and if possible, take missions that involve eliminating arge number of targets," George spoke up, his tone bing more serious. Mellisa was surprised and amused by George''s confidence in the abilities of the monster he had brought. She hadn''t expected such unwavering trust, especially considering her friend''s personality. "George, I understand your point," Mellisa replied, rubbing her hair . "But even if your friend here is not an aggressive demon, the organization doesn''t ept just anyone. It would be a different story if it were Anna, but considering he had to conceal his face, I''m certain he doesn''t even look human at all." She sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. George fell silent for a moment, agreeing with her. He knew this could be a problem because the organization only epted demons who at least resembled humans. "How about getting an artificial skin? Like a mask? " George suggested, drawing from his knowledge of the underground world. He knew that the organization had individuals with various skills under their payroll, such as a genius surgeon, a makeup artist capable of creating realistic masks, a chemist, and many others. If they could find a way to give him fake skin, it could solve a lot of issues regarding Reign''s monstrous appearance. Mellisa paused for a moment, deep in thought, before speaking up. "Can I see your face?" she asked, directing her gaze towards Reign. Reign nced at George, who nodded in agreement. With a resigned sigh, Reign reached up and slowly removed his sses, revealing his eyes. Then, he carefully unfastened the essories concealing his face, one by one, revealing his true appearance underneath. "This.." Mellisa was speechless when she saw Reign''s skull-like face, but what truly shocked her were the two blue mes flickering like orbs in his eyes. As she looked at him, Mellisa felt a curious sensation wash over her. It was as if she was gazing on something simultaneously beautiful and deadly, an enigmaticbination that both captivated and unnerved her. She had read about different types of demons before, but never had she seen anything quite like Reign. "This is the first time I''ve seen something like you," she remarked, touching her chin as she examined Reign''s unique appearance. ''Of course it would be your first time. This is a legendary race, not some run-of-the-mill creature,''Reign thought to himself, feeling a sense of pride at Mellisa''s admiration of his skull face. "I think this could really work. While your face might resemble a skull, it''s not hollow. We can have an artificial mask made for you. The problem is with your flickering eye," she exined, considering their options. "How about we just cover it with a bandage? It''ll give the impression that you''re blind," she suggested. Reign didn''t speak; he simply nodded in agreement. The idea of having a bandaged-eye look appealed to him. "Alright, I''ll contact the mask maker I know in the city. For now, it''s better for you to stay here. You''re safe in this ce," she said as she stood up and pointed on the two rooms on the right. Those rooms were especially there because from time to time, there were members who would visit this ce. As Mellisa left, George and Reign found themselves alone in the living room again. "Isn''t this going a bit too smoothly?" Reign questioned, unable to shake off his suspicion regarding Mellisa''s easy agreement. There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Everything had a trade-off, and he knew that she was far from being an angel. George turned his head to Reign and exined, "Mellisa is someone that Annable saved before. In a way, she owes us," he rified. "I don''t think that''s a valid enough reason," Reign sighed, unsatisfied with the exnation. He made a mental note to be wary of her, just in case. "I''ll talk to her more. You can rest," George said as he stood up and followed Mellisa. She gave him a signal before leaving, indicating that she had more to discuss. Of course, Reign noticed this too, but he simply assumed that she was George''s sidechick or something. "Suit yourself, but remember this: if she does something unnecessary, I''ll rip her head off," Reign warned with a cold tone as he also stood up. "Come on boy," Taking Wick with him, he headed into the guest room which he thought was bigger and better. The sun was still high up, so when he entered, he began searching for something to cover the window. He despised the sun as if it were the ck gue. After dealing with that, hey down on his bed while Wick slept beside him. ''I want to eat those humans,'' he grumbled, fighting the urge to kill. It wasn''t because he was hungry; it was more like his instinct telling him to feed. ''No, I need to control myself. I can''t be impatient,''he reminded himself sternly. Chapter 61: Temper Inside Mellisa''s office, the ambiance was minimalist but functional. A long desk dominated the room, adorned only with aputer and a stack of neatly organized papers. Adjacent to the desk, a bookshelf stood, lined with various volumes for reference. In one corner, a small refrigerator hummed quietly, ensuring that Mellisa wouldn''t have to leave her workspace when she grew thirsty. The windows, on the other hand, were fortified by thick metal bars, and judging from their thickness, they appeared to be bulletproof. Additionally, a discreet air conditioning unit hummed softly in one corner, ensuring afortable working environment regardless of the weather outside. Overall, the room exuded an air of efficiency and purpose. "George, what really happened to Anna?" Mellisa asked. She treated Anna like her niece and desired to uncover the truth. She even went as far as to pretend and treat Anna like a regr human, concealing the fact that she was working in Veiled Night under George''s request. George''s expression darkened after recalling what happened to his beloved daughter. His frustration seeped into his voice as he confessed, "She was taken by three powerful demons." "Is it the same demons that''s rumored to be Peak Upper Rank? " she asked, her brow furrowing with concern . "You know about them?" His eyebrows shot up in surprise as he discovered that she already had some clue. "Yeah, I received orders from the main office toy low for a while. The Hunter Association detected traces of a Peak Upper Demon in the Summit City Rural Area," she answered. "If this is really a Peak Upper Demon, then we won''t stand a chance," she added with a heavy heart. It was a realization that weighed heavily on her; this was a threat beyond what they could handle. Even the Hunter Association had fallen silent, refraining from sending any hunters to investigate. It was a fight that they could not afford to take. They might seed in dealing with the demon, but the losses would far outweigh the gains. In such cases, they would prefer to turn a blind eye as long as the demon only targeted small towns and not the city directly. "No, we still have a chance," George dered, his fist clenched as he locked eyes with her. "Reign, I believe he can save Anna." "You trust that demon so much?" she raised her eyebrows skeptically. While she acknowledged Reign''s strength, she couldn''t help but see him as vastly inferiorpared to a Peak Upper Demon. It was likeparing a rifle to a tank; the difference in firepower was like heaven and earth. George''s expression grew more serious as he absorbed herment. While her words may have held truth under normal circumstances, his belief was not without basis. "He is a newborn demon that''s not even a month old," he responded with a firm voice. Mellisa''s eyebrows shot up in surprise at his revtion. "Are you sure?" she asked, her tone showing a hint of doubt as she sought rification. There was no way a newborn demon could be that intelligent right off the bat. "I watched him grow from a weak demon to surpassing Anna in a span of a few days," he admitted, further emphasizing Reign''s rapid progression. As his words sank in, Mellisa had to lean back to her chair because of the shock. This was huge news; a demon that could grow so fast posed a serious threat. She recalled reading about it in reports; some rare type demons grew faster than others, and these demons were usually hunted down before they could mature. To think that she just met one a few minutes ago. It would be fitting to say that this type of demons posed the greatest danger to humanity. However, at the same time, this could also be an opportunity for her. The stronger a demon became, the more intelligent they tended to be. Some demons even had their own secret territories that they ruled. If Reign really possessed that potential, then coborating with him would yield benefits in the long run. Forget about being a small time broker for the organization; a being like Reign could potentially reach greater heights. And even if her spection proved incorrect, she wouldn''t be held ountable for it. "Alright, I''ll help you, and we''ll keep this a secret between us," Mellisa replied, nodding in agreement. "Thank you," George responded with a weak chuckle, feeling the relief of securing a deal wash over him. Now, his body began to feel the weight of exhaustion settling in. "Go get some sleep. I think you need it. I''ll handle the rest," Mellisa insisted, noting George''s tired appearance. After their talk, George went to his room and finally took a nap. It felt like heaven, and hepletely shut down. Meanwhile, Reign also took a nap, but he remained alert, ready for anything just in case. ***** 6:00 pm Around this time, Reign opened his eyes and slowly rose from his bed. ''I really feel better in the night,'' he thought to himself as he opened the window curtains and gazed at the moon and stars. Outside, he observed people chatting and socializing. It was fortunate that he wasn''t feeling particrly hungry at the moment, having recently devoured a substantial number of people. This made it feasible for him to keep his promise to George of not ughtering everyone in sight. Though he still felt asional urges, they were not strong enough to drive him to a berserk state. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! He heard a knocking sound at the door. "It''s open," he replied. CLICK. The door slowly swung open, revealing Mellisa wearing an orange jumper jacket. It was the type of jacket that was cropped, allowing Reign to catch a glimpse of her cute belly button. Paired with it were very short denim shorts that showcased her brown legs, which seemed to glint slightly. It was evident that she had just applied some lotion to them. Mellisa was really beautiful for her age, a testament to the care she took of her body. Any man would fantasize about her, except for Reign, who viewed her as somewhat useful woman. "Do you want to eat?" she asked, offering something to him. She had decided to treat him well after recognizing his potential "Do you serve human meat here?" he asked bluntly. "That..." She was shocked by his question. She knew he was a monster, but his bluntness was something she did not expect. "We don''t have that, but we have raw pork and beef meat," she quickly changed the topic. "That will do," Reign sighed heavily, not bothering to conceal his disappointment. ''This guy¡­.'' Mellisa muttered under her breath, struggling to control her temper. She had provided him with a ce to stay, offered him a job, and taken care of his identity, but he acted as if she should be the one expressing gratitude. "The food is on the table," she said, gesturing for him to follow with a forced smile. "How about George?" Reign asked. "He''s still sleeping. He was tired, so it''s better to let him be," she answered. "Umm," Reign nodded and gestured for Wick to follow him. "Give this good boy some steak," he ordered Mellisa. "A-Alright," Mellisa replied, barely able to contain her temper. Chapter 62: Perfect Fit In the kitchen, tes started to pile up faster than a speed-eating contest as Reign and Wick devoured the meats like ravenous beasts. Reign abandoned all pretense of utensils, opting instead to grab bs of meat with his bare hands and stuff them into his mouth. Every now and then, he''d sprinkle some pepper and salt onto the raw meat before savoring it like a connoisseur at a five-star restaurant. "More!" Reign requested another batch, and Mellisa was forced to open the fridge to get more. It was a good thing she had plenty of stock on hand. The reason Reign was consuming so much was that the energy from eating animal meats paled inparison to that derived from humans. Eating meat triggered his instincts, and he needed to satisfy the craving. He made a mental note to be more mindful of what he eat after experiencing this. ''How can that thing eat so much?'' Mellisa wondered aloud. She could understand Reign''s appetite since he was a monster, but Wick was just a dog. How could it eat so much? Little did she know, Wick was no ordinary dog. In fact, even a real lion would struggle if Wick got serious. While it may no longer be a demon dog, its time spent with Reign had enabled it to regain its powers without being corrupted by negative energy. The reason for this was because the negative energy absorbed from Reign had already been purified by the system. Normal negative energy often carries the malice of the people who died to create it, or the will of the demon who unleashed it. However, Reign''s dormant negative energy was pure and devoid of any harmful intent. Itcked the malice that typically apanied such energies, rendering it harmless to Wick. The only times Reign''s negative energy became dangerous was when he utilized his skills like Death Aura. In the end, all of her stock was depleted, and she had to go out to another trailer to get more meat. Fortunately, most residents in the area respected and owed her a favor or two, so they willingly provided her with the meat she needed. ''These monsters will bankrupt me,'' she thought to herself, feeling the strain of providing for Reign''s appetite. She couldn''t help but admire George for maintaining his sanity while taking care of this bunch of troublemakers. After his meal, Reign stood up and walked past Mellisa without even offering a sign of gratitude. In fact, he even med her for inviting him for food, forcing him to eat animal meat, which he found not very appetizing. ''This ungrateful son of a bitch,'' Mellisa felt wronged, but she hid her true feelings behind a forced smile. ''Calm yourself, calm yourself,'' she murmured, taking deep breaths to control her rising frustration. ''He''s your ticket to sess someday,'' she reassured, reminding herself that all of this would yield significant returns in the future. On the Living Room Reign sat on the couch as if he owned the ce, watching television. The TV programs here were simr to those in his old world, so he was able to adjust quickly. But if there was something he felt disappointed about, it was the absence of anime. All the shows were cartoons, and he did not like the art style. After growing bored, he switched to watching the news. As expected, there was no mention of demons whatsoever. It was evident that the government was manipting the media to conceal all of this. "Reign, my contact is here," Mellisa announced as she approached, apanied by another man with a tall stature and a bald head. "This is my friend Johnny. He can make a fake face for you. Don''t worry, he''s a professional who deals with people like you," she introduced him, trying to reassure Reign. "Do you do other jobs aside from this? Like, are you a doctor, firefighter, teacher, or even an astronaut?" Reign asked casually, sensing a hint of familiarity in the bald man''s appearance. "No, I just make prosthetic masks for a living," Johnny answered. "I see... Just get it over with," Reign replied. Good thing that Johny was a professional ustomed to making monster masks in his line of work. He didn''t show any hint of disgust after seeing Reign''s skull face. It also helped that he was aware that demons and monsters exist in this world. He began mixing some kind of chemical, and soon a gooey orange y material formed. . Then he instructed Reign to press his face into the gooey y material. This would serve as the foundation for his fake skin, molding to the contours of his skull. "Do you have any preference for the skin color?" Johny asked, jotting down notes as he spoke. Reign pondered for a moment before answering, "Just make it fair," he replied. It was his skin color in his previous life. After asking more questions and receiving Reign''s feedback, Johny stood up and bid his goodbyes to get to work. He still had to travel back to the city since his office was located there. "Are you sure we can trust that man?" Reign asked with a suspicious tone. "Don''t worry, he''s a professional," Mellisa reassured him. "He''s the go-to guy when some of our agents need disguises for missions." Reign didn''t pressed further. Finding it too bothersome, he decided to just take another nap. This would be his usual routine for days toe, until everything waspleted. *** 2 days passed. Inside Mellisa''s Trailer "Please check this out," Johny spoke up after opening a briefcase where an artificial face was ced. Reign touched the skin, amazed at how realistic it felt. It surpassed his expectations. "Do you like it?" Johny asked. "Um," Reign just nodded. "This thing is made of a special type of material. It''s soft and light, so when you put it on, you won''t have to worry about any difort. And just in case you damage it, I made three more spares," Johny exined. After exining things, he informed Reign about the process of putting on the mask. It was very straightforward; he just needed to wear it like a cloth and then hide the extra skin located on the neck under his clothing. When the instation wasplete, Reign went to a mirror to get a good look at himself. He now looked more human, with fine details to make it more realistic. It would be weird if his face was too smooth after all. All in all, it was good enough to hide his true nature, aside from the fact that his eyes were still flickering orbs of blue me. But that would not be an issue much longer because Mellisa had taken this into consideration. She handed Reign a special type of clothing. It resembled bandages and might lookedplicated to put on, but it was very portable. Something that Reign could put on and take off anytime. "This is eptable," Reign remarked, his satisfaction evident in his voice as he examined his new appearance. With fair skin, white hair(wig), and his eyes concealed by bandages, he felt confident in his disguise. Mellisa had even provided him with new clothing,pleting his transformation. It was a ck uniform-like clothing with a cor that extended above his neck. Initially, he found the design unique, almost like he was cosying. However, after seeing simr trendy styles on TV, he realized that this was the current fashion trend. As for his hands, he covered them with ck gloves made of a special flexible material. They were designed for easy removal in case he needed to use his abilities. "Sweet" Chapter 63: Checkpoint The mask installed was really handy; it was flexible enough to mimic a natural expression because of its material. Of course, in Reign''s case, the amount of expression he could convey was limited. Plus, his eyes were also hidden by a fake bandage, so only the curves of his mouth and cheek could be seen when he was speaking. "Thanks for everything Johny, " Mellisa handed him an enveloped filled with cash. "Don''t worry about it, I owe you a lot for sending a team to save my wife. This is nothing," Johny responded with a smile. In this line of work, having a lot of connections was beneficial. After wrapping things up, Johny left the ce immediately. There was no need for further conversation with the customer, as business dictated their interactions. He did great with the job, and that was all that mattered. In the living room, Melissa, George, and Reign sat on the sofa for a meeting. "What do we do next?" Reign asked George, feeling restless after days of waiting. With no opportunity to kill and level up, he wanted to leave this ce as soon as possible. George, uncertain about the next course of action, turned to Mellisa, so she could provide the answer. "It''s time for you to undergo a test. We''ll head to Summit City, where they''ll assess you to assign an appropriate rank for missions," she exined "Would not be dangerous ? " Reign asked, going to an organization and registering was dangerous . He could get ambushed there. "Don''t worry, we''ll register you as a Demon. Ideally, it''s better to ssify you as a Divergent, but it''s impossible to conceal your aura during the test," she borated. Demons were epted into the organization, but they often faced discrimination, so she hoped Reign could qualify as a Divergent. "Aura?" Reign was puzzled; this was the first he''d heard about his demonic aura being detectable. "Oh right, you''re a newborn so you don''t know much , wait here," Mellisa went to her office and get something . After a minute or so, she pulled out a small palm-sized crystal orb. The orb was in, with a clear surface that caught the light in the room. It didn''t have any special patterns or colors, just a simple, transparent sphere. "This is made of Malice Crystals. When a demon touches it, it turns ck," she exined, detailing the object''s function. Reign grabbed the crystal ball, curious if this was really true. If it was, then he must be wary of it in the future. [Ding] [The system detected an object attempting to scan the host''s body.] [Would you like to block it ?] [Yes] or [No] ''Yes'' Reign was ted after hearing the notification. The capability to block such objects meant he could evade potential trouble from sensory-type equipment. On the other hand, Melissa was taken aback to find the crystal orb showing no reaction whatsoever. "Hey, are you sure it''s not defective?" George inquired. Reign was 100% a demon, so why didn''t the crystal react at all? "No, a malice crystal would always work as long as it gets in contact with a demon," Melissa mumbled to herself. "But maybe he''s special?" She touched her chin in contemtion. She needed to change their strategy if this was the case. The crystals not showing any signs just opened up a better route for them to take. "Reign, do you know about Divergents?" she asked. "No idea at all," Reign shook his head. "Well, Divergents are said to be humans with demon blood," she started to exin. "Like Anna?" "No, Anna is demon. Even though she''s George''s daughter, she''s a pure demon because her mother''s blood was too strong. I tested her before, so I''m positive about it. " She paused and took a breath before continuing . "Divergents are more human than they are demons. They have super strength, are faster than humans, have better senses, and everything. At the same time, they also don''t trigger demonic energy." She added. From this point, Reign already had an inkling of what she was driving at. "So you want me to pretend to be a Divergent?" "Yes! You''ll be more epted and would also get more benefits as a Divergent than as a Demon." Reign contemted her words, and she was onto something. He knew all too well that demons were not weed by humans. Even if it were a criminal organization worse than demons, many humans would still be against it. "Alright, let''s go with that," he answered. Observing Melissa for a few days had built a small measure of trust in him. She exuded ambition, a trait that made her motives easier to discern. As long as she see benefits in aiding him, she''d likely remain invested. "Good, I''ll just grab my things. Meet me in the garage; we''ll use my car. By the way, before I forget, these are your documents," Melissa handed Reign a wallet. Inside, there was some cash and an ID. It had a fake ID picture of another person who resembled his mask, with the name "Reign Gos." "You need an identification card to enter the city. Don''t worry, that ID is safe and legit. I had someone find a person who had gone missing for years, and had the same name as you, so you can take his identity," she added after seeing Reign remained silent. ''She''s more useful than I thought,'' Reign muttered silently. He couldn''t deny that she was really resourceful, even better than George. It might be because she had been working in the underground world for too long, so she already knew the ins and outs. It was evident that this was not her first encounter with such tricky situations. *** As they traveled along the highway, Reign noticed the city drawing nearer. Surprisingly, tall walls, standing about five floors high, encircled it¡ªa sight he hadn''t anticipated. He now felt that this world was really different from his previous one. ording to George, the walls were built to prevent people from entering the city without undergoing a check. That was the information provided to the public, but for people like them, it was evident that these walls were actually designed to detect demons. It was a good thing that he went along with George and Melissa''s n; otherwise, even entering the city would have been a major hurdle for him. When they reached the checkpoint, they transferred to a 15ne roundabout. The checkpoint was so extensive that they needed to expand the road to avoid traffic jams. Slowly but surely, Melissa''s car moved until finally it reached a toll booth where a man wearing a brown military uniform approached with a K-9 dog. The dog was nning to bark as soon as it got near our car. "Woof!" Wick barked first, and as if understanding his words, the K-9 paused and simply sniffed the car without reacting. "Good boy," Reign praised, patting Wick''s head, very pleased with how useful he was. Even Melissa was surprised; she had thought she needed to pull some strings, but it ended up being solved effortlessly. When the search was done, they were asked to hand over their identification cards, and the guards only took a brief look at them. They did inquire about Reign''s bandage, but after Melissa provided them with medical documents, they finally let them through. Chapter 64: Tier 4 City Behind the wall made of hard cement, Reign was greeted by the cityndscape. It was already noon when they reached the city, so now the sun was starting to set. The orange glow of the sun continued to tint the sky with hues of pink and purple, casting a warm and inviting light over the bustling streets below. The cityscape was dotted with buildings reminiscent of his old world, yet their overall look was different. Atmosphere felt morepact, with towering structures dominating the skyline in this part of the city. This buildings rose like giants of steel and ss, stretching towards the sky with amanding presence. Each one seemed to vie for space, their surfaces shining in the waning sunlight. Some were sleek and modern, reflecting the colors of the evening sky, while others showed signs of age, their worn exteriors bearing witness to years gone by. Below, the streets buzzed with activity. Cars zoomed past in a flurry of colors, their headlights casting long shadows on the pavement. Pedestrians hurried along, their faces obscured by the hustle and bustle of city life. Some were dressed in suits, clutching briefcases tightly, while others wore casual attire with backpacks slung over their shoulders as they navigated the crowded sidewalks. Amidst the chaos, the sounds of the city wrapped around Reign like a familiar tune. Horns honked, voices chattered, and the distant rumble of trains added to the urban symphony that surrounded him. However ¡ª This urbanndscape was odd in his opinion, especially considering there was plenty of open space outside the city walls. ''Why aren''t they expanding the city?'' Reign mused aloud. Melissa, seating beside the driver, overheard him and offered an answer. She was more knowledgeable about this topic than George. "It''s because the Hunter Association and the governmentcks the manpower to protect this city, so it''s better to reduce thend area," she answered. "Reign, do you know how a city gets promoted?" she asked, wanting to provide him with moremon information about the world that he might need in the future. "Base on poption?" he replied. "That''s one aspect," Mellisa exined, "but the primary concern is the city''s ability to defend itself. That''s why a city must have sufficient manpower in order to be promoted." Reign attempted to understand her exnation, but it only raised more questions for him. "But why? I find this ce really peaceful," Reign inquired. The issue with demons seemed almost non-existent, so why bother limiting the area? "On the surface, yes, it may seem peaceful. But the truth is, the rtionship between Demons and Humans is very fragile. In other cities like this one, it''s normal for it to be destroyed overnight due to a skirmish ." Melissa paused for a moment, taking a breather before continuing. "The only reason the existence of demons isn''t widely known is because of propaganda, and the city''s inte is limited to internal connections. This means that other cities don''t even have a way tomunicate with each other." ''This world is moreplicated than I expected,''Reign muttered to himself. He had thought it was just a normal city, but it turned out to be muchplex. No wonder when he tried to search the, information was limited. They didn''t even have a map of this world, only the city. "Have you heard anything about other cities? Why are some safe while others aren''t?" Reign inquired further. "I''m not entirely sure, but I''ve heard that most Demon Lords have their own territories, and there''s some sort of agreement between humans and demons. That''s probably why a full-blown war hasn''t erupted," she responded." As they continued to navigate the city roads, Reign and Melissa engaged in conversation, aiming for him to absorb as muchmon knowledge as possible. After 45 minutes of travel, they arrived at what seemed to be a forgotten corner of the city. Thendscape transformed dramatically as towering skyscrapers gave way to dpidated structures and narrow alleys. The buildings here were haphazardly constructed, their facades weathered and worn from years of neglect. Piles of garbage littered the streets, mingling with the stench of decay that hung heavily in the air. The sounds of bustling city life were reced by the distant echoes of hardship, as residents moved about with weary expressions, their spirits seemingly weighed down by the burdens of their surroundings. This was not a ce where dreams thrived; it was a ce where survival was the only goal. "Wee to the Slump," Mellisa introduce the ce . "This ce is like a garbage dump," Reign snorted in disdain. He had expected to be taken to some kind of skyscraper for his test, not led to this grimy area. "Don''t be too judgmental," Melissa cautioned. "While it may look like this, even the authorities can''t just waltz in here. This ce is home to the majority of criminals. You can meet all sorts of people here." ''Can''t believe she''s actually defending this garbage dump,'' Reign sighed inwardly. Seeing Reign''sck of response, Melissa decided to remain quiet until they reached a two-story building. The ce had a sign above it that read "Midnight Bar." Unlike the other buildings, this one was well-maintained, making it stand out . As they stepped out of the car, they were instantly greeted by four burly men with imposing physiques. Each one was bald and had the unmistakable look of bouncers. "Hey, Bob, I''m here to enjoy the night," Melissa announced with a yful wink, using the familiar code to signal her intention to gain ess to the HQ. "Come with us," Bob instructed, casting a gaze over Reign and George. "But the dog stays outside," "George, he said that you have to stay," Reign spoke up with a fake sad tone. "He was talking about Wick!" George retorted, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Oh, my bad," Not wanting to waste any more time, Reign instructed Wick to stay in the car, leaving the window open for him. As they made their way to the bar, Reign''s attention was caught by the sight of several women in the lobby, their attire teasingly revealing. Each one greeted them with a sultry smile, but it was the girl with pink hair and a nose piercing who drew his gaze. Her ck crop top hugged her curves enticingly, leaving little to the imagination, while her shorts barely covered her private parts, entuating her alluring figure. "Hey, handsome, want to have some fun?" the hooker asked with a yful smile, her voice dripping with seduction. "You can have me for only 3000 credits," she purred, her suggestive gaze locking onto Reign. Reign didn''t reply immediately, not because he was interested in her, but because he had something else on his mind. He nced at Mellisa and asked, "How much is a kilo of raw beef?" Everyone was taken aback by his unexpected question, but Melissa still answered calmly, "300 credits." "You''re too expensive for me. I''d rather buy 10 kilos of meat than get you," Reign responded casually, brushing off the girlpletely. Melissa couldn''t help but giggle after witnessing how Reign handled the encounter with the hooker. She found his quirky retorts amusing. Even George was having a hard time keeping hisugher. As for the pink-haired hooker, she was visibly annoyed, but she managed to control herself after realizing that this group of people was being escorted. They might be VIPs, after all. ''What a snobbish guy,'' the hooker eximed, rolling her eyes dramatically. ''Probably thinks his dick is made of gold!'' Chapter 65: Midnight As the group moved through the bar, they entered a dimly lit space with purple LED lights illuminating the floors and walls. The air was filled with the mingled scents of strong perfume, alcohol, and sweat, while the sound of thumping bass and lively chatter filled the room. They passed a crowded dance floor where questionable looking people danced to the beat of the music, lit up by shes of colorful lights. The women were adorned with heavy makeup and enveloped in a strong scent of perfume, while the men resembled thugs straight out of an action movie. Alongside the dance floor, a busy bar served patrons seated on stools, chatting and sipping on drinks as bartenders worked efficiently behind the counter. At the back of the bar, a stage showcased four women in revealing attire, their bodies moving seductively to the sexy music. They swayed and dance, enticing the audience with their provocative moves. It also help that some of them had taken their tops off, showcasing their nipples in the dimly lit space. As the performance continued, some patrons tossed money onto the dance floor. The dancers quickly collected the cash, slipping it into their underwear with a suggestive grin. In the crowd, a few select patrons were allowed to get closer to the performers, exchanging money for the opportunity to touch them in more intimate areas. It was a scene that added an extrayer of excitement to the already crazy atmosphere. The Midnight Bar offered a vibrant and enticing ce, where people could let loose of their desire. "George, you''re drooling," Melissa teased, catching him eyeing some of the young girls who were giving him suggestive look. George was jolted by herment and quickly brushed off the awkward situation, acting as if nothing had happened. After that, Melissa''s focus shifted to Reign. She knew that demons, even if they were not human, often had much stronger libidos. She expected that this scene would awaken Reign''s manly desires. But as she looked at him, she noticed that his steps were steady, as was his head. He might have been wearing a special type of bandage over his eyes, but he could still see somehow. And yet, she could tell that he was not looking at any of the girls. ''What a good demon,'' she giggled inwardly. In a way, Reign''s mental fortitude surpassed George''s, who was easily distracted by the women. Little did she knew, Reign was actually speechless after witnessing all of these things at once. It felt like a sudden culture shock for him. Having been trapped and experimented on from a young age, he waspletely unprepared for the sights and sounds of the adult world. And as a defense mechanism to avoid appearing weak or ignorant, he literally cked out his vision and just walked alongside them. "We''re here," Bob the bouncer announced,ing to a stop and opening a metallic door at the far end. Four heavily built individuals guarded the door, their appearance suggesting they were specially trained soldiers. They were not speaking, but their interest in Reign''s group was evident as they observed them closely. One of them was even speaking into his earpiece, likely informing the headquarters about their arrival. When the door swung open, it revealed a staircase leading downstairs, and white lights illuminated their path. Without hesitation, they proceeded inside, descending into the depths of the building. The air grew cooler as they made their way down, the sound of music and chatter from the bar fading into the background. With each step, the atmosphere became more subdued, hinting at the secrecy of what was waiting below. Finally, they reached the bottom of the stairs, where another door awaited them. Bob gestured for them to enter, and as they stepped through, they found themselves in another dimly lit hallway. Bob led them down the hallway until they reached an elevator at the end marked "HQ." Inside the elevator, Melissa pulled out a green card and scanned it, causing the elevator to spring to life and start moving down. Reign could feel the elevator was moving quite fast, yet it still took them 30 seconds to reach their destination, indicating just how far they had descended. As the elevator doors parted, they stepped into an office-like space. In the center stood a statue of a veiled woman, her face obscured from view. To the left and right were two open doorways, inviting them to explore further. "That''s the Veiled Mother, the symbol of our organization," Melissa exined. Reign examined it carefully, and for some reason, he could feel its sadness. Whoever crafted it was really skilled at their craft. "Come with me, and try to keep quiet. I''ll handle the talking," Melissa instructed, her tone bing more authoritative to y the part . George and Reign simply nodded, following her until they reached another room. Inside, there were four women who appeared to be attendants. Unlike the women above, they all looked beautiful despite only having thin make up and were dressed in normal ck zersmonly seen in office settings. "Kelly, could you assist me in signing up a prospect?" Melissa asked as she walked over to a woman with short, curly brown hair and eyes. Herplexion was a light brown shade, not as dark as Melissa''s. With full lips and thick eyebrows, she looked really hot. "Oh, a prospect? Is it that guy over there?" Kelly''s gaze focused on George, who was standing right beside Melissa. "No, I want to sign this guy," Melissa corrected, gently cing her hand on Reign''s shoulder. Kelly''s eyes narrowed as she observed Reign from head to toe. He had a good physique, but the bandage over his eyes gave the impression that he was blind. She couldn''t help but feel doubtful about why someone with a disability would be joining their organization. "Don''t underestimate this greenhorn. He''s a divergent and pretty strong at that," Melissa responded with a confident tone. Upon hearing that Reign was a divergent, the attendants'' interest in him increased. Unlike the Hunter Association, The Veiled Night treated divergents as valuable assets, especially the strong ones. "Alright, let me put his information so we can proceed with the test. This is perfect timing because a test is scheduled to be conducted an hour from now!" Kelly''s attitude did aplete 180 after realizing Reign''s potential; she was now looking at him in a new light. She began asking Reign for his information, typing it into their system. One benefit of this organization was that they didn''t require any pictures of the applicant, and individuals were even allowed to use an alias instead of their real name for privacy reasons. "What should we call you?" Kelly asked. "Rain," Reign answered. It was close to his name, and ''Rain'' was also a cool alias that seemed to describe a never-ending presence. "Alright, your code name from now on is Rain," Kelly announced, her smile warm and inviting. "Please proceed to the waiting room." "Thank you, Kelly. I''ll treat you next time," Melissa spoke, giving Kelly a friendly gesture before turning away. Kelly smiled back. "It would be nice if Mr. Rain would also treat me after he passes," she replied with a suggestive tone. However, Reign pretended not to hear her and just walked away. Chapter 66: Test The waiting room was big, easily the size of five bedrooms. Comfortable sofas were ced in each corner, offering space for the examinees. Large vases with nts sat beside the sofas, contrasting with the messy atmosphere above. Reign could see that building this base had cost a lot of money. After inspecting the area, Reign observed the crowd as they assembled for the exam. Many people stood out: some looked like criminals, others appeared to be disciplined soldiers, and a few were unique, such as a super tall and muscr dark-skinned guy and a girl with metal gloves like a video game character. The girl also had unique purple and green hair, a nose piercing, and wore an orange cropped jumper jacket that made her look like a troublemaker. She also had purple lips and long eyshes. "They''re weak," Reign muttered unconsciously, which drew George and Melissa to turn their gaze toward him.They knew that his standard for strength was skewed due to his nature. Fortunately, Reign now possessed some control over his aura, unlike in the past. At first nce, he appeared human. However, Melissa knew his true power. She had asked him to release his aura before they arrived in the city, and it was strong. "Hey, remember to rely only on your physical strength and speed. Don''t resort to using your demonic abilities," Melissa reminded him. "Don''t worry, I won''t," he replied. If the caliber of the examinees was only this, there was no need for him to take things seriously. At his current power, even the three hunters that Anna killed would be powerless against him. Thus, he had to suppress his exam result or risk standing out too much. "It''s hard to be too outstanding," he sighed. "This..." Mellisa, who overheard Reign''s pained voice, felt the urge to p some sense into him. ''How shameless. '' She thought. George, on the other hand, wasn''t particrly bothered. He had developed some immunity to Reign''s attitude over time. In fact, he was pleased that Mellisa was here to divert Reign''s attention. "Hey, Mellisa, I heard you messed up on that mission again," a chubby man with gold-rimmed sses approached, apanied by a towering figure standing seven feet tall. This big guy had dark skin, bulging muscles, and a mean expression, like a heavyweight boxer. "Oh, it''s you, Piggy Frank. You better watch out for your cholesterol intake, or you might just copse one of these days," Mellisa replied with a mocking tone, refusing to back down in the confrontation. "You''re just hillbilly bitch," Frank sneered with disdain, his annoyance visible in his e riddled face. Noticing Mellisa''s defiance, he nced over at Reign, who was seated next to her. "Is this your prospect? I heard he''s a Divergent. What a coincidence, my boy is also a Divergent," Frank spoke up with a smug look as he introduced the dark-skinned man. "Kyson, show them some of your moves," Frank ordered. SWOOOOOSH! Kyson''s fist hurtled towards Reign, but just before impact, it stop mere centimeters away. Despite notnding, the force of the punch was evident as it created powerful airwaves that tousled Reign''s fake white hair. "See, your kid wasn''t even able to react," Frankughed, taunting Mellisa. He expected her to be angry. However, instead of retaliating, she just touched Reign''s shoulder as if to calm him down. "You''re courting death," Mellisa shifted her gaze to Frank. "Keep bluffing," Frank snorted as he walked away with Kyson. "Don''t mind them, Reign," Mellisa spoke up, concerned that Reign might lose control and start attacking everyone. "Don''t worry, I''m calm," Reign replied with a nonchnt tone. There was no hint of anger in his voice. His reaction was unusually out of character, causing even George to question if this was the same Reign he knew. [The testing will start. All participants, please line up for the initial check] An announcement buzzed through the speakers on the ceiling, directing all participants to line up for the required check. They were all instructed to touch a Malice Crystal. The crowd shuffled into order, each person falling into ce ording to their assigned number . Finally, it was Reign''s turn. Mellisa''s pulse quickened as she watched him approach the crystal ball, its surface reflecting the light overhead. ''Please don''t react,'' Mellisa prayed. She had already tested him before, but the equipment used in this test was more powerful and advanced, so it might pick up a demonic aura. Reign reached out and touched the crystal, his hand steady. Silence descended as they waited for the result. After a brief moment, Reign withdrew his hand, and the crystal remaining unchanged. ''Thank god,'' Relief washed over her . Following the initial test, they were directed to another room for a strength test. Inside awaited a punching machine disying scores. Unlike typical arcade setups, this machine was advanced, boasting pressure sensors with an almost 0% margin of error. The test began and score after score pop up, [400 kg] [430 kg] [540 kg] [600 kg] As anticipated, many of the applicants demonstrated above average strength. The usual force behind a regr human punch hovers around 200kg, and yet the lowest recorded force here nearly doubling that figure. BAAM! Suddenly, the entire punching machine move a little when one participant delivered a punch. The numbers on the disy kept increasing until it finally stopped at... [1250 kg] "Whoa, who''s that girl? How can someone with such a small body generate that much power?" eximed some of the participants as they observed the woman, who had been wearing metal knuckles before taking her test. Despite not using her metal knuckles, her punch still packed a force twice as strong than that of a heavyweight boxer. ''Oh, that girl was actually hiding her power,'' Reign thought to himself. When the girl threw the punch, he felt a sudden fluctuation in her aura. Not only that, he also discovered that she was still holding back. "So there''s another Divergent here," Melissamented. It was rare for so many Divergent to apply at the same time. Next, Kyson stepped up to take the test,manding attention with his imposing, muscr body. He initiated his preparation by rolling his shoulder, fine-tuning his stance for thepunch. With a controlled and trained movement, he swung his fist, precisely rotating his hips to maximize the power behind his strike. BAAM! Kyson''s punchnded with a thunderous impact, echoing through the room and leaving the punching machine trembling and tilting. The crowd collectively held their breath, amazed by the sheer force and precision of his punch. [4050kg] That was the score he achieved: a punching force equivalent to thebined strength of Seven heavyweight boxers. Everyone now epted the fact that he would achieve the highest score for the strength test. There was no way anyone could surpass that score. "Reign, can you beat that score?" Melissa whispered. In her opinion, Reign wasn''t a strength-type demon, so she doubted his raw punching force would reach 4000+ . "What''s the highest record in this ce?" Reign asked with a cold tone. "Eh?" Melissa was shocked by his question. "Just answer me." "I think it''s 7000kg or more. It was from a Divergent who specialized in strength." "Good." Reign replied and began walking towards the machine. "Hey, your turn is over, so get the fuck out there ," Reign sneered. Kyson was taken aback by Reign''s sudden change in attitude. Was this the same person who he thought a coward before? "Kid don''t be too arrogant," Kyson step up to meet Reign but Frank intervened just in time. "Don''t do it, Kyson. You''ll get disqualified. You can take care of him after you get your license," Frank cautioned, his gaze mocking as he nced at Reign, as though already envisioning his death. "Pussy," Reign taunted again, his pent-up anger from Kyson''s earlier action was still fresh in his mind. After Kyson angrily stepped aside, Reign made his way toward the punching machine for his turn. Chapter 67: Test Part 2 ''What should I do?'' Reign pondered, considering the amount of force necessary to ace the test. Initially, he hadn''t been overly concerned about his test score, as long as he passed. However, the taunts from Kyson and Frank ignited his vengeful side, forcing him to reassess his approach. He wasn''t great at controlling his humanoidbody yet, so he couldn''t measure the force of his punches urately. Instead, he guessed using percentages, like 50 or 70%. But he wasn''t sure if that would be enough to reach 4000 kg. Punching wasn''t his usual fighting style, because he had been relying on shing technique before. And even when his body became more humanoid, Reign stuck to practicing his w bullet and w technique out of habit. It wasn''t his fault; why would he bother with punches when he had ws? It was like asking a knight with a long sword to fight barehanded. Fortunately, Reign was a quick learner, thanks to his intelligence. During Kyson''s turn, he observed the punches closely¡ªthe position, angle, and shift in bnce. None of these details escaped Reign''s notice. Though he couldn''t perfectly imitate it on the first try, he already grasped the basics. He clenched his fist, then with a strong swing of his arms, he mimicked Kyson''s punch, and then... BOOOOOOM! As his fist struck the Punching Machine, a deafening bang exploded, akin to a grenade detonating. The machine tilted dangerously, nearly toppling over if not for the wall supporting it from behind. The counter began to rise rapidly, elerating with each passing moment. 0001 0100 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 9999 Error! Error! Error! The punch was so powerful that it surpassed the machine''s limit entirely. ''Fuck, I messed up,'' Reign cursed inwardly, realizing he had made a blunder. He was not aware that mimicking Kyson''s professionally trained punching style had actually made his attack much stronger than normal. The ironic part was, he had really tried to restrained himself by not exerting any energy in his punch. If he had, even the wall would have crumbled. However, it was already toote. All eyes were now on him; he had made himself the center of attention. "Hey, did you see that punch? Can Divergent pack that much power?" " "Are you positive he''s a Divergent? Seems more like a demon to me!" "Man just destroyed the Punching Machine." Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd as everyone discussed what happened. ''What should I do? Should I just carry on like nothing happened?'' Reign mulled over his options, attempting to determine his next move. But before he coulde to a decision, a loud voice suddenly reverberated, startling everyone. "We''ve got a strong Divergent here. You''ve brought us a promising prospect, Melissa," As they turned towards the source of the voice, they saw a man in a ck suit. His hair was styled in a brush-up, his body was bulky, and he wore an eyepatch on his left eye. "Guild Master!" Mellisa eximed. The man who had just spoken was the Branch Head of the Vield Night in Summit City, Byron, someone who rarely made public appearances. His presence here came as a surprise to everyone. "Don''t be too shocked. While this result might be surprising in a Tier 4 city, in Tier 2 and 3 cities, Divergent punches can reach up to 30,000 kg," he exined, noticing that some were still eyeing Reign. After hearing his words, they began to ponder more carefully and eventually epted his exnation. None of them were familiar with the workings of higher-tier cities, so they simply took his word for it without question. Besides, it wasmon knowledge in the underground world that higher-tier cities has stronger hunters and demons, so it was only logical to assume that Divergents from those cities would be stronger as well. Seeing that everyone had now calmed down, he approached Reign slowly and extended his hand for a shake. Reign nced at Mellisa first, and only when she nodded did he finally ept the gesture. As their palms touched, Reign felt a sudden pressure in his hand. Byron was actually gripping his hand to test him. Reacting instinctively, Reign matched the pressure, but to his surprise, Byron''s raw power exceeded his own. Reign could have exerted more energy to strengthen his grip, but he choose not to, aware that Byron would likely detect any unnatural increase in force at such close quarters. As the handshake concluded, Byron''s face lit up with a satisfied smile. He was impressed by Reign''s strength and durability. Despite applying a force equivalent to 15,000 kg, he found that it wasn''t enough to crush Reign''s hand in the slightest. "I''ll be expecting great things from you. If you break all the old records here, you''ll receive a special reward," Byron said, patting Reign''s shoulder to motivate him. "Why are you telling me this?" Reign asked, still suspicious of the offer. In this world, there was no such thing as a free lunch. "Let''s just say that we Guild Masters receive bonuses when we have a genius like you in our branch. Don''t worry, if you do me a favor, I''ll owe you one. Remember, kid, in this line of work, connections are important," he exined. "Alright," Reign agreed. There was no need to argue with someone of Byron''s status. Besides, having the favor of a Guild Master would be a huge advantage. If Reign yed his cards right, he could gain ess to missions that involved taking out arge number of humans. "That''s my boy. Now, I have to go before everyone thinks I''m showing favoritism," he chuckled loudly, making no effort to conceal his favoritism towards Reign. Everyone''s expressions of amazement and doubt quickly shifted to envy and jealousy after hearing Byron''s word. As for Kyson, he felt a chill run down his spine as he observed Reign''s impressive disy of strength. What he witnessed was a painful p to his ego : with Reign''s power, one punch was enough to kill. Reign noticed Kyson''s anxious expression and turned towards him. Though Reign did not utter a word, an ominous aura seemed to emanate from him, causing Kyson to feel as though death itself loomed over him. [The agility test is about to begin,] The sudden announcement from the speaker caught everyone''s attention, but for Kyson, it brought a sense of relief. He felt as though he had been saved by the bell, escaping the tension that had been building between them. "Frank, I want to quit," Kyson pleaded desperately. "Are you crazy?" Frank berated him, Frank was also shocked by Reign''s unexpected power. If he had known about it from the start, he would never have dared to messed with him in the first ce. "But he''ll kill me!" Kyson protested, fear evident in his voice. "Idiot, if you quit now, you won''t be able to join . That means no one will protect you. But if you get a good score, we can ask the Guild Master to mediate between you two," Frank exined firmly. "Are you sure about this?" Kyson asked, his expression filled with doubt. "I''m sure," Frank affirmed. "He might be powerful, but he''s just one person. He''d back down if the Guild Masters ordered it." After hearing Frank''s words of assurance, Kyson began to calm down. Frank was right; quitting now would only put him in more danger. Chapter 68: Bright Future A tall man in a white polo shirt announced, "Next up is the agility test, meant to find those best for missions that needs someone with a quick feet." He oversaw the uing assessment. Projected on a 100 inches screen behind him was arge room outfitted with specialized treadmills, capable of amodating up to fifty individuals. These treadmills were programmed toelerate speed every thirty seconds. To sessfullyplete the test, one had to sustain the pace for a minimum of three minutes. This method provided a straightforward means of assessing both the endurance and speed of the participants. Moreover, the results were quantifiable, ensuring fairness for all involved. Once everyone had settled onto their respective treadmills, a countdown timer appeared on the screen above each treadmill, allowing participants to ready themselves and their pacing. With the timer set at 60 seconds, some participants began stretching to avoid any mishaps during the test. Reign didn''t bother with stretching. His muscles were built by the system, ensuring he wouldn''t suddenly experience cramps. When the countdown timer reached zero, the treadmill moved to a speed of just 10 kilometers per hour, an easy challenge for everyone. As the test progressed, the speed of the treadmill increased, but despite the increasing pace, Reign remained unfazed. With each increase, he maintained his calm demeanor, effortlessly adapting. Around the 3-minute mark, the treadmill''s speed had ramped up to 40 kilometers per hour, a velocity nearing the world record of 44.72 kilometers per hour for normal humans. At this point, some participants were pushing themselves to the limit just to stay in the test in increase their score. It had turned into a raw disy of sheer will, where some struggled to keep up as the speed reached 45 kilometers per hour. This moment highlighted the divide between ordinary human limit and those who surpassed it. At 50 km per hour , most of the participants who think they done good in the test and was barely holding on gave up on their own ord . 50 km/hr onwards, the increase was change from every 30 seconds to 10 seconds. However, those who wanted to get a higher rank maintained and controlled their pacing . The higher they score in this test, the more ess they could get for mission that pays well. But humans have their own limits Even the towering Kyson, with his long legs and impressive physical condition, was forced to give up at 55 kilometers per hour. As a strength-type Divergent, running wasn''t really his strong suit. Now, only Reign and the girl with the metal knuckles remained. Neither of them seemed tired yet. This girl, named Zoey, initially kept her power in check during the strength test to avoid drawing too much attention. However, witnessing Reign''s overwhelming strength ignited herpetitive spirit. She was a divergent specializing in speed, and being outmatched by Reign, who was clearly focused on strength, would be a big blow to her ego. "I won''t let you beat me," she muttered determinedly, eyeing Reign, whose expression was obscured by the bandage. Nevertheless, she was convinced that this speed wasn''t enough to trouble him. She didn''t even see a single drop of sweat dripping from his forehead. . Little did she know, Reign wasn''t capable of sweating in the first ce. That was one of the perks of his race¡ªhe didn''t even have sweat nds. ¡ª> 65 Km/Hr ¡ª> 70 Km/Hr At this speed, even Zoey was having a hard time keeping up, and it became visible on her face. She nced at Reign, expecting him to be simrly affected, but when she did, she saw that he remained unaffected. ''What the heck,'' Zoey cursed inwardly. She had considered him as a strength type, but he looked like he was just taking a leisurely jog in the park. From his rxed bodynguage, she could tell he had plenty of fuel left to spare. Reign noticed Zoey''s gaze and turned his head toward her, offering a smile. However, due to the fake skin he was wearing, what was supposed to be a normal smile appeared rather creepy and smug. This unintended effect only fueled Zoey''s irritation further. ''Ugh, I hate that guy,'' she muttered in annoyance, clicking her tongue, and kept on running through sheer will alone. However, when the speed surged to 75 kilometers per hour, she was finally forced to jump off the treadmill. There was simply no way she could continue running at such an extreme pace; she had reached her limit. "Wow, look at that guy. He still looks like he could keep going." "This must be the gap between us regr human and a genius." "He''s a genius even by Divergent standards. That girl and Kyson were Divergent too, but they weren''t nearly as impressive as him." "I bet he''ll climb the ranks quickly with those stats." Murmurs began to circte again as everyone watched Reign. ''Why do they have topare me? And I have a name, damn it,'' Zoey muttered, feeling insulted. She was tempted to give these guys a piece of her mind for indirectly mocking her. But at the same time, she couldn''t help but admit that Reign was really impressive. He was now running at 90 kilometers per hour and was only 10 kilometers away from breaking the Branch Record. ¡ª>95 km/Hr ¡ª>100km/Hr As expected, he did break it . She thought he might continue much longer, but after hitting 105 kilometers per hour, he jumped out of the treadmill. There was no sign of exhaustion at all, showing that he hadn''t reached his limit. ''That was way too easy,'' Reign thought to himself, feeling like a high school student acing an exam meant for grade 1 students. ''I hope the next test will be more challenging,'' he mused to himself,pletely unaware of the envy brewing among those around him. In their minds, he was destined for a bright future, like a dragon soaring to the sky with one leap. "The next test will be the IQ test. Please proceed to the examination room," announced the examiner. ''IQ test?'' Reign was surprised to hear this , acing this test would be much easier than the prior ones. ''Why do they even need to test our IQ? We''re criminals, for fucksake,'' he thought to himself. Mellisa walk over him and patted his shoulder for a job well done. "Now, all you need to do is pass the IQ test and you''re done. Honestly, I don''t expect much from you, considering... Well, don''t worry, your scores from the other tests were good enough," Melissa said, implying that she thought Reign was not that smart because he was a monster. Reign didn''t bother correcting her misunderstanding. He nned to shock everyone with his his results. Academic exams might be challenging due to his limited knowledge of this world, but an IQ test? That was like asking a fish to swim in water in his case. "By the way, why the need for an IQ test?" Reign asked. "That''s because missions vary," Melissa exined. "The organization requires a diverse range of skills, such as hackers, engineers, and many more. So this test was created¡ªto identify people with potential so the organization can train them ordingly." "Oh, so it''s not just a ''punch-first, ask-questionster'' kind of ce?" Reign responded, his shock evident as he realized he had severely underestimated the Veiled Nights. Chapter 69: Final Test "Do you really think we''re just a bunch of hooligans?" Melissa pped her forehead in disbelief. She couldn''t believe Reign thought so poorly of their organization. It was painful for her to hear him characterize their group that way. Admittedly, Veiled Nights did take on various missions, ranging from assassinations to kidnappings and other unsavory tasks. However, they also engaged in legitimate activities such as providing bodyguard services and more. "Yes," Reign responded. Melissa forced a smile at his blunt honesty, though inwardly she felt a twinge of frustration. Nheless, sheposed herself quickly. After all, he was her ticket to sess and wealth. "You''ll understand better once you be a member," she interjected, attempting to steer the conversation in a different direction. After their conversation, the remaining applicants entered another test room andmenced the test. The room resembled a college ssroom with desks where they were seated, each given test booklets. They were each given a test paper containing 200 questions, with a strict time limit of 2 hours toplete them all. Fortunately for Reign, the IQ test administered by the examiners had many simrities to the exams he had taken back on his previous world. It was the normal type of IQ testmonly encountered in various educational and professional settings. This type of IQ test includes a variety of question types to assess different cognitive abilities such as logical reasoning, verbalprehension, mathematical ability, and spatial awareness. Questions involve solving puzzles,pleting patterns, analogies, mathematical calctions, and understanding written passages. For Reign, this kind of exam that didn''t require memorization or prior knowledge in a specific subject was child''s y. In just 20 minutes, hepleted the 200-question IQ test, stunning some around him, while others thought he was just boasting, and some believed he had given up on the test altogether. After all, 30 minutes did seem too short; that was like answering each question in an average of 6 seconds. If every answer was correct, this implied that he possessed theability to analyze and solveplex problems in mere seconds. In real-life situations, his cognitive processing speed would likely surpass this, considering that IQ tests were designed to be hard. In the opposite corner of the room, another person watched intently as Reign submitted his test paper. ''Maybe he''s just pretending to be an smart ass and gave up on the exam,'' she spected silently, unwilling to acknowledge the possibility that Reign might be more intelligent than her. Zoey prided herself on being a quick learner and intellectually sharp, having been the top student of her ss since she was young . She found it uneptable to be defeated by someone who appeared to spend most of his time training his body. ''Stop thinking about him!'' she scolded herself, frustrated that she got sidetracked. Deciding to set aside her concerns about Reign, she redirected her focus to her own exam. After an hour of intense concentration, she confidently handed in her test paper, bing the second person toplete the exam. Meanwhile, Kyson''s struggle was insurmountable, leaving him feeling utterly hopeless. As the exam concluded, all the examinees were directed to wait in the hall where a monitor disyed the test results. With only a small number of participants, it was straightforward to check their answers right away. Sitting on the far right, Zoey tried to reassure herself that she would outperform Reign. She convinced herself that the amount of time he spent on the test were aclear sign of giving up. ''You might be stronger and faster, but there''s no way you''re smarter than me,'' she thought to herself with prideful tone. Not only Zoey, but even Melissa and George shared the same sentiment. The two couldn''t envisionhow someone like Reign, a monster with no academic background, could possibly answer the challenging questions with any semnce of uracy. They too concluded that he must have resorted to randomly selecting answers to get through the test. After all, it wasn''t as if he was vying for a position that demanded intellectual power; failing the written test wouldn''t pose any significant setback for him. "The exam results are in. Please check the monitor to view your scores," the examiner announced. As the screen flickered to life, it revealed the rankings for the exam, each participant identified by their code name rather than their real identities. Zoey''s heart raced with anticipation as she scanned the list, eager to see her standing. > Rank 2 : Zoey 190/200 [61 minutes] ''I''m only ranked second?'' Zoey was disappointed. She was certain she could secure the top spot. With curiosity , she shifted her focus to the person who ranked first. > Rank 1: Rain 200/200 [30 minutes] ''Rain? Who''s that guy?'' Zoey wondered to herself, puzzled by the unfamiliar code name among the top scorers. Throughout the three test, it wasn''t mandatory to reveal the code names of the examinees, so she remained unaware of the identities of the others. "What the fuck!" Melissa''s voice pierced through the air, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. She felt as though a bucket of ice-cold water had been dumped over her. The revtion was utterly illogical. How could Reign have scored a perfect 200 out of 200, and not only that, but he had aplished it in just 30 minutes? Even George was taken aback by the result. While he believed he could also achieve a perfect score of 200 out of 200 if he took the exam, he knew it would take him at least an hour to do so. Anna could do the same, but it was because she had lived for a longer time and had dedicated herself to home study. But Reign? He was just a man-eating monster who could barelymunicate a few weeks ago. When the two looked at Reign, they saw him smiling at them mockingly. . ''You think I will fail? I aced this type of test when I was 9,'' Reign chuckled inwardly, reminiscing about his past life where he was considered to be among the top 0.00000000000001 %in terms of IQ Seeing their shocked expressions brought satisfaction to Reign. "Oh, why were you so shocked? Don''t tell me you''re unaware that among us three, you two actually are the most stupid," Reign added, fueling the fire with his sarcastic remarks. "Then again, I guess people with stupid brains wouldn''t be able to figure that out. Alright, I forgive you because as someone with higher intelligence, I must learn to be kind to those less fortunate," Reign chuckled aloud, his words dripping with condescension. He was so loud that even the other examinees overheard him , so now they were sure that he was Rain , the person who got 200/200 in the IQ test . Everyone felt a sense of unfairness. If there was a higher power, it seemed to favor only one being: Reign. The unequal distribution of talents and fortunes left others feeling inadequate and bitter. ''No... No way,'' Zoey felt weak in the knees. She couldn''t believe she was dumb enough topare herself to him. What aparison! She felt like an ant trying to beat an elephant. Reign, on the other hand, couldn''t care less about what Zoey thought.The only reason he mocked Mellisa and George wasbecause they dared to underestimate him. ''Know your ce, peasants,'' he thought to himself proudly, his chest swelling with satisfaction as he watched their stunned reactions. Chapter 70: Pass with Flying Colors After the exam concluded, all those who passed were instructed to wait at the entrance, where they would receive their cards. Kelly was also there, having already heard about Reign''s performance during the exam. Now, she looked at Reign in a much more favorable light. She had expected him to do well due to being a divergent, but she was surprised to see him shine even among other exceptional candidates. And it wasn''t just her; almost every female personnel there was deeply impressed by Reign, who had not only broken but also set a new record for this branch. He was the perfect package: strength, speed, and intelligence. Women tended to be drawn to those they considered good specimens. Reign embodied all those qualities, except for one uncertainty: his appearance remained hidden behind the cover on his face, leaving others unable to determine his handsomeness. Funny enough, the person receiving all this attention was currently napping without a care in the world. On the other hand, the other examinees were restless, pondering what rank they would receive. They hade here hoping that this opportunity would change their lives for the better, so they aimed for ranks higher than Copper. After all, Copper rank only granted ess to low-paying jobs. "Zoey," the personnel tasked with issuing the Licensecalled out to her. She walked over to the window where she was handed her a silver card. It was a specialized card meant for essing the non-restricted areas of the base. Additionally, it allowed her to tap into the Organization''s Local Network for mission eptance and payment processing. When Zoey saw her card, she immediately knew she had earned the silver rank. It was a good score considering she was just a newbie. The rankings were divided into Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold, White Gold, tinum, Diamond, and ck. Advancing in rank was challenging without huge achievements. Even the Guild Master of this branch held only atinum Rank, indicating that higher-tier ranks weren''t easily attainable by just anyone. Normally, Zoey would have been content with her rank. Achieving a Silver right off the bat was amendable aplishment. However, she couldn''t help but wonder about Reign''s rank. He had consistently broken records in every test, so she believed he deserved at least a Gold rank. "Why do I keep thinking about him?" Zoey shook her head, her heart racing as she stole a nce at him discreetly. It was the first time she had encountered someone more impressive than herself, and it stirred up emotions she normally wouldn''t feel. She prided herself on being an independent woman who saw boys as weak and rowdy creatures, including Kyson, whom she perceived as just another somewhat strong, stupid male. So what was different about Reign? ''Forget about him, forget about him, forget about him,'' she scolded herself again, repeating those words as if to remind herself to stop thinking about such trivial matters. When it was Reign''s turn to receive his card, he picked it up and nced at his rank, finding it to be Gold. He then walked towards Mellisa, who was smiling broadly after seeing his result "So, is the test over? When can I get my mission?" Reign asked eagerly. He felt a sense of urgency to level up and believed he had been following George and Melissa''s n for too long. "First, take this. It''s thetest phone model. All you need to do is scan the QR code on your card using your phone''s camera," Melissa spoke up, her spirits high. Reign followed his instruction and an app was downloaded, it has a ck circr logo in it , and when he open the app , it asked him for a new password. After entering his password, the screen changed, and now he had ess to the group''s Social Network. There, he saw his code name: Rain, his rank: Gold, and the number of missions he hadpleted [0/0]. There was even a star feature indicating how satisfactory his missionpletions were. "Is this Drab or something?"Reign mused aloud, "Drab?" Mellisa asked with a confused expression. "Never mind," Reign shook his head, deciding not to exin in detail an app that existed in his previous world, allowingzy people to order food and request private drivers. He was more focused on the app, noting its simple design with a ck background and white font that made it easy to read. The app presented five options: Name: Rain Rank : Gold Mission 0/0 Veiled Points : 1000 >> Mission Panel >> Recruitment Panel >>ck Market >>Veiled Points Shop The entire HUD was intuitive, allowing him to easily figure out how everything worked. Mellisa and George simply let him be, observing as he yed with the app. He was like a kid who had just discovered a new mobile game,pletely absorbed in exploring its features. Suddenly, his phone vibrated and there was a message notification. It was an email. He opened it to find a text message with an attachment. [From : Guild Master Byron] [Congrats for passing the test with flying colors] [Attachments : 10,000 VeiledPoints ] "10,000 Veiled Points? Is that a lot ?" Reign asked Mellisa, unsure of the exchange rate for this type of currency. "Of course, that''s a lot. If you exchange that to credits, it would be 1,000,000 credits. By the way, the initial signing fee for passing the exam is only 250 Veiled Points," Mellisa exined. "250 Veiled Points?" Reign asked with a confused expression, seeing he already had 1000 Veiled Points before receiving the bonus. "I have 1000," he admitted. Mellisa was taken aback, realizing her blunder. This was the first time she had seen someone directly enter the Gold Rank in one go. What she had told Reign was actually the points given to Bronze Rank. "Ah, right. Let''s go and eat. It''s your treat for earning so much," she hurriedly changed the topic, hoping to avoid further embarrassment. "I want to pick a mission first," Reign responded. He didn''t need to eat normal food, so it was of no use to him. "You can do thatter," Mellisa said, grabbing his hand and leading him back to the bar. *** Above the surface, everyone returned to their usual routines, with the examinees who had passed not even discussing what had transpired before. They just enjoyed the night, ordering drinks and indulging in good food as if it were a festival. Reign was confused to see this so he tried asking Mellisa about it. "It''s normal," Zoey exined. "The members of the Veiled Night are not allowed todiscussing anything rted to the organization in public ces." Hearing this, Reign deduced the reason why such an organization, which was obviously knowledgeable about demons, could continue to exist despite the government and the hunter association''s efforts to keep the existence of demons hidden from the masses. Behind the scenes, there must be intricate political maneuvers at y, delicately bncing the interests of various factions while preserving the delicate equilibrium between the organization, the government, and the hunter association. This revtion brought a sense of relief to Reign. It meant that he was able to integrate into society more easily than he had anticipated. Without George and Melissa''s guidance, he might still be hiding in the forest, constantly on the run. "Alright, all food and drinks are on me," he dered, a generous (creepy) smile spreading across his face. Chapter 71: Basic Economics While Mellisa and George enjoyed their meal and drinks, Reign remained engrossed in his phone, scrolling through the Mission Panel. His intention? To find the perfect mission where he could eliminate a bunch of humans. It was the very purpose that led him to join this ce in the first ce. As he looked at the Mission Panel, he noticed that each mission had its own level, from Copper to Gold. He could choose jobs from any of these ranks. The Copper rank mainly consisted of simple missions, often just basic runner tasks. It felt more like being a mule for syndicates than anything else. The Bronze Rank demanded more skill, but it still mostly entailed straightforward tasks such as eliminating unimportant people. Advancing to Silver, the missions ramped up in difficulty, demanding a higher skill level. Here, one could now undertake tasks such as assassinating high-level individuals or even dismantling small gangs. But it was the Gold Rank that really captured Reign''s attention. The missions avable were perfect for him. Among them was a task to dismantle an entire criminal organization consisting of 100+ individuals. It felt as though this mission had been tailor-made just for him. With so many targets, Reign was sure he would level up and grow stronger after finishing this mission. His n was to continue working within the organization until he was powerful enough to go solo. This would provide a safe environment for him to grow without having to deal with bacsh. Mellisa informed him that one of the benefits of joining missions was the ability to pay off the police to turn a blind eye to crimes, provided he had enough credits to spare. And if the Hunter Association caught wind that his crimes were tied to missions, they wouldn''t delve deeper as it wouldn''t rte to Demon Activities any longer. Nevertheless, he must remain vignt to prevent his cover from being blown. Regardless of the protection provided by the Organization, if everyone discovered he was a dangerous demon, even the Veiled Nights would sell him out to the Hunter Association. Back to the Present. He hurriedly clicked on the mission, afraid that someone else might snatch it away. However, a notification prevented him from epting it. [Warning: You need more person to ept the Mission] "Hey, what''s the meaning of this?" Reign grumbled in annoyance, turning to Mellisa for an answer. Mellisa set down her ss after noticing that Reign''s was in a bad mood. "Oh, that''s because that''s a party type mission" she answered. "So I can''t take it?" Reign asked. "Not necessarily. You can either recruit more people and create a team, or you can buy a Coteral, Mellisa replied. She had intended to exin these details to him tomorrow, but his impatience required her to rify now. "I don''t need a teammate. Exin to me about the Coteral," Reign insisted. Mellisa took a sip of her drink before exining, "The Coteral is something you can purchase in the Veiled Points Shop. You need to pay up 50% of the initial Veiled points reward for a mission as coteral. If you fail the mission, then that coteral would be liquidated, and it would be added to the reward pool," she exined, pausing to take a breather. "This would ensure that not just anybody would take the mission and then give up midway after realizing that it was impossible to do," she added. Reign nodded after hearing her exnation. He could understand the logic behind this move. It was true that people tended to overestimate their abilities when faced with the allure of big money. Thus, by implementing this rule, the organization was deterring others from acting impulsively. Taking on a mission was one thing, butpleting it was another. If a lot of failures umted, then even the name and reputation of the organization would be tarnished. And for the Veiled Nights, which relied on connections, they could not afford such losses. He looked at the reward for the mission and noticed that it was 30,000 Veiled Points plus an additional 15,000 Veiled Points, indicating that another team had already failed toplete it. ''These rules are so straightforward, but I like it,'' Reign thought to himself. It was much better this way, avoiding unnecessary process . Overall, the Organization did not prevent anyone from taking on the mission as long as they were confident enough in their ability. With that in mind, he checked the Veiled Points Shop and found the Coteral he needed to ept the mission. However, the problem now was that he only had 11,000 Veiled Points, and he needed 4,000 more points to purchase it. "Can you lend me some points?" Reign asked. Mellisa was the only person he knew who worked for the organization. Mellisa paused, her expression reflecting her concern. "Are you sure about this? Taking on a mission of this scale is dangerous, especially for someone new," she asked. It wasn''t that she doubted his power, butpleting a job this big required more than just raw strength. "Don''t worry, if I go all out, then I''m confident I could even fight dozens of armed people at the same time," Reign leaned closer to Mellisa and whispered. "What I used in the exam was not even half of what I can do," he added. There was no arrogance in his voice; it was simply the truth. Reign had another attribute: Energy. Any attack that he infused with his energy became stronger, and this was the basis for his confidence. Mellisa was taken aback by his im, yet deep down, she couldn''t help but have faith in him. "Alright, I have a savings of 11,000 Veiled Points here," she sighed and gave in. "I only need 4,000," Reign replied, confused as to why she wanted to give him more. "Trust me, you will need it," she answered, pulling out her phone to transfer the money. It was pretty straightforward; she just needed Reign''s ount number and then would email him the attachment. After getting the 11,000 points ,he immediately purchased the coteral. When he returned to the Mission Panel, the Coteral was used instantly, and another notification popped up on his phone. This time, it contained theplete information regarding the mission. The notification revealed the mission details: [Destroy the entire Anigma Gang. The Anigma Gang is a notorious group involved in drug trafficking, with multiple drugbs located outside of Summit City, and bars inside the Central Area....] Reign read through all the avable information in the file, but something struck him as odd. Only specific goals were included, such as killing over 100 people and destroying at least 3 drugbs and 2 bars. "Where are the location of the Drugbs? The bars ? " Reign looked at Mellisa , she was the one that knows more about this stuff. "You want information? You either do your investigation yourself or buy it in the ck market," Mellisa responded with a chuckle. "I told you you would need more points," she winked at him. ''Fuck, this organization is too greedy!'' Reign grumbled inwardly. Everything here cost money, which was frustrating. But after he calmed down, he realized that this system was very logical. Greedy, but logical. By assigning a price to everything, it ensured that the cirction of Veiled Points would remain flowing. It was basic economics. ''Time to check the ck market,'' Chapter 72: After Party The ck Market App had different sections, akin to a typical online store, where sellers could register to sell various items, ranging from drugs, weapons to items exclusive and illegal like the dark web in Reign''s previous world. The Veiled Points could be considered as a form of cryptocurrency, with the key distinction being its stability and fixed ratio of 1:100. As he scanned through the avable offerings, it dawned on him that this tform primarily catered to criminals. "They even sell organs? Where do they even get these organs?" Reign asked Mellisa . "You don''t want to know," she answered. It was part of the trade secret not to ask too many questions about others'' business. "So what business are you into? Don''t tell me you sell organs too people for a living?" Reign inquired. "Of course not, I''m in the moonshine and grass business, and most of the time, I lend others a helping hand," she answered truthfully. There was a silence as Reign absorbed her words. "You don''t need to lie," he eventually spoke. "I''m not human, so whatever you do won''t bother me." "I''m not lying!" Melissa protested, her words slurred from the alcohol she had consumed. She felt hurt by Reign''s insinuations. Despite being part of the organization, she had never ventured into jobs that weighed heavily on her conscience. "And why am I even exining this to someone like you?" she scoffed, her face flushed from the liquor. "I told you, you don''t really have to be guilty," Reign sighed seeing how defensive she was. "I''m not guilty! I just don''t want you..." Melissa protested, but her words trailed off abruptly, as if she had realized something embarrassing. She hastily gulped down another ss of liquor, avoiding further exnation. George, observing the interaction between the two, came to a realization. ''Damn, Reign''s a natural womanizer,'' he thought to himself. He considered that Anna''s infatuation with Reign was because of her mental disorder, which fueled an obsession. However, George also noticed a hint of attraction from Mellisa towards Reign, despite her awareness of his true nature. And the worst part was, Reign wasn''t even trying. He just acted as he pleased, and women seemed to gravitate towards him. "Hey, can I join you?" a female voice interjected into their conversation. George looked up to see Kelly, the attendant from the underground base. She was now dressed casually in a white crop top and denim shorts. "No," Reign answered bluntly before Kelly could even take a seat. "Eh?" Kelly was puzzled, so she quickly looked at Melissa for rification. "Don''t be rude!" Melissa scolded Reign. Reign turned his head towards Melissa and sighed. "Alright, suit yourself," he said, his tone implying that Kelly''s presence inconvenienced him. In truth, he didn''t want her there because he had to be cautious with his words. ''This monster, he still doesn''t know how to treat girls,'' George shook his head, convinced that Reigncked experience in this area. He made a mental note to teach himter to be a Casanova like himself. However, when he nced at Kelly, he almost cursed out-loud . ''Why the hell are you blushing? He just ignored you? '' he scolded her inwardly, taken aback by how much she was blushing . When she sat at the table, her entire attention was focused on Reign, as if she had just been struck by Cupid''s arrow or something. ''What the hell? Since when did girls like boys that treat them like trash?'' George asked himself, bewildered by the unexpected response. "Hey, stop looking at me, you''re weirding me out," Reign spoke up. "Ah, my bad, I''m really sorry. It''s just that I''m curious what you''re like under that bandage" Kelly giggled, attempting to act cute and innocent. She even twirled her hair nervously. "I''m ugly as hell," Reign dered bluntly, and funny enough, he wasn''t lying. "You''re too humble," Kelly replied with a yful smile. Reign mused inwardly, ''Woman, I''m not lying. If you find a skull handsome, then you need to go to a mental hospital to get your head checked.'' He chose to ignore herpletely and focused on his phone. Kelly, noticing Reign''s silence, decided to avoid making things awkward by initiating a conversation with Mellisa instead. [ck Market] Reign began scrolling and eventually came across a shop that sold information. It had a five-star rating, indicating their sources were legitimate. The price was on the higher end, but the reviews mentioned that it was moreprehensive. He message the shop called Dark Informants. -- Rain [I want some information about the Anigma Gang] Info [What information do you want ?] Rain [I need information about the location of its base and any bars they owned in the Central Area .] Info [ Please check the Price] -- 1 Lab [ 300 Veiled Points] General Location Old Map of the Lab 1 Bar [ 500 Veiled Points] General Location Building Blueprint Bar Schedule -- "Is 300-500 Veiled Points a good price for information?" Reign showed Mellisa the price, and she contemted for a few moments before replying. "I think this is a fair price, especially since you get a map," she said, nodding in agreement. "What if I don''t need the map?" Reign asked, as he nned to go in fullmando and didn''t require detailed ns. "I think you don''t need the interior map for the Labs, but you should take the one for the bar; it''s located in the central area after all," Mellisa suggested. Recognizing the validity of Mellisa''s point, Reign opted to negotiate with the informant. In a city teeming with CCTV cameras and vigntw enforcement, possessing the building blueprint could mean a quieter infiltration, giving him more time to hunt and feed. -- Rain [ I don''t need the blueprint for the Lab. Give me a discount since I will buy 3 ] Info [ Sure, you can get the 3 location for 450 points] Rain [ Give me more discount. I''m nning to purchase two bar locations along with the blueprints. ] Info [Fine , we will give you everything for 1250 points] Rain [1200 points] Info [Deal] Rain [Deal] -- Afterpleting the payment for the information, Reign acquired all the necessary files. ''Nice, now I can start my mission tomorrow,'' he thought to himself, eager to avoid any further dys. As everything settled into ce, he observed Melissa, George, and Kelly indulging in their drinks, theirughter filling the air as the night progressed. They enjoyed the moment, their sses clinking together in celebration. Meanwhile, Reign sat quietly, a bystander . Despite his attempts to join in by consuming alcohol, he found himself unable to get drunk at all, no matter how much he consumed . As the hours passed, the atmosphere grew livelier, each member of the group bing more animated with every sip. They shared stories, jokes, and memories, theirughter echoing throughout the air. It wasn''t until the early hours of the morning, well past 2:00 am, that their fun time began to wind down. ''This drunkards,'' Reign cursed everyone for wasting his time , but he could not do anything because he did not know the ins and out of the city. As for George, he seemed to be having a bit too much fun, even managing to charm a girl to sit with him. ''Fuck this guy,'' Reign muttered to himself, his irritation growing. ''I thought you were supposed to be all sad and depressed because of your daughter who got kidnapped ?'' Chapter 73: Wrong Hood The next day. Reign woke up in a shabby INN located in the slump area. The room was dimly lit, with an old bulb hanging from the ceiling. The wallpaper was peeling, revealing the faded paint underneath. Despite its age, the room was okay enough for him not to mind. When he nced at the other bed, he noticed Melissa sleeping vulnerably. Shey in a position that exposed her underwear and bra. She shifted and scratched her thighs gently, and it was a sight that could seduce any normal male. Just barely seeing the lines of her private parts was enough to teased anyone. ''What an idiot,'' Reignmented, finding her current condition rather unsightly. He then nced at the floor and spotted George sprawled out like a starfish, snoring so loudly it could wake the dead. ''I''m surrounded by idiots,'' Reign muttered, puzzled by their tendency to drink beyond their limits . Last night turned into a total hassle. Luckily, Kelly was sober enough to drive them to the nearest INN.. Then came the task of carrying both of them on his shoulders. George was rtively easy to manage, but Melissa kept nting kisses on his cheek, forcing him to throw her unceremoniously onto the bed. As for George, faced with only two beds, Reign put him to the floor for the night. Meanwhile, Wick ended up sharing the bed with Reign. "WOOOOF," Wick began licking Reign''s face enthusiastically. "Good boy," he praised, patting Wick''s head and engaging in yful interaction with his trusted dog. "WOOOF" "Are you hungry?" he asked. "WOOOF," Wick nodded eagerly. "Alright, I''ll get you some food," Reign stood up from the bed and then.. BAM! "Ouch!" George jolted awake after receiving a kick to his stomach. "Get us some meat," Reign ordered. "You could have asked nicely, and I still have a hangover," George protested, still feeling dizzy from drinking too much alcohol. "It''s not my fault that you''re a drunkard idiot. Now, get me some meat," Reign replied, paying little heed to hisint. George, realizing that arguing with Reign would be futile, forced himself to stand up and head outside to get some food. After 30 minutes, he returned with meat and quickly went back to sleep. Reign felt the urge to beat the daylights out of George , but then he remembered he needed a driver for the mission. So, begrudgingly, he decided to let him off the hook for now. Instead, he decided to go outside and take a stroll, hoping to familiarized himself with the surroundings. The street hade alive with the arrival of morning, bustling with activity despite its rundown appearance. It resembled a marketce straight out of those slump ces in movies, with makeshift stalls lining the sidewalks and vendors hawking their wares amidst the chaos. The air was filled with the savory scent of street food being cooked over open mes, mingling with the pungent aroma of trash strewn about. People from all walks of life hurried about, their voices blending into the noisy atmosphere . While Reign was walking down the street, he heard a girl''s cry from a corner. "Please don''t hurt me." Turning toward the sound, he saw four grown men harassing her in the alley. Although there was someone asking for help, bystanders was averting their gaze, ignoring the scene unfolding before them. Such incidents were probably somon in this area, which made the bystanders indifferent to the girl''s distress. Upon closer inspection, Reign noticed that the girl appeared young and out of ce. She wore a clean school uniform and expensive-looking shoes. Her ash-colored also gave her a unique, doll-like appearance. "Miss, don''t you know that this ce is dangerous for outsiders like you?" One of the men pinned both of her hands against the wall above her head. "Don''t hurt me, I can pay you!" She pleaded, her gray eyes starting to tear up. "I know it, this girl is rich!" One of the menmented with a chuckle. "That''s right, I have money, so please just let me go!" she replied, her voice tinged with desperation. "Money is good, but if I get you pregnant, then your family has to ept me as your husband, right?" The man pinning her against the wall leered creepily as he began to touch her uniform. "Hey, give us a chance too," The other men also joined the fray. At this point, the girl''s face turned ashen. "PLEASE HELP ME ! PLEASE HELP ME" she started shouting, but everyone turned a deaf ear. She noticed Reign looking at her and began to beg, but he just watched without making any move as they grabbed her and carried her deeper into the alley. "Unlucky," Reign thought to himself as he turned away and continued to enjoy his walk *** In the Back Alley The girl, who had been crying for help just moments ago, was now trembling as she desperately tried to fight off the criminals attempting to take advantage of her. She hade here hoping to find someone. However, before she could even reach the infamous Midnight Bar, she was ambushed by these bad men. "Please stop this. I promise I won''t tell anyone if you let me go. I''ll give you more money, name your price," she began negotiating again, desperation evident in her voice. At this point, it was the only thing she could think of to save herself. "Miss, our price will be you. You just need to make all happy and you''re free to go.," the men said,ughing sadistically as they threw her onto a mattress sitting on the ground. It was dirty and emitted a foul odor. "Please don''t do this," the girl pleaded, tears streaming down her face as she realized she was now in grave danger. She desperately wanted to call for help, but her phone had been taken away too. Regret consumed her as she wished she had nevere to this dangerous ce. "Take off your clothes," one of the men ordered, brandishing a knife. "N-- No," the girl stammered, her face pale and trembling with fear. "I said take off your clothes you bitch !" One of the mening running at her and raise his hand to p her in the face. BAM! The sound of flesh being struck echoed, but it didn''te from the girl''s face. Instead, it was the person attempting to p her who was sent flying to the ground. "Hey, you guys are so unlucky. I have a problem with people who kidnap others," Reign''s cold voice echoed. He tried to ignore the girl, but memories of his past life flooded back, making it impossible for him to turn a blind eye to the situation. "Who the hell are you? Mind your..." The leader of the group attempted to speak, but his sentence was cut short as Reign''s fist connected with full force, causing his head to explode like a watermelon, blood and brain matters scattered everywhere. The remaining two, witnessing the sudden turn of events, instinctively moved to run away, but before they could make their escape, Reign''s iron grip seized them. With a swift and decisive motion, he hurled them to the ground, the force of impact shattering their skulls on contact. BAM! "T-- Thank you," the girl stuttered, her voice trembling with relief as she saw someonee to her rescue. "Get the fuck out of here," Reign''s cold and brutal words jolted the girl from her fantasy. "I-- I..." Her voice trailed off, her body trembling uncontrobly as she felt a warm sensation spreading beneath her. She just peed herself. Chapter 74: Twisted Encounter After hearing Reign''s menacing voice, the girl was gripped by fear unlike any she had felt before. If the fear she had experienced with those men was born from their lustful actions, then the dread she felt from Reign was like encountering death itself. It was as if she stood face-to-face with someone who was not human. ''I-- I need to get out of here,'' Her mind raced with the urgent need to flee. Despite her trembling body and soaking wet underwear, she tried to stand up, but her knees buckled beneath her weight, sending her crashing back to the ground. ''Move, please move,'' she pleaded, hitting her legs to force them to cooperate. ''Please move!'' Tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to maintain control of her emotions. "Move!" With a final push, her instinct for survival kicked in, allowing her to move her feet using the adrenaline. She forced herself to stand and weakly run away from him. On the other hand, Reign just observed as she disappeared from his sight. ''That was close,'' he thought to himself. Just a few moments ago, an urge to devour her alive surged within him, driven by his monster nature. Strangely, he wasn''t even hungry, and there were other potential targets just lying dead on the ground. But there was something about the girl that made her scent irresistible. It wasn''t particrly noticeable from a distance, but when he got closer, his senses became intoxicated. The temptation only intensified when he caught the scent of her fear. Not even Anna, who was undoubtedly much prettier, and with an almost wless face, was as appetizing as that girl. ''I need to focus and deal with this situation first,'' he muttered, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. There were still the bodies on the ground that needed to be dealt with. He looked down and saw the four men he had just killed. Theyy sprawled on the ground, their skulls broken, blood pooling around them, a proof to the violence that he had just caused. Fortunately, this part of the city did not have a lot of CCTV cameras, so he could feed on the corpses without fear of being caught on surveince. He scanned his surroundings first, confirming that there were no people in sight. With his heightened senses, he could detect anyone trying to spy on him, and he felt none. It was just him and his soon to be food, alone in the silent and dirty alleyway. As he approached the headless corpse, he had to remove his mask to avoid damaging it for what would he do next. CRACK CRACK CRACK Cracks echoed slowly as his mouth widened, stretching until it reached his ears like a true monster. This time, he just swallowed the bodies whole, like some sort of anaconda. They disappeared into his gaping maw as if there was a ck hole in his esophagus. His new method of feeding allowed him to devour the corpses at a much faster pace. ''Not enough,'' he clicked his tongue in annoyance, his gaze shifting towards the direction the girl had fled. "I want to taste her, I want to eat her" he muttered, putting back his mask and bandages before giving chase. Originally, he had intended to let her escape, but the temptation proved too overwhelming to resist. Now, consumed by it, he felt as though he would lose his sanity if he didn''t consume her. SWOOOOSH! He darted through the alley, his movements fast but silent. Each step brought him closer to his prey, his senses honed to pinpoint her location. It didn''t take him long to find her. His initial assumption was that she had fled to a more crowded area for safety, but to his surprise, he discovered her trembling body tucked away in the corner of arge garbage container. ''What an idiot,'' Reign muttered, shaking his head in disdain. The girlcked even the most basicmon sense. THUD! The sound of his feet hitting the ground echoed as Reign descended before her like a specter. "N-- No!" she tried to cry for help but before she could fullyprehend what was happening, his hands mped over her mouth, stifling any further sound. "SSHHHHS, Keep your mouth shut," Reign warned her. She shrank back against the cold metal of the garbage container, her eyes wide with terror as she looked at his creepy and sadistic smile. ''I''m dead,'' was the only thought she could muster. "me your luck for this," Reign grumbled as he sank his teeth into her neck without any hint of hesitation. Blood gushed out like a waterfall as his teeth pierced a nerve. The girl''s eyes widened in agony, her expression a mixture of shock and horror as she felt her neck being crushed. With each passing moment, she grew weaker, her struggles futile against his bite. Her vision blurred, the edges of her sight turning darker and blurrier with each beat of her weakening heart. What she was experiencing now surpassed the pain of a mere bite; Reign''s ferocity twisted her neck with such force that the pain was too much to bear. Reign, on the other hand, was enjoying the sensation coursing through him. His entire body thrummed with power and satisfaction. She was the most delicious and satisfying meal he had ever tasted. And as a bonus, the system notification rang . [Level up +1] He realized he had leveled up just by consuming a part of her. If he devoured her whole, he could be much stronger in one fell swoop. However-- [System: Danger] [System: Danger] [System: Danger] The sudden System Notification jolted him, and a sense of impending danger washed over him. Reacting quickly, he jump away from the girl and assumed a defensive position, ready to confront whatever threat wasing . But what happened next exceeded his expectations. The girl, her neck mangled and twisted sideways, somehow stood up. Her lifeless eyes stared back at him, confirming what he already suspected: she was dead. "A demon trying to devour the divine ?" The girl''s voice sounded different, stronger and moremanding than before. As she spoke, Reign watched in amazement as her neck began to heal and grow back. ''Not good. I need to get out of here,'' he thought to himself, sensing the danger emanating from her. There was no way she would spare him after he just tried to make her a snack, so he quickly turn sideways, and dash with his full speed. "Trying to escape ?" The girl''s voice echoed, and suddenly, Reign saw his body being restrained by golden chains. CLINK! CLINK! He fought against the chains, using all his strength, but they refused to budge. "Interesting. You resemble a demon, but you are not one at the same time," the girl spoke as she approached him. She sat directly in front of him and began poking his hair. "Let''s see," she mumbled, then a golden light surrounded her hands. The moment she reached out to touch Reign, the same golden light enveloped him as well. The light continued to course through his body, prating even his soul. It felt as though she was unraveling his origin right before his very eyes. "I--Impossible!" Her eyes widened in disbelief, her expression changing into a mix of astonishment and fear as she stumbled on a truth she was never meant to uncover. [System: Force Interference Detected] [System: Force Interference Detected] [System: Force Interference Detected] [System: Activating Defense Mechanism] When the final notification rang out, Reign''s consciousness suddenly shut down. Without him being aware, a crimson energy surged forth, enveloping his entire body. The red energy, like a virus, devoured the golden light, consuming it with rming speed. She recoiled in panic, attempting to pull out her hand, but it was toote. The red energy had already infected her. With a desperate move, she severed her own right arm to prevent the spread from corrupting her further. When the severed arm fell to the ground, it began to decay rapidly, disintegrating into dust before her very eyes. "I won''t forget this," she vowed, her voice filled with anger . With a deep breath, she focused on regenerating her missing arm, but to her dismay, the process was agonizingly slow. In fact, it only healed and close the wounds, still leaving her with a missing arm. "You''re dead!" she shouted in frustration, her anger manifesting as more golden chains began to form around her body. But before she couldunch an attack, the chains broke down, leaving her kneeling on the ground and grasping for breath. "This body is already at its limit? I know it," She sighed heavily, regretting the fact that she had to show herself too soon because of this incident . The body she currently possessed was nothing more than a vessel; her true form resided in another realm altogether. "You''re lucky," she remarked, her voice dripping with disdain as she cast one final nce at Reign before turning away and leaving. *** Author''s Note. I will only be uploading one chapter today because I''m still recovering from a cold. I don''t want to force myself to write too much while I''m sick because it might affect the story. Thank you. Chapter 75: Complacent "What happened?" Reign''s voice came out strained, barely above a whisper as he leaned heavily against the wall for support. He fought to stay upright, battling a throbbing headache, blurred vision, and an overwhelming sense of weakness. The cause of his exhaustion and gap in memory was unclear, feeling as though he''d been pushed beyond his limits. ''I need to calm down,'' he whispered to himself As he took a moment to rest, memories of recent events started to piece together. Thest clear image he had was of a girl he thought he''d killed, reviving and binding him with golden chains. "Divine?" he pondered aloud, recalling her words. His thoughts wandered to the possibility of angels or deities. In a world where demons roamed, the existence of beings of light and divinity was not a far-fetched idea. There was an old saying in his previous world, one that seemed to resonate now more than ever: where there was light, there would always be darkness. He made a mental note to discuss this with Mellisa. After about ten minutes, he felt roughly 20% of his strength return. Still weak but able to walk fine, he made his way back into the crowded streets, where life buzzed on, unaware of what just happened in the back alley. The walk back to the INN felt longer than before, perhaps because he was still a bit disoriented. Each step required more effort, as if he were moving through a world that had subtly shifted out of alignment. Even though Reign felt confused, he was very careful. The girl who had disappeared just as suddenly as she had shown up was still on his mind. He worried she mighte back and be a danger to him. Now, every shadow seemed like it could be hiding a threat, and any sudden sound made him think she might be near. Luckily, he got to the inn without any more trouble. He went inside, climbed the stairs, and used his key to get into his room. After entering his room, he found George and Mellisa awake and drinking coffee. "Where have you been?" she asked, her eyebrows knitting together in concern as she set her coffee cup down with a tter. "I almost died while you two were sleeping," Reign said with a mix of frustration and relief, dropping heavily onto his bed. At first, they thought he was joking, but the quiet that came next, along with his heavy breathing as hey back, made it clear he wasn''t. Given that Reign was at least a high demon, the idea of him almost being killed was shocking and worrying. "What happened? Tell us everything," Mellisa pressed, leaning in with her elbows on her knees, showing she was really worried and focused on hearing his story. Reign locked eyes with her, his irritation clear, even as he noticed the worry and curiosity on her face. "I met a girl, killed her, but she somehow came back to life," he said, his frustration evident in his tone. "She also used golden chains to bind me," he recounted, his voice t but heavy with the weight of his confusion and annoyance. "A girl with golden chains? Could she be a demon?" George spected, stroking his chin thoughtfully, trying to piece together the puzzle. "I don''t think so," Reign disagreed, shaking his head slightly, the movement seeming to cost him more energy than he could spare. "Why not?" Mellisa pressed. "She didn''t emit any negative energy, unlike those three with white hair and Anna," Reign borated, his gaze drifting off as if he were recalling every detail of the encounter. "And the chains... they had no trace of malice at all." "By the way, do you know about the Divine?" Reign asked, looking between Mellisa and George, searching their faces for any sign of recognition. Mellisa exchanged a puzzled nce with George before turning her attention back to Reign. "Divine, you say? That''s not a term I usually hear" she admitted, her frown deepening. Reign rubbed his temples, the ache in his head persisting. "She spoke of a Demon trying to devour the divine. It wasn''t just the chains; it was her presence, her aura. It felt... pure," he exined. George leaned back in his chair, the floor creaking under his weight. "Sounds like you encountered something out of a myth. But if she''s not a demon, and she talks of divinity, we might be dealing with a whole new realm of power. Something we''ve never seen," he mused, "It''s not really impossible." "How did you manage to survive, anyway ?" George inquired, leaning forward, his curiosity evident. "If that girl was powerful enough topletely immobilize you, how did you escape from that situation?" "I don''t know," Reign answered, his voice carrying a mix of frustration and bewilderment. "I can''t remember; she was gone when my consciousness came back." Mellisa leaned back, folding her arms as she contemted the implications. "That''s even more confusing," she mused aloud. "It means she either chose to spare you, or there was another reason for her disappearance." "I don''t care if she spared me or not," Reign dered, gritting his teeth in frustration. The weakness that clung to him was more than a physical sensation; it was a blow to his pride, a ring reminder of his vulnerability. "The issue here is my strength. I''m too weak," he admitted, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. He had believed himself to be growing stronger, yet reality had delivered a harsh p on his face. Both of them exchanged nces and sighed. They knew Reign wasn''t weak; he had simply encountered someone extremely powerful, that''s all. "George, get ready for the mission. We can''t waste any more time," Reignmanded. His recent brush with death made him realize he''d been too rxed, because of Mellisa''s and George''spany . It almost cost him his life. He was a monster, not someone who could afford to take second chances lightly. George and Mellisa stayed silent, sensing Reign''s bad mood. They knew saying the wrong thing could be dangerous for them both. Leaving the inn, Mellisa took them to get a new car . They headed to a specialized shop that modified stolen cars and provided legal papers, ensuring the vehicles wouldn''t be tracked. This ce was connected to the Veiled Nights. The cars avable varied widely, including sports cars, four-seaters, SUVs, pickups, vans, and more. Though stolen, they looked brand new due to extensive modifications. Even the interiors were changed, enhancing their appearance and functionality. Reign walked around the car showroom, feeling a bit out of ce. But even him have memories of being a kid. He remembered ying with toy cars his mom used to buy him. Those were simpler and fun times. Now, as he checked out the real cars, he felt a hint of that old connection. Cars always had a special hold on males, no matter what. Among all the shiny cars, Reign felt a bit of his human side peeking through--the part that knew how to appreciate a good piece of machinery. "What do you want to buy, sir?" The man in his 40s asked, his smile practically expecting a fatmission to waltz right in. Chapter 76: Favor "Let''s take this car," George pointed to a ck SUV. "It has a lot of space and is really functional and... ." As George continued to exin the advantage of getting the SUV, Reign''s mood soured . "Are you the one paying for it?" Reign''s voice turned cold and threatening. It wasn''t that he hated the car, but he was annoyed that George was picking for him. George stayed silent, realizing Reign was still in a bad mood. He decided not to push it and simply waited for him to make his choice. After a couple more minutes, Reign finally made decided. He opted for a white pickup truck, notable for itsrger-than-standard wheels and heavily tinted windows. "How much for this?" Reign asked the sales man. "You can buy it for 10,000 Veiled Points," the salesman replied. "10,000 Veiled Points? I don''t have that much. Do you ept Installment ? Or maybe you can give me 80% discount ? " The salesman''s frustration threatened to explode over after hearing Reign''s outrageous request, but he maintained his professionalism, swallowing the bad words that hovered on the edge of his tongue. "Unfortunately, we don''t offer installment ns for this type of deal," the salesman replied with a respectful tone, masking his irritation behind a courteous smile. "Then how about the 80% discount?" Reign asked. "This..." The salesman was stunned but still kept his cool. "We don''t offer discounts either." "Are you sure?" Reign asked again, this time pulling out his card. The moment the golden color of it glinted, the salesman''s face turned from a smile to shock. "I apologize! I did not know that you''re a VIP," he eximed, his tone now filled with genuine surprise and respect. Someone had told Reign that Gold Members get special treatment because most shops would be banking on him getting big in the future. "Pleasee with me to the office, my position is not high enough to assist you," the salesman gestured, guiding them to a room located in the second floor. *** Inside the office, a man with a strong presence sat behind an expensive looking wooden desk. His brown hair was slicked back boldly, enhancing hismanding aura. The intricate tattoos on his face told stories of a life on the ghetto , adding to his intimidating look. Yet, his confidence was measured, not just in his stance but in how calm he was. He wore a sharp suit that wrapped his body perfectly, making him appear even more authoritative. As Reign and George stepped in, his piercing eyes quickly evaluated them, a blend of curiosity and caution in his look. It was immediately clear they were dealing with someone far from ordinary--someone who not only demanded respect but might also inspire fear in many. "Why did you bring this poorly dressed person here?" The man scoffed. "He''s talking to you, George," Reign said, redirecting all the insults. George felt the urge to punch Reign for mouthing off again but knew acting on it would be a mistake. Instead, he shifted his irritation toward the owner, who seemed less intimidating than Reign, a literal demon. "You really shouldn''t judge a book by its cover," George said, stepping up. "Reign, show him your card," he added with a note of pride. He remembered how the salesman''s attitude did aplete turnaround after seeing it and anticipated a simr reaction here. Reign, ying along with George''s though act, presented his golden card. However, instead of the expected shock or respect, the man simply nced at it and chuckled. "You think you''re the only one?" he sneered, pulling out a card of the same golden color. "This make things much easier . Give me a discount, " Reign spoke up. The man raised an eyebrow, amusement flickered in his brown eyes. "A discount, you say?" he mused, leaning back in his chair. The man had expected Reign to react with respect, or at least a hint of fear, after seeing his own gold card. Instead, Reign remainedpletely unfazed. Reign''sposure, coupled with his possession of a gold card at such an early age, left a big impression. Then, the pieces clicked--this had to be the same super talented neer Byron had mentioned, the one who shattered records left and right. Suddenly, everything made sense. There was an old saying the strong and talented would always stand tall and proud , and Reign was exactly like that . "Yes," Reign replied, his voice calm. "Seeing as we''re part of the same... circle," he gestured lightly towards the cards, "it only makes sense we help each other out. Consider it an investment in a long-term rtionship." The man chuckled, clearly impressed. "You''ve got guts, I''ll give you that. Alright, I''m curious to see where this goes." "Which car does he want ?" The owner looked at the salesman and asked. "He wants the white Rapter with the custom rim and interior," After pondering for a moment and realizing the car wasn''t overly expensive, the owner decided it was best to offer it as a gift. "You can get the car for free, but I''m expecting you''ll remember this favor." Reign smiled, his confidence unshaken. "Good choice," After the deal concluded, George was amazed at how smoothly everything went, unaware that Reign had received a personal message from Bryon, the Guild Master during their time in the store. It appeared the Guild Master had eyes everywhere and was keen on winning Reign''s favor. *** RING RING RING The sound of an rm roused Reign from his nap. As his eyes adjusted to the light filtering through his special bandages, he recognized the familiar trees lining the long highway road Through his filtered view, the world outside painted a serene yet vibrant scene. Sunlight, golden and warm, danced through the leaves of the towering trees that nked the highway, casting dynamic shadows that yed across the interior of the vehicle. Right beside him was George who was his personal driver. They were now en route to the first drugb they needed to destroy. To maximize efficiency, they chose to target the farthest target first, followed by the second farthest, and then conclude with the one closest to the city. This strategic approach meant that with eachpleted mission, they would be closer to the city. At the same time the farther they were in the city , the longer the back up fromw enforcers would arrived. While Summit City Area itself might be limited within the wall, its surroundings were vast, epassing numerous smallmunities. Many of thesemunities were owned by various organizations in one way or another. For instance, the town where George lived was owned by a real estatepany. People were permitted to reside there solely to prevent thend from being imed by anyone else. "Are we there yet?" Reign asked with a bored expression. They had passed through several smallmunities, and he was growing annoyed. To him, refraining from feeding on a human felt like such a waste. However, George cautioned him against causing anymotion, warning that it couldplicate the missionter on. Besides, the government might turn a blind eye if he killed criminals, but it would be a different story if he killed innocent people. "Close," George replied, and after another 15 minutes, they arrived at a small town. However, unlike George''s hometown with its country theme, this ce was much dirtier. Abandoned buildings dotted thendscape, and homeless-looking individuals eyed their car as they passed by. "Wow, this ce is perfect for a drugb," Reign chuckled, amused by the irony of hiding such activities in in sight. Chapter 77: Gated George parked the car near a convenience store that stood out from the other buildings in the area. Unlike the dpidated structures surrounding it, this convenience store was actually functioning and appeared well-maintained. The vibrant signage and clean exterior hinted at a business that took pride in its appearance and service. "7-10?" Reign muttered to himself, remembering a big chain store from his past life with a simr name. The recollection brought back memories of aisles and a wide selection of products. It felt familiar, stirring up a hint of nostalgia. "Is this ce not gonna get robbed?" Reign asked George as they got out of the car. His mood became better; now, he wasn''t feeling as down because he knew that he was in for a feast tonight. "Don''t worry, this store is protected by The Chamber of Commerce. Robbing this ce is basically asking for trouble," George exined reassuringly. "Chamber of Commerce?" Reign asked, the term unfamiliar to him. George close the car door first before answering. "The Chamber of Commerce is an association of multiple merchants corporation in the nation," George began, his tone firm. "Basically, they form this group to protect their assets and build connections. As a whole, the Chamber of Commerce could be considered a huge business conglomerate," George continued. Reign''s brows furrowed as he processed this new knowledge. "I''m curious, why do conglomerates have so much power in Summit City?" Reign asked, intrigued by theplexities of the business world in this new environmentpared to his old world. George''s lips quirked into a knowing smile as he leaned against the car, ready to exin. "That''s because we''re a capitalist nation," he replied,. "Most of the funds the government usese from taxes paid by these conglomerates." He paused for effect, letting the significance of his words sink in "You could even say they''re the lifeline of the nation." Reign nodded thoughtfully, but he couldn''t shake off the nagging feeling that George''s exnation didn''t fully address his question. In his previous world, he had also lived in a capitalist country, but the extent of power held by corporations was much smaller. There was something missing in the equation, something he needed to understand better. In fact, Reign found the existence of the Veiled Nights perplexing. A criminal organization of such scale should have been eradicated long ago, especially if the government had the will to do so. But, their continued existence hinted at a level of tolerance that seemed suspicious. There must be a reason behind it, something deeper and moreplex than what appeared on the surface. ''I need to do some reading in my free time,'' Reign sighed, making a mental note. He recognized that while he was intelligent, without experience and personal knowledge, he would still be ignorant to many things. It was clear to him that he needed to broaden his understanding to navigate this new world effectively. Reign touched and patted his Raptor, the first thing he owned in this world that he earned, imbuing it with sentimental value. "So my car is safe here, right?" he asked, his voice low and ominous The thought of anyone daring toy a finger on his prized possession sent shivers down George''s spine. If anyone dared to touch it, the town would descend into chaos, a scene straight out of a nightmare. George didn''t doubt that Reign was crazy enough to kill everyone for this car. "Don''t worry, as long as it''s parked within the store area, and we pay for parking, then it''ll be protected," he hurriedly reassured Reign. "Even the gangs and criminals here know not to mess with properties that are part of the Chamber of Commerce. If you think gangs and criminals are like devils, then those conglomerates could be considered the kings of hell," he added with a force smile. He was well-versed in the inner workings of the capitalist world, as were most citizens, but they were resigned to their roles as consumers, unable to challenge the status quo. "That''s good, but just to be safe, I''ll leave Wick here," Reign replied, nodding decisively. He then instructed Wick to jump onto the open back of his pickup truck. After securing Wick in the back of the pickup, the two headed inside. The store was big, stocked with all the usual items one would expect to find on a convenience store. Reign noticed the array of CCTV cameras strategically ced throughout the premises. As they wandered the aisles, they passed by security guards who were armed to the teeth. Four guards in total, all donning vests and rifles, patrolled the store with a watchful eye. It was clear that security here was taken seriously. When Reign inspected the price tags of various items, he noted that they were significantly more expensive, at least five times the pricepared to what he saw in the city. He was aware of this because they had bought some supplies beforeing here. It didn''t take long for him to deduce the reason behind the inted prices: the added cost of hiring security guards, and also because this store was located in a pretty dangerous ce. As they reached the counter, they saw a man wearing a red uniform. They paid around 2000 credits for parking for the day. It was on the expensive side, but considering the alternative of risking their car being stolen or vandalized, the fee seemed like a much better choice. "Now we just need to find a ce to stay for the night," George remarked as they exited the store. "No need for that. I''ll finish the mission tonight, and let''s get out of here," Reign dered with a chilling smile, his sadistic expression hidden beneath the bandage wrapped tightly over his eyes. "Hey, I''m not doubting your skills, but I think we need to do some recon. Chances are that this gang also hired more people, maybe even Divergent, after the first group failed," George exined, his tone cautious. "No need for that. I''m a monster, so I''ll deal with it like one," Reign dered confidently. He had witnessed the weakness of the Divergent firsthand during the test, and he was not at all intimidated by them. "But.." "You stay here and wait for me," Reign cut off George. He knew George would only be a liability for him. It would be much more convenient for him to move alone. Seeing that Reign had already made up his mind, George sighed resignedly and turned back towards the car. He would wait here for him , because this ce was much safer than hotel. *** Theboratory that Reign nned to destroy was situated within an abandoned warehouse, a gated structure with watchtowers stationed at intervals around its perimeter. From a distance, he could see guards patrolling the area, their vignt eyes scanning the surroundings. . There were even huge spotlights, reminiscent of those used in high-security prisons to ensure that even at night, infiltration would be nearly impossible. In addition, atop the walls were vibrating wires, adding to the fortress-like appearance of the structure. ''This ce is perfect,'' Reign grinned, his satisfaction evident in his creepy smile. He could tell there were plenty of people inside to feast on. Chapter 78: Bloodbath As Reign approached the tall walls of theboratory, he moved with the stealth of a hunter. Each steps was ced with utmost care, his movements fluid and silent against the backdrop of the night. Above him, the spotlights cast their searching beams across the perimeter, a consistent surveince that threatened to expose him if he made a mistake. But Reign was too smart for this type of defense mechanism. With a mind sharpened by his innate IQ and keen observation, he memorized the patterns of the lights, finding the gaps, and, moving closer. Timing was everything. He waited for the moment when the spotlight swung away, leaving a brief window of opportunity. In that fleeting moment, he darted forward, his body blending seamlessly with the darkness as he made his way closer to the wall. Standing before the walls of theboratory, he realized just how imposing they were. They towered above him, taller than even the walls of the mental hospital he had encountered before. Not only were they higher, but they also felt sturdier, built to withstand any intrusion or attack. So now a new problem arises It was too high to jump in his current position. Vertical Jump and Box Jump were totally different. In Vertical Jump, he could start running from a distance and gain momentum, meaning he could reach his maximum height with enough momentum build up. But he was avoiding detection, so that was a big no-no. With his current jumping power, a box jump wouldn''t work either because his legs did not have enough power to jump that high without a head start. ''Let''s see,'' he thought to himself, measuring the right length of w he needed to climb the wall without making too much noise. It had to be short enough to avoid generating a clinking sound, but long enough to get stable hold on the wall. After founding the right length, he extended his hand, revealing the gleaming, razor-sharp ws that adorned his fingertips. Then, he dug the ws into the rough surface of the wall, finding gap in the cracks and crevices With each upward movement, he propelled himself higher, his muscles flexing as he ascended the vertical surface. The metal of his ws scraped against the cement wall, a sound lost amidst the night''s embrace as he made steady progress to the top. When he reached the edge, he decided to let go of one of his ws. Then, he executed a smooth motion, swinging his body back and forth and then lifting it upward to avoid touching the vibrating wire. Mid-air, he quickly grabbed one of the poles of the watchtower, his grip firm as he steadied himself. With a solid hold on the watchtower pole, he paused for a moment to assess his surroundings. From his vantage point, he could see theyout of theboratorypound below him. Guards patrolled the perimeter, and floodlights illuminated the area, casting long shadows across the ground. ''Wow, this looks more like a rundown military base,'' he thought to himself as he surveyed the surroundings. The level of security and the sheer number of guards indicated the lucrative nature of the drug business being conducted within theboratory. However, Reign paid little attention to their number advantage. To him, the armed guards looked like walking food. The more of them there were, the more benefits he could harvest here. Completing this mission was only secondary; his priority right now was to devour and level up. ''I''ll leave the watchtower forst,'' Reign thought to himself. The watchtower only illuminated the outer perimeter, making it less of an immediate threat. Besides, if he took it out first, the others would surely notice the sudden pause of the moving spotlights. He was pretty sure that someone was checking on the watchtowers too from time to time. It was better to deal with the guards on the ground first, where his actions would attract less attention. With the n firmly set in his mind, he proceeded to descend the pole with meticulous care. Gripping the metal tightly with his ws, he lowered himself silently. He moved with caution, ensuring he remained out of sight of the guards patrolling the ground below. When he reached the ground, he seamlessly blended into the darkness, moving stealthily towards a small shack-like building. It resembled a barracks or some sort of living quarters. From outside, he noticed a mix of activity - some people wereughing and chatting, while others had already settled down to sleep for the night. Reign''s ears perked up as he overheard snippets of conversation from the people inside the barracks . "Hey, did you hear about what happened to the drugb located in the mine?" one voice asked. "Yeah, I heard about it," another responded. "Some of our members went to check it out, and everyone was gone. The drugs were still there, but there was no one - not the guards, not the chemists, no one person at all. It''s like they just disappeared." Reign couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly at the irony of the situation. ''So that mine was one owned by this very same gang,'' he mused to himself with a smirk. To think that he had indirectly destroyed one of theirbs left him with a sense of amusement. It seemed fate had a peculiar sense of humor, and Reign was more than happy to y along. He continued to observe the barracks first. There were 20 people inside, so taking them all at once would cause too muchmotion. Fortunately, he found a gap in their defenses. With thefort room situated in a separate location, he decided to bide his time andy in wait along the path leading to it. He concealed himself in the shadows, ready to pounce on whoever was unlucky enough to leave the barracks. His n was simple: to reduce their numbers beforeunching a full-scale attack. It was a calcted strategy, one that yed to his strengths and ensured maximum efficiency in dismantling the enemy''s defenses. After a couple of minutes, three people finally emerged from the barracks, chatting casually as they walked along the path. They wereughing and talking about lewd stuffs, and discussing how they would spend their monthly sry on poker games and hiring hookers to satisfy their desires. Unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows, they continued their conversation until they passed an area with no lights. Suddenly, a swift whooshing sound cut through the air. Before they could react, their chests caved in as a hard projectile pierced through them, leaving them no time to even cry out in pain. Their hearts were crushed, and they immediately stumbled and copsed on the floor, dead. Seeing his attack seed without a hitch, Reign quickly picked up the dead bodies and brought them to a dark corner. He then started devouring them, and when he was finished, he waited for the next set of victims. Few more people left the barracks, and after his 10th kill, the others became suspicious. But it was toote. Reign was now more confident, and he entered the barracks through the window which surprise everyone. After that, he used w Bullets to end everyone''s lives, targeting fatal areas to ensure a quick and merciful death. It was a one-sided massacre, a bloodbath. ''That''s what you get for rxing too much,'' Reign thought to himself. Theirid-back attitude had been a blessing in disguise. Chapter 79: A Feast The humans who once inhabited this ce, believing themselves to be the predators of society due to the nature of their work, nowy lifeless. Their death was not because they were evil, but because Reign was even worse. One by one, Reign extended his jaws, revealing a gaping maw that wassuited for gulping entire prey. With mechanical like movements, he engulfed the lifeless corpses, his actions devoid of emotion or remorse. *GULP *GULP *GULP It was a repetitive routine, like a wild instinct driving a predator to consume its prey. The lifeless bodies, once filled with vitality, now merged with him, their essence adding to his own. With each gulp, he felt a surge of energy, a subtle sign of his growing strength. The urge to feed, to overpower, pushed him forward . [Level up + 1] The awaited notification finally chimed, signaling the end of Reign''s one sided massacre through the barrack. "Status" Reign called out . ============ Name: Reign Level 6 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Skull Fiend (System Enhance) Strength :B- Stamina :C+ Endurance : B+ Intelligence: C+ Energy: B Bite I Undead Eye I Night Crawl I wer VIII Viral sh X w Bullet XX - w Barrage XIV-(SP) Death Aura Hawk Bones [30%] Scorpion Pores[30%] Mantis Eyes[20%] [Points] Attribute Points: 20 Skill Points : 2 Evolution Points : 0 ============ "No Evolution Points yet, huh?" Reign pondered silently. After leveling up to five following his encounter with the "Golden Chain Girl," Reign expected the usual evolution notification, but it didn''t appear. He suspected it might have been due to her unusual nature. However, after reaching level 6, Reign realized that the system had changed its evolution criteria. He needed to reach at least level 10 for evolution, and that was only a guess. With this in mind, he turned and left the now bloodied barracks to seek out his next prey. He knew he had to move quickly now. The more people he killed, the greater the risk of being discovered. Fortunately, the area was teeming with potential victims, providing ample opportunity to test his theory by hunting down and consuming each one. As he silently approached another barracks, he could hear the faint murmur of voices from within. With slow steps, he slipped through the shadows, his presence masked by the cover of darkness. Peering through the window, he counted only ten people¡ªa manageable number. Cunningly, he cut off the lights, plunging the room into darkness. "What happened?" "Who turned off the lights?" "Where is the back-up generator?" In the ensuing confusion, his enhanced senses allowed him to pinpoint each target with precision. Without hesitation, he unleashed his deadly w bullets, striking down his victims from a safe distance, their cries muffled by how fast they died. As thest echoes of their pitiful life faded, Reign surveyed the aftermath. The room was now dead silent, but that didn''t mean he could rest easy. ''I need to be quick,'' he muttered to himself, a low growl emphasizing his words. Reign was keenly aware that his hunt was far from over. There were still more targets to track down..He gulped down the ten corpses and then leave, driven by the insatiable urge to search for more. He repeated this process two more times, methodically eliminating his targets with ruthless efficiency. With each sessful hunt, Reign''s power grew, his predatory instincts bing much better. His blood was finally starting to heat up, the feeling of power surging within him was too exhrating to ignore. ''Nothing could beat this feeling, I love it! '' he grinned widely, a surge of satisfaction filling him. For him, the thrill of the hunt was an intoxicating rush unlike any other. It was a sensation that couldn''t be reced by anything else. He med his monster nature for this insatiable craving¡ªit was just too addicting. Once he gained momentum, he couldn''t help but crave more. [Level Up+ 1] [Level Up+ 1] ''Two more to go,'' he thought to himself, his anticipation mounting as he walked closer to the main building. Only two more levels were needed to reach the coveted level 10 and put his theory to the test. The prospect of evolving and unlocking new powers filled him with excitement. He climbed the weathered exterior of the old industrial building, his ws finding it''s ce on the rusted metal beams and crumbling brickwork. Reaching the venttion chamber high above, Reign paused to make sure none had seen him, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The interior of the building was very different to its dpidated exterior. Bright fluorescent lights illuminated the area, casting stark shadows against the walls. Through the towering industrialized window, he could see through the whole operation. Figures wearing yellow Hazmat suits moved about their job. The air was thick with the acrid scent of chemicals, a reminder of the illicit activities taking ce within. Below, rows of vats bubbled and steamed, their contents obscured by a thick smoke. As he observed the illicit drug manufacturing below, a wave of indifference washed over him. The notion of drugs meant to destroy lives held no significance to him. His purpose wassimple¡ªto hunt, to kill, and to consume. ''This ce is too bright,'' he thought to himself, his instincts telling him to abandon stealth in favor of a more direct approach. Taking them on one by one would be a tedious job in this type of scenario. Confronting them head-on and killing them fast might me a better idea. CRACK! His legs extended as he locked onto his first prey: four armed personnel guarding the area. It was only logical to take them down first. However¡ª "Who''s that guy?" he paused, sensing something odd. There was a man wearing a ck biker jacket with long brown hair and a beard. A picture of a crying angel adorned the back of his jacket. Reign could tell from intuition that the man was different¡ªhe was neither a demon nor a human. ''A divergent?'' he pondered to himself, his mind racing with excitement at the prospect. Despite the potential danger posed by encountering divergent, Reign couldn''t help but feel a thrill coursing through his veins. After all, the stronger the individual he consumed, the greater the experience points he would gain. The mere thought of the immense power waiting to be absorbed was too tempting. ''Wait, there''s more,'' his excitement grew as he observed not just one, but four more Divergents get out from a room . A wide grin spread across Reign''s face as he realized the the opportunity before him. With each additional divergent present, his potential for gaining experience points multiplied exponentially. Looking closer, they didn''t look like criminals at all, but what made him more curious was the fact that they were holding a briefcase, and he could tell they were protecting it . He became interested right away; hiring five divergents to guard a briefcase meant it was extremely important. "Looks like it''s going to be a feast tonight," Reign murmured to himself. It was time for him to finally test how far his current abilities could go. ''I hope you all taste good,'' he grinned maniacally, his tone dripping with sadistic aura as he savored the thought of how delicious his future meals would be. Chapter 80: Divergent Part 1 As Reign jumped down from the ceiling, hisnding echoed , alerting the guards. The first guard, closest to Reign''snding spot, barely had time to register the sudden sound before a sharp, agonizing pain shot through his throat. His eyes widened in shock as he clutched at the wound, blood spurting between his fingers, but it was toote. He copsed to the ground, gasping for air as darkness consumed him. The second guard, startled by themotion, turned to see the source of the disturbance, only to find himself face to face with death. A look of disbelief crossed his features as he stumbled backward, choking on his own blood before sumbing to unconsciousness. The third guard, hearing the chaos erupt behind him, turned around just in time to see Reign''s deadly ws descending on his face. He attempted to raise his gun in defense, but it was futile. With a strong downward motion, Reign''s w shed through the gun and directly slice the guard''s head, silencing his cries of rm as he crumpled to the ground, blood draining from his body. The fourth guard froze in terror as Reign turned towards him. With a sadistic grin, Reign lunged forward, his w finding its mark with deadly uracy. The guard''s eyes widened in horror as he felt the searing pain of his chest being torn open. His final moments were filled with disbelief and terror . Within moments, all four guards were dead, unable to defend themselves against Reign''s surprised attack. RING RING RING. ''That was fast,'' Reign chuckled as the rm red. He didn''t bother devouring the guards; it would take too much time. Instead, he decided to go on a full rampage, his mind now in full kill mode. Spotting a group of people wearing hazmat suits, Reign wasted no time. He lunged at them, his ws slicing through the air . The first victim fell without a sound, a gash across his throat marking the end of his life. Panic erupted among the remaining individuals as they scrambled to escape, but Reign was relentless. He pursued them mercilessly, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure as he hunted down his prey. Those who ran in different directions were gunned down by his w bullet. "PLEASE HELP US!" "HELP US!" "US!" One by one, they fell before him, their screams echoing off the walls as he tore through their bodies with ease. There was no mercy in his actions, no remorse for the lives he cut off. As the carnage unfolded, Reign reveled in the chaos and death he had unleashed. The air was thick with the stench of blood , but to him, it was intoxicating. RATATTTT¡ªRATATTTT-RATTTAT. The sound of gun zing finally erupted as backup arrived, a hailstorm of bullets filling the air. Reign quickly found cover behind tables, containers, and anything else he could find, returning fire with his own w bullets when there was a gap. However the guards was also able to find cover behind walls made of hard cement , so it was not as effective as he thought. They continued to strategically surround him, cutting off his escape routes. ''You think you''re safe with just that?'' Reign sneered in contempt. With a deadly precision, he fired another w bullet, but this time it was different. BOOM! The sound of cement being destroyed echoed as it pierced through the guard''s bodies taking cover against the walls. That was the advantage of his energy; it had the capability to increase his attacks exponentially. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Consecutive explosions erupted as Reign finally emerged from cover. The intensity of the sts led everyone to believe he was using a heavy weapon, given the sheer destruction he was causing. Seeing an opportunity in the middle ofthe confusion, he seized it and charged towards his prey. He knew he needed to conserve his energy in case he encountered a formidable opponent, so relying solely on his w bullet wasn''t an option. That''s why he hadn''t used the w Barrage yet; he needed to save his stamina and energy for a prolonged battle. As Reign closed in, the armed guards panicked because he was moving so fast. With quick strikes, he tore them apart with his ws, ripping limbs and heads from their bodies. Grasping their heads, he flung them like projectiles at theirrades. It was a clear disy of Reign''s view: humans were merely food for him to prey upon. The other people wearing hazmat suits who were hiding found themselves running for their lives again as Reign continued to rip through anyone close to him. Those unlucky enough to be caught were used as moving meat shields, lifted into the air to absorb the brunt of iing attacks. After their bodies were riddled with bullets, Reign would use them as throwable objects to kill more people. "Don''t run away!" Reign startedughing maniacally, his state of mind changing as he killed more. His demon side was now overwhelming his human soul. "P¡ª Please, I have a daughter," a woman in a hazmat suit pleaded, her face filled with fear as she witnessed her co-workers being ughtered like pigs. No! What she witnessed made a pig''s death seem humane byparison. "I don''t fucking care " With a merciless kick, his boots connected with the woman''s head, bursting it open like a watermelon. Blood and brain matter sttered across the walls and floor. It was futile to plead with him, even if she had twelve daughters and twenty-four sons. He wouldn''t bat an eye. While he might spare children from death, he had no qualms about leaving them as orphans. After dealing with her, he resumed his carnage, fueled by the thought that more people might escape. He was determined to leave no survivors. But before he could do anything, Reign jumped back as a metal arrow narrowly missed him. It was so strong that half of it prated the floor. "Hey, aren''t you being too crazy?" A voice echoed from the second-floor railing, catching Reign''s attention as he spotted the five divergents looking at him. The one who attacked him was a girl with green hair, now sitting on the railing with her ck bow pointed directly at him. "Are you a rogue divergent, or do you work for the Veiled Nights?" The girl''s narrowed eyes locked into Reign, her suspicion visible in the tense silence that followed. With his mask still on, they were unaware that he was a demon. As for his use of projectiles, they assumed he had a hidden weapon. It wasn''t umon for Divergents to wield their own projectile weapons. With their enhanced strength, even a simple rock could be a deadly projectile in their hands. "ck clothing, white hair, and a bandage covering the eyes¡­ You''re the Divergent who aces and breaks all the records in the test, right?" The man with the biker jacket spoke as he puffed on a cigarette in his hands. "You know me? Are you working with the Veiled Nights?" Reign inquired, wary of the implications. If this man knew about him, it could mean that these five individuals were affiliated with the same organization. The man with the biker jacket chuckled after hearing Reign''s question. "You think we''re working with those trash?" he sneered in contempt. Chapter 81: Divergent Part 2 "So you''re not working with the Veiled Nights?" Reign inquired, his gaze fixed on the five divergent, vignt for any potential threats. Though he possessed enough strength, he remained cautious of surprise attacks, recognizing his limitations. He didn''t want to experience again what happened to that girl whom he initially considered a nobody. Better be safe than sorry. "Listen here trash, we''re from the Scorpion Mercenary group. Unlike you, who im to be criminals but are merely governmentckeys," sneered the man in the biker jacket with disdain. ''Governmentckeys?'' Reign paused. He didn''t give much thought to the Scorpion Mercenaries, but the idea of his own organization being secretly controlled by the government was unsettling, to say the least. "Are you sure you''re not really from the Veiled Nights?" Reign inquired again. The five divergents'' eyes narrowed in response to Reign''s repeated question. Did he not hear them? They were from the Scorpion Mercenary Group. He should be running for his life and begging for mercy by now. "No, I''m pretty sure I''m smarter than all of youbined," Reign retorted with a chuckle. The girl''s eyes shed with indignation, her grip tightening on the arrow. "Big talk for someone who''s about to be dead soon," she shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "That''s a big red g," Reign bite back, a creepy smirk forming on his face. "Those were like the cliche words of the first one to die." "But let''s focus on the present," Reign continued, his tone shifting to a chilling coldness. "Now, if you''re not part of the group, I could just kill you, right?" "You think you can kill us? We''re from a Tier 3 city, so don''t assume we''re on the same level," the man in the biker jacket dered confidently . "Don''t care," Reign scoffed, then dashed forward to close the distance with the five. There was no need to wait. The five Divergents also reacted fast. The girl with the bow bombarded Reign with consecutive shots, each one packing enough force to break through cement. It was evident that she was anything but ordinary; even 5 Kyson would pale inparison to her. However¡ª SWOOSH ! SWOOSH! Arrows whistled through the air. Reign''s senses narrowed, tracking their path. He sidestepped the first arrow, feeling the wind rush past by. Anticipating the next, he ducked, narrowly avoiding it. His Mantis eyes allowed him to predict their movements, evading each arrow with ease. Seeing this, the five scattered, and the girl with the bow attempted to attack Reign from his blind spot. However, to her dismay, Reign''s peripheral vision was wide, and he anticipated her move. Reign would stop, then swiftly ducked and jumped on the arrows. In no time, he closed the distance and reached a male Divergent with dark skin, who was wielding a sledgehammer. It wasn''t just any sledgehammer; it was at least twice the size of a normal one, and Reign could tell by its appearance that it was much heavier than it seemed. As he closed in, within striking distance, the Divergent raised his massive sledgehammer and brought it down with force. "You think this thing would hit me?" he sneered, moving his body sideways to barely dodge the attack. The ground trembled as the sledgehammer made contact, shattering the cement beneath it. Cracks spider webbed outwards from the point of impact, sending debris flying in all directions. Luckily, his quick thinking spared him from turning into a corned beef . But, as he moved, a tingling sensation prickled at his senses from behind. Reacting with lightning reflexes, he executed a backflip just in the nick of time, narrowly evading five flying knives that whizzed past him, each one threatening to pierce his flesh. But the danger was far from over. Mid-air, arrows hurtled toward him, intent on striking him down. ''Damn,'' Reign cursed inwardly, but he remained calm. It might be impossible to change direction on the air, but he still had a n. He pointed his fingers towards the oing arrow and countered it with a w Barrage. The two forces collided, and the w Barrage obliterated the arrow, then continued its momentum towards the source of it. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The girl''s body exploded, as if struck by artillery, under the force of the attack. ''Told you that''s a big red g,'' Reign chuckled, watching as her pitiful head tumbled to the ground. It was oddly satisfying, and he couldn''t wait to eat herter. The other Divergent witnessed the scene unfold and immediately realized that Reign had been holding back. "It''s dangerous, retreat! That''s a demon!" the man with the biker jacket shouted, but it was toote for the others. Reign knew he needed to finish this first, so he used w Bullet to target the one with the sledgehammer. With how close he was, there was no way he could dodge Reign''s attack. The w bullets pierced through his body. Though he was tough, after being hit in the throat, he dropped down like a rag doll . On the ground, Reign now pursued the person who had thrown the knives. With the death of two of their members, the momentum shifted in Reign''s favor. "Damn it!" Rodnick, the one with the biker jacket, clicked his tongue in annoyance. He had thought Reign was just another Divergent, but after witnessing all of those powers, it was clear they were dealing with a demon, and a powerful one at that. ''But why is a demon like him here?'' Rodnick asked in frustration. It was highly unusual, especially in just a Tier 4 city. Then he realized something. He looked at his hand and saw the briefcase. He had been tasked to deliver it here, but he didn''t know what it contained. There was a good chance the enemy was after it. "Jones, Ben, stop him! We can''t let him get the briefcase!" he ordered. Jones and Ben nodded, pausing to confront Reign. Jones, a towering figure standing at 7 feet tall like Kyson, gripped two metal knuckles in each hand. ''Oh, so that briefcase is really important!'' Reign eximed inwardly. ''Alright, I need to get it now,'' He shifted his focus, realizing that whatever it contained must be valuable if it came from a Tier 3 city. He was determined to get his hands on it. "Stop!" Jonesmanded, ripping off his shirt to reveal a ck metallic armor. Such heavy armor would be impossible for normal humans to use, but Jones handled it with ease, a testament to his strength. The design of the armor was intriguing; it covered Jones''s entire body but allowed him to move freely. Ben, on the other hand, brandished his two daggers. His attire was simple¡ªagray jacket draped over his body, with flying knives secured to his waist. It was clear that he was the same person who had attacked Reign before. "Oh, you want to die first?" Reign chuckled sadistically after seeing them stop. Without hesitation, he unleashed w Bullets to eliminate them. However, Jones intercepted the attack, using his body as a shield. CLINK! CLINK! CLINK! Whatever metal he was d in, it was definitely not ordinary, as he was able to withstand Reign''s attack without faltering. "Come," Jones taunted . Reign dashed forward, closing the distance to engage in close-quartersbat. As he approached, Ben suddenly intercepted him, his speed surpassing even Reign''s max speed. It felt as though he appeared out of nowhere. CLANG! Reign''s w and Ben''s dagger shed, the sound reverberating through the air. But it didn''t stop there. Ben spin his daggers using his fingers and began swinging it left and right,unching a rain of attacks. Each sh became faster and faster, overwhelming Reign even with his exceptional reaction time. ''Shit, this guy is on another levelpared to that trash Divergent in the exam,'' Reign thought to himself. He had assumed that Divergents were weakpared to demons and hunters, drawing his conclusion from encounters with individuals like Kyson and Zoey, who failed to impress him. But seeing Ben''s movements and techniques, Reign had to admit that he was a cut above the rest, even whenpared to his own teammates CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! The exchange between them intensified, both on equal terms in terms of speed. However, Ben remained unaware that his opponent was growing stronger in real-time. Reign''s focus heightened as he attempted to adapt and anticipate Ben''s techniques. Gradually, he discerned that whenever Ben executed a big move, he concentrated the force and weight of his body in one direction. ''If I could incorporate this technique into mine, then...'' A eureka moment ignited in Reign''s mind, and he couldn''t help but be amazed by how smart he was for thinking of it. He decided to test it outwhile they were still on equal terms. However, the battle shifted when Jones entered the fray. From time to time, he swung his fist at Reign, forcing him to be conscious of both Ben''s attacks and Jones''s fist. ''Fucker, I''ll kill you first,'' Reign grumbled, annoyed by the interruptions. Chapter 82: Divergent Part 3 "I wanted to learn more by fighting you, but it''s time to finish this because you''re friend is annoying me," Reign said coldly. He was ready to test his new skills in realbat without needing a practice round. "Stop bluffing, You can''t beat us two,"Jones narrowed his eyes and curled his lips in contempt, showing he didn''t believe Reign. "Die, you demon!" He shifted his weight, nted his left foot, and tensed his muscles. Then, he swung his arm with force. Seeing Jones''s punching, Reign quickly raised his arms to block, crossing them in front of his body. But the impact of Jones''s blow still sent him backward. However, despite the strength behind Jones''s punch, he felt like his attack did not do any big damaged . "What did you do?" Jones demanded, staring at his knuckles in confusion, wondering why he barely felt anything from the punch. "I''m just testing some things," Reign chuckled, pleased with his first attempt. Reign had actually jumped seconds before even getting hit, minimizing the impact. It wasn''t something he had intentionally learned beforehand; instead, it was his instinct guiding him based on his experience in this fight. Reign noticed how Ben countered his attacks by subtly shifting the weight of his dagger and his body instead of directly blocking them. The advantage of this technique lies in its efficiency and versatility. By fluidly adjusting the weight distribution, Ben could redirect the force of Reign''s strikes, guiding them off course while maintaining his own bnce and readiness to counterattack. This method conserves energypared to traditional blocking techniques and allows for quicker follow-up maneuvers, giving Ben a tactical edge inbat. This observation sparked instant inspiration in Reign. However, practicing the technique after seeing it only a few times was easily said and done. Even Ben took years to reach his current level of expertise. But, Reign was able to imitate the basic version of the technique just by observing. What was truly scary about Reign wasn''t just his abilities or skills; it was his capacity to adapt and learn through firsthand experience. "Stop talking nonsense," Ben snapped, dashing forward. This time, he wasted no time inunching his attack, his daggers slicing through the air as he shed with Reign again. CLANG! The sound of metal meeting metal echoed through the air as ws shed against des. However, this time, Ben sensed that something was amiss. A subtle shift in Reign''s attack pattern made him pause, a sense of unease creeping over him as he realized that things were not as they seemed. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Ben pressed on with his attack, his mind racing as he tried to pinpoint the source of his unease. With each sh of des, the odd sensation grew stronger, gnawing at the edges of his consciousness like a persistent whisper. Then it hit him. Ben''s eyes narrowed as he observed Reign''s movement. He recognized the familiar essence of his own style within it. ''That technique,'' he murmured, his mind racing. ''Stream Guide.'' It was an advanced maneuver, a closely guarded secret passed down from his father, a former Hunter. Such techniques were not normally shared with the public, but Ben had been privileged to learn them, thanks to his father''s expertise. "Where did you learn it?" Ben''s voice held a tone of suspicion as he regarded Reign with scrutinizing eyes. Demons typically disregarded human techniques as weak and trivial, considering them unnecessary because of their strong bodies. And they were right. No matter how good a human was at Stream Guide, when confronted with an overwhelming and powerful demon, mere weight shifting and body movements would be useless. It would be like trying to redirect the force of a freight train¡ªa human body could only do so much to withstand such power. "Learn it from?" Reign asked with genuine confusion. "What do you mean? I just picked it up from watching you," he added with an innocent tone. "Bullshit!" Ben''s voice erupted in anger. There was no way he would believe such a tant lie. How could a technique he spent years mastering be replicated just by observing it? If it could be so easily copied, then it wouldn''t deserve to be called an advanced technique. Reign stood there, stunned by Ben''s outburst. In his mind, he reyed the moments before executing the technique. Before the attack, Reign''s focus intensified, his senses sharpening as he anticipated Ben''s move. He shifted his weight subtly, his muscles tensing in preparation. Then, as Ben''s strike came hurtling towards him, Reign instinctively moved his arms, almost as if he were letting the force go with the flow. It was too easy that he did not thought much about it . How could Ben have known that Reign was someone blessed with a brilliant mind and an IQ far beyond that of even the most revered geniuses of their world? His learning speed was something beyondprehension, a gift bestowed upon him indirectly by having the genes of the most powerful man of his previous world. "I don''t really have to exin anything. Alright, time for you two to die¡­Death Aura." The moment he uttered those words, Reign''s entire demeanor shifted. A sinister ck and red aura began to emanate from him, filling the air with negative energy. "This..." Ben and Jones were stunned as they felt the overwhelming surge of power suppressing them, It was as if their bodies were being submerged in a suffocating tide, making it hard to breathe. Deep within them, ainstinct screamed for them to flee, warning of the imminent danger. ''This is not good,'' Ben thought to himself as he watched Reign''s walking closer in a leisure pace. Though Reign''s physical form remained the same, the intensity of his aura grew.. It was clear to Ben and Jones that Reign had been holding back his true power all along. SWOOOSH. Seizing the momentary shock of the two, Reign dashed forward with the intent to kill, his eyes locked on Ben''s vulnerable neck. Jones, recognizing the imminent danger to Ben, reacted fast. With unwavering confidences, he positioned himself between Reign and Ben, using his armored body as a shield to intercept the deadly w. Having sessfully blocked this ws before, Jones remained sure in his defense. The materialprising his armor, Shadow Steel, was a rare and hard metal found only in Tier 3 cities, renowned for its durability and resilience against slicing and prating attack. When Reign witnessed Jone''s reaction, instead of bing bothered by it, a creepy smile slowly spread across his face. "Too predictable," Reign chuckled aloud. Drawing closer, he raised his right arm, breaking for a moment before quickly swinging it down. His body shifted into an angle reminiscent of a baseball pitcher winding up for a throw. BURST! Reign''s w sliced through Jones'' arms with horrifying precision, a sickening sound of tearing flesh and bones apanying the gruesome sight. "H--How?" Jones gasped, his voice trembling with disbelief. How could Reign have breached his defenses so effortlessly, shattering his confidence in the imprability of his Shadow Steel armor? But before he could even get his answer, Jones realized that the attack showed no signs of stopping. With horrifying rity, he watched as Reign''s w continued, cleaving his body in half. BURST! Blood erupted from the wound in a torrent, gushing forth as if Jones'' flesh were made of tofu,staining the ground red. Chapter 83: Divergent Part 4 Jones''s cut up body dropped to the ground simultaneously, the two severed halvesnding with a heavy thud on the cold cement. A result that should not have happened because of how much Shadow Steel he was wearing. But what happened? During their battle, Reign had be more proficient in using his abilities, refining his control over his energy and body to another level. He focused his energy on a singr point, amplifying its cutting power to a devastating degree. Bybining this enhanced control over his energy with the fluidity of Stream Guide, he maximized the momentum of his sh, unleashing a lethal strike that surpassed even his current max strength . The Pitcher position also made the attack even deadlier. Reign recalled that pitchers were experts in channeling the force of their throw through specific fingers for maximum impact. Incorporating this knowledge, he directed the force of his strike on his ws against Jones, who had limited mobility and mistakenly believed he could withstand such an assault. The end result was Jones being killed right off the bat. Had Jones attempted to dodge, he would have likely seeded, as the added movements on Reign''s attack made his attack considerably slower than before. Overall, that seemingly simple and brutal attack was the result of Reign meticulously controlling all the variables from the beginning, leading Jones to misjudge the situation and make a critical blunder. "You''re next," Reign grinned sadistically, relishing the stunned expression on Ben''s face. Witnessing someone as tough as Jones being cut through so effortlessly hadtaken a toll on his mental state. The added stress of the Death Aura only heightened the tension, casting a shadow of fear over him. "Oh, you''re shaking," Reign chuckled darkly, relishing on the fear of his enemy. Slowly, he approached while licking the blood and brain matter from his w. "Stop. If you kill me right now, you''ll be a target for the Scorpion Mercenaries," Ben warned, his two daggers held defensively. Though he considered fleeing, he knew it would be suicide with Reign''s w Barrage at his disposal. "You people are full of cliche lines," Reign shook his head in disappointment . "You were arrogant before, but now that you''ve faced a stronger enemy, you resort to using your backer''s name?. I''ve encountered people stronger than me, but instead of putting a toughact, I kneel and beg for my life," he added. The irony of the situation was that Reign was indeed telling the truth, but far from feeling ashamed, he took pride in his choice. He had learned to swallow his ego when necessary, all for the sake of biding his time and exacting his revenge on those who had humiliated him. Now, with him growing stronger by the day, he was excited to kill and devour those who had humiliated him. They may have won the battle before, but Reign was determined to win the war. "So you think I''ll believe you and just beg?" Ben sneered in contempt, refusing to trust a demon''s words. "Suit yourself," Reign sighed, disappointment flickering on his tone. Without wasting any more time, he dashed forward, his arm ready to deliver a quick sh. Ben raised his two daggers in a desperate attempt to block Reign''s attack. However, he quickly realized that it was futile against Reign''s ws, now infused with energy and enhanced by Stream Glide. CLANG! The sheer force behind the strike overwhelmed Ben''s futile defense, causing his daggers to shatter upon impact. Next, a cold sensation washed over Ben as his arm was sliced directly in half. "Ahhhhhhh!" he screamed in agony, his cry of pain echoing through the air. But his anguish was silenced by the sickening sound of Reign beheading him in one swift motion. THUD! Blood gushed from his neck like a waterfall as head fell on the ground, painting the ground red. After dispatching Ben, Reign turned his attention to Rodnick, who was now his next target. Overhearing their conversation about the briefcase originating from a Tier 3 city piqued his curiosity. The battle between Jones and Ben might had seemed long, but only a few minutes had passed since it began. Along the way, Reign encountered resistance from the remaining guards, but he wasted no time in killing them one by one. As for those stationed in the watchtower, they were too far away to pose a immediate threat, so he ignored them and pressed on with his chase. Finally, he spotted Rodnick entering a ck SUV, forcing Reign to quicken his pace in pursuit. "You think you can escape me?" Reign sneered. He unleashed his w Barrage on the escaping SUV, tearing through metal sheet with devastating force until the vehicle was riddled with holes and forced toe to a stop. Unlike in the movies, the car did not explode, much to Reign''s disappointment. BAM! Rodnick kicked the car door open, his face contorted with anger to the point that veins began to throb on his forehead. "You''re dead!" he snarled, abandoning the briefcase and charging forward to confront Reign. Unarmed and fueled by rage, Rodnick relied solely on his fists. Observing this, Reign humored him, choosing to meet Rodnick''s challenge with his own bare fists. BOOOOM! The collision of their knuckles echoed like two cars crashing into each other, but only one of them emerged unscathed. Rodnick remained standing, his anger in full power, while Reign was sent flying backward, crashing into a wall with bone-jarring force, causing it to crumble on impact. "This is your fault... This is your fault!" Rodnick muttered crazily, his eyes aze with blood-red color as ck veins began to snake across his skin. "Did you take a drug or something?" Reign taunted with a smirk, though inwardly he was curious by Rodnick''s sudden surge in strength. If Rodnick had possessed this level of power from the beginning, he wouldn''t have relied on others to stall for time. Something was definitely amiss. "Do you even understand what you''ve done?" Rodnick demanded, his voice trembling with rage. "Don''t know, don''t care," Reign replied casually, brushing off the question as he stood up and began fixing his neck. A sharp twinge shot through him, indicating that he may have broken a bone or two in the confrontation. The punch had been surprisingly powerful, and he couldn''t deny that he had been hurt by it. "You will regret this. Someone like you doesn''t understand the difference between a Tier 4 and Tier 3 City," Rodnick spat, his anger visible from his sh red face. "You''re already talking like you won''t be able to kill me now. So my guess is right. You took a drug, and it made you an idiot. Now you''re too easy to read," Reignughed, his amusement evident. "And of course, the effect of the drug was only temporary, so I just have to wait it out," he added smugly. Rodnick''s face contorted with rage after hearing Reign''s hypothesis. He realized that he had made a grave error in underestimating his opponent intelligence,. He had initially underestimated Reign, dismissing him as nothing more than a sadistic and crazy demon. However, he now realized that his enemy was far more cunning than he had given him credit for, able to get conclusions from just a few sentences. Chapter 84: Divergent Part 5 ''This crazy demon is dangerous," Rodnick muttered, trying to calm down his frenzy because of the drug side effects. He realized that acting rashly would not be good for him. A cunning demon posed a greater threat than a powerful one. And he was right on the money. Reign''s behavior didn''t always showcase intelligence, but it wasn''t because hecked IQ. His struggles came from ack ofmon knowledge and life experience. Being uninformed doesn''t equate to being unintelligent. Consider this: Imagine a brilliant surgeon. Ask them to build a car, and they wont know what to do. On the flip side, a mechanical engineer would also find doing a surgery impossible, uncertain how to navigate theplexities of the human body. However, given time, he would umte more and more experience. Someday, when he figured out how this world operated, he would be an unstoppable force. BANG! BANG! BANG! Multiple shots echoed, forcing Reign to dodge to the side and take cover. ''These guys are annoying,'' he muttered, clicking his tongue as he noticed armed guards surrounding him. That''s the problem with modern weapons. One or two might not be a problem, but when the numbers stack up, even a monster like him would find himself cornered. It didn''t help that they were now in an open area, with all the spotlights focused squarely on him. So every move he made would be seen by them. ''I''ll take out those annoying lights first,'' he thought to himself, shooting down the spotlights. They were big enough that hitting them from a distance wasn''t hard. The only issue was the spotlights out of his view, forcing him to leave cover for a moment. This exposed him to be shots by the guards. Dodging wouldn''t have been much trouble, but soon they started using grenades, forcing Reign to change cover from time to time. The only silver lining was that by throwing grenades at him, he managed to pinpoint their locations and fought back with his w bullet, taking down many in the process. One by one, their bodies were riddled with his attacks. Even taking cover wasn''t enough to stop the projectile, intensifying the fear among those who choose to fight. They only have one life, and when faced with something that could kill them, it was only natural that they became afraid. Humans have something called survival instinct. It''s in their DNA to preserve their lives when faced with danger. And in that moment, Reign stood as the very embodiment of danger itself, he look like death in their eyes. "Shit, we''re not getting enough pay for this crap." "I don''t want to die, I don''t want to die." "We should get the hell out of here!" The guards started mumblingtheir protests, further feeding the seed of fear in their hearts. A few found themselves walking backwards, subconsciously wanting to flee. They felt like it wasn''t worth it to keep on fighting. Finally, one person ran away after seeing hispanion die on the spot likea pig. This triggered a chain reaction, and everyone else started escaping for their lives. Meanwhile, Rodnick realized the futility of the situation and knew his drug''s effects would soon wear off. He sprinted toward Reign, engaging him in directbat. Like Jones, he wore the Shadow Steal, but thanks to the drugs, his speed surpassed even Ben''s when he was running on a straight line "Die!" Rodnick screamed in anger, the veins in his forehead throbbing even harder. BAM! When the fist connected, Reign realized that the force of the punch felt really heavy and sharp. And it didn''t stop there. Rodnickunched into a one-two-threebo, not giving Reign a moment''s breather. BAM! BAM! BAM! Each punch was enough to send Reign taking a step back. The only reason he was able to hold back was because he was now using Stream Guide to redirect the force of the punches. Reign wanted to retaliate, but the punches were so fast and lethal. Rodnick targeted all of his weak points: the abdomen, the chin, ribs, and even his neck, leaving him struggling to defend himself. ''Is he a boxer or something?'' Reign thought as he continued to raised his hands for defense. He didn''t even have time to focus his energy on his ws because of how fast the attacks were. He tried using Death Aura, but because of the drugs, Rodnick wasn''t even the least bit affected. At the same time, Reign could feel that he was running out of stamina. This continuous battle had taken atoll on his body. ''So this is the level of Divergent from a Tier 3 City,'' Reign thought to himself. This was a wake-up call to how vast the world was. He was pretty sure that Rodnick was not even rtively strongpared to his peers, and yet he was already being pushed like this. In a way, he was d that he had transmigrated to Summit City. If it were a more dangerous ce, then he could only pray for luck. "But it''s time to end this fiasco," a grin appeared on Reign''s face. When one of Rodnick''s punches was on its way to his torso, Reign let it hit. "Got you!" Rodnick smiled, convinced that victory was within his reach. His punch was a force not even a demon could withstand without a scratch, amplified further by the experimental drug he had injected on himself. It made him not just twice, but three times as strong. However, the price of such power was steep; once the drug''s effects wore off, he would be left crippled for life, or in the worst case, dead. It was an experimental drug that the Scorpion Mercenaries had acquired. He hadn''t nned to use it, but faced with Reign''s overwhelming power, he knew he had no choice if he wanted to survive. But instead of being sent flying, Reign grabbed onto Rodnick''s arm and shoulder, then pointed his w at Rodnick''s face. "N¡ª No.." Rodnick realized he had made a blunder the moment his punchnded. Reign twisted his body just enough to redirect the impact, minimizing the damage. "Goodbye!" Reign chuckled, bombarding Rodnick''s face with w barrage,pletely destroying the head. THUD! Rodnick''s headless body dropped to the ground, and Reign began licking his w, which was now covered in blood. At this point, everyone who witnessed the brutal scene lost all hope to fight and began running away,pletely abandoning theboratory. But when they reached the gate, thinking they would be able to live, Reign leaped over them and began his one-sided massacre. He had no intention of letting them go. Each one who escaped would be a minus on his EXP. After that round, he swept the area again for other survivors. They ran, they hid, they pleaded, they offered money. But they all faced the same fate: death. Because for Reign, the most valuable thing they could offer him was their lives. He then went back to recover all the dead bodies and piled them up inside. It would be a hassle to eat them separately. When he finished, the pile was sorge that after counting, there were almost 120+ dead people. That number was something he did not expect because he just kept on killing nonstop. Of course, he did not forget to separate the bodies of the Divergents because he would save them forst. As for the briefcase, he set it aside for now. Chapter 85: Wrapping Up [Level Up + 1] [Level Up + 1] After devouring all the mangled corpses, Reign finally reached level 10. He hurriedly checked his stats to see if he had gained Evolution Points. He was set on getting stronger, and right now, evolving or mutating was the quickest route. "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 10 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Skull Fiend (System Enhance) Strength :B- Stamina :C+ Endurance : B+ Intelligence: C+ Energy: B Bite I Undead Eye I Night Crawl I wer VIII Viral sh X w Bullet XX - w Barrage XIV-(SP) Death Aura Hawk Bones [30%] Scorpion Pores[30%] Mantis Eyes[20%] [Points] Attribute Points: 60 Skill Points : 6 Evolution Points : 1 ============ "Finally!" Reign grinned sadistically after seeing his long-awaited evolution. [Skull Master: The evolved version of Skull Fiend, boasting mastery over bones. With the ability to manipte and reconstruct every bone within its body, turning them into formidable weapons. ] ¡ª >Enhance Bones: This skill allows the host to strengthen his skeletal structure, increasing his overall durability and resistance to physical attacks temporarily. Additionally, it grants the ability to channel energy through the bones, enhancing their offensive capabilities inbat. [Duration: 30 seconds] [Cool-down: 10 minutes] [Cost: Energy] ¡ª> Bone Control: With this skill, the host gains the ability to manipte his bones. He can reshape his skeletal structure at will, allowing for increased agility, flexibility, and even the ability to create makeshift weapons or defenses from bone fragments. [Cost: Energy] ¡ª> Bone Eater: When activated, this skill grants the host the ability to consume the bones and muscles of any deceased creature simply by touching them. By doing so, the host can extract EXP, enhancing his own strength. Additionally, the host can preserve these consumed bones for future use, incorporating them into his own skeletal structure as he continue to evolve and grow stronger. "Sweet," Reign whistled in amazement as he saw the three bloodline skills. Although his evolution options might now be more restricted to just one, the quality of the skills far surpassed those of the Beta Version. The Bone Eater skill, in particr, stood out to him. Devouring too many individuals consumed a considerable amount of time, and this new ability would save him valuable time and effort. And to top it off, he could save the bones of every person he devoured. That meant all those bones would be at his disposal in the future. Reign couldn''t help but feel a surge of excitement as he considered the possibilities. The moment he clicked the evolution button, a wave of excruciating pain surged through every bone in his body. It felt as though he was being ground down to dust, only to be reconstructed again. His face was also undergoing noticeable changes too; the color of his bones shifted from white to a metallic silver hue, while the mes in his eyes intensified. Previously resembling a flickering candlelight, they now glowed like concentrated blue orbs of energy. When it was all done, hefound himself on the ground, panting heavily. The transformation had taken a toll on his body, but the results were very satisfying. "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 10 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Skull Master (System Enhance) Strength :B Agility. :A Stamina :B- Endurance : A- Intelligence: B- Energy: B+ ============ Checking his stats again, he saw that all of his attributes had increase by one rank, but instead of being happy he felt frustrated. ''Fuck me, I should''ve used my points. The effect would''ve been way better,'' Reign clicked his tongue in annoyance. If the attribute increase was fixed at +1, then he had just missed out on a huge opportunity by not using his points. He started to calm himself down, attempting to push aside his frustration and charge it up to experience. ''No use crying over spilled milk,'' he sighed, shaking off his disappointment. He walked towards the five dead divergents, saving them forst . They weren''t ordinary humans, so he expected better benefits from devouring them. At the same time, he could test out his new skill, "Bone Eater." He approached the lifeless head of the girl with the bow, lifting her head to reveal her face. Despite her untimely death, he couldn''t help but notice her young and beautifppearance. Unfortunately, she was unlucky enough to meet Reign. "Yeah, I''ll give you special treatment for insulting me before," Reign chuckled darkly before opening his mouth wide and crunching down on the girl''s head. He decided against using Bone Eater on her. Her brain matter overflowed in hiss mouth, and a sense of tion washed over him. He had always been vengeful, and he remembered her mocking words vividly. He waited for something to happen, but unfortunately, nothing did. Disappointed, he proceeded to devour the remaining mangled corpse of the girl, but still, nothing urred. ''Talk about useless,'' he sighed in frustration, shifting his attention to the one with the sledgehammer. This time, he decided to use "Bone Eater." As soon as he touched the corpse, it began to be absorbed by his hands. The intriguing part was that he could still taste everything as if he were eating it, but the sensation was akin to gulping down a milkshake. Once everything was finished, only the clothing remained, along with the blood on the floor. It appeared that "Bone Eater" was not fond of blood. "Also nothing?" Reign grumbled, feeling more frustrated. But he quickly shook his head, dismissing the disappointment, and turned his attention to Ben. Among the five, Ben was the only one he was truly impressed by. Rodnick''s drug use disqualified him from consideration. When he touched Ben''s body he felt that something was different on him , and a notification actually pop up. [System : Mutation Option Avable ] >> Serpent Eyes ''Serpent Eyes?'' Reign asked, his tone puzzled. He was certain Ben hadn''t use any breathing techniques, so why did he possess Hunter Organs? Little did Reign know that Ben, harbored a secret legacy from his father. Before going AWOL, Ben was destined to follow in his father''s footsteps as a hunter. However, circumstances intervened, leaving his legacy iplete. Despite this, a fragment of his father''s gift lingered within him, manifesting in the unique ability of his eyes. [System: Serpent Eyes have a lower quality than Mantis Eye. Would you like to absorb it to enhance the effectiveness of Mantis Eyes?] "Hell yeah!" Reign eximed. Mantis Eyes had proven incredibly helpful; in fact, it was the sole reason he could dodge bullets and take on multiple opponents simultaneously. Mantis Eyes [20%] > [25%] The improvement was marginal, but for Reign, who had no other means to enhance his mutated abilities, a 5% boost was more than satisfactory. After finishing with Ben, Reign moved on to devour Jones. He was hoping for further mutations, however no notification came up . Finally, it was Rodnick''s turn. ''Is his meat gonna taste bad?'' he pondered silently. Rodnick had ingested unknown drugs before his death, leaving Reign apprehensive about potential effects on the taste and, worst-case scenario, any adverse side effects he might experience. But in the end, he chose to ce his trust in his own body. The thought of meeting his death just from eating a corpse of a drug addict was absurd . [System: Warning] ''Fuck'' Chapter 86: Foreign Substance When the system warning echoed, Reign felt like it was messing with him. How could a powerful System be defeated by a drug ? It does not make sense at all. However, no matter how much he cursed the system, it wouldn''t change the fact that the window had turned red, indicating a real emergency. [System: Detected foreign matter] [System: Detected foreign matter] [System: Detected foreign matter] [System: Would you like to sacrifice your energy attributes to tame the foreign matter?] "Wait, what?" Reign eximed. The energy attribute he had painstakingly cultivated had to be sacrificed? The benefits of his energy was roughly 70% of his power output, so nerfing it was bad news for him. "What if I don''t do it?" Reign asked, not expecting a reply but still tried regardless. [System: Death] "Yes!" Reign begrudgingly epted the system''s decision to sacrifice his energy. He didn''t even have a choice in the matter. Energy (B+) ¡ª> (D-) Witnessing his energy plummet back to D- stung Reign in more ways than one.But he [System: Reforming foreign matter] He felt exhausted because the energy was now acting as antibodies to protect him. It was the same concept when human get sick; when there was a virus, the human body generated antibodies to kill it off, which was why humans often experienced feverish symptoms during this time frame. However, Reign was not a human, so instead of antibodies, he was using energy not to kill off the foreign object, but to neutralize its harmful effects. After the system finished its task, he felt a different sensation. Unconsciously, he reached for Rodnick Bones'' corpse and began absorbing it again. This action was very illogical, considering that the system had deemed this corpse a danger. However, his intuition told him that it was okay to absorb it now. [System: Congrattions, Host, for acquiring unique passive skills.] >>Drug Immunity: Host will have some immunity to any type of drugsthat could threaten the body. The immunity would depend on the skill level. >>Drug Resistance: Host can now take any type of enhancing drugs and the side effect would be minimizeddepending on the skill level. >>Drug Enhancer: Any enhancing or healing drugs that the host takes will be more effective depending on the skill level. The effects of the new skill at least offered Reign some silver lining in his setbacks. From now on, he would no longer have to worry about devouring others who consumed unknown substance. Plus, the drug resistance and enhancer effects were really impressive. He would be lying if he said he wasn''t impressed by the sudden boost in Rodnick''s power during their fight. Whatever drug he took must be very rare. It offered high returns in exchange for high risk, but the effect almost tripled Rodnick''s strength, which was a good trade off. If Reign could gain such a massive boost without worrying about the side effects, then he would be able to be much confident in facing stronger enemies in the future. In a way, these three skills were really overpowered once it reach a certain level. Realizing the benefits he now possessed, the reduction in his energy attributes felt worth it. Now that he was more satisfied about the turn of events, he stood up, stretched his body, and then walked towards the briefcase. This briefcase was extremely important, judging by the high level of security it had before. Whatever was inside must cost a lot of money or a top secret. The briefcase was reminiscent of those seen in movies where money could be stored, but its material proved to be much sturdier. Even after attempting to scratch it with his w, there wasn''t a single mark left behind. He could potentially destroy it by using more force, but considering hisck of knowledge about its contents, exercising caution seemed the wiser choice. ''Let''s see,'' he muttered to himself. He positioned the briefcase on the ground and then slowly, but surely, inserted his w into the gap of the briefcase lock, attempting to open it without using too much brute force. Fortunately, his evolution granted him greater control over his bones, allowing him to gradually make his w thinner and thinner. After a few minutes of tinkering, he heard a satisfying click. As the briefcase opened, what was inside nearly force him to run. Inside the tube, a green liquid swirled around a peculiar sight¡ªa sinewy, root-like creature, its form reminiscent of a parasitic organism. Its twisted tendrils writhed within the fluid, its ghastly appearance entuated by faint bioluminescent color dancing along its surface. Reign couldn''t help but feel a shiver crawl down his spine as he watched the creature''s rhythmic pulsations, each throb echoing like a sinister heartbeat. ''What is this thing'' Reign thought to himself, his mind racing with images from movies he had seen¡ªalien creatures resembling the one before him but this one was more colorful. CLICK CLICK CLICK The parasite started to move around in an erratic manner, then out of nowhere, it began banging its head on the ss. ''Is this thing safe?'' Reign mused, wondering if the ss could withstand it. After a few minutes, with no sign of the ss breaking, Reign sighed in relief. He slowly closed the briefcase. This thing wasplicated, so he would ask Melissa about it once he returned to the city. Maybe she knew someone who could figure out what it was. No need to take additional risks by being a smarty-pants. He might be a genius, but he was no scientist. . ''Alright, time to go back,'' Reign stood up, feeling a bit satisfied with his haul today. He walked leisurely out of the building with the briefcase and some of the weapons that Divergent had used in hand. The weapons and armor were made of a special type of material, so he couldsell them for a good price. Initially, money wasn''t his top priority. But witnessing the wide range of items and services avable for sale on the app made him realize the importance of financial resources in maximizing his efficiency. This experience served as a valuable lesson for him. ''Oh, I forgot,'' Reign realizedthat he needed to take a picture of the drugb, now in ruins, as proof. However, before he could turn around, he felt a searing heat from behind his back. Instinctively, he looked back and raised his arms to cover his face, but the mes were so fast that before he could react, he was engulfed by them. BOOOOOOOOM! The deafening explosion ripped through the drugboratory, sending shockwaves reverberating through the air. mes erupted violently, swallowing everything in their path as the building crumbled under the force of the st. Little did Reign know, there was a failsafe mechanism inside the ce¡ªa special bomb set to trigger to erase all the evidence just in case theb waspromised. "AHHHHHHHHH!" Reign screamed as he was thrown by the explosion, his body engulfed in mes. Despite the intense pain, he stayed conscious, feeling the burning heat outside and a cold sensation inside his body. He summoned all his energy to stay alive, but the explosion inside the building was anything but normal. It resembled napalm more than a conventional explosion. Chapter 87: Cracking "No¡ªno way," George''s face went pale as he hurriedly arrived at the burning Drug Laboratory. Just moments ago, he had been sleeping soundly in his car, the quiet of the night enveloping him. Then, a loud explosion shattered the silence, jolting him awake along with everyone else in town. As he drove the car through the hazy road, the smell of smoke filled his nose, mixing with the sharp scent of chemicals. The night sky was lit up with a fiery orange glow, casting long shadows across thendscape. mes licked at the edges of theboratory, sending sparks into the air. From above, the dark outline of the surrounding forest loomed, with the glow of the fire flickering around it. ''Where is he?'' George pressed on through the thick smoke, his eyes scanning the ce. He grabbed a wet cloth and pressed it to his mouth becausethe acrid smoke already seeped into the air conditioning system of the pickup truck. "WOOOF!" "WOOOF!" "WOOOF!" Wick started barking and behaving strangely. "Do you smell Reign?" George asked urgently, trusting Wick''s instincts. "Woof!" Wick replied, scratching the window with his paws. Seeing this, George opened the car door and followed Wick outside. The heat hit him like a wave, so he grabbed a few bottles of water to stay hydrated. Around him, the forest was engulfed in mes, and the Drug Laboratory was barely visible through the thick ck smoke. All he could make out were the walls, their outlines blurred by the haze. "Hey, where the hell are you!" George shouted. But there was no response at all. "Wait, where is that dog?" George asked after realizing that Wick was also now missing. "Cough¡ªcough¡ª" George''s momentarypses caused him to inhale some of the smoke, forcing him to sit on the ground where it was less dense. After a while, just sitting wasn''t enough to mitigate the impact of the smoke. He crawl on the hard ground, stubbornly refusing to leave. Despite their differences, Reign was the only one he trusted enough to have the potential to rescue his daughter. Reign may have been crazy and enjoyed mocking him, but the time they spent together had been enough for George to grow fond of him, even if just a little bit. "Woof!" Wick''s bark echoed, urging George to force himself to look for the source of the sound. "Reign!" George eximed in shock as he saw Wick pulling a dark, burned body towards him. He knew it was Reign, so he mustered all of his strength and ran forward. As he approached the burned body, horror gripped him at the sight of the charcoal-like skin, bearing witness to the torment inflicted by the intense heat. Not even the skull-faced features were spared, and upon closer inspection, George noticed the absence of the blue flickering light in Reign''s eyes. Regardless, he still picked up the burned body and gently ced it in the pickup truck. Without wasting any time, he stepped on the gas and left the ce immediately. *** 5 Days Later. "Hey, George, are you alright?" Mellisa spoke up, handing George a cup of coffee. Her expression spoke volumes about the sadness she felt for the fate that had befallen on both George and Reign . He had came here, desperate for assistance after that big incident. The incident had stirred widespread attention, bing a hot topic of discussion within the organization. Information surfaced about the presence of Five Divergents in the Drugboratory, along with the revtion of a special type of banned bomb, making the mission difficulty far more dangerous than expected. In light of this revtion, the organization acknowledged its oversight in not acquiring sufficient information about the Anigma group. As a form of restitution, they admitted their mistake andpensated Reign by awarding him full points for the missionpletion. Additionally, they offered a bonus of 30,000 Veiled points aspensation for the blunder they had made. Unfortunately, the man in question was now lying in bed, burned and unresponsive. They hadn''t yet reported his condition to the organization. Instead, they decided to use Reign''s spare mask to deceive everyone into thinking that he was still alive. "Will he be alright ?" George asked. "He''s not even breathing. I think he''s dead," Melissa sighed, arriving at the only conclusion she could. "But he''s a demon, and it''s not like he was breathing before either," George replied. He knew that Reign was an undead, so the absence of a beating heart wasn''t out of the ordinary. "And look at Wick, he kept on staying here, so Reign must still be alive," George pointed out, gesturing towards the dog who was sleeping soundly on the ground. "George, dogs are incredibly loyal. Even if their owner dies, they''ll keep on waiting for them," she exined gently. She sensed that George was struggling because he had ced all his hope on Reign to save his daughter. Now, with his only hope lying motionless before him, he seemed to spiral into a state of depression. "No, I can feel it. He''s special. He''s not someone to die just like that," George exined, his voice tinged with denial. "A¡ª Anna told me that Reign would be very powerful someday ,he can''t die with just a little explosion," "George! That was a special type of bomb, something that''s even banned in Tier 3 cities. No matter how powerful Reign was, there''s no way he could survive that!" she protested. She didn''t want to sound heartless, as she had also grown fond of Reign, but they needed to be realistic about the situation. George didn''t reply and just continued to drink his coffee. Seeing this, she realized that nothing she says would convince him. The only person who could help George right now was himself. *** Another week passed, and there was still no sign of movement . At this point, she was fully convinced that Reign had already passed away. "We should bury him now," she said gently, cing her hand on George''s shoulder. George looked up, his eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and resignation. "I guess you''re right," he replied softly. "It''s time we gave him a proper farewell." She nodded in agreement, her own eyes misting with unshed tears. "He deserves that much, at least," she said, her voice catching slightly. Together, they stood up and turned away from Reign''s corpse. CRACK Startled by the cracking sound, George and Mellisa quickly turned to look at the source. "Is he waking up?" George eximed, hope flickering in his eyes as he noticed some movements from Reign''s body. CRACK CRACK CRACK The cracking sound continued, apanied by the shedding of the burned skin from Reign''s stomach. Beneath it, a reddish skin emerged, akin to a snake shedding its old skin for a new one.. "You''ve gotta be kidding me," She was stunned, disbelief and awe mingling in her expression. To witness someone who was presumed deading back to life before her very eyes was nothing short of miraculous. But the next scene turned their excitement to dread, because as the shed burned skin dropped down, something inside Reign''s stomach pop out of nowhere. "SHRIEEEEK!" The same parasite that Reign had encounteredemerged from his stomach, but this time it wasrger, the size of a fully adult dog. "George, run!" Mellisa was the first to react, grabbing his cor and yanking him towards the door. Wick, sensing the danger, followed closely behind. "Lock it!" she ordered as they scrambled to safety. Chapter 88: Influx of Energy "What the hell was that thing. !" Mellisa eximed, her eyes wide with panic as she rememberedthe terrifying sight. The parasite''s appearance sent shivers down her spine, making even Reign''s skull-like face seem handsome inparison. And she wasn''t even exaggerating. There was something about that thingthat made it look really creepy. "I don''t know. Maybe it''s Reign transforming? I mean, butterflies do that, right?" George replied, attempting to piece together a usible exnation. Unlike Mellissa, George wasn''t particrly shocked by the parasite''s appearance. He had seen Reign when he was still half corpse, so something like that wasn''t enough to unsettle him. "A butterfly, really? Does that thing look like a butterfly to you?" Mellissa asked with a raised eyebrows. "I mean, if you erge a butterfly, I''m pretty sure it would look scary too," George replied, offering his theory. He spected that due to the damage Reign had sustained, he had somehow entered a cocoon-like state, emerging with this new, albeit super creepy, form. "I don''t care about that theory of yours. Let''s not open the door without being absolutely certain it''s him, okay?" Mellissa replied with a heavy sigh. "Sure," George nodded in agreement. It was fortunate that the room was fully sealed off within the underground basement, with no openings aside from the metal door. This provided them with a sense of safety for the time being . *** Inside the Room. The Parasite began to wriggle and move erratically on top of Reign''s stomach, desperately attempting to escape. However, it seemed to be hindered by some unseen force, preventing it from breaking free. "SHREEEEEEEK!" "SHREEEEEEEK!" "SHREEEEEEEK!" The Parasite let out piercing shrieks, each one more intense than thest, echoing through the room like achild crying. "Shut the fuck up!" Reign''s hands moved quickly, seizing the Parasite tightly on it''s base. The reason he had been unable to wake up all this time was because this damn Parasite had been attempting to take over his body. It was fortunate that his willpower prevailed in the end; otherwise, this thing would have turned him into a literal zombie. Having watched numerous movies before, he found the ones featuring parasites particrly scary. These creatures fed on others, devouring their hosts from the inside the moment theytched on. If Reign hada normal human body, there was no doubt that this parasite would have taken control within seconds. However, thanks to the assistance of the system, he had been given a fighting chance against it. "Fucker, you almost killed me," Reign growled, increasing the force of his grip out of frustration. "SHREEEEEEEK!" "SHREEEEEEEK!" "SHREEEEEEEK!" Feeling the killing intent emanating from Reign, the parasite began to move in defiance. It understood just how terrifying Reign could be after fighting for control for days on end. It could have emerged victorious, given its status as a powerful parasite capable of corrupting even a Demon Lord. However, within Reign resided not just one, but two unique powers hidden within him. These powers possessed the potential to erase the parasite''s existence entirely. But, for some unknown reason, it allowed the parasite to engage in a mentalbat with Reign, almost as if they were attempting to train his willpower. "SHREEEEEEEK!" "SHREEEEEEEK!" "SHREEEEEEEK!" "I said, shut up!" Reign grumbled, activating Bone Eater. The parasite began to grow exhausted, feeling its power being drained little by little. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before it perishedpletely . The notification from the system rang out the moment the parasite finally turned into dust. [System: Congrattion Host for Absorbing an Alien Creature] [Reward : 100 Attribute Points] [Reward : 50 Skill Points] [Reward : Skill - Seed] [System: The host now possesses the ability to cultivate a seed inside his body. When the host dies, he can transfer his consciousness into this seed, granting the host a second life. Depending on how the host cultivates the seed, it has the potential to be even more powerful than the host''s current body.] ''An alien? Really?'' Reign grumbled, realizing he now had to worry about more than just the locals of this world. ''Well, at least I got something,'' Slowly rising to his feet, he observed as the ck burned skin began to peel offpletely, revealing soft, unblemished baby skin beneath. "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 11 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Skull Master (System Enhance) Strength :B Agility. :A Stamina :B- Endurance : A- Intelligence: B- Energy: D- Bite I Undead Eye I Night Crawl I wer VIII Viral sh X w Bullet XX - w Barrage XIV-(SP) Death Aura I Enhance Bones I Bone Control I Bone Eater I Seed I Hawk Bones [30%] Scorpion Pores[30%] Mantis Eyes[25%] Drug Immunity Drug Resistance Drug Enhancer [Points] Attribute Points: 170 Skill Points : 57 Evolution Points : 0 ============ Observing the considerable number of points he had gained, he felt a wave of calm wash over him. It was a moment of relief after enduring so much hardship. During the time he was unconscious, the parasite attempted to break his mind. However, thanks to his already high tolerance for this type of torture, he was able to prevail in the end. It was ironic that all those tortures and bad experiences had saved him this time around. ''Speaking of attributes points,'' he mumbled. The fact that the creature he had faced was an Alien Life form made him worry a little. Gaining 100 attributes from defeating it was a reminder that, had he not won against it, the creature could have grown into an immensely dangerous threat in this world. ''Wow, did I just indirectly save the world by killing an Alien?'' Reign couldn''t help but ponder to himself. Who knew his destiny involved ying as hero in an underground basement? However, after further contemtion, he found himself rting to the Parasite in some strange way. After all, he could also be considered an alien in this world. Scratch that, he was pretty sure he was an alien, especially considering how overpowered his system was. ''I''ll allocate my stats first, ''he mumbled to himself. Energy (D)> (A+) =130 AP He directly upgraded his Energy attribute to A+ as it was the most useful attribute he had. Unlike the other stats that only improved one aspect, Energy could be used as a booster for other attributes. ''This feeling'' he suddenly felt like his body was about to explode as he rapidly increased his Energy attribute. It was as if every cell in his body was pulsating with an uncontroble surge of power, threatening to burst through his skin. His muscles tensed and quivered, while his veins seemed to throb with an intensity he had never experienced before. Then, in the next moment, ck-red aura started to seep through his skin, as if his body was struggling to adjust to the influx of energy. [System: Host is now eligible for a breakthrough. Depending on the host''s capacity, the energy core will be graded ordingly.] [Important Notice: The higher the quality of the energy core, the stronger the host will be in the future.] [Hint: Host needed a stronger body to contain the energy while it''s building up.] Chapter 89: Breakthrough ''Will my body hold on ?''He thought to himself . His mind racing with possible solution. With 40 AP left, he allocated them to his endurance, recognizing its importance in increasing his overall tolerance. Endurance (A-) > (A+) =40 The pressure from his body had subsided a little, but he felt like he needed to build a much stronger body to achieve better effects. He could still see a lot of ck-red aura pouring out of his skin, and he could tell that it was not good news for him at all. ''I needed to confined everything to build up the energy pressure more. '' He thought to himself. If this breakthrough depended on his capacity, and his body was the vessel, then creating a super hard body was the key . Enhance Bones (I)> (XX) Bone Control (I) > (XX) After increasing the skill of these two abilities, he exerted control over the bones inside his body, to form exoskeleton around him. . His skin didn''t just vanished; instead, it underwent a dramatic transformation. It split apart, revealing the bone material beneath it. From each opening, the silver-colored bones emerged, growing outward and encasing his body in a protective shell. The bones pushed through the skin''s surface, recing it entirely as they continued to extend and interlock, forming a sturdy exoskeleton that covered him from head to toe. As he tried to moved, the exoskeleton glinted in the dim light, a proof to the new power coursing through him. But he was not done yet; he felt like the center of the energy wasing from his heart. So, hepletely closed off his ribcage, essentially making his body 80% bones. When he did this, the energy inside had no way to release itself . It started to fill his body, bing more concentrated by the second. The energy swirl and churn within his heart, its intensity building steadily. With no means of release, the energy became more powerful, pulsating with power . ''Will my body hold up?'' Reign could feel the sensation of his bones vibrating non-stop,they were cracking under immense pressure. It was akin to the sensation of being an eggshell, with the yolk inside struggling to break free from the intense heat. But he knew he had to grit his teeth and endure. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and with the system assisting him, he couldn''t afford to settle for less. "ARGHHHHHH!"his scream echoed throughout the room, the sound so intense that even George and Mellisa felt the metal door trembling in response. While enduring this ordeal, he exerted all his effort to reinforce the cracks in his bones, engaging in a battle of endurance to see how long he couldst. After three minutes, the energy finally began to subside, little by little. His heart had now transformed into a crystal with abination of ck and red color. Instead of a beat, it sent energy waves throughout his body like a generator. [System: Congrattions, Host, for being able to create a Legendary Level Energy Core.] [Energy Core is the foundation of all demon after ascending to Upper Level] [Energy Core Levels] >Bronze -20% efficiency >Silver -30% efficiency >Gold -40% efficiency >Diamond-70% efficiency >Lord-100% efficiency >King-150% efficiency >Legendary -300% efficiency Reign''s 300 % efficiency meant that his mastery over energy surpassed even that of a demon with a Lord Level Core by threefold. To illustrate, picture two cars of identical design. Despite sharing the same blueprint, Reign''s engine operates at least 300% more effectively. In practical terms, this trantes to him generating three times the power output using the same energy input, making his abilities substantially more formidable and sustainable in the long run. And because this 300% increase was rtive to the amount of energy he has, the stronger he became, the more visible the gap between him and other demons would be. He would be unrivaled within his current rank and could potentially surpass it, challenging higher-ranking demons with inferior energy levels. "Did I just win the lottery?" Reign grinned widely after realizing he had attained the highest possible Energy Core level. As he concentrated, his silver bones hand began to change color, shifting to a deep ck-red color. His control over his energy was now so concentrated that no energy went to waste. Instead, it solidified in his hand. "This is like the power of that person who wanted to be the pirate king," Reign thought to himself, recalling an old anime he used to watch. Eager to test the effects of his enhanced energy control, Reign began crafting a sword out of bone, infusing it with his energy. Initially, he had to familiarize himself with shaping his bones into more intricate forms, but after a while, he got the hang of it. He didn''t stop at just a sword; Reign went on to create an axe, a spear, a sledgehammer, a bow, and various other items. They turned ck-red when he infused energy into them, but when he released them from his hand, they reverted to their silver color. After a few minutes, they dissolved into nothingness. It seemed his bones were incapable of existing if separated from his body for too long. He had always wondered where his w Bullets projectiles went after being fired; now he knew the answer. When he was finished testing , he focus on his remaining Skill Points. The maximum level for his skill now was 20 , so he still had some points to spare. ''I need to pick something that would help me in the long run,'' Reign thought to himself. The amount he had earned now might be big, but that was due to a stroke of luck. Normally, he would only gain one skill point per level-up, so he needed to be wise about how he distributed them. ''I already have plenty of skills for attacking, so I should focus on movement rted skills.'' he mused inwardly. In his battle with the five Divergents, he realized that even though he was fast, it was still not enough to dominate his enemies immediately . With that in mind, he scanned his skills and picked the one he thought would help him the most. Night Crawl (I) > (X) It was the only skill he had rted to movement speed, so it was the logical option. Plus, if he incorporated his raw speed, plus the additional boost of his energy, then Night Crawl''s speed would be even more impressive because it relied on his base speed. After that he increase another skills that could aid him during battles where he needed to fight a lot of people at once. Death Aura (I) > (XI) Death Aura was a skill with an area-of-effect effect, and by leveling it up, he would be able to restrict or disrupt his enemies'' movements if he timed it perfectly. Now, with his energy reaching new heights in terms of quality and control, this skill had be a trump card for him. "System, what rank am I nowpared to the demons in this world?" Reign asked. Before, the system had been very quiet, but he discovered that after getting the official one, it had be more responsive. [System: Beginning Upper Rank ] *** Authors Note : >>Unranked >>Lower >>Middle >>High >>Upper >>Demon Lords >>Demon Kings >>Demon Gods Each rank is also divided into Beginning, Half stepand Peak levels. Chapter 90: Coming Back Strong "Sweet," Reign couldn''t help but grin widely as he saw the system acknowledged that his current power level right now was equal to the Upper Level Rank. The contrast between a High Demon and the Upper Level was likeparing a bicycle to a motorcycle; the difference in power was iparable . This time, he could say with confidence that if he were to redo that mission in the drugb, he could eliminate everyone within 1-3 minutes. He could also survive the explosion that almost took his life with only minor injuries, which could easily repaired by his bone control. That''s just how much growth he had undergone. ''Can I fight them now?'' he thought to himself, recalling the three Upper Level demons who had humiliated him . Not a day had passed without him thinking about them. They fueled his determination; each day, he envisioned the moment he would make them suffer, especially that girl with the sharp tongue. He had never entertained the idea of viting a woman, as he just didn''t care about such matters. His priority was to get much stronger, and even though he was notpletely oblivious to the temptation of women, he simply did not see any merit in getting one. With his monster brain , he would probably enjoy eating them rather than actually doing something naughty. But for her, he would make an exception. That''s how special she was to him. Since arriving in this world, he had only hated a few people, and she was at the top of his list. He wouldn''t just kill and devour her right away. No, that would be too merciful. He would make her feel humiliated, turning her into his ve, and then subject her to daily torment for the sin she hadmitted. And when she begged for death, he would deny her that mercy, choosing instead to prolong her suffering and make her existence a torment beyond imagination That was his n for the future, though . ''It''s not time yet, '' he shook his head after estimating his chance of winning. He might be strong enough to face the girl who mocked him, but fighting against all three of them at the same time was impossible. Plus, even after reaching this level, he knew he still wasn''t strong enough to defeat the man who took Anna. Now, that he had a better understanding of the strength of the Upper Ranks, he could confidently say that he wouldn''t stand a chance against him even if he reach the Peak Upper Rank. One of the reasons for this was because heck Domain. He had assumed he would automatically gain one after reaching the Upper Level, but that was not the case for him. ''Maybe I haven''t really reached the Upper Level yet?'' he concluded. ording to Mellissa, a Domain was something exclusive to Upper Demons, but she wasn''t entirely sure because her knowledge was only based on rumors. If a demon could not be considered an Upper Rank without a Domain. Then, by that logic, the system only rate him an Upper Level because of his raw power alone. This meant that even without a Domain, he already had enough power topete in with other Beginner Upper Rank Demon. That was good news if he was fighting a demon close to his power level, but if he met someone like the guy who took Anna,who far surpassed him in every aspect, then his chance of winning would be next to none. ''There is something I am missing to break through that thinyer, and I need to figure it out,'' he made a mental note to get more information about Domain in the future. For now, he needed to prioritize getting back on track with his leveling up. ''My new body look awesome?'' his gaze lingered in his upgraded body. His body, nowprised of solid silver bones, bore a resemnce to an armor, sturdy and formidable. From head to toe, he was encased in this metallic sheen, his physique sculpted to look masculine . Even his abdomen boasted a chiseled appearance, akin to well-defined abs. As he searched for attire to conceal his silver bones, he couldn''t help but wonder if any clothing would fit for him. Fortunately, George and Mellissa were more responsible than he hadassumed. To his relief, he spotted clothing on the side. It has the same design as the attire he had worn before. When he wore it, the clothing covered his body. The ck silk material made his silver-colored skull-face stand out slightly, enhancing his imposing presence. Next, he took the ck gloves and slid them onto his hands. ''Where is my mask? '' he recalled having some spares of it. Unfortunately, he did not find it, so he decided to head for the metal door. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! He gently knocked on the door with his knuckles, knowing that George and Mellissa were on the other side. Reign exercised caution, mindful that his strength could easily turn the metal door into a deadly projectile if he used too much force. "R¡ª Reign?" Mellissa''s voice echoed from behind the door, trembling with uncertainty. "It''s me," he answered, his tone nonchnt. "Prove it," she replied, still not believing his words. In the silence that followed, Mellissa''s caution heightened. She slowly raised her high-powered rifle at the door, ready to react to any threat. George wanted to stop her, but her instinct for self-preservation was logical. In fact, he was the crazy one for being too trusting of Reign. Anna''s disappearance had really messed with his mental state "Idiots," Reign''s voice cut through the silence like a de, devoid of any hint of kindness. "I don''t have to prove anything to you. If you keep ying games, I could just kill you two here and now," he added with a cold tone. She stood there, momentarily stunned by Reign''s threatening words. But instead of pulling the trigger, she slowly lowered her gun. "Yeah, you''re the real deal," she sighed in relief, her shoulders slumping. George let out a nervous chuckle. "Only Reign could sound like a textbook example of someone who doesn''t give a damn about other people''s feelings," he muttered under his breath. Next, George unlocked the door. But to his surprise, Reign stood there, noticeably taller than before, with sharper, more defined features. "Did you... get stronger?" George''s voice faltered, his eyes widening in disbelief as he took in the imposing presence in front of him. If Reign had been intimidating before, now it felt like he was encountering a being from an entirely different ne of existence. Not just him¡ªMellissa also felt her knees weaken at the sight of Reign. It was as if their instincts were screaming at them, warning that they stood before someone beyond theirprehension. ''What happened to this two? '' Reign noticed their reaction, and was puzzled. He hadn''t done anything to provoke fear, so why did they seem so scared? [System:After reaching the strength of an Upper Level, weaker beings will instinctively feel dominated by your presence alone.] [System: Would you like the System to deactivate your dominating presence? You can Turn it on and off anytime] [Yes] or [No] ''Oh, so that''s why I felt like running away when I faced those three, '' Reign mused, finally piecing the puzzle together. Chapter 91: Offer "Turn it off," Reignmanded, he could tell that the system sealed something inside of him. It didn''t affect his power whatsoever, so it wasn''t much of a bother. In fact, being able to turn off his aura was advantageous. This way, he could still blend into human society without drawing attention. That dominating aura might be a flex for powerful demons, but he found it to be a weakness if they had no way of turning it off. It made them easy to spot, after all. When his dominating aura got sealed, George and Mellissa''s faces visibly rxed, both sighing in relief. "What was that? Did you use your power on us?" she was the first to speak, suspecting that Reign had yed a prank on them. "Why would I waste my energy on you two? I have better things to do, " Reign shook his head, his toneced with a subtle implication that they weren''t even worth his effort. "But..." she wanted to retort, but Reign''s re made her pause midway, causing her to hesitate. It would be too much of a hassle to exin that he was now an Upper Level demon, someone powerful enough to force the entire Summit City Hunter Association to dere a state of emergency. So, he decided to stop discussing the topic altogether. ''It''s better to justy low for a while,'' he thought to himself. Acting too arrogant would be unwise just because he had be stronger. He still had no Domain, and his arsenal was still iplete, so it was better to act low-key. There was a saying in his previous world , ''Never tell anyone your road to sess, let them see it for themselves.'' "Hey, give me some news about what happened when I was unconscious ," Reign ordered Mellissa. "Unconscious? I thought you were dead," she replied with a quirky remark. Now that she was sure he was Reign, she decided to act casually to break the ice between them. "You''ll be the one dead if you don''t stop talking nonsense," Reign replied, trying to tease her. However, due to his monster appearance and creepy smile, she ended up taking it at face value. "Let''s go upstairs so I can tell you everything that happened," she hurriedly replied, her attitude shifting 180 degrees. Reign noticed that she had misunderstood his joke, but he didn''t bother correcting it. Perhaps it would be more productive if she believed she could face consequences for any dumb actions she took. *** In the living room, he settled onto the sofa like he owned the ce, while Wick rested right beside him. "This is your new phone and card," Mellissa handed him a new phone, as his old one had beenpletely destroyed. "You just have to input your credentials and login information again to ess the app," she added, exining the process. He nodded and did just that. After a couple of minutes, he finally gained ess to the Veiled Nights Network. "90K+?" Reign mumbled, surprised to see that the amount of points he had was way more than he remembered. "Yeah, I forgot to tell you, but a lot of things happened," Mellissa began,unching into an exnation of recent events. She exined that due to the misinformation andck of hindsight made by the organization, Reign waspensated ordingly after she fought for his rights. This made him reevaluate her usefulness. Mellissa also revealed that the mission was at least White Gold Rank, and with the use of the Special Banned Bomb, it escted to the level of a tinum Rank mission. What Reign aplished was something far beyond his rank, and because of this, he had be an instant celebrity within the Organization. He even gained a nickname: "Rain of Terror." "Wait, why is my rank the same then?" he asked, feeling that marypensation was not enough. He felt he deserved at least a promotion. After all, even military personnel received promotions for heroic actions beyond the scope of their duty. "Don''t worry, you''ll get promoted. But here''s the catch: to reach White Gold Rank, you''ll need to head to a Tier 3 city," Mellissa revealed, her tone tinged with excitement. "I just got this juicy info from the Branch Leader, and it''s all thanks to you. Turns out, in Summit City, Gold rank missions were already the highest." "And you didn''t know this before?" he raised his eyebrows in scrutiny . "No," Mellissa admitted while scratching her head. "It''s because all this time, I''ve only interacted with Silver Rank and rarely Gold Rank members. I haven''t spoken to anyone who was close to reaching White Gold at all." "So you''re just a nobody," Reign sighed. "Hey, that''s not nice to say to your benefactor!" Mellissa gritted her teeth, feeling annoyed by Reign''s remark. He really had a natural talent for getting under her skin. She couldn''t believe there was a time when she thought he was actually cool. "Benefactor? Don''t you mean you want to get a higher position by using me?" Reign chuckled, revealing that he had known about her motive all along. He didn''t really mind , though. "I don''t know what you''re talking about. I help you out of the goodness of my heart," she replied, but her eyes darted left and right, clearly embarrassed to admit that she had been found out. "Don''t worry, I''m not angry at all. To be honest, I would prefer if you came with us to the Tier 3 city," he offered. He neededpetitive allies by his side, and Mellissa was a perfect candidate. She was more resourceful than George and also had better PR skills that would help him establish a footing in a Tier 3 city. Reign might be strong, but he wasn''t good at socializing or handling normal task, so he needed a human helper to assist him in those areas. George had already proven himself already by not giving up; even in his unconscious state, Reign had seen how George had waited for him. So, he decided to at least treat him like a valued pet now. As for Mellissa, she wasn''t particrly attached to Reign, but she wasn''t someone to betray him as long as she got some benefits. In her case, he just needed to offer her more money. "Think about it. I''m pretty sure you can''t just go to a Tier 3 city normally, right? And if I talk to the Branch Leader, I''m sure he would be willing to negotiate to gain my favor. " Reign exined "We''re talking about a Tier 3 city here. Don''t tell me you''re already satisfied living in Summit City?" he added, enticing her with the prospect of exploring a higher-ranked city. Mellissa would be lying if she said she wasn''t tempted by Reign''s offer. He was right about almost everything, to the point that she couldn''t help but feel a twinge of fear at how observant he was. Leaving Summit City required more than just money or power; it required connections. Without enough influential allies to vouch for her, she knew she would never be able to leave this city in her lifetime. The stories she heard about other cities would remain nothing more than a figment of her imagination if she didn''t take this offer. Besides, with Reign, she felt confident that he would reach higher status in the future, so money wouldn''t even be a problem within their group. "I''lle with you!" Mellissa finally answered, her face brimming with a smile. Chapter 92: The Secret of Summit City Inside the Branch Leader''s Office: Reign sat patiently, awaiting for Byron''s arrival. After returning and personally confirming that he was back in full health, Reign was suddenly summoned by Byron to discuss the offer of him going to the 3rd Tier City. Looking around the room, he noticed that despite Byron''s intimidating appearance, his office was quite modest. It was almost too simple for someone holding the highest position in the organization in Summit City. The office only had a single,rge desk positioned prominently in the center. A sofa for visitors was nearby, offeringfort amidst the room''s utilitarian decor. On the right wall hung a huge painting of the Veiled Mother, a focal point of the room. ''Is she a demon?'' Reign''s gaze was drawn to the vivid painting. After closer inspection , he noticed her unnaturally paleplexion and a subtle red glint in her eyes that was covered by thin veiled . The statue he had seen beforecked any color, so he had not noticed these traits previously. ''It might be possible,'' Reign mused to himself, pondering his own conclusion. ''I''ve heard that powerful demons have some kind of deal with mankind, and it''s strange that this criminal group can continue to exist.'' If the Veiled Mother was a powerful and influential demon, it could exin some of the questions he had. It was also odd that the organization still hired demons in the first ce. CLICK! The door of the office swung open, interrupting Reign''s thoughts. Byron, d in his customary ck formal coat, looked at Reign with a beaming smile, as if he had just stumbled upon a gold mine. ''Another person?'' Reign''s gaze shifted past Byron andnded on the figure behind him. It was a beautiful young woman, dressed in a form-fitting white jacket. Under the jacket, she sported spandex-like full body suit, made of a stretchable material that appeared to be made of special type of material. ''She''s powerful,'' he thought, after sensing her power. The pressure emanating from her was stronger than even the Divergent he had fought in the drugboratory. In fact, she might have been stronger than him prior to his ascension to Beginner Upper Level Rank. "Sit down," Byron requested, gesturing for the girl to take a seat right beside Reign. As she settled beside him, Reign could see her features more clearly. Her short blonde hair framed her small, beautiful face, and her emerald looking green eyes had a unique intensity to them. She was a total looker, perhaps even rivaling Anna''s charm. Such aparison spoke volumes, given Anna''s exceptional attractiveness. And that wasn''t the only thing Reign noticed; she also smelled nice. It wasn''t the type of scent that made him want to devour her, but rather a delightful aroma that he wouldn''t mind inhaling all day long. ''A guy? I bet he''s thinking about perverted things like the others,'' the girl sighed inwardly, already anticipating such a reaction.She was so ustomed to this that she could already sense when men were thinking about doing naughty things with her. However¡ª She only felt him looking at her for a split second before he turned away. She was taken aback by his nonchnt attitude. Even Byron, despite the age difference, thought highly of her, but Reign ignored her as if she were insignificant. The girl felt a bit hurt, but she wasn''t angry. ''Maybe he''s really blind?'' she mused. That was the only exnation she could think of. If he could see her, there was no way he wouldn''t react at all. It was either he was in fact blind or his preferences didn''t align with the opposite sex. Unbeknownst to her, Reign just didn''t care. Even Anna hadn''t managed to make his heart skip a beat, despite her obvious attraction to him. So how could this total stranger evenpare? "Rain, I want to introduce her. Her codename is ck Cat," Byron stated, nodding towards the girl. "She''s also someone who is eligible to be promoted above the gold rank." "So?" Reign replied with a nonchnt tone. He didn''t really care about her, so why bother speaking about it as if he needed to be impressed? ck Cat felt insulted by Reign''s indifferent response. She might not be bothered by beiing ignored because that was her face , but ignoring her achievements and talent was different. She might be a genius, but she worked hard to achieve all of this. She didn''t just rely on her natural talent; she trained daily without stopping to reach this level. It was one of the ways she could leave this city and achieve her life goal. She even started working for the Veiled Nights at an early age, starting as a Bronze Rank, and climbed her way up thedder with sheer effort. "I¡­" She wanted to speak, but then she remembered who was beside her. "Rain of Terror," a legendary figure who broke all the test records in this branch. It was said that he had shattered every test record within the branch. Though officially ranked as Gold, many whispered that his power rivaled that of a tinum-ranked member,parable to the Branch Master himself, who had spent decades umting contribution points. Reign saw her hesitation and thought, ''Not bad.'' He didn''t mind girls who knew how to shut up. Byron observed ck Cat''s response and nodded in approval. He knew Reign''s prideful and egotistic nature, evident in his every move. So he was relieved that ck Cat chose not to escte the situation, despite being a powerful Divergent herself. But making ck Cat look too weak wouldn''t be productive either. It was important for the two of them to be on equal ground. So, Byron straightened his posture and continued speaking. "ck Cat will apany you to the nearest Tier 3 city, Green Valley," he added. "Oh," Reign replied with one word, neither agreeing nor opposing the setup. He was more interested in knowing the method of traveling from one city to another. He had attempted to find information about it in the ck market, but it was a closely guarded secret. Even the information he received from George and Mellisa couldn''t be trusted, as it was all based on rumors. As for having her ? He really didn''t mind, as long as she kept to herself and minded her own business. "Do you know why each City is separated?" Byron spoke up, feeling it necessary to inform them before they leave Summit City. None of them spoke; ck Cat already had some idea, but she was not the type of woman to speak unnecessarily. She would simply let Byron do his job and exin the matter. "What do you think of Summit City? It''s peaceful, right? Surrounded by green forests, with fresh air. But..." Byron paused for a moment. "What you see on the surface is just the tip of the iceberg. In reality, the entire region where Summit City is situated is encased within a protective barrier. While it may not deter powerful demons, it effectively blocks out the harmful miasma from outside," he added. "Miasma?" Reign mumbled aloud, intrigued. This was the first time he had heard about it. Chapter 93: The Secret of Summit City 2 Byron closed his eyes, his expression growing serious, hinting at the weight of his revtion. Whatever he was about to disclose seemed like it could shatter Reign''s and ck Cat understanding of the world. "You can''t tell anybody about this, even those you trust," he cautioned, his tone firm and serious. "What happens if I talk too much?" Reign inquired in a joking manner. Now that he was more powerful than Byron, he felt morefortable speaking more casually. Byron let out a soft chuckle, noticing Reign''s confidence in his own abilities. He didn''t mind it at all; those who had the capability had the right to act arrogant. "Depends on how much you say. But in the off chance that your words create mass panic, then the government will hunt you down like a dog," he added . "I''m not afraid of the government, thou," Reign responded with a nonchnt tone, testing the waters to see how much Byron feared the government power. "Good guts kid, but you better not announce that opinion of yours. There''s a saying "Things only exist because the government let them be , and that''s including us," Reign pondered silently. ''So it''s true... That''s why that Scorpion guy said that the Veiled Nights were government dogs,'' he thought to himself. ''I can''t rely on this organization for too long,'' he muttered to himself. As he grew stronger, inevitable shes with the government would be unavoidable. His main source of power involved devouring humans, and once he became strong enough to not worry about the government , he would inevitably destroy cities just to be even stronger. This was his innate nature; he might be acting like a human now, but deep down, he never considered humans as equals. Even George and Melissa were merely tools to him. But for now, the organization was still useful for him, so he would just y his part while gaining more power. He knew too little about the influence of the Government and the Hunter Association, so he couldn''t afford to be on their radar just yet. "Don''t worry, I won''t tell a soul," Reign agreed. Satisfied that he had effectively conveyed his warning, Byron tapped his desk, signaling his intention to continue with his story. "Let''s start from the beginning .A few centuries back," he started, his tone neutral, "A ck miasma began to spread across the world, creating creatures known as the Corrupted. Unlike demons, these monsters are devoid of reason or purpose beyond destruction. " "They don''t even consume their victims; they just ughter everyone. And no matter how powerful they be, theyck the ability tomunicate. They''re basically mindless beasts, driven solely by their instinct to destroy like a virus." Reign remained quite and let all those information sink in. At the same time,he began making his own guesses and hypothesis. Reign turned towards Byron, his demeanor serious as he pieced together the implications. "These Corrupted also target demons, don''t they?" he concluded. It dawned on him that if humans and demons had formed some sort of a deal, it could be because they had amon enemy that threatened both side. It was the only reason he could think of for such two different beings to actually have some sort of agreement. "You''re really smart," Byron nodded in acknowledgment of Reign''s insight. With just a few words, he was able toe up with his conclusion almost instantly. This trait of Reign made him more dangerous than his actualbat power. "No need to state the obvious," Reign replied , his voice neutral but it came out sounding arrogant because of his choice of words. Byron just chuckled and took Reign''s words as a joke. "Tell me, how can we even differentiate Demons from Corrupted?" Reign asked, taking this opportunity to get more information. "It''s pretty easy, really, once you see one. Here, take a look at this," Byron said, taking a picture from his desk and handing it to Reign. In the picture, a figure reminiscent of a bear stood on its feet,its form defied conventional expectations. Rather than a traditional coat of fur, its exterior appeared to consist of a glistening, dark jelly substance. Surrounding it , the ground appeared lifeless and barren, devoid of any signs of vitality. Its surface was cracked and parched, resembling a deste wastnd. No nts grew, and the soil was dry and dusty,cking any hint of moisture. It was as though all life had been drained from the earth. "Can I see it?" ck cat spoke up with a soft voice, her tone neithermanding nor overbearing, so even Reign had no reason to act snobbish. He handed her the picture and refocused his gaze on Byron. "These things kill everything around them. Let me guess," Reign continued, his mind racing with possibilities. "So the intelligentdemons and humans are working together against them because, one, demons need humans to survive in the long run, so the extinction of the human race is not an option. But this ce is safe, so I assume there is some kind of barrier protecting it. And each city has its own barriers, so in order to travel, we actually need to pass through these Miasma, which are filled with corrupted," Reign concluded, connecting the dots. "You''ve already figured out everything. " Byron chuckled, impressed by Reign''s deduction skills. The government had long been notorious for giving false humor and gossip among the public, cleverly interweaving and twisting the truth. So Byron believed that Reign couldn''t have been aware of this information beforehand. "But that doesn''t answer some of my questions. Summit City is just Tier 4 , so why are you sending us two? Isn''t it more beneficial for you to keep us here just in case of an emergency? And even without the Corrupted, unintelligent demons still exist in this ce," Reign probed further. Reigncked a lot of knowledge about this world, so he wanted to learn more whenever he had the chance. The better he understood this world, the better he coulde up with his future ns. After all, knowledge is power. Byronleaned back in his chair before answering. "The Hunter Association can handle the low-rank demons just fine, but to answer your question about why I want to send you there, it''s about the location," he began exining. "Summit City is located far from the front line where much stronger Corrupted exist, actually most Tier 4 cities are. Tier 1 cities are located much closer because they have the most manpower and resources to stop the Corrupted. Of course, some gaps from time to time cannot bepletely avoided, where powerful Corrupted directly attack lower tier cities," he exined. "I understand your point, but it still doesn''t answer why I have to go there. I mean, I''m perfectly safe in this ce," Reign raised his concern. If he were a normal human who had gained superpowers, he might have felt a sense of duty to fight the Corrupted for his own survival. However, as a monster, he had no obligation to help others, and this situation might actually be beneficial for him. If there really was a Miasma separating each city, then he could just wreak havoc in Summit City after figuring out the strength of the strongest person here. Why bother transferring to another city if he could just destroy one and have an all-you-can-eat buffet? Chapter 94: Good Deal? "What if I don''t want to go?," Reign asked Sticking around Summit City made more sense for him; being a Tier 4 city meant fewer powerful people that he had to be worried of . Plus, as an Upper Level Demon, he likely held one of the top spot in power already. Given time, he could level up to the middle rank of Upper Level, making him even more powerful, andunched an all out attack on the city. Even if word got out, it would take time for reinforcements to arrive. In that window, it would be toote for them to do anything . "Are you certain?" Byron attempted to persuade Reign. "The perks you''d gain from a Tier 3 city far surpass what''s avable here. We''re talking advanced weapons to increase your strength, medicines that could enhance your abilities, and other invaluable resources that money can''t buy, no matter how much you have." Byron''s pitch aimed to entice Reign into transferring. There were two reason for Byron to do this. Firstly, rmending someone as powerful and talented as Reign would Byron a hefty sum of Merits and Veiled Points. The way Veiled Nights operated meant that each branch received benefits by providing powerful assets. This system was in ce because higher tier cities required stronger members to fulfill missions. Additionally, the branch where the member originally registered would receive a 10% share for everypleted mission. This incentive structure highlighted the importance of recruiting and retaining formidable individuals like Reign. Secondly, Byron harbored concerns about people with Reign''s caliber. A being of his status was akin to a ticking time bomb. The longer he lingered in the city, the greater the likelihood of sumbing to a power trip. This scenario often resulted in catastrophic consequences for the organization as these individuals remained unchecked. Byron''s apprehension stemmed from the potential risk Reign posed to the stability of their operations. "I''m not against idea of going to a Tier 3 city, but I''m not ready to leave yet," Reign responded after a moment of contemtion. He recognized that outright refusal could lead to trouble. It was evident that Byron was determined to transfer him to another city immediately, and Reign had a hunch as to why. In such a scenario, it was wiser to agree with Byron''s proposal while postponing the actual transfer. This way, Reign could avoid attracting unwanted attention from Veiled Nights while he continued to amass power. "Can I ask why? Maybe I can help ? " Byron asked, curious about Reign''s reluctance to leave. He believed that Reign might have unfinished business in the city, and if that were the case, the Veiled Nights was willing to offer assistance. Reign paused for a moment, contemting his response. He was aware that he didn''t have apelling reason to stay, especially one he could share with Byron. Revealing his true intentions to attack the city and kill thousands of people wasn''t an option. With no suitable exnation at hand, he decided to tread carefully. He couldn''t risk arousing suspicion or revealing his darker ambitions. "It''s personal," Reign replied vaguely , withholding specifics but providing a timeframe. "I just need two months to finish it." By giving a clear timeframe without divulging details, Reign hoped to increase the likelihood of Byron epting his proposal. This approach allowed him to maintain his privacy while conveying a sense of urgency and amitment to eventually leave the city. "Two months?" Byron mused, considering the request. It wasn''t a long dy, and amodating it wouldn''t pose a problem for him, or the the organization. He even recalled a previous case where a talented member dyed her departure by a month to take her vengeance against those responsible for her family''s death. "Alright , I agree with your terms," Byron nodded . "Good. I also have another request," Reign added. "What is it? As long as I can help, I''m going to try my best," Byron replied, demonstrating his eagerness to assist. Reign didn''t beat around the bush. "I want two people to apany me to the Tier 3 city, but I need them to go there first," he stated bluntly. "Two people?" Byron paused for a moment before responding. "I can arrange for their transportation, but it will cost you a considerable amount of Points," he added, indicating the potential expense involved. "Just a reminder, even money can''t buy ess to higher tier 3 cities, but you can use your points to get a ticket if I vouched for you," Byron added. "How much ?" "150,000 point for each ticket ," Byron announced . ''Greedy bastards, this is daylight robbery !'' Reign nearly cursed aloud after hearing the price. Even with all the bonuses he had gained, he only had a bit over 90k points. Now, Byron was asking for 150k for each ticket? To put that in perspective, 150,000 points would be equal to [15,000,000 credits]. Now, Reign needed 300,000 points or [30,000,000 credits]for two people, an amount more than sufficient to purchase arge house in the city. Byron sensed the hesitation in Reign''s paused and saw an opportunity. "I can lend you the points you need to get the two tickets, but you have to pay me back with interest," Byron offered, presenting a potential solution to Reign''s predicament. "How much is the interest?" "20% per month, considering the high risk inherent in our line of work," Byron chuckled,ying out the terms and waiting for Reign''s response, confident he had dangled an enticing offer. The price Byron had quoted Reign was indeed the actual cost for the transfer, and he possessed two tickets that he could sell to him. This presented a dual benefit: not only could Byron earn Reign''s favor by facilitating the transfer, but he could also profit from the transaction. In addition, the tickets were limited in number, making it difficult for even Byron to acquire recements once he had sold his. This scarcity added further value to the tickets and increased the importance of securing them. ''20% is a rip-off, but I don''t really need the money for now,'' Reign thought to himself. It was far more important for him to ensure Melissa and George''s transfer before he initiated any ns in the city. "I''ll take it. I want to loan 250K points," Reign responded confidently, devoid of any hesitation in his voice. "Alright, I''ll send you a contract to your app, and you can just sign it there," Byron chuckled lightly, pleased with the turn of events. This was a win-win situation for him. With Reign''s capabilities, repaying the loan would be effortless. Additionally, he was able to curry favor with someone that has great potential . DING! Reign received a notification, and there was the contract attached. It was straightforward, with no red gs, except for the 20% monthly interest. When Reign signed it using his digital signature, he immediately received the points. He then transferred these 300K points back to Byron, fulfilling his end of the agreement. True to his word, Byron handed Reign two tickets made of a silver-like material, adorned with intricate engravings. Just from the touch, he could tell they were very durable. "Nice doing business with you," Byron offered a handshake to Reign, his face lit up with a smile. "Likewise," Reign forced a chuckle, but deep inside, he already envisioned Byron''s shocked face when the city get destroyed due to his greediness. Chapter 95: Black Cat After the meeting was over, it was agreed on that Mellisa and George would be traveling with ck Cat for extra protection just in case something happened. Traveling between cities was no easy feat. While journeys from Tier 4 to Tier 3 cities wereparatively safer, idents still urred from time to time. This was also why the cost of the ticket was so high. Firstly, they had to travel via a reinforced train known as the Hyperion Express. It was a custom-built, heavily armored train equipped with heavy weapons like missiles, cannons, and other defensive measures, all in anticipation of encountering swarms of Corrupted. Furthermore, on this train, even Golden Ranks level people, typically rare in Summit City, served as guards. This just shows the dangerous nature of the world beyond the city''s protective barrier. Because of the the extensive preparation required, the train only made its journey once a month. After departing in Summit City, it would stop at ten more Tier 4 cities before reaching Green Valley. ck Cat agreed to act as a personal bodyguard until they reached Green Valley and found a ce to stay. However, Reign had topensate her with 10,000 credits for the trouble, a fee to which he readily agreed. If something were to happen to George and Melissa, it would be a hassle for him to find another batch of loyal servants. Therefore, he considered these expenses as an investment. *** Outside the Office, Reign and ck Cat left the office at the same time, their footsteps echoing through the hallway as they made their way back to the public area of the underground base. It struck Reign as somewhat amusing that he was already on his way to leave the city before he had even had a chance to fully familiarize himself with its ins and outs. His unprecedented achievements and rapid rise to eligibility for promotion were the envy of many. His nickname, "Rain of Terror," had be legendary, a testament to his fearsome reputation and formidable talent. Along the way, she remained silent, not uttering a word, and simply minded her own business, her presence very calm and steady. Even Reign was impressed by her demeanor. He had initially expected her to be more rowdy or rebellious, like Melissa. However, he found a hint of novelty in the way she carried herself, defying his preconceptions about women associated with criminal organizations. She knew her ce well, refraining from interrupting or offering her opinion during Reign and Byron''s conversation. And even after overhearing a lot of things, Reign didn''t sense any inclination from her to intervene or offer her input. ''If all girls were this quiet and kept to themselves, the world would be a better ce,'' Reign thought to himself. Comparing ck Cat''s serene demeanor to Anna''s impulsive attitude was likeparing the tranquil surface of a cidke with the turbulent rush of a raging river after a storm. Both are bodies of water, but one offers serenity and peace of mind, while the other presents constant trouble. ck Cat also noticed that Reign was not the talkative type. While he had spoken quite a bit in front of Byron, it was mainly to gather information and negotiate a deal. But now, with just the two of them, she didn''t even catch Reign turning in her direction. In a way, she felt that Reign wasn''t like other guys at all. Unlike most men, he didn''t seem to have lewd thoughts when he looked at her. Ironically, she was right on the money that Reign was unlike other guys ¡ªhe wasn''t even a human to begin with. ''I don''t dislike him,'' ck Cat muttered to herself, a smile tugging at her lips. Finally, she had found someone who wasn''t easily swayed by her physical appearance. ''Did she just smile?'' Reign mused inwardly, his field of vision so wide that he didn''t even have to turn his head to observe his surroundings. *** Summit City- Avenia Tower 1 The sound of running water filled the bathroom, apanied by a gentle mist that formed because of the temperature. Within the shower ss cover stood a woman of beauty, her figure perfect and her skin wless. As she washed her short golden hair, water droplets danced over her body, entuating her irresistible charm. She wasn''t doing anything sexual, yet the natural curves of her body made her every movement erotic. Once finished bathing, she emerged from the shower with a radiant skin, akin to white silk beneath her gentle touch. She walked slowly toward therge mirror, revealing a drop-dead gorgeous face that would make any man fantasize. As she brushed her white teeth. Her smile was so impable that it appeared as if she had undergone surgery to achieve such perfection. However, her facial beauty required no enhancement; she was simply born with it. It was as though when God was showering good genes, she had won the lottery multiple times over. This woman was Cyril, the same girl Reign had encountered a few hours ago, known by the code name ck Cat. After she finished her preparation in the bathroom, she stepped out and was immediately greeted by her walk-in closet. It was filled with a collections of clothing, bags, and essories, all of which looked expensive. One might assume that she acquired all these items after earning well from her missions with the Veiled Nights. But, the truth was that she was already wealthy even before joining the organization. She selected an elegant silver dress, its length falling just above the knee, and paired it with ck low-heeled sandals adorned with a butterfly design. Being already tall, she opted against wearing high heels. Next, she wore a thin white gold ne, its pendant crafted from a ck diamond-like material. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! A knocking sound echoed on the door that separated the walk-in closet from the bedroom. Soon after, ady around 50 years old entered and began styling Cyril''s hair, adding extensions to make it much longer. When everything was done, Cyril looked even more stunning and beautiful. The fact that she had intentionally cut her hair shorter to appear less attractive spoke volumes about her natural beauty. If before she looked like an exceptionally gorgeous woman, now her overall appearance had elevated even further to the point where a select few, who were both crazy and desperate enough, would be willing to risk it all for the chance to spend a single night with her. Even Reign would be hard-pressed to pick who was more beautiful between Anna and her, judging solely by pure appearance without any bias. "Miss Cyril, the car is already waiting outside," thedy spoke up, presenting her with a limited edition bag worth 2,000,000 credits. The bag exuded luxury, with its iconic monogram canvas adorned with the LB logo in gold lettering. Its sleek design and impable craftsmanship reflected the epitome of elegance and sophistication With the bag in her soft hands, its value and beauty seemed to skyrocket . "Tell them I''ming," Cyril replied with a forced smile. Though she looked really beautiful tonight, a closer look into her eyes revealed a hint of sadness lurking within them. Chapter 96: Black Cat Part 2 As she reached her destination, a grand mansion greeted her within a wide gated residence . The area was enclosed by tall cement walls, and nearly every corner was equipped with CCTV cameras. Additionally, atop the walls, non-harmful redsers created a barrier, ready to sound the rm if any unauthorized entry was attempted. Inside, a grand mansion came into view, boasting the architectural elegance of Greek Revival style Mansion. The white columns, sturdy and impressive, lined the front of the structure, supporting a triangr pediment that added a sense of grandeur. Thewalls was adorned with simple yet elegant details, such as moldings and trimmings, reminiscent of ssical Greek architecture. Large windows with shutters adorned the sides of the mansion, showing the warm light from inside. Completing the scene, a meticulously maintained garden enveloped the mansion, enhancing its already impressive elegance. In a location wherend prices cost a lot, the wide area of this mansion spoke volumes. Its sheer size and opulence were proof to the wealth and influence of its owner in Summit City. On the long drive way, a crimson limousine adorned with a horse emblem on the side pulled up to the grand entrance. The entrance itself boasted a spacious brown wooden door capable of amodating four individuals at the same time. Positioned at the door were ten individuals¡ªfive maids and five butlers¡ªeach respectfully bowing their heads in greeting to a figure of utmost importance. The maids wore clean white uniforms with delicatece trimmings, while the butlers sported tailored ck suits with white shirts and satin bow ties. Both exuded elegance and professionalism in their attire, reflecting their roles in this ce. "Wee home, Lady Cyril," the assembled staff greeted in perfect unison as the daughter of the mansion''s owner stepped out of her luxurious ride. Cyril acknowledged the staff with a subtle nod before proceeding inside. As she passed through the familiar halls adorned with paintings, luxurious furniture, and exquisite carpets, she couldn''t shake off the feeling of unease that enveloped her. Despite the beauty of this ce that typically inspired appreciation in others, for Cyril, the surroundings only served to unsettle her further . This warm ce felt suffocating, and she wanted nothing more but to leave this ce right away. ''Calm down, you won''t be seeing this ce again,'' she reassured herself silently, her thoughts turning to the future she had tirelessly worked towards. As she walked through the grand hallway of the mansion, the soft glow of chandeliers illuminated her path, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow on the polished patternedwooden floor beneath her feet. After a few minutes, she finally reached the entrance to the dining room. The double doors stood imposingly before her, carved with intricate designs that spoke of the mansion''s storied history. With a steady hand, she pushed them open, revealing a scene that almost made her want to vomit. A long table, capable of amodating up to thirty people she hated, stretched before her. Every seat was upied, save for one¡ªthe chair reserved specifically for her. When she settled into her seat, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the tall windows. Despite her efforts to conceal it, the sadness in her eyes could not be hidden, mirrored back at her from the ss. "Big Sis, I''m d you decided to join us for our family dinner," spoke a girl slightly shorter and thiner than Cyril, sharing her features with blonde hair and green eyes. Though not as beautiful , she was still a lookerpared to the average standards "Yes," Cyril replied with a fake smile. In the outside her little sister might act friendly,but within their family, genuine warmth was a raremodity. Greed for money and power had always permeated their interactions, and she had witnessed firsthand how these desires could fracture familial bonds. Even in this gathering, she was certain that she had been summoned solely out of their own self-interest. "Cyril, you''ve reached legal age already, and I believe it''s time for you to consider settling down," spoke the next individual, a middle-aged woman with long hair elegantly tied at the back. Like Cyril, she too had blonde hair, but her eyes were a moremon shade of blue¡ªa typicalbination in Summit City. This woman was Cyril''s stepmother. Among the head of the families offspring, Cyril was the sole individual with a different mother. She was the product of one of her father''s affairs¡ªa fact that marked her as a bastard child. Initially intended to be given away at a young age, but Cyril''s fate took a different turn when her father, was impressed by her beauty, and decided to ce her with a temporary family. Since then, she had received financial support, but her father remainedrgely absent from her life. Even her step-siblings regarded her with a certain degree of distance. ''So, it''s finally time,'' she sighed inwardly. She had long anticipated this moment. There was only one reason why her father had kept her close¡ªto utilize her for a political marriage. A woman of her beauty would be in high demand among other affluent families. Fortunately, Cyril was a smart girl. The moment she discovered her hidden power as a divergent, she concealed this truth from her family and secretly joined the Veiled Nights. She devised a n to sever all ties with them once they force her for an arrange marriage . Initially, her goal was simply to be strong enough to defend herself against any potential repercussions from her n. However, now that she had secured a ticket to a Tier 3 city, she could finally escape this ce , and severe all ties with them once and for all. Without voicing any protest, she simply smiled and nodded like a dutiful daughter. They proceeded to eat their food in silence, maintaining their fake smiles. Eventually, her father broached the topic of the man to whom she was supposed to be married. ''Vincent Hewlet?'' Cyril felt a chill run down her spine after hearing that name. Vincent Hewlet was a 40-year-old man who had recently inherited his father''s technology empire. He had been married before, but his wife had died because of an unknown disease . Rumors circted, suggesting that the wife had met her end at the hands of her own husband.But, due to the influence of the Hewlet family, these allegations were neither investigated nor proven. However, the issue here wasn''t his age nor his track record. It was the corporation he owned¡ªHewlet Pantheon Corporation, a conglomerate with business permits to operate in 20 Tier 4 cities and 5 Tier 3 . To make matters worse, the headquarters of Hewlet Pantheon Corporation was situated directly in Green Valley, the central hub of thesecities. ''This is bad, I need to escape as soon as possible,'' Cyril thought to herself urgently. She realized that once she transferred cities, she would have to disappearpletely off the map. However, the main obstacle was her own family. If she vanished, they would undoubtedly spare no effort in locating her. And with the resources of Hewlet Pantheon Corporation at their disposal, it wouldn''t take long for them to track her down. Cyril was aware that despite being a criminal organization, the Veiled Nightscked the power to stand against a conglomerate, especially with the influence of the Chamber of Commerce looming over them. ''I need to think of a way,'' she mused, her heart beat quickening because of the stress. Chapter 97: Personal Gains "Big sister, congrattions on marrying a middle age... I mean, influential man," her sister teased, hoping to provoke Cyril further and relish in her difort in bing a sacrificial pawn for the family. She had always harbored jealousy towards her step-sister, resentful of the beauty that made even her own attractiveness pale inparison. The idea of Cyril being vited, subjected to the whims of a man she did not even love, brought a twisted sense of satisfaction to her heart. And she wasn''t alone in this lined of thoughts. Her stepmother, biological sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles, and aunts all saw her as nothing more than a useful tool, finally good for something despite being a bastard child. The truth was, the only reason she was given money, schooling, maiden training, and a luxurious lifestyle was because her family saw it as an investment . They believed that if she didn''t carry herself well,then no matter how beautiful she was, she wouldn''t be able to catch the eye of an influential family. After all, why would a wealthy person want to marry someonecking in manners and elegance? ''Go on, get frustrated, get angry, feel hopeless, '' her step-sister taunted inwardly, eagerly anticipating Cyril''s reaction. She longed to see herposed demeanor get broken. However, Cyril''s response was not what her step-family had anticipated. Instead of rising to the bait, Cyril remained silent, refusing to give them any sense of satisfaction . "I''ll take my leave now. If you need me with anything else, feel free to contact me," Cyril announce, maintaining a tone of respect. She knew that disying anger and frustration right now would only serve to inte her half-sibling''s ego further. "You may leave," her father nodded in agreement. No further words were necessary, as Cyril''s silence spoke volumes, indicating herck of opposition to the arrangement. "Thank you, Father," she bowed her head respectfully. Then, she turned towards the others and offered a polite smile. "Thank you for having me." Despite the weight of the situation, her facial expression showed no hint of frustration. Instead, it was filled with an unexpected sense of relief, as if she had juste to a decisive realization. ''Has she gone mad?'' her step-sisters and brothers wondered silently. They couldn''t fathom why Cyril looked soposed and even relieved in the face of such a forced situation. Surely, she couldn''t be genuinely happy about it? Without looking back, Cyril continued walking until she reached her ride. Once settled in her car,she quickly picked up her phone and opened the Veiled Nights app. The app had its own encryptedmunication tform, providing a secure means of interaction for fellow members. Her phone rang for couple of seconds before someone finally answered. "Do it," she spoke up, her eyes devoid of any emotions . "Are you sure you want me to kill your entire family?" the voice on the other end of the line inquired. "Yes," Cyril affirmed with a detached tone. They had pushed her to this point, and now they would face the consequences of their greed. "I''ll start the job after you transfer me the points ," After hearing the demand of the individual she was negotiating with, Cyril quickly transferred 200,000 Veiled Points. Over the years, she had never needed the money, so she had saved a considerable amount of points for situations like this. Unfortunately, the Veiled Nights usuallyavoided missions that could potentially provoke the Chamber of Commerce, so she couldn''t submit an official request. But, luck seemed to be on her side today, as she had found someone powerful who was willing to take on the job. "I''ve received it. Consider your whole family dead, and you''d better buy a ck dress for mourning," Reign chuckled sinisterly as he ended the call. After he put back the phone in his pocket, he nced down below and saw her car finally leaving from the premises. He was now on topof the mansion roof, waiting for the right moment to begin his one sided massacre. How did it alle to this? Well, this had all transpired just a few hours ago when Cyril had requested to speak with him. She hadid out her current predicament, offering him points in exchange for doing a private job for her. All along, she had harbored a vague suspicion that she would be married off to someone when she got a text telling her to prepare for a family dinner. She decided that if it would just be a nobody, she would quietly leave the city and move on with her life. However, after discovering that her prospective groom was powerful enough to chase her, she resolved to enact her n B. And that n became feasible after Reign epted the job. The mission itself was straightforward: if Cyril didn''t give the go signal, he would still receive 30,000 points for his trouble. However, if she did proceed with the mission, it would him a substantial 200,000 points for killing everyone. Truth be told, Reign wasn''t particrly interested in the points. His decision to assist Cyril stemmed more from the fact that she was someone backed into a corner, and was looking desperate . People in such situations were often easily swayed by a helping hand, leaving them indebted and owing a favor. Just look at George; he was now a loyal servant because he had no other option but to rely on Reign. So he wanted to replicate it with Cyril. The bonus was, he did not dislike her personality. She was clever and knew how to carry herself, so he believed she would be a good servant for him. Of course, just doing a job for her was not enough to make her loyal, but he already had a n in mind to make herpletely dependent. After all, when they were all talking, Reign, using his enhanced senses, hid in the ceiling and overheard everything. ''Hewlet Pantheon Corporation, huh?'' A grin appeared on his face as n formed in his mind. ''To think that I would get an additional pawn just by doing some side quest,'' He chuckled to himself, trying to convinced himself that all of this was for his own benefits . Little did he know that there was more to it than just his personal gains. He was under the impression that his choice was logical because he would gain something in return, not because he genuinely listened to and sympathized with her. But what change his heart? The answer to that came after he experienced a near-death encounter while fighting the parasite. That event tempered his mind and willpower, and after growing more powerful, he began to experience something he had missed from his old world. Puberty, that''s right. Reign was finally experiencing it, albeit veryte. But in his case, he was so deluded by his Monster Mindset that he didn''t even know the difference between "not disliking" and "liking someone." It was to the point that despite his high IQ, he didn''t even realize the subtle signs. She was beautiful in his eyes, but so was Anna. She smelled good in his opinion, but so was Anna. She acted quiet and carried herself well, but so did Anna after she evolved . She had a problem that needed his assistance, but so did Anna. But in the end, Cyril was the only one he actually tried to help, even risking being discovered by attempting to massacre a wealthy family in Summit City. What was so special about her? *** Authors Note: Anna vs. Cyril: Which team are you on? Chapter 98: Infiltration Sitting casually on top of the roof, Reign pondered his next move. Cyril had sent him a map and detailed blueprint of the mansion. So now, his priority was disabling the rm system and CCTV cameras. With them out ofmission, he''d have more time toplete his job beforew enforcement intervened. Now came the hardest part of the mission. While killing everyone here was rtively straightforward and easy, the real challenge was the aftermath. Located in Summit City''s area of the wealthy, Reign faced a tactical dilemma. The mansion''s location meant that if the rm rang,w enforcement backup would arrive fast¡ªa scenario that spelled trouble for Reign. He was confident in his ability to fend off any threats, but causing chaos would disrupt his other ns in the city. If authorities and the Hunter Association caught wind of an Upper Demon, reinforcements from neighboring cities wouldplicate matters. Itwould be like a promation of his existence to the world, weingthe arrival of more powerful hunters bent on killing him. Moreover, Reign grappled with the uncertainty of demon-human politics. He pondered the possibility of a powerful demon arriving to restore bnce by eliminating him for disrupting the status quo. He knew he had to proceed cautiously, avoiding unnecessary attention to achieve his goals smoothly. ''I need to hold back'' he mused silently. The ideal oue would be to orchestrate the scene in a manner that suggested the work of a skilled assassin rather than a bloodthirsty demon. For that n to seed, the operation had to be executed with precision¡ªclean and silent. ''Let see ,'' Studying the map, hisgaze zeroed in on the CCTV Control Room location in the mansion''s basement floor. He also spotted several red dots on the blueprint, indicating the positions of the CCTV cameras. His eyes narrowed as he noticed additional markings denoting motion sensors along the venttion system. Thankfully, Cyril had foreseen this obstacle and provided him with a device capable of temporarily disabling them. Of course, the device had its limitations. It could only block the motion detectors for a mere two seconds. However, Reign''s inhumanespeed and agility allowed him to make the most of this brief window of opportunity. And that wasn''t the only variable that could help him. Reign''s Bone Control Ability also yed an important role. His usual size was too big, but he could shrink his body by half, boosting his stealth to new levels. As he use his Bone Control Ability, a subtle transformation took ce. He began to shrink, each bone in his bodypressing. His once broad shoulders narrowed, his towering height diminishing by half. His fingers and toes morphed into slender, agile appendages, perfect for gripping onto the uneven surfaces of the ductwork. He stopped wearing his mask for now because constantly changing the shape of his bones made it too much of a hassle to keep it on . With some adjustments, he could blend seamlessly into his surroundings, streamlining the infiltration process. ''This ability surees in handy,''he chuckled to himself, pleased with his reduced size. He was confident that he''d find many uses for this ability in the future. If he could shrink by half, it was only logical to assume that he could also growrger when needed. Afterpleting his preparations, he crawled toward the window to the attic, where ess to the venttion system was located. He was grateful for his decision to upgrade his Night Crawl ability, ensuring that even when he moved quickly, he made minimal noise. At times, he encountered dead ends in the venttion system,pelling him to carefully exit the vents and move along the surface of the ceiling. With the CCTV cameras constantly monitoring the area, every movement had to be silent until he reach another venttion system entrance . From the venttion system, he made his way towards the dumbwaiter. This movable frame in a shaft was designed to transport food between floors with ease. He took advantage of the moment while everyone was still upied with their meals, knowing that no food deliveries were likely to interrupt his movements. After reaching the first floor kitchen, he silently crawled towards another dumbwaiter-like structure. However, this one served a different purpose¡ªit transported trash to the garage , which was also connected to the basement. Finally, after crawling for a 20 minutes, Reign reached a vantage point above the garage. Peering through a gap in the ceiling, he surveyed the area below, plotting his next move. He spotted five armed individuals stationed near the room at the end of the row of cars. They were armed with rifles, likely stationed there to protect the room housing the CCTV and rm panel. Reign raised his hands and began to craft a new type of projectile from his bones. The result was a small, and very thin pointed stick, measuring only four inches in length. ''w Bullet,'' Reign''s precise aim sent the projectile hurtling towards the CCTV camera, shattering it with a resounding crash. The noise grabbed the guards'' attention, but before they could discern the source, they copsed to the ground, their throats punctured by the swift and deadly strikes of an unseen attacker. SWOOOOOSH! Without hesitation, Reign sprang into action, dashing towards the control room before the guards inside could react. With a turn of his hand, he shattered the doorknob and quickly dispatched the four guards who was stunned to see him, shing their throats in one fluid motion. Blood sttered everywhere , and just like that , the ce was now under his totalcontrol. ''That was too easy,'' hethought to himself, a sense of confidence surging within him. It was the first time he had put his evolved powers to practical use, and he couldn''t shake the feeling that he had only tapped into a fraction of his total potential. ''I need to stay focused on the mission,'' Reign reminded himself, shaking off any distractions. He understood that even the strongest could fall if they let their guard down. That''s why he made sure to always stay cautious and alert. Reign scanned the room, his eyes seeking out a USB socket. He needed to find a ce to insert the drives-stickCyril had prepared ahead of time. ''She really thought this through,'' Reign pondered, considering the implications of Cyril''s meticulous nning. The only exnation he could think of was that she had contemted executing the mission herself at some point. And he was correct. Cyril hadconsidered taking on this mission as a worst-case scenario n. As a divergent herself, she possessed a powerful body, albeit requiring more effort and tools to replicate his effectiveness. ''Impressive,'' Reign murmured quietly to himself. He held a deep respect for intelligent individuals who could leverage their intellect like this. After a thorough search, Reign finally located the USB socket. He quickly inserted the drive stick, causing all the CCTV cameras to blink momentarily. Momentster, he saw that all the images had frozen, indicating that the cameras were now paused. But he wasn''t finished yet. He retrieved several small devices and strategically ced them around the control room. These devices were weak time bombs, designed to destroy all the data in the room. With them in ce, he knew that any trace of his presence would be obliterated after the mission wasplete. Chapter 99: Bloody Night "Well, that was unsatisfying," he grumbled, his disappointment evident in his voice. Absorbing the corpses of the dead guards did little to satisfy him. It was clear that this meager numbers was far from enough to fill him. But it was alright because from here on out he could go and kill everyone inside this mansion. Cyril likely believed that he would only target her family members and spare the innocent individuals who were merely working here and trying to make ends meet. Little did she realize that she had struck a deal with the devil himself. Reign had no intention of letting anyone escape tonight, not even the kindest soul in the world. In his eyes, all humans who were not useful to him were nothing more than food. But before starting his one-sided massacre, Reign needed to take care of something first. CRACK ! His bones began to crack and expand, reverting to his original size. ''Yeah, this size still feels better,'' he chuckled to himself, relishing the sense offort that came with his original form. Contrary tomon belief, turning smaller didn''t mean he was lighter. When hepressed his bones, he became much heavier. And it wasn''t merely a matter of doubling his weight; the increase was far more bigger than that. The only reason the venttion and ceiling could support him was because he was good at shifting his weight using Stream Guide. Since reaching the Upper Rank, his control over Stream Guide had improved significantly, bing almost second nature to him. If Ben were alive and here right now, he''d be cursing aloud about how unfair the world was. Seriously? he spent years honing his skills, and Reign just copied and surpassedhim. It felt like a scene straight out of a shonen anime, where the protagonist defeats the viin who had trained tirelessly for years, all thanks to the power of friendship. ''Time to hunt,'' Reign''s expression twisted into a sadistic grin as imagined the number of humans that would die in his hands tonight. With a powerful first step, his legs coiled like springs as he lunged forward on all fours to maximize his speed, the sheer force of his movement creating a gust of wind that rippled through the air. SWOOOOSH! SWOOOOSH! SWOOOOSH! The guards stationed at the garage turned their headat the whooshing sound to investigate. But before they could process what was happening, abreeze swept past them, severing their heads instantly. THUD! It all happened so quickly that no one had a chance to make a sound. Their heads were dicapitated, tumbling across the cold floor as blood spurted from their sliced necks like fountains, painting the floor red. Having cleared the garage , Reign used the stairs leading to the first floor of the mansion, continuing his deadly rampage. He showed no mercy to anyone he encountered, whether male or female, guard, maid, gardener, or butler. Anyone unfortunate enough to cross his path met their maker, their heads severed before they could even feel anything. As he entered a room filled with maids enjoying their meal, Reign faced another challenge. With too many people to confront directly, he adjusted his approach. Instead of shing his way through, he aimed both hands andunched a w barrage, in attempt to kill everybody in one attack. Those who were supposed to be taking a break suddenly felt a cold sensation wash over their bodies. In the next moment, they were riddled with small holes, their bodies copsing to the ground dead and bleeding. When Reign finished with one area, he didn''t stop to rest and went to the second floor. He continued to hunt down anyone inside the house, moving nonstop, not giving anyone enough time to even raise an rm. The once well-decorated walls and expensive carpets were now stained with blood and littered with corpses. It was a one-sided massacre, a disy of power that emphasized how Reign''s capabilities had far surpassed the normal standard for demons. One by one, many more fell to Reign''s deadly attacks until only those in the dining room remained. Oblivious to the deaths unfolding around them, they continued to eat and discuss business, unaware that their mansion had been transformed into a hunting ground. "What''s this?" One of the butlers spoke up as he noticed a crimson liquid flowing from the gap beneath the wooden door. He raised his eyebrows, assuming someone had spilled a ss of red wine. Curious, he knelt down to inspect the liquid more closely, BAM! The wooden door shattered open, and before the butler could react, Reign''s w grabbed him, crushing his face like a watermelon. "Demon!" Cyril''s family eximed in unison as theyid eyes on Reign''s terrifying and imposing skull face. "Protect the President!" Two guards stationed at the corner rushed forward, their fast movements revealingtheir status as Divergents. "Fuck off," Reign retorted coldly, activating his Death Aura. Instantly, the room was enveloped in an oppressive atmosphere, causing everyone present to feel their bodies suffocating under the intense pressure. The two guards momentarily staggered and stop moving. It was a dumb mistake. In the next instant, two projectiles pierced their heads directly, leaving them stumbling lifelessly to the ground. "No!!!!!" The women at the table began to cry hysterically after witnessing the brutal attack. "I said, fuck off," Reign''s cold voice echoed again, his gaze fixing on one of Cyril''s brother who was attempting to use his phone to call for help. ''Idiot,'' Reign muttered, shaking his head in disappointment. Clearly, someone couldn''t read the room. A hole appeared in his forehead as he was shot dead doing something unnecessary . "Let''s not be hasty here. Anyone attempting to call for help will be shot indiscriminately," Reign warned. "I''m impartial to gender, so don''t test my limits." He added, his gazed scanning the women in the room. Reign''s cold tone, coupled with his imposing aura,pelled everyone to instinctively obey his words. "A demon that can talk? A High Rank Demon?" Cyril''s father spoke, his voice tinged with unease. As someone of wealth and influence, he had ess to real information, and he understood that the ability to articte speech so fluently was a trait typically reserved for demons of at least High Rank. "A High Rank?" Reign chuckled, unable to believe he felt slightly insulted by being referred to as such. Well, in all fairness, these people were so weak that he hadn''t even needed to go all out. Cyril''s father saw an opportunity. An intelligent demon presented a chance for negotiation. Whoever had hired such a powerful entity must be one of hispetitors or someone who hated him, willing to expend considerable resources to gain a favor of a powerful demon. "Who did I offend?" he asked, his mind racing to identify the potential enemy behind this calcted move. Little did he know, the mastermind behind all of this was none other than his own daughter. "Offend?" Reign chuckled as he settled into the same seat once upied by Cyril. "A demon of your caliber wouldn''t target my family without reason. Tell me, who did I offend, and how much were you offered?" he asked, mustering his strength despite the oppressive aura enveloping him. Even Cyril''s step sister who was acting smug and bitchy before was now silent, she was trembling from head to toe, and had already peed her panties because Reign was sitting next to her among all people. "I''m afraid your offer can''tpete with what my employer has on the table," Reign shook his head with a hint of amusement before casually lifting a ss of wine to his lips and taking a sip. Chapter 100: Household Problems Part 1 When Cyril''s father heard Reign''s words, a cold sensation crept over his forehead. Just how much had this powerful demon been offered to make it so confident? In the type of his business he was in , he had done a lot of dirty deeds , in order to reach his current wealth and status. The number of people who wants him dead could not be counted by one hand. But none of them were capable of hiring a High Rank Demon. For one, High Rank Demons normally don''t work with humans. They don''t even care about money that much, and ording to rumors, they would only work if it was for their own benefit. Even the Veiled Nights, rumored to ept demons, were just doing this because of formalities. Most of the demons they hired were mostly Middle Rank, who could barely speak. And it was exceedingly rare to find one in Tier 4 and Tier 3 Cities. In fact, there were almost none to be found. "M¡ª Maybe we can talk this out. I''m sure I can offer something better," he began to negotiate, his willpower surprisingly strong as he endured the oppressive Death Aura, though it helped that Reign wasn''t actually using the full power of his skill. "No, I''m pretty sure you won''t be able to," Reign shook his head, reclining in his seat with a ss of wine in hand and even propping his feet up on the table as if he owned the ce. It wasn''t his usual style, but he couldn''t shake the feeling of annoyance that welled up inside him at the sight of this family. There was something about them that sparked a desire within him to inflict suffering, a sensation different to Reign''s usual method of quickly killing his prey. In the past, he would have just killed them and been done with it. After recalling what they did to Cyril and how they treated her like an object, he found himself harboring a subconscious dislike for them. But unaware that he was growing angry on her behalf, Reign reasoned that he perhaps disliked them because they treated Cyril as an object¡ªa treatment he himself had experienced before he transmigrated. And not out of concern for her. ''That''s right, this is just me remembering my traumatic experience,'' Reign mumbled to himself, attempting to find an exnation for his unusual actions. "Then at least tell me who did this, who wants us dead?" Cyril''s father asked, realizing there was no use talking to this demon to spare him. If they were only targeting him, he would at least negotiate to spare his other family members. His family lineage boasted a long line of businessmen, and he had dedicated himself fully to the sess of their corporation. It had be so paramount in his life that it surpassed even his own well-being. He was willing to sacrifice everything, even his own life, as long as he knew that one of his sons would be able to inherit and carry on his legacy. Reign pondered for a moment. It would be too boring if they just died without knowing who was responsible for all of this. Seeing their shock expressions after learning the truth would add a satisfying twist to the situation. "The one who wants you dead is..." Reign paused , letting the weight of his words hang heavily in the air. As everyone held their breath, anticipation gripped their hearts. In a moment when death was just around the corner, they were consumed by the burning desire to uncover the identity of the individual sick enough to wish for their assassination. Sensing the tension in the room, Reign deliberately lowered the effect of his Death Aura, allowing them have some breather . ncing around the room, he noticed that many were out of breath, while others nced his way only to recoil at the sight of his monstrous form. His presence alone was enough to instill fear, even without the added effect of the Death Aura. "It''s your precious daughter, Cyril," Reign dered with a sinisterugh, exaggerating his grin to make them feel more insulted. As his words registered in the minds of everyone present, a myriad of emotions washed over them. Some faces twisted in shock, mouths agape as they struggled toprehend the revtion. Others furrowed their brows in anger, their fists clenched tightly at their sides. In their hearts, they began to curse her for being so petty as to send a demon to kill them all just because they arranged a marriage for her. Their narcissism blinded them to any other exnation. They conveniently overlooked the countless times they made her feel like she didn''t belong, the instances when some of them attempted to harm and vite her, and the times she was mistreated by her own sisters and brothers. Dozens upon dozens of reasons, all forgotten in their self-absorption. ''These people¡­'' Reign felt disgusted. They resembled the doctors who had mistreated and experimented on him. Self-absorbed and quick to forget their sins, they cared only for themselves. Just imagining Cyril living with these narcissists made him feel she was quite naive for not killing them sooner. There was no need to feel guilty about eliminating trash like them. But one person was thinking differently at that moment: Cyril''s father. If he had a sin, it was neglecting her and merely providing material support. He had never considered checking on her mental health. "N¡ª No, why would she?" Cyril''s father was the first to speak, his face flushed red with frustration . The realization that his own daughter had caused all this chaos left him boiling with anger. He had given her a good life¡ªmoney, education, everything. Even if his motives were selfish, intending to use her for a political marriage, it didn''t alter the fact that he had provided her with substantial support. This wasn''t like those drama where the female lead suffered became a servant. He had even bought her an apartment in a pricey building. So why would she resort to all of this? The least she could do was toply with his request and marry herself off. "That ungrateful bitch!" Cyril''s stepmother pushed herself to speak, her voice trembling with frustration. She had harbored resentment towards that illegitimate child from the very beginning, as it reminded her of the time her husband cheated on her. She repeatedly urged him to get rid of the child, but he insisted on keeping her because of her beauty. This further angered her, as it seemed he was implying that Cyril''s mother''s gics were superior to her own. Now, the revtion that Cyril was behind all of this only fueled her desire to see her dead. "I will kill ..." she gritted her teeth, but before she could finish her words, Reign appeared in front of her in a sh, his hand sping her head and lifting her body upward. "Hey, it''s not nice to badmouth my employer," Reign''s voice turned cold as ice. "Tell me, do you really want to die that soon?" "N¡ª No..." She mumbled and shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes as she felt a cold and hard palm slowly crushing her temples . Chapter 101: Household Problems Part 2 She could sense the strength in his grip, knowing that he could easily squeeze just a little tighter and her head would burst. "Mother!" A man in his mid-20s stood up, concern etched on his face as he tried to do something to save his beloved mother, who had doted on him a lot. But his intervention proved to be a dumb move. The moment he tried to act like a brave hero without anything to back up his reckless bravery, Reign used his free hand to grab his head as well. "Is this guy stupid or something?" Reign shook his head in disbelief. What did he expect? Did he think that just being brave and caring would magically solve his problems? This wasn''t a movie where everything just worked out, and even if it were, it would be a horror movie where all the cast died at the hands of the monster. Now, themother and idiot son duo found themselves lifted into the air, utterly helpless and in agony, at the mercy of Reign. They struggled to resist, but no matter how much they tried, Reign''s hand wouldn''t budge an inch. At the same time, no one in the room dared to move, knowing that any attempt to intervene could result in a deadly oue. "This is interesting. How about this: I''ll let go of one of you and kill the other," Reign proposed with a creepy smile spreading across his face. A sadistic idea had crossed his mind because physical torture was too lenient for this dysfunctional family¡ªhe neededto destroy them emotionally as well. "Now, choose. Would you rather I kill you or your son?" Reign asked, his voice cold and calcting. "..." She was stunned by the question, reluctant to respond. Despite her ws and greed, she was still a mother who genuinely loved her sons and daughters. However, Reign''s next action made it impossible for her to stay silent. "AHHHHHHH!" She screamed in agony as she felt something drilling into her head. The sensation was all too much to handle, causing her unbearable pain. It was Reign, manipting the bone in his palm like a corkscrew and slowly rotating it. Blood began to flow from her head, a chilling sight that sent shivers down the spines of everyone in the room. "My patience is rather thin. If you don''t answer quickly, then I will just kill both of you," Reign warned, his tone devoid of any pity at all. In fact, he was enjoying this too much. Previously, he had only found pleasure in the act of consuming humans, viewing killing as an unavoidable act . Even when faced with the Divergents, he felt only the drive to eliminate them to achieve his goals. But this time was different. He felt a twisted sense of happiness and excitement at witnessing their suffering. The sight of their agony filled him with pleasure he had never experienced such thing before. "AAAAHHHHAH... PLEASE... STOP! I''M BEGGING YOU!!!" She began pleading for mercy, her pleas echoing through the room as she writhed in the air from the unbearable pain. The expensive white dress she wore was now stained with blood dripping from her head. "It''s really easy, just choose one," Reign chuckled sadistically. "Or else¡­" "KILL HIM¡­ KILL HIM.. I want to live .. I want to live!" She finally gave in, sacrificing her son to save herself. "Mother!" Her son felt betrayed that she had actually sold him out. His anger red, and he started cursing her "You selfish bitch! I hate you! I''ll never forgive you!" he bellowed, his voice raw with emotion. "Too bad, your mother is selfish after all," Reign shook his head with a smirk. "Don''t worry, I''ll give you a quick death," he added, before exerting a sudden force that crack open the poor man''s skull. BURST! Brain matter and blood sttered onto the people nearby, creating a brutal and sickening scene. But despite the horror they just witnessed, no one dared to make a sound, paralyzed with fear of bing Reign''s next target. Except for one. "Why are you doing this? Why are you working for my daughter?" He grumbled in frustration after witnessinganother of his sons dying. He could not understand why a demon of this caliber would work for Cyril at all? Could it be because of her wealth? That seemed unlikely, considering he controlled the money he had given her. Is it because of connections? How influential must she be to hire a high-ranking demon, anyway? Reign released the woman and stood silently at the table for a moment, shaking away all unnecessary thoughts. "Do you need a reason when you kill an ant?" Reign asked, his facial expression devoid of any emotion, just a cold, hard stare fixed directly on Cyril''s father. His gaze bore down on him, and he finally realized that there was no way he could negotiate with the demon in front of him. "I need to find another way," his mind raced for a solution. Then, he recalled a scrap of information, well more like a rumor. "If you kill me, you''ll vite the treaty between Demons and Humans, forbidding any attacks on Tier 4 cities," Cyril''s father pointed out, desperation seeping into his voice. He gambled on the slim chance that Reign would honor the treaty. "Oh, that''s a problem, alright," Reign mused, stroking his chin. Hearing this, Cyril''s father began to feel a glimmer of hope. He couldn''t believe that a mere rumor might actually save his life. It was considered a rumor because even wealthy families from a Tier 4 city had no ess to the kind of information avable only in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. "So I just don''t need to kill you, right?" A creepy smile spread across his face as he began to systematically shoot everyone in the room. Each shot was carefully aimed at non-vital areas. He deliberately ensured they wouldn''t experience a quick death. Panic erupted as they scrambled to escape, but with Reign''s wide field of vision, their attempts were cut short. The women writhed on the floor, tears, mucus, blood streaming down their paled faces. Regret and fear mingled in their hearts at that moment. All the sins they hadmitted before were nowing back to bite them. Right now, theymented their mistreatment of Cyril; if given another chance, they vowed to treat her with kindness. But, it was toote, their wounds were severe. And sooner orter they would all die from too much blood lose. As for the men, they fought with more determination to survive, starting to crawl away, leaving a wide trail of blood on the ground from the wounds on their bodies. After the one side massacre, only two people remained: Cyril''s father and her stepsister. "Y¡ª you''re crazy!" Cyril''s father stumbled on the floor, his face filled with defeat as he witnessed the bloodbath around him. None of his sessors were kept alive, so after this, he was sure that his entirepany was doomed to fail. Then someting click in his mind . Cyril was still alive , so it meant that she would inherit everything by default. "I''m a demon, being bad and crazy is like a prerequisite for me," Reign chuckled darkly. Chapter 102: Flawed Person "You''re a monster," he spat out, his anger reached its peak, and he was done with any pretense. Locking eyes with the demon before him, he knew that it had no intentions of letting him live. He had hoped for help toe,but with no rms triggered after a considerable time, it became clear: the demon had likely killed everyone beforeing here. If that was the case, then it was better to ept his fate and at least die with dignity. There was a reason that he was able to built a business empire¡ªhe was brave and never showed weakness, even in the face of death. He had already made peace with it. "Monster?" Reign chuckled, his mouth twisting into a smug grin as he enjoyed the scene. "Well, thank you for thepliment," he added, mocking his prey further . Then. Reign turned his head towards Cyril''s step-sister, who was now vomiting on the floor after witnessing the carnage surrounding her. The metallic stench of blood, mingled with the scent of other internal organs like brain matter, intensified the smell . "Hey, do you wanna live?" he asked, with a wicked smile . "Please¡ª Please, let me live," she pleaded through tears, her voice shaking with fear and remorse. "I''m sorry for bullying Sister Cyril, I promise I''ll change. She can make me her ve, I don''t care, just please spare me." The stress and trauma hadpletely shattered her mind, leaving her in a state of inconsble despair. "I will let you live if you pick up that knife," Reign dered, his voice dripping with malice. "You and your father kill each other. Whoever wins, I will spare. Of course, if you don''t do it, then I will kill the two of you and be done with it." "Why should we believe you?" Cyril''s father stood up, his voice filled with skepticism. "Well, you don''t really have a choice, do you?" Reign replied with a smirk. "Besides, in the off chance that I''m telling the truth, then either one of you can live. So it''s either a 50/50 chance you die, or 100%. Your choice." After hearing the logic behind Reign''s words, both father and daughter paused, contemting their options. While death seemed inevitable either way, the alternative at least offered a slim 50% chance of survival. Cyril''s father remained skeptical; he was smart enough to see through Reign''s sadistic way of ying with them. But for her daughter? She slowly picked up the knife with trembling hands. It was the same knife she had used to cut her steak before everything turns to hell. Who could have imagined that the very knife once used to cut through premium, expensive beef would now be her weapon to end the life of her own father, who had showered her with love, wealth, and attention? "I¡ªI''m sorry, father... I want to live," she start sobbing, tears streaming down her face. Her appearance was disheveled, her expensive makeup now faded and streaked with tears, especially the eyeliner smudged around her eyes. Seeing his daughter in such distress, he nodded at her and closed his eyes, silently epting his fate. STEP! STEP! STEP! Her uncertain footsteps echoed on the floor as she walked closer to her father, stepping over the corpses of her dead family members. The sight made her sick but she endured it. She didn''t want to die; she was too young and hadn''t experienced life yet to the fullest. As she reached her father, he gently opened his eyes and spoke with a serene tone, "Don''t me yourself. You''re only fighting to survive. I''m proud of you for being this strong." His eyes radiated a sense of peace as he embraced the inevitability of death. His daughter began to cry even harder, but this time, it was a mixture of grief and gratitude. Even in the end, her father did not harbor any resentment toward her. It was a dramatic moment, a testament to the love of a father for his daughter¡ªa disy of passion that most people would find deeply moving. However¡ª "Hahaha!" Reign''sughter echoed manically through the room, his twisted smile breaking the moment. "You''rereally an idiot, aren''t you? If only you had given even a fraction of that love to Cyril, none of this would have happened. You had the means, the time, and the ability to care for her, yet you chose to ignore her and treat her like an object." His words cut through the air with blunt honesty. It was clear that he was really pissed off right now. He too was bastard child of his father . While all his stepbrothers and stepsisters received the best treatment, his father didn''t even know he existed, let alone care about him. Even when he was trapped in thatboratory for years, no one came to his rescue at all. His father and all his step-siblings continued to live their lives as princes and princesses. And even when he died, none remembered him. Cyril''s father wanted to respond, but he felt scared . The demon in front of him now seemed to have undergone another transformation. While before he appeared as a mere killing machine, there was something deeper in his demeanor now, something more ominous. "Stab me in the heart. Kill me quickly," Cyril''s father uttered, his voice trembling with resignation. "I¡ªI can''t," she shook her head, her guilt evident in her pained expression. "Do it, or I will kill both of you," Reign''s cold voice echoed as sharp bones began to protrude from his knuckles. "Don''t test my patience," he warned, his threat hanging heavy in the air. Hearing this, she began to cry even harder. With trembling hands, she raised the knife and stabbed it into her father''s chest. "Arghh," her father grumbled in pain, but the knife wound was superficial. "Don''t make me suffer," he requested, his face contorted in agony. "AHHHHH!" With tears streaming down her face, she let out a gut-wrenching scream as she repeatedly plunged the knife into her father''s chest, blood sttering onto her face with each agonizing stab. The weight of her actions, fueled by desperation and sorrow, made each blow more harrowing than thest. "I''M SORRY " "I''M SORRY " "I''M SORRY " "I''M SORRY " "I''M SORRY " She kept repeating those words, her mind flooded with memories of the good times she had shared with him. She remembered how he would take her shopping and always find time in his busy schedule to watch her y at school when she was still studying. Despite his ws, he had always been there for her, a reminder that while he may have been a wed person, he was not a bad father. "I¡ªlove you," her father''s weak voice echoed as he touched her face with his bloodied hands. With all the remaining strength he could muster, he began to speak, pausing intermittently as he coughed up blood. "Demon, I know¡­. that I''ve ¡­.been a¡­. bad person to Cyril, but this child is innocent... please, spare her." As Reign turned away without a word, Cyril''s father felt a wave of relief wash over him. In that final moment, he found peace in the knowledge that he had shielded his daughter from harm until the very end. "Father¡­" Chapter 103: In Denial "Father..." She embraced her father''s head tightly as the weight of guilt finally sink in on her head. She could tell that her father''s body was getting colder, the slow trickle of blood from his chest a proof to her failed attempt to kill him quickly . The knife was just too short and dull, and she was too weak and exhausted to muster enough force with her stabs. But her father didn''t hold her responsible. He endure the agony silently, determined not to reveal his suffering. "D¡ª Don''t worry¡­ Everything¡­is alright¡­ now," he murmured, his voice weak and exhausted, his body numb from too much blood loss. The only silver lining was that the Demon, true to its word, spared his daughter''s life. "I will live, and I will make sure to take revenge," she vowed, attempting to reassure her father. She would spare no effort, ensuring that Cyril''s life became a living hell. "Eh?" a cold sensation gripped her throat. "BUAHHHH" She puked, blood gushing from her mouth, and she instinctively covered her with her hands . But the wound was too deep. It narrowly missed her spinal cord but still pierced her throat. In that moment, she felt a sharp, intense pain, like a searing heat slicing through her flesh. Panic surged within her as she struggled to breathe, each breathing in ragged gasps. Blood gushed from the wound, warm and sticky against her skin, as she grappled with the terrifying reality that she was dying. Every movement sent waves of agony radiating through her body, and the world seemed to blur around her as she fought to stay conscious. THUD! "N¡ª No..." He trembled, his voice quivering, as he watched his daughter slump to the floor, writhing in agony . Her face was contorted with pain, regret, fear, and a myriad of other emotions as shey dying. In her final moments, she drew herst breath, her eyes wide open, reflecting her father''s despair-filled face. "Did you think you could die in peace?" Reign''s voice echoed as he returned to the dining room, his face showing a satisfied expression. He detested the notion of Cyril''s father dying with a peace of mind. It was something he couldn''t tolerate, so he meticulously orchestrated everything to make him suffer. He offered him a glimmer of hope, only to brutally snatch it away by taking his daughter''s life right before his eyes in the most brutal way . "Oh, so you can''t even talk anymore?" Reign shook his head in disappointment as he stood with a confident posture. "Well, don''t mind me," Reign chuckled, then there was a sickening squelch as he brought his foot down on the girl''s head, the impact causing it to burst open on the ground. "BUAAAAAAH" Cyril''s father puke blood, after attempting to curse Reign for his pettiness . "Hey, do you know what will happen to all of you after death?" Reign asked while raising his hands. Then, he used his ability to absorb the girl''s headless corpse until only the clothing remained. "That''s right, you will not go to hell or heaven; you will be stuck inside my body forever," Reign chuckled, making up a story, but to the person hearing it, it was terrifying enough to induce a heart attack. "D¡ª Devil," he uttered, it was the only word he could muster to describe the demon in front of him before drawing his final breath. "It''s finally over," Reign sighed, relieved that the ordeal had reached its conclusion. The annoyance he had felt had now subsided, and he was back to his normal self. He didn''t understand what had happened to him, but he had to admit, it felt good. Scanning the room, he noticed numerous corpses lying around, so he began cleaning up by absorbing them one by one. After that, he retraced his steps, devouring everyone until there was no trace left. He only leveled up once after devouring everyone, something he had anticipated. It only confirmed that the number of people he had to devour had increased yet again. But he didn''t dwell on it too much; this was just a side mission, and actually leveling up could be considered just a bonus. *** Back in the garage, he double-checked if the explosives he had set had worked, and he was not disappointed; everything waspletely destroyed. But to be sure, he started trashing the ce, pulling out memory drives to erase all traces of him. When that was all done , he went to the Roof again where he left his bag containing his mask and clothing. After that he contacted Cyril through the app. "Ipleted the mission," he reported quickly, ending the call before she could even utter a word. He felt the need to create some distance for now, until he figured out what was special about her. He couldn''t shake the feeling that she might possess some unique powers that affected him, making him unusually impulsive and act out of character. Despite feeling anger on her behalf, he remained unable to decipher his true feelings, attributing them to something else entirely. He was in denial, refusing to acknowledge his own emotions. No, it was as if he had convinced himself that he was incapable of experiencing such emotions in the first ce. He considered himself a true monster, convinced that his main focus should solely be on killing and consuming more humans. In his mind, there was no room for anything so human-like and seemingly useless emotions. Whatever this feeling was, only the future could tell if it would make him weak and vulnerable or if it would propel him further to achieve greater heights. As for Cyril, she was currently unaware that their fated meeting would be the start of something huge in the future. So significant that it would decide the fate of this world. *** In a room designed withvish furnishings and a grand king-size bed, sat a woman of unparalleledbeauty with flowing blonde hair that shone under the glow of the chandelier. She looked exceptionally beautiful, especially in thesexy white nightgown she was currently wearing But, amidst all of this luxury, her face showed deep sadness. She stood up and approached the window to her right, overlooking the moonlit sky. As she raised her hand as if wanting to touch the moon, a red barrier materialized on the window, preventing her from leaving. "Reign," Anna whispered, her voice barely audible, her heart aching with the weight of longing and love for the one she cherished the most The hope of Reign rescuing her someday was the sole anchor keeping her sane in this ce She had been filled with sadness ever since she was imprisoned in this castle, but tonight, a new sensation haunted her. It wasn''t just sadness or longing; it was a bad feeling that something terrible was happening . "Why... Why do I feel so sad right now?" she asked herself, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes. She had always projected an image of strength for Reign, wanting him to depend on her. But deep down, as she evolved and acquired more emotions, she realized it also made her more vulnerable. "Reign... I miss you. Please, hurry up and save me," she whispered in the air. Chapter 104: Aftermath The following day, the entire Summit City was abuzz with breaking news so huge that every local television station was broadcasting the event. A prominent family in Summit City, known for owning multiplrge size department stores throughout the city, was reported to have been assassinated. But the weird part was that no bodies were found, only dried bloodstains, painting a picture of a one-sided massacre Because of the weirdness of this case, the local government chose to conceal the truth from the masses. Now, the public only knew that the entire family had been killed by assassins, but their missing bodies had never been revealed. Thest thing they wanted was to incite mass panic throughout the city. In the same dining hall where the horrifyingevent unfolded, a man with short brown hair and a bearded face puffed on a cigarette as he watched others collect samples from the dried blood on the surrounding . This man was Detective Benson, the one tasked with solving this mysterious crime. "Did you find anything?" he asked his subordinates. "No, sir," reported one policeman, "we checked the control room, but all the data were destroyed. We can''t even recover anything because the physical drives were broken." "Did you find any DNA or fingerprints?" "We''ve sent all the fingerprints to theb, but it will take time due to the number of people involved," exined the officer. "Focus on the DNA collected from this dining hall, especially this area," Benson pointed to the far end of the room where the head of the family was supposed to sat. " There seems to be more blood here than elsewhere, suggesting a possible explosion of a body or head on the ground. "Yes, sir," the policeman nodded. "Good," Benson scanned the ce again to look for clues, contemting the enormity of the crime. Judging from the number of missing people, there was no way they could have simply vanished into thin air. "Have you checked the CCTV footage from the street?" he asked again. "Yes, we found a CCTV camera directly pointing at the gate, capturing everyone who entered by car. It seems there was a family dinnerst night, which is why so many people were here," the officer exined. "I see. Check the records of all the people who entered and left the premises," he ordered. *** Summit City - Avenia Tower 1 "I understand. I''ll be there soon," Cyril replied calmly. The news of her family member''s death had now been made public, and now she was being called to the police station to give her statement. It was discovered that she had left the gathering before the incident happened . She had anticipated this turn of events, so she had prepared an alibi. Rather than heading straight home after dinner, she deliberately went to a mall, indulging in some shopping therapy. Afterward, she meet with a close friend at a restaurant, ensuring her whereabouts were ounted for. It was a carefully orchestrated n, designed to provide her with an airtight alibi. Everything was falling into ce as she had nned, except for one detail. ''What happened to the bodies?'' she wondered to herself. The news that all the bodies had gone missing piqued her interest. However¡ª ''No, it''s best to let it be,'' she murmured, shaking her head. She had asked Reign for a favor, so it would be impolite to asked him. Everyone had their own secrets, and it was important to respect each other''s boundaries. He had fulfilled his end of the deal, and she had already paid him. There was no need toplicate matters further. After taking a bath and getting ready, she promptly headed to the police station to provide her statement. She began recounting her activities to them, maintaining herposure throughout. As a result, they did not detect any inconsistencies in her story. They also verified her alibi, and everything checked out. In the end, the case reached a dead end. After a couple of days, the blood and DNA samples results became avable. It was confirmed that all the blood matched the respective missing individuals, and they were pronounced dead. Everyone sympathized with her when she mentioned that if she hadn''t left the ce earlier, she might have been one of the victims too. It was one of the advantages of having a beautiful face and almost wless behavior. Her family had kept her mistreatment hidden to preserve their image, leaving most people unaware of her past struggles. So in the minds of others, she was seen as a child from another woman, but she had been provided with a luxurious life by her father. He had even bought her an expensive apartment and luxury products. There was no way that such a pampered girl would ever consider killing her own family. Because of this, the police shifted their focus to other areas. During their investigation, they discovered that Cyril''s father was embroiled in an issue withnd ownership with another family. Matters had escted to the point where they exchanged death threats with each other. It was the perfect opportunity for Cyril to shift all the me onto thepetitor. *** Six dayster. "Is everything in ce?" Cyril asked, setting down her mug on the table. "Are you certain you want to sell off all the shares and properties?" asked the family attorney, a man in his 50s who had been handling everything since the incident urred. Cyril paused, closing her eyes for a moment. She couldn''t deny feeling a twinge of guilt for what she had done to her family. However, she also knew it was a necessary evil. It was either her life or theirs. Perhaps her actions were extreme, but it wasn''t entirely her fault. She had grown up in a world where material possessions were abundant, but love was scarce. Forced to watch her siblings being showered with care and attention, not just with money but with genuine affection, her resentment had umted over the years. "It pains me to remember all of these things. I just want to start a new life," she said, opening her eyes. Her tone was genuine, reflecting her earnest desire for a fresh start. While it was true that she no longer had to flee, given that everyone was now dead, Cyril understood the ruthless nature of the world of the Rich. With her beauty, attempting to lead thepany would inevitably make her a prime target for other tycoons. Besides, she was still not entirely in the clear with the Hewlet Family, so it was wiser to cash out all her assets andy low for a while. "Okay," the attorney paused, "thepany stocks hit rock bottom after the incident, but they''ve stabilized now. We can sell them for 1,250,000,000 credits. As for the mansion and other assets, their prices have also dropped alot, so we can only get 450,000,000 credits for them." He then presented the tablet for her to review the figures. "If not for the incident, the total value of the stock would be at least eight times higher," the attorney remarked solemnly. "But many shareholders panicked and sold their stocks immediately, causing the price to plummet." "It''s alright, this money is enough for me," Cyril replied with a nod. "Just sign here, and we will proceed to sell everything and transfer the money to your ounts," he added, pointing to the designated spot on the tablet. Cyril didn''t hesitate and signed the contract after carefully reading through it. ''I can finally leave this ce,'' she thought to herself, picturing her new life in Green Valley City. Chapter 105: A New Beginning Slump Area - Apartment Block Number 1 Inside a modest room, Reigny on the bed, reviewing his status window. He hadn''t wasted the past week; instead, he had begun taking on missions from Veiled Nights. Most of the missions involved eliminating groups of people, and by the end of it, he had leveled up one more time. "Hey, are you sure you''re noting with us?" Mellissa asked, already prepared for the journey. She was sporting a long ck jacket and had two pieces of luggage with her. George, on the other hand, wore a brown jacket and carried only one bag. That was the difference between men and women. George believed his current clothing selection would be enough for a week, while Mellissa feltpelled to bring along a variety of outfits and other items she deemed necessary. "I told you that you could just buy stuff after you reach the city, right?" Reign asked, seeing her insistence on bringing two luggage. "This is just in case of an emergency," she replied, then turned her head away, signaling she didn''t want to discuss it further. "Suit yourself," Reign sighed . "Hey, you haven''t answered my question. Are you sure you''re noting?" she asked again. "Yeah, I''m sure," Reign replied with a nonchnt tone. He had other ns to take care of, so leaving right away would be a waste. She sighed after hearing his response. She had thought that he woulde with them, especially considering that Tier 3 cities were muchrger, not only in terms of city area but also in the surroundingnd. "Don''t worry about it. By the way, remember thatmunication will be cut off, so I want you to do everything I asked," Reign reminded them, emphasizing the importance of following his instructions without fail. "Yeah, yeah, you want us to buy a house on the outskirts, then gather as much information about the factions in the city, especially that Scorpion Group, right?" she replied, summarizing Reign''s instructions. "Alright, and remember to feed Wick. He only eats top-grade steak," Reign reminded. "Sure, sure," Mellisa sighed, feeling like her status in the group was lower than a dog''s. "Reign, about Anna¡­," George interrupted. They''d been looking for any information on her, but came up empty. Reign noticed the sad expression on George''s face and realized that he had almost forgotten about Anna. If George hadn''t mentioned her name, he might not have remembered her at all. However, despite hisck of interest in that Yandere girl, he knew that George was a dependable servant, so he decided to y along with him. "Don''t worry, Tier 3 City is muchrger and more advanced. We might find more information there," he said, offering George some reassurance. George nodded as he heard this, relieved that Reign was stillmitted to finding his daughter . When all was said and done, Reign gave her some Veiled Points. After they relocated to a new city, even the app wouldn''t keep them connected. Once everything was settled, Reign apanied them to Veiled Night Base, where Byron and a stunning woman were waiting for them. "Woah, who''s this hottie?" Mellissa eximed, noticing Cyril. She was dressed in her signature ck bodysuit with a white jacket over it, but this time, she wore a face mask and an orange visor. Despite the added concealment, her beautifulfigure was still hard to miss. Even George felt a reaction as heid eyes on her. "This is ck Cat, a gold-ranked agent eligible for promotion. She''ll be your personal bodyguard, as per Reign''s request," Byron introduced her. "I knew it, you''re really a good guy. You even hired someone strong to keep us safe," Mellissa teased, her voice breaking with emotion as her eyes filled with fake tears. "Idiot, you two are so weak I''m afraid even an ant could kill you," Reign sneered with disdain. Touching moments like these just weren''t his style. "Hey, don''t be like that. I know you''ve got a good side too, right?" George chimed in, joining the yful banter. "You''re just kissing up to me because you want me to save your daughter," Reign retorted with a scoffed. WOOOOF! WOOOOF! WOOOOF! Wick, not wanting to be left out, began bouncing around them, trying to get them to y with him. ''Save his daughter? He''s nicer than I thought,'' Cyril giggled inwardly, seeing Reign in new light. She had assumed he was just a cold-hearted killer who''d do anything for money. But witnessing this scene, she realized that perhaps he was a person with a good heart¡ªlike her, someone who''d been pushed into the criminal world by unfortunate circumstances. Reign noticed her gaze and turned his head toward her, causing her to quickly look away, suddenly feeling too self-conscious. ''What was that?'' Cyril wondered, her heart racing for some reason. What Cyril didn''t realize was that, even though she''d paid Reign for the job, she subconsciously viewed him as having saved her from her destiny. This sparked a growing sense of admiration within her. It wasn''t a big deal, but because this was the first time she felt anything like this, she didn''t know how to handle it. ''Why do I feel like my daughter is being cheated on?'' George muttered to himself as he noticed Cyril''s rom-like reaction. ''No, that''s impossible. There''s no way this monster could have a crush on a human,'' he reasoned. If his daughter¡ªthe epitome of beauty in his opinion, with a high IQ, talent, and power¡ªhadn''t made Reign''s heart skip, then there was no way a mere human could. Upon closer inspection of ck Cat, George could see that she was quite a looker behind the mask. Maybe not as stunning as his daughter, but she seemed like the kind of woman who wouldn''t settle for less and would typically end up with men who looked like idols¡ªnot someone with a skull for a face. ''Is it just me, or did she just look away?'' Reign wondered, unsure why she''d do that. But after a moment of thought, he realized he shouldn''t really care, nor did he have to. He had more pressing things to focus on. After everything was settled, Byron led the group to a car and drove to an underground tunnel located at the edge of the city walls. The area was heavily guarded by military personnel, who were heavily armed and thoroughly checked the group''s identification Reign took note of every detail in this ce, ensuring he could find his way back once his n wasplete. When they reached the bottom, they were greeted by a subway station with a train waiting at the tform. There weren''t many people on line, which wasn''t surprising given the high ticket prices. "This is as far as we can go," Byron said. "This thing will take you to another station where the main train will be waiting. After that, you''ll pass through other Tier 4 cities, but you''re not allowed to exit," he exined. Everyone nodded in understanding and boarded the train. Just before stepping onto the train, Cyril felt a nagging urge to turn around. When she looked back, she saw Reign standing there with his white hair, ck clothing, and the bandage over his eyes. It gave him an air of mystery, and to her, he looked really cool. Reign noticed it too, but he didn''t think much of it. "They''re gone. The next train won''te for another month," Byron reminded Reign, who was standing beside him. "Thanks for the information," Reign replied with a nonchnt tone, but deep down he was excited to finally let loose. ***** Authors Note. The bonus chapter for 200 Power Stones will be uploaded on Sunday. Chapter 106: Infamous As the ck SUV sped along, the road stretched out before it, the dim tunnel giving way to the open air as the vehicle emerged into daylight. Leaving the underground tunnel behind, the car veered toward the direction of the Slump Area. Byron and Reign sat shoulder to shoulder inside the ck SUV, engaged in conversation. Byron''s eyebrows shot up in surprise as he turned to Reign, disbelief evident in his voice. "You want to get a driver''s license? You don''t have one already? " he asked "Yeah, and I need someone to teach me how to drive," Reign added, his tone nonchnt, without feeling the need to borate on hisck of driving skills or provide any exnation for it. With George now gone, Reign found himself tasked with handling missions solo. Having his own car wouldmake his mission much easier to navigate. While he was fast on foot, he couldn''t rely on his stamina alone. Running everywhere would leave him exhausted and unable to function effectively. "Alright, that''s not hard," Byron agreed readily. He made up his mind to take Reign to the same car dealership that he visited before. Inside the dealership, they were greeted by the familiar salesperson. However, Byron did not stay long; he just apanied Reign, ensuring he was settled before taking his leave. Reign soon discovered that the dealership offered additional services beyond just selling cars. They provided assistance with obtaining a driver''s license and also offered driving lessons. With Reign''s intelligence and quick learning, it didn''t take him long to learn the ins and outs of driving. Surprisingly, just two hours were enough for him to grasp everything he needed to know because of various reasons. Unlike most learners, hedidn''t struggle with the fear of idents or crashing. His confidence stemmed from his own endurance; even if he were hit by a truck, he knew he would survive. This fearlessness made the learning process smooth and efficient for him. Afterpleting his driving lessons, heproceeded to the owner''s office, where his license was waiting . Normally, obtaining a license would require at least three days of processing. However, in this world, money smoothed out all obstacles, and things could be expedited with enough cash. There was amon saying that resonated with most: if something seemed difficult to acquire, it just meant onecked enough money. "Kid, how about you buy a new car? I heard you''ve earned quite a bit of money," the owner who had gifted Reign the Rapter spoke suggested. "A car?" Reign pondered silently. He had grown fond of his Rapter, but he couldn''t deny the temptation of another vehicle. He reflected on his childhood fixation with toy cars, memories of happier times before he was kidnapped and subjected to suffering and brutal experimentation. asionally, those old fixations resurfaced, reminding him of the innocence and joy he had once known. "Can I trade in my Rapter?" he inquired, contemting the possibility of exchanging his current vehicle for something different. The owner of the car dealership chuckled after hearing his request. It amused him that Reign, whom he had gifted the car to, was now considering a trade-in the same vehicle like it was the most logical thing to do. "Alright, but I can only offer a deduction of 250,000 credits," the owner agreed, setting the terms for the deal "Okay," Reign nodded , epting the terms. With that settled, he began browsing for other cars, eager to explore his options. ''I''m alone now, so I don''t really need a big car,'' he muttered to himself as he made his way toward the section housing two-seater sports cars. These were stolen cars, but they had been extensively modified and refurbished, ensuring they were now safe and roadworthy to drive. The price range for the sports cars ranged from 5,000,000 credits to 10,000,000 credits, with the top-quality ones fetching higher prices. As he pondered his options, a realization dawned on him. "Where are these carsing from?" Reign mused aloud, puzzled by the origin of the vehicles. In the confined space within the city walls, there was no way for a car manufacturing facility to exist. "Oh, you don''t know? Theye from the Summit Assembly Bay ," the owner replied. As a businessman and member of the Veiled Nights, he possessed insider knowledge of certain aspects of the city''s workings. "Summit Assembly Bay?" "Yeah, they''re, located west of here, and the ce specialize in manufacturing," the owner borated, shedding light on the operations of the Industry Sector. "I see, that ce must be pretty big," Reign nodded in understanding. The revtion that this ce epassed other areas unknown to him made sense, considering he hadn''t explored extensively beyond his usual routes. "Yeah, that ce has a poption of over 40,000 workers," the owner chuckled, further emphasizing the scale and significance of the Industry Sector. "40,000?" Reign eximed, not out of amazement at the sheer number, but rather because he had just stumbled on a new hunting ground. "I''ll buy another pickup instead," Reign dered confidently, directing his attention to a rugged ck vehicle thatmanded attention on the showroom floor. The massive frame of the truck towered over the others, exuding an aura of strength and durability. Its bold grille and angr headlights hinted at its military-inspired design, while oversized tires spoke of off-road capability. If the Industry Sector was situated far within the city, then it made sense to invest in a truck that could storerge amount of fuel and boastedrge wheels for traversing uneven terrain. "Good choice. The Hammer will cost you 3,500,000, and that already includes the trade-in discount" the owner informed Reign,ying out the terms for the purchase. The price may have seemed steep for a stolen vehicle, but Reign paid it little mind. He knew he would just abandon it once he transfer cities. For now, what mattered most to him was the convenience and functionality of his new ride. "I''ll take it," he agreed decisively,pleting the transaction with Veiled Points. With the rumble of the engine echoing through the air, Reign steered the new truck out of the car dealership and onto the streets of the Slump Area. The sun cast long shadows across the worn pavement as he navigated through the familiar maze of narrow alleys and bustling markets. *** Another week slipped by, and Reign''s level continued to grow, by one afterpleting his missions. However, a new challenge emerged: theck of job demanding killing a lot of people. Normally, the missions he undertook were intended for teams, with lengthy time frames forpletion and high probabilities of failure. However, Reign was an anomaly. His sess inpleting mission after mission soon spread throughout the underground criminal world, catapulting his name to infamy. "Rain of Terror"became the stuff of legend, whispered in hushed tones among those who considered themselves criminals. ''What should I do next?'' Reign pondered to himself, leaning back in the car seat. He realized that he could no longer depend solely on organization missions to advance his level. At the same time, his name was bing too infamous for his own good. ''Who the hell came up with ''Rain of Terror''?'' he sighed to himself, frustration evident in his tone as he cursed whoever started that trend. Chapter 107: Off the Grid "Achoo!" George''s sudden sneeze jolted him awake from his sleep. "Hey, don''t tell me you''re getting sick?" Mellissa asked with concern. They had been traveling for a week now, and they were told that they just needed another day to reach their destination. The travel between Tier Cities was much farther than they expected. And the presence of the ck fog outside made the journey even more unnerving. Only the light emanating inside the heavy armored train provided some peace of mind, making the journey more bearable. Fortunately, they did not encounter any danger this time "I think someone badmouth me," George replied. "Is it Reign?" Mellissa asked, her mind immediately jumping to him as the only person she could think of who would openly insult George. "Why would he insult me? I even made a cool nickname for him," George replied, sounding perplexed. "You mean that ''Rain of Terror'' thing?" Mellissa rolled her eyes. George could be a little bit childish. "Rain of Terror?" Cyril asked, her curiosity piqued. She knew that ''Rain'' was his code name, but why add the ''Terror'' part? "Because that guy is evil personified," George replied. "Is he really that bad?" Cyril asked, casting a skeptical nce. She had now taken off her visor and face mask, revealing her beauty . Even George had to admit that she was very close to Anna in terms of appearance and charisma. "That guy likes to insult people and treat others like tools," Melissa sighed heavily, as if recalling all the mistreatment she had endured. However, Cyril could discern from her exaggerated reaction that Mellissa was mostly joking. "Yeah, he''s also insensitive. I''m pretty sure he doesn''t even have a heart. If he had one, I doubt it''s beating," George added, intensifying their conversation. But he had an ulterior motive: to make Cyril see Reign''s bad side, so she wont steal him from his daughter. The duo continued to mock Reign behind his back, but somehow, they ended upughing while sharing stories about his personality that contradicted their earlier words. Cyril observed the dynamic between the duo, finding herself intrigued by Reign enigmatic nature. ''I should give them my address so I can invite him for some food in the future,'' she thought to herself, contemting the idea of extending an invitation to Reign. She made ns to retire from her role as a Veiled Nights member after reaching Green Valley. With enough money tost a dozen lifetime, she envisioned starting a small business, perhaps a restaurant, fueled by her passion for cooking. "You really like him, don''t you?" Cyril giggled, her yful tone promptingwry smiles from both Melissa and George. They couldn''t deny her words. Despite Reign''s nature as a monster, killer, borderline psychopath , man-eater, insensitive, selfish, blunt, and trashy person, they knew one thing for certain: he was very honest. While he never went out of his way to act friendly towards them, he also refrained from doing anything that could directly harm them. In fact, he went as far as buying a ticket for Melissa, and paying Cyril to protect them. It was clear to Melissa, and George that beneath his rough exterior, Reign knew how to repay favors. And often, actions speak louder than words . *** "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 14 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Skull Master (System Enhance) Strength :B Agility. :A Stamina :B- Endurance : A+ Intelligence: B- Energy: S Bite I Undead Eye I Night Crawl X wer VIII Viral sh X w Bullet XX - w Barrage XIV-(SP) Death Aura XI Enhance Bones XX Bone Control XX Bone Eater I Seed I Hawk Bones [30%] Scorpion Pores[30%] Mantis Eyes[25%] Drug Immunity Drug Resistance Drug Enhancer [Points] Attribute Points: 30 Skill Points : 3 Evolution Points : 0 ============ ''I need 6 more levels to reach level 20,'' he thought to himself. Reign nned to reach level 20 and evolve before leaving for Green Valley. This way, he''d feel more confident in a Tier 3 city, where strong opponents were muchmon. As he contemted his next move, he recalled purchasing a digital map from the ck market detailing still-functioning mining areas. These locations were deliberately kept off the local inte for privacy reasons, making the map a valuable resource for him ,because they were normally found in off the grid area ''That''s it,'' he mused to himself. He had formted his n: to visit these mining facilities and massacre everyone present. Since he would control how much power he show, they wouldn''t immediately realize he was already an Upper Demon. Instead, they would likely assume he was a regr demon killing people and send hunters after him. As the Hunters slowly realized they were facing a powerful demon, Reign would capitalize on their underestimation. He would continue to kill and devour them until they finally grasped the true extent of his power. By that point, it would be toote for them. He would seize the opportunity tounch a devastating attack on the city, maximizing casualties before retreating , biding his time until the next opportunity presented itself. Even if the Hunter Association reported the threat to other Tier Cities, it would take several days for reinforcements to arrive. This provided him with ample time to disappear and lie low for a while. With his n firmly settled in mind, he drove his Hammer to the nearest gasoline station. He filled up several backup containers, just in case, before setting off straight out of the city walls. As he drove, he gazed out at the trees lining the highway, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. He rolled down the window, allowing the fresh air to caress his face. "Country road... Take me home... To the ce... I beloooong! ," Reign mumbled along to the music, remembering about a century old songs from his previous world. Having grown ustomed to traveling with George, he now found himself feeling a bit bored, so he started singing songs . *** Around 4:00 pm, hereached a mining town located very far from the main road. He was d for his decision to purchase a pick up instead of a sports car, as the uneven ground would have rendered travel impossible otherwise. This ce was a huge, bustling with activity. With around 1,000 workers residing here, and some bringing their families along, the total poption reached almost 1,500. What they were mining here was Cobalt, a material in high demand for batteries making. As Reign surveyed the scene, he observed numerous heavy machineries and workers toiling away on what appeared to be white sands, likely the cobalt-rich ore. In the middle of the mining activity, henoticed several towering structures where the cobalt was being processed. These massive facilities indicated the scale of the operation and the importance of cobalt extraction to themunity''s economy. *** ''This town is good,'' he chuckled to himself as he parked it at a distance mountain. Knowing full well that his vehicle would attract too much attention, he decided to conceal it from view. ''I still have a couple of hours before night, so I''ll take a nap first,'' Reign thought to himself as he climbed onto the roof of his pickup and settled down to sleep. The trees provided shade from the sunlight, and the gentle breeze from the forest area felt pleasantlyforting. Chapter 108: Armed and Ready Reign slowly opened his eyes, only to realize he had overslept. Despite his seeminglyrge energy pool he found himself inexplicably needing sleep. It was as if his physical body didn''t require it, but some other force within him did. Initially finding it odd, he brushed off the feeling when he realized it didn''t typically with his activities. He just assumed it was a part of his biological needs. ncing around, he noticed something in the distance¡ªthe mine was still brightly lit despite thete hour. Large spotlights illuminated the area, casting a glow over the road where trucks transported raw materials from the mining site to the processing area. It was a clear indicator that this ce was buzzing with activity around the clock, with workers swapping shifts to maintain production all the time. Realizing this, he hurried toward the site where a small living area was set up, located a safe distance away from the mine to avoid the dangers of inhaling unrefined cobalt directly. Though the distance was around 5 km from the edge of the mine, the terrain was t, allowing himto traverse the area quickly with his current speed. After reaching the ce, he counted over 100 small houses scattered around. Portable houses lined up, all made from modified containers, providing spaces good for 2-3 people. He scoped out the area cautiously, ducking into the shadows as he strategized his approach. Taking out arge number of people without being found out was his priority. It would be a hassle if hundreds of humans suddenly started running in all directions, especially since they could use cars, making it impossible to track them down once they started fleeing for their lives. He wouldn''t face such a problem if he had a domain. Regrettably, Summit City offered limited information on the matter, leaving him clueless about what to do next. Details about demons were scarce in Summit City, mostly limited to basic knowledge and rumors. To add to his frustration, there wasn''t even a demon in Veiled Nights whom Reign could consult with for answers. True, Veiled Nights does ept demons under certain circumstances, but most of them were found in Tier 1 cities, with the asional presence in Tier 2 cities ording to Byron. As a result, Summit Citycked the expertise or resources to provide Reign with the information he needed. ''Slowly but surely,'' he muttered to himself as he crouched in the corner, patiently awaiting the perfect opportunity. He decided to kill off his targets one by one at first. Once the crowd thinned to around 200-300, he could afford to be more daring in his actions. 15 meters from him, he spotted a cluster of five people on the back of one of the portable house, they seemed rxed,ughing and having a good time, blissfully unaware of the imminent death creeping up on them. Reign slowly and carefully approached them, making sure to stay in the shadows. Seeing an opportunity, he noticed one of them standing up and relieving himself in a dark corner. Silently, he crept up from behind, using makeshift bone de resembling an icepick. Its unique design ensured that after stabbing his prey, blood would clot and bleed internally rather than externally. This approach would make his killings much cleaner, a lesson he learned after witnessing the mess he caused at Cyril''s family Mansion. "Hey, stop bothering me," the man rolled his shoulder when he felt that someone was tapping on it. "I said stop!" he eximed as he hurriedly zipped his pants and turned around, thinking it was his friend ying around. But when he did, a cold, hard palm covered his mouth, and he felt a stabbing pain in his chest. "URGH..URGH.. URGHH," he mumbledand struggled in pain, but the cold hand prevented him from crying out in agony. After confirming the kill, Reign wasted no time, and devoured his prey quickly. Thanks to his upgraded Bone Eater skill(I) - (IV) , the devouring process was now quicker than before , ensuring a seamless and efficient action. The poor man died just like that, leaving behind only his clothing as evidence of his existence. The other four, stillughing and enjoying themselves, didn''t even notice that one of their friends was now gone. They continued tough and gulped their cold beer, eat meat, and joke around, using the gathering as a way to relieve some of their stress from work. Because of how oblivious they were, they did not sense someone jump from behind them andnd on their table. Without a paused , Reign shot his icepick de directly in their hearts, instantly killing each one and absorbing them. ''That''s one,'' he chuckled to himself, feeling that this was somehow a good start. He then proceeded from one house to another, ensuring not to cause too muchmotion. [Level Up + 1] Reign finally heard the sound of leveling up after killing around 140+ people, most of them where sleep and did not realized that they were killed off. However his easy going strategycame to an end when a loud sound rm echoed in the area. "So they finally noticed," Reign sighed as the rm rang much sooner than he had anticipated. Seeing people start to run out of their houses, he immediately changed his ns. "Monster!!!" "Help! a monster!!!" "Run! Run! Run!" Screams of fear filled the air as Reign began his massacre . Without remorse, he ended the lives of those nearby, their heads severed from their bodies with each flick of his arms. While his w bullets took out anyone within range, leaving no chance for escape. As the casualty count rose, armed guards arrived in a military-grade vehicle, its mounted machine gun ready for action. However, they hesitated to open fire, because they were too many innocent civilians blocking Reign . "What''s the n, sir?" asked a guard, his finger hovering over the trigger, wary of the potential coteral damage. Opening fire would risk the lives of numerous bystanders caught in the crossfire. Themander of the guards furrowed his eyebrows, feeling conflicted. Many of the people caught in the chaos were familiar faces, adding to his uncertainty about what action to take. But if they just stand there, the monster will close in on them, putting their lives at risk. "Open fire once that goddamn monster get closed, then help the survivors, load them onto the truck, and let''s get out of here," he ordered. When Reign finally reached their striking distance,four vehicle with machine guns opened fire on him. RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT! RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT! The powerful sounds of the machine-gunsechoed loudly, filling the air with their thunderous bursts. In response, Reign grabbed a live human and hurled them at the vehicles , repeating the action multiple times while dodging . The bodies mmed into the vehicle with sickening thuds, making the guards felt intimidated and disgusted. One unlucky gunner met his end when a body collided with his gun, the force of impact causing his head to snap back violently, resulting in instant death. "Not good," themander eximed, ordering a retreat. But before he could do so, Reign began shooting at their vehicles. The projectiles he hurled had enough power to prate the metal exteriors, killing the people inside. "Jump out and scatter!" he ordered, realizing it would be dangerous to stay inside. RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT! RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT! As they retreated, some guards began shooting with their rifles while backpedaling to slow the monster in front of them down. However, it proved to be too fast and agile for them. In reality, Reign was capable of tanking all those bullets, but he decided to dodge them instead to conceal his true abilities. Chapter 109: Locked and Loaded In the end, everyone was forced to abandon the residential area, fleeing with tears streaming down their faces, their sobs echoing the pain of being treated like mere cattle, their existence reduced to mere sustenance for another''s hunger. Reign decided to inflict further damage, taking the lives of couple dozens more before returning to the site and beginning to absorb everyone present.He could not let all this dead bodies go to waste . [Level up + 1] [Level up + 1] He leveled up two more times, bringing his level to 17. Reign decided to also speed up the absorption process, and allocated two more skill points to Bone Eater, enhancing his ability to quickly consume corpses. And even with that, it still took him a while, the process of absorbing hundreds of dead bodies consumingtime. During this gap, those who managed to escape had enough opportunity to call for backup. "What''s that sound?" Reign questioned, his attention momentarily diverted from his gruesome task of devouring more humans, as a loud noise came from the sky above. And when he focused his eyes, utilizing the enhanced vision of Mantis eyes, he saw something that nearly made him thought that he was on a war zone. Four Apache-type helicopters and one carrier-type ck helicopter were en route, their full speed and roaring engines indicating they meant business. Little did Reign know, there was a military base nearby. Unlike gangs, drug dealers, and other criminal organizations, the government protected legitimate businesses fiercely. They would bring forth hell to anyone who dared disrupt any part of the Chamber of Commerce. Reign had managed to evade the full force of the government''s wrath after the massacre of Cyril''s family due to their involvement in the retailing business, a sector perceived as receable. However, the tycoons who owned the manufacturing industry were shielded byyers of protection, making them almost untouchable. WOOOOSH! The four helicopters suddenly fired missiles in his direction, causing Reign to be a bit intimidated by it. Uncertain of the power of those weapons, he couldn''t help but feel threatened by it. Reacting fast, he used his full speed to dodge the iing projectiles. The subsequent explosion mirrored a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, with houses being decimated one after another in its wake. The loud explosions sent shockwaves through the air, engulfing the entire residential area in billowing clouds of ck smoke. But the attack was far from over. "Let''s go!" A man in his 40s, d in a ck kimono, barked out the order. With him were five more Hunters, who leaped to the ground, determined to finish the job with their own hands. These two groups, assigned to the military base nearby, were far stronger and more experienced than the one Reign had encountered before. While they were still far from the level of the Two Digits hunters, their extensivebat experience allowed them to act and utilize their strengths more efficiently. As theynded on the ground, they immediately donned visors over their eyes and activated their breathing techniques to increase their physical attributes. Their movements were fast and powerful, they moved with incredible speed as they tried to pin point the location of the demon that had cause all this trouble. From within the swirling cloud of smoke, Reign observed the iing group, a creepy smile slowly forming on his face as he recognized their strength and skill. "Finally, some good mutation material," he chuckled sadistically, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. But he was not foolish enough to engage them head-on right away. Instead, he focused his gaze on the helicopters, which continued to provide them with aerial surveince. He raised his right arm and grasped it with his left, then knelt on the ground like he was nning to use a rocketuncher. Using bone control, he altered the shape of the w bullet. This time, the w bullet forming in his palm was thicker and shaped like a sharp spike, rather than the usual smaller version. With his exceptional eye coordination and reaction time, Reign predicted the direction the helicopter would move. Shooting from the ground up required more energy, but it posed no issue for him given the ample reserves he possessed. "Lock on," Reign muttered, his body vibrating from the recoil. The smoke around him scattered as the shockwaves from his attack pierced the air with a powerful force. "Evade ! Evade !" the co-pilot shouted as he saw the projectile hurtling toward them. But their efforts were futile. The projectile found its mark, destroying their rotors with devastating force, forcing them into an emergencynding. The pilots of the other helicopters, witnessing the fate of theirrade, immediately increased their altitude in a bid to evade another attack. However, Reign wasted no time inunching his assault against them . BOOOOOOOM! One of the helicopters was directly hit, the force of the impact causing it to explode mid air. BOOOOOOOM! Another one went down as the cockpit and the pilot were directly prated, causing the helicopter toe crashing down to the ground. As for the fourth one, it managed to ascend to a height beyond Reign''s reach, evading any further attacks. On the ground The hunters were taken aback by the sudden chain of explosions, their expressions shifting from determination to concern and disbelief. "Shit, we''re dealing with at least a Mid or maybe Peak High Demon!" one of them eximed, realization dawning upon them. They had thought they were here to trap and kill a demon, but now they understood that they were the true prey in this deadly game. "Let''s retreat..." A man with bald hair suggested, but before he could finish his words, he instinctively felt danger and raised his sword. CLANG! He was struck by a projectile, and was sent staggering back ten steps, his sword trembling from the force of the impact. "Be careful, it''s here," he groaned in pain, his wordsced with urgency and warning. "You''re the one that needs to be careful," Reign''s voice echoed behind him. The hunter pivoted to intercept the iing strike with his sword, but Reign''s w was faster, already piercing his abdomen before he could fully react. "I... Impossible," the bald hunter gasped, blood seeping from his lips, his eyes filled with despair as he saw Reign''s power firsthand. The realization struck hard: this was not something that a mere two groups of veteran Hunters could handle. It wasn''t that the bald man was weak. In fact, he was at least twice as strong as James. Butpared to Reign now, who had be dozens of times stronger, there was simply no chance for the hunter to win. Reign pullout his w , and did not waste time and run towards the other hunters . This time, the hunters were prepared, and the two of them attacked Reign simultaneously, believing that their teammate''s death was due to a surprise attack, and not because of overwhelming gap in power. "Too slow," Reign sneered in contempt as he effortlessly dodged the first attack, sidestepping the iing strike. Then, with a backflip, he evaded the second hunter''s attempt to pierce his side abdomen. . "Hey, you gotta do more than that if you want to hit me," Reign taunted, hisughter echoing through the air as he jumped effortlessly out of reach of their attacks. Chapter 110: Faster The two hunters stood in shock as they watched Reign''s incredible disy of flexibility. Demons, like him that does not look human, were known for their brute strength and primal fighting instincts, often resorting to aggressive attacks even with their intelligence. However, Reign''s dodges resembled the fluid grace of a master acrobat, defying their expectations. "Stay focused, this demon is more troublesome than we thought," one of the hunters barked out. He adjusted his stance, then without hesitation, took a bold step forward, dashing toward Reign with his sword poised for a piercing strike. "Serpent Breathing Technique... Swallowed Point!" he roared, his sword slicing through the air with a newfound fluidity, its trajectory bing increasingly elusive and difficult to anticipate. One of the hunters use his footwork technique, but Reign''s unblinking eyes rendered the tactic ineffective against him. Despite this setback, the hunter remained agile and quick, zigzagging to maintain control of his speed and prepare for a follow-up attack, in case his teammate need one. When the first hunter reached Reign, he tried to dodge the attack again , but he realized that the sword seemed to be moving in a way it shouldn''t, almost bending in the air. This was no ordinary attack. This Hunter was way more powerful than thest. As Reign used his w to block the sword, he saw that he sessfully block it, but he still felt the impact of multiple strikes hitting his body. He realized he had underestimated these hunters. While they might not possess overwhelming physical strength, their mastery of techniquepensated for it. But they were not the only one who could use technique, when Reign adapt to the speed of the sword, the hunter suddenly felt that something was wrong. "Stream Guide!," he eximed in shock as he realized the demon in front of him was using a Hunter Technique of such advanced caliber. The surprise distraction caused the hunter to falter, leaving an opening for Reign''s w to find its mark on his chest. "Shit," the hunter cursed under his breath. He knew he could still survive if he backed away, but before he could retreat, bone shrapnels exploded inside him, taking out his life in an instant. The other hunter waiting on the sidelines clicked his tongue in annoyance. He had hesitated to join the fray, knowing his teammate had the upper hand. However, he hadn''t anticipated the demon reversing the momentum with just one attack. "Hawk Breathing Technique, Wind Slicer!" he eximed, inhaling deeply and unleashing his attack to clear the smoke surrounding him. With the distance still between them, he transitioned into attack mode. A Wind de, powerful enough to slice through a car, cleaved through the air, hurtling directly towards Reign. Its force was so strongthat it left a deep gouge in the ground along its path. However¡ª Reign just dodge it by turning sideways, and he run towards the source . Seeing the impending danger, the hunter continued to unleash Wind Slicer attacks while retreating to maintain distance. He knew thathe was inferior in closebatpared to his teammate who had just died, so keeping a safe distance was paramount for his survival. "You think you can run away from me?" Reign sneered in contempt as dashedforward, doubling his speed without breaking a sweat. The hunter instinctively swung his sword out of surprised , but when Reign''s w met it, the force of the impact pushed him back five steps. Without hesitation, Reign unleashed a relentless onught of attacks, ultimately overwhelming the hunter and cutting him down to the ground. "Is it just me? Or am I too high level in this ce?" Reign chuckled to himself, feeling satisfied with his performance . He couldn''t help but draw a parallel to a level 50 character dominating a level 10 area in an MMO¡ªa favorite act among gamers. But, despite the stigma, he couldn''t deny the thrill of asserting his dominance over weaker opponents. ''Another visitors ?'' He refrained from immediately absorbing the corpses of the three dead hunters as he sensed the appearance of another team. There was no time for indulgence; instead, he focused on the neers. What caught his attention was the confidence radiating from them, indicating that this next team was stronger than thest, unfazed even after witnessing Reign power. "You''re pretty confidenting here, aren''t you? Aren''t you afraid I''ll kill you three like this guys?" Reign chuckled sadistically, attempting to taunt them. He was curious to know the source of their confidence. One of the hunters, a man in his thirties with a short stubble but no mustache, refused to be provoked. Instead, he drew his sword, and the two hunters behind him followed suit. His name was Jayden, the team leader of this group, and he was considered a genius by many. In terms of ability alone, he was many times stronger than the hunters that Reign had killed. But his confidence did not stem solely from his ability; it also derived from his origin. Unlike most of the hunters here, who were born and trained in Tier 4 cities, Jayden hailed from a Tier 2 city. He had been assigned to this area due to personal reasons, setting him apart from the normal hunters. This meant his breathing techniques were more advanced than those of others. Though he was still not an official double-digit ,he surpassed the typical three-digit hunters in strength by miles. In fact, the only reason he hadn''t been able to break into the top 100 spot was because all those individuals were monstrous in their own right. There was even a rumor circting that the current top 100 right nowprised the strongest batch in history. "What are you doing in Summit City? You''re breaking the treaty between humans and the demons," Jayden asked, his tone devoid of any hint of fear. "Treaty? I don''t know about that stuff," Reign shook his head, the creepy grin on his face intensifying. "I see, so you''re just a rogue demon. This will be easier. At least now I know that no one woulde looking for me if I killed you," Jayden replied calmly, his tone unwavering despite the gravity of the situation. He dropped to one knee and gripped the handle of his sword, ready in a drawing position. The air around him started to move as if they were being charge by some kind of kic energy , and every-time he breath out the air seems to be electrified. "Thunderbird Breathing Technique, Thunder Step!" Jayden uttered . In an instant, his body blurred, apanied by a loud cracking sound trailing behind his movements. Even Reign was taken aback by the sudden surge of speed. "Mantis Eyes!" He activated his skill, pushing his reaction time to its limit. With no time to waste, he raised his bony arms to block the iing attack in front of him BOOOOOOOM! He felt his bones trembling as he was sent hurtling through the air. The force of Jayden''s attack was further amplified by the momentum generated from Thunder Step, leaving Reign struggling to maintain his bnce. ''This guy is no joke ,'' Reign thought to himself as he regained his footing. It was a good thing that he had incorporated Stream Guide before he was hit, allowing him to minimize the damage. This was also the reason why he appeared to have been sent flying through the air. *** Authors Note. The bonus chapter for 200 Power Stones will be uploaded on Sunday. Keep on voting to get more chapters . Chapter 111: No More Holding Back? "Pathetic," Jayden shook his head in disappointment. He had expected more of a challenge, especially after seeing how easily the demon killed the three hunters. ''The standard of hunters in this ce is embarrassing, as expected from a peaceful ce," he shook his head.;Hunters like these wouldn''tst a day in a Tier 2 city. A High Demon might be something dangerous in a Tier 4 city, but where he came from, they were beings that he fought from time to time. "He''s too strong," muttered a woman in her thirties. She had shoulder-length chestnut hair, piercing brown eyes framed by thin-rimmed sses, and a mature expression etched on her face. Her name was Amanda She had heard rumors that Jayden''s abilities could not be judged by normal standards, but seeing it firsthand, she could tell that he had the ability to single-handedly kill dozens of hunters from their branch. "He''s on another level," another voice echoed, this time from a man in his 50s. He appearedvery matured, especially with his long hair and beard adding to his distinguished look. This guy''s name was Arnold, and he was spot on in saying that Jayden was on a totally different level than them. Truth be told, the digit system of the Hunter Association was more intricate than one might think. Firstly, there were only [One], [Two],[Three-digits] Hunters despite the thousands that existed worldwide. This was because ranking was divided by Tiers. For example, a Hunter ranked 1 in a Tier 1 City would have a designation like T1-1. They would be dozens of times stronger than someone ranked T4-1. In Jayden''s case, his current official rank was T2-101, but if he were to engage inbat with multiple T4-101 hunters, he could easily defeat a dozen of them due to the massive difference in tiers. To increase his rank further, he needed to pass the test of a Tier 1 city and start from the bottom again. This system was established so that stronger hunters could be transfer step by step until they finally reached Tier 1 cities where the front line was located. Even the Veiled Nights and other organizations also followed this type of progression, albeit theirs was more simple and direct. So why did a powerful person like hime to a Tier 4 city? Well, it was for personal reasons. He was searching for something here, which was why he decided to be temporarily reassigned. "Yeah, you said it. I thought those rumors about the top 10 from Tier 1 cities being able to slice arge mountain in half were exaggerated, but after seeing him, I think it''s really possible," Amanda replied. There was a hint of admiration in her eyes. It was only natural for women to be attracted to strong men, and right now, it could be said that he was one of the strongest, if not the strongest, individuals in Summit City. "Bad luck for that demon, its fate is now sealed that Jayden is here," she added with a smirk. She felt a surge of confidence, seeing how far the demon was sent flying by just a single attack. As for the demon in question? Reign observed his opponentquietly after getting caught off guard . Having reached the Upper Level, Reign had believed none could challenge him in Summit City in a 1 v 1. However, Jayden''s presence revealed the true foundation of the Hunter Association. Facing him, Reign felt like the hunters he encountered before where trash. ''Looks like I can''t keep up the acting weak anymore,"''Reign chuckled to himself. Though the hunter standing before him was strong, he was still leagues away from being able to ovee an Upper Rank Demon. What happened back then was simply because Reign grew toocent, failing to put up even a proper defense. Now that he was ready, there was no way Jayden could pull it off again unscathed. "You''d better run if you don''t want to die a dog''s death," Jayden dered as he sheathed back his sword , his confidence was evident all over his face. Reign, however, found Jayden''s disy amusing. "You know, you''re trying a bit too hard to act tough," he chuckled. "It''s like you''re on a stage, putting on a show for the crowds." Jayden narrowed his eyes, clenching his fists at his sides, but he did not respond verbally. Instead, he took a deep breath and began to slowly pace around Reign, never taking his eyes off the demon, until he found the best opportunity to strike. "Thunder Bird Breathing Technique¡­ Thunder Step," He uttered again , and just likest time his speed went from Zero to super fast out of nowhere. But this time, Reign was ready and waiting for him. He raised both of his skeletal arms and unleashed a barrage of w bullets at Jayden, knowing that with his speed, changing direction would be a struggle. "Predictable," Jayden sneered in contempt as he drew his sword much earlier . "Static Shield!" he added Kic energy surged from his body, forming a circr electricbarrier around him that bent the trajectory of the w bullets. Reign saw this, and he would be lying if he said he wasn''t shocked. However, this was not a good time to be amazed. Instead of repeating the same action, he focused his energy in his w, eager to see who possessed more power. "Let''s see if you can survive this," Reign grumbled menacingly. His arms darkened as he concentrated his negative energy into his ws, a power he had kept concealed until now, reserved for a worthy opponent . The aura surrounding his w was so powerful that even the two hunters from the distance felt their bodies unconsciously backing away. Jayden also sensed the impending danger , but he couldn''t stop his momentum now; or he would suffer from the backsh. "Damn it!" Jayden roared while crushing something in his hand. It was the special item that he came here for in on the fist ce. He knew it was a waste to use it in such unfavorable conditions, but he had no other choice. The lightning around his body surged, intensifying in brilliance. His hair turned glowing white from the light, his eyes bled with power, and his skin darkened as if struck by lightning. "You gotta be kidding me " Reign couldn''t believe his luck. Both of them had been holding back all along. BOOOOOOOOM! When Jayden''s sword and Reign''s w shed, a bright spark ignited, followed by a shockwave that seemed as if the ce had been bombarded by multiple mortars . Wind swept away the smoke from the fire, and the ground trembled beneath them, dust flying all over the ce. "What happened?" Amanda asked with a concerned look. For Reign and Jayden, the events unfolded much slower due to their quick reaction time, but for the others, it was all too fast to follow. "I don''t know, there''s too much dust and smoke," Arnold answered, his hand still covering his face due to the swirling debris. When the dust settled, only one silhouette stood tall. "No way," Amanda gasped, stunned. She saw a figure shrouded in lightning, glowing as if he was some kind of god. But beneath the bright lighty a charred skin . "Where is the demon?" Arnold asked. There was no one there except for Jayden. "Maybe it got totally obliterated? Jayden did not hold back at all in that attack," Amanda replied with a grin on her face. ''Too powerful¡­too powerful,''were the only words she could think of after witnessing everything. Chapter 112: All Out ''Damn it,'' Jayden cursed inwardly, feeling as though his whole body was on the brink of breaking any second now. He struggled to adjust to the powerful effects of the Lightning Rune he had just activated. This super rare item had the ability to exponentially boost his power, but the process had to be gradual, allowing the body to adjust ordingly. Many people who tried to absorb all the energy in one go ended up either dead, crippled, or, for some miraculous reason, incredibly strong. But only a few managed to achieve the third oue, and all of them were considered geniuses in their own right. They possessed heavenly blessed physical physiques since birth. Currently, due to the sudden surge, his overallbat ability was already on par with that of a T2-5 hunter, representing an abnormal spike inbat ability. In fact, even if he had absorbed this rune normally, there was a very high chance that he would never reach this level at all. So, his body was more like a car right now that was filled with a jet engine, receiving a temporary boost in exchange for breaking his engine. He felt like a balloon filled to bursting, held back only by his continuous use of breathing techniques. If not for this, he feared he would have already burst from within. The silver lining here was that the demon was also caught off guard by his exponential boost and was killed right on the spot. He doubted that anyone could have survived that; it was an attack that could have one-shot a normal Peak High Demon. And even heavily wound a Beginner Upper Demon, given the right circumstances. *** In the distance, arge crater formed on the mountainside as a round andpact silver object crashed into it with a momentum akin to a bullet train hitting a wall at full speed. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! The round object started breaking bit by bit, and suddenly, a silver bone hand punched through it, shattering the shell like an egg. "What was that?" Reign grumbled . He couldn''t believe he had been sent flying for real this time. The force of the attack exceeded his expectations, but he managed to mitigate the damage by using Bone Control to form a sturdy, round shell around his body in mid-air. This expanded his body''s surface area, allowing the wind friction to slow his descent before impact. It was a stroke of genius, and even with lightning-fast reflexes, it wasn''t a maneuver just anyone could execute. Reign''s ability to pull it off stemmed not only from his fast reaction time but also from his capacity to think faster under pressure. With his body still in fighting condition, Reign was still capable of continuing the battle. However, he chose to stay put first and did not engage with Jayden after discovering something odd. Observing the hunter''s current condition, Reign realized that whatever Jayden had done to boost his power hade at a high cost. During their sh, Reign noticed Jayden''s eyes almost popping out from the pressure. "Did he take a drug?" he mused inwardly, but after recalling everything, he didn''t see the hunter taking anything at all. This was something different. Reign could feel an entirely different type of power coursing through Jayden aftering into contact with the lightning. He couldn''t quite pinpoint what it was, but instinctively, he knew it was far more powerful than any ordinary breathing technique. *** With Jayden''s body in overdrive, all his senses heightened, allowing him to see much further than usual . ''It''s still alive?'' he was shocked to see the demon in the distance, around 2 kilometers away, ring and observing him Despite his expectations of a decisive one shot blow, the demon stood tall, seemingly unaffected by the attack. ''No, that''s impossible. He must be on hisst legs,'' he reassured himself. Surely, a Peak high demon couldn''t emerge unscathed after such an attack, right? ''I need to end this fast,'' Jayden resolved himself. There was no point in backing out now; he had already stepped on the pedal, so the only way was forward. His legs bent as he once again channeled the excess energy into them. Now that he was this powerful, there was no longer a need for him to go through the initial preparation for Thunder Step. SWOOOOOOSH! Another thunderous sound echoed , as Jayden with all his power close the distance between him and Reign. "Death Aura," Reign unleashed his ability, causing the atmosphere around him to grow heavier. Even Jayden felt a constriction in his power despite him being still a distance away, but it wasn''t enough to hinder him in his current state. ''System, turn on the dominating aura,'' Reignmanded, and the once-sealed aura, proof of his status as an Upper Demon, was finally unleashed. When this aura worked in tandem with the Death Aura, its effects were multiplied many times over. "This Aura! .." Jayden felt the aura entering his body, causing the already chaotic energy to spiral out of control. As a result, his speed was halved, and his senses were muffled to the point of momentarily cking out. At this moment, he finally realized that he wasn''t just dealing with a Peak High Demon. When his awareness returned, Jayden found himself close to Reign, whose fist had turned ck from the negative aura. This time, Reign had decided to go with his fist, aware that swords were weaker against blunt surfaces. ''I can''t stop now! I need to kill this demon no matter what!'' With no other option but to fight his way through, Jayden gritted his teeth and drew in a deep breath. His heart rate doubled, the flow of his blood elerated, and his lungs expanded as he breathed in the air. Some of the veins in his body burst, but they were instantly vaporized by the sparks around him. When the preparation wasplete, he gripped his sword with all his might, channeling all his force into it and his wrist. He was nning to execute a technique that had been impossible for him to perform before. "Thunder Bird Breathing Technique¡­. Lightning sh!" he roared, channeling all his power as he swung his sword downward . If he was going to die anyway, then he would take this wretched demon with him . "Let''s die together, you bastard!" he roared in anger. "Don''t get too cocky," Reign sneered in contempt, as he focused all his energy into a single point: the tip of his knuckle. But he didn''t stop there. He also incorporated the Stream Guide to make his strike even more fatal, shifting the weight in his body to the point that his fist, from its initial position, generated a sound akin to a jet engine the moment he swung it. When his fist collided with the air molecules, a spark formed, igniting abustion as the air turned into mes. "ARGGGGGH!!!!" Both fighters roared in unison as they unleashed their strongest attacks. BOOOOOOOOOOM! An explosion, far more devastating than before, thundered through the air with such force that it shook the very earth beneath their feet. The ground quivered and trembled, sending shockwaves rippling outward in all directions. The impact was so powerful that neither of them could figure out the oue until the veryst moment. Chapter 113: Outcome Dust and debris billowed all over the ce, obscuring the once-clear night sky with a thick haze of smoke and ashes. This time, however, there were no bodies sent flying in the aftermath. Instead, Jayden''s body stood there, or what remained of it. THUD! His once-powerful body crumpled to the ground, now a charred and battered shell of its former glory. Smoke wisped from his destroyed clothing, the acrid scent of burnt flesh filling the air around him. There was no wet blood to be seen, for the intense heat of the electricity running through his body had seared his flesh and vaporized any traces of bodily fluids. All that remained was a twisted mass of burnt flesh and bone, a grim reminder ofhow much he had to sacrificed in order to temporary gain control of that borrowed power. However, even with the fatal injury, the rune he had absorbed pulsated with a faint glow in his brain, preserving his life for a little while longer. In that final moments, his life shed before him: all the inspiration, motivation, and training he had endured just to achieved his goal of bing a powerful hunter. He had sacrificed everything¡ªhis childhood, his youth, and even hisown family, just to pursue his career as a hunter. A vision emerged in his memory¡ªa man in his 50s, wielding a white katana with lightning pattern on it''s de, standing tall among the corpses of tens of thousands of corrupted and demons. In his recollection, this was his aspiration, a towering figure revered and feared by many because of hismanding presence and overwhelming power. "Father... I''m sorry¡­ I failed you¡­." he murmured as he breathed hisst. *** "What''s happening? Is it over?" Amanda asked anxiously, unable tofigure out the current situation due to their distance. All they saw was Jayden suddenly using Thunder Step, leading them to assume that the demon was still alive, and he was finishing the job. Next moment, another, muchrger explosion echoed, and the two hunters found themselves struggling to maintain their footing as the ground began to quake. Whatever happened in that sh was beyond their wildest imagination. This was no longer a battle that could beprehended with their current knowledge. "Let''s check it out," Arnold suggested, his curiosity piqued by the oue of the battle. It was the first time he had witnessed a confrontation of such magnitude. "Okay," Amanda nodded decisively. They needed to check on their leader just in case he needed help. While they might be useless in the battle of this proportion, Amanda was a certified medic, so she could at least do something if he was injured. But before they could move further, they felt a sudden chill down their spines, and amidst the dust and smoke, a silver figure with blue glowing eyes dashed towards them. Reign was not as fast as Jayden, but he was still way faster than these hunters. "Shit, it''s the demon!" Amanda eximed in shock. She couldn''t believe that Jayden actually got defeated. "Let''s get out of here!" Arnold shouted, urgency filled his voice. Without hesitation, they darted and retreated, their instincts overriding any thought of fighting head-on. With Reign still at a distance, they knew they had the upper hand for now. However¡ª The gap between them kept decreasing, and it didn''t take Reign long to catch up. Within a few hundred meters, the duo felt their speed slowing down, and a heavy air restricted their movements. They immediately realized they were under the influence of an Area of Effect ability. "We can''t outrun it! Get ready," Arnold shouted . He quickly spun around and drew his swords, even though his hands trembled from fear. He knew all too well that they stood no chance against a demon who had managed to kill Jayden, someone dozens of times stronger than them. ''Forgive me, love,'' Arnold force a wry smile, a bittersweet pang hitting his heart as he thought of his wife and daughter whom he would leave behind. But even though he had epted his fate, he still mustered all his remaining strength and activated his ownst resort technique¡ªthe same one Dominic had used against Anna to temporarily boost his power at the cost of his own vitality. Blood flowed into his eyes, veins bulging as he raised his sword for onest attack. "DIE!!!!!!!" he roared, bringing down his sword with the intent to at least wound the demon in front of him. But as it made contact with Reign''s fist, Arnold felt as though he had been struck by a missile. His sword shattered upon impact, and Reign''s fist punched a gaping hole through his chest. "NO!!!!!!!" Amanda screamed in terror, her voice echoing with desperation and anguish. Instinctively, she turned and run away again, but it was a fatal mistake. In that moment of vulnerability, Reign used his w bullet to shoot her in the back. The bullets struck her urately, puncturing through her flesh with a sickening thud. Pain seared through her body as she crumpled to the ground. Her vision blurred with tears as she gazed on the pool of her own blood spreading across the dirty ground. At first, she dared to hope that the damage wasn''t severe, but as her adrenaline faded, the truth became painfully clear. Dozens of small spikes protruded from her flesh, each one a cruel reminder of Reign''s merciless attack. Unable to move, shey there pitifully, gasping for air, until she finally died. ''That was tiring,'' Reign chuckled to himself, feeling the weight of the recent events. His carefullyid ns for staying under the radar until he reached level 20 had been thoroughly disrupted. But, amidst the frustration, there was a glimmer of satisfaction in his face. This unexpected confrontation had provided him with a treasure trove of material, enough to make him grin from ear to ear. Especially, Jayden''s dead body. Reign wagered that the experience points and benefits he would gain from Jayden''s corpsed would far exceed the setback, with interest. With a sly grin, he decided to absorb the remaining dead humans first before gathering the bodies of the six fallen hunters. Before carrying the bodies, he thoroughly checked them to ensure there were no trackers attached. After he was done, he created six spikes from his back and impaled the six hunters like a barbecue as he sprinted towards the dense forest to hide. He might appear okay at the moment, but the sheer amount of negative energy he had expended against Jayden was huge. Reign couldn''t afford to face another wave of hunters, so he had no choice but to retreat strategically for the time being. SWOOOOSH! The trees blurred past him as he raced on all fours, carrying the weight of six dead bodies on his back. Each stride shook the forest floor a bit because of the added weight, branches swiping at him as he dashed through it. Once he was confident he had put enough distance between himself and the mine, Reign meticulously rearranged the mangled corpses on the ground. Aligning them in the order in which he had brutally killed them. Chapter 114: Power-Up Part 1 Inside the forest Reign started by devouring the five hunters, beginning with the one he killed first, the bald hunter who hadn''t even had the chance to used his technique before he got brutally murdered likea pig. As the absorption processmenced, he sensed that devouring Hunters was a wholly different experiencepared to consuming humans. They brimmed with more energy, and with his heightened senses, he discerned the disparity between humans and hunters much more urately. It was akin toparing a dor steak to a premium cut. [Mutation Option Avable ] >Hawk Bones >Hawk Talons ''This mutation material is moremon than I thought,'' Reign mused to himself after recognizing the familiar Breathing Technique. It was the same one he had absorbed in the forest with Anna. [System: Host has meet the requirements 2/2Same Bone Materials] [Would you like to sacrifice to ?] A notification rang, catching his attention. He nced toward the window panel to check what it was about. ''Oh, so now the system is consolidating redundant abilities into one,'' Reign thought to himself. It wasn''t a big deal for him; in fact, it would make it much easier for him to track his abilities. This was simr to what had happened with his Mantis Eyes, where it absorbed the other mutation organs. In this case Hawk Bones was inferior to Enhance Bones that''s why it would be devoured instead. This was because of his race leaned too much on Bone Control, and other Bone Rted skills. So it was only natural that this was the most dominant part of his body. "Yes," he answered decisively. There was no way he would pass up on this opportunity. As soon as he responded, a loading bar appeared in his window. With each passing moment, the bar progressed until finally, a new mini window popped up. [Enhance Bones XXV] His Enhanced Bones finally surpassed the level 20 cap. While five ranks up might not seem like much, when he began to feel his bones density, he noticed they had actually be 50% tougher. This was a big improvement, especially considering he already had some durable bones before. [System: Would you like to Sacrifice Hawk Talon for 1 Skill Points] ''I''m liking this system more and more,'' he chuckled to himself, seeing more features now avablepared to the Beta Phase. He first read about the Hawk Talon abilities, but found them neither tempting nor useful. In fact, his current ws were already thick because it''s already part of his bones. So he decided to sacrifice it, opting instead to gain 1 skill point that he could useter. Next on his agenda was the Hunter who could bend swords mid-air. He found himself intrigued by the man''s flexibility. He remembered how the sword seemed to change trajectory mid-air, and if not for his quick reaction time and overwhelming power advantage, the fight would have posed a far greater challenge. Upon reflecting on their battle, Reign figured outthat the illusion of the sword bending was not due to any mystical force but rather the man''s own body, which moved with a fluidity akin to a whip. The Hunter''s wrist and other joints yed an important role in facilitating the illusion that the sword was changing and twisting. [Mutation Option Avable ] > Serpent Vertebrate > Serpent Skin ''Ah, just like that Divergent guy,'' Reign murmured to himself, remembering about Ben. He reflected on how he had only acquired the Serpent Eye organ from devouring him, then quickly sacrificing it in favor of the more powerful Mantis Eyes. He decided to read the information about the two mutation organs. After discovering that the enhanced flexibility was from the additional Invertebratal cartge ( Small Bones that Connect Bigger Bones), simr to those found in snakes, his desire for it increased . It was true that he could control his bones and reshape them to some extent, but it felt too generalized. With the Serpent Vertebrate, he would gain more precise control and could make his bones more flexible. It would be foolish to pass up such valuable material. The price for this one was 2 skill points, so he sold Serpent Skin first, seeing that it held no usefulness for him. [Purchase Serpent Vertebrate] Following the mutation, he lifted his arms,bining both Serpent Vertebrate and Bone Control techniques. The oue was remarkable; his arm was now more flexible. By enhancing the Intervertebral cartge, which served as the connection between bones, he extended his reach even further. CLICK! CLICK! CRACK! As he threw a simple jab, a gust of wind was generated from the impact. The reason behind it was the extension of his arms due to the cartge. This sequential extension created a chain reaction, increasing the momentum of the punch every time one part of the arm click and extend. His hand was now like a spring, building momentum with each click and extension of the arm, all thanks to the cartge. "Sweet," Reign grinned, impressed by theimprovement the cartge had brought to his body. Satisfied with his progress, he moved on to devour the third Hunter. [Mutation Option Avable ] > Hawk Eye > Hawk Talon Reign noticed the reappearance of the Hawk mutation again. The breathing technique used by the Hunters seemed to be moremon than he had initially thought. Perhaps individuals like Dominic, with the Smander Breathing technique and Jayden with Thunderbird, were a bit rarer. First, he sacrificed Hawk Eye to enhance his Mantis Eyes, and then he sold the Hawk Talon for skill points. Mantis Eyes (25%) > (27%) For the fourth Hunter, Jayden was supposed to be next, but Reign decided to save him forst. Instead, he went for Arnold. After absorbing Arnold''s body, Reign obtained some mutations organs, but they proved to be useless at his current level. So, he ended up selling them both for 2 skill points. Next was Amanda. Simr to thest one, her mutation organs weren''t particrly useful to him and even had some conflicting effects. Therefore, he decided to convert them into 2 skill points. ''Finally,'' Reign''s grin stretched from ear to ear as he surveyed Jayden''s charred remains on the ground. The scent of burnt flesh hung heavy in the air, akin to the aroma of a seared steak. He slowly raised his hands to touch the corpse and began absorbing it. The moment he did, consecutive notifications rang out in his head. [System: Host Consumed Lightning Rune Heart] [Multiple Rewards] >+20 skill points > Lightning Attributes [Level up + 1] [Level up + 1] The amount of experience he gained from Jayden was astronomical, showing just how powerful Jayden''s body was . ''Shit, another one ,'' he gasped, dropping to the ground as sensations surged through his entire body. It was as if he were being electrocuted, every part of his body tingling with an electric charge. And because his body wasposed mostly of metallic bones, the electricity coursed through him with much faster, as if he were a conductor. "ARHHHHHH!" he gritted his teeth, fully aware that enduring this pain would make him much stronger. "You think this is enough to hurt me?" he startedughing manically, enjoying the pain as it surged through him. Chapter 115: Power-Up Part 2 The electricity surged through his body, gradually transforming him. ck lines began to emerge amidst his silver skin, as if the lightning was etching dark veins into them. His hair had transformed into a pure, radiant white, while his once bright blue eyes now resembled glowing orbs encircled by arcs of blue lightning, crackling and swirling around them. Whatever that Lightning Heart was, it was an very powerful treasure, giving immense benefits to Reign. In fact, Reign should count himself very fortunate, as Jayden''s actions had maximized the benefits of the Rune. When Jayden forcefully crashed and absorbed the Lightning Rune, it crystallized his heart, transforming it into the core energy of his body, akin to that of a demon. Such an urrence was exceptionally rare. Typically, these runes only enhanced the heart gradually, adapting to it over an extended period of absorption Even if Reign were to devour a hunter with a crystallized rune heart, the amount of energy gained would notpare to Jayden''s, who had undergone an overload. In the end, everything fell into ce as multiple variables converged, showcasing how sometimes luck itself could be considered a powerful superpower. ''Why isn''t it calming down? ''Reign wondered to himself. The pain still lingered throughout his body, but he found himself getting better at handling it. But that didn''t mean he could endure it indefinitely. As the electricity showed no sign of stabilizing, Reign sensed that it was searching for a means to integrate itself into his body. Realizing his core has the ability to store energy, he opened it and direct the lightning inside. Instantly, the lightning began to prate his heart. The sh between the negative energy and the lightning felt as though his body was on the verge of exploding from within. "Damn, I messed up," he thought to himself, feeling the Lightning attempting to cleanse the negative energy within his body. Fortunately, the lightning began to stabilize after a few minutes. With time, a sense of equilibrium emerged between the two energies, although it seemed more like the lightning was adapting. Its color shifted to a dark crimson hue, transforming his once bright white hair into a radiant shade of glowing ck-red. His eyes underwent a total transformation as well, matching the dark crimson hue of his hair and the lightning,pleting his metamorphosis. When the ordeal finally ended, the electricity coursing through his body stabilized. However, his physical appearance was now very different from what it had been before. A red, round gem now resided in his chest, within which crimson electricity moved erratically, pulsating with intense energy. "What is this thing?" Reign wondered aloud as he touched the gem. Its hardness surpassed even that of his bones, and was immovable no matter how hard he tried. Unable to shift it, he resorted to covering it with anotheryer of bones to conceal the glowing light emanating from it. "Status," He quickly check his condition to see the changes in his body. ============ Name: Reign Level 19 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Lightning Skull Master (System Enhance) Strength :A+ Agility. :A+ Stamina A+ Endurance : A+ Intelligence: B- Energy: S+ Bite I Undead Eye I Night Crawl X wer VIII Viral sh X w Bullet XX - w Barrage XIV-(SP) Death Aura XI Enhance Bones XXV Bone Control XX Bone Eater VI Seed I Hawk Bones [30%] Scorpion Pores[30%] Mantis Eyes[27%] Drug Immunity Drug Resistance Drug Enhancer [Points] Attribute Points: 50 Skill Points : 27 Evolution Points : 0 ============ ''Lightning Skull Master, isn''t my title too over the top ?'' Reign mused to himself. He felt like one of those protagonists from novels with overly dramatic titles, as if they were trying topensate for something. ''Nah, I''m way better than those guys,''he muttered, shaking his head in embarrassment at the notion ofparing himself to fictional characters who were as dumb as rocks. He began to read his status, to discover what other changes he had acquired besides his new race. ''Nice,'' All his attributes, except for intelligence, had now reached A+ level, while his energy had soared to S+. The leap from S to S+ was huge; in fact, he felt as though his overall capacity had almost trippepared to before. "System, what level am I now?" he inquired eagerly. [Middle Upper Rank] Seeing the results, he clenched his fist in satisfaction. The boost in his strength empowered him, making him more confident to quickly execute his ns. Surprisingly, absorbing Jayden had inadvertently hastened his agenda. Now he could act more boldly without worrying about encountering too much resistance. It was good news for him, but for the entire poption of Summit City, it marked the beginning of the destruction of their beloved home. "No time to waste," he dered, springing to his feet and dashing towards his car. He was certain they would send someone even stronger the moment the Hunter Association discovered Jayden''s death . Reign guessed that Jayden must have had an extraordinary background to be that powerful. There was no way someone as powerful as him would be working in a Tier 4 city without a good reason. He needed to act quickly before reinforcements arrived in Summit City. When that time came, he had to ensure he had enough power to hold his ground. When he reached his pickup truck, he hastily reformed his bones, wear his clothing ,donned his mask, and stepped on the pedal, speeding off without dy. He had to reach the Industrial Sector quickly and devour as many humans as possible. *** Hunter Association. Director''s Office. "Sir, we''ve received news that a Cobalt Mine owned by Atari Power Industry has been attacked by a rogue demon. Should we send more reinforcements?" a man in a ck suit asked. He ced his tablet on the table to disy the map . "Isn''t that ce near the base where Jayden is assigned?" a man with a big belly and a haughty demeanor asked. This was the same person who had previously rejected McGaven''s request to form a rescue team for Dominic. "Yes, Sir" "Then there''s no problem anymore. He could kill that demon without an issue," the big-bellied man chuckled. He was pleased to have Jayden, a Bonafide Ranked Hunter from a Tier 2 city, at his disposal. "So we won''t send any reinforcements anymore?" "Why? That would just be a waste of resources. I''m sure any moment now we''ll receive a report saying that everything is finished, and that demon was taken care of. . " "This is strictly between us, but that Jayden guy is a VIP. Hees from a family of powerful hunters that you can''t even imagine his background," the big-bellied man whispered, his hands covering the side of his face in an attempt at secrecy. Unfortunately, his voice was so loud that it defeated the purpose entirely. Again, this oblivious fat man had inadvertently did something stupid. If this corrupt and ipetent fool had approved McGaven''s request from the start, then Reign wouldn''t have had the opportunity to grow this strong. To top it all, he was making the same mistake again. It was not even wrong to say that this guy supported Reign the most just by being himself. Chapter 116: [Bonus]Power-Up Part 3 "RUN!" "EVERYONE RUN! "DON''T LET IT CATCH YOU!" The sound of cries echoed in the surroundings as Reign began indiscriminately killing everyone in sight. The innocent people living in their trailer park found themselves dying one by one in brutal and senseless ways. They were simply going about their simple lives when a Hammer pickup truck arrived, but what emerged from it was something straight out of a horror movie¡ªonly much more terrifying and deadly. The whole ce quickly turned into a nightmare as Reign began tearing people limb from limb, their screams of terror echoing through the air as blood sttered across the ground, staining it crimson. People were beheaded, their heads rolling across the ground. Limbs were crushed underfoot, bones snapping with sickening crunches. Bodies were sliced open, the sound of flesh tearing mingling with agonized cries. Some attempted to fight back with shotguns and pistols, their desperate shots ringing out like frantic pleas for salvation. But Reign showed no mercy, his movements fluid and relentless as he advanced without hesitation. He didn''t even bother to dodge their attacks, his semi-metallic body absorbing the impact of bullets without flinching, as he continued his one-sided massacre. "Don''te near me!" shouted a man in his forties, his voice trembling with fear as he clutched a shotgun tightly, his cowboy hat barely concealing his panic-stricken expression. But Reign paid no heed, his steps steady as he continued to advance towards the man. BANG! The echo of shotgun sts filled the air, but Reign remained unfazed, undeterred even as sharp fragments struck his body. He had be so durable that normal bullets could no longer prate his thick metallic skin. After the man''s failed attempt, he hurriedly fumbled to load a fresh Shotshell into the shotgun, his hands shaking with fear and adrenaline. But his trembling hands betrayed him, causing theShotshell to slip from his grasp and tumble to the ground with a soft tter. Kneeling, he scrambled to grab it, his movements frantic with desperation. He loaded it into the shotgun chamber again with shaking hands, his fingers fumbling with the familiar yet nerve-wracking process. "You''re too slow," Reign sighed, seizing the man''s shotgun barrel and aiming it at his forehead. "Do it," he taunted. BANG! The man squeezed the trigger at point-nk range, expecting Reign''s face to explode. But, to his disbelief, the bullet merely left a small dent on Reign''s metallic forehead . "Now, it''s my turn," Reign chuckled mockingly as he mped his metallic hand around the man''s head. Next, dark red electricity surged from Reign''s arm. The air crackled with the intensity of the electric current as the man convulsed under the electric charges . "AHHHHHHH!" he screamed in agony as bolts of electricity surged through his body. His skin and veins burned, smoke rising from his blistering flesh. The air was filled with the stench of burning flesh as his blood vaporized, mingling with the acrid scent. His painful cry echoed for a few moments before he finally sumbed to death, joining his fallen friends in the afterlife. In a mere three minutes, the once livelymunity was decimated , every inhabitant now lifeless and bleeding at the ground . Without a hint of remorse, Reign began absorbing their bodies, as though it were the most natural thing in the world to do. [Level Up+ 1] "This is it!" Reign eximed triumphantly, his voice echoing through the air after hearing the awaited notification. He had strategically stopped by small towns and trailer parks to level up further before reaching the Industry Sector, eager to evolve without dy . [Ding] [System: The host possesses a special type of material in his body, altering the evolution process.] [Evolution - Lightning Skull Tyrant] The Skull Tyrant race is a formidable and imposing species, blessed with an innate mastery over bones and the dark arts. Standing tall and menacing, their skeletal bodies radiate an aura of authority and power. With hollow eye sockets gleaming with an eerie light, theymand both fear and respect from those around them. Their race innate ability, known as "Basic Bone Summoning," is a manifestation of their control over death. With a mere thought, a Skull Tyrant can summon forth legions of Skull Puppet from it''s body. These Puppets,prised of animated skeletal remains, heed the call of their Tyrant master without question, ready to serve their bidding. "Sweet,!" Reign chuckled aloud,. For now, he could only summon puppets, but it was a proof that he was on the right path toward having his own army in the future. There was no need to hesitate; he immediately chose to evolve. This time, there was no major change in his body aside from growing to 7 feet tall. Thankfully , he was able to shrink his size back to 6''5" using Bone Control. This height was his perfect fit¡ªnot too short to appear awkward, yet not too tall to affect his fighting style. "Now to test it," Closing his eyes, he concentrated on recalling the process of summoning a Skull Puppet. It was a good thing that the system provided the necessary knowledge instinctively, enabling him to learn this skill. But he did encounter some weird after effects. He felt his mind sinking into an abyss, surrounded by darkness. The only thing visible was a pile of bones littering the ck swamp-likeground, steadily umting. Upon closer inspection, he realized that this were the bones of people he had devour recently. They appeared as nothing more than bones at first nce, but as Reign focused his attention on them, he could discern the faces of those who had met their demise, their features etched with the fear and anguish they had experienced in their final moments. "YOU KILLED US!" "YOU KILLED US!" "YOU KILLED US!" Chorus of shoutes echoed in Reign''s mind , it kept on repeating itself as if trying to guilt trip him for killing all of them like pigs. "Shut the fuck up! Or I''ll kill you all over and over again!" Reign''s voice thundered with disdain,manding the attention of the restless souls. The air grew heavy with the weight of his threat, silencing them with a visible sense of fear. Even though they were already dead, a sense of dread still gripped them at the mere mention of Reign''s name. To them, he was the very embodiment of terror, a specter of death that haunted their existence like the devil himself. ''So this ce stores all the souls of the people I killed," Reign observed his surroundings, taking in the eerie scene. He attempted tomunicate with one of the pile of bones, but received no good response. Not because they didn''t want to talk to him, but because all they were only able to utter were agonized cries of suffering and usations against him for their untimely death. But, Reign remained indifferent to their pleas and usations, unaffected by their torment. He couldn''t care less about them; they were already dead, so they should just move on and ept their fate. "Wait, where are the rest?" he mused aloud, puzzled by the absence of those he had killed long ago from the pile of bones before him. Chapter 117: Original Skill After surveying the area again, Reign realized that only the most recent kills were present, leading him to assume that they could not exist here permanently. And his assumption was correct; dead corpses could not exist permanently inside his body. Instead, they were transformed into nutrients for Reign and the system to utilize. With this in mind, he hurriedly searched for the person he deemed worthy of being turned into a puppet. "You''re quite the treasure trove, aren''t you? Even in death, you continue to give me a lot of things," Reign chuckled aloud, relishing in the sadistic pleasure of exploiting the deceased. If he had the chance, he''d award Jayden with the "Kill of the Month" prize for his unwitting contribution to Reign''s power. Unlike the other souls, Jayden''s soul remained indifferent and expressionless, devoid of any signs of pain or anguish. Moreover, his image was very vivid and clear, almost human-like in its appearance, standing out among the rest. Reign attempted to summon it by raising his hand and reaching out to touch the bone pile. [System: Your Basic Bone Summoning is Level 1] [System: You are currently limited to summoning only 1 puppet, with the likelihood of sess decreasing as you attempt to summon stronger puppets.] Seeing this, Reign decided to test things out first. [System 35/1 ] ''So I need 35 slots to summon him?'' Reign mused inwardly. Considering Jayden''s strength when he was still alive, he deemed 35 slots to be a fair price for summoning him. "System, level up Basic Bone Summoning to max," Reign ordered confidently, eager to enhance his abilities. Basic Bone Summoning I >> XX After upgrading his skills, he made another attempt, and this time, he noticed a changed in the counter, signaling an improvement in his summoning abilities. [35/40] [System: Please decide your Summoning Catchphrase ] ''Summoning Catchphrase?'' As Reign contemted his summoning catchphrase, he realized the importance of making it both impressive and original. He envisioneding up of something very original and iconic, unlike those fictional novel MCs who often resorted to copying more popr moves from others. After a moment of reflection, he came up with a phrase that he believed captured the essence of his power and identity. "Arise," hemanded, raising his hand as a ck-red aura enveloped the pile of bones. They began to vibrate and stirred, but ultimately fell back to the ground. [Summoning Failed] "Arise" Hemanded again. [Summoning Failed] "Arise" [Summoning Failed] "Arise" [Summoning Failed] He repeated it over and over again, each failed attempt serving as a proof to the difficulty of summoning a powerful puppet. "ARISE!!!" he roared, his voice moremanding and louder than before. As if heeding hismand, the bones flew into motion, assembling themselves into a humanoid form. At first, it was just a skeletal structure, but then a red aura began to fill the vacant spaces of the bones, swirling like ck smoke with hints of crimson glow. The eye sockets glowed red, while arcs of lightning crackled around the bones. A shadowy kimono-like garment draped over the bone body,pleting the eerie transformation. [Congrattion Host for Summoning your First Skull Puppet] [With a high starting rank, the puppet deserved a name that reflected its strength and significance. ] Reign pondered for a moment before deciding to name this puppet "Arc," inspired by the arcs of electricity enveloping its body, seemingly integrating into its shadowy, dark-red ethereal form. [Ding] ============ Name: Arc Race: Skull Puppet Rank: Knight Grade Strength :A- Agility. :A- Endurance : A- Intelligence: F- Energy: A- Thunderstep Thunder Strike Thunder sh Thunder sh Thunder Sweep ============ "Nice," Reign smiled with satisfaction after reading the status, pleased with the puppet''s capabilities. While the stats may not match the real deal, Arc still boasted strengthparable to that of a Middle High Demon. Besides, he had a feeling that there would be more opportunities for him to upgrade Arc in the future. . ** ''I still have 5 slots. Should I summon five weak puppets or save them'' he pondered to himself. After contemting the pros and cons, he decided to save them. With Arc in his arsenal, he felt confident in his fighting capabilities, knowing he had additional firepower at his disposal. Plus, there was no one worthy of using the slots, and he didn''t know when he would have the opportunity to increase his slot capacity, especially since it was currently locked at Level 20. When he finished wrapping things up, with a mere thought, he found himself back in the clearing again. He hadn''t physically travel to that dark space; it was merely a manifestation of his inner mind. Now, to test the skill in the real world, he raised his hands and visualized the summoning process. "Arc," he whispered, his hands pulsating with dark red energy. As he focused, the energy took on a more fluid form, dripping to the ground and spreading like a pool of ck blood. From this eerie pool emerged Arc, its skeletal form materializing first before its entire body coalesced. It stood before him as a dark-red ethereal humanoid puppet, its face resembling a human skull, save for the burning ck-red glow emanating from its eye sockets. "This guy looks awesome," Reign thought to himself, admiring Arc''s wicked sick character design. The permanent shadowy aura enveloping its body and the red arcs of electricity running through it made Reign feel like his current form was subpar inparison. He could unleash dark red lightning from his body too, but hecked the shadowy effect that gave Arc its uniquebination of shadow, ghostly presence, skull-like visage, and lightning elemental essence. ''No, it''s dumb to be jealous of a mere summon,'' he mumbled to himself himself, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. Reign redirected his focus to the task at hand, which was to test Arc''s functionality and effectiveness in real-timebat. "Walk 100 meters away and face me," hemanded, his voice firm and authoritative. Arc nodded and followed his instructions obediently. As Reign observed, he couldn''t help but feel a twinge of annoyance. The footprints left behind by Arc had a ck-red shadow effect, almost as if it was constantly showing off with its array of special effects. "Disable that footprint glow," Reignmanded, hoping that Arc wouldply. And fortunately, it worked. ''Good,'' Reign sighed in relief. ''I thought I would be stuck with a puppet that had a permanent tracker behind its back.'' "Attack me with your Thunder Step and Thunder sh," Reign ordered, preparing himself for Arc''s demonstration. Without question, Arc bent its knee and executed Thunder Step. Its speed was only about a quarter of the real deal, but it was still impressive. When it reached Reign, it shed its sword downward, filling the air with ck-red electric arcs. However, this time Reign didn''t even feel intimidated. He simply raised his hand and caught the sword. "Not bad," Reign nodded in approval, acknowledging Arc''s performance. He continued to test Arc''s other skills, finding them all powerful. However, he soon encountered a problem. It was too dependent on hismands, almost as if he were controlling an NPC using voicemands. This meant that Reign could not maximize the puppet''s full potential. ''Maybe it will be smarter after I raised it''s rank ?''Reign thought to himself. It was either that, or as he evolved further, his summoning would also grow stronger. Chapter 118: Mobilization Summit City - Hunter Association . "What do you mean he''s dead?" The big bellied director mmed his desk in anger after hearing the news of six hunters dying on a mission. He couldn''t care less about the other five hunters; they were receable. What really frustrated him was Jayden. He alone was more important than all the hunters in Summit Citybined. As for the dead bodies of the hunter ? Well, he didn''t have to dwell too much on it. It was routine for demons to eat hunters , so with no bodies recovered, the grim reality was already obvious . "Yes, sir, I believe they encountered a Peak High Demon," the male assistant replied. "Peak High Demon?" The director raised his eyebrows, realizing the gravity of the situation. But if that was the case, it could exin everything. Unknown to everyone, Jayden had attained a power level far beyond his previous capabilities by absorbing the Lightning Rune. The true extent of his power had been witnessed only by Amanda and Arnold. Sadly, both of them were now dead, leaving no one alive to recount the tale. So now, neither the director nor the assistant even considered that Jayden had encountered something much more powerful and terrifying. "Yes, we didn''t find any traces of Domain Energy, so it''s not an Upper Demon we''re dealing with. But the damage was big. ording to our research team, the demon must be a Bomber type." Demons were further ssified by the Hunter Association into types to simplify the process for hunters in determining the kind of demon they were dealing with. As of now, the mostmon types of demons were >Attack Type >Defense Type >Viral Type >Poison Type >Toxic Type >Bomber Type Additionally, there were rare types of demons, such as. >Elemental Type >Control Type >Illusion Type >Mind Control Type "Bomber types have a lot of area of effect abilities, but they''re not good in defense, so I think the hunters were ambushed and killed without being able to fight back," the assistant offered his honest assessment. "I don''t give a damn about your opinion! This is really bad. Do you know who Jayden is? I could get fired, or worse, get killed if he died under my supervision!" the director grumbled, his blood pressure increasing because of too much stressed. The assistant sighed deeply, resisting the urge to punch the fat and idiotic man in front of him. But he knew he had to maintain self- control; after all, this fat and ipetent fool held the highest status in the branch. ''I hope your fat ass gets fired,'' the assistant cursed inwardly. This blunder shouldn''t go unnoticed for long, and if it resulted in getting this son of a bitch fired or better, dead, then a lot of people in the branch would be really happy about it. Having someone like McGaven in the Director''s position would be much better. As a former hunter, he was deeplymitted to his work, and hada good track record. If it weren''t for this ipetent fool, who secured the position through family connections, bribing and other underhanded strategy, McGaven would have been rightfully promoted a long time ago. ''They can''t know this yet. We need to kill that demon before Jayden''s family finds out,'' the Director mulled over silently. While a Hunter normally wouldn''t pose a threat to someone in his position, one from a Tier 1 city could easily change that. The Hunter Association would sacrifice him to appease a powerful hunter, either by framing him or finding fault with him. It was a typical political move. But he could still salvage this situation by blowing everything out of proportion. If he made this incident big enough, he would have a better alibi and cover-up. He could easily shift the me to an unexpected event involving a very powerful demon that wreaked havoc, resulting in the deaths of numerous hunters. "Round up all our avable hunters, instruct them to track down that damn demon and exterminate it," the directormanded with a sense of urgency . "Call the Local Government, get ess to all their trackers, see if there were any reports of incidents in the whole area," he added. "Not just that, talk to our researchers and find out and predict possible locations of the target," "And also call the military, and tell them to use their helicopters to scout the area. The Hunter Association will cover the expenses!" the director eximed, determined to deploy every avable resource to track down the demon. "But sir, shouldn''t we report this first to the Regional Office first?" the assistant suggested. It would take time for the report to reach there, as the Inte couldn''t pass through the ck mist. Therefore, it was better to send a report right away. "Stop asking questions and just do what I asked!" the director shouted in frustration. "Yes, Director," the assistant nodded reluctantly. Despite his disdain for the director''s stupidity and trash personality, the existence of a powerful rogue demon posed a far greater threat. If the demon attacked the city, his own family would also be in danger. "Damn it," the assistant cursed aloud after he left the office . He didn''t have the authority to send a report to the Regional Office, so he could only hope that they could handle the situation themselves. ''Just in case,'' The Director muttered to himself as he initiated the transfer of his credits to another ount using his phone. In this world, the mechanics of digital currency and points were different due to the presence of the ck mist outside, which prevent long distance Inte connection . To solved this, each point and credit was associated with its own unique randomized code When an ount possessed a certain amount of points, credits, or money, this information was stored locally on the device. During transfers to another city, the code would be extracted from the local data and reintegrated into thework , ensuring a seamless transaction process. And once connected to the local Inte, this code would be randomized again, making it virtually impossible to trace. ''Done,'' He sighed in relief after seeing the amount of credits he transferred . *** Hunter Association Communication Center. Rows ofputers buzzed with activity as people wearing headsets worked non-stop to contact all the hunters avable in the city. They received an urgent order that all hunters who could be utilized must report back quickly. "What''s the status?" The Head of Communication inquired. He was a 40-year-old man who had been working for the Hunter Association for 22 years, and this was the first time that he experienced something like this . "We managed to contact 60 Hunters!" One of the employee answered. "That''s enough. Tell them to head to Fort Samantro, the military base in the East. They''ll receive further instructions there." "Yes, sir," came the response from themunications team. "Did you manage to contact Ester?" he asked urgently. Ester, the current T4-20 in Summit City, was the strongest hunter in their arsenal now that Jayden was dead. "Negative, sir. She is currently dealing with Corrupted infestation in the border, so we can''t contact her," answered by another employee . Chapter 119: Armed To The Teeth . "Go! Go! Go!" The airport Landing Signal Officers waved their arms frantically, guiding the helicopters as they roared to life, their des slicing through the air with a thunderous roar. The deafening sound reverberated across the open field as the choppers lifted off, their powerful engines propelling them upward. In the middle of the busy atmosphere , ground crews hurried around the other helicopters, conductingst-minute checks on the machine guns, and missiles. Technicians meticulously inspected eachponent, ensuring that every system was functioning perfectly for the mission ahead. Inside the Barracks . "What the hell is happening? Are we being attacked?" one of the soldiers asked, his voice tense with rm as he had just woken up to the ring sirens echoing around the base. And it was not just him. Confusion gripped the air as soldiers scrambled to gather their gear and prepare for whatever threat . "Stop with the questions, soldier, and prep yourself. We''re in an emergency," high ranking officer snapped at him. There was no time for exnations as they hastily geared up, their training kicking in as they prepared. ''Shit,'' the soldier grumpily exited the barracks, his mind racing with frustration. He picked this base for its distance from the border, thinking it was safe. But now, they''re being called to move without knowing why. General''s Office "Sir, aren''t the Hunter Association making a big deal about one Peak High Demon?" spoke a man in his 40s, his voice was filled with skepticism.His blonde hair, brown eyes, and solid build hinted at years of military training. The military usually doesn''thunt demons; they''re too busy handling Corrupteds. But they do know a thing or two. Mobilizing this many troops usually signals they''re up against an Upper Demon capable of wiping out a Tier 4 city if left unchecked. But there were no written notes indicating they were dealing with one. It just mentioned a Peak High Demon, which usually required dozens of hunters to handle. "Major, what do you take me for? Of course, I''m aware of that. But they''re willing to pay a lot of money, so why reject it? This is quite a lucrative mission," the general replied with a smirk, leaning back in his chair to make his point. This sudden mobilization would line his pockets with a lot of cash. And since it was a personal favor, he would also gain an additional bonus and some under-the-table money. The Hunter Association, with all its resources, was swimming with funds thanks to direct backing from another secret organization. When the Major heard the word "money," and "a lot" he instantly pieced together what was happening, and a smile also spread across his face. Leaning back in his chair, he couldn''t help but smile with the General. The two of them were cut from the same cloth. "Do you want a drink?" the general asked, rising from his seat and retrieving an expensive bottle of wine from his cab. "Sure," the Major nodded, his chuckle mirroring the general''s. Both of them began to indulge in the moment, relishing the idea of a quick money. The general even entertained thoughts of splurging on a new sports car once the operation waspleted. The Major, knowing he was the General''s right-hand man, entertained thoughts of indulging in the pleasures of the red district with the bonus he would receive. "Cheers!" *** In the Dark Night Sky. The helicopter swept the area, revealing demon tracks and the aftermath of multiple attacks on towns. No one survived except for the children, who had witnessed the brutal deaths of their parents in the most traumatic way imaginable. The soldier felt a chill as they considered the evil nature of the demon they were confronting. While most demons would devour any human they came across, this one was different. It deliberately spared the children, leaving them to suffer the pain of losing their families. For the soldiers, such actions was too brutal and evil. What kind of twisted mind would spare children only to subject them to such suffering? Only atotal psycho would do that. "My mom! My mom! Please save her!!!" One child''s voice quivered with sobs, his body shaking in fear as the weight of the trauma engulfed him. He started remembering how his mother''s head was ripped apart in front of him. And just when he thought he would be next, the demon spoke, saying, "Treasure your life." A phrase that normally would offerfort or motivation, buting from the one responsible for the death of his parent? It sounded like a cruel insult. Witnessing one child''s distress, the other children also couldn''t hold back their own tears anymore. Soon, the air was filled with the raw sound of their crying, each sob a reminder of the shared trauma they were experiencing. "Fuck that monster!" One of the soldiers kicked a nearby tree in anger, unable to contain his frustration at witnessing such cruelty. "We need to fucking kill that evil bastard, no matter what!" he shouted, his voice filled with determination and anger. All the soldiers nodded in agreement, they would not rest until the demon was dead. Right now, Reign, who had saved the children out of pity, became the epitome of evil in the eyes of many. Whirrrrrrr !Whirrrrrrr ! Whirrrrrrr ! The sound of another helicopter echoed, and when the soldier looked above, they saw a transport-type one with a long, slender body stretching across the sky. Its form resembled a massive metal beast, its elongated shape cutting through the air as its rotors churned powerfully above. It did notnd but just passed through to another location after receiving the report that the demon was leaving a trail of death in a straight line towards the Industry Sector. The Industry Sector stood as the lifeblood of Summit City, its importance unparalleled in sustaining the bustling metropolis. Here, the majority of products essential for the city''s operation were manufactured, ranging from cellphones and cars to canned goods and beyond. Its ceaseless activity kept the city''s economy thriving and its citizens supplied with necessities. *** Industry Sector The sound of rm echoed not only in their base but across the entire militaryplex. Multiple military bases sprang into action, their tanks rumbling to life and armed personnel mobilizing fast. Reports hade in warning of an imminent threat: a demon could possibly attack this ce. With this threat, soldiers prepared for battle, their faces filled with resolve as they readied their weapons and fortified their positions. The air crackled with tension as they awaited the arrival of the enemy, knowing that the fate of this ce and all who resided within it hung on them. Trucks, tanks, and various military vehicles lined up at the entrance of the Industry Sector. To reach them, the demon would have to pass through the canyon that separated it from the rest of the Summit City. The canyon acted like a natural fortress, shielding the Industry Sector from threats that coulde from Summit City. At the same time, the canyon also served as a barrier to protect Summit City from external threats, such as potential breaches by Corrupted. "We''ll bury that damn demon right here," the Commander dered while smoking on his cigar to steady his nerves. Chapter 120: With What Army ? ''Weird, why do I get this uneasy feeling?'' Reign mused quietly to himself. He was already too strong for this city, might even be the strongest in terms of raw power. Unless he faced a Middle Upper Demon with a domain, then he should be safe. ''Maybe it''s just my imagination,'' he reassured himself. Even if the powerful hunters from other cities were already enroute, they wouldn''t arrive for several more days. Besides, he was confident in his ability to emerge victorious, even when the numbers was against him. The only conceivable threat from Summit City without external help would be if, for some reason, they mobilized their entire army to take him down¡ªan unlikely scenario in his estimation. ''How far is that ce?'' Reign mused to himself. Deciding to y it safe, he decided to drive a different truck, cautious of revealing his identity by carrying his hammer which was registered under his name. As Reign traveledalong the highway, he noticed the mountains gradually shrinking until he found himself on a t area devoid of even a single tree. In the distance, an unexpected sight caught his eye: a towering wall of earth, a canyon so steep that it was insurmountable to ordinary humans, its high cliffs rising against the horizon. Continuing to press on the pedal, he noticed bright lights in the distance. As he drew closer, he saw dozens of military vehicles and armed personnel in the area. d in standard green camouge uniforms, they were armed with rifles, vests, and some even had night vision goggles strapped to their foreheads. It turned out to be a checkpoint, where everyone, including the driver and passengers, had to exit for inspection. Instead of stopping, Reign decided to push through; abruptly turning away would draw more attention. It would look like a promation of guilt to the world, implying that he was a criminal, which couldn''t be further from the truth. Calling him a criminal for eating humans was like ming a lion for eating a rabbit. The line was not long, and in just a matter of minutes, it was Reign''s turn to undergo inspection. "ID and license," the military man demanded, shining a bright light in Reign''s face. After noticing Reign''s bandaged eyes and white hair, the soldier''s demeanor shifted. Without hesitation, he leveled his rifle at Reign''s face, suspecting him to be a demon. "Get out of the truck now!" the soldier warned, his voicemanding as he stepped back to gain a better view. He was too tense, that he forgot to get Reign''s ID and License . Seeing the soldier''s actions, Reign acted calmly, stepping out of the truck with a nonchnt air. Raising both hands to show he was unarmed, he wanted to convey hisck of threat. "Get the scanner!" the soldier shouted, his gun still pointed on Reign''s face. Another person approached , holding a device with a crystal ball at the top. "Hold it," they ordered. Recognizing the device as simr to the ones used by the Veiled Nights to check if he was a demon or not, Reignplied without resistance, justfollowing theirmands like aw abiding citizen. But before touching it, Reign first concentrated to control his hands, causing ayer of skin to form around them, so they wont see his bone underneath it. Next, he touched the crystal ball, fully aware of the suspicious nces directed at him from all sides. Every soldier stood ready, their weapons aimed and fingersnding on the triggers, prepared to shoot a barrage of bullets at the slightest indication of a reaction from the ball. "It''s clear?" the armed man asked, his voice filled with doubt . Because there was no reaction from the crystal ball, it became evident that Reign was not a demon. "Stand down," ordered by amanding officer. They all breathed a sigh of relief, and lowered their guns. "Sir, why do you wear a bandage ?" one of the soldiers asked, his tone now moreposed. "Oh, I got in an ident that destroyed my right eye and most part of my face. This thing is actually special; I can see through it with my remaining working eye," Reign exined while pointing on his bandaged . The soldiers nodded in understanding; the silk used in the bandaged wasn''t rare, at all. "So, why do you want to enter the Industry Sector?" the soldier asked again. "I have someone to visit. Is there a problem?" Reign inquired. The military men exchanged nces, silently deliberating on their response. In the end, they remained quite and allowed him to proceed. They couldn''t disclose the presence of a demon to the public, but they also couldn''t bar anyone from entering the Industry Sector. When Reign passed through the checkpoint, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. ''So, they already knew I wasing,'' he chuckled to himself. His actions had been too bold, and the trail of destroyed towns was too conspicuous to remain hidden any longer. But instead of feeling fear, he found himself filled with excitement. More hunters meant more potential sources of mutation materials, fueling his anticipation. In the distance, he finally caught sight of the Canyon entrance. Initially just a faint line on the horizon, but after closer inspection, it revealed itself to be really wide and long, with enough space between its walls to amodate an entire town. That wasn''t the only discovery he made; there was also a wide road ahead, with enough room for eightnes of cars. But what caught his attention even more was the unusual terrain inside . Unlike the areas he had passed through before, this ce was t and the ground was too dry, resembling a desert with no trees in sight. The difference from what he was ustomed to made him feel as though he had entered a different world altogether. ''Maybe the protection here is lower because it''s close to the border? '' he spected, trying to make sense of the weirdndscape. Reign''s hypothesis was spot on. The factories sourced their materials from rich deposits nearby and manufactured everything in the Industry Sector. Being close to the border allowed them to conveniently dispose of water and air pollution outside the barrier, effectively solving two problems at once. VROOOOOOM! Reign pressed down on the pedal, smoothly navigating his way into the Canyon without any issues. However, as he neared the exit, he suddenly felt a heat emanating from beneath his truck. In the next instant, he and the truck was consumed by a violent explosion. BOOOOOOOM! "Fire!" barked one of themanders, and a barrage of cannons from tanks and mortars unleashed a rain of fire upon the area. BOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOM! The thunderous roar of the explosions echoed through the canyon, illuminating the surroundings with a searing ze of mes and billowing smoke. With nonstop attacks, the army unleashed their arsenal on Reign, showing a merciless attack that sent shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned hunters. They stood in awe, witnessing the might of modern weaponry as it tore through thendscape. While not always the optimal choice for smaller-scale operations, the sheer devastation brought by these weapons in an open field was something that this hunters could only imagine. In their minds, they all thought the same thing: ''A demon couldn''t survive that.'' *** *** *** Author''s Note The bonus chapter for "Castle" will be postponed on May 3rd and 4th. I''ll be posting (3) chapters per day on those dates instead. If the Powerstone count reaches 200 again, I''ll also post (3) chapters on May 5th as well, and so on (200 PS = 1 CH Bonus) Chapter 121: Crowd Effect ''Wow, that was intense,'' Reign chuckled to himself. Crouching at a safe distance from the explosion, he enjoyed the moment, feeling like a mastermind who had effortlessly outmaneuvered everyone else. Those who thought they could ambush him were bunch of idiots. Reign wasn''t naive enough to believe he had slipped past the checkpoint unnoticed. But who was behind the wheel of the truck? The was answer was very simple. Midway through the canyon, he made the decision to tap into his Fiveremaining slot, summoning five mobs he could use in such situations. With a quick switcheroo while driving, he executed his n, letting one puppet take the wheel. This led everyone to believe that he was on the truck. ''Having puppets sure is convenient,'' he thought to himself as he gazed at the smoke on the horizon. Everyone must be celebrating already, thinking they''d won, unaware that what they''d destroyed was just a puppet. They had squandered millions of credits'' worth of ammunition just to destroy it, which made the whole scene funnier for Reign. ZZZTTTT! A chirping sound echoed behind Reign, drawing his attention. He turned to find Arc sprinting toward him. He had tasked Arc with eliminating all the soldiers at the checkpoint, and it had seeded, quicklypleting the mission. When Arc reached him, it transformed into a shadowy liquid form, seamlessly melding back into him as if they were always meant to be one. ''So it can''t maintain its body for long when it''s far away,'' Reign mused, making a mental note of this intriguing revtion for future reference. Arc was very invaluable to him, so he wanted to have a better understanding of its capabilities for optimal use. ''System, upgrade Bone Eater,'' Reignmanded. [Bone Eater (VI) > (XV)] He decided to level up Bone Eater, knowing he would have to kill a huge number of people, requiring him to absorb them at a faster rate than his current capacity allowed. ''Now, I''m ready,'' a creepy grin spread across Reign''s face as he mentally prepared himself for the carnage he was about to unleash. *** "Is it dead?" one of the hunters asked, straining to see through the thick smoke with their binocrs. "You really think anyone could survive that?" another hunter chuckled "That thing would''ve been reduced to ashes by now with all the bombs it took. There''s no way that damn demon is still standing." He added . "So we just wasted our timeing here?" "I think so." Everyone startedughing, even the military personnel, grinning from ear to ear, proud of their disy of dominance. They actually had another scanner that checks for life signatures. It detected that Reign was different. He also looked really suspicious, so they put everything together Everyone were all ignorant of the true power of the demon they were facing, mistakenly assuming it to be merely a Peak High Demon, a bomber type capable of huge damage but weak in defending itself from attacks. Seeing that destruction, enough to level a small town, meant there was no chance of survival. "What''s that?" One of the hunters squinted his eyes, spotting a red glowing light emanating from the smoke. In the next moment, a blur tore through the air, racing towards them. "It''s still alive!" The hunter shouted,forcing the army to refocus their tanks, reloading and firing again. "FIRE!" Themander hastily ordered. Once again, the sound of machine guns, tanks, and cannons echoed as they attempted to keep Reign from getting closer to them. "Everyone, prepare to stop him!" One of the top 60 huntersmanded, seeing as Reign outran and dodged the hail of fire. His name was Rudy, currently ranked 66 among all Tier 4 cities. While he might not be as powerful as Jayden, he still surpassed the others in power, making everyone instinctively follow his lead. The others quickly formed a defensive line, swords at the ready for battle. In their minds, they were confident that their group could surely handle the demon. Some even spected that the demon, having endured considerable damage, was simply bluffing by fleeing in their direction. However, a few among them, wise enough to used their brains, entertained the possibility that they might be facing an enemy even more powerful than the reports had suggested. "Don''t use your weapons when we engage in battle or we might suffer friendly fire," Rudy advised themanding officer. This highlighted the reason why hunters usually didn''t coborate with armies in taking down demons, as theirbat styles were fundamentally different. "Alright, but we will retreat a distance away just in case," themander responded, taking a moment to consider the situation. Before being assigned here, the Commanding officer was stationed at the border where he had to depend against Corrupted beings. Through this experience, he understood the dangers of fighting in close quarters and the importance of avoiding friendly fire. Rudy nodded, understanding the logic behind themander''s actions. The army was preparing for the worst-case scenario in case the hunters failed, and he did not feel insulted by that. In fact, Rudy himself was worried. Despite being the strongest among them, he chose to position himself at the rear, sensing that something was amiss. A bomber type demon should have been eradicated by the sheer force of that attack. Why did this demon appear so energetic ? ''They stopped attacking?'' Reign thought to himself, noticing that the army was backing away, while dozens of hunters were now standing ready to confront him head-on. ''Are they really for real?'' he chuckled to himself, amused by the hunters'' eagerness to offer themselves up like food at a Thanksgiving party. If he were in their shoes, and witnessed a demon surviving a bombardment so strong that it end up changing thendscape like that, thest thing on his mind would be to engage and fight the demon head-on. They didn''t even need to be particrly smart; all it required wasmon sense. Little did Reign know that this scenario was the culmination of multiple variables aligning perfectly for him. First, these hunters were under the assumption that Reign was just a Peak High Demon, a bomber type weak to attacks. Even though they witnessed him surviving the bombing, they attributed it to mere luck, clinging to their initial perceptions. Secondly, their inted numbers bolstered their confidence excessively, akin to the crowd effect. When individuals find themselves in a group, they often experience a surge in confidence and courage. This happens because being part of arger collective creates a sense of safety in numbers. Each individual feels bolstered by the presence of others, leading them to believe that they have support and backup. As a result, they may be more willing to take risks and engage in actions they might otherwise avoid if they were alone. Lastly, the hunters''bravery was also influenced by their early indoctrination into the Hunter Association. This doctrine, akin to propaganda, had been ingrained in them from a young age, shaping their beliefs and attitudes on how to approach challenges. Simr to military training techniques, this indoctrination aimed to ensure discipline andmitment among the hunters, preventing them from backing down in the face of danger too easily. Of course, not all hunters werepletely brainwashed by this. Even with just a few holding onto such a mindset, witnessing their courage as they put on a brave front inspired others, instilling a sense of courage throughout the group. Chapter 122: Power in Numbers A grin spread across Reign''s face at the sight of so many hunters, filling him with a sense of satisfaction and joy. He was certain that after this confrontation, he would emerge much stronger. The abundance of skill points and Mutation materials he expected to acquire would propel him higher. "Surround it!" Rudy ordered. The ground shook as the hunters charged towards him, their bodies blurring as they confront Reign. He could feel their collective strength radiating from them. While they might not be individually powerful, when united like this, the power emanating from them was no less powerful than the force Jayden unleashed in their previous fight. But instead of stopping, Reign continued to run towards them. He bared his ws and met them head-on, his own power surging through his body. He felt exhrated at the prospect of going all out and testing his abilities against so many opponents. The first hunter closed in, sword raised high, aiming to deliver a decisive downward sh aimed at his skull-face. But Reign was faster, his lightning reflexes allowing him to perceive the attack in slow motion. He dodged to the side, the sword cutting through the air harmlessly at his right side. Then, in a blur of motion, Reign pivoted on his heel and delivered a powerful punch that shattered the hunter''s sword and sent him hurtling through the air. But it did not stop at that. There was a sickening crunch as the first hunter''s body collided with another person, shattering both bodies upon impact. The others hesitated for a moment, stunned by what they had just witnessed. It came on them that blocking an attack from Reign was close to impossible. But their shock was short-lived, quickly dissipating as they heard Rudy''smand, pushing them to regain theirposure. Everyone tightened their grip on the handles of their weapons and took deep breaths to steady their nerves. They had been trained for this moment, and now was the time to demonstrate all the effort they had put into their training. "Surround him and keep your distance ," Rudy shouted to his allies as he witnessed how effortlessly Reign pulverized his opponent. He knew that any attempt to fight Reign one-on-one would likely result in a single one shot blow. In Reign''s case, with the immense gap in power, he could kill e five opponents with just one punch if he so desired. "Don''t get near it!" Rudy shout out another order, The hunters encircled their target and kept their distance , their swords ready to be used anytime. They were aware that individually they weren''t particrly strong, so it was important for them to exercise caution. However, despite the gap in power, they still had something in their favor. There was a reason why hunters had managed to hold their own against demons all this time¡ªthey had a method for synchronizing their attacks. In addition, their technique and strategy were ingrained with the habit of incorporating their powers with one another. This was how Weaker hunters had managed to survive thus far. "Hawk Formation!" shouted a man in his 40s, a practitioner of the said breathing technique. This served as a signal to everyone else who could use the same technique. They moved to the front, their gaze fixed on Reign, who was standing leisurely in the middle for some reason. It was a strange move on his part, but for the hunters, it was the perfect opportunity. In perfect unison, they inhaled deeply, drawing in air with incredible force, their chests expanding as they prepared for their next move. "Hawk Breathing Technique... Wind sh!" They roared, their voices echoing across the battlefield. With their breath infused with the power of the wind, they released a simultaneous attack, unleashing razor-sharp gusts of air towards Reign . As the Wind shes hurtled towards Reign, he remainedposed, his mind racing with calctions. He focused his energy inward, enhancing his bones andyering his body with thick exoskeletons. His form bulked up, bing a formidable wall of defense against the iing attack. His figure resembled that of an armored human, his height remaining the same but now at least twice as wide, radiating an imposing presence. When the Wind des crashed against his reinforced body, their sharp gusts unable to prate the denseyers of his exoskeleton, which had been tempered with both negative energy and the lightning element. Lightning element possessed the strongest prating power among all elements, but Reign''s bones were able to withstand it before. Thus, mere winds like these posed no issue at all. ''They''re too weak,'' Reign thought to himself. He deduced that Jayden was an anomaly because, right now, he couldn''t perceive anyone who could pose a threat to him. "Is that all you got?" Reign taunted them, reveling in his new original form he called as his Tank Mode. In this state, his movements were slower, but his defense was much harder and tougher . Even if there were any scratches or superficial damage on his exoskeleton, as long as he had the energy, he could regenerate and repair it in real time. He found inspiration when he saw those armored tanks that attacked him, and with his intelligence and control over his bones, it didn''t take him long to figure out what to do next. Now, the only ways they could damage him were either by exhausting his energy, which would require a long amount of time, or byunching an attack strong enough to prate his armor in a single strike. "Damn it, nothing''s working!" a hunter grunted in frustration as their Wind shes were all deflected by Reign. With each failed attempt, their desperation grew. "Let''s try that technique! Tornado," one of them suggested, prompting the others to contemte for a moment. It was a powerful technique that required at least Fifteen hunters with any breathing technique rted to wind. But if executed correctly, the power it could generate was at least triple their current output. Normally, this technique took time to execute, making it unsuitable for fast-paced battles. However, seeing Reign only standing up gave them the perfect opportunity to unleash it. "Let''s do it," the other hunters agreed with the n. The Fifteen hunters familiar with this technique separated from the rest of the group. They began breathing in more air and then ran in a circr pattern while shing their swords. "Hawk Breathing Technique... Tornado!" they roared as they unleashed the final sh, initiating the chain reaction. This created a sudden movement of wind, growing stronger and stronger until an actual Tornado formed, inching towards Reign. Surprisingly, it also sucked in the wind shes of the other hunters, amplifying its strength and causing it to growrger andrger. The wind started howling violently as the Tornado grew more powerful, fueled by the hunters'' continuous efforts to feed it more wind. Seeing this, Reign decided not to dodge the attack , and test his current power. Instead, he created multiple sharp long bones and anchored himself deep into the ground. ''Let''s see how powerful this form is'' Reign''s eyes gleamed dark red as he prepared his body to withstand the attack. His exoskeleton became more condensed, turningpletely ck as he infused it with more negative energy. Chapter 123: Decision The tornado shed head-on with Reign''s sturdy exoskeleton, its powerful swirling winds threatening to devour himpletely. But despite the force of the wind, he stood firm, enduring until he found himself on the eye of the tornado where the wind''s force was not that strong. ''Did they made a mistake?'' Reign pondered silently. Surely, this couldn''t be the end of that cool sounding attack, could it? Outside the Tornado "Let''s burn him!" A group of 6 hunters joined the fight, their voices filled with strong determination. Inhaling deeply, their bodies released a mist, as though evaporating the sweat within. Their des heated up, and their skin flushed red from the sudden surge of blood coursing through their veins. "Smander Breathing Technique... Fire Breath!" they shouted in unison, shing their swords to create friction that ignited the air. mes erupted from their des, swirling into the tornado and merging with it. Usually, the mes would extinguish quickly, but most new hunters using fire-based breathing techniques carried a special type of highly mmable powder. The powder enhanced and prolonged their me-rted attacks. Dominic did not have this because he retired way before this technology was implemented. This collective and coordinated attack demonstrated the immense power hunters could unleash with sufficient time and preparation. The mes began to scorch the air, causing Reign''s bones to redden from the intense heat, though only the surface felt hot. Reign remained rtively unfazed, knowing thatpared to enduring lightning strikes, these mes posed little threat. Regardless, he still couldn''t help but be impressed by the seamless cooperation among the hunters. He felt grateful that he hadn''t acted rashly in the past, realizing that if he had faced these hunters when he was still weak, it would have likely resulted in his pointless death ''Should I attack now?'' he pondered to himself. He had maintained a defensive stance, hoping to uncover any hidden dark horses among the hunters'' ranks. If the hunters had someone powerful like Jayden, it was likely that they would seize the opportunity to strike now, considering his passive stance. But as time passed, it became evident that there was no such hidden threat, confirming his suspicions. "Time''s up!" Reign''sughter echoed as he propelled his body forward, breaking through the barrier of fire. With the force of a bulldozer, he charged through the tornado of mes towards the other hunters. Each step he took resonated with a loud thud due to his increased weight. However, his slowed speed allowed the hunters to react quickly, leaping backward and continuing to bombard Reign with their attacks. However ¡ª Crack! Reign''s once heavy and durable exoskeleton shattered like an eggshell, revealing him within. With astonishing speed, he lunged forward, his w piercing the nearest hunter''s throat before they could even blink. Blood burst forth from the hunter''s head, but he was far from finished. With another motion, he swung his free hand, slicing through another hunter''s body, severing them in half before his overwhelming power. "Stay away from him!" shouted a bulky hunter, leaping into the air with a sword twice the size of the others, ready to strike. "DIE!!!" The hunter roared, channeling all his power and momentum into swinging his massive sword downward with lethal force. Seeing the iing attack, Reign sneered in contempt. With a casual gesture, he raised his palm and effortlessly caught the massive sword. As the swordnded in Reign''s hand, it took only a simple squeeze to shatter it. Next, he delivered a devastating punch to the hunter''s head, causing it to explode on impact, scattering brain matter all over the ce. Without pausing to contemte the carnage, Reign turned and unleashed his w bullet, dispatching more of the hunters. Normally, such a bullet could be deflected by the hunters, but with Reign''s Dark Red energy coating and lightning enhancement, the projectile met no resistance. It tore through multiple hunters in a single shot, leaving them scattered like pigs in a ughterhouse. At that moment, reality finally sank in for the remaining hunters. They realized they were utterly outmatched and scattered in a panicked . This only made it easier for Reign to pick them off one by one, his brutal attacks tearing anyone unlucky enough to be his target. "Run! "Retreat!" "Run!" This was no longer a hunt; it was a suicidal mission. They were like mice wandering into the lion''s den, facing an adversary far beyond their capabilities. "C¡ª Commander, I don''t think the hunters stand a chance," one of the soldiers spoke, his voice trembling as he witnessed the massacre unfolding in the distance. Body after body was torn apart as Reign continued his pursuit, leaving a trail of death in his wake. "My god, what are we facing?" Themander felt as though he aged 20 years from the stress alone. He had underestimated the threat, thinking they were merely dealing with a demon that could easily be killed by numbers, but he was gravely mistaken. They needed more. At least ten times the force was needed to halt thismonster from mowing them down like helpless prey. He had already called for reinforcements, but he knew it would take time for them to arrive. In the meantime, they were at the mercy of the unstoppable force before them. "Wait for the hunters to regroup, then resume shooting at that demon!" Themander roared out his orders, hoping to buy some time until reinforcements arrived. The soldiers nodded in understanding and began to aim their weapons at Reign. But, with too many hunters still in their range, they had no choice but to wait for the perfect moment to strike. When the time was right, another series of explosions echoed as the army joined the fray. Tanks rumbled into action, unleashing their firepower, while helicopters hovered above, bombarding Reign with missiles and gunfire from their Gatling guns. For a fleeting moment, the entire battlefield erupted in a blinding sh of light. It resembled a sh between two powerful armies, but in reality, they faced only a single demon. On the hunters'' side, out of the initial sixty, only fifteen managed to escape the carnage. Their survival was because they were a distance away from Reign when his merciless onught began. However, fear now gripped the hearts of the surviving fifteen hunters so tightly that they dared not even raise their swords. Only Rudy, the highest-ranking among them, managed to muster a semnce of bravery, though even he was visibly shaken by the sheer horror of the scene before them. ''What should I do?'' Rudy gritted his teeth in frustration at his own weakness. He had always considered himself strong, admired by his peers, but now faced with this overwhelming threat, he felt utterly powerless. . In the presence of Reign, Rudy felt as insignificant as an ant. "Rudy, let''s get out of here," a woman''s voice echoed from behind him. Turning to see the source, hefound his teammate and girlfriend, a woman in her mid-twenties who specialized as a medic hunter. Rudy felt conflicted. With his abilities, Rudy knew that if he decided to escape with her and used the others as a distraction, there was a strong likelihood that he and his girlfriend could make their getaway without harm. But his sense of duty weighed heavily on him. He couldn''t just run away while his peers faced certain death. Chapter 124: Outside the Box "I... I can''t," Rudy replied with a heavy sigh, his voice filled with reluctance. He came from a lineage of hunters; both his grandfather and father were esteemed members of the huntingmunity in Summit City, known as heroes in their own right. They had never abandoned theirrades, even after getting injuries that left them disabled. But, they did not had any regrets, knowing they fought for the sake of humanity. Cyntia''s eyes filled with sadness after hearing Rudy''s response, and she felt conflicted. Rudy was a man of honor,mitment, and kindness¡ªqualities that had drawn her to him in the first ce. But she needed him alive. In a world already filled with heroes willing to die, what she truly needed was him by her side, alive and well. "I''m pregnant, Rudy. Please, let''s escape this ce! Do it for our future family," she pleaded, desperation evident in her voice as she grabbed Rudy''s hand and ced it against her belly. "Is this true, Cynthia?" he asked, his voice trembling with the sudden revtion. "You can feel it, right? The heartbeat," she replied with a smile, her eyes shining with hope. He focused his senses, and just as she said, he could feel a faint beating on her stomach. It was undeniable¡ªthe rhythm of life pulsating beneath his touch. One of Rudy''s teammates, Bernard, witnessed the scene unfold. Having been with the team for ten years, he was intimately familiar with Rudy and Cynthia''s rtionship. In fact, he harbored feelings for Cynthia himself, though she had chosen Rudy over him. "Buddy, I think we should escape. There''s no point in fighting a losing battle," Bernard spoke up, his tone filled with concern. "But..." Rudy began to protest, only to be cut off by Bernard. "Do you really think you can change anything?" Bernard interjected, his voice tinged with frustration. "Look at the reality of the situation. That demon is unstoppable. We can only hope that other cities send more powerful hunters." He exined, his words heavy with resignation. Hearing the pleas of his friend and his girlfriend, he finally gave in. With heavy hearts, the three of them turned and fled in a different direction, leaving behind the death and chaos . But their decision set off a chain reaction, rippling through the ranks of the hunters and causing uncertainty and disarray among them. Witnessing the strongest among them fleeing in fear, the remaining hunters followed suit, their resolve crumbling in the face of overwhelming terror. Unfortunately, not all were fortunate enough to escape unscathed. Some fell victim to Reign''s long range attacks, their lives snuffed out by the deadly barrage of his projectiles. Fortunately, Rudy''s group managed to escape sessfully, their quick feet enabling them to outpace others. *** ''These things are annoying,'' Reign sneered in contempt as he tore another female hunter''s body in half. He nced at the helicopters surrounding him in the sky, their gunfire kept echoing in his ears. Unfortunately, The helicopters were flying higher than usual, so he had to think ofway to get to them. Then, a concept from his childhood fascination resurfaced in his mind. It was something he had saw from an hundred year old anime series he had managed to obtain a copy of. It was about a girl who could generate electricity and make a coin turn into a deadly weapon by incorporating the Rail Gun theory. He became so fixated on the topic that he remembered researching the theory. After looking into the rail gun theory, he discovered that what the girl did was impossible, even for someone with the ability to control electricity, due to numerous inconsistencies. The Rail Gun theory was a concept rooted in electromaism and physics, particrly in the field of projectile propulsion. Essentially, a rail gun utilizes electromaic forces to elerate a projectile along a set of conductive rails. In its simplest form, a rail gun consists of two parallel rails, typically made of conductive materials like copper or aluminum, with an electric current running through them. A projectile, often a metal slug or projectile, was ced between these rails. When the electric current was applied, it generates a maic field perpendicr to the rails. ording to the theory, the interaction between the maic field and the electric current creates a Lorentz force, which propels the projectile forward along the rails. By increasing the current and optimizing the design, rail guns can achieve incredibly high velocities, making them capable ofunching projectiles at hypersonic speeds. With only human skin, it would have been impossible to aplish all of this But what about him? With his lightning attribute and bones akin to metal with high conductivity, coupled with his genius mind, he felt a surge of inspiration. All this time, he had been relying on the system for his skills. However, he found the system''s abilities to be too basic and straightforward. If he wanted to develop further and really be strong, he knew he had to think outside the box and create his own original skills. As his mind raced, a blueprint appeared before him. He exerted his control over his bones. His right arm began to transform, bones protruding from his arms and intertwining with each other in aplex pattern. The bones in his arm elongated and fused together, forming a sleek and intricate structure reminiscent of a futuristic bio weapon. Rib-like protrusions extended outward from the main barrel, creating a series of channels that seemed to pulse with dark energy. Along the length of the rail gun, jagged edges and sharp ridges emerged, giving it a menacing appearance. Sparks of electricity danced along the surface of the bones, crackling with power. At the tip, a cluster of very dense bone shards converged, forming a lethal projectile ready to be unleashed at hismand. [System: Congrattions, Host, for creating a new skill worthy of the System''s acknowledgment.] [Please name it for quicker ess in the future] Reign paused for a moment, recognizing the significance of naming his own skill. It felt like he had reached a new milestone. "Death Rail-Gun," he responded. [Death Rail-Gun - Saved] After naming his skill, he refocused his gaze on his hand, which now looked incredibly awe-inspiring, leaving him fascinated by the transformation. But Reign had no time to enjoy it,as the bombardment resumed once the smoke cleared, revealing his position again to the armies. ''This guy doesn''t know what''s good for them,'' he chuckled to himself as he pointed his Rail Gun towards the sky, preparing to test it in actualbat right away. Then, he summoned a Railgun slug, shaping it into a sleek, pointed projectile reminiscent of ammunition used in tanks for armor piercing. Next, he infused dark red electricity into the rail-gun and into the slug. The mechanism he had created for the Railgun activated. BUZZZZZZZZZ! The railgun emitted a sharp, high-pitched buzzing sound as it charged up, building anticipation for the impending release of the electrified slug. "Death Rail Gun!" What happened next unfolded too fast, as everyone could only catch a glimpse of a streak of red light before a helicopter went down out of nowhere. "What was that?" A chill ran down everyone''s spine after witnessing something that they could notprehend . Chapter 125: Final Option BUZZZZZZZZZ! Another buzzing sound pierced the air, soon followed by the ominous explosion of another helicopter. Its destruction showing the vast gap between modern weaponry and a demon with Reign''s power level. Reign''s attacks came with staggering speed, leaving the helicopters no chance to evade. With each reload, his efficiency surpassed even that of an actual Rail Gun, incorporating thetest in technology. The remaining helicopters scrambled to gain altitude and create distance, but it was futile. No ordinary missile or cannon coulde close to matching the speed ofrail gun. Additionally, Reign''s ability to calcte and predict a helicopter''s position elevated the threat level of his long-distance attack even further. It was the kind of skill that turns the tide of battles and leaves enemies trembling in their boots. With all the helicopters taken down, Reign swiftly redirected his focus to targeting the remaining army on the ground. In front of his Death Rail Gun, no one was safe. Reign''s precision targeted the tanks first, their cumbersome frames making them a good target. BUZZZZZZZZZ! He unleashed rounds that tore through metal and machinery, rendering the tanks into twisted wreckage. The projectiles pierced through the armor as if it were made of paper, destroying the bodies of the people inside who were operating them. The other tanks retaliated by firing at Reign, but he quickly moved from one position to another, dodging their attacks with ease. Before they could adjust their aim, Reign resumed his attacks, his deadly uracy destroying tanks in an instant . The Death Rail Gun was highly efficient, its devastating power unmatched. However, Reign soon felt the strain of expending too much energy with each bullet. Sensing his draining energy, he made the decision to dispatch the few remaining soldiers using his bare hands. After a couple of minutes filled with cries, pleas, and curses, the whole area fell silent. Only the corpses of the fallen and the wreckage of machinery and equipment remained as somber reminders of the chaos that had unfolded. Reign stood on top a pile of corpses, gazing on the surrounding death as his Puppet diligently segregated the fallen, separating ordinary humans and hunters. He was only using the five puppets, each resembling typical skeletons with bare bones and devoid of clothing. The distinguishing feature was the dark red aura enveloping their bodies, swirling like smoke from within, marking them with an eerie presence. As for Arc? He dispatched his him to undertake the cleanup task, as some cowardly hunters had dared to flee in his presence. Reign knew that it would be foolish not to eliminate every hunter, as some of them might possess unexpected benefits. *** In the distance CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! The sound of swords shing echoed as Rudy, Cynthia, Bernard, and the other surviving hunters fought to hold their ground against Arc. "Damn it, why are there two demons!" Rudy gritted his teeth in frustration. Despite their coordinated efforts, they found themselves being pushed back by Arc, showcasing the demon''s formidable power. They spected that Arc might be nearing the level of a Peak High Demon. They acknowledged that their mental state wasn''t at its peak, making the battle against Arc even more challenging than it would have been in the past. "You two escaped , we will hold him down!" Bernard''s voice thundered with determination, fueled by his concern for Cynthia. "Don''t be stupid, we can beat this thing," Rudy countered, his voice filled with defiance. "What are you talking about! You will be a father, stop being stupid and just run!" Bernard''s frustration boiled over, his voice sharp with urgency and concern. Rudy''s innate kindness, though admirable, was misced in this dire situation. For Cynthia''s sake, he needed to prioritize his own survival and be selfish. "I''m stronger than you, you take Cynthia away," Rudy replied firmly as he gripped his sword and swung it again to aid the other hunters. He knew that without him, their chances of survival against the demon would be much lower, leading to one sided massacre . Bernard felt conflicted after hearing this, a mix of emotions swirling within him. While he knew it was wrong to wish for his friend''s death, a part of him couldn''t help but feel that this was his chance. "Alright," Bernard nodded . "Thank you, I know I can count on you," Rudy replied with a warm smile, before his gaze turned to Cynthia, who was currently resting. ** "Go with Bernard first, I will follow you once I''m done," Rudy shouted. "No, we won''t leave you," Cynthia protested. "Don''t worry about me, I havea secret skill but I can''t use it if there are so many people. Just trust me" Rudy dered. "But..." she wanted to speak more, but Bernard interrupted her, swiftly grabbing her and urging her to move. "Let go of me! Let go of me!" she struggled, her hear aching knowing that Rudy was nning to sacrifice himself to buy time. Bernard, left with no choice, reluctantly delivered a blow to her neck, causing her to lost consciousness . "Thank you," Rudy said softly as he watched Bernard scoop Cynthia into a princess carry and sprint away with all his might. In his mind, Bernard was a good friend, caring and kind towards him and Cynthia. With Bernard by her side, he could find relief in the knowledge that his friend would do everything in his power to save her. CLANG CLANG CLANG More shes echoed as Rudy and the others exerted themselves to stall for time. He fought smartly, instructing everyone to refrain from engaging in directbat and instead focus on stalling tactics using group coordination, which proved effective. After a while, they noticed that the others were beginning to gasp for breath, still feeling the fatigued from their escape from Reign. With limited spare energy to begin with, their stamina was quickly getting exhausted . Rudy saw this and knew that it was time to resort to theirst option. "Let''s die together, you bastard," Rudy dered, channeling all his remaining vitality into one final, desperate attack. It was the skill that hunters reserved for moments when they knew there was no chance of survival. Seeing Rudy''s resolve, the other hunters followed suit without hesitation. "We are not holding back anymore!" Rudy roared, his voice echoing with determination. Together with hisrades, they unleashed their most powerful attacks, pouring every ounce of their strength into one big attack. Arc''s eyes gleamed with a red arch of electricity, as if something had triggered it. With a wide motion, he raised his sword, and an arc of red lightning converged on its tip. The power was so intense that the mere maic pull from the electricity caused everyone''s swords to vibrate. Seeing this, Rudy''s stomach churned with fear. He recognized this technique¡ªit was something Jayden had shown him when they first met. They were holding back? or Was it the other way around? SLASH! When Arc''s sword pierced the ground, a brilliant crimson surge of electricity exploded from within it, radiating outward in a perfect circle. The red lightning energy crackled fiercely, enveloping everything within a five-meter radius, leaving no escape from its electrifying grip. "AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The hunters screamed in agony as the electricity ravaged their bodies from within, leaving them writhing in pain. **** Authors Note: I apologize for only posting one chapter today. Something came up, and I only had 3 hours to spare for writing. I''ll just post more chapters in the following days to catch up in my schedule. Thank you for understanding. Chapter 126: Pitiful "No¡ª No," Bernard stammered while carrying Cynthia, his hands trembling as he faced the one thing he feared most: Reign. He had clung to the belief that they still had a chance at survival, but as he stood face to face with the more terrifying demon before him, any semnce of hope evaporated, leaving him with a sense of utter despair. He ended up gently cing Cynthia on the ground, his movements careful and tender as he ensured she wasfortable. "Look at you, running with your little girlfriend while all your friends fought until the bitter end," Reign chuckled mockingly. He here arrived after noticing that Arc was taking too long to finish his mission. Recognizing Arc as his most important puppet, he decided to check on him. It was then that he saw Arc struggling to cope with the coordinated attacks of the hunters due to its monotonous fighting style. But with Reign''s control, he instructed Arc to unleash a more powerful skill, one that annihted all the hunters in one fell swoop. After wrapping things up, Reign wasted no time and gave chase to the two figures in the distance. With his speed, catching up to a hunter that was carrying dead-weight was effortless. Back to the Present . Bernard nced at Cynthia, still unconscious on the ground, before returning his focus to the demon in front of him. The demon''s menacing appearance became even noticeableas it stood there, his skull-like face and eerie smile sending a chill down Bernard''s spine. Not just him, but any person in his position right now wouldcower after witnessing the carnage and power that Reign unleashed. It was simultaneously awe-inspiring and utterly terrifying. "P¡ª Please, you can kill me, but please don''t hurt her," Bernard pleaded, his voice trembling with desperation as he swallowed his pride and begged for mercy. Clinging to the slim hope that Reign might spare her life, he awaited the demon''s response with anxious breath. "Why should I spare her?" Reign asked, genuinely puzzled by Bernard''s request. Was this guy out of his mind? Did he really believe that a demon who tore through everyone like they were mere butchered meat at the market would spare a woman just because he begged for it? "Kill me, please, just spare her. She''s pregnant, and I..." Bernard trailed off, his voice heavy with despair as he struggled to articte his words. "Oh, so you got her pregnant, and now you''re trying to save them both?" "She''s not my wife, she''s my best friend''s wife, and I promised him that I will protect her," Bernard replied, his smile forced but resolute. He had reached a point where his fear was reced by eptance, bringing a sense of calm over him. Reign, on the other hand, felt a sense of disappointment. Despite not experiencing a conventional puberty, he was intelligent enough to perceive Bernard''s actions as dumb and idiotic. It was evident that Bernard harbored feelings for Cynthia, and yet, even after it was clear that he was not the one chosen by her, he still insisted on sacrificing himself for someone who had friendzoned him. "Alright, I''ll spare her," Reign sighed. If Bernard was telling the truth, then Reign felt he had no choice but to spare her. Even though the child might not be fully developed yet, Reign had his limits. "Thank you¡­" Bernard began, his voice breaking as he heard Reign''s assurance. His knees buckled, and he dropped to the ground, kneeling in gratitude and relief. ''Why are the people in this world like this,'' Reign thought to himself, feeling a bit annoyed. It was like everyone had their own tragic tale to tell, as if the world itself was testing his morals and constantly reminding him that he was the antagonist of this world. He remembered watching an anime before, where most side characters were one-dimensional and ended up feeling not important . Even if they died, neither the main character nor the viewers would feel anything. He had always thought it waszy storytelling on the part of the writers . But now, in real life, he hoped that all the people he had killed were just like those one-dimensional characters, and not people like Bernard. Reign slowly walked towards Bernard, who had lost all hope of resistance. "Do you know why I will kill you now?" Reign asked, his voice low and chilling, as he pressed both of his hands against Bernard''s face with his cold grip. "Because you''re a demon that eats humans?" Bernard chuckled weakly, a bitter taste to his voice. "That''s one thing, the other is because I pity you," Reign replied, shaking his head solemnly. "P¡ª Pity me?" Bernard asked, confusion evident in his voice. Though he had thought he had already epted his death, a strange feeling crept over him as Reign spoke mysteriously. "I pity you for being an idiot," Reign sighed . "You think she will remember you? After I kill and eat you, she will just wake up thinking that she survived miraculously. Then she would mourn, not for you who saved her, but for that best friend of yours. How pitiful. You''re so pitiful that I feel bad killing you," Reign chuckled, his voice dripping with disdain. "FUCK YOU!!!!!!" Bernard roared in anger, hisfrustration reaching its peak as Reign''s words triggered him in his final moments. But before he could even stand up and vent his anger, Reign slowly ripped his head from his neck, the spinal cord dangling from his severed head. "You should have just remained quite and died. Really uncool, " Reign sighed, a hint of disappointment in his voice. He was just testing him, finding his personality too much of a goody two-shoes. He despised people who thought self-sacrifice was some noble act. Maybe he would find it honorable if he had died as a normal student, getting hit by truck-kun before reincarnating. But he was ab rat for God''s sake; sacrifice meant nothing to him. After he was done, Reign decided to absorb Bernard''s body first. Unfortunately, it was too ordinary even as a source of material. Reign ended up selling all the organs for skill points instead. When he reached the group that Arc killed, he decided to absorb everyone except for Rudy. He could sense that there was something more special about him than the rest. As the Skill Points umted, Reign decided to max out Bone Eater to XX, further increasing his absorption rate. Already fast enough to absorb multiple people simultaneously as long as he was touching them, he sought to elerate the process even faster. To achieve this, he created additional hand-like extensions, allowing his absorption to more efficient. Unfortunately, not even more than a dozen hunters were enough to push his level, showing just how much the EXP cap had increased. However, he was not bothered by it because he still had a lot of resources to feed on. He ced Rudy''s body on his back and then ran back to the area where he had instructed his puppets to segregate the dead bodies. The speed at which he ran ended up heating up the air around him, but he paid it no mind, because he was made of hard bones. Likewise, Rudy''s body was already burned to a crisp, so a little increase in temperature wouldn''t matter anyway. Well, not like he couldin being dead and all. Chapter 127: State of Emergency [URGENT: Situation critical. Requesting immediate backup. Over.] [URGENT: Situation critical. Requesting immediate backup. Over.] [URGENT: Situation critical. Requesting immediate backup. Over.] Message after message rang out to the other bases, informing them about the fate that the first batch of army who confronted Reign met. Complete and utter devastation¡ªthat''s the only way to describe what happened to them. They arrived there thinking they would have something to talk about, boasting of how they killed and hunted down a powerful demon using their weapons of war. But the reality was far from what they imagined. It wasn''t even a fight; more like they send a bunch of pig to be butchered . "What the hell are we dealing with?" The general roared in anger over the phone as he scolded the Hunter Association Director. He felt they had been misled, resulting in the loss of his men. If the Hunter Association had provided them with more information, he would have asked the other bases to send more forces to kill that demon. "Why are you ming me? We also lost a lot of hunters !" The fat director replied with an angry tone. He had thought that sending that many would be enough, but who could have imagined that over 60 hunters would also die while working with the Army ? This incident was unheard of in Summit City. "You have to send more Hunters, because if the Industry Sector gets destroyed, we are both screwed," the general gritted his teeth and mmed the phone down. The Industry Sector was owned by multiplepowerful corporation that not only provided funds for the Military but also facilitated the delivery of goods to Summit City and other Tier 4 cities through its extensive distribution channels. If it got destroyed, he would get demoted for failing to protect it. "I need to do something," he thought to himself, hastily picking up the phone to dial a number. He needed to report this to the military base located at the other borders. Summit City had six military bases surrounding the entire barrier, and these ces had more resources and advance machineries because they were tasked with dealing with the Corrupted. In fact, the technology they used to fight Reign was already 70 years old and by no means their most powerful weapons. It was true that the Corrupted rarely attacked Tier 4 cities, and if they did, the force would not be particrly strong. However, a fort to defend against them was still necessary, just in case a horde of Corrupted attacked. Tier 4 cities, despite their low ranking status, were still among the few ces in the world rtively safe from the ck miasma, so losing it was not an option anyone could afford. The ringing of his phone echoed in his ear as he waited anxiously for someone to answer. But before he could connect, the major, his right-hand man, mmed the door open, his face pale with shock. "General, we just received a report. A horde of Corrupted suddenly appeared and destroyed one of our border forts!" he eximed. "How is that possible!" The general stood up, taken aback by this revtion. The fort was equipped with an array of monitoring equipment, ensuring that any impending attack would be detected well in advance. "We don''t know general, but we are ordered to send all our men to the fort in the South , and stop the invasion." "The estimated number of Corrupted is over 30,000!" the major added, his voice filled with rm. First, the demon, and now the Corrupted. What the hell was happening in Summit City? "My god," the general felt his knees weaken, and he sank back into his chair, exhausted after hearing this news. The demon was one thing, but 30,000+ Corrupted were enough to destroy the whole of Summit City. What was more concerning was the fact that they had lost a lot of manpower fighting that demon, so they didn''t even have much left to send to begin with from their base. *** A loud rm jolted everyone awake, the sky still dark, but the whole of City was nowpletely alert. Every phone in the area received a state of emergency warning, instructing everyone not to leave their homes . The exact details were not given, but influentialpeople and wealthy individuals who knew more about the inner workings of the ce already had a hunch. They immediately called the local government to escort them to the ce called Sanctum. Every Tier City had this ce; it was an underground base built to withstand even a powerful nuclear st. It had all the resources to support life for 120 days, more than enough time for rescue to arrive. As for the ordinary citizen? They just had to pray that the military would be able to stop the advance of the Corrupted. "Send everyone and defend the city!" the director ordered, his voice booming with urgency. But while he may have sounded like someone who caredwith how loudly he shouted, in reality, he was already preparing to go to the Sanctum to save his own life. This might be a very dangerous situation, but for him, he felt lucky, as Jayden''s death would be drowned by this whole incident. *** Aside from those well-known organizations, other groups like the Veiled Nights also went into a state of emergency. They were given requests and job orders regarding the Corrupted invasion, and the amount of reward was enough to tempt the members to take the job. This was a case where every manpower was needed, no matter where it came from. Against amon enemy, humans united together. For an hour, the whole Slump area became busy, with people readying their guns, outfitting their vehicles with machine guns, and sharpening their des. Divergents, on the other hand, used all their savings to buy third-rate, second-handbat suits to further enhance their power. "Where is Reign?" Byron asked, having been calling him repeatedly with no response. If there was one person he wanted on his side right now, it would be Reign, who was likely much stronger than the hunters at this moment. Byron was also strong, but he had reached Gold Rank through his connection and management skills. In terms ofbat, he was not better than Cyril at all, and was even way weaker. "We still can''t contact him," his female assistant answered. "Forget it," Byron grumbled. This ce was still rtively safe, so he did not have to worry too much for now. He would just stay here and let those ignorant members face the Corrupteds. They thought thatCorrupteds were just a bunch ofmindless monsters that they could easily defeat with numbers, but he knew how terrifying those things could be. A demon would look tamedpared to the devastation and death that a horde of Corrupted could bring. *** [Level UP +1 ] [Level UP +1 ] He began devouring all the corpses, each consumption boosting his EXP even further. Reign saved the Hunters forst, intending to take his time with them to extract the maximum amount of mutation materials. Fully engrossed in reaping the benefits of his brutal actions, he remained oblivious to the storm brewing in the horizon. Chapter 128: Huge Improvements Part 1 Reign''s Enhance Bones skill began to increase dramatically as he continuously fed it with bone-rted materials, while selling anything else he deemed useless or would not help him in anyway. [One of the host''s skills has surpassed 30 levels. ] [System Update! ] [System Update! ] [System Update! ] [Ultimate Mutation System 3.0] Old : Enhance Bones XXV > XXXV New: Enhance Bones (35) The system turned from Roman Numerals to Arabic Numbers which was far better and simpler to judge his stats. ''This is way better,''Reign thought to himself. ''I wonder why the system did not go with this one right off the bat.'' He added. But after pondering it, he decided to let it go. There was no need to waste time trying to understand the System, as it was something beyond hisprehension. The moment he started questioning it, he would be on a long and tiring road, because the System itself was an existence he feltalmost equal to a god. Mantis Eyes [27%]>[35%] Serpent Vertebrate [20%]>[25%] His Mantis Eyes and Serpent Vertebrae also experienced growth through absorption of rted or identical organs. Unfortunately, the number of eye-rted organs was few in between. [level up + 1] He leveled up again bringing his level to 23 . Right now , there where only 10 hunters left, he remembered them because he saw them using a more unique variant of Breathing Technique . He was familiar with the Smander Breathing Technique because of Dominic, but when it came to Rudy, he hadn''t witnessed his fighting style firsthand. Therefore, he remained unaware of Rudy''s chosen Breathing technique. Nheless, he was certain of Rudy''sstrength. Since his evolution, Reign had developed an instinctive ability to gauge the strength of others, particrly if it was weaker to his own. ''Let''s put this to the test. My body used to be a corpse , so it had issues with fire, but I''m different now. If I could handle lightning, fire should be a piece of cake,'' he mused, readyinghimself . When he began absorbing the hunters simultaneously, he patiently awaited the notification. [Mutation Option Avable ] Smander Scale (3) Smander Lungs (7) Smander w (9) ¡ª Smander Scale : >Grant Enhanced Resistance to Heat and mes >Forms a protectiveyer over the skin, reducing damage from physical attacks. Smander Lungs: >Provides resistance to harmful gases and pollutants in the air. >Allow Host to Breath Fire Smander w >Inflict Burning Damage upon Contact ,causing burning effects . ¡ª Reign read the updated skill information and found it way clearer than before, making it a breeze to grasp the details. The addition of clickable text for more information was a smart move, enhancing his experience, and also saving a lot space in his window. ''Smander Scale will work well with me, so this is a no-brainer,'' he muttered to himself, firmly convinced of the obvious choice. Next. ''Smander Lungs? Breathing fire?'' he pondered the prospect of bing a fire-breathing monster, and if it was wise choice. ''I think breathing fire is a good power,'' he nodded to himself It wasn''t as if he would suddenly develop a condition where he''d feel nauseous while riding vehicles, nor would he have the urge to consume mes if he acquired this skill. ''Let''s double-check,'' he muttered, scanning his surroundings for a blue cat with wings, just to be safe. After indulging in a bit of nostalgia by recalling anime from his old world, Reign chuckled and refocused his attention on the Smander w. "Yes," Reign affirmed without hesitation. The Burning Damage Status was very useful especially when facing opponents with high HP in the future. Plus, considering those white-haired individuals were rumored to be vampires, they were likely to be particrly vulnerable to fire. They remained his top priority for people to kill, and as he grew stronger, he felt more eager to teach those three a lesson they would take to their graved. All three skills were purchased, and the redundant organs were absorbed to further augment their power. "Oh, nice," Reign chuckled, a sense of wonder as he observed the transformation. The external bones that once were smooth began to shift, dark red scales emerging to cover them like a protective armor. Each scale seemed to glisten with electricity inside, making his whole form much more shy. As the transformation continued, the scales interlocked seamlessly, forming a formidable barrier that encased himpletely. Now he resembled those anime protagonists who transformed into a hybrid of dragon and human, but with a unique twist. His scales were morepact, way more eye catching, and he found out that he could control them effortlessly. With a mere thought, he could conceal them within his body, only to summon them back again at will. It was a very handy skill, giving him both protection and versatility in battle. But it was not the only transformation he noticed . As he gazed at his hand and activated Smander w, he witnessed another transformation. His knuckles turned molten red, resembling a metal that was heated close to melting point. ''Sweet,'' he chuckled to himself,pletely satisfied with the results. Smander Scale (30%) Smander Lungs (55%) Smander w (45%) Finally, it was Rudy''s turn to be devoured and be useful . [Mutation Option Avable ] ck Raven w ck Raven Eyes "That''s it?"Reign grumbled aloud, disappointed to find that Rudy only gave this much. He had expected at least a unique breathing technique, but he was pretty sure ravens was considerably weaker and smaller than a hawk in real life. ''Let''s give ita benefit of the doubt,'' Reign sighed and started reading the info about it . As he finished reading, one detail captivated his attention: the ck Raven Eyes. It possessed an intriguing skill¡ªa foresight ability. ording to the information, as this ability advanced, its possessor could foresee seconds into the future. Rudy possessed this unique ability to see into the future, a skill passed down through generations in his family. However, in his case, he could only see 0.10 seconds into the future. Though not that long, this ability still yed a significant role in his rise through the ranks, a feat shared by his father and grandfather before him. However, even with this foresight ability, Rudy found himself outmatched by Arc. The overwhelming gap in power between them was too much . Seeing 0.10 second into the future was useless if his opponent was as fast as lightning. In terms of rarity, these eyes were in no way inferior to Mantis Eyes. Both were exceptionally rare and sought after for their unique abilities and potential. ''Raven, what an ironic name,'' Reign mused to himself. In his previous world, there was a saying that ravens could predict death. So, it was fitting that the ck Raven Eyes possessed the ability of foresight. "Purchased ck Raven Eyes," Hemanded. [System: ck Raven Eyes is a unique Eye. The host can utilize it, but not simultaneously with Mantis Eyes.] He had already expected as much. If he couldbine both abilities, his vision would be overwhelmingly powerful. Just imagine having 360-degree vision, lightning-fast reaction times, and the ability to foresee the future all at once. It would be an unparalleled advantage in any situation. So epting this type of restriction was not too hard . Chapter 129: Huge Improvement Part 2 Now for the fun part He checked his Skill Points and saw a surplus, thanks to selling all the useless mutation organs he didn''t need. It would be a waste to hoard all of this, so it was time to go on a shopping spree. [Points] Attribute Points: 90 Skill Points :121 Evolution Points : 0 ''121 skill points, not bad,'' he nodded in satisfaction. He couldn''t help but chuckle at the thought that the Hunter Association had handed out Hunters for him to kill for skill points like pamphlets on the street. Whoever was running that show must have been as generous as Santa us on Christmas Eve, in Reign''s opinion. He began scrutinizing his skills, pondering the best way to use his well deserved points. ''Can I upgrade the Death Rail Gun?'' he mused, scratching his chin in contemtion. Currently, it was his strongest skill in terms of pure prating power. Its range was also the longest, and the damage it could cause far surpassed any of his current skills, if he was given enough time to charged it. The only downside of Death Rail Gun was its high consumption rate. In order to operate it, he needed to use multiple different types of skills in coordination with one another which put a lot of load on his Energy. If he could upgrade it and make it more efficient, it would boost his power again. However, after checking, he found no direct option for upgrading it. The best course of action was to enhance its power by upgrading all the skills rted to it, such as w Bullets ,w Barrage, Enhance Bones , and Bone Control. Among these skills, only w Barrage was not at its full level, so he prioritized capping it first. w Barrage (14)>(20) Reign made a mental note to search for a way to make Death Rail Gun much more efficient. His first iteration was merely a prototype, exining itsck of efficiency. It was akin to building a car; initially, the focus was on speed, and once that was achieved, the next step was to enhance efficiency and stability. The mere thought of the experiments he could conduct to perfect the Rail Gun filled him with excitement. Despite all the suffering he had endured as ab rat, his childhood obsession with this particr weapon still burned brightly within him. Next was wer, his most frequently used skill in short-rangebat. While it was true that he could kill his enemies without relying on it, upgrading wer would enable him to execute attacks faster and with stronger power. It was akin to having a hotkey for a skill, essible with just a thought. In addition, wer was also useful because he could seamlessly integrate it into his normal attacks. Even a simple punch could activate the wer ability, allowing him to benefit from its buffs and enhancements. wer (8)>(20) Next on the agenda was Death Aura and Night Crawl . While he hadn''t used Death Aura much due to how weak his enemy where, he figured it wouldn''t hurt to cap it since he had a surplus of skill points. Death Aura (11)> (20) Night Crawl (10)> (20) After upgrading all the skills he found useful, he turned his attention to the "Seed." He hadn''t allocated any skill points to it before because when he attempted to activate the skill, nothing happened. Reign suspected that it might require a certain level to be used. And now was the perfect time because he had plenty of skill points to waste on his hypothesis . Seed (1)>(20) When he finished upgrading the skill to level 20, a new notification popped up. [Seed Stage 1 (0/200 skill points) ] ''Shit,'' he muttered, almost smacking the semi-transparent window in frustration after seeing how high requirements was. He had thought he was well-off in terms of skill points, but after doing the math, he realized he couldn''t even fulfill the requirements for the first stage. What was worse was that he had no idea how many stages there would be. For all he knew, that thing could have either two stages or one hundred. ''I''ll ignore this thing for now,'' he sighed, feeling a little bit frustrated. The Seed was like a bottomless pit, and he concluded that it would be better to focus on increasing his fighting power to avoid dying in the first ce, rather than betting on something like the "Seed" for insurance. ''Maybe in the future, when I have more skill points to spare,'' he thought, leaving the Seed for another time. Now it was finally time to allocate the attribute points he had painstakingly saved. ''All my stats are A+ except for Intelligence, should I?'' Reign pondered for a few seconds. He was confident that he was smart enough, but the temptation to increase his intellect was there for a different reason. Upgrading his intelligence might not drastically improve his IQ, but what if it served as a prerequisite for acquiring a domain? In fact, it seemed odd to him that despite his over the top IQ, his Intelligence stat remained at a B-. He guessed that maybe Intelligence stats didn''t just gauge someone''s IQ or intelligence; it likely measure a broader range of factors. ''The only thing I''m missing right now is a domain,'' he mused to himself. With a domain at his disposal, he was certain he''d have the strength needed to confront those vampires head-on. But without one, he would be at a disadvantage. It was like a lion trying to fight underwater; no matter how strong the lion was, it would never triumph over a predator that lives in the water. Intelligence (B-)> (A+) = 85 points Just like that, almost all of his saved attribute points were drained. "I don''t fee¡ª" His words were suddenly cut off by a searing pain in his head. "AHHHHHHH!" He shouted as he felt like his mind was breaking apart, as if countless needles were stabbing it from all directions. Reign''s vision blurred, and he staggered, clutching his head in agony. Every moment felt endless as waves of unbearable pain surged through his skull. His thoughts scattered, and he fought to stay clear-headed amid the pain. But it was just too much. It felt like his very mind was under attack, threatening to burst out with each passing second. The pain became too unbearable, causing dark red energy tinged with red electrical current to leak from his body. After a few moments, the energy transformed from a gaseous state to a viscous liquid, oozing from every part of his body and dripping on the ground. As the dark substance pooled on the ground, Reign found himself at its center, kneeling and gripping his head in unbearable pain. "AGGHHHHHHHHHHH!" Reign''s pained cries thundered, his consciousness slipping away as his body moved purely on instinct. As if in response to his agony, the pool of ck substance began to encircle and surround his body like a cocoon, reminiscent of a caterpir''s chrysalis. It gleamed with an eerie, ck-red sheen, its surface rippling with electric patterns as it molded itself snugly around Reign''s body. Fully covered by the cocoon, he was slowly pulled underground as it began to burrow, the earth parting effortlessly as it dug downward . Chapter 130: [Bonus] Domain Part 1 "Where am I?" Reign asked himself, his voice echoing faintly in the darkness. He felt as though his entire body was enveloped in an invisible force, like being submerged in thick, gooey water. Every movement felt sluggish and heavy, like he was struggling against an unseen current that pulled him in all directions at once. But despite the sensation, there was a strange reassurance in the fact that at least he wasn''t drowning. Dying by drowning might be one, if not the worst, ways for humans to die. The sensation of struggling for air, the desperate gasps for breath as water fills the lungs, the overwhelming sense of panic and helplessness¡ªall contribute to an agonizing and slow demise. So, in a way, this situation was not so bad. ''I just increased my intelligence, and this happens? I don''t even feel smarter,'' he muttered to himself, the confusion evident in his voice. [Ding!] The familiar notification sound rang out, breaking the eerie silence, and a window popped up before him. Its appearance, though simple, provided a weed contrast to the darkness that enveloped him, offering a glimmer of color and light in an otherwise bleak ce. [System: Activating D.C.A] [Domain Creation Assistance ] [System: Creating Blueprints for Host to choose from] [Ding!] Bronze Rank Domain . >Chance : 200% >Range Cap : 1 sq-km >Consumption : very low >Max Attribute : 1 >Max Law : 1 Silver Rank Domain. >Chance : 150% >Range Cap : 5 sq-km >Consumption : low >Max Attribute : 2 >Max Law : 1 Golden Rank Domain. >Chance : 100% >Range Cap : 10 sq-km >Consumption : Medium >Max Attribute : 3 >Max Law : 2 Diamond Rank Domain. >Chance : 75% >Range Cap : 15 sq-km >Consumption : high >Max Attribute : 4 >Max Law : 2 Lord Rank Domain. >Chance : 50% >Range Cap : 20 sq-km >Consumption : Very High >Max Attribute : 5 >Max Law : 3 King Rank Domain. >Chance : 15% >Range Cap : 30 sq-km >Consumption : Very High >Max Attribute : 6 >Max Law : 5 Legendary Rank Domain >Chance : 1 % >Range Cap : 50 sq-km >Consumption : Highest >Max Attribute : 10 >Max Law : 10 The avable options shocked Reign. He was certain that this wasn''t the normal way to acquire a domain, but the system had streamlined the process like he was in a video game or something . Not that he wanted toin; on the contrary, being able to make things much easier to understand allowed him to save more time and energy. As he clicked on each option, he discovered that each Domain had a different quality and also a lot of simplified information that he could click on to expand the details. For example, the "Chance" indicated how difficult it was to obtaina domain and the likelihood of sess. With his solid foundation, even the Bronze Rank had a 200% chance of sess. However, he wouldn''t pick this option because it was the lowest tier. That was akin to having money to spend on food, but pickingthe cheapest option just for the sake of saving. On the other hand, "Range Cap" didn''t mean that he would get that much area right away; rather, it indicated the maximum area he could expand to. This meant that if he chose the Bronze Rank, he would be limited by that area regardless of how much stronger he became in the future. In the short term, it wouldn''t be much of an issue, but as he grew stronger, this cap would stop him from improving further. The third factor was consumption, which was more straightforward. The lower the rank, the less consumption needed to maintain it, and vice versa. This was only logical, given thatparing Bronze Rank to Legendary Rank was likeparing a small motorbike to a jetne. Higher ranks had more options and features, so the consumption would be higher too. Next was Attributes. As it says, in creating a domain, Reign could assign attributes to it to make the whole area more advantageous for him. In his case, with plenty of attributes to choose from, getting the Legendary rank would be perfect for him. Unlike other demons who are more bound to one or two attributes, he has the capability to use dozens of attributes because of his system. Attributes were a good way to supplement power within a domain. For example, if he had a domain with a lightning attribute, it would directly enhance all his lightning-rted abilities because the element no longer needed to be created; he just had to control it within his surroundings. FLastly, there was the maximumw. Reign wasn''t very knowledgeable about this, but thanks to the system, he had some guesses. Laws within a domain were like the rules that govern how things work inside of it. They establish what was possible and what was not. For example, just as the Law of Gravity on Earth dictates that objects which is heavier than air molecules are pulled toward the ground, domainws determine how things behave within that specific area. Of course, the naturalws still exist within a domain because they are universal. However, if a demon was powerful enough, they could temporarily rece or even supersede thosews in favor of their own. Reading this, he realized that he had been lucky not to encounter any demons with a Domain yet. No matter how strong he was, fighting against someone with a Domain without having one himself would be suicidal. This was no longer just a matter of how much damage output he could produce, but whether he could even hit his target in the first ce. ''The Legendary Rank is the obvious choice, but it says 1%,''he pondered. ''If the system is basing it on my current ability, then how difficult is it to obtain?'' There was no way something as powerful as the Legendary rank would be easy to get using this logic. "System what will happen if I failed ?" He asked. [System: You will receive the lowest Domain - Bronze] ''That''s basically crippling me,'' Reign sighed. Getting the Bronze Rank would be a death sentence. It was like having a sports car but being restricted to driving it on rough, uneven roads in a mountainous and rocky area. ''Should I try the King Rank?'' he pondered. It had a 15% chance, which was much better than risking it all with just 1%. ''No, I can''t do that. I have a system for god''s sake,'' he sighed. He didn''t know how strong the other powerhouses in this world were, so he always had to pick the best option if it was avable. So far, all he had in his body was the very best: a Legendary Race and a Legendary Core. He only needed the Legendary Domain toplete the Holy Trinity of power. At that point, as long as nothing happened to him, he would be unrivaled once he reached the peak. No one at the same level as him would be able to hurt him. ''System, what are the requirements to obtain a domain?'' he asked. He wanted to gather as much information as possible, knowing more would be a big help. [System: The process of obtaining a domain is too random for a definite answer.] ''Shit,'' he cursed inwardly, it seems he just had to hope for the best. "I pick the Legendary Domain," In response to his choice, his body warped and distorted, as if disintegrating, but in reality, it remained unchanged. All of this was just his mind ying tricks on him. Chapter 131: [Bonus] Domain Part 2 "What a useless bastard," a man wearing ab coat spoke in a sinister manner as he pointed a syringe filled with green serum at a poor, frail young man. ''Wait, what''s happening?'' Reign thought to himself as he tried toprehend this phenomenon. He looked down and saw that his powerful metallic bones had been reced by thin arms, riddled with wounds from being pierced by syringes. When he calm down for a moment , he realized that he was back on theboratory he considered his hell. ''No, this is impossible,'' all the traumatic experiences started to resurface, and he began hyperventting. "Let me go, fuckers!" he roared in anger, trying to break the straps that were restricting his body, but it was no use; he was too weak. "Did he go crazy from drug overdosed?" the doctors asked with puzzled expressions. "Maybe. I think we put too much drugs in his body. Let''s cancel the experiment today; he might go into cardiac arrest," one of the doctors spoke. "Lucky for you, you will get to skip today''s torture," one of the doctors, who had been the most mean to Reign, sneered in contempt. "Take this garbage away," he instructed the nurses, and they pushed Reign''s hospital bed out of theboratory. "No! Let me go, fuckers! I''ll eat you alive! w Bullets! w Barrage! Enhance Bone!" Reign kept shouting like a crazy maniacs but the nurses just look at him. "Poor kid, I think he went crazy , " "He deserved it for having that tainted bloodline," "Yeah , I wish he would just die sooner so we don''t have to clean after his mess." Insulting murmurs circted among those pushing the hospital bed, and Reign couldn''t suppress his hystericalughter. It felt as though the world had yed a twisted joke on him, making a mockery of all the power he had believed was real. This prank was beyond distasteful¡ªit was downright not funny at all. When he reached his room, he was unceremoniously thrown inside, greeted by the familiar sight of the white room with soft padding and bright lights. Seeing the familiar hospital bed nearby, he crawled towards it and leaned against the wall. ''Good thing my crazy act worked,'' a grin spread across Reign''s face. He was a genius, so there was no way his memory would betray him. At first, he felt as though something was clouding his mind, making him question whether what he was seeing was reality. However, thanks to his high IQ and tempered mind, it didn''t take long for him to snap out of it. After that, he decided to go with the flow and act crazy. ''Is this some kind of test?'' he asked himself as he looked around, touching his surroundings. Everything felt real, and he was livid. "System" "System" "System" He tried calling out for assistance, but there was no response. It meant that he had to figure out a way to escape on his own, without relying on it. "Maybe I''m in some kind of a dream, and this test reys my memories of my most traumatizing moments," he thought aloud. It was intentional; this ce was filled with bugs and cameras . He was trying to test if people here would react to his actions by introducing a concept that did not exist before. "But first, I need to calm down. With my body right now, there''s no way I could escape this ce," he reasoned, his voice steady despite the urgency of his situation. Despite the bizarre circumstances, he remained calm and focused. He knew that panicking would only hinder his ability to think clearly. However¡ª BOOOOOOOM! A loud explosion echoed, shaking his room. He could tell that the explosion originated from above. He forced his weak legs to stand up and stumbled towards the door, but the explosions continued, causing him to tumble to the floor multiple times over. "What the hell is happening?" he eximed, his voice strained over the ring sound of rms. He attempted to open the door, but to his dismay, there wasn''t even a doorknob inside. It was clear that this door could only be opened from the outside. ''Shit,'' he muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. The loud explosions showed no sign of stopping. So instead of wasting his strength on futile efforts, he decided to take cover at the bottom of his bed, just in case the ceiling copsed on him. He wasn''t afraid of dying in this ce, but the thought of failing the test and ending up with the Bronze Domain worried him. Until he knew the prerequisite forpleting the test, staying alive was important. Gradually, the explosions started to subside, until everything went silent for a few minutes. CLICK! ''A person?'' Reign peered at the door and saw a person walking in. He figured it was a male from the ck pants he wore, but he couldn''t see his face from his vantage point under the bed. With each step the unknown man walked towards him, Reign felt an inexplicable fear creep over him. It was strange, considering how strong his willpower was, but in that moment, he was genuinely intimidated. When the man''s leg was directly in front of Reign, he heard a screeching sound as the man grabbed the bed and slowly lifted it up. ''This..'' Reign was speechless . Revealed before him was a figure with red eyes and white hair, so handsome and wless that he did not looked human at all. But he knew that face well¡ªit was the one he''d seen countless times on television since he was young, belonging to the person known as "The Evil Monarch.". The Strongest Being in their world. "Why the surprise look? I know I''m quite the looker, but no need to be shocked," The Evil Monarch chuckled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Despite the jest, Reign couldn''t help but feel a strange warmth in his presence. "W¡ª What are you doing here?" Reign asked, taken aback. This wasn''t at all what he had expected. If this was some kind of dream based on his memories, then why was this person here? And why did he seem so lifelike? Wasn''t this supposed to be a test for his domain? "Weird, you have some interesting thoughts. Domain, huh?" The Evil Monarch mused, rubbing his chin in contemtion. "Wait.. You can read my thoughts ?" Reign eximed he felt like he was exposed . "Kid, reading thoughts is like breathing to me," The Evil Monarch chuckled. "But you really do look like your mother," he added with a heavy sigh. Reign was taken aback. "You remember my mother?" he stammered, feeling a surge of uncertainty. Had he been mistaken all along? Was this in fact reality, and his experiences in that other world just a dream to cope with stress? "Of course, I remember her," The Evil Monarch replied, his tone softening. "She was a good woman, and you inherited a lot from her." "And I think you''re right," the Evil Monarch added, his voice contemtive. "That experience you''re talking about might be a side effect of the trauma you suffered. Do you want me to erase all of that memory and also all your time here?" he asked. "No!" Reign hurriedly answered. "And stop reading my mind!" he protested. "Alright, alright," The Evil Monarch nodded in agreement. "Now, let''s get out of this ce, Reign," he offered his hand. Chapter 132: Domain Part 3 Reign didn''t immediately take the hand offered to him. Instead, he paused, taking in his surroundings again and carefully observing the person standing before him. Everything appeared real, and the Evil Monarch in front of him look like the real deal, but he couldn''t shake the doubt in his heart. Had he truly gone mad and imagined up all those experiences? Summit City? George? Mellisa? Cyril? Wick? And all the trials he endured to be stronger? All the humans he had to kill and devoured to get stronger ? Was it merely the dream of a young kid desperate to escape reality? ''No, I don''t believe that,'' he gritted his teeth in anger and frustration. "Hey, stop pretending you''re real," Reign''s voice rang out coldly in the room, his expression contorted into a deranged re. His eyes, filled with annoyance, remained fixed on the individual standing before him, unblinking and filled with intensity . The Evil Monarch didn''t react immediately; instead, he lowered his hand and gazed at Reign with an expression that had atinge of guilt. "I know you''re confused. Let me heal your mind so you can forget all this suffering," he added in a calm tone. "Stop talking bullshit. You''re just a figment of my imagination. There''s no way my father would talk like that. I heard from Mom that he''s the most egotistic and narcissistic person alive. There''s no way he would save me or even care." Reign''s sneer dripped with contempt. "Did she really tell you that I''m like that? So she hasn''t forgiven me yet after all." The Evil Monarch forced a wry smile, his words carrying a hint of regret. "Stop using my mother''s name, you''re not even real," Reign forced himself to stand up and locked gazed with the Evil Monarch. "Strong-willed, now I''m sure you''re my son," he chuckled, "But this ce isn''t ideal for talking. Come with me." "I''m not going anywhere, and I know you can''t force me," Reign asserted defiantly. "You''re supposed to be a genius, the most powerful being in the world. There''s no way you can''t force a weak kid like me. So, it means you can''t do it." He added with a taunting smile on his lips. He felt even more confident in his assumption; he was finally seeing the inconsistencies. This was, in fact, a dream. ''That''s right, I am no longer that weak child, I am no longer the Reign from before. I am¡­ I am me¡­'' When he finally realized everything and became sure of himself, it was like something clicked in his mind, and the whole room started vibrating. The walls started cracking like ss , and revealing a ck infinite void. "I know it, this ce is fake," Reign startedughing after proving his point, while he watched everything get destroyed. However, something was amiss; the Evil Monarch remained standing there, not even budging. Reign thought that maybe he still had to do something toplete this stage, like kill his fake father, but when he tried summoning his power, he could not muster any strength. "Good, I was worried that you''re having a hard time here," The evil monarch spoke. "At least now I know that you''re strong enough to do anything, I don''t have to be worried anymore. Unfortunately, this might be thest time we see each other," he added. "Stop you''re bullshit," Reign sneered at him. He felt like this fake Evil Monarch was talking too much, even after he realized that this was all fake, he was still spouting nonsense. "That''s right, I might be just a fake and a figment of your imagination. But you have to admit, I''m quite the charming father, right? Maybe deep down in your heart, you really want to meet me?" The Evil Monarch teased, his yful demeanor eerily real and authentic. Reign retorted with a cold tone, "If I had my power right now, I would rip that face of yours." These things might not be his real father, but just looking at him was enough to trigger Reign. "Well, regardless of whether I''m real or not, at least you met me. It seems my time is up," The Evil Monarch raised his hand and watched as he slowly disintegrated. "Just vanish already so I canplete my test. I hate being in this dream," Reign responded impatiently. The Evil Monarch smiled at Reign''sment. "Dream huh?," "You''re still trying to prove that you''re the real deal after all of this ? Those tricks won''t work on me," Reign shook his head dismissively. "Fair point," Those were the final words theEvil Monarch uttered beforepletely vanishing. When everything turned dark again, Reign felt the world around him shift, and suddenly, he found himself in another ce. ''So that was just the warm up?'' In this new, moonlessndscape illuminated only by glowing sand beneath his feet, he found himself contemting the recent events. He couldn''t help but force a smile. It was wishful thinking to believe that obtaining the Legendary Domain Rank would be that easy. As he nced down at his body, relief washed over him to find that it had returned to its former state. "I miss this look," he murmured, running his fingers over his metallic bones. It was afort to see that he was once again the formidable monster he had be ustomed to. That frail human body almost made him want to vomit; he despised having to see his old self. He stood on his feet and began to assess his body for any abnormalities. With each movement, he felt light and agile, and to his relief, all his powers seemed to be in perfect working order. [DING!] [System: Congrattions forpleting the Trial of Self.] Judging from the name of the trial, it was a test to determine if he was strong-willed enough to be confident in himself. It was a trial where indecisiveness would lead to failure, and because he wasn''t tricked by all those illusions, he was able to pass it. [Domain Completion: 25%] Seeing that his Domain increased by 25%, he guessed that he still needed toplete three more tests to seed. [System: Please Complete The Trial of Elements ] "The Trial of elements? " As Reign contemted about the Trial of Elements, the ground began to shake. Six gates protruded from the ground, each bearing its own unique design. Instinctively, he knew what each one signified. >Metal >me >Disease >Death >Lightning >Negative Energy These were the attributes that he currently possessed. It was strange that there was no wind among them, but he figured that perhaps he needed to absorb a more unique Breathing Technique to acquire it. "System, how many gates can I enter?" he inquired, seeking rification first. [System: One] ''I can only pick one in the beginning. If these gates are arranged from weakest to strongest, then Negative Energy might also be the hardest among the six,'' Reign spected. Following that logic, Negative Energy seemed like the obvious choice. However, he felt that for a domain, he would rather choose Lightning. Its high prating power made it more useful inbat. While negative energy was useful for boosting his overall damage output and was highly adaptable, he couldn''t shake the feeling that lightning would be a more advantageous starting point. Plus, as he upgraded his domain, he would have the opportunity to incorporate additional elements, so there was no harm in picking lightning first. ''I''ll pick lightning,'' Chapter 133: Domain Part 4 Wh Reign tered the Gate, he found himself in a space that resembled storm clouds, with arcs of lightning shing intermitttly, apanied by the booming sound of thunder. He could feel the wind whipping against his body and face, its force quite strong as he stood suspded in the vast sky . Looking a, he realized that he was airborne, but strangely able to walk on the air itself, the ssation of the strong wind rushing past him exhrating and surreal. Suring him, huge clouds hung like ancit giants, their immse shapes casting long shadows that stretched across the whole area. ''How am I supposed to pass this test?'' he thought to himself. The Trial of Elemts sounded daunting ough, but the system hadn''t giv him any hints about what the test was actually about. But, he didn''t have to guess for long, as the ck clouds began rumbling louder and louder. Suddly, the air a him crackled with electricity, causing his hair to stand on d. Crack! In an instant, he was struck by lightning from the cloud above, the electricity coursing through his body from head to toe. ''Is this it?'' he thought to himself. This kind of damage wasn''t ough to hurt him at all; the electricity, which could have fried a human, felt ticklish to him. Wh the first wave of lightning passed, he stretched his arms,pletely unaffected by the rect attack. "That was easy," he chuckled aloud. As if insulted by his remark, the clouds rumbled again, this time with ev greater intsity. Two lightning strikesshed out at him from the left and right. But just likest time, he didn''t ev flinch and just epted the tire attack . With his body now far more resilit than ever, he faced the attack with confidce, knowing he could withstand it without issue. However, the third strike unleashed three lightning bolts, and the fourth unleashed four. With each sessive wave of attack, the number of lightning strikes increased, adding to the overall burd he had to bear. What made this attack ev more dangerous was the synchronization of each lightning strike. With every bolt that struck, the ergy was amplified, and the damage kept piling up. By the tth wave, his external bones began to crack under the pressure, forcing him to use his negative ergy to velop his body and hance its durability. However, by the fourteth wave, he waspelled to utilize the Smander Scale to further increase his resilice. "How many waves do I have to withstand?" Reign asked, his worry escting as he reached the 0th wave. At this point, his scales were dropping from his skin, unable to withstand the reltless damage inflicted by the lightning. He had initially thought he only had to dure the lightning for a 5 waves, but it showed no signs of stopping. The more he tried to defd himself, the stronger the lightning strikes became. It was like fighting back only made the attacks more powerful. ''Maybe I''m doing something wrong?'' he mused inwardly. Why had he assumed that this test was about during all of these attacks in the first ce? His mind raced as he pondered this question, and he realized he needed to approach the situation from a differt angle. The lightning elemt has the highest petrating power among all elemts. Maybe the clue was in its properties, or ev in the lightning strikes themselves. Suddly, it clicked. The increasing number of lightning strikes wasn''t just a random detail; it was the key to understanding the trial. The test wasn''t about durance or resilice; it was about harnessing the power of lightning itself. With this revtion, his approach shifted. Instead of merely during the lightning strikes, he began to focus on absorbing and channeling the ergy of each strikes. Embracing the power of the lightning elemt, he sought to harness its strgth rather than resist it. As he experimted with channeling the lightning ergy, Reign figured that his body, being a good conductor, held the pottial to absorb and release the ergy safely. Inspired by this revtion, he created long antna-like extsions from his body to act as absorbers. Through this method, he could allow the ergy to pass harmlessly through him, effectively neutralizing the threat posed by the lightning strikes. As each wave of lightning bolt passed through his body, he steadily refined and improved upon the concept he had discovered. By the time the 5th wave struck, the lightning was no longer a threat. Now, ev if more lightning tried to strike him, he could redirect the currt and release it safely, suring his survival. [System: Congrattions forpleting the Trial of Elemts.] [Domain Completion: 50%] Wh he heard the notification, his vision shifted once again, and he found himself back in the moonless area where only the glowing sand provided light. ''I feel much stronger,'' Reign chuckled to himself as he raised his hand and tried to summon red lightning in his palm. He did not grow stronger in terms of ergy, but the way he create lightning now was more refined . Previously, he had approached harnessing lightning in a straightforward manner: channeling it from his core and releasing it. However, in this trial, he made a breakthrough. By creating chain reactions from his core to his palm, he realized he could amplify the power and conctration of the lightning. Despite inputting the same amount of ergy as before, the resulting output was far stronger and more conctrated than ever. [System: Please Complete The Trial of Law ] The notification from the system jolted him from his thoughts. ''So it''sw now,''he mumbled to himself. So far the mission was all something he could do . Perhaps the Legdary Rank wasn''t as challging as he had anticipated, or maybe it was because his foundation was very solid. Whatever the reason, he found the tests manageable . While they might be difficult for others, they were doable for him. His robust physique and sharp intellect proved invaluable in deciphering the trial''s challges. He was grateful that he hadn''t settled for less and had chos the Legdary Domain Rank. Now, as long as hepleted the remaining trials, he would finally be able to create his own Domain. CRACK! As the space a Reign began to crack and fracture, he felt a sudd shift in vision again. In the blink of an eye, he found himself transported to another ce. However¡ª This new space was unlike anything he had ever se before ¡ª an dless expanse of pure, unbrok stretching out in every direction. The pristine surings should have be morefortable than the dark void he had witnessed before. However, for Reign, this ce reminded him of the room where he had be locked away for years. The walls and the brightness that had deprived him of rest echoed in his mind for a momt. But he was no longer as affected by it. The Trial of Self had made him realize that his past life was no longer important; what mattered now was his prest and his future. Of course, this didn''t mean that he had forgott about those who wronged him. He still wanted them dead. Rather, he had be more focused on getting stronger for his own sake, first. STEP! STEP! STEP! Wh he tried to walk forward, he couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off but he kept on moving. But with each step, the sse of disoritation only grew until he finally realized what was wrong . ''There''s no direction in this ce,'' he mumbled to himself. No matter which way he turned, it felt like he was not moving at all. He didn''t ev know if he was moving forward, backward, upward, or downward. It felt as though the world had suddly decided to disregard the naturalws of things like gravity, direction, and many more. . To test his hypothesis, he needed something that he could observe in the third person, unlike his own body. "w Bullet!" he called out, raising his arms and summoning a long projectile. He expected it to pierce the air and continue moving until it lost its momtum and fell down. However, as he watched the bullet hurtle through the air, he was met with a perplexing sight. Instead of following a straight trajectory, the bullet began to bd, multiply, expand, shrink, vanish into thin air, and reappear again, only to change shape once more. Finally, itpletely disintegrated, leaving Reign bewildered by the bizarre disy of phoma. It was as if this ce defied all natural and logicalws, with every movemt appearing too erratic and unpredictable for him to make any sse of it. ''So, what should I do now?'' he muttered to himself, pausing for a momt to gather his thoughts. This was the challge of this trial ¡ª unlike the Trial of Elemts, there were no obvious hints to guide him. He was left to figure out everything using only his wits and intuition to rely on. Chapter 134: Domain Creation ''How many days have I be stuck here? Maybe a month already?'' Reign asked himself, his sse of time was distorted in this ce. "FUCK THIS PLACE!" He tried talking and shouting, but the sound did not follow the usual rules. Sometimes he was muted, sometimes it was loud, and sometimes his words were reversed. This ce was so chaotic and disoriting that doing nothing would be much better. But the problem was that, up until now, he was still not sure how to pass this test. ''Would I be stuck in this ce forever?'' Reign mumbled to himself. Despite the scary thought, he didn''t look worried at all. This wasn''t the first time he had expericed something like this, so he wasn''t too bothered by it. Compared to being stuck inside a dark coffin for a year, unable to move at all, this was manageable. Not wanting to waste any more time, he decided to change his approach. He began searching for the wrong answers, methodically eliminating them one by one until he was left with the most probable solution. This systematic approach allowed him to narrow down his options and focus on finding the right path forward. This elimination method was normally used in exams, a strategy Reign seldom relied on. As a gius, he could usually deduce answers after seeing a question, provided he had ough knowledge.. First, he ruled out attempting to impose order on the chaos, as it seemed to resist any form of regtion from him. Fighting it would be akin to attempting to walk on a raging river¡ªtechnically possible but ultimately foolish and futile. Reign focused his mind, fully utilizing his high IQ for the first time in his life. Ideas shed through his mind at a fast pace, each one considered and discarded. It was fortunate that his brain had be built by the system; had he still be in his human body, the toll of pushing his brain beyond its capacity would likely have be immse. He would have ded up unconscious and possibly expericing a nosebleed from the strain. ''I think I''m onto something,'' he murmured, touching his chin as he dig deeper into his thoughts. He guessed that sess was not in imposing his will on thiswless ce, but in finding harmony within its chaotic nature, and creating his originalw that would work on this ce. Armed with this insight, he prepared to confront the trial with a new perspective, one that embraced the unpredictable and found strgth in adaptability. ''I need a ceholder to do this,'' he thought to himself. He needed something that would allow him to create his ownw while harnessing the chaos a him instead of fighting it. Instead of focusing on the tirety of hisw, he realized it was better to make it small first and not thatplicated . After all, it was just a concept, so there was no need to make it hug. But the question remained: whatw did he need? He pondered whatw he needed to create, but he realized he first needed to understand the basic principles of the Universalw. So, he organized his thoughts on what thew truly was¡ªthew that governed everything in the universe. He thought about thews of nature, like gravity and electromaism, and how they affected everything a him. But he also considered simpler concepts, like bnce and cause and effect, which seemed to apply to everything, not just the physical world. As he thought about it, he realized that what he needed was aw that reflect his self. What was he? A monster? A demon? No, he was more than that. He was a being with the pottial for unlimited growth, thanks to the system that granted him boundless opportunities. So, whatw would be perfect for him? Finally, like a Eureka momt, something clicked in his mind. He was able to figure out his firstw, and as if responding to his insight, he felt his mind downloading information after information about hisw. It was something that perfectly reflected himself. Th, the tire space a him began to transform. The horizon shrank and was reced by darkness. The g beath him turned into ck sand, and above him, clouds started to form. Blue arcs of lightning shed, bringing light into this dark world. Instinctively, he knew that the space was approximately 0 meters in radius, and by closing his eyes, he was able to sse everything a him. Wh he raised his hands and conjured lightning, he felt that he could directly manipte the clouds above to release his attacks, as if they were an extsion of his body. ''Is this the power of my domain?'' Reign thought to himself. Within this 0 meters, he felt like a god. [System: Congrattions forpleting the Trial of Laws.] [Domain Completion: 0%] Unexpectedly, the third trial turned out to be thest one. His vision wt dark again, and he felt like he was being pulled down from a dream. Wh he oped his eyes, he found himself back in his cocoon, but this time he was able to move freely. ''So that was my Domain,'' he chuckled to himself. Reign took a momt to process everything that had happed so far. He now had a domain, and thew he had obtained perfectly reflected him. Wh he was done calming his emotions , he decided to break the coon , and wh he did ck substance burst out from it . Seeing that he was underg, he climbed up from the g. He hoped that not many days had passed; otherwise, he would be in trouble if powerful hunters had already sured him. Using his right hand, he broke through the surface and slowly emerged from the g like an undead rising from a grave. However¡ª "What happed?" Reign asked in confusion. The whole ce was now sured by ck miasma,pletely differt from before. It was so differt that he ev thought he had be teleported to another world. However, the remnants of tanks and other vehicles served as proof that he was in the right ce. [System: Warning. The air is not safe for long durations. Please activate your negative ergy to form a barrier.] Hearing his system''s warning, he hurriedly formed a thin barrier a himself, suring not to expd too much ergy on it since he didn''t know how long he would need to maintain it. He already had some guesses about what this ck miasma was. It was likely the same substance isting the cities and contaminating the air outside the barriers. But the question remained: why was this same miasma here? And what the hell had happed to Summit City? "RAWR!" A bunch of growling sounds jolted Reign from his confusion. Wh he turned a to face the direction of the Industry Sector, he found something that reminded him of those zombie movies from his old world. Thousands of zombie-like creatures with ck jelly substance and red glowing eyes were walking towards him¡ªno, it was more urate to say they were running, as they steadily increased their speed. The g shook as they approached Reign, excited to devour him "Dimwits, I''m the fucking monster here, not the other way a," Reign sneered in contempt. He felt insulted by the way they looked at him, as if he was some kind of prey. Chapter 135: Aftermath Unlike Summit City, this ce was massive, with towering skyscrapers and wide streets. The roads were so spacious that they could fit up to 8 cars side by side. Above, bustling metros crisscrossed the skyline, while skyways connected the towering buildings, showcasing the bustling ergy of this sprawling metropolis. Underg were subway train stations that connected one region to another, facilitating traffic in this ce due to the sheer number of people who lived there. In fact, this ce was so huge that it had five walls dividing it. The most ctral wall was where the richest and most influtial people lived. The furthest from the cter, also known as the Fifth Region, was where most workers and ordinary citiz lived. In terms ofndmass, it was thergest among the regions because it contained mountainous regions, agricultural areas, industrial sectors, and multiple small size cities. This was the ce where George and Mellissa decided to buy a house, mainly because everything from st Region to 4th region cost way more than in Summit City. And ev after choosing a ce here, all the money that Reign had giv them wasn''t ough to buy a house. It was fortunate that Cyril, out of the goodness of her heart, let them borrow money. In a two-story caf¨¦ nestled in the heart of a bustlingmercial area in the Fifth Region, stood a newly rovated coffee shop. At a table inside, three people were currtly seated. Cyril, Melissa, and George sat together, taking sips of coffee and bites of cake. They had arrived in this area a month ago, and Cyril, with her inheritance, decided to op a coffee shop first. The cost fornd for this ce was high, but she didn''t mind, as she had money to burn. However, instead of a happy face for beginning her new life, Cyril looked sad as she observed Melissa and George having a hard time adjusting to this ce. She didn''t know the two of them very well, but Reign was the person who helped her escape her family. And in a way, the majority of her wealth right now was because Reign killed everyone for her. "Do you think he''s still alive?" Melissa asked, breaking the ice. It was a question that had be weighing heavily on George and her. In Gre Valley City, information about demons and the corrupted was more readily avable, so it didn''t take long for them to discover what had happed to Summit City. The corrupted invaded Summit City seemingly out of nowhere, catching its forces off guard. Despite the best efforts of the military, the local organization, and utilizing all avable manpower, the sheer number of corrupted overwhelmed them. Forts were decimated, and slowly but surely, the corrupted advanced rapidly. To make matters worse, the corrupted has the ability to turn their prey into one of them, making the situation more dangerous with every passing momt. Wh the horde reached Summit City walls, the number of corrupted, ording to reports, had reached 300,000. The walled city tried its best to hold them back until backup arrived, with the weapons above the walls bing their only means of survival. Cannons, missiles, and other defsive measures echoed thunderously as Summit City made ast stand against the corrupted. The people who wt to check the aftermath stumbled upon some data documting the tire ordeal, and what they found was nothing short of a desct into hell. The videos showed the frantic efforts of the defders, the brutal attacks of the corrupted, and the desperate struggle for survival within Summit City''s crumbling walls. In the d, Summit City was left in ruins, its once bustling streets reduced to rubble and ash. Wh reinforcemts finally arrived, they deemed it toote to salvage what remained of the city. Instead, their focus shifted to rescuing the surviving inhabitants, prioritizing those who were wealthy ough to afford sanctuary within the Sanctum. For the rest, there was only devastation and death, as Summit City fell to the merciless tide of darkness. "I''m sure that guy is okay , there''s no way he would die ," George chuckled trying to act tough , Reign was his only way of saving Anna , so he had to trust him. "You''re right, I''m sure ev the Corrupted would run away from him," Melissa force a smile trying to sound more positive. Cyril, witnessing the yful banter betwe Mellissa and George, couldn''t help but admire their loyalty as frids of Reign. Unaware of the true extt of Reign''s strgth, she assumed they were merely trying to cope with the situation through humor. They tried to check the list of rescued individuals, but unfortunately, Reign''s name was nowhere to be found. "Do you guys want more coffee? " Cyril asked trying to lift up the mood of everyone. "You''re really kind. You''re doing all of this ev though your job is done. Thank you," Mellissa expressed, trying to show her appreciation. "I''m not kind at all, and I''m indebted to Mr. Rain in some way, so this is just me paying him back," she replied with a touch of humility. Her refreshing personality made her instantly likable to both George and Mellissa. ''If only Anna could be this well-mannered... I''m sure Reign will fall for her, '' George sighed, admitting that Cyril, in terms of overall quality, was much more feminine and likable. And the most impressive part was, she wasn''t like this because she was weak or fragile; she was pretty strong in her own right. But wh she was notona mission, she didn''t emit any type of rough or dangerous aura at all. "By the way, ar''t you going to apply for your promotion?" Mellissa asked. She had tried bing a broker again in the Veiled Nights in this city, but this ce was on another level. Without any backing, she was pretty much not going anywhere, so she decided to wait for Reign toe. However, that option was still uncertain. But if she somehow got affiliated with Cyril, th she would have some connection with a gold ranking member. "Not yet. I''m still adjusting in this city," Cyril replied, not dying or confirming it. However, in her heart, she felt there was no longer any need for her to join the Veiled Nights. *** BOOOOOM! With one attack, hundreds of corrupted where destroyed , they did not ev knew what hit them. Reign continued to destroy anything that dared to get close to him. His movemts were quick and filled with raw power. The corrupted creatures, feared by many, were nothing but ants in the face of his overwhelming strgth . BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! With each strike, he proved that he was a force to be reckoned with, effortlessly dispatching his emies ev without trying at all. [System: You can absorb the Corrupted, but you will only gain .5% experice from them due to the filtering process required.] ''At least they''re notpletely useless, ''Reign thought to himself. .5% perct was low, but it was better than nothing. And considering the sheer number of theming for him, that .5% would umte fast. "ARC!" He summoned his most powerful puppet, and ordered it to kill everything on site without wasting too much ergy. As for him, he decided to elongate and sharp his ws, shing through everything with minimum movemts to conserve ergy. Chapter 136: Dynamic Duo As Reign ripped into the Corrupteds'' bodies, he found their external ure to be gooey, resembling a thick, dark substance. However¡ª Their internal organs was still intact, although filled with a dark-colored tumor and emitting a foul odor. While the sight and smell might have be repulsive to others, Reign, ustomed to the sct of blood and internal organs, didn''t find it particrly bothersome. Instead, he became curious about the tumor-like patches within their bodies. Attempting to absorb it, he tried to discern if it was a type of virus he could use, but there was no response. This suggested it was another substance altogether. ''System, why do you reject this miasma?'' Reign inquired, hoping for a response from his system, which had be responsivetely. However, this time it failed to provide him with an answer. Well, he did not really mind the silce; he was only trying his luck, anyway. On his side, Arc moved like a killing machine, each swing of his sword slicing through the horde with a crimson lightningarc. Despite his monotonous movemts, Arc''s efficicy was not the least effected. His emiescked strategy, mindlessly charging forward, making it easy for it to dispatch them with each strike. "Cover me," Reign ordered, and without wasting any time, he began devouring the Corrupted. Unlike consuming normal humans, this process was very differt. The Corrupted had no taste, and they were absorbed into his body much more quickly He assumed that only a portion of the Corrupted was useful to him, judging by how he was now releasing ck miasma on his back to protect his body from being affected by it. To elerate the process, he utilized his Serpt Vertebrae to construct multiple long whip-like limbs. With precise control, these dozs of thin limbs pierced through the dead Corrupted, making the absorption process way faster. While he was busy absorbing his spoils, he observed Arc''s movemts with ke interest. The more it fought, the more its movemts improved. ARC''s actions became more diverse, adapting seamlessly to dispatch numerous Corrupted without expding unnecessary ergy. "He''s improving, almost like he''s remembering his old self," he mused inwardly, observing Arc''s progress with a sse of satisfaction. Seeing this, he decided to be on the sideline for now, if this thing could improve Arc more , th he did not mind just watching. "I feel like a trainer... Arc, use Thunderbolt!" Reignmanded with a hint of amusemt. In response, ARC raised its sword and summoned red lightning, striking the g and obliterating hundreds in one fell swoop. ''Yeah, that''s ough ying a,'' Reign chuckled to himself. If he kept at it, he might have to find gym leaders, collect badges, and th spd 5 years without aging just to finally be the world champion. But joking aside . Hemanded Arc to refrain from using shy attacks and instead focus solely on its sword skills. After 30 minutes, the horde of Corrupted was finally starting to thin down , he would supply Arc ergy from time to time , but he did not mind because it was an investmt. The Arc right now was a far cry from before. It was more agile, more flexible, and the way it wielded the sword closely resembled the original. ''Beautiful'' Reign mused inwardly. Watching Arc effortlessly kill the Corrupted with its sword made Reign feel like he was just a crude butcher hacking away at meat. If Arc was the elegant chef delicately slicing through ingredits with finesse, th Reign was definitely more like the butcher, wielding his w with all the finesse of a caveman wielding a club. ''Should I learn how to wield a sword too?'' Reign pondered. If he knew how to wield a sword, th he would be able to fight without taking off his mask and just pretd to be a master swordsman. ''Let''s see, '' He focused his mind, summoning a long bone that protruded from his arm. With a mtalmand, the bone transformed, morphing into a ck-red katana with a hilt crafted from a sinister-looking skull. "Sweet," he whistled, admiring the imposing katana he had just crafted. Its dark-red patterns gave it a powerful and intimidating appearance. "RAWWWWR!" TCorrupted darted past Arc, charging directly at Reign. He nced at his sword, pondering how to wield it effectively. After some consideration, he awkwardly decided for a horizontal swing. SLASH! The Corrupteds fell as Reign swung his sword effortlessly. It resembled a child ying with a toy, but the swing itself gerated shockwaves, apanied by a whooshing sound akin to a jet ne taking off. ''Is this what they call talt ?''Reign chuckled, amused by the damage he had done while not ev putting much of an effort. If a Hunter were here right now, they''d probably roll their eyes so hard they''d see the back of their heads. They''d likely think Reign''s swing was the most sorry excuse for an attack they''d ever witnessed. Hell, ev a -year-old Hunter in training would probably have better form. With no one a to criticize, Reign swung his sword as clumsily as possible, but thanks to his stats, each swing dealt more damage than Arc''s precise strikes. As he continued swinging his sword, Reign''s motions grew more polished. Surprisingly, he progressed at a quicker pace than Arc, despite merely mimicking its actions. Once again, his ability to grasp things quickly was big advantage, after minutes , Reign sword movemts was in no way inferior . He ev began using Stream Guide, hancing the power behind his swings. With the two of them hacking through everything in their path, the horde of monsters finally died down, leaving only the duo standing side by side. Ironically, Arc looked more like the main character, with a reddish shadow and arcs of lightning suring it. After making sure that there was no longer anyone left to kill, Reign unsummoned Arc and began absorbing the corpses again. [ Level up + ] [ Level up + ] In the d, he only leveled up twice after killing so many. It just showed how heavy the EXP debuff was wh devouring Corrupted. It was like doing 40 times the work for the same result. [Ding] [System: Host has refined Dark Dust = 30,567 Dust was refined.] ''Dark Dust?'' Reign was puzzled , this was a new term that he was no familiar with. [System: Dark Dust are very small fragmts resulting from the refining process of Corrupted. They materialize the fear, hatred, and anger that the corrupted felt before they turned into one.] "What are they used for?" Reign asked. He couldn''t care less about the fear and hatred part; they were dead anyway. He was more curious about the befits. He thought that all of this was not worth the effort, but this Dark Dust could be a game changer. [System: The function of Dark Dust will be avable after the Host reaches level 30.] ''Level 30, huh?'' Reign mused, realizing that reaching that level would be a challge. Devouring humans would have made it easier, but these creatures didn''t provide much EXP. Unfortunately, he couldn''t just dismiss the Corrupted and the pottial of Dark Dust. Whatever function unlocked at level 30 must be worth the effort. ''No doubt about it,'' Reign mused confidtly. ''The system wouldn''t put that function at such a high level without a good reason.'' Chapter 137: [Bonus] New Goals "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 25 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Lightning Skull Tyrant (System Enhance) Strength :A+ Agility. :A+ Stamina A+ Endurance : A+ Intelligence: A+ Energy: S+ Bite 1 Undead Eye 1 Night Crawl: 20 wer: 20 Viral sh: 10 w Bullet: 20 w Barrage: 20-(SP) Death Rail Gun Death Aura: 20 Enhance Bones: 35 Bone Control: 20 Bone Eater: 20 Bone Summoning: 20 Seed : Domain Scorpion Pores[30%] Serpent Vertebrate [25%] ck Raven Eyes[10%] Smander Scale[30%] Smander Lungs[55%] Smander w[45%] Drug Immunity Drug Resistance Drug Enhancer [Points] Attribute Points: 25 Skill Points :66 Dark Dust: 30,567 Evolution Points : 0 ============ After observing his new status, Reign thought that his progression in terms of attributes was slowing down. He was still clueless as to how to advance beyond A+ for his other attributes, because there was no longer any + button on it. Contemting this, he realized that he should find other ways to make himself stronger without relying solely on additional attributes, such as developing his own unique fighting style. He knew that no matter how much firepower he possessed, without the ability to use it effectively, he wouldn''t be able to tap into its full potential. It was likeparing two identical cars: one driven by a professional Form driver, while the other was handled by an average Joe. The difference in top speed and handling would be vast, depending on how the car was driven. Fortunately, the current environment provided an ideal training ground for him. ''If the whole Summit City is like this¡­,'' he mused, ''then the number of Corrupted in the center must be in the millions.'' Just imagining the number of Dark Dust he could gain from killing all of the Corrupted was enough to fill him with excitement. His next priority was creating more Original Skills. ''My Tank mode wasn''t acknowledged by the system as an original skill, meaning that certain requirements must be met for a skill to qualify,'' Reign pondered to himself. The advantage of having a skill recognized was big. For example, whenever he wanted to activate Tank Mode, he had to meticulously construct each step in his mind, akin to building a house from the ground up. But with Rail-Gun, it had be as effortless as unfolding a portable house from a box. The amount of time saved would prove invaluable during fast-paced battles. At the same time, it would clear up mental space for him to focus more effectively duringbat. The question now was how he could devise another skill that the System would recognize. What variables had he taken into consideration when creating Death Rail Gun? If he could decipher that, he would be capable of creating more skills. As he dig further into this topic, he decided to start from the very beginning¡ªthe inspiration he drew from the Rail Gun itself. It was a skill that would only be feasible in an anime or other fictional works. Recognizing the humanly impossibility of creating a Rail Gun using biological parts, he used his logical reasoning to address the inconsistencies. He then substituted certainponents to make it functional. In essence, he devised a new blueprint from an impossible idea and transformed it into reality. So what was the difference between that and Tank Mode? ''Could it be?'' Something click on his mind. Unlike the Concept of Rail Gun,Tank Mode didn''t demand him to materialize an impossible concept. For instance, animals were capable of creating their own hard shells and exoskeletons through mutation and evolution. This implied that the concept of Tank Mode wasn''t original at all, as it could be achieved naturally. But what about Rail Gun? It was a concept that didn''t exist, making it an original creation. While he might not have been the first toe up with it, the idea still became a reality thanks to someone else''s initiative. ''Let''s see,'' Reign murmured, closing his eyes and attempting to visualize some of the things he remembered. Unfortunately, being kidnapped at a young age meant he didn''t have much to draw upon. ''I have to find more books,'' Reign sighed, seeing the need to expand his knowledge. Just having a general idea wasn''t sufficient to create a skill as intricate as a Rail Gun. While it might sound straightforward, his Rail Gunprised numerous individualponents. The only reason he was able to create it was because he had been fixated on that particr topic before. But he could create something much simpler. ''Let''s start , '' He gazed at his sword, envisioning something straightforward. It was an object that he could conceptualize by guessing the necessary parts to make it, as it wasn''t overlyplicated. He didn''t need to replicate it exactly like the real deal. In his mind''s eye, he pictured a basic chainsaw, but he wanted it to be sleeker. Using his bone control ability, a chain-like de began to form around the sword, while gears materialized at the base. The transformation mimicked that of a real chainsaw. The chain-like de consisted of sharp, interlocking bone segments, allowing it to slice through objects with ease. As the gears turned using the makeshift dynamo he made, they provided the necessary power to drive the de, creating a buzzing sound reminiscent of a traditional chainsaw. The mechanism operated,bining the versatility of a sword with the cutting power of a chainsaw. It wasn''t as perfect as the real deal, but he knew that in the future, when he gained ess to newer technological knowledge, he could improve upon it. [System: Congrattions, Host, for creating a new skill worthy of the System''s acknowledgment.] ''I knew it,'' he chuckled, pleased to have confirmed his hypothesis. This discovery opened up a lot of possibilities for him, nearly endless as long as he had enough knowledge about it. [Please name it for quicker ess in the future] "Skull Grinder" [Skull Grinder - Saved] ''Sweet!'' Reign eximed, feeling ecstatic. He was eager to head to Summit City right away to find more books to read. It was really ironic. Despite bing a monster, he still found himself needing to study. Talk about proving the saying that "knowledge is power. " After finishing all his experiments, he decided to search for a working vehicle.. Fortunately, the ck miasma took a much longer time to corrupt inanimate objects, so the vehicles were still somehow operational despite being covered in ck-colored rust. VROOOM! VROOOM! VROOOM! In the end, he chose a military-grade truck and drove it back towards the Canyon. There was no need to go to the Industry sector anymore because he was certain that all of those zombie-like creatures he had killed constituted the entire poption. As he gazed at the dark road shrouded in miasma, it resembled a ce where a volcanic eruption had just urred. Only the light emanating from the truck illuminated the road. Fortunately, his keen eyesight allowed him to see a little further ahead. ''It''s a good thing I made George and Melissa leave first,'' a thought crossed his mind. If not for his n, those two would already be dead. In this type ofapocalyptic like event, only the wealthy, usefnd influential are saved, leaving others to fend for themselves. Chapter 138: Odd Feeling Along the way, Reign encountered some Corrupted trying to attack him. However, he chose to ignore them as they were too few in number. Instead, he allowed them to chase him first, and whenever their numbers grew, he would stop, wait for them, and then instruct Arc to dispatch them quickly. He repeated this process until he finally reached his Hammer Truck near one of the smallmunity he destroyed. The town was atop of a hill, and once boasted a magnificent view, but now, that vista was obscured by the thick, swirling ck miasma that nketed thendscape. CLICK! Reluctantly, he opened the door and stepped out of the truck, forced to abandon the vehicle as its engine finally gave up. The thick miasma,den with corrosive particles and toxins, infiltrated the engine, coating its delicateponents with ayer of noxious residue. Over time, this corrosive substance ate away at the metal, causing critical parts to degrade and malfunction ''On the bright side, at least I made it this far,''" he reflected inwardly before stepping into the deste town. Inside the town. As he walked through the familiar surroundings, he noticed the houses slowly degrading. In just a few years, this ce wouldpletely disappear. The sight before him was haunting: roofs rusting, wooden buildings crumbling, and an eerie silence hanging in the air . The scene resembled something out of a horror movie: the thick ck miasma enveloped everything, reducing visibility to almost nothing. Then, in the background of those movies, ominous shadows danced, hinting at unseen horrors lurking just out of sight. It was the kind of setting where characters in horror films would be oblivious to the lurking danger, unaware that they were being watched by malevolent forces. ''Talk about a... Silent Hill,'' Reign thought to himself, as he heard no sound aside from his own footsteps echoing in the silence. ''I ended up saving you guys from this hell,'' he muttered to himself, feeling that he had done the people of thismunity a favor by killing them much earlier than the Corrupted would have. Being dead was certainly better than being a mindless monster, in his opinion. Look at this ce, because he had killed everyone, there were no Corrupted strolling around, making this ce much worst. ''There it is,'' he eximed after finding his Truck after walking further. The exterior of the truck was now a little rusty, but the interior remained in somewhat good condition. He double-checked the engine to see if it was still functional, and fortunately, it could still run. After securing it, he went to the back of the Hammer and searched for a briefcase. This contained his spare mask, which was important, especially when he decided to venture to another city. Along with it, he saw a gas mask, the kind with filters typically used by the military to avoid inhaling harmful substances. George had bought this one after the fire incident, and Reign had just put it there without much thought. ''That old man has some good intuition,'' he chuckled to himself, finding humor in how useful the mask would be now for normal humans. After retrieving the briefcase and the mask, he decided to look around his surroundings again. Even the trees had died now; they were so dry that when he touched them, they broke into ashes. The ground was also crumbling away too. At this rate, this ce would be a desert someday, with only dust and the ck sand, colored by the miasma, remaining as silent witnesses to its destruction. To think that this area used to be a green forest, teeming with nts and wildlife. ''This ce is beyond salvation,'' he thought as he entered the truck, took the wheel of the Hammer, and drove back to the highway. There was no way humans could survive in this environment for long. The air was so toxic that even his demon and enhance body refused to absorb it. Plus, he doubted anyone would want to salvage this ce. It was pretty obvious that Summit City had already been abandoned. Well, that''s what he thought, but along the highway, he saw something unexpected; a group of people shing light in the distance. Hurriedly, he put on his mask and disguised himself. As he drew nearer, he noticed that all the people were armed with rifles and looked rough. They wore thick clothing and gas masks, giving them a rugged appearance. "Stop!" Six men pointed their guns at Reign''s truck, so he decided to hit the brakes and slowlye to a stop. They slowly inched towards the truck and shed their lights on the windshield. "A survivor?" One of the men spoke after seeing Reign, who was now also wearing a gas mask to blend in. "Where did youe from?" The man asked. He was wearing a ckbat suit, and judging from his stature and clothing, it looked like he was part of the military before everything went to hell. "Industry Sector," Reign replied as he slowly opened the door and raised his two hands to show that he was unarmed. "Industry Sector? How did you survive?" asked the same man. Reign paused for a moment to think of the best way to answer. "I''m a Divergent," he replied. If that man was military, then he would likely know about Divergents. "A divergent?" The man''s voice quickly change after hearing him. "Good, good. Come with us, we need powerful people like you! My name is Vincent, by the way," the man said, lowering his weapon and shaking Reign''s hand. "Rain, my name is Rain," he replied, shaking the man''s hand. He was surprised by how quickly Vincent changed his attitude, but he just assumed that humans became erratic after experiencing such hardships. So, he decided to y it cool; humans were now raremodities in this godforsaken ce, so killing them too quickly would be a waste. It was better to learn about their base first. For all he knew, he might found a ce with a lot of survivors for him to prey on "Come with us, we have a base nearby," Vincent eximed, excited to bring Reign along. ''He''s too trusting ,''Reign found Vincent''s actions odd. And that was not the only question he had in mind. How were these people still alive? Could it be that the Wall of Summit City was still standing? He had a lot of question, but for now he decided to just go along with the flow. Reign was instructed to ride another truck, but when he looked at it, he was visibly shocked to see that it was not rusting at all. In fact, for some reason, the ck miasma was avoiding it. Seeing this, he realized that it wasn''t just the truck; everyone here had some kind of Aura that repelled the ck miasma. "You''re confused, right? Don''t worry, you''ll be even more amazed once we get to the base," Vincent reassured, his voice warm and strangely positive. "I''m exited ," Reign replied with a chuckle. He found all of this odd phenomenon amusing, his curiosity was stimted by the origins of the Aura, and who was responsible for it. Chapter 139: Odd Place The truck drove another 15 kilometers, navigating through rough terrain until it reached the base of a small mountain. Surprisingly, the mountain was adorned with lush trees, untouched by the miasma that surrounded the ce. It resembled a snow globe, but without the snow, presenting a safe haven fromits desteand dreadful surroundings. What was even more impressive was the fact that there were no corrupted at all within the perimeter of the mountain, which was unusual given that it looked out of ce with all this ck miasma. "Impressive, right?" Vincent spoke as he drove the car towards the barrier. When they reached the edge, he felt like they passed through a hot mist, and what greeted him on the other side was a warm, inviting ce. "Is this the same barrier that was protecting Summit City before?" Reign asked, as it was the only exnation he coulde up with. Looking at the ce, he sensed that it had the same feeling as before the Corrupted invaded the City. The sun shone above, the air was fresh and cool, and it felt like paradise. Vincent took off his mask, opened the window, and breathed in the fresh air. He had short brown hair, ck eyes, a sleek jawline, and thick eyebrows. Seeing this, Reign also removed his mask. He still had a bandage over his eyes, so only his white hair was visible, along with his fake nose and lips. With improved control over his bones, he created small joints around his face, enabling him to manipte his facial expressions, so there was no need to conceal his mouth with his long cor any longer. Of course, he was still far from mimicking the real facial expressions of a human face. But, at least now he appeared as an antisocial person who could only awkwardly smile, rather than looking creepy. "No, it''s not. This barrier was created by the Priestess of the light," Vincent responded. Now that his face was no longer covered, Reign could see Vincent smile and fanaticism. In fact, he looked too happy; he was smiling from ear to ear. ''Is this guy okay?'' Reign thought to himself, sensing that something was off. His suspicion increased after he saw many civilians nting in the field. Despite doing manual and hardbor, each wore a smile as if they were the happiest people in the world. While such happiness wasn''t impossible, Reign found it difficult to believe that these people, who had just endured an almost apocalyptic event, could all be genuinely content. Regardless of their living conditions, it was unlikely that every single one of them would be okay with their circumstances. ''This priestess is weird. How powerful can she be to create this barrier?'' Reign asked himself, realizing he might be entering a lion''s den. However, his curiosity got the better of him. The miasma was something even he found to be a hassle, and if he could figure out how this barrier was created, it would be a big help to him in the future. At the same time, he was also interested in what powers he could gain if he devoured this priestess. He might have been afraid before about confronting unknown enemies, but now he was confident in his power, especially with his domain. After they reached the top of the mountain, he saw arge cabin. This ce must have been a vacation resort before, because there were pools and multiple small cabins surrounding it. "The priestess is inside. After you receive her blessing, you will finally be one of us," Vincent eximed, his smile growing even wider. ''The heck is this guy saying? I never said I would join this cult,'' Reign grumbled to himself, though outwardly he maintained a smile. His fake face did have some advantages after all. When he reached the huge cabin, he was guided into what seemed to be a multi-purpose hall. There, he saw 20 people praying, and on the stage was a beautiful woman d in a white robe. Her face... ''That bitch,'' Reign''s mood instantly turned sour after seeing this supposed Priestess. It was the same woman with the golden chain, but this time she looked more mature and immacte. Her silver hair with a hint of gold seemed to gleam with light particles, while her skin emitted a radiant glow, as if surrounded by fireflies. He remembered how this woman had bound him and almost killed him. But now he was no longer afraid; he was now a Middle Upper Demon in terms of power, plus he already have his domain. If he get serious, even this whole mountain would be gone. The Priestess, sensing his killing intent, opened her eyes, revealing their golden color. "All of you, Leave us," shemanded, her gaze not leaving Reign at all. The civilians stopped their prayers and walked away without any question. Even Vincent did the same without speaking. "So, what do you want to talk about?" he chuckled as he casually approached her. Though he appeared to have lowered his guard, he was ready to unleash his domain at any moment. "I don''t want any trouble with you. Besides, you''re not my enemy," the Priestess spoke, her voice melodic andforting to the ears. "You look like an angel, while I look like a demon. Pretty sure we are enemies just from appearance alone," Reign replied, his tone guarded. The Priestess paused for a moment. "Don''t lie to me. I can smell demons, and you''re far from being one. Besides, you''re also not from this world, right?" She replied with a knowing smile . "Also?" Reign''s voice trailed off. "I myself am not a native of this world. I''m what these people call an Angel, though unfortunately, they have long forgotten about us," the Priestess revealed with a hint of sadness in her voice. "That make sense," Reign nodded, epting her exnation right away. "That was fast," The priestess giggled . "I mean, demons, divergents, and corrupteds exist, so an Angel was not that shocking," Reign shrugged his shoulders dismissively. "But that doesn''t change the fact that you almost killed me," Reign''s voice turned cold, and a dark red aura began to envelop his body, radiating his anger and resentment. "Bold words from someone who ripped the neck of my vessel," The Priestess responded, and a golden aura also covered her body. It was in no way weaker than Reign''s aura. Both of their auras shed, neither one relenting. However, when Reign added his electric attribute, the tide of the sh turned in his favor, and the Priestess struggled to keep up. "You''re very weak for an Angel," he taunted, a smirk ying on his lips. "Don''t be too arrogant. If I retract the barrier around the mountain, I can overpower you right away," the Priestess replied, her voice brimming with confidence. And, Reign sensed that she was telling the truth. "So what do you want?" Reign asked, sensing that she was not here for a fight. He decided to hear what she had to say first. Both of them retracted their auras at the same time, but neither lowered their guards. "Do you want to know more about the ck Miasma and the corrupted?" Chapter 140: Odd Reason "I''ll at least hear you out," Reign replied. If she''s got information on the ck Miasma, it''d be silly to shut her out. That''s intel even the ck market doesn''t have a line on. "What do you think is causing all this Miasma?" she asked, trying to act all mysterious . "I don''t care," Reign replied, his tone nonchnt. He wasn''t one for unnecessary chit chat; it felt like adding filler in an already long anime . Seeing his reaction, the priestess sighed and restrained her rising anger. Instead, sheposed herself and began to exin. "The chaos we''re facing¡­ It''s all because of overpoption and human greed," she dered, pausing to lock eyes with Reign. Her golden gaze shimmered, a sight that might captivate and charmed ordinary humans, but Reign saw through it. To him, it was nothing more than shy lights; he wasn''t about to fall for this simple tricks. ''Silly woman, you think you can control my mind with just this? Who do you think you are? My father?'' Reign chuckled inwardly. His father, the evil monarch, was infamous for his ability of Mind Control. Realizing her attempt had failed, the priestess''s eyes dimmed slightly, and she pressed on with her words. "Long ago , the first human civilization enjoyed a golden age of prosperity. But their unchecked greed brought ruin upon the world. In response, nature unleashed Demons as a defensive measure. These Demons, driven by their hunger for humans, serve to keep the poption in check by thinning the numbers of humans. " "However.." She paused. "As the demons grew stronger, they began to fight amongst themselves for territory . This provided humans with the opportunity to fight back and regain their footing." Reign interrupted her. "So, let me get this straight. You''re saying that the Demons were the world''s defense mechanism failed attempt, so it created the Corrupteds instead? Mindless and aggressive to finish the job?" The Priestess nodded in affirmation. Reign pondered for a moment, digesting her words. After careful consideration, her logic began to make sense to him. If the world could bepared to a body, then humans could be considered a virus, and demons and Corrupteds were the antibodies fighting it off. But the demons'' attempts to eradicate the virus were futile because it possessed its own intelligence. It started to act in its own self-interest. Recognizing that humans provided them with power, manpower, and sustenance, they deemed total annihtion out of the question. So, the Corrupteds functioned like a booster shot. These creaturescked any sense of self and just moved to destroy and devour; they were the perfect exterminators. He assumed that after everyone was dead, the world would reset again, initiating another cycle. However, this time, humans would cease to exist. But then, where did the angels fit into this equation? "What''s your purpose then? Are you trying to prevent the extinction of the human race?" Reign asked. "Our purpose," the Priestess began, her voice calm, "is to maintain bnce. While the Demons and Corrupteds strive to control or eradicate humanity, we, the Angels, exist to guide and protect. We believe in the potential of humans to ovee their ws and thrive. Our mission is to assist them in their journey towards redemption and enlightenment." "That''s the biggest load of crap I''ve ever heard," Reign scoffed, hisughter echoing through the room. The Priestess''s lips pressed into a thin line, her brows furrowing slightly as she listened to his words. But despite her subtle change in expression, Reign continued, hisughter mocking her . "Humans are hopeless no matter where you find them. It''s better to just let everything y out on its own." "The humans have potential!" she gritted her teeth in annoyance. "Potential to destroy the world? Definitely yes. To save it? Probably not," Reign replied He could still remember how the humans of his old world had tortured him for their own benefit and greed. What was even more uneptable about human acts was that they were done by choice. A demon kills and ate humans because they needed to; it was part of their biological needs. But what about humans? Do they really need to kill each other? No, but throughout history, wars have been never ending, and crimes against humanity have always been rampant. This just shows that humanity chooses to be greedy and violent in the first ce. "I don''t expect someone like you to understand," she sighed. "Don''t think that I''m a fool," Reign retorted sharply. "The only reason you want humans to survive is because you need them. If my guess is correct, your powerse from devotion, and you can''t exist if no one believes in you," he spat out. "I..." The Priestess was speechless. She had underestimated Reign, assuming him to be merely a powerful being without much intelligence. But he was spot on with almost everything he said. It was true; angels could only exist through human devotion. But how did he figured it out? Reign had his suspicions triggered when he heard the term "Vessel" . Why would a powerful being need a vessel to exist? Why did people have to pray in front of her? And why was she so adamant about protecting humans? As he mulled over these questions, he began to piece it together. At first, he wasn''t entirely sure, but seeing her reaction confirmed his suspicions. It also opened up a new possibility for him. Instead of attacking her directly, what would happen if he were to kill all her devotees first? This must also be the reason why she was not keen on fighting him. The humans here were far fewer in numbers, and she could not afford to lose them as casualties in their fight. "Don''t worry, I don''t really care about your reasons. I''ll take my leave now," Reign tried to turn away, but before he could do so, the entire ce shifted, and he was pulled into a domain. Golden sands filled the ground, beneath a sky painted with clouds of bright light. In the distance, an endless mountain of golden chains rose on the horizon. "So you really want to fight me ? Alright, I''ll humor you," Reign replied coldly and from within his feet darkness started to devour the golden sand . "Domain!" He roared, and the entire space began to be corrupted by his own power. ck clouds reced the golden ones, and the Priestess was force to exert more of her power to prevent losing ground. In the end, the domain was separated into two, though Reign''s area was much smaller. He had just created his domain, so it was not yet that strong and at the same time, its foundation was stillcking. "How about we talk it out," the Priestess''s voice echoed. "I think it''s toote for that now. You attacked me first, so don''t me me for being merciless," Reign sneered in contempt. "Death Rail Gun!" he roared, quickly aiming it at her. "Boost!" he added, as lightning crackled from the clouds, intensifying the charge rate of the Rail Gun. The red and blue lightning merged, theirbination so powerful that even the space around him began to vibrate. "What kind of attack is that?" The Priestess felt threatened. Whatever Reign had in store, it was something she couldn''t afford to underestimate. "Chain of Protection!" she muttered, and chains emerged from the ground, quickly forming a giant shield around her. . Chapter 141: [Bonus] Odd Change As the shield enveloped her, Reign unleashed the over charged Death Rail-Gun. The force it had umted made the weapon vibrate violently, the maic field overcharged to its limit. BZZZZ! A buzzing st reverberated through the domain as the weapon discharged, sending a searing bolt of hypervelocity projectile and energy hurtling toward the Priestess. "Don''t underestimate me !"she spat out. Just as the attack lookedunstoppable, the shield suddenly open up a small hole, stopping the projectile momentum by allowing it to be absorbed by the chains and restricting it inside . However, she miscalcted the piercing power of the attack. Despite her smart tricks to use the chains form to reinforce her defenses, the sheer destructive power of the projectile overwhelmed her shield. ''I can''t stop it! '' With a gasp of surprise, she was forced to dodge as the deadly projectile tore through her defenses, grazing her side and leaving a searing trail of pain in its wake. ''Too strong, '' She couldn''t believe her eyes. The Priestess had met Reign just a few months ago, and in that short amount of time, he had already be this powerful. Back then, she had assumed that he wouldn''t be much of a threat because angels, once they had a firm believer, would grow in power quickly. But now, facing Reign, she felt that his growth was even more terrifying than hers. She knew he wasn''t from this world and hid many secrets, but even for an anomaly, this was unbelievable. "Stop daydreaming," Reign taunted as another batched of projectiles pierced the air. This time, the barrage of Hyper Velocity projectiles wasn''t as powerful as the first, but their consecutive discharge made dodging nearly impossible. In a split second decision, she abandoned the idea of forming a shield of chains. Instead, golden chains erupted from her chest in all directions, altering the trajectory of the iing attacks. Knowing thatpletely blocking the barrage was impossible, she focused on altering her defensive strategy. She shifted her movements, weaving and ducking with precision to minimize the impact of the Hypervelocity Projectiles, ensuring that she remained safe from their deadly trajectory. "I can do that too," Reign chuckled. A burst of red lightning emanated from his chest, apanied by dozens of small bone fragments. Though not as powerful, the red streaks of lightning resembled crimson bolts from a distance, enabling it to passed the majority of the moving golden chains due to their small size. Such a sudden shift in strategy would have caught most opponents by surprise, but the Priestess was a seasoned fighter. She might be controlling a young vessel, but she herself was over a thousand years old. Countless battles had honed her instincts, allowing her to adapt to changes on the fly. Reacting quickly, she added additional chains to close the hole in her defense . CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Multiple nging sounds echoed as a hail of small sharp bones rained down on her. She was pushed onto the defensive, forced to fend off both the annoying barrage of sharp bones and the looming threat of the Rail Gun''s Hypervelocity projectiles. ''I can''t afford to hold back anymore,'' she sighed, her resolve hardening. She had hoped to save this ability for future use, but Reign''s stubbornness and recklessness left her with no other option. She had hoped to reason with him, knowing he wasn''t a demon, but now she realized he was even worse. A demon could be tempted by greed, lured by desires that could be exploited. But Reign''s singr desire to kill, devour, and grow stronger made him far more dangerous. His upromising attitude and ruthless pursuit of power left no room for negotiation or redemption. "I''m sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the battle. ?¦Ò!¦Ø?§Ô??-*??- With a solemn gesture, she sped her hands together in prayer. "Are you praying for your own salvation?" Reign mocked her . "No, I''m praying for yours," a yful smile appeared on her lips, and for some reason Reign felt a bad feeling about it. An image of her manifested in the sky, capturing the attention of everyone present. In this version of her, she glowed with an ethereal light, adorned with a pair of radiant white wings. Above her head, a halo shimmered with divine brilliance, casting a heavenly aura around her. Her golden eyes seemed to prate the hearts of her believers, instilling them with a sense of awe and reverence. "Pray to the divine, kneel and pray, devote yourself, and you shall find salvation," "Pray to the divine, kneel and pray, devote yourself, and you shall find salvation," "Pray to the divine, kneel and pray, devote yourself, and you shall find salvation," Her angelic image continued to repeat those phrase, its hypnotic repetition attempting to charm the minds of those who heard it. The citizens,pelled by themanding presence of the image, dropped to their knees and obediently began to pray. As they prayed with all their hearts, particle of light emanated from their bodies, drawn towards the image of the Priestess. The scene was a profound disy of faith and devotion, their collective energy lending strength to her cause. This was the power source of angels: while demons relied on consuming humans, angels drew strength from their faith and emotions. However, this type of absorption was not without its drawbacks. With each prayer, she slowly drained their vitality and life, the cost of harnessing this type of power. Normally, the burden of channeling such energy would be shared among tens of thousands of humans, but in this ce, their numbers were scarce. Each individual had to contribute more than they could bear. As the strain grew, one by one, those who were already weakened by age or illness copsed to the ground, unable to sustain it anymore. Some of the people stopped praying, but the more devoted among them scolded the others, urging them to continue their prayers without interruption. "Don''t stop praying! The Priestess need our prayers? She''s the only one that can save us, " Vincents voice thundered ,cutting through their doubts. "The Priestess needs us!" "The Priestess needs us!" "The Priestess needs us!" His words ignited a spark of determination in the hearts of the remaining citizens, urging them to redouble their efforts. This scene unfolded in multiple locations as the more extremist believers rallied anyone who harbored doubts in their hearts. BAM! BAM! BAM! The tide of the battle suddenly shifted 180 degrees as the golden chains intensified, bing harder and faster. Now it was Reign who found himself on the defensive, his Domain suppressed by the overwhelming force of the Priestess''s attack. He could tell that while his domain was shrinking, hers, on the other hand, kept expanding, steadily devouring his territory. ''What the hell is happening?'' he grumbled to himself, his arrogance from moments ago reced by confusion He just saw her praying one moment, and the next thing he knew, her overall power had skyrocketed. Oh, sure, if he''d known that all it took was a bit of praying to be a powerhouse, he''d have turned into a religious demon monk ages ago. "You''re done," The Priestess''s voice echoed with confidence, already dering her victory. "I''m not so sure about that," a creepy smile formed on Reign''s face. Chapter 142: [Bonus] Odd Transformation The moment Reign''s voice registered in her ears, a sudden aura gushed out from him. It enveloped the surroundings, making the atmosphere heavier. He activated both his Domination Aura and Death Aura at the same time. With the additional effect of the Domain, a triple reaction ignited. He was finally getting serious. Continuous waves of aura radiated from his body, each pulse causing the once resplendent golden chain to weaken. It struggled under the weight of the debuff, its shimmering surface dimming against Reign''s aura. Seizing the opportunity created by the weakened chain, Reign raised his other free hand and transformed it into another Rail Gun. Following that, his body began to expand, exoskeleton bulging as he activated his tank mode. It was evident that whatever he had in mind required a robust physique to withstand the recoil. Normally, he would reject the idea of adding more Rail Gun due to the high cost of charging each shot. However, within his domain, he could harness the lightning surrounding him to easily charge the Rail Gun, thereby minimizing the expense of each shot. "Double Death Rail Gun!" he roared. As he did so, the rail gun extended more, requiring him to create poles to support its length. In science, the principle behind the longer rail resulting in a stronger impact was rooted in the physics of electromaic eleration. Basically, a rail gun operates by using electromaic forces to propel a projectile along a pair of conducting rails. The force acting on the projectile was directly proportional to the length of the rails over which the current flows. Therefore, by increasing the length of the rails, he could effectively extend the distance over which the electromaic forces can elerate the projectile. This allows for a longer duration of eleration, resulting in a higher final velocity and consequently a stronger impact when the projectile reaches its target. But he wasn''t done yet. Another Rail Gun protruded from his back, this time muchrger and longer. Sacrificing mobility, he transformed into a tank-like figure, ready to unleash devastating firepower. "Triple Death Rail Gun !" The Priestess was taken aback; it was the first time she encountered a fighting style like this. However, she remained unworried. She knew that targeting her would be difficult with his mobility heavily restricted. But what Reign did next almost made her curse out loud. A huge rotating pole prated the ground beneath his feet, equipped with bearings and gears that allowed him to rotate and maneuver despite the added weight "W-What is this?" she stammered, feeling like Reign was ying a joke on her. It was as if a kid suddenly decided to buy some L*go-like toys and started experimenting with them. "I have to thank you, you force me in this situation , and allowed me to get some inspiration," A creepy smile appeared on Reign''s face. Right now, this was the answer he came up with to deal with her chains. If she possessed the ability to alter the trajectory of his attacks, then what he needed to do was execute an attack capable of instantly breaking her chain. [System: Congrattions, Host, for creating a new skill worthy of the System''s acknowledgment.] ''Sweet,'' [Please name it for quicker ess in the future] "Buster Mode " [Buster Mode - Saved] CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Multiples lightnings from above the cloud struck Reign. The crackling bolts of energy surged through him, revitalizing and supercharging the Rail Guns in an instant. "I''ll send you back to your god now !" Reign taunted Without waiting for her reply, his right-hand Rail Gun shoot a hypervelocity projectile, pierced the air, forcing the Priestess to use her chain to block it. ?¦Ö!¡é?¦Ô??¡Ì@§Ö!-§ã§à?!¦Ó&?§á¦Ó-? But before she could react, the left-hand Rail Gun shoot another projectile, followed by the third from Reign''s back, then the right again. The fire rate increased so rapidly that all she could hear was the consecutive buzzing sound. What was worse was that Reign would change the tempo from time to time, making it impossible for her to get used to it. "No!" she eximed, her voice filled with disbelief as her shield shattered under the force of the projectiles. The thing that she feared the most happened, One rail gun was able to get past her and she was forced to block it with her right arm covered with chains . But it did nothing, as the projectile tore through the chain with unstoppable force, shattering it along with her arm. She thought it was okay, confident in her ability to regenerate the shattered arm. Now, the important thing was to regain herposure and quickly reform her protective shield. However, that momentary blunder proved to be a fatal mistake. Reign had not been using the full speed of his rail guns from the very beginning.All that charging time was an act. He did it so she would miscalcte, and when he found the best opportunity, he went fullmando on her. BZZZZZZZZ! BZZZZZZZZ! BZZZZZZZZ! The speed of the next shots was even faster, and in an instant, they riddled her body into pieces. As the Rail Gun projectiles pierced her body, the Priestess body burst into fragments. Limbs, once strong, scattered like broken pieces , until only her head remains. Her domain was obliterated, and Reignpletely took over. "You''re still alive ? You''re creepy," Reign walk closer to the severed head, still keeping his guard up for any sudden movements. He was amazed that despite her super severe injuries, she could still look at him with a gaze filled with extreme hatred. "You think you won? This is just my vessel. I will just find another one," the Priestess spoke, her voiceced with determination. "Well, I will kill you again if we meet, so how about you hide from me forever?" Reign replied, his words dripping with confidence. "Don''t be too arrogant. If my real body is here, you will be dead with a flick of my finger..." BURST! Reign stomped on her head with a disgusting thud. "Too talkative," he sneered in disdain, before casually collecting her remains and beginning to consume them raw. He didn''t even use his Bone Eater skill; instead, he gave her a special treatment and ate like usual. "I knew it, she tasted the best," Reign happily grumbled, devouring everyst morsel. The experience was so addicting that he began scouring the ground for even the smallest remains of her, eagerly licking them up. [Level up+ 1] [Level up+ 1] Just like that, he leveled up twice. It was a good haul, especially considering the considerable number of humans required for him to level up . [System: Divine Element heavily contradicts Negative Energy. Host has three options.] [Option 1: Completely change your race to the Divine Path] [Option 2: Transform the Divine Element into 200 Skill Points and 200 Attribute Points] [Option 3: Corrupt it and turn it into Unholy Element. Host would be able to gain more power by having devotees acknowledge you as their god. Devotees'' negative feelings could also give Host a temporary boost when needed.] ''Wait... What? Is the system implying that I''m supposed to invent my own religion?'' he mused. Eating humans and earning their affection were entirely different, and it would bepletely out of his character to do it. However, the boost was a tempting offer. He had witnessed firsthand how she was able to increase her power drastically through prayer. He guessedthat the sudden boost was from her devout followers. Considering she only has at least a thousand follower, he couldn''t help but imagine the potential if he had 10,000 or even 100,000 devotees! ''What would happen if I have a million devotees? '' Chapter 143: Best Option After contemting for a while, Reign did his best to figure out the pros and cons of each option. The first option was aplete no-go. Changing his race could alter the way he gain his powers, and he had never been someone who was good at interacting with people. So, turning into a hypocritical cult leader was out of the question. The second option offered a huge reward: 200 skill points and 200 attribute points were a lot. That''s like leveling up 30 times in a row. It was a straightforward reward with no drawbacks whatsoever. And given his leveling speed, acquiring this much would take a long time, even with his current power. Plus, with that amount of skill points, he could advance his "Seed" to stage one. This confrontation made him realize just how dangerous the world was. He was just going about his day, driving like aw-abiding citizen, when he unexpectedly encountered a literal angel. He waslucky that she didn''t have many followers, or he would have been in serious trouble. Having a second chance at life was absolutely necessary at this moment. For the attribute points, normal attributes were currently locked at A+, so he couldn''t increase them regardless of whether he had spare points to spare. However, his energy attribute had a plus sign, making it the obvious choice. As for the third option, he pondered it long and hard. However, the thought of creating his own cult and the hassle of running one was too burdensome. He would rather eradicate all humans in sight than entertain the idea of forcing himself to mingle with them. It''s not that he was entirely against the idea of conversing with humans; he found some of them bearable, like George, Melissa, and Cyril. But when it came to those mob characters, he get this urge to rip their heads off. Besides, he grew stronger by killing humans, so no matter how much of a buff the devotee option could provide, he would likely outpace it because he had the system on his side. "Option 2," he dered, opting for the most logical choice at the moment. [System : +200 Skill Points + 200 attribute Points] After receiving the reward, his newly avable points were added, and he felt like a wealthy man again. ============ [Points] Attribute Points: 245 Skill Points :268 Dark Dust: 33,567 Evolution Points : 0 ============ ''Let''s start with attributes,'' he murmured, eyeing the plus sign next to the Energy level. (S+) >> (SS-) =200 Attribute Points. "What the fuck is this shit!" Reign cursed aloud after seeing the cost. It was daylight robbery. "System, why on earth is the cost so ridiculously high?" he asked in frustration. [System: SS is on a different levelpared to S rank. If the host reaches this level, aside from expanding the original core, another core in your body would be created, and this core could have its own unique element. By having a separate core for each elements, the host would no longer have to fit multiple elements into one, thus increasing the overall efficiency.] With this, he no longer needed to merge Lightning Energy with Negative Energy. If before, he had one engine using two different types of power source to boost his power. Now, with this upgrade, he would have two engines working at the same time. "Upgrade Energy!" Reign quickly chose to upgrade; there was no need to think about it any longer. The 200 skill points were nothingpared to the benefits he would gain from having dual cores. [System: Creating Second Core ] The moment the system acknowledged his request, he felt a searing pain in his chest, forcing him to deactivate his domain as he struggled to withstand the feeling. It felt as if his chest was on the verge of bursting from the inside. From within him, he could tell that something was forming near his energy core, and the more it expanded, the more excruciating the pain became. But this time, he didn''t scream. Instead, he gritted his teeth and chose to endure it, every fiber of his being stretched to its limit by the torment. After what felt like an eternity, the pain suddenly vanished, leaving behind asense of relief. ''It''s really there,'' Reign eximed as he opened the external cover of his chest. Now, there were two round gem-like cores protruding from it. novel-hosted-MvLeMpYr The first one emitted a dark red energy with lightning crackling around it, while the other one was still empty. He needed to establish a connection between the two cores before he could transfer the energy. ''Let''s see,'' he murmured, closing his eyes to concentrate on his two cores until a link was build between them . Slowly, he began to separate the lightning and fire energy from his main core. Lightning and me share some simrities, sobining them wouldn''treduce the efficiency of the second core that much. Gradually, the second core began to glow, but unlike the main one, there was no trace of darkness. Instead, it emitted orange lightning, crackling and weaving amidst red mes that danced as if imbued with life. ''This feeling,'' He couldn''t contain his excitement , a wide grin stretching from ear to ear as he enjoyed the sensation of bing more powerful. In a world filled with unknown dangers in every corner, he knew that the more he strengthened himself, the safer he would feel. He hadn''t reincarnated into a safe haven where he could kick back and rx; no, this ce was like ying on Brutal Mode. The more he dug deeper into it, the greater the dangers it revealed. After the transfer he felt that his negative energy reservewas now only 35% full so does his lightning element . But he was not worried because it was recovering . When both cores were fully charged, his total energy would almost tripped . [System: Congrattions, Host! With the acquisition of additional energy core and enhanced energy levels, your domain has undergone an upgrade.] >Range Cap : 100 sq m > 500 sq m >Attribute : 1> 2 >Max Law : 1 ''Sweet!'' Reign chuckled to himself, having additional attributes was an icing on the cake. It was unfortunate, that the number ofw did not increase but he did not mind. Back in his fight with the Priestess , hisw did not even trigger because for some reason , she had a way to counter it . It was something that he found annoying, but he did not let it affect his battle .And instead he just found another way to kill her. Back to the present. Now that he had another slot for domain attributes , he decided to choose Negative Energy, as it was his main element to begin with. This time the process was not much of a hassle , and he quickly assimted . There was not much changes inside the domain aside from the clouds now be darker , and the lightning turning dark- red. The ground beneath him also underwent a transformation, now emanating negative energy that surged from the ground like a sinister dark-red miasma. "System, how powerful am I now? Andpare my current strength to others at the same level," he inquired, eager for a detailed assessment. [System: Peak Upper Rank Demon -Unrivaled] Reign nodded in satisfaction. Now, he possessed enough power to confront those vampires. "You''ll regret sparing me," Reign dered with a sinister smile creeping across his mouth as he savored the thought of his revenge. Chapter 144: Divines "That Inferior Being! I will kill him! " A powerful voice echoed through the walls, its intensity so powerful that it reverberated through the very foundations of the pce. The voice emanated from a woman with silver hair and golden eyes, bearing resemnce to the priestess Reign had killed. However, this woman was far more beautiful and ethereal, her aura exuding a power at least a hundred times stronger. She was now seated on a resplendent golden throne, its right and left side adorned with five pairs of majestic silver wings , each pair shimmering . Behind her throne, a gate of ancient design stood tall, its imposing presence enhanced by numerous chains, each link pulsating with power. "Archangel Uriel, what''s the matter?" Dozens of minor angels hurriedly entered the throne room, bowing their heads in reverence. They were all adorned in flowing white robes intricately embellished with goldencing. The insignia of Uriel, antern with mes dancing within, was prominently embedded on the chest of each garment, shimmering in the ambient light. They all knelt on the ground, their heads bowed, awaiting Uriel''s next words. The figure before them looked womanly, but none of them think of her as one. Archangels, the original divine beings, transcended gender. Unlike minor angels, they possessed the ability to assume any form they desired, so gender was not a binding concept to them. ''That inferior being thinks he''s strong?. If not for this constraint,'' she gritted her teeth in frustration, ncing down at her hands bound by golden chains. That''s correct. The golden chains were not her true power, but actually something that had been restricting her. Because of the golden chains, even when she went to the human world, she could only use the chains to fight and not her innate abilities. Her true power was immense. Archangel Uriel stands as one of the mightiest among all archangels, endowed with a unique gift: the ability to reflect the Light of God. The brilliance of God''s light was beyond humanprehension, but through Uriel, mortals can experience a semnce of being in the divine presence. To have the light of God mirrored upon them by her was the closest humans cane to basking in the actual radiance of the Almighty. What Reign fought was a severely weakened version of Uriel. She spoke the truth when she imed she could kill him with a mere flick of her fingers. "Prepare another vessel for me," she ordered, eager to return to the human world and seek revenge against Reign. Angels were inherently prideful beings, and what she had experienced was intolerable and embarrassingto her. "I apologize, Archangel Uriel, but it will take time to send you back," replied the subordinate angel. "Why?" Uriel''s voice echoed, her eyes filled with frustration. "The human word''sw had increase its defenses; it would be much more difficult now," the angel exined, bowing his head, wary of invoking her wrath. After hearing this, Uriel took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She was well aware of thews of the world, the very rules that prevented angels from directly intervening in the human world in the first ce. In fact, the reason her power was currently restrained by these chains was because they served as a punishment. It was the consequence of her attempt to enter the human world using her true form. "How many days until I cane back?" Uriel asked, recognizing that her frustration shouldn''t burden her subordinates. "At least 12 months in human time," the angel subordinate replied. Uriel leaned back on her throne, pressing her hand against her forehead. She felt a headacheing on from the effort of controlling her anger. Judging from Reign''s rapid growth, even if she were to return to the human world in 12 months, she would need to amass more devotees just to stand a chance against him in battle. The connection between the human world and Heaven had only opened up more than a year ago. All the angels feared that this connection would be forever severed. And they worried that once humans were eradicated, their power would gradually fade, and the Heavenly Realm would vanish along with it. They attempted to contact their creator, the one above all, but even theirst hope lost connection with them. It felt as though they had been forsaken, left for dead and abandoned. But just when all hope was lost, something or someone overwhelmingly powerful forcibly opened the barrier of the human world. This was a feat that not even thebined efforts of the strongest Archangels could aplish. When this small gap opened, Uriel attempted to descend with her real body, only to be restrained. To bypass this, the other Archangels chose to send only fragments of their consciousness, ones they could afford to lose. "I hate to do this, but..." She paused. "Send a message to Ariel for me," she ordered. She didn''t have a good rtionship with her other siblings, leaving her with few options. *** -official Seated on a simple throne was a woman with short green hair and emerald eyes. Unlike Uriel, her body was petite, and she did not wore any extravagant attire. She adorned herself in a modest white robe, entuated by delicate green patterns. A crown of intertwined roots graced her head, adding a natural elegance to her appearance. Her throne, too,cked mboyance. Carved from roots, it seamlessly blended with her pce, located inside a colossal tree. "That Uriel is doing something unnecessary again. For an angel supposed to reflect light, she''s very narrow-minded," Ariel sighed after reading the message. She was requesting to locate someone in the human world out of revenged. "I could do it for a favor, but should I?" Ariel pondered silently. Even among the angels, she was known for her pacifism and aversion to conflict. But that didn''t mean she was the weakest; in fact, it was quite the opposite . Ariel''s vessel was not only more powerful but had also been cultivating her own religion for a much longer period. And unlike Uriel, Ariel did not face the constraints of the golden chains, allowing her to use her innate abilities to control Elements. Though she might not ess her full power in the human world, hermand over her innate abilities would be a big advantage. ''I won''t do it,'' a smile graced on her lips. She didn''t particrly like Uriel, so she felt no obligation to obey her request. Besides, Uriel was a problem child, too impulsive and headstrong for her own good. Her behavior often irritated Ariel most of the time who was more calm minded and easy going. If her guess was correct, Uriel had likely attacked this particr person, who then defended himself and ended up killing her. ''It''s your fault for being annoying,'' she chuckled as she burned the letter. She decided she would just pretend toply with Uriel''s request . After she was done with her own things to do, she closed her eyes, and began linking with her vessel. Her priority now was to expand her influence as much as possible, allowing her to ess more of her power. During the time that the angels were cut off from the human world, she discovered that the demons had grown stronger. A few of them were close to achieving the same power level as the Archangels. ''Those Demon Gods are the real problem'' Ariel muttered. Chapter 145: Livestock? This ce was smaller than Summit City by a lot, and unlike its warm, inviting glow, this realm was perpetually shrouded in darkness, trapped in eternal night. The demons dwelling here sustained themselves solely on blood, making the human poption of over 500,000 merely a resource to be tapped for their monthly supply. The surplus blood served as a valuablemodity, traded with neighboring Demon Cities in the vicinity. Normally, such treatment of humans as livestock would be deemed inhumane. However, the Demon Lord governing this realm had made adjustments to sustain the operation of this city. She recognized the importance of bnce and understood that stressed and unhealthy humans would not be able to regenerate blood as quickly. That''s why she imposed aw to ensure that such mistreatment never urred. Outside the city''s outer walls was arge human settlements where they could live peacefully. The streets were immactely clean, lined with buildings reminiscent of medieval times, but well-maintained and free from molds. Not only that, despite the old-fashioned structures, the residents here were adorned in high-quality clothing, have cellphones, and looked healthy and carefree. In the streets,ughter echoed continuously, with no thought of criminal activity, as everyone was content and fulfilled in their lives. The ce was filled with streetlights and other illuminations that madethe settlement in a perpetual festival atmosphere. Bars and restaurants remained open 24/7, bustling with activity, offering spaces where both men and women could indulge their desires to the fullest Here, humans were required to donate blood just once a month, in exchange for generous benefits, without having to work . They just needed to receive their allowance and enjoy their lives, waiting for the next paycheck to arrive. This was why despite this ce being run by blood sucking demons ,a lot of homeless people who did not have any ce to go to , chose to live here. But why not try to reside in other human cities and seek assistance there? Well, human settlements required a high cost of living, driven by the human love for acquiring wealth from one another. When it came to the love for material possessions, human greed knew no bounds. Demons, on the other hand, were primarily concerned with eating, surviving, and growing stronger. In fact, if it weren''t for the necessity of catering to human needs, demons wouldn''t even bother building a a functional city like this. Furthermore, if it weren''t for the requirement to govern humans, they wouldn''t bother constructing castles to showcase their authority. The humans had indirectly influence the demons to adjust . It was ironic that such inherently weaker beings held so much influence over demons, who were superior in every way. This served as a proof to why the world itself was forced to create demons and the corrupted, to eradicate all humans. They were just too dangerous if left unchecked. "Cheers to Demon Lord Elizabeth! May she live forever and ever! " eximed a middle age human, standing on a chair with a wide smile stretching from ear to ear. Witnessing this disy of gratitude, other patrons joined in . They were genuinely thankful for their decision to migrate to this ce. "Cheers to the Demon Lord!" "Cheers to the Demon Lord!" "Cheers to the Demon Lord!" *** A beautiful woman with white hair and glowing dark-red eyes sat at her desk, engrossed in reading something. She wore a ck robe that concealed much of her skin, but underneath it was a drop gorgeous sexy body. In terms of charisma, she surpassed even Cyril and Anna. But, her allure wasn''t solely due to her physical appearance; it was the aura she exuded. Cold, Smart, and powerful, itmanded attention and respect. "Those greedy people,"Elizabeth sighed, her disappointment rising after reading the report that came from the nearest Tier 3 City. As the Demon Lord reigning over BloodCrest city, she was furious to witness the human corporations demanding yet another increase in price of import goods, and me it to intion. ''What''s this ''Tarif'' nonsense anyway? Why are they even expecting us to shell out for it?'' She pondered silently, her previously 15-year tax-free import contract now expired, leaving her obligated to pay. But as she read through the new contract, she felt an overwhelming urge to group her forces and obliterate that city once and for all. "Custom duties? Anti-dumping and countervailing duties? VAT? Excise duty, custom processing fee, railway development levy? Sales tax?" She read through the list, each term adding to her frustration. What made it even more annoying was knowing that these cities and corporations were aware she imported all these goods for the sake of their fellow mankind. But instead of rewarding her for her humanitarian efforts, they chose to punish her for her noble actions. "Demon Lord, perhaps it''s wise to trim our expenses. Our human citizens would surely understand if we change the quality of the food we feed them, " her assistant, a female elderly vampire suggested. "I can''t do that; they need enough nutrients to regain their blood faster," Elizabeth sighed heavily. She was among the rare demon lords who believed in the importance of bnce; humans needed to survive for them to thrive as well. She had long advocated for peace and tirelessly sought to convince other demon lords that her approach was the correct path. However,the other demon lords only attempted it for a brief period before giving up, citing human greed as unbearable . They hated the fact that humans demanded resources as if they were infinite. "We have no choice; we need to raise the price of our blood per liter," Elizabeth sighed heavily. Blood was the only resource they could export, leaving her with limited options. "And also instruct the other vampires to lowertheir consumption of blood for the time being," she added. "I don''t think that''s a wise idea, Demon Lord. How about we schedule the blood extraction twice a month instead?" the elderly vampire suggested. She was aware that while Elizabeth had a favorable reputation among human citizens, her kindness towards them had earned her disdain from other vampires. "Don''t worry, they can''t do anything to me," Elizabeth replied confidently. Despite her kindness, she was far from weak. In fact, she was even stronger than other demon lords at the same level. "Maybe not now, but your brother Alexander is close to ascending to the Demon Lord rank too. If he achieves it, most of the noble families might turn against you," cautioned the elderly vampire, voicing a potential threat to her position. "That brother of mine is no match for me, even if he did ascend. I''m more concerned about Anna. I''ve heard she''s the granddaughter of that Demon," her voice grew more serious, showing her unease at the potential challenge posed by Anna''s lineage. "Don''t worry, for now. She refused to marry Prince Alexander and has been isting herself in her room," the elderly vampire reassured . "That''s good news," Elizabeth smiled, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. "How about finding yourself a husband too? I''m sure it would benefit you greatly, and a lot of Demon Lords fancy you too, so you wont havea problem finding one," the elderly vampire suggested, offering a practical suggestion with a touch of ttery. "I haven''t found someone worthy. Maybe he''s not a demon lord yet?" she joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere. Chapter 146: [Bonus] Responsive "Why do I suddenly feel cold?" Reign shuddered, an inexplicable sensation creeping over him as if someone was talking about him behind his back. "I must just be imagining things," he shook his head and focused on his status window. He still had a spare Skill point to use, and he was excited to see what would happen if he put it on "Seed." With that in mind, he focused his gaze on the option and started adding it manually; each click was satisfying. [Seed 1/200] [Seed 2/200] [Seed 3/200] ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ [Seed 200/200] [Congrattions, Host, on achieving the first stage of Seed] [Unlocking the Avatar Customization ] ''Avatar Customization?'' Reign pondered to himself. A new window popped up, and the image of the parasite appeared, but this time there were some dots on each of its parts. When he decided to click one, dozens of options appeared, apanied by sliders that allowed for fine-tuning and customization to his heart''s content. ''Wait, is this what I think it is?'' A big smile spread across Reign''s face. He was staring at something akin to a character customization menu in games, but this one was far more intricate and detailed. He experimented with it for a while and discovered that there was an option to change race. When he pressed it, a number of races appeared, but he noticed that most of them was weaker than his current one. [System: Host, you can input your own sample to be copied.] ''I could do it?'' Reign pondered. If he could copy his current race, then that would be for the better. At least by doing so, he wouldn''t have to adjust much in how to control his new body just in case. However, something was still bothering him. "System, can you exin to me in detail about this Seed? " Reign asked. [System: The Seed is an alien lifeform, a parasite that can copy all the traits of its host.] [The Seed that the host has no longer have consciousness because the system deleted it, and it could be customized thanks to the system''s abilities.] "What will happen if I die ? " [When the host dies, your consciousness would be automatically transferred to the Seed to start a new life.] [To ensure that host will be able to transfer body, the seed would not activate right away. Instead, it would be immune to any type of attack and undetectable until it finds a suitable time to start growing and ultimately provide the host with a new body] ''This thing is really pretty convenient,'' Reign remarked, impressed by the practicality of the Seed''s protective measures. However, he was still reluctant towards the idea of dying if he could avoid it. It wasn''t an everyday urrence to receive a second chance at life, or in his particr circumstance, a third chance if the seed were to activate. Plus, dying again would imply that he had made a grave mistake, something not to be proud of. "What if I don''t die? I''m pretty strong, you know," Reign asked in a sarcastic manner. [System: Host''s chance of dying against various levels if they go all out] >Beginning Demon Lord : 50% >MiddleDemon Lord : 100% >PeakDemon Lord :Instant Death >Beginning Demon King :Instant Death >MiddleDemon King :Instant Death >PeakDemo King:Instant Death >Demon God:Instant Death "Are you for real? " Reign sighed, feeling like the system had just insulted him. It even gave him a detailed breakdown to humble him. What was worse was the tag of Instant Death. It meant that if he fought one, forget about being able to put up a fight¡ªhe would die instantly. How scary were the local powerhouses of this world? ''So this is what it means to be a frog in a well,'' Reign sighed. He had only been in one city and hadn''t really seen what this world had to offer. ''I better not act too arrogant or I might get killed,'' he made a mental note to be careful. "System, what will happen to you if I die and my consciousness transfers?" he asked, realizing that the system was his lifeline. Even with a new body, without the system, he would basically be crippled. [System: The Ultimate Mutation System is linked to the consciousness and not the physical body, so it would be carried over.] "Good," Reign nodded in satisfaction. "You''re more responsive now," he remarked, as he noticed the frequency and the way of the system talking. [System: With the host''s increased energy reserved, the system''s processing power has grown faster as well. As the host continues to develop, the system will be able to offer even greater assistance and functionality in the future.] "That''s good to know," Reign nodded in understanding. It was only logical that his system grew with him. "Now, I just need to focus on the Seed first," Reign affirmed, redirecting his attention. He began customizing the Parasite. MVLeMpYr-reader When he selected his own race, the form in the window suddenly changed to look exactly like him when he first transformed into a Skull-Fiend. However, he was shocked to see that there was another option. "I can customize the face?" he pondered, surprised by the possibility. He double-checked and confirmed that there was indeed an option for him to alter facial features, including skin, eyeballs, and achieve a totally human appearance. He wasn''t particrly bothered by his current face; in fact, he rather liked looking like a powerful and scary skull-faced monster. However, he acknowledged that having a human face also had its merits. He could move around cities without looking suspicious, and at the same time, he could adopt a double persona to protect his identity further. Besides, he could always wear a skull mask when fighting on top of his human face, so having one would not be a disadvantage at all, just in case he really died. ''Let see,'' After thirty minutes of careful experimentation, the face of his clone underwent a huge transformation. Now, it possessed smooth-white skin, sleek silver hair, a chiseled jawline that spoke of strength, a perfectly sculpted nose, and a white eyebrows and eyes that radiated charisma with mesmerizing shade of blue It bore some simrities to his face when he was still human, resembling what he imagined he might look like if he was around the age of 25. [Seed Stage 2 = 0/400] He still have 68 skill points but it''s not enough to get to stage 2 , so he decided to increase Undead Eye. Reign hadn''t been using it for a long time, but it wasn''t absorbed by the mantis eyes, so it must have something unique about it. Undead Eye (1) > (20) After upgrading the skill, he quickly used it to see what changed. The moment his vision shifted, he immediately noticed the difference. He could see through walls¡ªnot just that, he could also discern people waiting outside the cabin, their vital energy visible to him as if he had some form of X-ray vision and Infrared Combined. ''This is more handy than I thought,'' Reign nodded , impressed by the new capabilities of his upgraded skill. With this power, he would have the ability to detect everyone present as long as they were still alive. Chapter 147: The Barrier "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 27 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Lightning Skull Tyrant Strength :A+ Agility. :A+ Stamina A+ Endurance : A+ Intelligence: A+ Energy: SS- Bite 1 Undead Eye 20 Night Crawl: 20 wer: 20 Viral sh: 10 w Bullet: 20 w Barrage: 20-(SP) Death Rail Gun Buster Mode Skull Grinder Death Aura: 20 Enhance Bones: 35 Bone Control: 20 Bone Eater: 20 Bone Summoning: 20 Seed : Stage 2 Domain Scorpion Pores[30%] Mantis Eyes[35%] Serpent Vertebrate [25%] ck Raven Eyes[10%] Smander Scale[30%] Smander Lungs[55%] Smander w[45%] Drug Immunity Drug Resistance Drug Enhancer [Points] Attribute Points: 45 Skill Points :49 Dark Dust: 33,567 Evolution Points : 0 ============ Reviewing his new stats, Reign got back some of his lost confidence before. The system''s act of disying that list momentarily bruised his ego, but he quickly regained hisposure. After all, he was just a few months old in this world, whereas those powerhouses had likely been living here for centuries, or even millenniums . As long as he did not do something stupid, he was sure to catched up to them within a couple of years. Following a thorough inspection of his stats, he secured his mask back in ce. During the battle with the priestess, he had hastily removed it to safeguard it from any damage, even concealing it within his body for added protection. ''It''s time to meet those fanatics,''Reign muttered as he stood up and walked out of the cabin. The priestess''s devotees were waiting for him, likely still under the impression that their cult leader was still with them. Unaware that he had already sent her back to heaven, literally. When the door swung open, everyone instinctively bowed their heads, too fearful to even nce up. Because of this, they failed to notice that the figure standing before them was not their priestess at all. ''What''s up with them? They look old and weak,'' Reign pondered silently to himself as he observed the group, noting their white hair, wrinkled skin, and the musty odor of humans who was passed their expiration date. Initially, he had assumed that their weak vitality after using the Undead Eye to see through walls was a consequence of the priestess''s prayer, and he thought that it would gradually restore over time. However, seeing them now, it was clear they had aged a lot, possibly by fifty years or more. It became obvious that there was no way for them to regain their youth back. In the distance, he also spotted lifeless elderly individuals, some of whom appeared to have withered away, as if all the water had been drained from their bodies. ''Is it just me, or are the angels more brutal than demons?'' he pondered inwardly. At least in his case, he just killed humans without any pretense of justifying it through nonsense belief or propaganda. Nope, he ended their lives because he wanted to. That''s it, no further exnation needed whatsoever. The angels, on the other hand, farm humans for their fate, luring them with sweet words and making them believe they were their saviors. Butwhen pushed back, they would exploit those same humans, draining them to death. "Priestess, the barrier is shrinking. Did we do something to offend you?" Vincent spoke up with a rough aged and weak voice while still bowing his head. ''These guys are hopeless,'' Reign sighed. Despite witnessing the fate of their fellow humans who were now dead, they stubbornly clung to their belief in that cult leader. To end their suffering, he use his ability to dispatch them all in one stroke. -content Each of them was struck in the head, their brains exploding instantly, granting them a quick and painless death. "You can thank me in the afterlife," he chuckled, then started devouring everyone. They were still EXP, after all. He firmly believed in the saying, "never waste food," regardless of how old the meat may be. Unfortunately, the humans here had lost most of their vitality, so he didn''t have much EXP to gain. It was different from the usual. When he killed humans, their vitality didn''t dissipate quickly; it remained in their bones, muscles, blood, and internal organs. However, what the Priestess did to this people was suck them dry. ''What should I do next?'' he pondered after cleaning up., In the end, he decided to return to the cabin and rx on the balcony . He could see the barrier shrinking, so he nned to enjoy the view for a while. "I think this ce willst for two more days," he thought to himself. It would be better if he figured out how to build a barrier like this. Even as a demon, he found the ck Miasma too overwhelming at times. ''Oh, maybe they have something useful here,'' Reign mused as he stood up and began searching the ce. He soon stumbled on some consoles simr to the ones he remembered from his old world. Moreover, there were movies, anime, and other entertainment materials. It was fascinating to observe that forms of entertainment such as games, movies, and anime were universal across different worlds. It was as if it were the natural order of things: when civilizations reached a certain point, humans would inevitably find or invent things to bring them joy. However¡ª Reign was not really into games that much; he was more of a "watch cartoons and anime" kind of child. It wasn''t because his mother was tolerant and just let him watch TV all the time to avoid him running around the house like a spoiled brat. No, that wasn''t the case at all, or at least, that''s what he wanted to believe. Rather, he grew up in a world where technology was omnipresent, and most people spent 70-90% of their free time on gadgets. As a result, he was introduced to this concept at a very early age. ''How about a library? Is there one in this ce?'' he pondered, deciding to search for something more worthwhile. While he had enjoyed watching anime when he was still a child,he felt different now. It would be dumb if, after bing a powerful monster, he still fixated on such superficial stuff. Reign couldn''t even imagine, not even in fiction, that a person who gained so much power would still be thinking about such trivial matters. He began searching for books, but found none inside the cabin. Determined, he decided to explore other areas. Since this ce used to be a resort, there were plenty of rooms to check out. Finally, he stumbled on what seemed to be a storage area. CREAK. He pushed the door open and what greeted him was a lot of books . ''Jackpot,'' He did not waste anytime and started organizing everything . He would discard items unrted to science and mathematics, prioritizing those books he found useful. Unfortunately, he only found a total of five books worth reading. He grabbed them and retreated to the balcony, where he settled in to start reading. Thanks to his high IQ, his reading speed was fast, allowing him to take in information at a quick rate, flipping through pages effortlessly. ''Nice,'' Reign leaned on the chair as he found some interesting topic. Chapter 148: To Surpass the System With closed eyes, Reign''s mind was consumed by visions of mechanical engines as he dug deeper into the upgraded blueprint for his Skull Grinder. Reign found a valuable book¡ªa car engine repair manual left behind by the survivors, perhaps kept in anticipation of the need to repair car engines or even generators. It offered simple exnations and diagrams for fixing engines, a practical guide for anyone needing to tinker with their machines. But for Reign, the engine repair manual proved to be more than just a practical resource¡ªit held knowledge he needed. It might seem a bit off for Reign to study machinery despite having a mutation system, but he believed it was the right path. Inspired by the fact that human inventions often mimic nature, like nes borrowing from bird flight, he saw a chance to merge the capabilities of his mutation system with modern science. He had a feeling that even the system didn''t anticipate him utilizing its abilities in this manner. It reinforced his belief that sometimes, thinking outside the box could unlock even greater potential. With that in mind, he poured over its contents repeatedly, absorbing the intricacies of engine mechanics. His fascination surpassed mere curiosity; it became an obsession as he dug deeper into the world of internalbustion engines. Next. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he sought out a suitable vehicle to put theory into practice. He scoured the ce until he found a truck. With determination in his eyes, he set to work, meticulously disassembling the engine piece by piece. Each bolt he removed, eachponent he inspected, provided a newyer of understanding. He went to the extent of mimicking the bolts and creating bone counterparts, envisioning their utility in his future projects. The, he dismantled the engine, methodicallyying out each part before him. The oily scent of machinery filled the air as he immersed himself in his task. Finally, he grasped the general idea of how this things worked. Previously, all his original skills were mostly from guessing, relying on his IQ to find logic, and fill the hole on his blueprint. But with the detailed diagrams, experimentationand exnations provided in the book, his understanding of engines solidified. ''Time to work,'' Designing a more intricate mechanical integration, he envisioned attaching an external engine to his Skull Grinder Skill. Instead of theplex four-stroke cycle that usually used by cars, he opted for a simpler push-pull, two-stroke action, maximizing power with minimalplexity. Before, he relied solely on his raw energy to power his chainsaw-like sword, forcing it to move through sheer brute strength . But now, with his own custom-built engine integrated into the weapon, things had changed drastically. Thanks to the efficiency of the engine, Reign found that he only needed to expend a fraction of his energy¡ªjust 30%pared to before¡ªto achieve the same level of output. How did he do it? Within the customized cylinder of the external engine, he reced air with Negative Energy and fuel with me Energy, sparking a powerful chemical reaction. Then he upgraded the "rod and crank" responsible for piston motion and rotation. He also add his own version of a guide bar, to ensure that the chainsaw would expel stuck meat and bones from the cutting teeth effortlessly. With meticulous attention to detail, the sword grew bulkier andrger, but Reign''s strength made wielding it effortless. The external design was sick, with bony dark red metallic material, and the engine adorned with a Skull Cover, it look like a chainsaw made from the deepest pit of hell itself. The skull''s eyes also emitted mes whenever Reign cranked the thing up. And because he used Lightning energy there was an added buzzing sound whenver he crank the long trigger in the hilt, [System: Detected that your Skull Grinder had undergone huge improvement] [Would you like to rename it ?] "Skull Grinder Carnage!" [Skull Grinder Carnage- Saved] Vrrrrrrrrrmmm. ! Vrrrrrrrrrmmm. ! Vrrrrrrrrrmmm. ! The Skull Grinder Carnage roared to life, its vibrations intensifying with each passing moment. As he poured more energy into its engine, the cutting teeth spun faster and faster, reaching a super fast rpm that set the air abuzz. Soon, the spinning motion generated a powerful wind, swirling around him. ''Let''s test it,'' Leaping from the balcony, he scanned the surroundings until his eyes settled on a suitable target¡ªa sturdy big boulder that was formed naturally. With his Skull Grinder Carnage humming with power, hended gracefully in front of the boulder. And with a powerful swing, hebrought down his weapon on the hard stone without putting much force into it. SLASH! The Skull Grinder Carnage, fueled by his energy and high rpm des, tore through the stone as if it were mere tufo. The once hard boulder crumbled before his unstoppable weapon, its resistance almost non existent . "Too sharp," Reign marveled at the cleanliness of the cut. It looked as if the stone had been sliced by an industrializedser. This upgraded Skull Grinder Carnage would render hunter swords and most forms of shields useless. With its immense cutting power, one swing was enough to slice through everything, including the body of his target. ''I''ll test it more,'' After swinging the Skull Grinder Pro for a bit and familiarizing himself with it, he found that this weapon would be his go-to choice against powerful enemies that would engage him in closebat. Now that he had atrump card for closebat, it was time to upgrade his long-distance arsenal. "Buster Mode" The energy consumption of this particr skill was excessively high, making it unsuitable for confronting quick enemies that could dodge the projectiles or using it to engage in close quarterbat. MVLeMpYr-story However, against sluggish but durable armored enemies, it would be the ideal skill to use. Hypervelocity projectiles were one of the best weapons for piercing hard armor, even in his previous world. But even so, he still needed to improve it. ''I need to increase my mobility ,'' He thought to himself, as it was the most obvious weakness of Buster Mode. He shut his eyes again, envisioning a new blueprint for a lower exoskeleton. Rather than relying on a spinning pole on the ground, he decided to extend and expand his legs to make it easier for him to move around. Additionally, he integrated gears made of bones into the knee section, enabling him to rotate a full 360 degrees without needing to shift his entire legs. With the modificationsplete, he awaited a notification. However, none came. It seemed his alterations didn''t warrant any acknowledgment from the system. He wasn''t disappointed about it because the notification only involved changing names, so he didn''t lose anything at all. In fact, this was better because now he would have a way to gauge if the improvements were huge or not. Thest item on his agenda was to upgrade his Death Rail Gun, which remained his most powerful weapon. Regrettably, the avable resources offered little details on how to enhance it. So, his improvements were limited. In the end, he only managed to boost its efficiency by a modest 10% and reduce its consumption rate by 15% using some of the insights he gained from reading and disassembling the engine. "I''m ready to leave this ce," Reign dered as he walked toward the balcony. Although it might have seemed like only a few hours had passed, it had been more than a day since he started reading, studying, experimenting, and finally modifying his skills. Chapter 149: Wide Step ''Is this really Summit City?'' Reign muttered to himself as he finally reached the city walls. The once tall and imposing walls protecting the city had been destroyed and had long crumbled. He also saw military vehicles in ruins, a visual proof to the final stand that had taken ce in this ce. It was a wake-up call, a reminder that no matter how much human technology progressed, Mother Nature would always prevail if it wanted to. The Miasma and the Corrupted in this world could be likened to natural disasters, much like storms, flood, pandemic or earthquakes that devastate countless lives. In a simr way, these cmities stem from human greed, which cause global warming and other environmental damaged. STEP! STEP! STEP! Reign''s steps echoed on the hard ground after he was forced to exit the truck due to the condition of the road ''I expected to see a lot of Corrupteds, but I don''t even see anything,'' he mused inwardly. Though his view might have been obscured by the Miasma, his heightened hearing would have alerted him to any approaching enemy . But this ce was too quiet forfort. It was really weird considering this ce was the center, where most people lived. Logically speaking, this ce should be filled with at least hundreds of thousands of zombie-like Corrupteds. This could only mean : either they had moved on to another area, or the humans had done something to exterminate them. Reign was leaning towards the former reason. Summit City was unsalvageable; there was no need to expend manpower on it. It would be dumb to save this ce, because there was nothing here worth saving at all. Not unless they had a way to restart the barrier again, which he doubted, seeing that there had been no attempt so far. ''Maybe they''re all inside ?'' He thought. Seeing that there was no one in sight, he entered the city walls, hoping to farm some EXP and Dark Dust. Inside , the roads were now littered with destroyed cars, and most of the buildings were destroyed beyond recognition. It was evident that a huge battle had taken ce here; most of the buildingsy in ruins, burnt and copsed, some appearing as if they had been bombed. . The Miasma had spread all over the city, and it was worst here than outside. The air was thick with the mist, making it difficult for him to see, and the ground was covered with an oily residue that left sticky trails on his feet. ''What the hell is this sticky and slimy substance?'' he grumbled, examining the liquid. It seemed to be abination of oil and blood, emitting a foul stench by human standards, though it didn''t bother him much. He only remarked on it because he found the slippery sensation a little bit unpleasant underfoot. Determined to avoid further difort, he created an exoskeleton-like cover for his feet,plete with spiked soles for added traction. ''This is better.'' he thought to himself. ''Now let''s see if I can find something useful,'' he muttered to himself, gazing down the main road and starting to walk straight ahead. This would lead him to the Central Area where most of the tall apartments were situated. After a couple of minutes walking. He finally spotted what looked like a library or a bookstore a few blocks away. Reign hurried towards it, hoping to find some information. As he approached the building, he noticed that it was in a simr state as the rest of the city; its windows were shattered, and its doors were molding and hanging off their hinges. He entered the building, his eyes looking for something useful . The familiar smell of books and dust hung in the air, but it was mixed with the sickly odor of mold and decay. Most of the shelves only had ckened book or charred beyond recognition, and the few books that remained were scattered on the floor, their pages torn and molding due to the miasma. ''This ce is no good,'' Reign muttered to himself, ''There''s nothing left to get here.'' experience-MVLeMpYr He sighedand turned to leave, deciding to explore the rest of the city in hopes of finding anything of value. With each block he went to, thendscape revealed further devastation. The once-thriving Summit City was now nothing more than a memory of its former glory . ''I should go directly to that underground ce; It''s useless to waste anymore time here,'' he mused inwardly. He vividly remembered the metro station where George and Melissa had ridden a train. It was located in some kind of military base at the edge of the south wall. Unfamiliar with the routes to other cities, he nned to use the station''s railing as a guide to the nearest one. Once there, he would determine his next course of action. This type of long travel was something he hadn''t considered before, primarily because of one variable: his energy consumption. When he was releasing energy to create a barrier against the Miasma, his energy regeneration would be penalized heavily. Now equipped with two cores, Reign had the luxury of seamlessly alternating between them. This meant he did not have to worry over the inability to recover lost energy during his journey. He could even walk for a year, and it wouldn''t be a problem. As for food, well, Corrupteds might not taste good, but thousands of them in his stomach would probably sustain him. Of course, it would be better if a train passed by so he could catch a ride. ''I hope I can encounter more Corrupteds. Just walking is too boring,'' he sighed, still thinking about earning more EXP and Dark Dust. Continuing his travel, he finally reached the perimeter of the military area where the underground train station was located. However, as he approached, he felt the whole ce be darker. He initially attributed it to the Miasma, but when he raised his head, he saw two pairs of giant red glowing eyes looking down on him. "What the fuck is that thing?" Reign eximed in shock. The eyes were so far away from him that they seemed like the glowing windows of a 30-story skyscraper. But what happened next jolted him from his shock. The ground vibrated, and he heard a buzzing sound above him. Suddenly, the Miasma parted, and a giant ck foot was on its way to stomp on him. Seeing this, Reign knew that even with his current raw strength, being hit by a foot asrge as a building would heavily injure him. "Fuck !" Red lightning was released from his legs as he turned around and run away from the descending foot. BOOOOOOOM! As the colossal foot crashed into the ground, the force resembled hundreds of dynamite detonation, used by demolition experts. Shockwaves rippled through the air, hurling Reign through the air as he desperately fled from the impending impact. When he stabilized his footing, another buzzing sound echoed above him. This time, an open palm loomed in the sky, trying to grab him. "Shit," he cursed aloud as he was forced to dodged again. This was totally unfair; that thing was too big even for him. Even if it was slow, it could catch up to him because its one step was more or less equal to a kilometer. ''This giant dipshit....'' Reign sneered in contempt. Chapter 150: The Bigger Monster BOOOOOM! Another thunderous sound reverberated as the Giant''s hand failed to grab Reign . It tried to locate Reign''s new position. Suddenly, a chirping sounds echoed, resembling thousands of birds, and in the next moment, a red streak of lightning zipped away from the Giant. "RAAWWWWWR!" The giant roaredbut instead of a singr roar, it sounded like the collective shouts of hundreds of thousands of people. Looking closely, its massive body wasposed of a gooeydark substance, within which the creepy faces of the corrupted humans merged together, forming this abomination. That exined why there were no corrupted beings inside the city; they were all gathered here within this monstrous amalgamation THUD! THUD! THUD! Each massive stride of the Giant Corrupted shook the ground, sending tremors all over the ce. The air quivered with its sheer force. As the shockwaves spread outward, it triggered the copse of nearby buildings. Their weakened structures, alreadypromised by the corrosive miasma, could not withstand the tremors. ''That was close,'' Reign sighed in relief as he saw the Giant Corrupted moving away from him. After narrowly dodging the Giant''s grasp, he quickly devise a n to draw its attention elsewhere. Aware that remaining within its striking range would only force him to continually dodge its attacks, he knew he had to be smart. With a quick nce around, he spotted a pile of debris and concealed himself within it, while sending Arc to act as a decoy. It was a split-second decision, but in that moment, it felt like the best option avable to him. ''So that''s where all the corrupted are,'' he mused to himself, taking in the sight of the dead corrupteds scattered on the ground. It had likely fallen off from the Giant as it moved around. ''This world is really dangerous,'' he sighed, refocusing his gaze on the Giant, which was still chasing Arc like an idiot. Its wide movements generated winds that blew the ck miasma away, granting him a clear view of the monstrous entity. However, despite this amusing scenario, it served as a wake-up call. When dealing with the Corrupted, he realized that he should expect anything. There was a reason why they could push the world into this state, despite the existence of powerful humans and demons. "Alright, time to show that pile of flesh a lesson," Reign chuckled aloud. He had been contemting whether to run away and hide, but after seeing the abundance of corrupted beings present, he felt that this was his chance to be an instant millionaire in terms of Dark Dust. He didn''t know what he would receive after reaching level 30, but one thing was certain: the more Dark Dust he possessed, the greater the benefits he would receiveter on. And when it came to benefits, Reign wasn''t one to shy away. "Buster Mode!" He activated his ability , and exoskelton began forming all over his body. Thanks to the System Skill Assistance, he was able to summon the Buster Mode faster. But he didn''t settle for just the base design. Oh no, not for this special asion. He knew he had to make some adjustments. The sound of bones cracking and gears shifting echoed as Reign''s body continued to expand. He grew so heavy that the ground beneath him began to crack under the pressure. This time, he increased his overall size by more than 200%, reaching his maximum ergement capacity. Now standing at 15 feet tall, Reign found himself towering over thendscape. The barrels of the Rail Gun had also grown longer and heavier. ''Weird problems require weird solutions,'' he remarked yfully as he aimed his Death Rail Guns at the giant''s right legs. With such a massive target in front of him, he''d have to be blind not to hit it at all. "Locked and loaded," he dered. The rail guns hummed to life as he infused them with his lightning and negative energy attributes. With a surge of power, they began to charge, emitting a buzzing sound reminiscent of aser beam. Tension filled the air as Reign prepared to unleash his devastating attack. ZZZZZZTT! ZZZZZZTT! ZZZZZZTT! He fired the three rail guns simultaneously, their hypervelocity projectiles piercing the air with a supersonic speed thateasily broke the sound barrier. BOOOOOM! -verified BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! Three deafening sts echoed at the same time, and the damaged they cause riddled the Giant''s leg with holes the size of a wide pole. But it wasn''t enough. He continued to unleash a barrage of shots, the Giant''s legs appearing to burst under the consecutive powerful attacks. Desperately, the Giant reached out to grab hold of a nearby building to steady itself, but the structure crumbled under its immense weight, forcing it to stumble directly to the ground. Reign seized the opportunity and continued firing while the Giant remained in its weakened position. With his energy reserves now muchrger, he could afford this expenditure without hesitation. Cycle after cycle, Reign fired his rail guns, targeting the limbs first and then the torso. With each volley, Reign watched as the Giant slowly shrank in size, the dead bodies of the corrupted beings that formed it starting to shed away. When he saw that it had diminished to less than a quarter of its initial size, he deactivated Buster Mode and summoned back all the excess bones. Then, with his Skull Grinder Carnage in hand, he charged towards it to finish the job. Debris littered his path, but he easily dodged and leaped over the obstacles, while shing through anything that dared to block his way. When he reached his target, it had finally managed to stand up, but now its size was only that of a 10-story building, which, in Reign''s opinion, no longer a threat. "It''s grinding time," he taunted with a crazed look as he tapped into the raw power and energy of his legs, propelling himself into the air . In a twisted sense, this monstrous thing had saved him time bybining itself. "I have to thank you for making my job easy," Reign taunted with a grin as he brought down his Skull Grinder in a vertical arc, aiming directly for the Giant''s head. "RAWWWWR!" Some of the corrupteddetached themselves from the Giant''s head to confront Reign mid air, but it was futile. With each swing of his Skull Grinder, dozens of them fell, unable to withstand his onught. This monster was the stuff of human nightmares, a giant capable ofying waste to entire cities. But against Reign, it appeared nothing more than prey awaiting to be devoured by an even stronger and dangerous monster. "Just stay put and let me kill you!" Reign taunted asnded into its head, unleashing a barrage of fire breaths that proved devastatingly effective against it. The corrupted faces contorted in agony as the mes Reign had unleashed on them carried both negative and lightning energy. Thisbination intensified the damage they suffered to a new level. The Giant, in an attempt to rid itself of Reign, smack it''s own head. However, Reign anticipated the move and leaped into the air. Then, with a decisive sh, Reign used his Skull Grinder to slice through the Giant''s hand covering it''s head. "You guys never learn. I''m the bigger monster here," Reign dered with a sadistic tone. Chapter 151: Powers and Options Gradually, the giant monster began to shrink even more as the pile of dead corrupted beings umted around it. It was already helpless against him when it was at its full size, so now, with a smaller body, the gap between their powers had widened even further. This scene captured the essence of the saying "the bigger they are, the harder they fall." And the one responsible for this feat was currently grinning from ear to ear, imagining the haul he''d get from this. Reign was so deep into grind mode that he didn''t even consider for a second that this giant thing could reverse the situation. He felt like an MMORPG yer who had found a dungeon, realizing he could farm levels and gold by staying in one ce and spamming skills. It was the gaming equivalent of hitting the jackpot, and Reign was ripping the benefits in it without a second thought. SLASH! He alternated between shing and breathing fire until finally, the entire entity copsed into the ground. Arc quickly exterminated all the remaining corrupted while Reign stood atop the pile of corpses, his body covered with the ck substance, a visual proof to the carnage he had just unleashed. He didn''t linger on the victory. Instead, he began devouring everything beneath him, using his usual tactic of summoning dozens of thin limbs to prate the corpses and absorb them rapidly. And because he was on top a pile of corpses, all he had to do was dig deep enough to skewer dozens of Corrupteds in one fell swoop. ''This will take some time,'' Reign chuckled, surveying the area now littered with corpses. Halfway through the absorption process, he finally gained three levels, reaching the awaited Level 30. [System: Evolution Option Avable ] Lightning Skull Monarchs: mutated form of Skull Monarchs, retaining the same shape but distinguished by its jet-ck bones marked with intricate red lightning-like patterns. It''s eyes emit a vivid red glow, and it bear a crown-like crest atop its heads, signifying its royal lineage. >Advance Bone Summoning :Skull Monarchs had ascend to higher echelons of power, so its proficiency in bone summoning reaches another level. Itcan summon more bone puppets, each infused with the lightning attribute, +20 % damage resistance to normal elemental attacks. ( +50 Slots ) >Evil Warcry: Skull Monarchs, born to lead an army of undead, possess the ability to temporarily boost the skills of their troops, adding buffs such as [Enhanced Damage], [Enhanced HP], [Enhanced Armor], and [Bravery]. >Blessed by Storm: Forming a symbiotic bond with storms, Lightning Skull Monarchs possess heightened sensitivity to atmospheric changes. It can sense approaching storms and harness its power to augment its own abilities, gaining boost in overall firepower during thunderous weather . [System: Would you like to evolved to Skull Monarch ?] "Yes !, " Reign quickly replied. There was no need to even ask such a question. After consenting, the evolutionmenced, and Reign could feel a change emanating from his two energy cores. It wasn''t something that expand the core capacity in terms of quantity rather, the cores themselves were undergoing a transformation. They seemed to be transitioning from fragile ss to something sturdier, as if being forged anew by the process. Right now, he did feel some pain, but it was not as excruciating as before. Alongside the difort, there was also a warm sensation coursing through his body, which made the whole process morefortable. Over time, he discovered someimprovement in his new cores. Not just internally, but also how it operates. Previously, his core resembled a water drum, where he needed to manually scoop energy when he needed it. Now, it felt as though a streamlined pipe had been established, facilitating a more efficient and seamless transfer of power. This, in turn, made him even more efficient in using his energy. Not that he wasn''t efficient already, considering he possessed theplete Trinity - Legendary Race, Legendary Core, and Legendary Domain. Regardless, this upgrade was a wee benefit that would be more apparent in the future, especially considering that the stronger he grew, the more energy his skills consumed. Just his Bone Summoning alone would consume a huge portion of his reserves if he had more than five puppets at the same level as Arc. In terms of appearance, not much changed except for thebone crown on his head. It didn''t rece his hair; it just sat there like he was wearing a headband. The good thing was, the crown was retractable. He didn''t particrly like it because it was too shy. He felt satisfied with his growth, but his happiness was far from over. Today felt like his birthday with the abundance of gifts he would receive. [System: Congrattions, Host, for Reaching Level 30. [System''s Store is now avable ] "Sweet," Reign chuckled, opening up the new window, curious about what the Store could provide him. A new window opened up, showing a number of items for sale that could be bought using Dark Dust. There was even a slider with pictures that he could expand to see more details. It felt like he was browsing an online shop, with all the descriptions of the items neatlyid out before him. However, only a few items caught his attention because most of them were not useful for him considering his current strength. ====== >>Mutant Serum : Create a serum that could transform humans, depending on the option you purchase. You need three materials to create this. Base Potion : 100K DNA Blueprint : 100K-100M DNA Converter : 150K (Note: You can attempt to extract real DNA from demons to get discounts ) ====== >>Bone Puppet Slot X10 = 100K X50= 400K X100= 700K ====== >>Attributes Plus Strength(S-) Agility. :(S-) Stamina :(S-) Endurance : (S-) Intelligence: (S-) Cost Per Attributes Breakthrough : 100K ====== >>Skill Plus Cost per skill lvl after level 20 : 10K ====== >>Seed Cloner (1-item) Allow host to clone the seed ability and cultivate another seed, allowing it to grow without waiting for the death, and giving the host the ability to transfer between bodies. Note: Host can''t use the two bodies simultaneously. Cost 1.5M ====== (The store would be updated as the Host leveled up further. ) ====== ''All of them are too expensive,'' Reign sighed. They were useful, but in the end, they cost a lot of Dark Points to buy, so he had to be wise with his purchase. First, the mutant serum wasn''t something he needed immediately. So, he was left with four options: the Bone Puppet Slot, Attribute Plus, Skill Plus, and Seed Cloner. The benefits of the Bone Puppet slot were straightforward. With more slots avable, he would be able to obtain more powerful puppets in the future, like Arc. Arc had proven itself to be very useful to him thus far, making his life much easier by handling tasks that would otherwise be mundane. Even now, instead of engaging in battles with corrupted beings himself, he could simply rx and check his status while Arc continued to sh and kill everything on sight. If he had two or even four powerful puppets, his life would a breeze, and farming would be a cinch. The next options were the Attribute Plus and the Skill Plus, which would allow him to break through the A+ cap for attributes and the level 20 cap in skill points. Even after Evolving, his stats did not change at all, except for just having more Bloodline skills and his core undergoing major tempering ,. This just showed that evolving alone was not enough to break through the limit. However, after some thought, he felt that he didn''t need to focus on his stats for now. He was already plenty powerful enough. ''Seed Cloner ?'' He mused inwardly. MVLeMpYr-story Chapter 152: Fateful Day ''Do I really want a second body?'' Reign thought to himself. He pondered the idea, recognizing its potential benefits and the additional possibilities it could offer him. For example, he could cultivate a new body with apletely different type of power than what he had right now. This way, he would have more options in case he encountered someone against whom his current race was weak against. Plus, even though the system said that he could not use the two bodies at the same time, he felt that this was not a limitation of the skill, but rather a limitation of his own mind. In the future, if he could learn or acquire a mutation organ that allowed him to divide his consciousness and multitask, then he didn''t really see why he could not use both bodies. It was like ying a game with two joysticks. It was definitely challenging, but not impossible. That wasn''t the only reason he wanted another body. First of all, it was true that he could prevent others from detecting that he was a demon ,and his mask works wonders right now thanks to his improve control, but it was still far from perfect. If one day he encountered someone powerful who could discern even the smallest details, he risked exposing himself. Having a second body resembling a human form would enable him to blend in and act inconspicuously, and also... Reign looked at his bottom and realized that it was as t as a chopping board. He hadn''t paid much attention to it before, too preupied with his hunger for more strength. But now, he felt like he should have that thing, not for any perverted reasons, of course. It wasn''t so much about the desire for a human organ but rather about retaining a sense of masculinity. After all, before bing a monster, he had still been male, and the absence of such anatomy felt off. story-source-NovelFire Even Wick had one, and he was a demon dog. In fact, all the demons he had met so far had them , proving their masculinity. Hell, even this garbage and mindless corrupteds has one. As for him using it to fulfill some of his darkest desires? That was still out of the question For him, the pleasure of eating and growing stronger far outweighed any other temptation. Till now, he hadn''t thought about perverted things at all with the opposite gender. Even Cyril, whom he found pleasing to the eye, and has a good personality vanished from his thoughtspletely after he got busy. ''I need to be wiser,'' Reign muttered to himself, shaking his head to rid of him with such superficial thoughts. The stronger he became, the more useless thoughts seemed to infiltrate his mind. Who cares if he didn''t have one? He would just kill anyone who dared to insult him. Shifting his focus, he double-checked his Dark Points and noted with satisfaction that he currently had over 250,000. After devouring everything, he estimated he could earn up to 600K.+ With this amount, he faced a decision: he could either purchase the X100 Slot for 700K and save 300K, or he could save it until he had enough for 1.5 M Dark Dust to buy the Seed Cloner. ''I''ll just save it for now. I''m really fond of saving points,'' Reign said, scratching his head. With him joining the fray, the killing became much faster. When he was done with his area, he started devouring the remaining corpses and used his remaining slots to summon weak puppets to haul the dead bodies, which were far away. He could release his puppets anytime to free up slots, so this was not a big issue. With the 55 puppets working together, they resembled a bunch ofborers slowly hoisting the corpses of the corrupted onto their shoulders and then piling them up neatly. Reign on the other hand just jump from one pile to another and enjoying the benefits of having a bunch of ves serving him. ''This is the life, well technically my second life,'' he chuckled inwardly, trying to add some humor so he wouldn''t be bored in this deste ce. *** *** *** "Have you heard the reports from the scouts? They''re saying an Alterado Grande formed in Summit City," a man in a ck coat remarked, his hand casually reaching for a cigarette. "An Alterado Grande? In a tier 4 city?" The shock was obvious in the voice of a woman in her 30s, her hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of her sword. Her attire, a fitted ck spandex with intricate metal brace whichplement her hair that was artificially colored ck. "That''s why the higher-ups are having a headache. Normally, Alterado Grande only form in ces saturated with high density miasma, mostly found in Tier 2 cities. This case is unprecedented . A lot of weird stuff has been happening since that day." He sighed. "Do you mean what happened over a year ago?" The woman''s voice quivered as she spoke, her expression growing somber, her gaze distant as she recalled the memory. It was a day that froze the whole world in its tracks, a moment where time itself seemed to stop. Inside the city, life went on unaware because of the barrier, but beyond its protective veil, a huge phenomenon unfolded. For a brief, minute, all the miasma in the world vanished out of thin air. Back then, they finally saw a glimpse of the unblemished sky, the real radiant sun blessing them. The memory of tears tracing her cheeks resurfaced , areminder of that fleeting hope, the belief that perhaps the nightmare had ended. But just as quickly as it vanished, the suffocating miasma returned, swallowing reality whole, leaving only the echo of what could have been. After that, instead of hope, what followed was the total despair. The Corrupteds grew stronger and more aggressive, their attacks intensified as if driven by an unseen urgency to eradicate humanity as quickly as possible. "That day was beautiful, wasn''t it? The real sun, it''s still far more beautiful than the artificial ones we''re confined to within this barrier," the man spoke, his voice tinged with longing . The woman nodded in agreement. "Do you think," she mused, a wry smile curling her lips, "that what happened that day was some sort of sign?" "A sign for what ?" "I don''t know. Sometimes, I feel like the miasma vanished because something changed," she paused, contemting her own words. "Maybe someone came to our world to save us?" she forced a smile, knowing full well that she sounded crazy and childish. The man remained silent for a moment, his thoughts swirling as he processed the woman''s words. Finally, he smoked his cigarette before responding. "I mean, we live in a world where demons and Corrupteds exist. It wouldn''t be too far-fetched to entertain the idea that angels and aliens exist too," he chuckled, attempting to lighten the atmosphere and dispel the lingering awkwardness. "I hope angels and aliens do save us from this hell," the woman sighed, her voice heavy with weariness and longing for salvation from the chaos that surrounded them. *** Authors Note: I''ll be posting just two chapters today; bonus chapters will follow onter dates. Unfortunately, I had a minor ident resulting in swelling of my right hand. Although I can manage to write with one hand, I''m feeling unwell, possibly due to the swelling. So, I''ve decided to rest early today. Chapter 153: Big Change After Reign devoured everything in sight, his level increased only by two, reaching level 32, despite feasting on a horde of Corrupteds. ''At this rate, I''ll have to destroy entire towns just to level up in the future,'' he thought to himself. He was only level 30+, and yet the amount of prey he had to consume just kept increasing exponentially. Each level required an ever-growing amount of experience points, and he realized that there would be a time that he would be force to destroy cities just to earn some worth while Experience Points. Small-time genocides wouldn''t be enough anymore. And the ironic twist to all of this? He couldn''t shake the feeling that the system was nudging him down a particr path, almost as if it was encouraging him to devour more, or maybe all humans to keep getting stronger. It was as if the system had a strange sense of humor, albeit a rather dark one. ''Well, I don''t really care as long as I get stronger,'' he thought to himself. He had never been one to be a hypocrite; after all, he was born to consume humans, so there was no need for him to change his ways. It might sound rather dark, but he still viewed humans as both a source of sustenance and power. He He could have chosen to farm Corrupteds, but for him, it was just too much of a hassle, and a dumb moved. Why work 40 times harder when humans gave more EXP, tasted better, and made him feel ecstatic devouring their brains? It felt pointless. It was like searching for fish in the water when there was a steak waiting on a table by the bay,plete with wine and side dishes. ''Yeah city life is still the best ,'' hechuckled, imagining the amount of humans he could eat on a bigger city. Little did the humans of this world know that Reign''s peculiar mindset would spell a very big trouble for them . He wasn''t the typical hero sent to save humanity; he came to save the world, but the world need a different type of saving. Unfortunately, it was not something that humans would like. ''Let''s see...'' His thoughts trailed off as he summoned his status window. ============ Name: Reign Level 32 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Lightning Skull Monarch Strength :A+ Agility. :A+ Stamina A+ Endurance : A+ your-chapter-source-NovelFire Intelligence: A+ Energy: SS- Bite 1 Undead Eye 20 Night Crawl: 20 wer: 20 Viral sh: 10 w Bullet: 20 w Barrage: 20-(SP) Death Rail Gun Buster Mode Skull Grinder Carnage Death Aura: 20 Enhance Bones: 35 Bone Control: 20 Bone Eater: 20 Bone Summoning: 20 Seed : Stage 2 Domain Scorpion Pores [30%] Mantis Eyes [35%] Serpent Vertebrate [25%] ck Raven Eyes [10%] Smander Scale [30%] Smander Lungs [55%] Smander w [45%] Drug Immunity Drug Resistance Drug Enhancer [Points] Attribute Points: 95 Skill Points :54 Dark Dust: 652,520 Dark Points Evolution Points : 0 ============ Looking at his stats, he was tempted to use Dark Dust to boost his attributes, but he shook his head after further contemtion. It wasn''t that important for now, and increasing it would not be much of a help. He had plenty of ways to quickly boost his power using negative energy and lightning attributes. Plus, he could utilize techniques to enhance his base power. In the beginning, he considered getting the Bone Puppet Slots, but now that he was close to reaching 700K, he felt that five arcs couldn''t do much against someone at the Demon Lord Level. So, he decided to save everything for now because the store might offer more options as he leveled up further. There was a saying from his old world: "A penny saved is a penny earned." Of course, there was also the saying "Use your wealth to create more wealth." ''Speaking of which, can I summon her?''" he mused, a eureka moment dawning on him while thinking about the slots. He quickly closed his eyes and found himself back in that mental manifestation of his power where those who he devoured stayed for a while. This time, the whole ce had be more stable, and the pile of bones disappeared, reced by walking skeletons Above him, a cloud intermittently sparked with red lightning, but there was no apanying sound. While the horizon remained dark and devoid of activity, the near surroundings had be noticeably busierpared to before. The corrupted bones stood out with their moldy dark color, different from the human bones. The darkness of their bones was different from his summoned one too. It looked more wet and oily, as if coated in oil all around. Inparison, his normal summoned would look like human bones but without the hollow part. And even though they had some dark color, it wasn''t their entire body; rather, the dark colors were just there, like an added design. He also discovered that the whole area was divided: one side for humans bones and the other for the corrupted. ''Shit, these guys are still fighting even after dying,'' Reign sighed to himself. And then a scene almost made him curse aloud: five Corrupted bones started beating the living daylights out of one Human Bones. "Hey, hey, don''t do that! Why are you so aggressive?" He grumbled, voicing his disapproval. But then he remembered that these were bones made from Corrupted, so expecting them to be disciplined was out of the question. He also noticed the other human bones who were just observing their fellow bones being beaten up. They sat there quietly, not engaging in any activity, and keeping to themselves. It was a far cry from the other side, where the corrupted bones would from time to time punch each other out of boredom. Seeing all of this, Reign started having doubts if he really wanted to go along with the monarch path. Judging by how these bones were getting more and more intelligent as he grew stronger, there was a high chance that this ce would be troublesome in the future. ''I will look for Arc first,'' Reign refocused his attention, pushing aside the scene before him. Among the walking skeletons, two figures stood out. Arc was standing on a makeshift bone hut, patiently waiting to be summoned. Then, there was a female skeleton bound by chains made of literal bones. ''How did he even build this thing? Don''t tell me he used the bones of others?'' Reign mused inwardly, noticing some femurs, skulls, and other long bones on the makeshift small hut. Curiosity got the better of him so he decided to walk closer to Arc to check it out . After getting closer, he saw ten human bones diligently building something for Arc. They resembled employees vying to curry favor with the strongest individual in the vicinity. In fact, none of the bones here showed any respect toward Reign, except for those he had given slot directly. ''You guys are living here rent-free and you can''t even greet me,'' Reign shook his head in disappointment. When he reached Arc, the ten human bones scattered around, and Arc hurriedly knelled down and bowed his head. [Ding!] [System: Arc is now eligible for promotions.] [Do you want to promote Arc?] [Cost : 35 slot > 70 Slot ] Without a second thought, Reign released 35 of his bone puppets to free up some space for Arc''s promotion. "Promote," he uttered, and the system began its duty. Dark liquid started to be released below Arc, covering it in a cocoon. This was the same thing that happened to Anna when she evolved further. When the cocoon was finished forming, it resembled a dark heart, throbbing as if it were a living, breathing organ. Reign decided to wait for it to finish; he could sense that this would be a quick ordeal. After waiting for around a minute or so, the cocoon started throbbing rapidly. When it reached its peak, it burst out, revealing a shing red light that illuminated the entire ce. When everything calmed down, Arc was kneeling in front of Reign, his body having undergone another transformation. His entire form had turned crystal red, with intricate dark lightning patterns coursing around him. His face had be sharply defined, his hair now resembling red ss, shining with an ethereal glow. Even his sword had undergone a transformation, appearing more imposing, with a condensed aura emanating from it. The shadowy dark-red smoke filling its body had also be more condensed and thicker. ============ Name: Arc Race: Skull Puppet Rank: Expert Knight Grade Strength :A+ Agility. :A+ Stamina A+ Endurance : A+ Intelligence: E+ Energy: A+ Thunderstep 10 Thunder Strike 10 Thunder sh 10 Thunder sh 10 Thunder Sweep10 ============ ''All of his stats had increase and now his skill level are 10. This is a nice progress.'' Reign nodded in satisfaction after seeing how much Arc had improved . "You can stand up," hemanded. "Yes, my king," Arc replied, his voice the same one he had when he was still alive. "You can talk now?" Reign asked in surprised. *** Authors Note: I will mass release 5 chapters tomorrow. Chapter 154: Imbalance Stats "Yes, my King," Arc nodded, his voice filled with devotion and loyalty. There wasn''t even a hint of doubt in Arc''s demeanor. And although he did not have an actual eyeball, the intensity of the red glowing orbs in his eyes intensified when he spoke. Reign touched his chin, amused by this sudden turn of events. He could see that the skeletons here were bing more intelligent, though he did not expect them to be able to converse with him at this level. ''Did he remember his past life?'' he mused inwardly. If Arc had really regained its memory, it would be troublesome , considering Reign was the one who had killed him in the first ce. "Do you remember your past life?" Reign asked, wanting to probe further. He needed to ascertain the extent of Arc''s intelligence and memories. "No, My King," Arc replied, addressing only what was asked of him, nothing more, nothing less. Reign did not detect any hint of falsehood in Arc''s words. "So what do you remember? Tell me everything ," he asked again. "Thest thing I remembered was that I was inside internal darkness, and you, my king, offered your benevolent hand to this unworthy being. From then on, I promised to serve you forever," Arc replied with sincerity. Reign felt ttered after being told he had a benevolent hand. So, this was the feeling of a boss when their employees kissed up to them. No wonder so many bosses go on power trips all the time. "Serve me forever? What if I ordered you to kill me?" Reign inquired, wanting to test the limits of Arc''s autonomy . "I''m not allowed to do that," Arc replied. "But then you would be failing to do your job," Reign immediately went for the tough questions. Arc''s tone remained unchanged, his hollow sockets fixed on Reign. "My purpose is to serve you, my King. If you were to task me with such amand, I wouldply without question," he replied ''So it''s still not smart enough to form its own opinions and has to relies on mymands for answers,'' Reignmused, making a mental note of his observation. After testing Arc''s intelligence further, Reign realized that while it was still limited in certain aspects, in terms ofbat, it had be much more efficient. Arc could adapt and adjust its tactics on the fly, making its overallbat ability increase by leaps and bounds. "Alright, you passed the test," Reign dered, casually blocking Arc''s strongest strike with just one hand. "Thank you, my King ," Arc bowed. "That''s all. As long as you serve me well, you will receive more benefits in the future," Reign dered firmly. "Thank you, my King," Arc bowedhis head again, showing respect and loyalty. Reign nodded, assuming the demeanor of a big boss, before turning away to inspect the female skeleton bound by chains. When he reached her, she looked pained despite having a skeletal face and didn''t even speak. She was like a hollow shell of her former self. Reign touched her head to check her summoning requirements. If she needed a lot of slots, then she was bound to be powerful. [System : 15 slots] ''Only 15 slots? So she''s below Knight grade?'' Reign muttered with a hint of disappointment in his voice. He had hoped for an overpowered restriction-type servant. This skeleton used to be a vessel of an angel, but most of its capabilities was just from an external power source , so it was the reason for such a low valuation of the system. Regardless, she was still much more valuable than the other skeleton that Reign had, and there was also the chance of him upgrading her. Thinking it over, he decided to sacrifice another 15 slots for the summon. He was worried that she would vanish if left alone for a long time. "Arise," Reign summoned her. This time, because she was weaker than Arc, it didn''t take him multiple tries to seed. Slowly, the dark-red energy began to fill her hollow parts. ck-red metallic hair sprouted in her head, and her eyes glowed with the same red orbs as Arc''s. As her transformationpleted, the chains binding her body started to break one by one, getting reabsorbed into her. story-source-NovelFire Only the chains hanging from her hands remained. [System: Please name your Puppet ] Reign contemted for a moment, his gaze turning to the chains clutched in her bony hands. An idea began to form, and he chose a name that resonated with her appearance and weapons. "Shackler," he dered. In response, Shackler bowed her head, a gesture of devotion to her new name and master. ============ Name:Shackler Race: Skull Puppet Rank: Normal Grade Strength :C- Agility. :E+ Endurance : C Intelligence: F- Energy: B- Chain Control Chain Barrier Chain Restrain ============ Unfortunately, Shackler''s stats were not impressive and very imbnced. Unlike Arc, who honed his power through training before using the lightning runes, the vessel that the angel used had once been a normal girl. ''Well, at least her energy was strong enough to reach B-,'' Reign remarked, trying to find the silver lining in the situation. Shackler possessed a very useful skill, which he found intriguing. It was a skill that, whentched onto the opponent, inflicted debuffs and drained their energy. Good thing, Reign had a lot of external defense when he fought the Priestess; otherwise, he might have fallen victim to this skill. Plus, after being enhanced by his own elements, this skill had undergone aplete transformation. In addition to inflicting debuffs, it could now inflict fear and send electric shocks coursing through the chains. ''This skill will be very useful when she bes more powerful,'' Reign nodded in satisfaction. He made a mental note to focus on making her stronger quickly. What he was betting on now wasn''t her current strength, but her potential for growth. After wrapping everything up, Reign decided to leave. *** Back to reality, he got up and wasted no more time. There was nothing in this ce of interest to him, so staying here would be a waste of time. As he walked, he decided to use his First Core first so his Second core could regenerate. After 10 minutes, he found himself descending to the familiar subway station. He realized that the Miasma in this ce had be thinner. It was still present, but it was not as dense as it was on the surface. On the station he saw a lot of debris, stuffs , and suitcases lying around. The survivor of this ce must have left in a hurry , and thought they could bring their stuff, but when the train capacity was reach they were force to abandon most of their items. ''Even the items are in better condition here,'' Reign thought . The items were still decaying, but not to the point that they turnedpletely useless. THUD! He jumped onto the rail and looked in the direction where George and Melissa''s train had gone when he dropped them off before. The tunnel was dark, but with his Undead Eyes, he could see much better here than on the surface. "This will be a long walk," Reign sighed, and started moving forward. He decided to walk for now, conserving his energy until his Lightning Energy Core was filled up. Chapter 155: Holes and Tunnel 30 minutes passed after he started his solo stroll through the dark deste subway tunnels. The oppressive silence enveloped everything , broken only by the asional echo of the wind hauling . ''I feel like I''m in a zombie movie,'' Reign chuckled to himself, recalling a scene where a train was overwhelmed by a horde of zombies, forcing it to stop. He remembered the moment vividly: tears welling up in his eyes as he quickly covered them, unable to bear the sight. Reign chuckled at the irony of it all. ''Funny how life works," he mused, reflecting on his childhood fears. "I used to be scared of those things, and now here I am, practically one of them.'' It was like the system had dug into his deepest fears and transformed him into the very thing he dreaded. Well, it did work surprisingly well. How could he possibly be afraid of something he had been transformed into? It was like solving a fear of clowns by turning someone into a clown themselves. Talk about cutting straight to the chase and skipping the therapy bills. ''Oh, I''m getting sidetracked,'' Reign paused for a moment, realizing how his thoughts had wandered. All this strolling through the tunnels had him reminiscing about the past, perhaps because boredom had set in and he was searching for a way to kill time. ''What''s that sound ?'' His senses were on high alert, every sound amplified because of how the tunnel bounce back the noise. He could tell that something was running towards him but it was still too far for him to have a clear view. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, as he felta subtle vibration pulsing through the ground beneath his feet. Looking straight a head, he nced towards the distant again, searching for the source of the disturbance. The vibrations grew stronger, reverberating through the tunnel floors. Then¡ª SQUEEK! SQUEEK! SQUEEK! Thousands, ormaybe tens of thousands, of tiny scurrying sounds echoed through the tunnel, creating an eerie noise that bounced off the walls. As he tried to figure things out, he initially mistook the approaching entitiesfor a flood . But as it got closer, he realized that it was an exaggerated number of rats, their red eyes glowing rabidly in the darkness as they surged toward him. The horde of rodents resembled a living, writhing carpet, their bodies packed so densely that they formed a seamless wave of fur and teeth. The tunnel seemed toe alive with their frenzied movement, the sound of their ws scratching against the concrete walls creating an creepy, unending chorus. Plus, these were not your typical small rats. They were like sewer rats who munched on steroids, each one as big as a cat. Their fur wasfilthy, slick with grime and streaks of dark, sticky substances. Each rat''s body was bloated, as if they had feasted on the decaying remains of countless victims. Their limbs were also unnaturally long and thin, giving them a more scary appearance that added to their creepy look. With mouths hung open, it revealed rows of jagged, bloodedteeth that dripped with saliva, creating a constant, hissing sound as it hit the ground. Their ears twitched erratically, and their eyes, bloodshot and bulging, seemed to pulsate with an unnatural, red glow. This scene would make anyone run for their life. One normal sewer rat was enough to make a person squirm in disgust and fear, imagine facing hundreds of thousands of them at once . As the swarm approached, the smell of filth and decay became overpowering , and the temperature seemed to rise, as if thebined heat of their fur was enough to warm the air around them. However¡ª Reign did not even flinch seeing the disgusting and creepy scene. As for the putrid odor emanating from them, he just ignored it, because it was not enough to bother him . This horde of rats was nothingpared to the giant pile of corruptedshe had massacred before. The two weren''t evenparable. As the rats closed in on him, he nted his feet firmly on the ground. With a casual motion, his mouth stretched and cracked from ear to ear, unleashing an inferno of mes that surged forth with intensetemperature.. The roaring torrent of fire filled the narrow confines of the tunnel, its blistering heat scorching everything in its path. The acrid scent of burning fur and flesh filled the air, mingling with the metallic tang of charred metal and the musty odor of old stone. As the mes engulfed the oing swarm of rodents, their squeaks of terror turned into agonized shrieks. The rats, their fur igniting like tinder, thrashed and writhed in a frenzied attempt to escape the searing heat. But despite the burning temperature, the flood of rodents continued to press forward because of their sheer number, pushing against the mes. Realizing the need to adjust, he decided to take things up a notch. ''You guys are just asking for it,'' With a sadistic smile creeping across his face, he found enjoyment in this confrontation. This sh wasn''t a fight; it was an opportunity to test his powers. NovelFire-chapter To add more prating power, he infused his fire breath with lightning, creating a devastatingbination that fried everything in its path. The rats continued to push through with their stampede, but despite their futile resistance, in the end, they all turned into ashes from the overwhelming temperature. When the dust and smoke settled, the once noisy tunnel became quiet, devoid of any sign of moving organism. . Only the pungent odor of charred rat flesh lingered in the air, a proof of the battle that just took ce. With each step he took, the ground crunched beneath his feet, the remains of the rats reduced to ckened ashes by his weight. ''That was fun,'' Reign chuckled finding the whole encounter more like a fun experience rather than a very dangerous situation. If anyone else had been present, they would have cursed him for being too arrogant. That wave of rats required a lot of firepower to exterminate. This was the reason why armored trains were equipped with their own heavy duty methrowers for these scenarios. And even with that, there were still cases where they got overrun by the hordes. Acting like nothing happened, he began to move forward again. What took ce just now was too irrelevant , that he did not even bothered thinking about it. It was like a man stepping on a bunch of ants; there was no need to dwell on it because it would be a waste of time. After traveling for another hour , he saw that there was a big hole on the wall of the tunnel . It was where those hordes of rats came from. Reign felt a strong urge to enter the hole, curious about the source of the rats. The mysterious opening beckoned him, making him wonder if there were hidden benefits or secrets to uncover inside. ''Should I?'' he mused inwardly. Checking the ce out shouldn''t take too much time, and if he just passed it by, he''d be left wondering what was inside. In the end, curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to explore. Chapter 156: [Bonus Chapter] Live Training He stepped into therge hole, carefully navigating through the rough, uneven edges. As he descended deeper into the tunnel, he noticed that it sloped downward at a steep angle. He estimated that he had already descended at least 50 meters downward since entering the tunnel, a long distance considering he was already underground. The air inside was damp and musty, carrying a faint odor of soil.Paths twisted and turned, narrowing at some points and widening at others. It was clear this was not a man-made structure, but rather something formed naturally or by the creatures that inhabited it. The further he went, the more he noticed signs of the rats: gnawed bones, shredded scraps of cloth, and deep w marks etched into the walls. After walking for another 15 minutes he found a cavern from which dozens of tunnels branched out in all directions. ''This ce is bigger than I thought. Don''t tell me this is a huge monster nest link together?'' he pondered, hesitating whether to proceed further. It wasn''t that he was afraid of being overwhelmed by a bunch of rats. With his durability and skills, he doubted they could even harm him, even if he let them bite him intentionally. However, what concerned him more was the amount of time he would waste checking all these tunnels. He weighed the potential benefits against the risks, considering the pros and cons of his exploration. ''I''ve been gone for months now, so adding a few more days won''t make a difference,'' he reasoned. It was better to explore this ce and search for something of value. For all he knew, this ce held something that could help him reach the status of a Demon Lord. Even after all his improvements and upgrades, when Reign inquired about his power level from the system, he was still ssified as a Peak Upper Level. This showed the huge gap between his current level and the next rank. ''Now let''s see¡­.'' his voice trailed off as he began feeling along each tunnel entrance. He was searching for a sign, or even a slight gut feeling, to guide him on which path to take. With how high his attributes were, he felt that having a knack for finding the right path shoulde naturally. As he felt each tunnel entrance, he focus his mind and let his instincts guide him. He locked on the subtle shifts in energy, the faintest whispers of the air, and the vibrations under his foot. Finally, one tunnel gave him a sense of curiosity and unease, abination that often led to something worthwhile. ''Let''s see where this goes,'' he muttered, stepping into the chosen tunnel. Experience more on m,vle,mp _yr. The air grew cooler as he walked, and for some reason he felt like there was something in the air. ''Could it be?'' Reign paused, then he increased his Viral sh from level 10 to 20 and began absorbing any virus that it could detect. Immediately, the air around him was sucked in as the ability took effect. He sensed a surge as the viruses were drawn towards him, swirling into his body like a whirlwind before settling into his special viral nd. [System : New Virus Created ] ===== Lethality :20% Incubation periods : 20 minutes Transmission routes : Close Contact Virulence : Medium. Symptoms: -Nausea -Vomiting -Migraine -Fever -Rashes ===== ''This virus will work wonders against humans, but against strong opponents, I doubt it could do much,'' Stronger individuals would have superhuman immune systems to kill the virus right away in their bodies, and he doubted it would work against demons who where basically walking virus themselves. Regardless, having this meant he could simte his own pandemic and kill a lot of humans if he needed to. Reign was tempted as he considered the possibilities. He could unleash this virus in human cities, creating chaos and weakening his soon to be food before they even knew what hit them. Of course, he wasn''t nning to use it right away, but having this in his arsenal gave him more options. The virus was a tool, a means to an end, and he would deploy it when the time was right. Reign continued his exploration, moving steadily through the tunnel. He sensed traces of the virus ahead, but it was the same strain he had already absorbed, weaker and less potent. It wouldn''t add much to the virus''s lethality. *** After about 20 minutes of travel, he finally reached the end of the tunnel, where it opened into a vast cavern. The ceiling was high, and the area was filled with the remnants of the rats'' activities. In the center of the room was arge, nest made of a tangled mess of debris, fur, and bones. ''This must be their breeding ground,'' he thought, his eyes scanning the room for anything of value. Among the clutter, he noticed a faint red glowing from beneath the nest. Intrigued, he approached it casually. However, before he could reach it, the ground began to shake violently. Suddenly, thousands and thousands of rats surged from every direction, surrounding himpletely. This swarm was at least Five timesrger than the previous one, a writhing, snarling mass of teeth and ws. In an instant, the wave of rats engulfed him. His body vanished beneath the horde as they bit into him ferociously, their crazed red eyes glinting with malice. The sound of gnashing teeth and scurrying feet filled the cavern, creating a disgusting grinding sound as they tried their best to devour his bone. ''These things are annoying,'' Reign sneered in contempt. Before the rats could surround him, he covered himself with an Exoskeleton. Enhanced with his negative energy, it became imprable from their attacks. No matter how fiercely they bit him, they couldn''t break through. However, that didn''t mean he would let them have their way unchecked. ''I''ll train you two for a bit,'' Reign mused, a good idea forming in his mind. First, he unleashed another fire breath, clearing a path. Then, with a powerful punch upward, he generated a shockwave that created a gap around him. Using this moment, he summoned Arc and Shackler, who immediately went into battle mode. Arc immediately showcased its improved ability as it summoned a lightning field around itself, killing thousands of rodents in an instant. With more breathing room, Arc spammed Lightning Strike, quickly exterminating the rats before they could regroup. As for Shackler, being way weaker than Arc, it struggled to defend itself, relying on her chains to hold the rats at bay. It was pitiful to watch her struggle, so Reign ended up assisting her, using his lightning to lower the load. He gave her with some breathing space to fight back, so she could used her chains as multiple whips to sh through the horde. ''I think she''s okay now'' Reign stepped back, content to observe from the sidelines as his two servants grew more and morefortable with fighting the horde. Their movements became fluid and coordinated, showcasing the progress they had made through the fight. As they battled on, Reign couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride in their growth. This was more than just a fight against rats; it was a valuable training opportunity for Arc and Shackler to hone their skills and be even more powerful servants. Chapter 157: [Bonus Chapter] Powerful Steps After the chaos finally settled, all that remained was a mountain of rat corpses. Some of the surviving rats, realizing the futility of the situation despite their limited intelligence, wisely chose to flee. When the coast was clear, Reign unsummoned the two and walked towards the nest, which surprisingly remained intact despite the chaos. He noticed how the rats were careful not to disturb this area, showing just how important this particr spot to them. Using his power, he incinerated the nest, revealing a hiddenitem beneath it. There, lying in the ashes, was a small, glowing dark-red crystal. It pulsed with a dark and red energy that resonated with his own powers. ''This thing is made of negative energy,'' he pondered to himself, realizing that the crystal was infused with the same energy that he has. Picking it up, he felt a surge of power flow through him. This was no ordinary crystal; it was a powerful artifact, likely the reason for the abnormal size and aggression of the rats. [Ding!] [System:Detected Natural Crystallize NegativeEnergy. Would you like to absorbed it?] "Natural Crystallized Negative Energy?" Reign inquired, unfamiliar with the term, (Natural Crystallized) [System: Natural Crystalized Negative Energy is a different type of Condensed Negative Energy. It possesses the ability to mutate weaker and small creatures through prolonged exposure] [But after the mutation, it reabsorbed back their negative energy to feed itself, making the mutated creatures unfit for farming EXP points ] ''So, this is like a different version of that thing,'' he muttered. He remembered the benefits he gained from absorbing Condensed Negative Energy back at the mental hospital. But unlike the previous one, this one was encased within a crystal, exining why he hadn''t detected anything until now. ''Absorbed,'' Reignmanded. The crystal gradually dimmed, its energy flowing into Reign''s body. However, rather than going directly toward his core, it dispersed elsewhere. He spected that the System might have absorbed it directly. [Level up+1] [Level up+1] [Congrattions, Host, for Absorbing Natural Crystallize Negative. You are rewarded with 100 attribute points.] ''Nice, '' Reign was satisfied with this haul. Leveling up twice was a big boost, especially given the vast number of Corrupted he had to consume just to level up once. And the 100 attribute points were a great bonus. If he managed to save more, he could upgrade his energy from SS- to SS. At that point, he would undergo another transformation, possibly reaching the level of Demon Lord. ''I knew it, I''m d I decided to explore this ce,'' Reign grinned from ear to ear, pleasantly surprised by the rewards he reaped.It exceeded his expectations by far. This mission was merely a side quest for him, but it yielded a substantial payoff. Itshowed the notion that those willing to take risks often stand the chance of hitting the jackpot. ''Maybe there are still some good stuff here ?'' Reign''s greed for more power drove him to scour and scout the area in search of more benefits. With a quick feet, he dashed through the tunnels, akin to a treasure hunter scouring a trove for valuable loot. However, his exploration yielded no further discoveries. Disappointed but not bothered, he realized that the paths only led in circles. Running around more would only be a futile waste of time and effort. With that in mind, he retraced his steps and made his way back to the train station tunnel to continue his travel . *** His Undead Eyes pierced through the darkness, revealing the path hidden within the depths of the underground train tunnel. ''How long is this thing ?'' he pondered the length of the tunnel, noticing that just walking was taking much of his time. He had been conserving his energy, wary of potential threats a head. But as time dragged on, impatience gnawed at him, urging him to pick up the pace. And so, as his second core reached full capacity, Reign wasted no time. Bending his knees and adopting a running position to enhance his aerodynamics, he dashed forward at an extreme speed. The red lightning converging at his feet as zoomed forward, his body turning into a blur . Only the sound of his movements lingered in the spot where he had been just moments ago, showing just how fast he was moving. The electric sparks crackling from his body resembled the sound of thousands of birds chirping, echoing through the tunnel. With each powerful steps, Reign''s speed increased exponentially, propelling him forward with a velocity that was even faster than the fastest bullet train. However, as his constant use of power continued, he realized that the amount of energy being burned was increasing just by stabilizing his speed. The reason for this was simple: the faster he moved, the more energy his body required to maintain that speed. The intense friction andair resistance created by his fast movement demanded exponentially more power, straining his energy reserves. Additionally, the lightning coursing through him had to work harder to keep up with his elerating speed, further depleting his already limited second core energy. Though he depleted one of his core pretty quickly, he retained his first core as a safety, ensuring he wasn''t left defenseless in case of an unexpected encounter. Unfortunately, there was one problem aside from his core and energy: his stamina. The reason was that he had pushed himself to stay awake for days on end while fighting almost all the time. Now, mentally and physically exhausted, he wanted to just sleep. It was like his brain or his soul was yearning for it. He leaned against the tunnel cold wall, allowing himself a moment to recover. Unlike his energy reserves,his stamina don''t regenerate when he was moving, so he needed to sleep from time to time. What about his energy ? His negative energy acted as an enhancer, but not aplete recement for his stamina. It was more like a drug, extending his stamina capacity beyond his limits, but still subject to eventual depletion. No matter how much energy he could channel to supplement his stamina, his physical body still required rest to recover fully.. With this knowledge in mind, hedecided to find a safe spot and rest to recharge his stamina first. After finding the perfect spot, he shrouded himself in negative energy, blending seamlessly into the darkness. It served a dual purpose: hiding him from potential threats and keeping him alert in case of sudden attacks. In this environment teeming with unknown creatures, caution was his best ally. He slept soundly, unbotheredby the surroundings, his trust in his abilities was just too high. It was almost amusing how he remained unfazed in a ce that others considered a nightmarish realm. But for a monster like him though, this ce wasn''t so bad at all. It was quiet, the air crisp and cold, and there was plenty of space for him to move around freely. *** After three hours, he finally woke up from his deep sleep. He felt refreshed and invigorated, his stamina fully restored. Now, he could move his body for days without needing to rest again. ''It''s time '' With renewed energy, he stood up and stretched his legs, ready to continue . The brief break had done wonders for him, and he was now ready to continue his travel. Chapter 158: [Bonus Chapter] Main Rails SWOOOOSH! Reign''s speed was beyond humanprehension, a blur of motion apanied by crackling sparks of lightning. To the untrained eye, it felt as if a powerful gust of wind had swept through . Now, with renewed energy and no worry of fatigue, he moved even faster. In no time, he reached his destination, finding himself in another abandoned station. He jumped onto the station tform and noticed an entrance. Stepping through it, he found himself in what appeared to be a long corridor. The area was filled with scattered debris, suggesting it had been abandoned for quite some time. Along the way, he found several doors and decided to check each one. He discovered a cafeteria, sleeping quarters, and various other amenities meant to serve passengers during their wait. It seemed dys in the train schedule were frequent, so they had set up these rooms to amodate travelers. But among all the rooms he discovered, one ce made him stop in his tracks: the CCTV room. He hurriedly checked the monitors to see if they were recording, and they were. Seeing this, he decided to take out the physical hard drive from the PC and started destroying it. To ensure all evidence was erased, he then burned the entire room down, watching as the mes consumed everything. ''I doubt anyone could recover anything now,'' he remarked yfully, a smirk spreading across his face as he watched the mes. Once the mes had consumed the CCTV room, he resumed his stroll. He walked down the corridor until he reached arge metal door at the end. Locked from the other side, it presented a little challenge. BAM! Reign smirked and punched it, the force dislodging the door from its frame with a loud crash. When he got a clear view of the other side, he was shocked by the stark contrast between the two area. It felt like he had teleported through time, with technology suddenly advancing by 10-20 years. The once derelict surroundings gave way to sleek, modern designs, advanced machinery, and well-lit spaces. It was as if he had stepped into a different era entirely. This station was wayrger than what he saw in Summit City, with a design that seemed almost out of ce in the deste dark underground. Moreover, the tunnel itself was two timesrger, with two railings instead of just one . The floor was also polished to a mirror-like finish, reflecting the dim lights that lined the walls. These lights, unlike the flickering bulbs before, emitted a steady, soft glow, illuminating the station with an almost serene ambiance. There was some dust buildup on the floors and walls, but not enough to suggest long-term neglect. It hinted that the ce had been abandoned recently. He tried to damage the hard looking walls, channeling 15% of his raw strength without adding any energy on it before he could scratched it. 15% of his raw strength was already enough to destroy a normal wall multiple times over, so this just showed how hard the material used to construct this station was. "This thing is tough," he mused aloud, acknowledging the material''s durability. He couldn''t even begin to fathom how much the human race had spent to build this ce. How wealthy were they to afford this despite being hunted to the brink of extinction? Little did Reign knew, despite the ongoing challenges posed by the Corrupted, humanity remained a resilient race. They disyed their adaptability through their relentless pursuit of technological advancement. In fact , the station''s material originated just from ordinary minerals, but through decades of human ingenuity and innovation, they created a new type of artificial hard metal, through a secret processed that was closely guarded by the government. This breakthrough spared them from the exhaustive and expensive process of extensive mining, and at the same time boosted the defenses of their cities by using a harder version of this metals. Without this inherent human traits, they might have faced extinction long ago. But, their resourcefulness has defied the odds, prolonging the existence of the human race despite the relentless challenges posed by the world itself. ''It''s strange,'' Reign muttered to himself, taking in the somehow clean appearance of the station. ''This ce looks clean, but there''s no one around,'' he added, noting the absence of any signs of living beings. ''What happened to this ce?'' he wondered as he looked around the station, until his gaze fell on an office. How did he know it was an office? Well, there was a literal sign on it that read "Administrative Office." CLICK! He opened the door ; it wasn''t locked, so he was able to essed it without any resistance. Stepping inside, he found himself in a room that, despite theck of humans in the station, was surprisingly well-preserved. He began his search methodically, starting with the desk in the front of the room until thest corner. Pulling open the drawers, he rifled through stacks of old papers and documents. Many of the documents were covered in a very thinyer of dust, suggesting that no one had been here for at least a months. Alternatively, it could be that the employees were just toozy to clean their own drawers. He quickly scanned each one, discarding anything that wasn''t useful. wee to mvle mp,y,r Next, he moved to the filing cabs along the wall. He opened each drawer, sorting through folders and files, looking for any sign of a rail map or anything useful. His movements were precise and efficient, driven by the urgency to find his way to Green Valley City. Reign''s eyes darted around the room,nding on a bookshelf filled with manuals and logbooks. He pulled out a few, flipping through their pages quickly. Finally, in the back of one of the logbooks, he found what he was looking for¡ªa detailed rail road map He spread the map out on the desk, studying the intricatework of tracks and tunnels. Tracing the routes with his finger, he pinpointed his current location and charted the course he needed to take to reach Green Valley City. ''What''s this ?'' A paper drop down when he raised the logbook. As he knell to look at it , he found that the material used in this paper was different . He looked closer and finally figured out what was going. ording to this memo, Green Valley City Council had announced the total closure of Summit City Area, instructing all personnel to abandon the ce due to the imminent threat of the Corrupteds reaching the area. As for this ce itself, it served only as a boarding station. Since the armored trains could pass through using the main tracks without stopping here, they deemed it unnecessary to station personnel in this location. ''So much for a free ride,'' Reign sighed, feeling a bit disappointed. He nced at the map again, noting that Summit City was at the far end of this region. With its closure, trains would now likely stop at the next Tier 4 City instead. With limited option, he ran his fingers across the map, searching for the nearest city and noting its distance from his current location. ''Crestwood City, huh,'' Reign muttered to himself. It was the closest city around, but it was still a staggering 1500 kilometers away. ''This will be a long walk,'' Chapter 159: Family Legacy Hunter Association Office . "Sir, urgent news! Summit City isn''t the only one. Other Tier 4 cities have been attacked by a horde of Corrupteds as well," a woman in ck brazers eximed, her voice tinged with concern. She nervously tugged at a strand of her long brown hair as she continued, "We''re baffled how they breached our detection systems. It''s like they''ve found a way to bypass it," "Corrupteds outsmarting us humans? Don''t joke around.," scoffed a man in his 80s, though he looked to be in his 60s because of how physically fit he was. "It''s not a good joke ," He shook his head, his wrinkled brow furrowing deeper with each passing moment. The old man remembered the countless encounters with Corrupteds throughout his life, each one a harrowing struggle for survival. Just the thought of these creatures evolving to outsmart humanity sent a chill down his spine, stirring up memories of past losses and failures. This old man, was the Hunter Association Head Director, who had earned his position through sheer effort and achievement as a field Hunter. He was a far cry from the director of Summit City, who had only attained his position through connections rather than merit. "The only reason we''vested this long is because those damn monsters don''t use their minds. And now you''re telling me they''re using tactics?" he asked, his voice filled with irritation, not directed at the woman, but at the disturbing hypothesis . "I apologize, Sir," the woman bowed her head, her voice tinged with sincerity . "It''s just the spection circting among our researchers. The attacks were too deliberate, almost as if someone weremandingthem." Her words sent a shiver down the spine of the Director. The possibility of a mastermind behind the chaos added a new level of danger to an already very bad situation. The Director clenched his jaw, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the table. "If someone is pulling the strings," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, "then we''re facing an enemy far more dangerous than we ever imagined." The air in the room grew heavy with apprehension as the implications of this revtion sank in. The threat of the Corrupteds might no longer just be a force of nature to be reckoned with but a sinister plot being controlled by an unknown enemy. But that was a topic he needed to discuss with someone of higher authority. It was futile to address it with his assistant. "What''s the status of the other cities?" he asked, his voice filled with urgency as he shifted the conversation immediately. He knew he had to ensure that those cities didn''t fall, or else the entire supply chain of goods for Green Valley and other Tier 3 cities would be jeopardized. "The other cities are holding fine for now, and we were able to send our backup on time, but this has strained our own manpower," the woman responded, "I see," the director pondered for a moment, a furrow deepening on his brow. "Alright, I''ll ask a Tier 2 city to send us some reinforcements." The weight of the decision hung heavy in the air, each word spoken carrying the burden of the city''s survival. In the face of an escting threat, every choice made could mean the difference between victory or total annihtion. "Is that all you have to report ?" The Director asked. The woman hesitated for a moment before adding, "And also your grandson wanted to talk to you about getting another position in the HQ." Her voice carried a hint of disgust , revealing her dislike for the grandson. It stemmed from past incidents where the director''s grandson had disyed entitlement and arrogance, qualities that grated on her nerves and shed with her own values of hard work and integrity. "That spoiled brat! If he had reported to us right away, then Summit City would have not fallen that fast," the director grumbled, his frustration rising. Discover more at mvlempy _r. Memories of the chaos and devastation caused by the Corrupteds'' attack flooded his mind, each one magnified by the realization that his overweight grandson was partly responsible for being irresponsible. He knew it was wrong to have put him in that position, but the pressure of family expectations had clouded his judgment. Now, the consequences of that decision weighed heavily on his conscience. "Don''t let him in here. Tell him to stay at his mansion or I will beat the shit out of him!," the director roared in anger. *** Inside a room located within the Hunter Association, a sense of refine taste enveloped the VIP space. The decor was simple and clean, with neutral tones andsmooth lines dominating the design. Plush leather couches and armchairs offeredfortable seating, inviting guests to rx and unwind. Against one wall stood a sleek wooden bar, stocked with an array of fine wines and spirits, each bottle gleaming under the soft ambient lighting. Crystal sses sparkled atop the polished surface, ready to be filled with the drink of choice. At the edge of the room, arge t-screen TV hung on the wall, providing entertainment for VIP guests while they wait. CLICK! The door of the room opened and the same woman who was talking to the director just moments ago entered. "What happened? Did you talk to grandpa?" asked the man with a big belly, none other than the ipetent director of Summit City Hunter''s Association. His tone tinged with impatience. Despite enjoying the luxuries of his wealthy lifestyle, he couldn''t shake the longing for the power and control he once had. "The director doesn''t want to talk to you," the woman answered, her tone firm and businesslike. But, beneath herposed exterior, a hint of disgust flickered in her eyes. "That''s impossible! My grandpa loves me. I''ll talk to him!" he grumbled defiantly, attempting to leave the room. However, a group of guards quickly blocked his path, preventing his exit. "Please escort the director''s grandson back to his mansion," the woman ordered, her voicemanding and authoritative. "Let go of me ! Don''t you know who I am ?" he roared in anger. But despite his protests, it was clear that his attempts to talk to the director would not be tolerated. "You will regret this! You bitch!" he spat, his face contorted with rage. "Once I inherit the position, I will make you suffer!" With a defiant gesture, he raised his hand and use his middle finger to cursed her, a final disy of his contempt before being escorted out of the room. ''How can that sorry excuse of a person be part of the prestigious ZaldyckFamily?'' She shook her head in disbelief, unable to reconcile the behavior of the grandson with the esteemed legacy of his grandfather. As she thought back to the Director''s younger days as a Tier 2 Rank 50 Hunter, admiration filled her heart. He had been a symbol of strength, honor, and integrity, respected by all who knew him. Inparison, the grandson''s actions only served to tarnish the family name, a bitter pill for her to swallow. The contrast between the two generations weighed heavily on her mind, leaving her with a sense of unease and concern for the future of the family. Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times. This saying couldn''t be more true in this particr asion. Chapter 160: Collections of the Rich? Reign resumed his journey, his Undead Eyes peering through the darkness and guiding him through it . Well, not like he needed to see anyway, considering that it was just a straight line. Regardless, the tunnel still looked endless, stretching into the abyss with no end in sight. For a normal person, this ce would be disorienting and suffocating. But for him, it made no difference as he zoomed through it, sparks of crimson lightning covering his body as he became more ustomed to using it. This technique was Arc''s specialty, further improved by Reign''s unique physiqued. Unlike humans, he did not have skin or a lot of liquid in his body, so he could use this skill without fearing a bacsh. He moved really fast, but not at his maximum speed, saving some of his energy for potential threats and the long path ahead. With his pacing, he saw a corner in the distance within 30 minutes. He recalled it vividly from the map as the first corner before the entrance to the main railways, where all the armored trains passed through. Now, with a simple turn to the right, he could continue his journey until he reached Crestwood City. However¡ª ''Wait¡­.'' he stopped in his track, as he sensed something odd. He could smell humans. So he extinguished all his shy lights and merged with the darkness, blending seamlessly into the shadows. Next, he honed his focus on his eyes, forcing the red orb to dim until it vanished entirely. With his evolution, he had gained better control over his body''s functions. Though his red glowing eyes were cool, they were a dead giveaway in such a dark ce. Slowly, he peered around the corner, keeping a watchful eye on the situation ahead. The tunnel in front of him had widened, revealing a number of military equipment scattered about. The guards wore imposing advanced exoskeletons adorned with ck and metallic patterns. He recognized this suit as the same one that the Scorpion Mercenaries were using, maybe even more advanced. Behind them was an armored train, a huge presence in the dimly lit tunnel. It was not the normal war train. Aside from being fully armored, it boasted an array of sleek, futuristic design elements. Along its hard frame were mounted an assortment of weapons, from menacing cannons , Tactical Gatling Gunsto sleek missileunchers. The windows were anything but ordinary; they were likely reinforced with advanced materials, capable of withstanding even the most intense assaults. This was no ordinary machine; it was a result of advance engineering, designed to dominate the battlefield with raw firepower and durability. ''What is this thing doing here?'' he mused, his gaze intensifying as he scrutinized the surroundings. Then, suddenly, he realized that something was off. Behind the train, there were no more tunnels. Instead, there was only walls. ''That''s weird,'' he muttered, scratching his head. ''I''m pretty sure the map says there''s a merging tunnel here.'' He pondered for a moment, then double-checked the map. No matter how much he flipped it upside down, he discovered that it was not urate at all. ''This map is fake,'' Reign sighed. ''Maybe they put this fake map as a decoy?'' he pondered. He wasn''t angry; he was impressed. It was a clever tactic. Hiding something would be more troublesome, so providing fake information was a smart move. As for why they did it, maybe some incident urred before that prompted them to think of countermeasures to avoid leaking the real map of the railways. ''This is good news,'' he thought, a big grin appearing on his face as he contemted ways to sneak in. He didn''t know how to operate the train or the procedures and protocols on handling it, so it was better not to attack and just hide inside. ''But what are they doing in this ce?'' he pondered, turning his view to another area where they were loading something. It was sealed in a metal container, and whatever it was, it must be very important judging by the amount of security in ce. ''I need to get closer,'' He looked up and saw that the ceiling was much higher . CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Gradually, his body became much smaller again. This was the same technique he used in Cyril''s family mansion to decrease his visibility and walk on the ceiling without attracting much attention. He first checked his hands, making sure they were ready for the task. With his bone control , he adjusted their grip to ensure they could securely hold onto the ceiling. ''I think this good enough, '' His fingers flexed, and he felt ready to proceed. As he climbed the walls, his senses heightened, scanning for any sign of detection. Seeing that the area was secure, he began crawling upside down, his body adapting effortlessly to the inverted position. The metal container, guarded byyers of security, drew closer with each of his movements. But none of the oblivious military personnel were aware that above them, a monster was observing their every move. ''What is that smell?'' Reign grumbled inwardly. He was pretty much immune to any type of smell, but the one inside the containers made him sick. It was really weird, considering that not even the decaying smells of countless rats were enough to make him flinch. What was even weirder was that the humans did not seem to mind it at all. His curiosity grew, but he reminded himself that digging deeper into the containers'' contents wasn''t his priority. He hade here because his n was to enter the train undetected . Reign''s focus locked in as he surveyed the area, his eyes scanning for the perfect opportunity to infiltrate one of the containers. He observed the movements of the guards, carefully noting their patterns and vulnerabilities. Slowly but surely, he maneuvered down to an area where he could crouch, hidden from view. With patience, he waited for the perfect moment to make his move. While he hid in the shadows, he noticed a briefpse in the guards'' attention. It was his chance ! With silent steps, he darted across the space between containers, his movements smooth and quick. ''This thing is good,'' he muttered to himself, relieved to feel a vacant space inside the container as he touched it. ''Now let''s see if it has any type of security features,'' he wondered as his hand trailed off. Finding none, he searched for a way to open it without creating too much chaos. It was a good thing he could reform his bones, so with the normal lock in ce he was able to bend and recreate a spare key. CLICK! As the container opened, he wasted no time getting inside. Next, he quickly searched for a ce where he could hide safely, knowing that time was of the essence. "Hey, this ce still has plenty of space. Put those things in here," an armed man directed, pointing toward the container to the people responsible for hauling it. Following the order, they began to enter the space to assess its capacity. Get hooked on mvl _emp _yr novels. "What''s this?" one of the haulers pondered aloud, reaching out to touch what appeared to be arge ck-red egg-shaped object within the container. "Maybe that''s one of those rich guys'' collections? You know how art goes for the wealthy, right?" another hauler chimed in, sarcasm dripping from his voice as they examined the peculiar object. Chapter 161: Free Ride He felt a subtle vibration emanating from outside his eggshell, located among other stuffs in the container. It had been his best option when he entered it. By assuming the guise of an egg, he bet on the chance that they would merely pass him off as part of the collection, a mere art piece among many. The egg he had created around himself featured a striking pattern of ck and red lightning. To the untrained eye, it appeared as an intricate piece of artwork, blending seamlessly with the other stuff in the container . It had been a risky gamble, but one that ultimately paid off . ''Close call,'' he chuckled to himself, grateful for the ipetence of the haulers. It seemed they never considered the possibility of a monster like him lurking inside the egg. Now he just needed to wait here until he reached the next city. THUD! The reverberating thud echoed through his container, signaling its safe loading onto the train. Even without seeing it, he could feel the vibration beneath him, confirming its secure cement . As he waited for everything to be finished, he noticed asional scratching sounds echoing around him. Each scrape hinted at the arrival of more containers being ced beside his own, filling the space with sounds of movement and activity. After 30 minutes, the sound stop, reced by a buzzing noise akin to a metal door closing in. ''Finally over,'' he sighed All he craved now was to sleep. It wasn''t fatigue that drove this desire, but the confinement of the small space. The limited room made him long to sleep through the entire journey. However, he couldn''t afford to rx just yet. He wanted to figure out how this train would leaved this seemingly confined tunnel, relying on the vibrations around him to get insight into the process. Why bother with the vibration? His abilities had frustrating limitations. His Undead eyes couldn''t see through walls as he desired. With this ability, he could only see people or any other living organism on the other side of walls, but nothing else around them, especially non living organism. Hecked x-ray vision; in his view, he could only perceive their energy signature and nothing more. CREAK! CREAK! CREAK! As the train started to jolt, he felt his body being lifted up. At first, he was disoriented, unsure of what was happening. But then it clicked. It wasn''t moving forward; it was being lifted toward the surface. The train ascended steadily, the vibrations beneath him intensifying with each passing moment. He could hear therge gears grinding and nking, straining to lift the massive train. The sounds and movements made his confined space feel even smaller, increasing his desire to sleep through the entire journey. Then, suddenly, there was a final crank, and he felt the unmistakable sensation of the train breaking through the surface. ''So that''s how they did it,'' he mused inwardly. The train was now surrounded by ck miasma, its imposing appearance shrouded in darkness. Despite this ominous dark atmosphere , its sturdy frame and formidable presence remained unchanged. "Connect the other rail cars!"manded a person in a full ck armorbat suit. The suit, equipped with a gas tank, hissed softly as he moved. His helmet, designed to filter out the toxic miasma, sealed tightly around his head, ensuring he could breathe safely. Without wasting time , the crew sprang into action, quickly attaching additional rail cars to the waiting train . Travel between cities was not thatmon, so the armored train made the most of each journey by maximizing its load. As the crew diligently connected the additional rail cars, their eyes scanned the assortment of cars now joining the train. First came the cargo cars, their sturdy framesden with crates and containers of various sizes. Some bore the markings of food supplies, while others held equipment and machinery essential for the functioning of distant outposts and cities. These cars were the lifeblood of the journey, ensuring that vital resources reached their destinations in a timely manner. Following closely behind were the troop transport cars, their interiors outfitted with rows of seating and storagepartments. Here, soldiers in uniform awaited departure. Alongside them were the armored vehicles, their sleek designs a testament to their capabilities. Tanks and other heavy weaponry were secured tightly to the tbed cars, ready to be deployed at a moment''s notice should the need arise. Amidst the cargo and military equipment, there were also cars dedicated to civilian passengers. These cars boastedfortable seating and amenities designed to make the journey as pleasant as possible. Families huddled together, their belongings stowed neatly overhead as they waited for the train to run again As the final cars were connected, the sound of the train slowly elerating roared to life, drowning out all other noise. Reign felt the force pressing him back into his container as the train surged forward, picking up speed with each passing moment. The train he was inside of was unlike any he had ever encountered in his old world. This was no ordinary lotive; it was a marvel of modern engineering, powered by a nuclear engine that propelled it forward with astonishing speed. Unlike traditional trains limited by the capabilities of their engines, this advanced marvel could carry a lot of load, without sacrificing its speed too much. ''It''s time to sleep,'' he muttered to himself. Curling into a fetal position, he shut down his eyes and began to drift off. He had no ns to do anything until his container was unloaded, letting the vibrations of the train lull him into a deep sleep. "Hey, did you hear what happened to the other armored train?" atrain officer spoke. He was wearing a train officer''s blue uniform, which included a neatly pressed jacket adorned with brass buttons, crisp trousers, and a matching cap with a shiny badge. His polished ck boots and a utility belt carrying various toolspleted the look, giving him a professional appearance. Another person train staff spoke, his interest piqued. "Were there any casualties?" The officer shook his head. "Thankfully, no. But the train sustained some damage. It''s in the repair yard now, undergoing extensive maintenance." "Sounds intense," the man remarked, ncing out the window where all he could see was darkness. "It was," the officer agreed. "But our crews are well-trained to handle these situations. Safety is always our top priority." The man nodded in understanding, a sense of respect evident in his expression. m vl _emp y,r the story tform "Well, I''m d everyone made it out okay." "Me too," the officer replied with a solemn nod. "Let''s hope we have a smooth journey ahead of us." Outside, the miasma swirled ominously, casting darkness over thendscape. But the train pressed on, its powerful engines propelling it forward . Meanwhile, within the variouspartments of the train, passengers and crew members alike exchanged stories to kill some time. Despite the oppressive presence of the miasma, there was an unspoken sense of unity among those aboard the armored train. Little did they know, there was someone far more dangerous than the miasma outside¡ªa powerful monster who was currently sleeping without a care in the world. Chapter 162: Free Ride Part 2 "How many more kilometers?" asked the man who looked like a higher-ranking military officer. Unlike the train staff members, who wore blue uniforms, this person wore a ck suit with gold epaulets on the shoulders and a row of medals pinned to his chest, typical of high-ranking military officers. The suit was sharply tailored, with brass buttons gleaming in the light. He was responsible formanding the military personnel if the train came under attack by a horde of corrupted. "Just 100 kilometers until we reach the next city," the driver replied, his eyes focused on the radar. This train didn''t emit any light to avoid attracting the attention of the corrupted, so looking outside which was filled with miasma was futile. Even the ss had something on it that stopped the light from passing through. Instead, the train was equipped with state-of-the-art radar that could detect vibrations in the air. This advanced system used vibrations because the ck Miasma blocked ultrasonic signals, making traditional radar ineffective. The same miasma also rendered long-distancemunication impossible, isting the train from outside help in case it got stopped. "Good, but don''t becent," the higher-ranking officer reminded, his voice stern amidst the tension permeating the room. "I heard there were multiple attacks in other Tier 4 cities, so we need to be careful." "Yes, sir, but why are these sudden attacks happening? Why are the Corrupteds bing more aggressive?" the driver asked, his brow furrowed with worry. "I don''t know, but maybe this is rted to what happenedst year, do you still remember it?" The officer''s gaze drifted to a distant memory. "Of course, we were traveling that time when all the Miasma just disappeared for a minute. That was really a great feeling, witnessing the world transform before our eyes. Even now, I still dream of that scene from time to time. I wish my wife and daughter were there to witness it" the driver eximed, a wistful smile tugging at his lips as he reminisced. "Same... but ever since that day, the Corrupteds have be more aggressive. I''m afraid that something big ising in the future," the officer sighed, his shoulders sagging from stressed. Unlike the driver, he has ess to more information, a burden that weighed heavily on his shoulders. It was a challenge the military and government now grappled with¡ªa sobering realization that even with humanity''s technological advancements, resources remained military . With each city''s fall, their already stretched resources dwindled further, increasing the danger of their situation. The government kept these scary findings from the public to prevent mass panic. The driver, hearing him, gulped nervously, his throat dried as he gathered his thoughts to respond. "We are okay, right?" the driver''s voice wavered slightly, revealing the anxiety eating at him. "I mean, we are operating mostly in the Tier 4 and Tier 3 railways. But still..." "Don''t worry, this ce is still safer than the Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas. Those ces were like hell on Earth," the officer cut the conversation, attempting to lighten the mood. But as if raising their own death g , the radar rm system suddenly red, jolting them into action. As the driver nced at his scren, his blood ran cold at the sight of multiple red dots multiplying rapidly. What started as a few hundred soon swelled into thousands, painting the entire radar screen red. "Not good," the driver eximed, his voice filled with urgency as he quickly activated the train rm system. With a sharp beep, the lights inside the train shifted from clear to an rming shade of red, signaling the imminent danger they faced. "Emergency, I repeat, Emergency, we are approaching a Corrupted Horde," the driver''s voice reverberated through the train, jolting everyone. As his warning echoed repeatedly through the train, passengers exchanged worried nces, their hearts pounding in their chests as the gravity of the situation sank in. Some sped their hands tightly together, others whispered hurried prayers under their breath, their fear visible in their faces. Back to the Control Room. The general hurriedly took his seat, fingers flying over the control panel as he initiated the connection with the earpieces of all the current military personnel aboard the train. With each press of a button, a sense of urgency filled the air, preparing the soldiers for the imminent battle ahead But relying solely on the military was not sufficient. The general''s voice echoed through the train''s inte system, delivering clear and concise instructions to all military personnelsand individuals withbat capabilities. "Listen up," hemanded, his tone authoritative butposed, "in the event that the train is forced to a stop, all personnel capable ofbat are to wear theirbat suits and air tanks located in the end of each cars immediately. We''ll fight the horde head-on if necessary, but our priority is to keep moving towards our destination. Stay vignt and be prepared for anything." Military personnel andbat-ready individuals exchanged quick nces, their expressions reflecting a mix of determination and apprehension. Some nodded in acknowledgment, while others adjusted their gear , preparing for the potential confrontation. "Don''t stop and go full straight ahead!" the high-ranking officer ordered, his voicemanding and firm. Stopping here would mean their death. Discover magic on m-vlemp _yr. Hearing the order, the driver gripped a particr lever tightly and pushed it upward. With a low hum, the train''s speed surged, the engines roaring with more power. He also clicked a button, causing all the windows on the train to shut closed, covered with metal panels. "Everyone, hold on tight! We''re ramming into the horde!" the driver shouted over the intes , his voice brave despite the mounting tension. Bracing himself against the impending impact, he steeled his resolve, ready to confront the oing threat head-on. In response to the driver''s call, everyone who heard it also braced themselves for the impending sh. Soldiers tightened their grips on whatever they could hold onto, while civilians huddled together, seeking whatever shelter they could find within the confines of the train. Hearts pounded in chests, adrenaline surged through veins, and every individual steeled themselves for the inevitable impact . As the armored train hurtled forward at breakneck speed, the tension inside the carriage was increasing. The sounds of the wheels against the tracks echoed throughout, each beat a countdown to the impending collision . Then, in a deafening sound, the train collided with the oing mass of corrupted beings. Metal screeched against flesh, and the entire train jolted violently as it plowed through the horde with full force. Inside, passengers were thrown about like rag dolls, their screams merging with the sound of grinding metal and shattering bones. Some clung to their seats with desperation, while others were flung to the floor, their bodies bruised and battered by the impact. "Don''t stop!" The driver''s voice reverberated through the control room. With every ounce of strength, he clung to the lever, his knuckles red with exertion as he ensured that the train kept moving forward. As he gritted his teeth, his mind briefly wandered to the reason why he had taken on this dangerous but lucrative job. It wasn''t just for the thrill or the challenge¡ªit was for his family. So he could give them a good life despite the high cost of living in human cities. With each heartbeat, the memory of their faces shed before his eyes, filling him with determination to fulfill the promise he had made to them. "Daddy''s going to get back home, no matter what, sweetie!" he roared, his voice filled with determination and fatherly love. Chapter 163: Free Ride Part 3 CRANK!!!! With a bone-jarring shudder, the train came to a stop, its brakes screeching against the tracks as it grinded to a standstill. Unfortunately, no amount of fatherly love could stop the wave after wave advances of the massive horde of monsters. This was not like those novels and anime, where the power of friendship and love conquers all, reality proved to be far harsher. His efforts were futile, and all the exaggerated shouting amounted to nothing in the face of such overwhelming odds. "N¡ª No way," the driver stuttered, his voice trembling with disbelief as he stared at the radar, which glowed red with the sheer number of corrupted. It was the first time they had encountered such a massive horde, and the realization sent a chill down his spine. "Deploy the methrower!" the high-ranking officermanded. He knew that sumbing to shock would only worsen their situation, and immediate action was imperative. After hearing hismand, a series of small holes appeared on all sides of the train, and it began spewing mes in all directions. This was a defense mechanism designed specifically for situations like these. As mes engulfed the train''s perimeter, passengers felt the sudden rise in temperature, their skin prickling with the heat. They couldn''t see beyond the metal confines of the train, but they could feel the impact whenever a corrupted mmed against the walls. Each loud bang reverberated through the interior, amplifying the sense of fear and making the situation even more terrifying. Outside, the air was filled with the sickening stench of burning flesh as the mes incinerate everything trying to harm the train. However¡ª As the screams of the corrupted grew louder and more frantic, panic rippled through the passengers. Panic whispers filled the air as they exchanged fearful nces, their hearts pounding with terror at the attack happening just beyond the metal walls. Some pressed themselves against the windows, straining to catch a glimpse of the horrors outside, while others retreated into the corners of the carriage, seeking whatever refuge they could find . "Use the missiles and cannons to destroy the targets which are far from us," the high-ranking officermanded to deploy the train''s heavier weaponry. "Yes sir, " his subordinates behind him sprang into action. They manned the weapon control panels , fingers flying over buttons and switches as they activated the train''s arsenal of cannons and missiles. The air was filled with tension as the weapons systems hummed to life, ready to unleash their devastating firepower. "Fire!" Hemanded. BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! Explosions rocked the surrounding area as missiles streaked through the air, finding their targets. Next, cannons roared to life, unleashing torrents of firepower that tore through the corrupted ranks with devastating force The air filled with the acrid stench of smoke and burning flesh as the train became a beacon of destruction, its formidable arsenal raining down death on everything on it''s path. This was human weaponry flexing its might against all odds. However¡ª "What''s happening? Why are the number of corrupted not decreasing?" the High ranking Officer asked in disbelief, his brow furrowed with concern. Despite the train''s formidable firepower, the horde of corrupted seemed unbothered , their numbers showing no signs of diminishing. Enjoy exclusive content from m|v|le|mp|yr. ''What''s that noise?'' Reign mumbled, his voice filledwith irritation after he was jolted awake from his deep sleep by themotion outside. ''Neven mind , I''m not interested,'' With a dismissive wave of his hand, he remained nestled in his eggshell, uninterested in the chaos unfolding beyond it. To him, it was just another bothersome disturbance in an otherwise peaceful day. And if things go smoothly, this train would be able to handle it, and continue on its way. That was his guess at first. But the sound of explosions did not stop; instead, it intensified further. Now, the sound of gunfire joined the fray as the army and otherbatants were forced to go outside and battle the horde of Corrupted before they could destroy the whole train. "Please save us," the civilians began to pray, their voices trembling with fear as they watched the armed personnel ready themselves to fight off the corrupted on their own. *** 1 Hour Later. Another armored train emerged from the direction of the city. As the new train approached, the officers and crew members onboard surveyed the scene with grim faces, their expressions hardened by the sight of the sprawling sea of corrupted that was before them. They knew that they had to act fast and decisively to eliminate the threat and find a way to see if the other train was still intact, or has some survivors. "Fire !" the officermanded. BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! Multiple explosion shook thendscape as missiles and cannons tore through them. The battle raged on for another 15 minutes, each passing moment filled with tension and uncertainty as the officers and crew members fought tirelessly to eradicate the threat. And finally, as thest echoes of gunfire and bomb faded into the distance, a heavy silence settled over the scene, broken only by the smoldering remnants of the dead corrupteds and the hum of the armored train . "Check for survivors," the high-ranking officermanded. Immediately, a group of soldiers inbat suits stepped out and began to search the remains of the first train. They moved in an orderly fashion, scanning the wreckage for any signs of life amidst the devastation. From the outside, it looked heavily damaged, with many parts destroyed or pierced through, indicating that the corrupted had breached its defenses and infiltrated its interior. The train''s once formidable exterior was now marred by gaping holes and twisted metal, a testament to the ferocity of the attack. "Be careful, some of these vile monsters might still be inside," a soldier warned, raising his hand to signal his team to proceed with caution as they prepared to enter the train. "Roger," the team responded, falling into formation behind him as they cautiously advanced into the damaged train. Their senses were on high alert, every creak of metal echoing through the dimly lit interior like an warning. The air was heavy with the scent of smoke and decay, adding to the sense of horror that hung in the air. But they did not cower in fear; they were trained for this type of job, after all. "12 o''clock!" one soldier shouted As anticipated, the soldiers encountered several corrupted inside the train. Using their expertise, they engaged the enemies inbat, their weapons shing in the darkness as they fought to protect themselves and each other. After killing the corrupteds, the soldiers shifted their focus to searching for survivors. Theybed through thepartments and corridors, their hearts heavy with the weight of the task at hand. However, their efforts were met with only silence and death. Everypartment they entered revealed only lifeless bodies of the corrupteds, their eyes vacant and dead. "It''s weird," one of them spoke, his voice muffled by his helmet. "What''s weird?" asked hisrades, their attention piqued by his observation. "I don''t see any remains at all. Normally, it takes time for a dead body to turn into corrupted," he pointed out, his tone tinged with confusion. The other soldier looked at him, and they too were thinking the same thing. Chapter 164: Free Ride Part 4 "Maybe the corrupteds ate thempletely?" one of the soldiers spected. "No way," another soldier replied. Read first at m-vle-mpyr. "Corrupteds don''t normally do that. They just kill their prey and let the miasma turn the corpse into more of them. That''s the reason why they are so troublesome in the first ce." He added. "That was before, right?" the first soldier who suggested that corrupted ate the victim responded. "I mean, we''ve heard a lot of rumors about this bastards being more aggressive. Maybe they''ve evolved, or the corruption process has sped up." Even now, the corrupted existence remained a mystery, so his words resonated deeply with the other soldiers in a bad way/ "Evolved? Please don''t say something so terrifying. If these things evolve any further, humanity is doomed," another soldier chimed in, his voice tinged with unease. Just the thought of it was enough to unsettle him. "Let''s stop arguing and making assumptions," the team leader interrupted. "Roger" "Roger" "Roger" Respecting the hierarchy, everyone quicklyplied. The group then refocused on the mission at hand, prioritizing their search for any possible survivors. "Let''s head to the control room. That ce has reinforced metal, so there might still be survivors there," instructed by the team leader. Everyone nodded in agreement and followed his lead, their focus sharp as they made their way through the wreckage towards the control room. However¡ª "Shit, even the control room got destroyed," the team leader eximed, his voice tinged with frustration and disbelief as he lowered his gun. "Can a zombified corrupted even do this?" asked one of the members, gesturing towards the heavily shreddedreinforced metal door . It was designed to withstand attacks; even a canon wouldn''t be able to destroy it easily, much less rip it off. The anomaly of the door''s damage added to the mystery surrounding the situation, leaving the team with more questions than answers. The leader conducted a thorough inspection of the interior, finding it empty. His scrutiny then turned to the door, where the damage was evident. It was clear from the torn edges and bent metal that it had been ripped off with sheer brute strength. "Let''s report this to the major immediately. We might be facing something far more powerful than zombified corrupteds," he dered, his voice was serious as he pondered the gravity of their findings Corrupteds were categorized into various sses, with Zombified Corruptedsprising thergest group but also ranking as the weakest among them. With only about double the strength of an average human, it was impossible that they could tear off heavily reinforced metal with such ease. After reporting in, they began another sweep, meticulously scouring the area for any signs of other powerful beings, such as demons, using advanced detectors. They even opened the containers and meticulously inspected their contents, but no matter how diligently they searched, they found no trace of any other entities lurking in the vicinity. In the end, they had no choice but to report their findings back to their highest-ranking officer. "Major, we did not find anything," reported the scouting team. "I see. We can''t waste any more time here. Load the containers that were still not damaged onto our train. We''ll take everything useful," the Majormanded decisively. The corrupted had no interest in inanimate materials, so most of the containers were untouched, providing a valuable opportunity to salvage whatever resources remained intact. Moreover, these containers weren''t ordinary; they were coated with a special paint designed to slow down the corrupting effects of the miasma. This unique feature made the containers exceptionally valuable on their own. CLICK! The haulers operated the attached crane on their armored train, maneuvering it into position beside the undamaged containers. Working together, they secured the containers with sturdy chains and hooks, ensuring they would remain stable during transit. "Slow and Steady " The crane lifted the containers off the ground, hoisting them high into the air before gently lowering them onto the designated cargo area of their train. Each container was carefully positioned and secured in ce, ready to be transported to safety. Once the containers were properly attached to their train, they prepared to depart, eager to leave behind the scene of death destruction and continue their journey back to the city. But before proceeding, they made sure to push the train to the side, preventing it from obstructing the rail tracks. As the train''s hum echoed , it began to elerate, quickly gaining speed until the wreckage disappeared from view almost instantly because of the miasma . ''Good job,'' Reign chuckled to himself, reclining in his cocoon, feeling rxed after devouring all the humans on the train He was the one responsible for the missing bodies, not the Corrupteds. Realizing that the train wont survived, he decided to leave the container and began killing everyone in sight. Rather than allowing them to die a dog''s death and without purpose,he believed it was more beneficial for them to be his EXP. As payment, he ensured their deaths were quick and painless, a gesture he thought was sufficient to demonstrate his mercy. Not only that, but he also indirectly helped the humans. The reason they were able to kill the remaining Corrupteds pretty easily was because Reign had already taken down more than 75% of the horde before the humans even arrived. Regardless, it didn''t change the fact that he killed everyone. People might judge him as evil for not saving everyone, despite having the power to do so. But as a monster, he never cared in the first ce. Besides, in a way, he resembled the Corrupteds more than humans in terms of appearance , which was somewhat ironic. ''Now I just need to wait until I reach the city,'' he chuckled to himself, enjoying the life of a hitchhiker. He began thinking of his next n , after reaching the city he would pretend to be a human first , before doing something bold. While confrontingthe military officer who was inmand of the train, he learned that Summit City wasn''t the only Tier 4 city under attack. Because of this, security in all Tier 4 cities had nearly quadrupled, with Tier 3 and Tier 2 cities dispatching and donating more advanced machinery andbatants to handle the sudden influx of Corrupted rted attacks. This made his future ns more troublesome. With everyone on high alert and preparing against an invasion, he wouldn''t have the element of surprise. Instead, they would anticipate his arrival, greeting him with a barrage of explosions and bullets. The moment he attacked, everyone would lock and unload everything on him. Moreover, backup would arrive quickly and iste the area immediately. ''These Corrupteds are messing up my ns,'' he sneered in annoyance. If it weren''t for them suddenly going fullmando, Reign could have destroyed 2 or 3 more cities before the government took serious action. But now he no longer had that leverage. ''Calm down, I need to think of another way,'' he pondered, his mind racing to formte a new n that would allow him to kill a lot of humans without putting a target on his head. ''Wait... I could use that skill!'' he eximed, a spark igniting his motivation as he finally figured out what to do. Chapter 165: [Bonus]Goods and Greed CREAK! CREAK! CREAK! The gears of the tform started to twist and turn as the train finally reached the boundary of Crestwood. As per protocol, the armored train was lifted down first to the underground tunnel below. Next would be the containers, which would be transported by normal trains. The reason the tunnel to the city was underground was because the surface surrounding the barrier was filled with heavy dutynd-mines, serving as the first part of the city''s defense. This was a standard design for all Tiered cities thatcked sufficient manpower to protect themselves in case of invasion. Besides that, there were also multiple other reasons for having such a tunnel. First, the entire perimeter was equipped with highly sensitive sensors. Since Miasma interfered with signals, these sensors read vibration instead of frequency. So, they were all installed underground throughout the city''s perimeter in order to maximized it''s sensitivity and uracy. If a train passed through asionally, it would trigger false rms, reducing the lifespan of the sensors, and jeopardize the city''s security. The next reason was more straightforward: with a single line of railways, the city could track people entering and leaving, enhancing security. However, this wasn''t foolproof. A powerful demon couldjust fly through the sensors from the start. Still, it was better than having no defense mechanism at all. "Is this all you''ve got?" A bald man wearing a white polo with a blue zer asked, his tone dripping with arrogance as he pointed at the containers in front of him, the tag on his chest showed the logo of the Chambers of Commerce. "This is all we''ve managed to get, so how about you pay us for all the trouble so we could leave right away?" a man wearing a soldier uniform spoke. novel hosted m,vle mpyr He was the right hand man of a major and was responsible for selling items that the military unit managed to salvaged from wreckage. "We''ll pay you after we check the goods," the bald man sneered in contempt. He was someone used to dealing with customs officers, so he expected respect from these army men. Custom Officers were the most cunning and money-hungry individuals among all government personnel. They would go to great lengths to ask for bribes just to let goods pass through. That''s why most high-ranking customs officers were filthy rich, literary. ''This greedy fucker,'' the army man cursed inwardly. If not for the customs checking all the salvage items, they would have earned more by selling these things directly to the open market. However, they needed to go through the Chambers of Commerce first because the greedy customs officers were on their fat payroll. Now, they had to settle for what wasmonly called a "Collections Fee," which was only 10% of the total value of everything they scavenged. And the worst part? The Chamber of Commerce would nitpick on anything, further decreasing the value of the items. In the end, this world was still run by money. Whoever had the most wealthcontrolled everything. "We will take our leave then," he conceded, realizing it was futile to argue with someone from the Chamber of Commerce. "Alright, Alright," the bald man waved him off with a dismissive gesture, showing no respect to the uniformed personnel who had been keeping the city safe by putting their lives on the line. The other army men gritted their teeth in anger, but in the end, they kept their emotions under control. The Chamber of Commerce funded everything from health, education to infrastructure to the military. Fighting against them was akin to fighting the central figure that kept the government alive. When the army left with frustrated faces, the bald man quickly instructed his employees to tally everything. He was certain the military had took notes of the items here, preventing them from cheating in that regard. However, they could mark some expensive products as defective to lower thepensation they needed to pay. Why go through all this trouble? The reason was pretty twisted: the more money he saved for the Chamber of Commerce, the bigger hismission would be. Because of this reward system, people like him were tempted to do anything to increase their own margin of ie, regardless of the consequences or moral implications. "Sir, we found something odd in one of the containers!" One of his employees called his attention, so he hurriedly checked it out. When he reached the container, he saw an egg at least four times the size of a basketball. It was colored ck with red patterns on it, and has this artistic taste on it. "Oh my god, it looks really expensive!" The bald man started to grin from ear to ear as he hurriedly felt it with his hand. His eyes began to show money signs just from imagining the cash he would get from selling this things to avid collectors who would pay anything just to get an item that others did not have ess to. It was their way of showing off their wealth to their peers. The rarer and more expensive their collection, the more famous they became in their circle. "Should we put it on our X-Ray scanner?" the employee asked, feeling that something was wrong with the egg. It looked like a piece of art, but for some reason, he felt scared just looking at it. The bald man'' face soured after hearing his employee''s suggestion. Anything that goes to the Advance X-ray scanner would be tallied by Chamber Of Commerse System automatically , so he wont be able to sell this one for himself if he did. "There''s no need for that. This thing is just a piece of art. I want it. Bring it to my truck," hemanded, his tone did not gave anyone the chance to argue with him. "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" Hearing his orders, the other employees sighed inwardly, knowing full well that their boss was a shrewed and corrupt individual that would do everything for profit. Inside the egg, Reign overheard everything. He thought he would be discovered when he heard about the advanced X-ray scanner, but it turned out to be a stroke of luck that some greedy person took a liking to his disguise, saving him a lot of trouble. ''I was ready to massacre everyone if they tried to put me on that thing,'' Reign mused to himself, his relief visible from his creepy smile. ''Good thing I did not make a move right away,'' he chuckled softly, seeing that his patience had been rewarded. As they lifted up the egg, where he was currently hiding, it became obvious that it was heavier than expected. The workers quickly realized that they would need assistance to move it . "Go get that thing," One of workers ordered. The forklift hummed to life, its mechanical arms carefully maneuvering the massive egg through the bustling storage hall. Reign listened intently to the muffled voices and clinking of machinery around him, so he could predict where he was going . After around 15 minutes or so, he sensed a change in his surroundings through the vibration. The sensation of being lifted shifted, and he could hear thesound of tires straining under the weight. It became clear to him that the workers were cing him inside a vehicle . ''Where are they taking me?'' Reign wondered. Chapter 166: Art Piece Reign listened to the engine sound of the pickup truck as it carried him away, helping him avoid the hassle of sneaking out of the station. This saved him a lot of work, and whoever took him should get an award for bringing someone nearly as powerful as a Demon Lord into the city. It would have been troublesome, considering the ce was filled with CCTV cameras. Plus, with the current threat of a sudden invasion, overall security had already quadrupled. The only reason this truck was able to pass through without many questions was because of the corrupt guards under someone''s payroll and the bald man''s important status. It wasn''t the first time he had smuggled an art piece, so when the guards saw him, they just let it go. The pickup truck drove through the exit and, after leaving the underground tunnel and passing the military camp, emerged into a bustling city. The sights and sounds of city life immediately filled the air, with people hurrying along the sidewalks and traffic filling the streets. The city''s design and atmosphere were simr to Summit City, but there were noticeable differences. The roads were wider, and the buildings towered higher. Being closer to a Tier 3 city, it had ess to more resources, which was evident in its infrastructure and development. ''I''ll just escape after I get to wherever they''re taking me,'' he thought, nning to find an opportunity once his "egg shell" was delivered. After all, a missing art piece wouldn''t draw too much attention. At worst, they would report it to the police. The truck took multiple turns before it finally stopped moving after reaching a gated mansion in the middle of high value real estate area. Outside the high walls of themansion, towering trees cast long shadows over the winding road. The entrance gate, made of a special type of metal, stood tall and imposing, it has a simple horizontal lines design but just looking at it was enough to figure out that it was made of high quality materials. As the pickup truck entered through the gate, the cobalt stones screech under its tires, echoing in the quiet surroundings. The private road stretched out ahead, lined with well maintained hedges and vibrant flower beds. Passing through the grand mansion entrance, the truck moved along a paved driveway bordered by lush gardens and bubbling fountains. Finally, the truck drove down to the basement parking lot, which was also where all the packaged gets delivered. "Is this the item?"A man wearing a white polo asked. He was one of the mansion servants tasked with receiving the delivery. Find adventures at NovelFiremp-y,r. "Yeah, but it''s heavier than I expected," The driver of the truck replied. Next, he exited the vehicle and removed the cover in the back, revealing arge ck-red egg. Its unique texture was a sight to behold "Oh, this looks beautiful. I think the Governor will love this art piece," the servant replied. Having worked for the Governor for five years, he was already well aware of his employer''s love for collecting beautiful artworks. And while the egg might look unique, within this mansion were art pieces even more imposing and oddly looking than this. So, the servant never thought that there was a monster inside it. ''Governor?,'' Reign contemted for a moment. He knew that the Governor held the highest-ranking position in a Tier 4 city, an information he had figured out from reading articles during his free time in Summit City. It was his habit of absorbing information from any avable sources, no matter how insignificant it seemed at the time, that might¡ªor might not¡ªaid him in the future. He firmly believed that trivial information was better than knowing nothing at all. Reign began thinking of the pros and cons of the situation and felt that this could be an opportunity. If he could reach the Governor, he''d ess information he wouldn''t normally have, like the number of powerfulbatants avable in the city and the arsenal of military weapons present following the increasing attacks of the corrupted that he had overheard from the chatter of military personnel. Additionally, he could gather other details that would allow him to spy on the city''s overall operation, providing insights into its vulnerabilities and weaknesses. And after he was done with the Governor, he would dispose of him to create panic , and divide the attention of everyone. After all, if the key governing figure of the city were to die, it would create sufficient distractions. And the more distractions he had, the better it would be for him "Alright, I''ll stay in this egg for a while," he chuckled softly, his voice echoing in the confined space. He didn''t mind the tight space; if anything, it seemed to hug him infort. Reign was doing theplete opposite of fictional novel and anime MCs, who spend their time doing things that make them stand out. It wasn''t that he was afraid of confronting the whole city; he just wanted to maximize his kills, and avoid having to deal with the aftermath . An all out attack wouldn''t serve his purpose well because it would allow humans to hide and evacuate, reducing his potential kill count. Plus, the time he would spend searching for humans hideouts would provide enough opportunity for backup to track him down. He didn''t dare to underestimate the humans, knowing that what he experienced in Summit City was just the tip of the iceberg. Reign wouldn''t even be shocked if the military possessed technology that was at least 100-200 years more advanced than what he had seen before. Even in his old world, governments would only reveal the bare minimum of technology to the public, especially when it came to weapons technology. And as for the hunter Association, chances were that someone more powerful than Arc would be here with how serious the situation was . "Okay, just put this egg in the museum room. The Governor is still in the meeting," another voice entered the fray, this time sounding calm and professional. The order came from a tall, 60-year-old man with gray hair, dressed in a ck formal coat. Despite his age, he didn''t exude arrogance; instead, he appeared easy to talk to and had a weing presence. "Yes, Butler Alfredo," replied two more servants who worked in the mansion. They carried the egg using a kind of roller, simr to the ones used to carry food, but much sturdier. This one was designed to transport heavy objects in and out of the mansion. It wasn''t the first time the governor had bought something big and heavy, so they had everything prepared. The servants carefully pushed the egg into the grand hall, a huge space filled with various art pieces. Massive paintings adorned the walls, and intricate sculptures stood on pedestals. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the room. They ced the egg in a prominent position, surrounded by other valuable items, and stepped back to admire the work. When they left the ce, Reign peeked through a tiny crack in the egg that he had created, taking in his new surroundings. ''Perfect,'' he thought. ''Now, I just need to wait for the right moment to make my move.'' He settled back into afortable position, his mind racing with ns for what was toe. Chapter 167: Art Piece Part 2 As time ticked by, Reign drifted in and out of sleep, the minutes blending into hours. Suddenly, around 8:00 pm, the door to the private museum creaked open, its hinges groaning softly. The sound stirred him from his sleep, his senses sharpening as he tried to see through the small hole he had created. He made sure it was small enough not to be noticed by the naked eye. And thanks to the color of the egg, the moment his ck eye-socket leaned on it, the hole seamlessly melded with its surface, as if it had always been a part of it In the distance, he saw someone approaching, but it wasn''t the person he had been waiting for . ''A woman?'' he mused inwardly. He had expected meeting the governor, but the woman in front of him looked too young and feminine to be him. Dressed in a white dress that wasn''t overly formal but still managed to entuate her long, soft legs, she approached the egg with a unhurried steps. Her chocte colored hair flow around her shoulders as she walked, framing her tan skin and warm brown eyes. With thick eyebrows that matched the fullness of her lips and chest, she exuded a different type of beauty that was not the least lower than Cyril, depending on the taste of the beholder. But what caught Reign''s attention wasn''t just her physical characteristics; it was the aura she was emitting. ''A demon?'' Reign thought to himself, sensing the negative energy emanating from her. However, after a closer look,it wasn''ting directly from her body. As he tried to focus his senses, he tracked down the source of the aura until his eyes locked on a ne she was wearing, adorned with arge ck diamond. "That thing is made of negative energy," Reign muttered to himself. The system was able to hide his aura, but he was still filled with that type of energy, so he could not mistake it for anything else. The woman continued to gaze at the egg, her smile simply admiring it. There was no hint of hostility or suspicion in her expression, so he refrained from making a move. Though curious about the ne, he didn''t want to make amotion until he met the governor himself. "Governor," the butler spoke up, and Reign thought that the man of the hour had finally arrived. However, as the butler approached, he realized the true identity of the woman. "Governor, dinner is ready," the butler spoke in a respectful manner. ''She''s the governor?'' Reign was stunned. He had imagined the governor of a city to be a scary-looking middle-aged man, not a fragile-looking woman like her. But he quickly shook off his surprise, realizing it was his fault for assuming things too soon. "Alfredo, I told you to call me by my name when I''m at the mansion," she replied with a smile that masked her true feelings. Deep inside, she didn''t like being addressed as "governor" by him. After all, he had been serving her family for so long that she considered him a fatherly figure, and being reminded of her official title felt unnecessary in their private space. "I apologize, Lady Demi," Alfredo responded, his expression less serious this time. "What do you think of this egg? It''s beautiful and mysterious, right? I wonder who made this sculpture in Summit City?" she asked, trying to start a conversation. The two of them casually talked about the new art piece, not knowing that the very same object they were admiring was plotting that would put everyone lives in danger. Reign''s mind began to race, formting a n to neutralize her. However, he stopped midway after hearing her next words . "I like this egg. Please ask someone to move it directly to my room tonight," she requested, her face filled with smiles, as if she had just found a new interesting toy. "Yes, mdy," Alfredo replied. ''Does she have a death wish?'' Reign chuckled to himself. This woman had just made his job a lot easier. As per her order, the egg was relocated directly inside her room, positioned facing her massive bed. The room was spacious , furnished with its own plush sofa set, a grand 80-inch television screen, a luxurious walk-in closet, a sprawling king-size bed, and an array of other amenities that showed the governor''s wealth. Aside from Reign''s egg, there were also numerous other art pieces in the room, indicating that her order was not made on impulse but rather a habit. She had a genuine fondness for artwork and had been collecting such pieces since she was young. This habit was something she acquired from herte father, and after his passing, she took on the family tradition of collecting interesting and unique items. After a while, the door opened, and Demi finally entered the room. However, she walked directly to the bathroom instead of heading to the bed. Reign could have followed her there, but he decided to wait. He knew patience was key, and the right opportunity would present itself in due time. When she finished soaking herself in a nice hot bath, she got out from the bathroom wearing only her bathing robe. Her freshly washed hair emitted the scent of expensive shampoo that she had applied. Sitting in front of the mirror, she began to apply lotion to her body before brushing and drying her hair. Afterward, she went to the closet and picked up a simple white nightgown¡ªnot the revealing kind, but a long one that covered most of her body. But, the thin silk material still showed her sexy body underneath it. She was very stunning, her natural beauty radiating effortlessly even without a trace of makeup on her face. ''Is she done yet ?'' Reign grumbled to himself as he waited for her to walk out of her walk-in closet. If he were human, he might have been tempted to peek and perhaps pin her down to the bed, but unfortunately, hecked the necessary organs to even feel that urge. He had an urge, but not sexually; rather, he craved the sensation of tasting her skin and the overflowing richness of her brain matter in his mouth, a desire that would really satisfy him. CLICK! The door of the walk-in closet opened, revealing Demi, who was now ready to sleep. She normally stayed outte, but today, she had finished her meeting early. Before sleeping, she admired the new piece in her collection first from her bed, wanting to appreciate its beauty a bit longer. However, exhaustion from work overtook her body, and her eyes started to grow heavy. ''This is my chance,'' Reign saw his opportunity and was preparing to get out when suddenly the feeling of negative energy from the ne intensified. This made him pause for a moment, curious about what was happening. From the ne itself, a swirling ck smoke began to emerge, slowly expanding and coalescing into a more defined form. As the smoke dissipated, it revealed the figure of a woman with long messy jet-ck hair and small eyes. She was wearing a white robe which covered her very thin body. Her hands bore long, sharp nails, and herplexion was unnaturally pale, as if drained of all life, giving her a ghostly appearance. ''What the hell is that thing ?'' Chapter 168: [Bonus] Unexpected Meeting ''She looks like that ghosts that crawl out of the TV,'' Reign thought, recalling a ssic horror movie from his old world. It was so famous that, even after hundreds of years, it was still being talked about on the inte. He had never watched the movie; he just saw a post about it when he was using his mother''s phone. His memory was sharp, so it was easy for him to recall everything he saw, even if it was just for a split second. ''I''ll keep observing first,''he mused inwardly, watching to see what the ghost would do. Suddenly, she began to sing a luby, her voice echoing through the dimly lit room. The melody was haunting, each note filled with a chilling sense of longing and sorrow. "Sleep, my child, don''t you cry, mother is here, so close your eyes. " "Rest now, my child, justice near, In your body, they''ll know fear." Her voice trailed off, leaving an eerie silence in its wake, the chilling promise of vengeance lingering in the air. CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! Reign''s p echoed in the room, cutting through the ghost''s haunting luby. While she was engrossed in her eerie song, he had silently slipped out of the egg, his movements as stealthy as a shadow. The ghostly woman suddenly turned her head toward Reign, her expression a twisted mix of shock, anger, and sadness. Her eyes burned with an intense fury, and her mouth twisted into a grimace that could make a grown man shit himself in fear. But, to Reign, with his skull-like face and dark aura, her creepy face was like a joke. He remained unfazed, his cold dark gaze meeting hers casually . "A demon, corrupted, an angel, and now a ghost? Did I just reincarnate in a fantasy world instead of a science fiction one ?" Reign asked with a sarcastic smile. If not for the advanced technology of this world, he would be searching for elves and dragons inside a dungeon at this rate. "Who are you?" The ghostly woman''s voice was dry and unsettling. "What happened to your voice? I was enjoying your singing, you know?" Reign asked in a sarcastic manner, attempting to act tough to make the ghost afraid of him. When two monsters met, the scarier one would have the advantage. Seeing that Reign was up to no good, the woman slowly turned to smoke, attempting to retreat back into the pendant. "I wouldn''t do that if I were you. You need her body, right? I''ll eat her if you escape, and then I''ll bury that pendant in the ground in the middle of nowhere," Reign threatened. It was a good thing he had listened to the luby to get some hints. "You dare¡­" The ghostly woman''s voice trailed off, her eyes narrowing in frustration. "Scary, but I''m not really the type of person you can threaten," Reign responded calmly. Then, he directed his dominating aura towards her, the pressure so powerful that the woman was forced to kneel on the ground. "Do you know who you''re dealing with?" Reign sneered in contempt, his voice dripping with disdain. "I can crush you anytime I want." The woman recoiled from fear, realizing the immense power exuding from Reign. She realized that the gap between them were like heaven and earth , and she feel that she was unlucky to meet him She had been so close to achieving her goal of possessing Demi and acquiring a human body. But now, with Reign''s entering the equation, her carefullyid ns was now ruined. The thought of losing everything she had worked for filled her with a sense of desperation and despair. Even if she managed to possess Demi, she knew that Reign would just kill her host body, and worst throw the pendant , permanently trapping her . If she had known that someone was eavesdropping on her, she would never have sung that luby that outright gave her n away. But it was toote now. "I¡ª I''m sorry, I was blind and did not see the heavens," the ghostly woman stammered, bowing her head in deference. She had no idea of Reign''s capabilities, so it was better to be cautious. Reign acted as though he was pleased with her apology, but in reality, he was still strategizing ways to neutralize her. She had an ethereal-like body, so physical attacks might not work. However, when he attempted to use his aura, it forced her to kneel to the ground, confirming his hypothesis that she could by affected by it to some extent. It was just a guess on his part; his reasoning was that both the ghostly woman and his aura were, in a way, the same¡ªtheycked physical form and were mostly metaphysical. "Tell me what you are," he asked, his curiosity piqued. He wanted to understand more about her nature. When the system provided him with race options before, he noticed a ghost race listed among them, so she might belong to that category. "I''m a weeping ghost," she replied. ''A weeping ghost?'' he mused, furrowing his brows. It wasn''t a term he hade across in the system''s categories before. Maybe she had given herself that name. "Tell me more, what''s your ability and how did you get here?" Reign asked again. Encountering demons was rare for him, so he was eager to learn more about her abilities and origins. The woman was stunned. She had initially assumed Reign to be an aggressive demon, judging by his appearance. But now, witnessing his demeanor and willingness to engage in conversation, she realized there was more to him than she had first thought. Little did she knew, Reign''s interest in talking to her was just to satisfy his curiosity. ''Maybe I could reason with him?'' The thought raced through the woman''s mind. It was her best chance at survival. If she could somehow convince him of her usefulness, maybe he wouldn''t kill her outright . "My name is Aiku," she said softly, bowing her head on the floor in a gesture of surrender. It was clear that she had epted his authority and was willing to cooperate. "I was killed and sacrificed for a ritual years ago. That pendant you see was the one holding my soul. However, the people responsible for my death were killed when our city was destroyed by the corrupted." she exined, her words carrying the memory of her past. "So you turned into a ghost ?" Reign asked . "Yes," She nodded. ''Aiku...''Reign repeated softly, his mind racing. It was a rare name in this world but rathermon from his past, particrly in the Far Eastern Continent. ''She also looks the part'' Reign added, noticing that Aiku''s characteristics resembled them . She had ck, long hair, dark, small eyes, pale skin, and a thin body. Her mannerisms, such as bowing her head and speaking formally, were also spot-on. ''Well, this world has katanas, so it means that they also have that race here,'' Reign concluded, connecting the dots. His realization provided him with some insight into where those hunters might have acquired their breathing technique. Everything was starting to make sense now. If she belonged to a race close to what he remembered, then creating a breathing technique and mastering movements akin to a samurai''s was entirely usible. Chapter 169: Scarier Reign''s cold voice cut through the silence, firm and menacing. "I''m going to ask you questions," he warned, his tone dripping with contempt. "You better answer without lying, or else." A chill settled in the air as he fixed his attention on Aiku, the seriousness of his words hanging heavy between them. Aiku felt the pressure increasing, showing that Reign could make it even stronger if he wanted to. He was just toying with her. Now, she was sure that it wouldn''t do her any good to go against him. "I will answer all your questions without hiding anything," she hurriedly bowed her head again on the floor. "Do you still remember where you came from?" Reign asked. "I''m sorry, I only remember some of it, but one thing is for sure, the ce I came from is far away from here, this ce is just too different," she responded. Reign pondered her words, and did not react violently right away ,instead he kept asking her question until he got an overall idea where she came from. First, it was also a tieredcity because she remembered seeing a tall wall, but unlike this ce, the buildings were more modest and had an old-fashioned design. She even described some things that he found interesting, like a tree with pink leaves. Unfortunately, she couldn''t remember any names, only images. After satisfying his curiosity about her origin, he decided to focus on another topic. "You said that you''re nning to possess her body, right?" he asked. That was the conclusion he hade to after hearing the luby lyrics. "Yes," she answered honestly, her voice trembling slightly. "And how do you n to do that?" Aiku paused for a moment, considering whether to reveal the entire process. She could just say the general idea. But when she saw how intimidating Reign''s face was, she decided toe clean. Shetook a deep paused, gathering her thoughts before speaking. "To possess her body, I need to merge my consciousness with her slowly. It is a delicate process. I have to sing her into a deep, trusting sleep with my luby. After she''spletely rxed and unaware, I can start the integration, but it would take me days toplete process." "How many days do you need?" Reign asked immediately, if it was too long then it was better to kill her now. Aiku looked serious for a moment before responding. "Three days. If I can sing to her every night, it should be enough topletely possess her body." "And can you ess her memories after you possess her?" he inquired further, his tone probing for something more specific. "I could," she nodded. "After the possession isplete, I should be able to ess her memories. ." Reign''s eyes narrowed slightly as he considered her words. "Good," he said, his voice firm andmanding. "From now on, you will work for me. I won''t kill you, but after you take over her body, you will be answering to me." A new n formed in his head as he adjusted to the current situation. "I will follow your orders," Aiku nodded and acknowledged his words. Reign saw her gesture of submission, but he remained unsure whether she would stay true to her words. She could backstab him at any moment if he wasn''t around. "Let me remind you," Reign''s voice was cold, his red glowing gaze piercing. "I''m sure you''re aware that I''m powerful enough to kill you with a flick of my fingers. But some people tend to do stupid things, so to make sure..." His voice trailed off as he raised his hands. "Arc, Shackler," hemanded. Slowly, two powerful monsters emerged from a ck pool of blood in front of Aiku. She tensed, almost jumping to her feet if not for the restriction in her body. When she felt their aura, she immediately realized that these two were stronger than her, especially Arc, who looked more intimidating. His overall design was even more refined than Reign with the imposing and powerful looking katana in his waist. As a member of the same race as the creator of katanas and kimono, Aiku couldn''t help but appreciate Arc''s appearance. "You two, go and merge with that woman''s shadow," Reignmanded, his tone authoritative. Though Arc and Shackler had no such ability, Aiku was unaware of this, so he intended to trick her. After hearing hismand, the two summoned beings stood on the shadow and began sinking into the ground, giving the impression that they were indeed merging with it. Aiku watched with wide eyes, believing Reign''s deception. She thought she was pretty scary for a ghost, but Reign was way better at nting seeds of fear. "Remember," he warned, his voice dripping with malice, "if you decide to betray me, those two will jump out of the shadow and kill her." A sadistic grin spread across his face, stretching from ear to ear, making his whole appearance much scarier. Aiku couldn''t help but shiver at the thought. "Yes, Master," she replied, her voice full of dedication . "I dare not betray your trust." She made a mental note to never cross Reign¡ªthose shadow-hopping monster were not something she wanted to mess with. "Good," Reign nodded in satisfaction, pleased with the effectiveness of his little act. It was a good thing that he had no face right now, so she couldn''t read his expression¡ªperks of having a skull for a face. "I''ll leave you now. Remember, I''lle back after three days¡­ Don''t disappoint me," Reign said, opening the window and making his way out of the mansion. With his current power level, escaping without detection was now very easy for him. Aiku, who had been left behind, felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized she could now move freely. ''This ce is filled with scary people,'' she shuddered, finding it pitiful that a ghost like her ended up being scared instead. However, she didn''t show it on her face, fearing that Arc and Shackler might be watching her. "I will now do my job," she said, bowing her head as if Reign were observing her every move. Reign found a dark corner and transformed, making his body human-sized. He then put on his mask and clothes, which he had hidden within himself. CLICK ''My phone is out of battery,'' Reign sighed, he had been keeping one inside his body all along. ''I better find a convenience store where I can charge this first,'' he muttered to himself. He could use lightning, but it would just fry the whole thing. Fortunately, it didn''t take him long to find one after running for 15 minutes. He charged the phone and opened the app, but instead of connecting directly, he got a message saying he needed to register the phone first at the Veiled Nights headquarters in this city. If he was correct, the city should have a slum area where the base was located. He was still a Gold Rank on paper, so he was bound to get special treatment in this low-tier city. His intention to visit the Veiled Nights was because of two things. First, to gather information while he waited and to leverage his status for better ess to resources and assistance. ''I should call a taxi,'' Reign thought. He wasn''t familiar with this ce, so it would saved him time. Chapter 170: [Bonus] High Ranker After 30 minutes, the taxi finally reached the Veiled Nights Bar. As usual, it stood out in the middle of a rundown surroundings, making no effort to blend in. Just what he expected for an organization backed by the government. The neon sign above the entrance flickered softly, casting a glow onto the dimly lit street. The sound of muffled music andughter drifted out from within, mingling with the scent of smoke and stale alcohol in the air. "That would 750 credits sir," The taxi driver spoked . Reign scanned the code and paid through his phone, now having ess to his credits. The moment he connected to the citywork, all his money were back in cirction and ready to be used, which was very convenient . "20,000 credits ?"The driver eximed seeing he got way more "Don''t worry , money is just a piece of paper," Reign chuckled. "Thank you, sir, you''re really kind. I hope more people like you exist in this world, " the driver bowed in appreciation. "That would be a very bad wish. By the way, if I were you, I''d spend all your money right away. No need to save it for the future," Reign said after exiting the taxi. The driver was confused and didn''t understand his words. But after driving for a few minutes, he felt an unexpected urge to visit a cabaret. It was as if an instinct to enjoy life had suddenly kicked in. "I don''t recognize your face. What''s your business here?" one of the security guards asked, his tone intimidating. "I''m here to talk to someone," Reign replied, pulling out casually his Gold Rank identification card . The security guard was initially taken aback by the gleaming gold card, but he quicklyposed himself and inspected it carefully. He scanned the codestrip to confirm its authenticity, ensuring everything was in order. Next, he asked Reign to show his phone to double-check the mobile application. The phone''s app only worked with the owner''s password and the special keys given to ount users to open it, making it difficult for others to gain ess Additionally, seeing that Reign was a Gold Rank, it was evident that he was a powerful individual. Attempting to steal the card from someone of his caliber would be challenging and not worth it if they were just trying to get inside the base. After seeing the message instructing him to update the app, they finally let him through. Reign walked into the bar, noting the interior''s striking resemnce to the one in Summit City, but with its own unique touches of creativity. Elegant chandeliers cast a soft, ambient glow over plush seating arrangements, while a polished wooden bar gleamed under the light, attended by a bartender who talked to the customers while serving drinks. As he made his way towards the elevator, he couldn''t help but notice several women and call girls ncing his way. They eyed him with interest, their gazes lingering on his confident steps and the air of authority that surrounded him. One particrly bold woman, dressed in a sleek ck dress, gave him a sultry smile, trying to catch his attention. But Reign justpletely ignored her. The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and he stepped inside, pressing the button for the lower levels. As it descended, he took a moment to gather his thoughts, preparing himself for the interactions ahead. When the doors opened again, he stepped out into the Veiled Nights Base. The air hummed with activity, emphasized by the soft murmur of conversations . The spaciousyout of the base stretched out before him, with various sections bustling with members who look like they were going to rob a store or something . Bright, well-lit corridors branched off in different directions, each leading to specialized areas dedicated to various functions and activities. Directly in front of the elevator stood the clerk''s window, a central hub where members could conduct transactions, request assistance, or gather information. It served as a focal point within the base, providing a convenient and essible point of contact for anyone in need. Behind the counter, a clerk busied herself with paperwork, asionally ncing up to assist those who approached. As he walked towards the window, he noticed a few more curious nces from those around him. His presencemanded attention, a mix of curiosity evident in their expressions. The base was filled with a variety of individuals, from seasoned criminals to fresh recruits, all contributing to the intricate operations of the organization. "How can I assist you today?" the clerk asked as Reign approached, her tone professional and weing. "I need to speak with the person in charge," Reign replied, his voice calm. "Sir, you need to identify yourself first," the clerk stated, maintaining a respectful demeanor. Reign nodded and took out his Gold Rank identification cardagain. The clerk took the card and scanned it, her eyes widening slightly as she recognized the significance of the rank. She quicklyposed herself and handed the card back to Reign. "Thank you, Mr. Rain," she said, her tone now more deferential. "Please follow me." The clerk''s actions caught everyone''s attention, and they became curious about the identity of the person who had juste in. As hefollowed the clerk through the corridors, he could feel the weight of their gazes. Whispers spread like wildfire, spections about who he was and why hemanded such respect. A few women exchanged nces, their eyes lingering on him, intrigued by his presence and the aura of mysteriousnesshe exuded. It was in their nature to flock to those they deemed as fine specimens, and without knowing that he was a scary monster, they all found him very attractive. "He must be someone important," one of them murmured to her friend, her eyes never leaving Reign as he walked by. "He has to be. Did you see the way the clerk treated him?" her friend replied, equally captivated. "No shit, I''ve only seen a few people get their own clerk to personally assist them." "I think he''s loaded and rich." Gossip started circting as everyone spected about Reign''s origin and status. Some imagined him as a powerful member that hundreds of kill count under his name, while others spected about his connections to the highest echelons of society. In the end, each person had their own version of Reign''s background story, adding to the mystery surrounding him. Reign, aware of the attention but did not give a shit, continued to follow the clerk until they reached arge, reinforced door. After a brief exchange, he found himself in Director Delon office. Delon was a 58-year-old man with brown hair and blue eyes that, unlike Byron, looked pretty normal. He didn''t have a bulky body, but his demeanor showed that he was pretty smart as he observed Reign from top to bottom. "You''re set to be promoted right ? Why did you stop by in our city instead of directly going to Green Valley?" Delon asked. Reign was puzzled. He had believed that inte connections between cities were blocked. How, then, did they get his information? Little did he know that every week, a huge chunk of data was being transported manually in each city. That''s why this branch had his information ready. "I have my reasons," Reign replied. Chapter 171: Street Wise Delon''s eyes squinted as he tried to get a read on Reign, closely observing his movements, the sudden changes in his demeanor, and any other subtle cues. Normally, a person would show some hint on the way they carried themselves, but Reign''s face was devoid of any emotion because it was fake from the start. However ¡ª Delon couldn''t help but feel a twinge of frustration but he did not show it on his face. ''This guy is a master at hiding his emotions,'' he thought to himself, finally giving up. Here he was, thinking he had a knack for reading people, only to bepletely blindsided by Reign''s imprable poker face. It was a humbling realization, one that left him both frustrated and impressed at the same time. He assumed that Reign was not just powerful in terms of fighting, but also very intelligent to be able to hide his thoughts like this. The funny part was that Reign wasn''t even trying. It would be strange for Delon to read anything from a synthetic mask in the first ce. "So why did you want to meet me?" he asked, his fingers tapping on the wooden desk. "Let''s cut to the chase. If you have my record, then you know how strong I am. Sooner orter, I will be a high-ranking member in this organization. How about you invest on me while I''m still cheap?" Reign replied, his tone confident, but did note across as arrogant because he had the ability and track record to back it up. "Oh" Delon''s eyebrows raised slightly at this proposition. It was not unusual for Gold Rank members to receive added benefits through branch sponsorship, but the problem was that Reign had not registered first at this branch. Therefore, themission would not kick in, and all his future achievements could not be attributed to them. No matter how he looked at it, it was a one-sided deal that would only benefit one party. Delon was on the verge of rejecting the offer when a sudden thought struck him. Casually, he opened his PC and essed Reign''s information again. His fingers hovered over the keyboard. As he navigated through the data, each click of the mouse echoed in theroom. Thoughts raced through his mind as he scanned through the information. He hadn''t done an in depth reading before because he had been in the middle of something urgent when the clear called him. ===== Code Name: Rain Rank: Gold Rank Type: Combat/Stealth/Scout/Intelligence Status: Eligible for Promotion Mission Completed : 9/9 Mission Rate : 100% Potential Rating : 5 Stars Origin Branch: Summit City Special Notes: Reign had shown exceptional talent as a Divergent. He was able toplete missions quickly and demonstrated diverse expertise, handling all assignments cleanly. In a short span of time, he was evaluated as someone with the potential to reach at least Diamond Rank in the future. ===== ''At least Diamond Rank?'' Delon nearly stood up from his desk after reading the special Note. Fortunately, he managed to calm himself down, avoiding looking like a fool. But that wasn''t the only thing that caught his attention. "You''re from Summit City?" he asked, realizing the implications. This changed everything. The Summit City branch was gone, which meant any members from there were now free agents and could sign up with any branch. This was a rare case, but it was there to allow other branches to continually benefit from a strong hunter. And If the reports were true and Reign had indeed achieved as much for short period of time as they imed, then it was inevitablethat he would reached even higher status in the future. The temptation to align himself with someone with such potential was strong, especially considering the benefits it could bring. However, Delon''s curiosity remained, wondering why Reign hade here in this city on the first ce . "Tell me first about this partnership," Delon replied cautiously. It was better to y it safe. He needed to hear Reign''s offer before making any decisions. While the benefits sounded appealing, he couldn''t ignore the potential risks. If Reign did something foolish in the future, it would be him and his branch that would suffer the backsh. The person in question, on the other hand, was smiling crazily in his mind after seeing that Delon was now willing to talk. His reason for going to all this trouble in the first ce was because he wanted to ess some information that only the Branch Leader would know, and also used him in the future. Without mind-controlling abilities, he had to resort to roundabout methods to extract the information he needed. While he could have used violence, there was a high chance that Delon would lie to protect sensitive information. So¡ª Instead of immediately resorting to force, he decided for a more strategic approach. Hepared it to feeding a chicken before attempting to catch it; by building trust and rapport, he could increase the likelihood of obtaining the information he wanted without resistance. This was the result of him adjusting to this corrupt world. If before he was just book smart, now he had also be streetwise after experiencing many new things. "It''s not a big deal, all I''m asking for is some points, a house, a car, and ess to information while I''m staying here," Reign responded casually. Asking for something huge right away would be a wrong move, so he decided to bait him first with a reasonable requests. Delon raised his eyebrows. Those demands were surprisingly easy to fulfill and could be granted by him right away, which made him now sure that Reign came to this city with a specific goal in mind. "I''m willing to ept that offer, but I want to get something clear. Why are you in this city in the first ce?" he asked, seeking rification. Reign paused, already prepared with an answer. "I''m looking for someone. He killed my family, and I''ve got news that he''s here. Until that bastard is dealt with, I can''t move on to Green Valley City." He added , there was a hint of disgust in his voice. "Revenge, huh? That makes sense."Delon epted the exnation. He had been in this line of work for a long time, so he knew how people sometimes did impulsive things for revenge. If his family were killed, he would also do the same if he had the capability. Losing a family member was not a pleasant experience, after all. "Do you want me to help you find his whereabouts ?" Delon asked. If it was information he needed, then the Veiled Nights was second to none in the underground criminal world. "Not right now, but I will contact you when I need it," Reign replied, not rejecting the offer outright. "So, do we have a deal?" Delon raised his hand and extended it for a handshake. "For our partnership," he said. Reign shook his hand firmly. "For our partnership," he confirmed. As they finalized their agreement, both men knew this was just the beginning. Reign had his own dark agenda, and Delon and the Veiled Nights was just a stepping stone to him . Chapter 172: Mission Screen After their discussion, Reign began asking more questions, carefully ensuring they weren''t enough to arouse suspicion. He inquired about how data was moved between cities, wondering how it worked if a direct city-to-city connection was not possible because of the interference of the miasma. Delon answered honestly, revealing the existence of unmanned Data Trains. These specialized trains were built for fast travel and served one purpose: updating data every week. To steer clear of attracting Corrupteds, these trains transported no humans and were quitepact. Moreover, thispact data trains traveled underground just beneath the railings because they were small, reducing the risk of attacks since Corrupteds were drawn to human presence. In Tier 4 cities, data updates urred only once a week. However, in higher-tier cities, particrly Tier 1 , updates happened as frequently as every hour. Larger cities needed faster ess to information to ensure they weren''t caught off guard by Corrupteds Invasion which was prettymon and almost nonstop on this location called [Corrupted Main Zones] Reign leaned back in his chair, processing this new information. "Unmanned Data Trains, huh? Interesting. It makes sense now how you got my information despite the miasma." He responded. "The Data Trains are quite helpful considering how hard it is to transfer data ," Delon exined. "But why not use wired lines ?" Reign asked, expressing a long-standing curiosity. "Couldn''t they just use fiber optics to connect each city?" "What''s ''Fiber Optics''?" Delon asked, puzzled by the term. "Oh, yeah, sorry about that," Reign sighed, acknowledging his mistake. He had forgotten that some terms was bound to be different here because this was another world. "So, it''s basically a technology that uses thin strands of ss or stic to transmit data as light pulses. It''s like sending messages through beams of light instead of traditional electrical signals." "Oh, you mean Light Signals!" Delon chuckled, finally understanding what Reign was talking about. "Yeah, that''s it!" Reign forced a smile along with Delon. "Light signals,ser signals, same idea. It''s all about using light to transmit data." "The government did try that, but for some reason, Corrupteds could sense anything outside the barriers that send signals, and they always got destroyed." He paused to catch his breath. "I heard rumors that the repair costs for each destroyed lines were too high because of how frequent it was, so they ended up scrapping the whole idea. Now, light signals are only used inside the barriers." Delon added. "And they haven''t figured out a way to fix this?" Reign asked. "Of course not! Whoever can invent such a thing would be the richest person in the world. Imagine how easy the lives of humans would be with that type of technology" Delon chuckled aloud, finding the idea pretty much impossible. And he had good reasons to do so. If it were that simple, the brilliant scientists of this world would have already discovered a way to fix this connectivity issue. This civilization isn''tcking in technology, so the absence of city to city inte just shows how difficult the miasma problem was to ovee. "I see," Reign nodded, this exins a lot. HDD and SSD don''t emit anything when they are not being used so they were safe for transport. Plus, it would be more cost-effective to use that rare metal to conceal the signal of the machine operating the Data Train, rather than building an infrastructure made of the same material that could span thousands of miles, and cost billions of credits . This made fiber optics not viable, rendering any type of wired connectivity impossible outside the barrier. "You''re pretty interested in this technology stuff," Delon remarked casually. "Yeah, I''m the curious type of person," Reign answered nonchntly . But deep inside, his mind raced with possibilities, and possible advantage he could get with this new information. The existence of Data Trains opened up new avenues for his future ns. By knowing their exact schedule, he coulde up with a strategy that would utilize the dy in the transport of data. He could even prevent data from being transferred from another city by destroying it directly. "Thanks for the info," Reign bid his farewell, and exited the room. Next, he headed to the lobby where the other Veiled Nights members were chilling out. Arge monitor disyed avable missions, but it was mostly for show, as most members checked using the app "Hey, you''re that new guy, right?" A woman in her 30s walked over to Reign, her attire exuding a suggestive message. She wore a tight denim skirt that barely reached mid-thigh, a red jacket draped over her shoulders, and a ck T-shirt underneath with bold lettering that read, "I like it long andhard." Her makeup was heavy, emphasizing her smoldering gaze and scarlet lips, while her dark brown hair cascaded in loose waves, adding to her sexy demeanor. Reign turned his gaze towards her briefly before returning his attention to the monitor, seemingly indifferent to her presence. The woman was immediately offended, feeling mocked by his dismissive behavior. "Hey, don''t you know it''s rude to ignore someone talking to you?" she spat out, her tone tinged with irritation. Reign''s continued silence only seemed to fuel the woman''s frustration. She persisted in trying to engage him, her voice growing louder with each attempt. "Seriously, what''s your problem? You think you''re too good to talk to me?" she demanded, her hands nted firmly on her hips as she red at him. The surrounding members began to take notice of the esctingmotion, their curious gazes turning into amused smirks and stifled chuckles. It was evident that Reign''s refusal to acknowledge the woman was bing a source of entertainment for them. Undeterred by theck of response, the woman pressed on, her voiceced with annoyance. "Fine, be that way. I don''t need your attention anyway. Plenty of other guys here who actually know how to satisfy a woman with my caliber." As she stormed off, her pride wounded, theughter from the other members grew louder, magnified by a few snarky remarks exchanged amongst themselves about the encounter. ''Did a fly just fly by?'' Reign mused to himself, a hint of amusement in his tone. Despite her frustration, Reign remained fixated on the mission disy, seemingly unaware of the woman''s walk out drama. Returning to the monitor, he noticed a mission that piqued his interest. It was a Gold Rank Mission with a huge reward, but that wasn''t the sole reason he was so invested. Instead, it was the content of the mission: "Steal a Special Type of Virus" from a particr research center. Seeing the potential benefit, Reign quickly picked up his phone and epted the mission to ess more details. ====== Mission Details: >Location: Research Facility Lica, on the outskirts of the city - South West >ce: The facility is a sprawlingplex surrounded by high walls and guarded by advanced security systems. >Type of Virus: "SARVS-35" - a highly ssified and experimental strain designed to target specific gic markers in human DNA, with potential applications in medical research and biological warfare. >Owner of the Research Facility:BioGen Corporation - a powerfulTier 1 corporation known for cutting-edge biotechnology research. ====== ''This job is made for me,'' Reign chuckled to himself, contemting the uing mission. Chapter 173: Cornered After epting the mission, Reign made his way back to Delon''s office to gather more information. Something about the job didn''t sit right with him, so he needed rification. Thanks to their partnership, Delon was more than willing to address his concerns. In fact, he seemed relieved that Reign had epted the mission, as many other members were avoiding it. He patiently answered all of the questions, providing Reign the rity he needed. CLICK! The door opened, revealing the night sky. While the area around the bar was illuminated, the adjacent street appeared deserted, typical for thete hours in the slum. It wasn''t that the residents were early sleepers; rather, during thesete hours, criminal activities ran rampant. Only those confident in their abilities dared to walk the streets. The danger was visible, with shootings urring almost nightly. On particrly active days, dozens wouldeven fall victim to gang fights alone. So why would normal citizen still lived in this ce? It wasn''t that the residents here want to live a dangerous life where they could die any moment ; rather, the high cost of living pushed many to settle in this area. For those who worked inside the wall but couldn''t afford safer amodations, this ce was their only option. Despite the risks, the dirt cheap rent made it a practical choice for those struggling to make ends meet. ''So he gave me a house outside the slum,'' Reign muttered to himself as he checked the address on his phone. Delon was more generous than he had anticipated, providing him with afortable ce and even allowing him to borrow a ride. It was a ck sedan, quite old but still in good running condition. As he settled into the driver''s seat, he couldn''t shake the feeling that the sedan was too small for him. Immediately, he found himself missing his Hammer truck. If he were nning to stay here longer, he would have considered buying a new one. However, he knew this ce wouldn''tst long, making such a purchase impractical ''This will do,'' he settled with what he got. VROOOOOM! VROOOOOM! He started stepping on the pedal, while the gear was still on Neutral to heat up the engine first . The sound echoed through the quiet streets, a rumbling reminder of the horse power beneath the hood. Once satisfied that the engine was sufficiently warmed up, he shifted into the first gear and set off . The car slowly moved forward until it exited the parking lot and headed directly to the road. As he drove through the dimly lit streets, Reign''s gaze swept over the scene before him. He noticed some druggies stumbling along the roadside, their craze faces illuminated by the flickering mes of metal drums filled with fire. Homeless people huddled around these makeshift bonfires too, trying to ward off the coldness of the night. In some corners, low-ss hookers hang out on the streets, their desperate eyes scanning for potential customers. Lacking the face value to gain entry into bars, they resorted to the street, hoping to entice some unfortunate soul into buying their services. Among the hooker, he noticed some who were clearly pregnant. Their swollen bellies were sorge that he wouldn''t have been surprised if their water suddenly broke. This just showed how desperate this women were to get some cash. On the other side, Reign saw some people attempting to sell items, but instead of an actual merchandise, they were peddling things too inhumane to describe. He remained indifferent to all of this. As long as they didn''t disturb him, he had no inclination to intervene. He remained focused on his own life and problems. ''These guys are persistent,'' Reign muttered to himself as he adjusted the rearview mirror and caught sight of five cars following him. Initially he dismissedit as mere coincidence, but he grew suspicious when the vehicles continued to tail him even after several turns. "I''ll y with you," Reign smirked, his hand resting on the gearshift as he elerated without warning, putting distance between himself and the persistent pursuers. As his car drove ahead, the vehicles behind him reacted in kind, abandoning any pretense . Their intentions now clear. VROOOOOOOOM! Reign mmed his foot on the pedal, the car running faster, leaving the pursuers trailing behind in a cloud of dust. The narrow streets of the slum became the stage for an intense cat-and-mouse chase. Reign''s car weaved through the maze of alleyways and dpidated buildings, its engine roaring with each hard stepped of the pedals and change of gears as he tried to shake off his pursuers. Tires screeched, engines roared, and the sound of metal scraping against concrete filled the air as the chase escted into a high-stakes game of speed and precision. RATATTTTT-RATATTTTT-RATATTTTT- Reign''sthoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of gunfire, followed by the shattering of ss as bullets tore through his car windows. "Motherfuckers, I thought this was just a car chase," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. Whoever was chasing him was digging their own grave. If not for his fear of revealing his true identity too soon, he would have stopped the car and killed every single one of them. In the end, Reign found himself cornered, his caring to a screeching stop as he reached a dead end. The pursuing cars stopped behind him, effectively blocking any chance of escape. "Get the fuck out of the car!" A roar echoed from one of the attackers, a man with a green mohawk haircut. His thin, pale body was adorned with tattoos, fully visible because he was topless. ''Some people can''t just wait to die,'' Reign shook his head , and slowly got out of the car, but before doing so he summoned a sword first from his bones, this one look more human made and was very short , maybe at least half the size of real katana. "Did I do something wrong?" Reign asked, his words was just a distraction as he scanned his surroundings for any signs of surveince. ''Good,'' He chuckled after seeing none at all. To y it safe, he decided not to use his shy powers and instead rely solely on his practicalbat skills if the situation escted. "Do something wrong?" the man with the mohawk sneered in contempt as he approached Reign with bravado, unaware that he was very close to dying right now. "Why are you asking my question with a question? Just speak directly, you''re wasting my time ," Reign sneered. "Bastard, you just insulted and vited my wife ," He roared in anger. "Insulted and vited your wife?" Reign felt confused , he ate women but never vited them . "I don''t know about that, maybe you''ve got the wrong person," Reign attempted to exin, but his words were cut short as a bat came hurtling towards his face ''You just had to be stupid, ''Reign sighed. With lightning-fast reflexes, he easily leaned back to narrowly dodge the bat aimed at his head. Next, in one seamless motion, he reached for his hidden weapon and quickly shed it through the air, decapitating the man with the mohawk in a single fluid motion. "W¡ª What happened?" The others who witnessed the brutal act were stunned into silence, their minds struggling to process the scene. "Do you want to continue?" Reign''s voice was cold and dangerous, each word dripping with malice. Chapter 174: Greed and Guns "No, Darling!!!" screeched by a woman who was inside the car, her words piercing the air with an irritatingly high-pitched tone. As the woman''s tear-streaked face came into view, Reign''s recalled her, as the same woman who he ignored because she was too irrelevant . "What are you waiting for , kill him!!!," She ordered her face filled with frustration, as if it was Reign''s fault that his husband just die, and not them for tempting death. Everyone pointed their guns at him ready to fire . "Did you really juste here because of that?" Reign asked, his voice was filled with suspicions . It was just too trivial if all of this trouble was just for the sake of a but-hurt woman who got rejected and ignored. Reign was all in for killing humans, but he had a n that he wanted to follow to take out arge number of them in one fell swoop. With his EXP requirements, killing a dozen humans would not even dent his EXP bar. "Of course not. If you hand over all your credits, we will let you live," another man spoke up, revealing their true intentions. This man was the second-inmand, and it was clear that robbery was their primary objective. Why target Reign among all people? It was amon assumption that those from other cities were wealthy, given the exorbitant cost of travel tickets. Reign did not judged their actions; he understood that in a dog-eat-dog world, survival often meant seizing opportunities wherever they arose. However, what puzzled him was their audacity in targeting a Gold Rank like himself. Were they really delusional enough to believe they stood a chance against someone of his caliber? Or maybe desperation had clouded their judgment, driving them to take reckless risks in pursuit of money ? In the end, he decided to forget about trying to figure out how the minds of dumb people worked, lest he catch their disease called "Stupidity." ''I''ll end this fast,'' he mumbled as he started walking closer to them. As expected, they began shooting, but even without using his full power, he dodged the barrage by utilizing his environment. CLICK! Reign noticed something being thrown at him, followed by a billowing cloud of smoke. Despite his ability to see through the smoke screen, he couldn''t shake the feeling that something was amiss. ''This is no normal smoke,'' he thought to himself. He could tell that this was toxic gas, and it was pretty powerful at that. If he were human, this thing could easily kill him. But because of his passive immunity, this type of toxic was nothing at all. ''So this is where these idiots get their confidence from,'' Reign sneered with contempt. With the smoke now providing cover, Reign unleashed multiple projectiles from his knuckles, each one striking his assants in the head and killing them instantly. Brain matter leaked from the pration sites, painting the ground with a gruesome disy of death. The woman looked around in confusion as everyone suddenly copsed, dead and bleeding. "What are you doing? Kill him!" The woman screamed in disbelief, her voice filled with urgency and desperation. She couldn''tprehend what she was witnessing. Her group had sessfully robbed a lot of wealthy and powerful people without fail, thanks to the special smoke grenades they acquired from a secret distributor. These grenades emitted a type of bioweapon that only affected an area for a few seconds before dissipating, leaving no trace of the toxic substance behind. Back to the present . The reason she had joined the Veiled Nights was to spy on potential targets, and Reign had stood out too much for her not to notice. She assumed he was loaded with money, blinded by greed and the promise of easy riches. Little did she know that her greed would ultimately lead to her group members dying. When the smoke dissipated, Reign approached the woman, who now trembled in fear. She had been bold and brave with herckeys by her side, but now, alone, she was nothing but a weak bitch. All bark and no bite. "You know it''s wrong to rob people, right?" Reign asked, his face contorted into a sinister smile as he contemted how to make her suffer. He was a vengeful individual, and anyone who dared to cross him would inevitably pay the price. "I''m sorry, please spare me," the woman pleaded, sinking to her knees in desperation. It was her only option, because shecked real skills that could contribute to Reign at all, the only thing she was good at was sucking c*cks, and taking d*cks from behind. Unfortunately for her, Reign did not possess that particr organ, and even if he did, she was of such low quality that it would have been more worthwhile for him to use his hand. "I might spare you, but tell me where you got those smoke grenades ?" Reign demanded. Smoke grenades that emitted toxic and poisonous gases were banned even in the ck market due to their potential to harm innocent bystanders if it got blow away by the wind. The woman paused for a moment thinking if she should tell the truth , SLASH! "AHHHHHHHHH!" She cried out in agony, rolling on the ground as her hand was sliced open. It was a brutal disy to show her that lying would be the worst choice of her life. "I''m not a patient person, so just answer my question right away or else..." Reign warned, raising his sword again, preparing to slice her other hand. "Please don''t, please don''t! I will tell you, but please promise that you won''t kill me," she pleaded, her face contorted with pain and agony. "Alright," Reign lowered down his sword. "Those things where given to us by my cousin who work for BioGen Corportaion," she revealed . "BioGen? The Tier 1 Corporation?" Reign rified, needing to be certain. "Yes," she confirmed, her voice quivering. "He told me that something big was happening inside, and he wanted out. So, he gave us these grenades so we could target more wealthy and powerful people." "Interesting," Reign mused, stroking his chin as he contemted the implications. This revtion suggested that in addition to viruses, the research center was also actively developing other weapons. "Am I allowed to leave now? I need to get to the hospital fast, or I will bleed to death," she pleaded, struggling to maintain consciousness as she spoke. "No need for a hospital, I''ll just kill you here , save you the trouble and pain," Reign grinned and stab her knee. "AHHHHH!" she screamed in agony, but instead of stopping, Reign kept on stabbing her knees and legs, blood splurting out everywhere . "Y¡ª You said you wont kill me!" she protested with a pained expression as she struggled to get away. "I''m not killing you, I''m just stabbing your legs," Reign replied coldly while he increased the frequency of his stabs, turning her once th legs into mangled meat. After a few minutes of torture, the woman finally breathed herst, the loss of blood was too much for her to handle. ''I guess it''s time to eat,'' he mumbled to himself as he stood up and began absorbing every corpse around him. The slum had no rules whatsoever, so even if someone were to witness him killing people, they wouldn''t dare to speak up out of fear. Chapter 175: BioGen When Reign was finished, he returned to his car and drove away, ignoring the bullet holes dotting its surface. He had only borrowed it, so he didn''t bother checking for damages. Twenty minutester, he exited the Slum area and entered another neighborhood, eventually finding a modest two-story home. With no parking lot avable, he parked the car on the side of the road. CLICK! Opening the door with the key provided by Delon, he stepped into the clean, albeit sparsely furnished, home. He scanned the room, noting theck of personal touches, but it suited his needs perfectly. Settling onto the sofa, he opened his phone and began methodically selecting items he deemed necessary for the mission. He spent the points provided by Delon without hesitation, ensuring he had everything he might need until he was fully satisfied with his purchases. Though he was powerful enough to bulldoze his way inside, Reign aimed to carry out the mission with subtlety, avoiding unnecessary fights. His goal was to ess the virus storage room without raising any rms. All the killing wouldeter when his n took effect. When that happened, the whole city would plunge into chaos, and he would reap all the benefits in one go. What he was doing now was nting the seeds first. By sacrificing immediate rewards, he was ying the long game. ''Done,'' he thought, clicking the final item for purchase. He would retrieve everythingter from the base. This was one of the perks of having ess to the Veiled Nights App¡ªhe could acquire items that weren''t avable for public used. In addition, he essed useful information like city maps and other important data. Unfortunately, when he checked for the blueprint of the facility, there wasn''t much avable. The mission was too new, so only the obvious details visible from outside the facility were provided. Next, he decided to gather useful information about the current military movements within the city. As expected, the number ofbat-ready armed forces was increasing daily. Other high tier cities were sending more reinforcements to protect this area, as low-tier cities acted as resource nodes for therger ones. Unlike High Tier Cities, Tier 4 cities have more open and untouched space. High Tier Cities, due to overpoption, use all avablend for infrastructure, leading to densely packed environments. This difference makes Tier 4 cities valuable for resources. Now fully prepared, he allowed himself a moment of calm before the storm . One dayter : 9:00 pm From his lookout located among the branches of a distant tree, Reign''s eyes scanned the opposite hill using a newly bought Binocrs, where the heavily guarded research facility loomed over thendscape. Spanning roughly 30,000 square meters wide, the facility resembled more of a fortress than a mere research institute. His gazed was caught by the imposing walls filled with redser detection systems on top, ready to detect any intruder stupid enough to approach . ess was restricted to three points: the main entrance, leading the road to the highway; three helipads providing anding area; and a heavily fortified entry through the sewer system. ''This ce is too secure," he thought to himself, tallying the number ofbat-ready security guards armed with advanced rifles and exoskeletons designed to enhance their physical powers. Alongside the imposing walls and vignt guards, he spotted anti-air missiles strategically positioned, their presence signaling how tough the defense was in this ce. "Just as expected from a Tier 1 corporation," he mused inwardly Beforeing to the facility, he had gathered intelligence on BioGen Corporation. Armed with the knowledge of its status in the global business world, he discovered that it was one of thergest corporations in the medical and science industry. Normally, the Veiled Nights didn''t entertain requests against huge corporations. It was too much of a risk, as thesepanies could spend billions to make their lives a living hell. However, Reign received insider information from Delon revealing that BioGen had recently severed ties with the Chamber of Commerce and aligned itself with a rival group ofpanies, Light Rock Capital. This strategic move had stirred up conflict, forcing other medicalpanies from the Chamber to engage in a showdown with BioGen, aiming to set an example and assert their dominance. A move like this showed the seriousness of thepetition between conglomerates, emphasizing that despite the threat of the corrupted, businessmen would always prioritize protecting their own interests first. But Reign couldn''t care less about their corporate drama; he was solely fixated on the viruses within those walls. His goal: to boost the potency and lethality of his own virus. He knew his n depended on a powerful virus. Strengthening it was key. The virus he possessed was powerful and deadly, but the technology in this world was also advanced. He remembered his old world, where a virus could be easily countered in just a matter of days, so pandemics no longer existed for decades. It''s clear that in this world, the potential threat of the virus Reign possesses could be mitigated by advanced medical technology. Back in the present, he began memorizing the patterns of the CCTV cameras as they scanned the ce, along with the movement of the spotlights and the routes taken by the security guards. ''This will be a bit hard,'' Reign pondered. His options were limited; he couldn''t afford to create too much chaos, as it would jeopardize his future ns. For his scheme to seed, he had to ensure that no major incidents urred in the three days leading up to Aiku''splete possession of Demi''s body. ''I''ll just bail out if things get dangerous,'' Reign decided, pulling a ck mask over his fake one to blend better in the night. Next, his body morphed, shrinking and bing leaner. By decreasing his size, he aimed to minimize his visibility even further, adhering to the logic that the smaller he was, the lower the risk of being spotted. After seeing that he reached his shrinking limit, he began flexing his legs and hands, ensuring he adjusted properly to his new, smaller and leaner body. This wasn''t his first rodeo, so it didn''t take long for him to feelfortable. ''I''m ready,'' With a silent exhale, he dropped from the tree branch casually. As hended on the ground, he immediately focus his mind on the mission . Reign''s eyes quickly scanned the highway road ahead, ensuring it was clear of any approaching vehicles. Satisfied, he sprang into action, crossing the highway and heading toward a less fortified section of the wall. He decided against the sewer entrance since it would be too cramped and easier for security to spot him. He avoided moving in a straight line, opting a more round about manner to minimize the risk of being spotted. With each step, he remained vignt, scanning the ground for any irregrities that might indicate the presence of hiddenndmines. Thest thing he needed was a loud explosion, which would surely alert everyone and jeopardize his meticulously nned infiltration. Approaching the wall, his sharp eyes caught sight of theser grid above. He knew that as long as he avoided touching those beams of light, he should be safe from detection. ''Let''s do it,'' he mumbled to himself while estimating the height of the wall and the distance needed to vault over it. Chapter 176: Sneaking Through SWOOOSH! He picked up his pace until he reached a close enough distance, then used a powerful kick to the ground tounch himself, effortlessly vaulting over the wall. Timing his jump with precision, he executed a wless leap, his movements synchronized with the security patrol patterns he had memorized. As he soared through the air, he made a subtle adjustment, reforming his feet to a sharp pincer point, ensuring a silentnding. So instead of a heavy thud, his pointed feet pierced the gravel beneath him, muffling any sound of impact. But despite the wless execution of the first stage of his n, he remained focused and alert. He knew that celebrating prematurely could jeopardize his mission. It wasn''t in his nature to count the chicks before they hatched. Quickly, he ducked beneath a nearby truck, concealing himself from view. Wasting no time, he meticulously memorized the security patrol patterns again and the locations of the CCTV''s while quickly moving from one blind spot to another as he searched for potential ess points. His careful movements and Night Crawl Ability made him blend into the dark corners until he reached arge building, resembling more of a massive garage, housing an array of vehicles and equipment. There were even tanks inside. ''Yeah, this ce is certainly not just a medical research facility'' Reign chuckled to himself. These people had their own private army here. With a quick assessment of the area, he spotted a venttion duct near the roof of the building It seemed like a promising entry point. He scaled the wall with ease, using his ws to reach the duct opening. Next, he silently twisted the screws, and slipped inside, disappearing into thework of vents within the facility. The vents were really small, onlyrge enough for an 1-4 year-old child to fit through, which was perfect since Reign was only 3.5 feet tall at the moment. The metallic confines of the ductwork enveloped him, the faint hum of the facility''s venttion units echoing. Navigating the narrow passages, he moved fast while maintaining a quite paced. With each twist and turn, he drew closer to his target¡ªthe researchb where the viruses were stored. Drawing on his memory of the facility''syout from his previous scouting, he recalled a particr building that stood apart from the rest: a windowless structure . Instinctively, he guessed it as the likely repository for the stored virus, shielded from prying eyes and potential breaches. So his goal was to reach it through the venttion system, as a windowless building like that was bound to have argework to maintain the air inside. That was the n, but as he scanned the vent''s strips, something caught his attention below . ''Wait, are those prisoners?'' he thought to himself as he observed twelve individuals in chains being escorted by armed personnel. Unlike the usual orange T-shirts worn by prisoners, these individuals were d in clean white attire, reminiscent of those typically seen in mental hospitals. However, their rugged and intimidating appearances hinted that they were not the most good natured characters. ''Odd, why does this feel familiar?'' Reign mused inwardly. Then, it clicked ¨C these individuals were humanb rats. He didn''t care much about them. It amused him how he ended up visiting a ce that also experimented on humans, which he found ironic. ''They''re also being taken in the same direction as that building,'' he observed silently to himself, connecting the dots between the prisoners'' escort and the windowless structure. With this knowledge , he made a decision. Crawling silently above the ceiling, he matched the pace of the escorted prisoners, keeping a careful eye out for any rms or surveince devices that might be triggered by his presence Fortunately, the narrow confines made it impractical for adult ess, so the facility hadn''t allocated much security to this area. Only the most basic measures were in ce, but Reign was well-prepared. With equipment acquired from the ck Market, he could easily bypass and disable any obstacles that stood in his way, until he found a vent leading outside. When he emerged from the vent, he used his ws to grip the wall, hanging securely as he observed the scene below. The prisoners were now being escorted through a small sky bridge, and he could see them through the clear windows. Reignnded silently on top of the sky bridge and quickly made his way to another venting system in the next building. He moved without wasting any time, repeating this maneuver multiple times, seamlessly transitioning from one building to the next until he reached his destination. ''Finally,'' he sighed, he was morefortable with killing and destroying things with a loud "BANG" than ying the role of a silent ninja. Just as he predicted, the ce was filled with venttion, and thework of passages was confusing. He decided to follow theb rats; wherever these guys were headed must be an important spot for experimenting. There, he would check out the type of experiment they were conducting, gather some information, and n further. He cautiously trailed them . As he crept closer to their destination, he could hear the faint hum of machinery and the asional murmur of voices. "Is this the next batch?" A man in ab coat spoke, his demeanor as mean-looking as his sharp eyebrows and sses suggested. "Yes, Doc," the guards replied obediently. "Good, take them inside," the doctor ordered, his voice haughty and arrogant. The guards nodded, but before they could move, one of theb rats spoke up in an intimidating manner. "Hey ! Are you telling us the truth? That we can escape the death penalty by helping you with your research?" one of theb rats asked in a husky and determined voice. The mean-looking doctor paused for a moment, his annoyance evident, but he forced a smile in the end. "Of course, you''re helping humanity, so the least we can do is give you all a second chance at life," he responded. All theb rats were ted after hearing this confirmation. They were set to die anyway, so getting a chance like this, despite the oddness of the whole situation, clouded their judgment. "Idiots," Reign sighed. It was clear as day that they were being fooled. Back in his world, he also saw otherb rats like him, and they were mostly prisoners too, who were on death row, bought through under-the-table dealings. He guessed that this was the same case. As theb rats entered another room, the doctor leaned in close to the guard, his voice barely a whisper. "Use that piece of garbage first," the doctor ordered, disgust evident on his face. Reign observed the scene, and he recalled the memories from his past life. He remembered all too well how he, too, had been treated like an object. With a cold gaze fixed on the doctor''s face, he made a mental note to gave him a special treatment when they crossed paths again. But for now he would back down because he did not want to messed up his n just because of an impulsive emotion. ''I''ll get you next time,'' Reign spoke his voice cold and dangerous Chapter 177: Unethical Experiment Part 1 Inside the venttion system, Reign continued his pursuit and entered another area. Theb rats, or prisoners, were held in small cells, waiting for their turn to be experimented on, supposedly for the sake of humanity. But Reign knew better. These people and corporations only craved power and money. When they made a breakthrough, they sold it to the highest bidder. All this talk about humanity was just a cover to justify their actions. "You go first," one guard said, opening the door to the holding cell. He grabbed the first victim of the day, dragging him inside another room. The first to be chosen was the man who had annoyed one the cocky doctor from before. "Hey, don''t rush me," The prisoner red defiantly as they bound him to the chair, the restraints cutting into his skin. "Why are these straps so tight?" he demanded angrily. "They''re made of a special material," a doctor replied coldly, preparing a syringe filled with a ck liquid. "What the hell is that? You lied to us!" he shouted, his voice filled with fear and anger. He could tell that wasn''t medicine inside the syringe just by looking at it. The liquid inside was even squirming, as if it were alive, sending shivers down his spine. Panic surged within him as he realized the true nature of what they were about to inject . "FUCK, LET ME GO! I CHANGE MY MIND!" The man screamed, desperation evident in his voice. He struggled with all his strength, trying to break free from the restraints, but they didn''t even budge. The room where all this took ce was sealed off, with only a one-sided mirror providing a glimpse of the inhumane experiments. The sounds of the prisoner''s screams echoed through the room, amplified by a high-quality speaker system. On the other side of the mirror, a group of onlookers observed the scene casually. It was clear that this was not their first time witnessing such atrocities. They had be numb to the brutality. Among them, the cocky doctor from earlier sneered as he watched the prisoner''s futile attempts to break free. Reign watched everything from the top corner of viewing the room, hidden behind a vent opening. The doctor assigned to inject the serum eyes squinted, holding the syringe closer. "This is for the greater good," he said, his tone devoid of sympathy. "DON''T DO IT!" the prisoner screamed defiantly, his voice echoing with desperation. Ignoring the prisoner''s desperate pleas, he pressed the needle against the man''s trembling arm. He injected the ck liquid into his veins, the substance disappearing into his flesh with a sickening slurp. "MOTHERFUCKERS!!! " The man''s screams echoed through the sealed room, muffled only slightly by the thick walls and the one-sided mirror. Reign watched from his hidden vantage point, he waited to see what would happen next. Suddenly, the man''s skin began to change and be paler, each moment draining more color until he looked almost out of blood. Next, dark patches, resembling ck tumors, started to appear on his chest and rapidly spread across his body. Each patch emerged from beneath his skin, causing his screams to rise in high pitch and intensity. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO ME !!!!" The man''s eyes bulged with terror, his face twisted in agony. He shrieked in pain, his voice raw and desperate. However, everyone just watched him suffer, unaffected by his pain. They no longer saw him as human, but merely as an animal that was for them to used. His body convulsed violently as the ck tumors continued to spread, consuming him inch by inch. The sight was horrifying; whatever he was experiencing must have felt like hell itself. Everyone watched with cold detachment, not bothered by the man''s torment. Meanwhile, Reign felt a sense of familiarity wash over him as he watched the scene unfold. His mind raced, trying to recall where he had seen something simr before. ''This is corruption,'' he concluded. The man, contorted in agony, now bore the unmistakable signs of corruption. It was as if a dark energy had taken hold of him, twisting his once-human form into something grotesque and unnatural. ''Why are they trying to turn a human into one?'' he pondered, baffled by the twisted logic. This was counterproductive. If they just wanted something to test on, they could capture a corrupted creature instead. The next moment, he over heard the cocky doctor on the Viewing Room giving instruction . "Administer the Compound V" The doctors exchanged a nce, then nodded and began preparing another syringe. This time, the liquid inside was a vivid blue. Slowly, the doctor approached the prisoner, who was now thrashing against his restraints, desperately trying to break free. Hemoved closer, his expression cold and focused. The prisoner''s eyes widened in terror, but his struggles were futile. He injected the serum into his arm, and the prisoner''s body convulsed more violently as the substance took effect. As the new serum took effect, the ck tumors stopped multiplying. For a moment, it seemed as if the dark patches were slowly healing. Even Reign was amazed. They were attempting to reverse the effects of corruption, which meant this research could potentially save humanity. But the relief was short-lived. After a few seconds, the ck patches began to spread again, this time much faster. The prisoner''s body was rapidly consumed by the dark tumors. "Get out" The cocky doctor ordered. The personnel on the other side hurriedly exited, their movements showing that this wasn''t their first escape from a failed experiment. From his vantage point, Reign watched as the prisoner''s body convulsed violently. Suddenly, the man''s chest burst open, releasing a flood of ck liquid that sttered against the walls, ss and floor, covering the entire room. The sight was nightmarish, the liquid pulsating and spreading like a living entity. Reign''s mind raced as he tried to process what he had just witnessed. The experiment had failed, turning the prisoner into a horrifying source of corruption instead of healing him. "We failed again, that''s the 1255th," the cocky doctor grumbled, his irritation evident as he clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Doctor Harvey, I think this is a good pace, at least now we where able to see some improvements, " One of the doctor spoke, this time someone who look younger ,around 25 years old. "How many years have you been here?" Harvey asked, his tone tinged with irritation. "Just over a month, Doctor Harvey," the young doctor stuttered nervously, realizing his mistake. He braced himself for the Chief Doctor''s scrutiny, knowing he had be the target of his displeasure. Doctor Harvey was visibly annoyed and prepared to give the young doctor an earful. However, after noticing the name tag and recognizing the young doctor''s surname, he quickly suppressed his emotions. The young man came from a wealthy family in a Tier 3 City and was one of the stockholders of BioGen Corporation. Realizing the potential repercussions of chastising someone with such influential connections, he chose to control his anger and handle the situation with caution. "You''re right, this is good news," Harvey conceded, his tone softening as he considered the situation. "We''re got valuable data from these experiments, and we can use it to improve our next attempt." With a reassuring smile, he ced a hand on the young doctor''s shoulder, a gesture meant to convey support and encouragement. Chapter 178: Unethical Experiment Part 2 "This..." Everyone in the room could sense Doctor Harvey''s favoritism towards the young man, but they remained silent, knowing theycked the same background and connections. In this world, having a powerful backer could indeed mean the difference between sess and failure. It was often a prerequisite for navigating any career path smoothly. With the right connections and support, individuals could expect preferential treatment and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. Some of them had dedicated decades of their lives to this project, but they knew that this young man would be quickly promoted ahead of them due to his privileged background. What grated on them even more was the fact that he wasn''t particrly exceptional in terms of intellect. While he may have been decent academically, this facility was meant for geniuses in their respective fields. Each of them possessed multiple degrees, but even with their impressive qualifications, they had barely met the requirements to work for BioGen Main Laboratory ,and was sent to this Tier 4 City instead. Reign, witnessing the entire scene, struggled to contain hisughter. It struck him as both ironic and sadthat human nature remained consistent across different worlds. Even in the face of thethreat of the Corrupteds and the end of the world, the influence of the Backer System was still going strong. It seemed that no matter the circumstances, certain aspects of human society were perpetual . ''Now I finally understand why my father implemented the Extreme Merit System,'' he thought to himself, recalling the policy in his old world. It was a groundbreaking and extreme approach enforced worldwide, dictating that performance evaluations relied solely on Merit Points regted by powerful AI algorithms. The merit-based approach ensured that everyone had a fair chance to seed, leading to unparalleled progress across various sectors. Thanks to this system, his old world had experienced rapid development in technology. But the flip side of the Extreme Merit System was harsh penalties for those who failed to adhere to its standards. Under-performance led to automatic sry deductions, warnings, and other disciplinary measures aimed at promoting productivity. As a result, his father was perceived as authoritarian and tyrannical, used of enving humanity in the name of progress. Despite the system''s effectiveness in driving development, its stringent enforcement had drawn criticism and fueled resentment among the popce. Reign felt a sense of relief knowing that he was no longer bound by the intricacies of human politics and societal norms. As a monster, he was free from the burdens of human civilization, liberated to pursue his own goals without the constraints of morality. He just needed to prioritize bing stronger above all else, nothing else mattered inparison. "Clean the room," Harvey instructed. They quickly pressed their control panels, inputtingmands that triggered a series of mechanical machineries hidden within the walls of the room. With a low hum, the robotic machines emerged from their concealedpartments, their sleek metallic surfaces gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights. Each instrument went to work methodically, sweeping across the floors, disinfecting surfaces, and removing any traces of the brutal experiment that had just taken ce. One instrument resembled a robotic arm equipped with precision cleaning tools, while another resembled a miniature vacuum cleaner, efficiently sucking up any debris or contaminants. Another instrument sprayed a fine mist of disinfectant, ensuring that every corner of the room was thoroughly sanitized. Within minutes, not a trace remained of the events that had transpired, leaving the room as immacte as it had been before. "Mr. Smith, do you want toe with me on the next experiment?" Harvey redirected his attention to the young doctor who came from a wealthy family, Jonathan Smith. "Are you sure? I don''t think I have ess to that," he replied clearly taken aback by the offer. "Don''t worry, it''s just a new strain of virus that we discovered," Harvey reassured casually. "Today is the beginning of its human clinical trials, so it''s a good opportunity for you to witness the effects firsthand." Harvey exined without even bothering to hide the content to the other personnels. In this facility, everyone was bound by a strict non-disclosure agreement (NDA), ensuring that sensitive information remained confidential. Furthermore, with corporations holding significant influence over the government, there was little concern about being held ountable for any potential leaks. "Then, I''ll take that offer," Jonathan replied. ''I''ll take the offer too,'' Reign chuckled to himself as he overheard them . With them leading the way, he no longer needed to search blindly the entire building. Reign followed them secretly, using the venttion system to remain concealed. However, when Harvey and Jonathan entered an elevator, he had to abandon the vent and leap onto the roof of the elevator to continue trailing them. Reign ensured his movements were silent as hended on the roof of the elevator, making sure to grab onto the elevator cable to prevent any noise. As they descended, it became apparent that the viruses were stored underground judging by how long it was taking to descend . The mere fact that they were kept in such a secure location showed just how deadly this viruses were. Any breach or leak could have catastrophic consequences, potentially resulting in widespread illness or even fatalities. When the elevator came to a stop, Reign quickly slipped into another venttion shaft, seamlessly continuing his pursuit of Harvey and Jonathan. From his vantage point, he could hear their conversation echoing through the ducts. It became evident that Harvey was attempting to cozy up to Jonathan, likely to gain favor and influence over him. The subtle ttery and camaraderie in Harvey''s tone indicated his ulterior motives, as he sought to solidify his. And if Harvey managed to seed in his efforts, there was the possibility of being transferred back to the Tier 1 City, where technological advancements far surpassed those avable elsewhere. Reign continued to listen intently, remaining vignt in case Harvey and Jonathan discussed any topics that could be of use to him. However¡ª ''This feeling...'' he paused in his tracks, his senses tingling with a sudden awareness of danger. It was his instinct, warning him of a threat lurking somewhere within the confines of this underground area ''Weird, is there something else here aside from viruses?'' he pondered briefly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his mind. ''Where is this feelinging from?'' he pondered, his thoughts racing as he tried to pinpoint the source if his unease. But he quickly shook off the thought, brushing aside any doubts that threatened to cloud his mind. He was more than powerful enough to kill anything that tried to confront him. In addition, regardless of any other secrets hidden within the facility, his focus remained on acquiring the viruses and making his escape without being noticed. "Doctor Harvey, I heard from my father that this ce is conducting some intriguing research beyond just special serums and viruses," Jonathan asked, his tone growing morefortable as he spoke. Harvey paused for a moment, taken aback by Jonathan''s knowledge of the secret project. However, after thinking about it, he figured out that as the son of a stockholder, it was only natural for Jonathan to have ess to certain information regarding their research. "Do you want to see the research?" Harvey asked. Chapter 179: Unethical Experiment Part 3 In the corner of the room stood a towering ss capsule, its transparent walls enclosing a pool of vivid green liquid. Awork of cables snaked from the ss capsule, their intricate web connecting to various monitors and sensors. Most notably, a cluster of cables was dedicated to monitoring heartbeat, each pulse meticulously recorded and analyzed. Inside the capsule, obscured by the swirling liquid,y the object ofboth Jonathan and Harvey''s scrutiny¡ªa mysterious creature As the monitors hummed with activity, the creature remained suspended in a state of slumber. Its heartbeat was steady, but there was no sign of it waking up. "What is this thing, Dr. Harvey, if you don''t mind me asking?" Jonathan inquired while observing the creature. As a scientist, he had a habit of being curious about things he did not understand. Looking closely, it didn''t seemed to be a corrupted; it looked more like a demon. Itsrge head and small body gave it an unsettling, almost childlike appearance, with skin that looked surprisingly human-like. If not for the disproportionatelyrge head, it might have passed for a human. Its facial features were delicate, suggesting a feminine aspect, but there were no private parts. "This is one of the surviving projects we managed to salvage," Harvey exined, his tone serious as he gestured towards the ss capsule. "Unfortunately, we never found a way to awaken her." Harvey then sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly before he continued. "We''ve tried countless methods, but nothing has worked so far. " "What is this thing exactly?" Jonathan asked . "This is humanity''s first sessful attempt to create a Meta-Human." "Meta-Human?" Jonathan''s brows furrowed in confusion as he refocused his attention to the creature, trying to grasp the significance of what Harvey was saying. "Aren''t we already capable of giving humans enhancements through drugs and transnts?" Jonathan asked, his skepticism evident in his tone. Harvey paused, considering Jonathan''s question. Despite his generally mean personality, Harvey knew how to y the role of a good mentor when it suited his interests. Recognizing the potential benefits, he decided to be more patient with Jonathan''s questions. "You''re right. We have made advancements in enhancing human capabilities through pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures. But what sets this project apart is the level of enhancement we''re aiming for. We''re talking about abilities that go beyond what''s achievable through conventional means." Jonathan''s eyebrows raised in intrigue. "So, you''re saying this project is about pushing the boundaries of what''s humanly possible?" "In theory, yes," Harvey began, shifting the conversation. This was something he needed to exin first. "We''ve been asking these questions for too long. But let me ask you this, do you think demons are more superior to humans?" "That¡­" Jonathan was speechless. It had been the debate of ages whether demons are more superior to humans. "In terms of power, yes," Jonathan replied. "But we are more intelligent, and have the ability to adapt. Over time, I think these traits make us the superior species." he added, his voice filled with confidence in his own race. "Adapt? Isn''t it just because we are weak to begin with?" Harvey questioned, his tone contemtive. "That''s why we have to rely on external things to grow stronger. I think the demon race is more superior than us, but don''t think that I want to be one of them. I just believe that humans should surpass them," he exined. "Surpassed them?" Jonathan was taken aback, his mind reeling at the audacity of Harvey''s suggestion. Just remembering the tales of how powerful demons were, from lords to gods, was enough to make him doubt the possibility of humans ever reaching such heights of power. However, Harvey''s expression was serious. Seeing this, Jonathan decided to shift the awkward conversation. "So, what''s the difference between Meta Humans and Enhanced Humans?" he asked. Harvey contemted for a moment. He could tell what Jonathan was trying to do, but he just let it be and went with the flow. "Unlike Enhanced Humans, Meta-Humans are born with powers," Harvey exined, "Through gic engineeringof their DNA starting from birth, the objective is to grant them abilities close to demons, but without the need to consume humans to live." Jonathan''s eyes widened in realization. "So, you''re saying that this our attempt to copy demons?" "Not copy, surpassed," Harvey rified, shaking his head with a hint of annoyance in his tone. He couldn''t help but feel irritated by Jonathan''s personality, finding it somewhat grating. Maybe he was spoiled as a kid and never learned how to addressed his seniors. "This is too much to process," Jonathan eximed, feeling overwhelmed by the information. "And are you saying that this thing is the first one? So why is it here?" "It''s because, even though it''s alive, the Main HQ couldn''t figure out how to wake it up. So, when I asked, they handed it over to me for study. And there are plenty of other sessful Meta-Humans in the Main Base, in better shape. So, you could say this one''s not top priority anymore." "I see," Jonathan nodded in understanding. This thing was just the prototype model, so it was bound to be less powerful and less important despite being the foundation of future models. The two doctors began talking again, fully unaware that right now someone other than themselves was listening . ''Interesting,'' Reign chuckled to himself, his gaze focused on the Meta-Human in the capsule. He was sure of it; the feeling of unease from before wasing from it. Something that could make him feel danger even though it was asleep was bound to be powerful. ''Not even that hypocrite Cult Leader made me feel this way,'' Reign muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the Meta-Human in the capsule. ''To think that humans had already gone this far, '' He added. If Harvey''s words were the truth and there were others like this one in better condition, then he could imagine how far humanity had already progressed in their research. He wouldn''t even be shocked if they seeded in making a Meta-Human that could contend with a Demon God. Humans always aim for the top, and he believed that given enough time, they could achieve the impossible. However¡ª ''Too bad you all have to die before you can enjoy those achievements,'' Reign chuckled inwardly. His power scaled with each consumption , so no matter how strong they made a Meta-Human, he would always be stronger because his potential was unlimited. The only time he would stop growing was if he found himself with nothing to eat anymore. Using his undead eye, he could also see that it was filled with vitality, so much so that it was almost liquid-like in perspective. ''I wonder what will happen if I eat this thing,'' an idea crept into his mind. It was asleep and vulnerable right now, practically begging to be devoured by him. There are risks involved,but Harvey had admitted they never found a way to awaken it, suggesting it may never wake up or incapable of doing so. And even if, by some stroke of bad luck, it did awaken, he had the element of surprise on his side. He could devour it before it even had a chance to process what was happening. ''What should I do?'' he pondered . Chapter 180: Unethical Experiment Part 4 ''No risk, no return,'' he repeated those words to himself. If he wasn''t willing to gamble, it would affect his mentality in the future. Looking at how condensed the vitality of the Meta-Human was, it would give him a lot of levels, maybe even more so that what he gained from the Cult Leader. And because the creature was heavily modified, he could also gain some powerful organs for his mutations. This thing was a treasure trove, and just letting it go would not sit well with him. With this in mind, he decided to wait, all the while checking for any CCTV cameras that he had to disable. ''Let''s see...'' His gaze trailed off as he his mind race to handle all this safety measures. It was fortunate that the ck Market had a collections of items for sale to aid criminals in their jobs, from killing and robbing to pulling off heists. CLICK! A smallpartment opened up in his forearm, hidden beneath his bone was a small bug camera. Reign had been able to maximize his ability usage by making his bones hollow and using them to conceal gadgets. The camera on his hand was meant to be ced on top of a CCTV. This would provide fake feedback to the CCTV, masking his attempt to eat the Meta-Human. As for any other type of sensor? When they entered, he noticed that they had not shut down any rms or defense mechanisms, indicating that there were no sensors on the floor. This area was considered too far down in the base, leading them to becent. They began talking more, and after a few moments of small talk, they finally decided to go. For now, Reign followed them, leading the way to the room where the viruses were located. When he located the exact location, he backtracked to the room where the creature was confined. He disabled the sensor on the vent , slowly twisted the screw of the cover, and jumped down, searching for a blind spot. Next, he timed the CCTV''s and installed the bugs to ensure he had enough time to proceed with his n. When all of those were done, he walked towards the capsule to get a better look at the creature. Now that he was just a few inches farther, he could feel that this creature was really dangerous. If it were awake, it might pose a higher challenge than the giant pile of Corrupteds he killed in Summit City. ''Meta-humans, huh?'' Reign''s voice trailed off as he looked at the thing. It was really weird-looking, and despite being asleep, its face was contorted in pain. He turned around and looked at the control panels near it. If he just broke the ss, it could trigger an rm. Fortunately, the control panel was pretty intuitive; just by studying the buttons and the tags on it, he was able to find the shutdown button. CLICK! A hissing sound echoed from the capsule as the green liquid began to drain away, slowly revealing the creature descending slowly to the bottom. With thest of the liquid drained, Reign opened the capsule and carefully lifted the creature out. "Damn, you''re ugly," he chuckled to aloud, then he tried to absorb it using his Bone Eater, but it did not work because it was still alive. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! His mouth started cracking and expanding until it was the size of two human heads, and then he bit the creature''s head without any hesitation. Its head burst as Reign''s teeth crashed into it, devouring it whole. Well, that was what was supposed to happen. But in reality, Reign''s body froze in ce. The next moment, the energy core in his body started to drain rapidly. Dark energy, lightning energy, and fire energy and more merged and were being sucked in by the creature at an elerated rate. It was so fast that even though Reign had a massive amount of reserves, it was being drained by the creature like it was a bottomless pit. During this moment, the creature started glowing too. Its human skin softened, its hair turned red and grew longer, its head shrank, and the contorted, ugly face became more human-like, until it looked like a little girl. When she opened her eyes, they were bright red and gem-like. Her face had be innocent and cute, unlike her appearance from before. "Papa¡­" It spoke up, its voice as gentle and innocent as a baby''s coo. It was like the sound of a child uttering her very first words, filled with curiosity and innocence. The little girl saw that Reign was not moving, so she got scared a little. Suddenly, ck chains materialized from Reign''s body and quickly restricted the her movements. "Papa?" she asked in confusion. She didn''t know what was happening because she was a newborn. The ck chains continued to coil around her small body, wrapping tighter and tighter until she waspletely covered by it. Slowly the chains pulled her into Reign''s body, to merge her body with his chest. A dark pool of blood appeared on Reign''s chest, slowly absorbing herpletely. She did not know what was happening, but she felt that the chains meant her no harm, so she simply let them suck her up into Reign''s body. Up until now, Reign was still not aware of what was happening. Time did not stop; it was just his consciousness being frozen by something, and it was not the little girl. She was strong, but she was not powerful enough to contain him in this manner at all. [Ding] The sound of the system echoed again, much like when the angel''s vessel tried to check her origin in the Alley. It acted on its own without his consent. The freezing was the system intervening, and it was not true that the creature sucked Reign''s energy. Instead, for some reason, the system directed the energy to her, as if trying to cultivate her and awaken her dormant power. As for why it did so, only the future could tell. "What the fuck?" Reign eximed in frustration as his teeth nged together, biting at nothing but air. In his perspective, the creature suddenly vanished from his hand before he could bite its head off. But that wasn''t the only thing amiss. When he turned around to look for it. His legs gave out on him, every ounce of his energy drained away in an instant. At this point, he became more guarded, gathering his thoughts as he assessed the situation. ''I need to rest,'' He thought to himself. Vulnerable and drained, he could rely only on his stamina . Slowly, he made his way towards the vent, climbed up, andy down, his mind racing with questions. Did that creature somehow teleport? And even if it did, how could it be gone without him detecting something? These questions gnawed at his mind, demanding answers. His reaction time was off the charts; he could even see bullets in a slow motion. So, even if it was teleportation, he should have been able to at least see iting. ''What the hell happened?'' he pondered, his mind swirling with confusion. Chapter 181: Solution to Everything Reign kept trying to recall the moment the Meta Human vanished into thin air. He had a good memory, so if he concentrated hard enough, he could rey the whole scene in his mind and remember every detail, even the smallest ones he hadn''t noticed before because he was preupied with something else. As the memory resurfaced, he noticed the time on the control panel. The panel disyed different types of data, including temperature, time, and date. There was a gap of a minute when he opened his maw and bite into the creature, which was very unnatural considering his bite should only take a split second. "So I just stopped moving for a full minute without being aware?" he thought. That was the only exnation he coulde up with given the avable information. If he had been frozen for a full minute without any awareness, it suggested a level of control or influence far beyond anything he had encountered before. This realization was enough to make him felt very threatened. No matter how powerful he was, if someone or something could freeze his thought process for that long, it would be game over. He prided himself on his speed and reaction time, but this incident showed him that those strengths could be rendered useless in an instant. Reign clenched his fists, frustration raising within him. "I can''t afford to be caught off guard like that again," he thought. "I need to understand what happened and how to prevent it." Little did Reign know that it was the system''s doing that caused all of this confusion . But on the bright side, this little incident would prove helpful in the future when he actually encountered someone capable of mental attacks. ''I don''t think that thing is here anymore,''he mused, sensing nothing out of the ordinary. Before, he had felt a heavy, nagging sensation, as if something powerful and dangerous was lurking nearby. The air had been filled with tension, but now that feeling hadpletely vanished. This thought provided a small measure of relief. ''Still, I can''t afford to becent. Whatever that thing was, it was powerful. It must have had a reason for leaving instead of finishing me off. Maybe it''s more intelligent than I initially thought, or maybe it was just as disoriented as I was.'' He reasoned out. After a few minutes, he regained some of his energy and found himself faced with two options. He could eitherpletely abandon the goal of getting the virus, forfeiting all the effort he had put in thus far and gaining nothing in return. Or, he could summon his courage, and stop being a pussy. ''Fuck that Meta Human! ,'' He refused to abandon his goal over something like this. Right now, what he needed most was power, and acquiring those viruses would elerate his n. The day after tomorrow would be the third day, and if everything went ording to n, Aiku would have alreadypletely possessed Demi, the governor . From that moment, he could finally start the next phase of his n, which would him a lot of experience points. And if he got lucky, maybe he would finally break the barrier and ascend to the status of a true demon lord. The gap between him as he was now and a demon lord was vast, so achieving such a status would provide him with greater assurance for the future. In the face of overwhelming power, everything else was insignificant. Even his current bad experienced were merely the result of his ownck of strength. The solution, was to continue growing stronger until nothing could threaten him¡ªwhether through physical attacks, mental maniption, or spiritual assault. He made a mental note to address all these weaknesses in the future, determined to be really invincible. But for now, he pushed aside all doubts and unnecessary thoughts lingering in the back of his head, so he could focused on his goal. *** After entering the ventwork leading to the virus storage area, Reign noticed the temperature had dropped a lot. It was freezing, in fact. This was because some viruses needed to be kept in cold conditions to preserve them. As he crawled deeper, the freezing temperature became almost unbearable for humans, but it was nothing to Reign. Even in subzero temperatures, he could still move with ease as long as he had energy to spare. ''They''re still here?'' Reign thought, seeing that Doctor Harvey and Jonathan were still there, checking some kind substance through the microscope . Both of them wore white hazmat suits, emphasizing the danger of this ce. Any mistake could cause an outbreak. The viruses were contained in a specialized room designed for maximum security and preservation. The walls were lined with reinforced steel, and the area was bathed in a sterile, icy blue light. In the center stood arge, airtight ss case capable of holding up to 10 humans at the same time. Inside, rows of vials were meticulously organized on illuminated shelves, each one filled with dangerous viruses, bacteria , and other dangerous substances. Temperature was kept at a freezing level, monitored by advanced digital thermostats to ensure the viruses remained stable. The hum of the refrigeration units was the only sound in the otherwise silent, sterile environment. Seeing the two doctors examining a particr vial, Reign''s curiosity was piqued. The liquid inside was also ck, but it was different from the one injected into the prisoners. This one looked less dark and, judging by its movement inside, it was thick and slimy. As Reign eavesdropped, he overheard them discussing the virus that was supposed to be stolen. "I''ll just wait for them to finish," he thought to himself. Revealing himself now would render all his hard work useless. However¡ª After finishing their rounds and noting their findings, Harvey and Jonathan instead of putting back the virus on the storage ced the ck vial in a briefcase and left the room. This made Reign ponder on what to do next, but ultimately, he decided to let it go. The unexpected turn of events left him briefly unsettled, but he quickly refocused his attention on the primary objective: getting the viruses from storage. Overall, the mission was merely a bonus. Even if he didn''tplete it, the benefits were far higher with getting the viruses. Just like before, he timed the CCTV, quickly calcting the window of opportunity. CLICK! He got out from the vent, moving with a speed that was neither too fast or too slow. Next. Without hesitation, he began cing the bug on the camera, to give him enough time to get the vials. Once the bug was in ce, he retreated back and nodded in satisfaction. He walk close to the storage area. In front of him was big ss box, housing rows upon rows of vials. Within, there were possibly hundreds of different types, each containing a concentrated form of virus meticulously preserved for study or other purposes. There was a ss door, equipped with a panel for inputting a password. Luckily, Reign had memorized the code used by Harvey when hest essed the room. DING! With a quick press of the same button sequence, the door unlocked, granting him ess to the storage case. Reign felt excitement surge through him as he watched all the vials. He knew for sure that his Viral sh would be stronger once he acquired them. "But first¡­," his voice trailed off and a new window opened. Chapter 182: Thinking Outside the Box Reign looked at his status and saw that his Viral sh was at level 20. He wanted to test if it would increase by absorbing more concentrated form of viruses. If not, he would resort to using Dark Dust Points to increase its level passed 30. Maybe then it would gain some better functions. In his opinion, it was too straightforward andcked flexibility. He had been saving Dark Dust points primarily because he felt that all his current skills were powerful enough for his current used, and he was waiting for something better to appear on the Store, which was bound to be expensive. However, he was willing to make an exception for the Viral sh due to its promising potential benefits and return on investment. First, he selected one vial to open, taking a moment to inspect its contents before proceeding. Normally, viruses could not survive long without a host, and they would degrade faster if exposed to water. This was why viruses were normally sealed in cold areas, without any exposure to liquid, to preserve them. But, looking at the clear water-like substance, it was evident that they had used a different kindof technology than Reign''s old world to enable the pathogen to survive without a living host. This showed the advanced state of technology in this world, particrly in the field of virology. ''What is this liquid ?'' he mused to himself. Intrigued, he began to look around, searching for any clues. As he scanned the surroundings, his eyesnded on something on the ground. It was a container resembling a tall tumbler, and it was made of aluminum like material, with abel that read[VirSolution-X05.] He hurriedly opened it, confirming his suspicions as he found the same liquid present on the vials. ''This must be the thing preserving these viruses,'' he concluded. To test his theory, he decided to experiment with one of the vials first. If his conclusion was correct, then he could adjust his ns for the better. After giving the vial a brief shake, as one might do to a wine ss, he began to drink its contents, allowing the deadly virus to flow directly into his body. The moment the virus entered his throat, his special viral nd sprang into action, eagerly absorbing its liquid form. Compared to the slow absorption from the environment he was used to, this direct intake sparked a noticeable improvement. It was akin to the contrast between catching raindrops on his tongue and drinking from a refreshing stream. The efficiency was iparable ''That was delicious, ''he chuckled to himself, genuinely finding the taste pleasant, perhaps due to his Viral nd. He raised the vial and saw that it still had some remaining content. This was intentional on his part, as he nned to refill it using the [VirSolution.] Reign carefully poured the solution into the vial, watching as the liquid mingled with the remnants of the virus. He then shook the vial gently to ensure it mixed thoroughly. If his theory was correct, this solution would preserve the pathogen and allow it to multiply. To ensure the virus would multiply, he created a hollow area in his forehand bone and then buried the vial inside. Next, he controlled the temperature to mimic a normal human level. This way, the virus would think it was inside a human and elerate the processedof Viral Replication. He didn''t have to worry about anyoneing here without alerting him, as he had installed his own sensor on the vents. This ensured he would be alerted , giving him enough time to finish his tasks undisturbed. After a couple of minutes, he retrieved the vial and used the microscope outside to test his hypothesis. ''It works,'' Reign chuckled to himself, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. His curiosity had paid off, leading to a fascinating discovery . He tried drinking the same vial again to see if he would gain any additional benefits, but nothing changed. Instinctively, he realized that drinking the same type virus no longer have provide that much benefits. Regardless, it was still beneficial that he figured out a way to recreate the virus artificially. This meant he could drink everything here to gain various viral traits and then rece them. With this new n in mind, he continued to drink each vial as if he were sipping on a fruit juice. While the deadly virus would make any human sick to death, he found himself enjoying it like a beverage. However, after some time, he noticed that the effectiveness of the viruses was diminishing. He concluded that this might be because some of the viruses were fundamentally the same. [System: Host has absorbed an x amount of different types of viruses.] [System: Viral sh can be evolved to Viral Control.] [System: Would you like to spend 150,000 Dark Points to upgrade?] [Yes] or [No] "Yes!" Reign answered without a second thought. [Ding] [Viral Control: Allows the host to create various viruses by customizing viral sequences stored in the Viral nds .] ''Wait... Don''t tell me it''s what I think it is'' Reign was stunned after reading the description. He hurriedly activated his skill, and another window indeed popped up. ¡ª Slot : 1/3 Virus Name: Transmission Method : Incubation Period : Host Range : Environmental Stability : Sequence: Symptoms : ¡ª Looking at the new window, he was excitedto see that he now had more control over the effects of the virus. A surge of anticipation coursed through him as he realized the potential this upgrade offered. With this new ability to customize the virus, he could tailor it precisely to his needs, making his future ns much easier to execute. ''I''ll test this outter. I can''t get carried away,'' Reign shook his head, refocusing on his task. He hurriedly drank all the remaining vials, recing them to hide any signs of him tempering them. Next, he timed the CCTV, retrieved his bugs, and then returned to the vent to escape the room. He proceeded to remove all the sensors and equipment he had nted along the way, ensuring to destroy all the evidence. His n was to exit the facility now, but before doing so, he made another detour to the same room where the meta-human was located before. Fortunately, Doctor Harvey was quite busy, so they hadn''te here yet and discover the missing meta-human yet. CRACK CRACK CRACK Bones started to protrude from his back, growing until they were the same size as the meta-human. Reign then reformed them to make it appear as though the meta-human had turned into a mummified skeleton. Next, he controlled it to make the dummy meta-human looked pure dark red, resembling blood. After the meta-human body waspletely formed, he ced it back in the capsule and closed it off. Now, they would think that the meta-human did not go missing but instead turned into something else, effectively covering all his tracks. It might not be perfect, but as long as he bought more time, then everything would just fall into ceter. ''This is good enough,'' Reign nodded in satisfaction, his ability to adapt and think outside the box shining through in this mission. It demonstrated that despite having destructive power, the ability to use tactics was an equally powerful arsenal. ''Time to get out of here'' he thought as he carefully removed the remaining bugs and then exited the area as if nothing had happened. In the distance, Reign watched as the research facility continued operate as usuals. Its staff diligently carried out their research,pletely unaware that their experiments would set the stage for something big in the future. Chapter 183: Deadly Control CLICK! Reign swung open the door to his home and plopped onto the sofa as if he''d just clocked out from a day at the office, not like he''d just infiltrated a high-security Research Facility armed to the teeth. It was something that not just anyone could pull off; even secret spies and highly trained agents would be hard-pressed to replicate the wless execution of his job. Not a single fingerprint was left behind¡ªwell, because he was made of bones. He dyed checking his new skill, Viral Control, to give himself more time to study it in depth. As he sank into the soft cushions, he took a deep paused, savoring the moment of peace. That mission felt really long with all the roundabouts he had to make, just to ensure he didn''t alert anyone. At the same time, some questions remained unanswered, but he decided to let them go for now, knowing that dwelling on them wouldn''t be productive. He needed to focus on the present and his ns. Reign nced at his status window, focusing his attention on the avable options. The semi-transparent interface disyed his current stats and abilities, with a new section dedicated to Viral Control. ¡ª Slot : 1/3 Virus Name: Transmission Method : Incubation Period : Host Range : Environmental Stability : Sequence: Symptoms : ¡ª He examined the detailed interface for Viral Control, noting the various customizable parameters avable to him. As he focused on each parameter, a series of small windows popped up, providing detailed exnations of their functions and uses. Virus Name: Allows host to name and categorize different viruses for quick identification and deployment. Transmission Method: Determines how the virus spreads (airborne, direct contact, waterborne, vector-borne). Controls the speed and reach of the virus. Incubation Period: Time between exposure and symptom onset. Longer periods for stealthy infections, shorter for immediate effects. Host Range: Specifies the types of organisms the virus can infect (humans, animals, specific species). Ensures targeted infections and minimizes coteral damage. Environmental Stability: Determines how long the virus survives outside a host (air, water, surfaces). Higher stability for persistence, lower stability for quick dissipation. Symptoms: Defines the effects on the host (fever, fatigue, severe oues). Controls the severity and type of impact on the infected host. ''This is good stuff,'' he chuckled, fully satisfied with the flexibility that Viral Control offers. He began formting his n, considering multiple variables to tailor fit it. ''Let''s see¡­,'' he mused, diving into the step-by-step procedure. First on his agenda was naming the virus. "I''ll call it Dark Death," Reign dered with a mischievous grin. He got his inspiration from a well-known virus in his old world that had urred hundreds of years before he was born. [System: Dark Death have been registered ] [System: Host has 40 Perk Points to use] ''Perk points?'' he wondered, then checked the next step to figure out what "perk" means. Transmission: Airborne : 15 Perk Direct Contact:2 Perk Indirect Contact: : 3 Perk Sexual Transmission : Free Bloodborne Transmission: 1 Perk Vector-borne transmission :1 Perk ''I see, so I''m limited to 40 Perk Points. That''s disappointing,'' Reign sighed to himself, feeling a bit let down. ''I thought I could just create anything.'' However, after thinking about it, he realized that being able to create viruses without constraint would make this skill too overpowered. "System, what are the ways to increase the Perk Points? Can I just level the skill up?" Reign asked, curious about his options. [System: 1 level = 1 Perk Point, however, because Viral Control is a unique skill, the host has to spend 5 Skill Points per level up to Level 20.] Looking at the cost, he decided to check his avable points to see if he could afford to level it up more. ======== [Points] Attribute Points: 195 Skill Points :74 Dark Dust: 720,520 Dark Points Evolution Points : 0 [Author''s Note: In Chapter 157, I made a typo by stating "100 Skill Points" instead of "100 Attribute Points." I have corrected it.] ======== His dark points decreased a bit due to the cost of evolving Viral sh to Viral Control, but he didn''t mind because he still had more. It was a good thing that he had absorbed a part of the corrupted horde that attacked the train. "Upgrade Viral Controlto level 15," Reignmanded , Viral Control (1) > (15) = 70 Skill Points This granted him an additional 15 Perk Points, giving him more leeway to customize his virus. His goal was to create a localized pandemic, ensuring the disease could infect a lot of people before the government could discover, counter, and iste it. For that to happen, he needed a powerful type of virus that would remain undetected until the incubation period wasplete, at which point it would be deadly. By then, it would be toote for anyone to react. With what he observed so far in this world''s current technological advancement, human technology was now capable offighting off and neutralizing his virus given enough time. To outsmart them, his virus should be able to have certain characteristics. ''First, I need to maximize its transmission'' he murmured, eyeing the window and selecting the transmission options. >Airborne >Direct Contact >Indirect Contact >Sexual Transmission He selected all the transmission routes except for the Vector (Bite) and blood Transmission because he wasn''t nning to create a zombie outbreak. It would be useless and a waste of Perks. Next, he moved on to the Incubation period. It would be disastrous if the disease showed symptoms right away, as it would alert everyone far too soon. So, he decided to change the time. There was a slider for it, and the more he extended the time, the higher the cost of Perk Points increased. 5 Days = 5 Perk Points It was neither too long nor too short. He reviewed his n again and concluded that it was the perfect timespan to wrap everything up. Next was Host Range, which was an easy decision: "Humans." As for animals, well, he wouldn''t really gain much from infecting them, so there was no need to kill them unnecessarily. He did not enable animal transmission because humans and animals react differently, and he didn''t want to risk causing panic or attracting unwanted attention by having animals in the city suddenly dying one by one earlier than expected. Second to thest was Environmental Stability. In this case, he decided to increase the heat and cold resistance of the virus so that even heating or freezing the food would not kill the virus right away. It cost him a total of 5 Perk Points to increase the resistance up to 50%. ''Now for the fun part,'' Reign grinned from ear to ear as he finally reached the symptoms window. The sheer number of possible symptoms overwhelmed the screen, causing the slider to shrink. He was chuckling as he scrolled through the list, glimpsing symptoms ranging from mild difort to severe debilitation. Each option seemed more tantalizing than thest, hinting at the number ways he could manipte and infect his targets. The only thing limiting him right now was his Perk Points, but with such an array of choices before him, he couldn''t wait to unleash the virus . ''This will be fun,'' he muttered sadistically, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he imagined the devastation this thing could inflict. *** Authors Note Starting from June 3rd, I''ll be posting three chapters per day until June 10th, just like I did previously. This will make a total of seven bonus chapters as a token of gratitude for the Powerstones and Golden Tickets for this month. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Chapter 184: Control Through Fear "Master," a woman with tan skin and brown eyes bowed her head in reverence. It was Demi, the city governor. However, instead of having the authoritative demeanor expected of someone with her high position, she now prostrated herself, fully submitting to avoid offending the figure in front of her. The dimly lit bedroom was shrouded in the quiet of the night, the shadows from the moonlight filtering through the curtains casting a light on a figure that looked like the incarnation of evil itself. Dark bones with red lightning patterns etched across them stood out menacingly, and unlike before, this time the figure was around 6''5" in height, making his whole presence even more imposing. Every time the red orb of light in its eyes flickered and moved, the woman felt like she was being looked down upon by a real death god. Terrifying, dangerous, and brutal. Those were the only words that could describe it. "Good, I thought you would fail, and I''d have to kill you," Reign chuckled, his voice intentionally cold and threatening to show her who''s boss. He figured out that the best way to control others was through sheer fear and intimidation. "I will never betray your trust!" Aiku bowed her head and nted it on the floor. She had sessfully possessed Demi''s body and was now in full control. Looking closely, no one would be able to figure out that she was being possessed. Unlike in the movies, she looked perfectly normal, and her muscle movements were smooth, with nothing odd about her. Even the negative energy that Reign had felt before was no longer present,pletely masked by her new human body. "Not if you want to keep on living. It would be a shame if you die again," Reign warned as he released his aura to suppress her. Aiku''s eyes widened with fear as she felt his aura enveloping her, suffocating her breathing. The oppressive weight of it pinned her down to the ground, making even the slightest movement feel impossible. Beads of sweat formed on her brow, her breathsing in shallow gasps as she struggled against the invisible force constricting her. In this very moment, she questioned every decision that led her to this point, wondering if reiming a human body was worth the torment of serving a being which was evil to the core. Reign''s smile twisted into a sadistic grin as he watched her squirm. "Remember, Aiku," he whispered, his voice a sinister and filled with killing intent, "I can let you live... or just kill you anytime." Her body trembled as she struggled to find her voice, her eyes darting around nervously on the floor. "Y-yes, Master," she stammered, her tone filled with fear and submission. "I-I understand... I would never disappoint you. " "Good," Reign nodded his head in approval, and removed the pressure on her body. Aiku sucked in a deep breath, relief flooding through her as she was finally able to breathe again. Deep down, she loathed herself for sumbing to his maniption, but the fear of his wrath kept her rooted in ce. She did toy with the idea of leveraging her new authority tounch an attack against him. With the power of the city military and the hunter association at her disposal, she could end his reign of terror once and for all. However, the thought of an assassination from within her own shadows, with Arc and Shackler lurking, made her shiver with dread. She was still unaware that Reign had just made a fool out of her, tricking her into believing that she was under constant surveince.. So with a heavy heart, she resigned herself to her fate, knowing that she was now at his mercy. "I want you to gather all this information first," Reign instructed, handing her a file. He had written it himself, and its contents were his inquiries about the current fighting power of the city, and some important information. Aiku epted the file and quickly scanned its contents. "I will gather this information tomorrow," she responded obediently. Reign simply nodded and proceeded with his next instruction. "I also want you to find a way to create an event that would force a lot of people toe together," he added. "An event?" Aiku''s confusion was evident in her voice. As the governor of the city, her authority was strong enough to organize such gatherings. But why did he wanted that? The question gnawed at her, leaving her uncertain of his intentions. "Don''t ask questions and just do it," Reign sneered in contempt. In his mind, Aiku just had to do her job and leave the thinking to him. This was only the beginning of his n. She would need to carry out several more tasks for everything to fall into ce perfectly. If all went ording to n, he would have ess to hundreds of thousands or maybe even a million of human corpses, an amount that would automatically elevate his power. The sheer scale of it all made him excited "I''m sorry," Aiku hurriedly apologized, feeling the weight of Reign''s disapproval. As she racked her brain for a way to fix her blunder, a memory from Demi surfaced in her mind. "Master, I just remembered something. Please grant me the right to speak," she requested, her voice filled with submission and deference. "Speak," Reign replied, "There will be a big concert two days from now. If we make the tickets free, more people wille. We can also pay for advertisements to increase its exposure," she exined. Demi''s memory had now been integrated into her, making her more knowledgeable than Reign about the inner workings and outer workings of the city. In fact, hermon knowledge about the world had already surpassed Reign''s because she had the memories of someone who grew up in this city. He paused for a moment as he processed her suggestion. "A free concert with heavy advertising," he mused. "That could work. It would draw arge crowd, making it the perfect opportunity." Aiku nodded eagerly, relieved that her idea was epted. "Yes, Master. I can make the arrangements immediately." "Good," Reign said, his tone softening slightly. "Make sure everything goes smoothly. We can''t afford any mistakes." "I understand," Aiku replied, her voice trembling a little. "I''ll handle it all and ensure nothing goes wrong." Reign gave a nod. "Remember, your sess keeps you alive. Don''t fail me." "I will!" she replied, bowing her head. She didn''t know exactly what his n was, but whatever it was, she was certain that it was rted to killing a lot of humans. The thought of him nning to massacre everyone at the concert crossed her mind. However, after considering it, she dismissed that idea. He was too careful and methodical to do something so impulsive. His n must be something else, something more sinister and calcted. ''The humans in this city are done for,'' she sighed inwardly. She felt a pang of pity for them, knowing that someone like him hade to their city with such dark intentions. "I''ll take my leave now," she bowed. "Okay," he nodded. Without wasting another moment, she turned to leave, already nning to call the necessary contacts to get the job done, and at the same time get away from Reign. She was gripped by the fear that he wouldsh out and kill her on the spot. ''Did I scare her too much?'' Reign wondered to himself as he heard her rapid heartbeat. Chapter 185: Calm Before the Storm P1 When morning came, Reign got up, having just finished reading digital books on his phone about mechanical engineering, and robotics. Most of the information was very general, but it still helped him gain a better understanding of each subject. He now had some ideas for developing new skills, but he would save them forter, as he had something else to focus on. And that was researching ways to increase his mental defenses against psychic attacks, he was convinced that his encounter with the Meta Human involved a mental-type ability. Unfortunately, the Inte offered no concrete answers, just as he expected. He did, however,e across rumors about a technology that could block frequencies affecting the mind. These rumors originated from the ck market, and to verify them, he would need to visit a Tier 3 city. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Reign''s attention was caught by the knocking sound. He set his phone aside and walked over to the door, opening it to find Aiku standing there. "Master?" she asked in confusion. Reign now had his mask on, concealing his real features, so she was taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained herposure. "Master," she greeted, bowing her head slightly. Her expression was a mix of fear and submission. "Aiku," Reign acknowledged, stepping aside to let her in. "What news do you have for me?" She entered, ncing around nervously before speaking. It was already 12:00 noon when she got back, and she had been to multiple ces to aplish all the tasks Reign had instructed her to do. "I have here the information you requested," she said, handing over a file. "It contains details about the city''s current fighting power that I had ess to." Reign took the file, flipping through the pages quickly. "Good work," he said, his tone neutral. "What about the concert?" "It''s scheduled for tomorrow night," she exined. "The tickets will be paid using my own money, and we''ve already started promoting it. With the advertisements, we expect arge turnout of people even from outside the Walls." Reign nodded, pleased. "Excellent. This will be the perfect opportunity for my ns" She looked slightly uneasy but nodded in agreement. "Is there anything else you need, Master?" Reign thought for a moment. "Make sure everything goes smoothly at the concert. I don''t want any unexpected disruptions." "Understood," she replied, bowing her head again. "I''ll make sure of it." She stayed a bit longer before leaving , and Reign noticed that there were something in her mind, "What''s the problem ?" He asked . She paused, unsure of what to do. After a moment of contemtion, she realized it was something he could help her with. "Master," she began hesitantly, "there''s one issue I encountered while trying to do you request. The city council might interfere if they suspect anything unusual." Reign raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you need from me?" "The vice governor was raising some concern about me, and I need your help to ensure they don''t be a problem," She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Your power.. Could persuade them to stay out of my way." "So you want me to assassinate this Vice Governor?" Reign asked, his tone casual as if discussing the weather. "Yes, Master. He''s been a thorn in my side, always questioning my decisions. If he''s not dealt with, he might interfere with the concert and your future ns." Reign leaned back, contemting. He was aware that her choice of words was meant to make him also more concerned about her issue, subtly showing that she was smarter than he had given her credit for. ''All right, I''ll humor you,'' Reign thought to himself. "If he''s really a problem that needs to be taken care of, then it''s better to eliminate him. I still have ns for you after the concert, and we can''t have any loose ends," Reign responded. Her face tightened, but she nodded. "I understand, Master. I leave it in your hands." "Consider it done. Just make sure everything else is on track." Reign smirked. "Yes, Master" After she left, he began reading the files again , and making mental notes on the things that he found important. He noticed many Hunters from Tier 3 cities had arrived, and there were even rumors of someone from Tier 2 being present. However, due to the importance of these individuals, she couldn''t confirm their presence. ''Sweet, more potential ves,'' he chuckled to himself, imagining adding more puppets to his ranks. <3 Hours Later> "And this gentleman is?" Alfredo asked, his eyes narrowing with suspicion as his mistress introduced a man of unknown origin. The man stood tall, his white hair in stark contrast against his wless fake skin. The bandage over his eyes added to his mysterious and dangerous aura, unsettling Alfredo. "This is my new personal bodyguard, Rain " Aiku said calmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. Alfredo still looked skeptical but did not speak out of respect. Reign gave a slight nod, acknowledging Alfredo without saying a word. He had decided to show himself here because it was too much of a hassle to secretly enter and exit the mansion. Acting as her bodyguard was a more convenient cover. "I understand " Alfredo, still wary, decided to keep an eye on him. "The car is ready for you, Governor," Alfredo said, gesturing towards a sleek ck sedan waiting outside. She nodded and headed towards the car, Reign following closely behind. They entered the vehicle, and the difference to cheap cars was immediately noticeable. The interior was luxurious, with seats made of fine leather, exuding an air of elegance andfort. "You''re quite rich ," Reign chuckled aloud, and this made her press the button which soundproof the passenger sit and hide them from the driver, now they could talk more privately. The driver, taken aback by her Mistress actions, started imagining things. He sighed to himself, his mind racing with spection. ''Is he the governor''s lover? Oh man, he hit the jackpot.'' He had often fantasized about dating the governor himself, but her indifferent demeanor had always kept him at a distance. In the end, he had given up, convinced their status gap was too wide. Now he felt like he''d just lost the lottery, knowing that another man would have the opportunity to fuck her minds out. She was really beautiful and incredibly wealthy to boot. No man would reject aplete package like her. "Master, we will head to the Capitol, and the vice governor will be there too for the meeting regarding my sudden expenditure. How do you n to take him out without making it suspicious?" she asked. If she just needed a normal assassination, she wouldn''t need Reign''s help at all. However, if the vice governor were to die after scrutinizing her actions, she would inevitably be the prime suspect. "Just trust me, I''m more resourceful than you think," he answered nonchntly, this mission might be hard for others but it was nothing to him . He could kill that vice governor even if there was an entire army protecting him , and he was not even overestimating himself, but just stating facts . "I''m sorry for doubting your power," she bowed her head. "Just focus on your job, and I''ll handle mine," Reign replied calmly. Chapter 186: Calm Before The Storm P2 Around 4:30 PM, they finally arrived at the capitol, a towering building standing 10 floors tall and epassing a huge area. It boastedopen spaces surrounding it, including parks and other establishments. This location served as the heart of the city, surrounded by other towering buildings owned by various organizations and corporations. It was an area filled with wealth and money. Along the way, they saw vehicles ranging from sports cars to hypercars and other luxury vehicles worth tens of millions of credits. Reign, however, paid little mind to these extravagant disys. His preference still leaned towards pickup trucks and HuNovelFireees. He found them more functional and spacious, providing a morefortable ride overall. As their car reached the main entrance of the capitol, a group of security personnel rushed out to wee Aiku, now using Demi''s body. They escorted her towards the building, with Reign following closely as her personal bodyguard. This emphasized her high status as the governor of this city. Along the way, many people greeted her, and Aiku, using Demi''s memories, greeted them back. Her acting was so convincing that no one suspected anything amiss. She even addressed those she knew by their given names, making others feel important by being remembered. ''Interesting,'' Reign mused inwardly. He hadn''t expected Aiku to be so good at socializing, considering her demonic nature. Even he had struggled to pass as human, but she seemed to do it almost effortlessly. ''It must be part of her ability as a ghost,'' he concluded. Given that she had ess to the original body''s memories, it was possible that she could also perfectly mimic her personality. "Who''s that person?" someone whispered, eyeing Reign cautiously. "He looks scary," another remarked. Instead of focusing on Aiku, people began to specte about his background, talking about him behind his back. His unique appearance, with bandages over his eyes and d in all ck, coupled with his white hair, drew both curiosity and wariness from those around him. Some even spected that he was some kind of special agent, which had bemon these days after recent events. The government had been slowly allowing certain key individuals to learn more about the current state of the world, leading to more people knowing the truth . This sudden change for a Tier 4 city had a big impact overall. Some people thought these were just rumors since the news outlet was still banned from reporting the whole story. Others, who believed it, started to panic, as expected. Regardless, the government had been making efforts to normalize this information, which was usually kept secret in peaceful Tier 4 cities. "Demi!" A man with short blonde hair called out, his voice loud and obnoxious, opposite of the respectful tone of the other people present. He was dressed in a sharp ck coat, whichplemented his mean-looking eyes, giving him an air of arrogance. This man was the Vice Governor . Alongside the arrogant looking man were four others wearing ck long coats, and Reign could sense that they were not ordinary people judging by the aura they were hiding. ''Divergent?'' he mused inwardly. The Vice Governor must have powerful backing to get four of them to work for him. Even Demi did not havea divergent for a personal body guard. "Don''te closer. I don''t have time to waste on you," Aiku replied with an indifferent tone, not allowing him to get within 2 meters . "You''ve been using your authority on the wrong things, Demi. If you''re not careful, you might find yourself in trouble," The Vice Governortaunted with a sarcastic smirk . Aiku didn''t argue with him. She continued to walk, knowing that an argument at this very moment would only make her stand out more. "I''m leaving," Reign''s words made Aiku pause in her steps. "Why? I thought you were nning to get rid of him?" she whispered. "My job here is done. You don''t need to worry about him. I doubt he would even be able to attend the meeting," Reign chuckled, making Aiku curious about the source of his confidence . THUD! Amotion from the distance soon caught her attention, as well as the attention of everyone else nearby. "Emergency! Emergency! The Vice Governor is having a heart attack!" one of his body guards shouted. People gasped and murmured anxiously as they witnessed him clutching his chest, his face contorted in agony. Security personnel rushed to his aid, frantically trying to stabilize him as panic began to spread. A few individuals dialed emergency services, while others looked on in horror, unsure of what to do. Reign on the other hand observed the whole scene casually , as though he was merely spectating a minor incident. "Go call the hospital!"Aiku''smand cut through the chaos, her voice projecting authority as she instructed someone to call for medical assistance. Though she outwardly disyed concern for the Vice Governor''s well-being, inwardly she was feeling both amused and scared at the same time. How did Reign manage to attack the Vice Governor without evening close to him? And she hadn''t even noticed that he had done something. No attacks, no surprising movements, none at all. Little did she know that Reign had developed a new virus, very different from the Dark Death. Dubbed the Silent Killer, this virus boasted a very short incubation period of just one minute. Such a powerful attribute came at a high cost in perk points, given that Viral Control''s mechanics inherently penalized extremes in duration. But it was alright because he did not spend much on other things , and this one could only be caught by Blood transmission , and only has a few symptoms that would simtea heart attack. So how did he transfer it to him? Well, it was rtively straightforward. He created a tiny needle-like projectile that carried the virus from his bone andunched it at the Vice Governor legs without the man being aware that death was alreadying for him. What followed was the inevitable, . The Vice Governor''s impending death would be attributed to his supposed neglect of his health, that cause a heart failure. As for anyone uncovering the truth about the virus, Reign had taken precautions to prevent that from happening. It had an extremely short lifespan. The moment its host died, the virus would disperse, theoretically leaving no trace behind to be tracked. At the same time, it posed no threat of sparking a pandemic due to its limited transmission efficiency, but was a good ability to kill humans secretly. "Do you want me to kill anyone else? Just point them out, and I''ll kill them now ," Reign asked Aiku casually, as if discussing the ughter of animals rather than humans. In this moment, she realized just how different she was from him. While she might also be a demon, in terms of pure brutality and indifference towards mankind, Reign was a master of not giving a shit. "That''s enough, Master. It would be bad if more people die," Aiku replied firmly. "Alright," Reign nodded in agreement. He was merely testing her, and she had passed the test. Having someone intelligent as a subordinate was beneficial for him, as he knew he could rely on her to perform her job. "If you don''t have anything else to say, I''ll be going now. I still have..." Reign stopped mid-sentence, sensing someone watching him from a distance. Chapter 187: Overestimate P1 As he focused his senses, he saw a woman wearing a white trench coat. Beneath it, he could see a ck matte inner garment peeking from her neck. On her back was something resembling a guitar case, but it was unusually long. The inner clothing looked like the material used by Divergents from the Scorpion Mercenary Group, the same one Reign had massacred during the drugb ident. As his gaze lingered on her, a smile formed on her face. Reign felt something was wrong. The next moment, a loud sound echoed. BANG! Instantly recognizing the sound,his instincts kicked in. ''Damn, he''s thinking the same thing!'' Reign gritted his teeth. A subtle arc of lightning crackled at his feet, and he immediately moved to cover Aiku with his body. A split secondter, a bullet whizzed through the air ,hitting Reign''s back and embedding itself into his bones. He could feel the impact from the shot and knew it was a high-caliber round. But the bullet didn''t prate deeply, stopped by his hardened shell. "Stay down!" Reignmanded, pushing Aiku to the ground to minimized the vision of the sniper. "What''s happening?" Aiku asked, confused by the sudden turn of events. "That dead Vice Governor of yours is also nning to kill you today," Reign responded, his senses trying to decipher the source of the shot. As he spoke, he scanned the surrounding buildings, his senses sharpening as he focused on potential threats. The security personnel, realizing the situation, tightened their formation around Aiku. But then multiple shots echoed, taking out the security guards one by one. Panic set in, and they all started running away, realizing their lives were more important than protecting someone that just sign their paycheck. "We need to get out of here .We can''t stay in the open." ," Reign spoke, pulling Aiku towards a nearby corner. They reached a cover and ducked behind arge beam , taking a moment to take a break. Reign wasn''t concerned about the sniper hitting him because such a toy wasn''t enough to hurt him. However, Aiku was different. If she died now, all his efforts would be in vain, so he had to protect her no matter what. Unfortunately, he couldn''t use his full power to take out the threat. He was limited to only using some of his power because they were in a public ce. "Hey, can you regenerate if you get shot in the head?" Reign asked, ncing at Aiku. Given her nature, he assumed she must have some ability to prevent her from dying. "No, this is just a vessel. I can''t even use my power when inside this body," she replied with a deep sigh. She nned to find a more powerful body in the future since her strength depended on the person she possessed. The only reason she chose this host as her target was because Demi wore the pendant that had sealed Aiku. "You''re more useless than I thought," Reign sighed. "I''m sorry," Aiku apologized, bowing her head. "Is apologizing amon trait among your race?" Reign sneered. "I''m sorry," she bowed her head again. "Forget it, I will keep you a live because you''re still useful ," Reign replied dismissively. He nced on the edge of the corner, and before he could even peek, a bullet narrowly missed his head, grazing his hair. Whoever was using that sniper had excellent aiming skills. ''Human politics,'' Reign sighed, shaking his head. He was tempted to go all out and kill everyone on sight, but he reminded himself of the benefits he would reapter if he remained patient. "Master, let''s just hide for now, I''m sure the police wille after thismotion," Aiku suggested. Reign pondered her words, seeing the logic in them. It would really be better to avoid any further actions in such a public ce. However¡ª "Duck!" Reign grabbed Aiku''s head and forcefully pushed her to the ground, just in time for a de to slice through the wall, cutting it like butter. Next, he swiftly picked Aiku by the waist and pulled her away from the wall, creating a safe distance just as another attack shed through horizontallywhere she had been moments before. "La La La La," A singing voice echoed through the air, apanied by footsteps that sounded more like someone hopping than walking. Reign spotted a woman with pink hair and eyes peeking out from behind a corner. She had this crazy look on her face, and she was grinning sadistically like she just found a new toy. However, what caught his attention were the intricate graphs reflected in her eyes, resembling those disyed on aputer screen. ''Virtual contact lenses?'' Reign thought to himself. "Brother, you''re strong, aren''t you? I never imagined that she could afford hiring someone with your caliber. So, what''s the model of the power suit you''re using? Whatpany is it from to withstand a blow from a sniper?" Her voice was high-pitched as she bombarded him with questions. She assumed that he was also wearing a power suit like her and would have never imagined that he was just built differently. Reign, hearing this, immediately thought things through. He assumed that there was more to this assassination than meet the eye. This girl was clearly from the High Tier Cities, and the dangerous aura she was emitting was even more powerful than the five Scorpion Mercenariesbined. "Which group are you from?" Reign stood up, adopting a calm demeanor. He decided to act like someone from the same line of work to extract information from her. His priority was to protect Aiku until she served her purpose, so it was better to address the root of the issue immediately. "You didn''t even answer my questions, and now you''re asking me one. Brother, you''re quite the forceful person, aren''t you?" She teased, raising her huge sword silver colored effortlessly. "Oh, believe me, I''m being kind enough. If I weren''t, you would already be dead by now," Reign replied with a cold tone, clearly not amused by her attitude. As Reign''s words cut through the air, the girl lowered her weapon for a moment, clearly offended. She was the type of person who loved to tease others but couldn''t handle being teased herself "I''ll punish you, Brother, for talking shit to me," she spat, taking a deep breath before dashing forward with incredible speed, bing a blur in the process. If anyone else had been attacked like this, they wouldn''t have known what hit them. But Reign, with his lightning-fast reflexes, materializeda dagger behind his back and easily parried the first attack. BOOOOOM! Shockwaves echoed as their weapons shed with immense force. Whilethe intense confrontation unfolded, bystanders who had been watching quickly scattered, realizing the danger of being caught in the crossfire. "You''re really strong, Brother," she spat out, her voiceced with frustration. "You''re just too weak," Reign replied with indifference, his tone dismissing her as someone not worth show his true power. "You''re tongue is too sharp. I''ll cut it up for you," she sneered in annoyance, swinging her sword again, this time with even more power than before. Reign however just blocked the attack effortlessly, not even flinching as he continued to protect Aiku at the same time. "Let''s see if you can handle this," she said, tightening her grip on her sword. Chapter 188: Overestimate P2 As she lunged forward, her forceful step left a clear mark on the floor. She gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, and it emitted a low, buzzing hum as it effortlessly sliced through the air. With a craze expression, she unleashed a powerful horizontal shing from her right, the de cutting through the air aimed directly at Reign''s midsection. However ¡ª Before it could connect, she smoothly transitioned into a vertical strike by forcing the trajectory to shift to trick Reign, bringing the de down in a powerful overhead chop. Reign saw this and was ready to block it . But, with a quick twist of her wrist,she change the direction again of the sword to a horizontal sh , this timeing fromher left, aiming for Reign''s side. This attack was a double feint, a maneuver made possible by her precise control over her body, augmented by the Power-suit. Her caliber surpassed even that of a Gold Rank Member of the Veiled Nights, showcasing the extent of her skill and power. CLANG! Reign blocked the attack with his single-handed dagger. While her move might have confused others, he saw through it almost instantly. Compared to Arc''s Thunder sh, her attack was as slow as a snail''s pace. "You''re annoying, Brother!" she clicked her tongue in annoyance. She knew that kind of attack would not be enough to kill Reign, but she was still shocked to see how easily he parried it. After performing a double backflip to create some distance, they now faced each other toe to toe. ''Interesting. Are Divergents immune to viruses'' he pondered. He had used his Silent Killer on her, but it hadn''t worked. It means that she either has a very strong anti-bodies due to her Divergent DNA or the possibility that she had taken some form of enhancement to bolster her immunity further. "I''ll give you credit, Brother. Blocking my attack this easy show that you''re really strong," she chuckled. "But now, I''m getting serious. I hope you don''t lose too quickly," she dered. With a click, her sword began to dismantle until only a thin de remained, resembling those used by hunters but shorter. "Don''t be surprised. I''m actually a speed type, and I just use that big sword because I want to enjoy my fight," she giggled sadistically, licking the de with her tongue. "You talk too much for someone so weak," Reign shook his head in disappointment . The crazed girl, her ego bruised, failed control her emotion and began her attack. SWOOOOSH! She was much faster than before, her agility showing wonders as she zigzagged around her target, trying to confuse him. He, on the other hand, remained unfazed. He didn''t even have to turn his head because he could sense everything around him, and his peripheral vision was wide enough to detect any movements. As she darted around, her movements looked erratic, but there was a calcted pattern to them. SWOOOOSH! With a quick motion, she exploited a brief opening in his defense andunched herself to him. At first, it looked like she was attacking him head-on, but suddenly, her sword changed direction, aiming at Aiku''s head. Unfortunately for her , Reign''s reaction wasjust too fast as he intercepted her de, preventing it from reaching Aiku by mere inches. But this was something she had anticipated. The moment he blocked her initial attack, the de slid upward, directly aimed for his throat. ''Another trick again,'' he sighed. CLANG! He blocked the attack, his movements devoid of any wasteful movements. Despite her attempts to overwhelm him with speed and tricks, he remainedposed, deflecting each attack with ease. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Each swing grew faster, more diverse, and much faster She was aDivergent with a unique ability that fueled her power the more she moved. She was banking on this to overpower Reign in the long run. Normally, such a tactic might work for her, but the power gap between them was too vast. He operated on apletely different level. Even if he allowed her to swing her swords for hours, there was no way she could contend with him. In fact, Arc, when he was still alive, had posed a far greater challenge, and Reign had managed to defeat him even before reaching his current level. As the fight progressed, Aiku was stunned to witness the vast power gap between thecrazy girl and her master. She could see the intense focus and effort in the girl''s expression, putting everything she had into each attack. Each sh created shock-waves, but he barely moved his dagger, effortlessly blocking each strike. "You''re annoying me !" With a frustrated scream, the girl swung her weapon with all her might, aiming for Reign''s vulnerable spot. But just before her strike could find its mark, a sudden feeling of weakness washed over her, causing her to falter and drop to her knees. THUD! Gasping for air, she clutched her chest, her heart pounding erratically. ''Oh it''s finally working, '' As he watched her writhe in pain, Reign couldn''t help but smirk inwardly. His n had worked. By subtly injecting her with the Silent Killer virus through small needle-like bone projectiles, he had slowly infected her without her even realizing it. The adrenaline of battle had masked the sensation of the tiny mosquito bites size injections, allowing the virus to spread unnoticed until it finally took effect. But it wasn''t all good news. This experiment also revealed just how strong the immunity of Divergents were. Most of his virus had died out from her antibodies alone, and he had to keep attacking her until to kept on pumping more virus in her system. "W¡ª What''s happening to me?" she groanedin pain. Reign stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "It''s your body finally reacting to my Silent Killer. Took you long enough." Her eyes widened in realization "You...poisoned me?" She tried to stand, but her legs gave out beneath her. Reign shrugged. "You should''ve paid more attention. I was just testing my skills on you," "You¡­"She gritted her teeth in anger. Then her vision blurred, and her strength faded rapidly. "This...isn''t...over..." she gasped, copsing to the ground "Amazing, she''s still alive even after all of that?" he mused aloud. "Alright, time to kill you," he knell down and was going in for the kill but Aiku spoke from behind him. "Don''t kill her, Master!" she pleaded. "Why?" he asked. "I want her body. I told you my power depends on my host, right? If I take over her body after I''m done using my current host, I could gain her power," she exined. Reign considered this for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the crazy girl who was unconsciouson the ground. "But she''s too weakand her face annoyed me" he replied. "It''s okay, it''s still better than my current one," Aiku exined. She realized that despite all her authority, she was still useless against pure and raw power. If not for Reign protecting her, she would have already died dozens times over. "Alright," he nodded. If Aiku could transfer from body to body, it meant her usefulness to him could be extended. With this in mind, he moved his hand to grab the crazy girl, but before he could do that, he sensed the presence of multiple people closing in on him. ''This guys never learn,'' Chapter 189: Overestimate P3 Reign looked forward, his senses already locked to the approaching figures. Five men, all gear up in sleek skin tight power-suits and wielding different types of weapons, surrounded Reign, forming a semi-circle around him. The leader, a tall man with green hair, stepped forward and raised his hand, signaling the others to hold their positions. Each attacker wore a ck jacket, and their mouths were covered by a half ck masks resembling the maw of a tiger, leaving only their eyes visible. The masks gave them an intimidating, unified look that added to the atmosphere of tension and readiness. Like the crazed girl, their eyes disyed virtual information through a lens, a built-in device that allowed them to control their power armor. It also provided real-time data about their vitals. "Hand over the girl," the green haired man demanded, his voice cold and authoritative. "She''sing with us. Reign did not react, not moving from his position beside the unconscious crazy girl and Aiku. "And why do you want to take her?" "We are herrade," the man replied, his eyes narrowing. "She''s one of us. You have no business with her." Reign''s expression remained unchanged. "It''s my business when I say it is," he replied coldly. Theleader''s eyes flickered with impatience. "We don''t have time for this. Give her to us now, or you will suffer the wrath of our organization." Reign stood up slowly, his dagger still in hand. He twirled the bone de effortlessly, demonstrating its lightness with a smirk. "You guys talk a lot of bullshit. If you want her, you''ll have to take her by force." The leader''s patience snapped. "Attack!" he ordered. The five men lunged forward simultaneously, their weapons humming as it slice through the air. Reign''s sneered as he braced himself for the attack. The first attacker swung a massive ck warhammer, aiming for the head. Initially, the swing wasn''t very fast, but as the weight of the warhammer carried it downward, the momentum increased dramatically, making it a powerful and deadly strike. "Too slow," Reign chuckled aloud . He sidestepped effortlessly while bringing his dagger up and using Stream Guide to shift the weight of the impact. CLANG! Next, he angled the attacker''s warhammer downward, smoothly guiding it towards the floor as he simultaneously slid his dagger upward. The attacker, gripping the big warhammer, attempted to lift his weapon again, aiming to disrupt the dagger trajectory. However, to his astonishment, the seemingly light dagger was too heavy to be moved. No matter how much force he exerted, the trajectory of the dagger remained stable, defying all his expectations. Panic set in. Hisst desperate option was to raised his head a bit,trying to ensure that the dagger would strike his reinforced cor, a part of his power suit specifically designed to absorb impacts. But Reign wasn''t ying around anymore. SLASH! The dagger sliced through the armored neck effortlessly, cutting through armor and flesh like it was paper. THUD! The sickening crunch of the severed head hitting the ground echoed through the air, sending a chilling message to everyone. "You messed with the wrong person," The next attacker hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes, but he had no time to stop. SWOOSH! Reign vanished from his sight. When he reappeared, the heads of two more members were already flying through the air. The execution was too fast, too overwhelming for them to process. Thest attacker and the green haired man, realizing they were outmatched, tried to retreat. But Reign''s figure blurred again, and in an instant, they too were decapitated, their bodies crumpling to the ground. THUD! Reign stood in the center of the carnage, his dagger dripping with blood, his expression cold and merciless. The efficiency of his movements had left no room for error, no chance for survival. It wasn''t a matter of them being too weak; in fact, the green haired man surpassed the crazy girl in strength. The gap in power was just too vast, leaving them all dead before they could even showcase their power. "You overestimate yourself," Reign shook his head, his gaze drifting down to the bodies he had dispatched. He felt no satisfaction in their death; to him, the difference between them and a normal human wasn''t that big. If he really want someone dead, a single sh would be enough to end both of their lives. ''Maybe I could get some useful mutation organ from them,'' he pondered, eyeing the fallen bodies thoughtfully. He had the impulse to absorb themimmediately, but the number of CCTV cameras in the area restricted his actions. "They''re dead already?" Aiku asked, still trying to process what happened. In her perspective, everything had happened too fast; one moment Reign was brandishing his dagger, and the next, their attackers started dying one by one. This was totally different than the fight between the crazed girl and Reign. It was too one-sided. "How did you do it, Master?" She asked. "It wasn''t all speed," Reign exined. "It''s a super easy technique called Time Blinking I copied from the Hunters. It makes it appear as though I disappear, but in reality, I''m just shifting my position every time they blink ." His exnation made it sound like a simple task, but in reality, timed blinking was a difficult skill achievable only by seasoned hunters. It demanded exceptional reaction times just to detect an opponent''s blink while in the heat of the battle, let alone utilized it effectively. Among the hunters he faced, only a select few had mastered this ability. She decided to just ept his exnation. It was too much of a headache to rationalize everything her master did in the first ce. Reign was just too mysterious, like Pandora''s box. The more she tried to peek inside, the more secrets she uncovered, each one more baffling than thest. "Governor, are you okay?" Men in bulletproof police gear began running towards them, their footsteps echoing in the tense atmosphere. Each carried a rifle, theireyes scanning the area for any sign of danger. When they reached them, the men hurriedly pointed their guns at Reign, who stood casually, still clutching his dagger. "Lower your weapons, he''s my bodyguard," Aikumanded. The police hesitated for a moment, ncing at each other for confirmation. Slowly, they lowered their rifles, though their eyes remained wary and alert. One of the officers stepped forward, addressing Aiku directly. "Governor, we''re here to ensure your safety. Is there any immediate threat we need to be aware of?" he asked, still casting cautious looks at Reign. "No, he already took care of everything," she replied, her eyes pointing to the headless bodies on the ground. Some exchanged uneasy nces, while others instinctively tightened their grips on their rifles after focusing on the dead bodies. The officer who had spoken to Aiku took a deep breath, trying to maintain hisposure. "Understood, ma''am," he said, his voice slightly strained. "We''ll secure the area and call for cleanup. Please, follow us to a safe location." "There''s no need for that," Aiku rejected their offer. "Just take this girl into custody, she''s one of the criminals." The officer nodded, acknowledging her orders. In the hierarchy of the city, the Governor held the highest authority among government agencies, so they were all her subordinate. Chapter 190: Thirty Percent? On top of the rooftop of a building, two figures were currently upied. One was holding a tablet, watching a feed intently, while the other adjusted a long, ck, high-caliber sniper rifle. Carefully dialing the scope and measuring the wind at the same time, ensuring the perfect shot. "Interesting, I didn''t expect to find someone that strong in this city," a woman with short green hair and eyes giggled as she watched everything unfold on the screen. She was wearing the same white trench jacket as the crazed girl, but her physique was taller and exuded a more mature aura. Her lips were colored purple, entuated by heavy makeup that emphasized her eyes. From start to finish, she had been observing the fight between Reign and her teammates through the lenses that also served as cameras. She could have provided backup with her own power, but she chose not to intervene. Simply because she found the entire fight fascinating . "Commander, we just lost 6 members. Why are you smiling?" a short, blonde-haired woman asked, herrge circr sses gave her a geeky appearance. But her well endowed melons hinted at a different side of her. What was more eye-catching was the fact that she was using those big melons as some kind of support while shey down on the floor, her chest pressed against the ground as she pointed the sniper towards the Capitol. The girl with the Sniper was was Fatima, the long distance sniper. The woman with the green hair on the other hand was Saniya, the Commander of an 8-person team that specialized in high-profile assassinations. But while some might call it a team, the two women had only joined temporarily and were not part of the original lineup. They came here from a Tier 2 city, while the other 6 where from Green Valley . Normally, they would only send one or two people to do a mission like this, because their organization operated on a different level altogether. For them, killing a Tier 4 City official was not much of a big deal. However, aside from assassinating the governor, they were also tasked with another job and had to finish it first. "They''re dead anyway, so there''s no use thinking about them. I''m more interested in that guy with the bandage. He''s really strong and talented. I don''t even think he used 30% of his ability in the fight," Saniya replied, her eyes fixed on the screen as she analyzed the footage. Every time Reign swung his dagger effortlessly, the grin on her face widened. It was beautiful, how easily he killed his enemies with minimal movements. She was under the impression that Reign had trained for decades, bing a master of his own art to perform such precise movements. It had never urred to her that he was just too overpoweredpared to his enemies. Casually swinging his dagger was more than enough to kill them. And it was the hard cold truth. He didn''t even have to think about how to move his dagger; he just swung it using his instinct. However, because of his high stats, his movements looked devoid of any wasteful actions. In reality, he was just toozy to make his attacks more shy. "Not even 30%? Does that mean he''s at least as strong as you?" Fatima asked, her surprise evident in her tone. She found it shocking that her pridefulmander would have such a high evaluation of someone else''s strength. But Saniya''s ego wasn''t the only thing that made Fatima doubt her words. She was aware of hermander background before joining their group. Saniya used to be part of the Veiled Nights and had achieved the Diamond Rank, the third-highest official rank in the organization. It might have only been two ranks higher than Gold, but the difference was like heaven and earth. The Diamond Rank requirements boastedbat abilities akin to a Rank 100-150 Tier 2 Hunter, a level that Arc(Jayden) used to have . And Jayden had been powerful enough to send Reign flying even before absorbing the Lightning Rune. If they fought, the whole Capitol building could be potentially destroyed due to coteral damage "As strong as me?" Saniya retorted confidently. "If I get serious, I can kill him in a minute." She was certain she outssed Reign in many department, not only in skill and technique, but also in the advanced technology of the power suit she wore. Beneath her coat was one of the most updated and advanced power suits in their organization. In terms of power, it was at least 300% more efficient and effective in enhancing her attributes. This was the sole reason she left Veiled Nights and joined this organization. They had ess to a suit that could elevate her power level . If before she was on par with a Rank 100-150 Tier 2 hunter, with this suit she was confident she could contend with Rank 50-100. "So, are we saving that crazy bitch?" Fatima asked. "Kill her. She''s just from a Tier 3 city so no need to save her ass¡­. And make it quick because our train is waiting. We still need to deliver this thing," she added, grabbing a ck briefcase. This was their original mission, and killing the governor was just a side quest. "How about that bandage guy ?" Fatima asked. "We will report to HQ and get his information. He''s pretty strong, so we should recruit him," she responded while touching her lips yfully. "You''re fond of him, aren''t you?" Fatima sighed, observing the expression on hermander''s face. "I like strong people," Saniya replied, winking at her. Seeing that type of expression on hermander''s face, Fatima realized she wouldn''t be able to convince her to kill the bandaged man. So, she redirected her focus, pointing her sniper rifle once again and peering through the scope. There, she saw the crazed girl being carried on a stretcher. BANG! A loud sound echoed through the air, and in the next moment, the pink-haired girl''s head exploded, ending her life instantly. *** *** *** "What happened?" Aiku eximed, attempting to go back and see what happened, but Reign firmly held her arms. "Are you crazy? Do you want to get headshot too?" he scolded her. Judging from the sound, he suspected the sniper had relocated to a different position instead of escaping since the initial attempt. "Governor, it''s bad news. The girl who attack you was shot," a police officer reported grimly, delivering the unfortunate update. ''Can''t believe they hire these type of ipetent people. What a waste of taxpayer money,'' he grumbled in frustration. They couldn''t even catch someone who was carrying a big-ass sniper. If he hadn''t been holding back, he would have already summoned Arc andpletely dealt with the sniper. However, he knew that doing so would create too muchmotion. He couldn''t afford to create more panic, afraid that the concert might be cancelled or attended by fewer people. "Hey, just do your job quickly and let''s get out of here. This ce is dangerous," he warned Aiku, urging her to be cautious. "But that girl," she mumbled. "Forget about her. I will find you a better host in the future. That one is too low quality anyway" Reign reassured her. "Thank you, Master," she whispered back, ensuring the police officer did not overhear . With Reign around, catching stronger hosts for her to possess would be very easy. She wanted to get stronger too. Aiku realized that she wouldn''t live long without sufficient personal power of her own. "Just do your job well if you want me to keep helping you," he responded Chapter 191: Added Variable "What happened outside? Are you okay, Governor?" The other council members started bombarding Aiku with questions the moment they reached the meeting ce. They looked concerned, but some were clearly in a bad mood, having sided with the Vice Governor, who was now dead. Aiku raised her hand to silence them. "I''m fine. There was an assassination attempt, but my bodyguard handled it. We need to stay focused on our meeting." One of the council members, a stout man with a stern expression, spoke up. "This is uneptable. We can''t operate under threat. We need better security." Another member, a woman with sharp features, added, "And what about the Vice Governor? We need to discuss the implications of his death." Aiku took a deep breath, maintaining herposure. "I understand your concerns, but now is not the time for internal disputes. We have a government to run, and the city''s safety is our top priority. As for the Vice Governor, we will address that matter in due time. For now, we must ensure that no further incidents ur." Reign stood silently beside her, his presence making the council members wary. They had overheard from their assistants that he single-handedly took care of all the threats, and they assumed he was a veteran mercenaryfrom a high-tier city. The council members exchanged uneasy nces but nodded in agreement, after feeling intimidated by Reign''s presence. As the meeting continued, Aiku and the council members discussed security measures. Some members argued for canceling the concert, but Aiku was firmly against it. That concert was the only reason Reign had been holding back. If they canceled it, not just the council members but everyone in this building would face his wrath. They''d have no chance to say their goodbyes. "We cannot let this incident dictate our actions," Aiku stated. "Canceling the concert would only spread panic and give our enemies a victory." "But Governor, the threat is real. We need to think about your safety" A tall, man with eye sses shook his head. "I agree with the Governor," another member chimed in. "Canceling now would cause mass hysteria. We need to show strength, not weakness." Aiku nodded. "Exactly. We will increase security measures and ensure the safety of everyone attending. But the concert will proceed as nned." She turned to her assistant. "Make sure that news of the assassination attempt is kept from the public. We don''t want to incite unnecessary fear." Her assistant nodded, taking notes. "Understood, Governor. We''ll keep it under wraps." "We''ll need to coordinate closely with security forces," Aiku continued. "Double the guards at all entry points, and have inclothes officers mingling with the crowd." The council members exchanged nces but ultimately nodded in agreement. The n was set, and with Reign''s intimidating presence reinforcing Aiku''s demand, they prepared to secure the event and maintain public order. *** *** *** A day passed, and so far there had been no further assassination attempts. However, Reign still decided to stay close and protect Aiku, just in case. Her usefulness extended beyond the concert. He needed her to pull some strings and make his n run smoothly . As evening approached, Reign and Aiku made their way to the concert, set to start around 8:00 PM. Instead of using the usual ck sedan, they were now riding in a bulletproof HuNovelFireee. Alongside it were five convoys and several police cars for added protection. The city streets were crowded with fans heading to the venue. The convoy moved through the traffic, ensuring Aiku''s safety. Inside the car, Reign couldn''t help but wonder why so many people were this excited just to hear one person sing. He hadn''t bothered to ask Aiku about the identity of the singer before, finding it irrelevant, but now his curiosity was piqued. The way the crowd had been captivated, the energy of the concert, and the singer''s maic presence made him reconsider. Who exactly was this singer, and why did she have such a powerful hold over people? As they drove through the city, Aiku noticed his silence. "Something on your mind, Master?" she asked, ncing at him. "I was just wondering why so many people are so excited about one singer. What makes this concert so special?" She smiled, understanding his curiosity. Even she was shocked to see such a strong reaction from just a singer. "The artist tonight is really famous. She''s a global sensation in the music industry who just debuted 6 months ago. Her voice is really beautiful, and some say she can put people into a trance during her concerts." Reign raised an eyebrow. "Put people into a trance? That sounds like more than just talent." Aiku nodded in agreement. "It''s rumored that she has some sort of ability, but nothing has been proven. Her concerts draw huge crowds because everyone wants to experience it for themselves. And she moves from city to city to do concerts, unlike other artists, which is very risky, you know." "In fact..." Aiku''s voice trailed off as she remembered something from Demi''s memory. As a governor, she had ess to information that wasn''t avable to the public, including information from other cities as well. "What is it?" he asked. "I heard rumors that she actually has a cult in Green Valley, and all her songs are about worshiping some kind of god-like figure," she reported. Reign was stunned after hearing her, and with each piece of information, he was slowly being led to one conclusion. "Cult¡­" He paused , " Is her name rted to anything angelic ?" he asked. Aiku looked at him, surprised. "How did you know? Did you see her poster? Her name is Ang" "You''ve got to be kidding me," Reign leaned back in his chair, a tone of realization echoing in his voice. He already had an idea of what was happening. "What is it, Master? Do you know something about her?"Aiku looked at him with concern. "More than enough ," He responded and decided to think things through. He had already guessed that there were more angels in this world, but he hadn''t expected to meet one so soon. This was an additional variable in his n. The cult leader from before had only had thousands of followers, which was why he had been able to defeat her much more easily. At the same time, she had only awakened for a few months, while this Ang had been active for 6 months already. And judging from how many people were fans of her, it was safe to assume she was far more powerful than the hypocrite cult leader back in Summit City. Not only that, angels were known to have the power of purification and healing in books and stories. If she decided to heal everyone in the city during his nned pandemic operation, then all his hard work would be wasted. Reign clenched his fists, his mind racing. "I need to find a way to kill her," he mused aloud. "Kill her? Why?" Aiku asked in confusion. "Don''t worry about it. She''s my concern," Reign reassured her. "I''ll handle her after the concert." Aiku nodded in response to his words, sensing the gravity of the situation. The fact that it had unsettled her master, who was usuallyposed, hinted that Ang''s background was far deeper than she realized. Chapter 192: Dangerous Variable The concert venue was alive with energy, vibrant lights shing across the stadium. Audience buzzed with excitement, eagerly anticipating the evening''s grand finale. They were all fans of Ang, eager to get a closer look at her. Those who bought tickets were seated near the stage, while those with free tickets upied the outer sections of the stadium. Outside, even more people gathered, the government providing additional seating and extra security to keep things orderly. Various stores had also set up booths, sponsoring the event and turning the entire area into a vibrant festival. "Man, our governor is the best. I can''t believe she went all out with this concert." "Yeah, and what''s amazing is that all of this was done in just a day. I even heard she burned through her own bank ount to make this possible." "She''s an angel. I''m d I voted for herst election, ." Gossips about the governor''s effort to make this happen spread through the crowd. This was the first time her rating had skyrocketed to this level. "One thing is for sure, she will win again the next election," one of them eximed, and mostly agreed, unaware that they might not even be alive to vote because of the same person that they kept on praising. BUMP! "Hey, watch where you''re going," the man grumbled, ready to give a piece of his mind to whoever had bumped into him. But his irritation quickly dissipated as he caught sight of the tall figure with white hair and a bandage in the eye. "I''m sorry," the man muttered, instinctively stepping aside to make way . "I''m sorry too," Reign replied with a chuckle, surprising the man who had expected a harsher response. ''Man, I should really stop judging a book by its cover,'' the man muttered to himself, feeling remorseful for being too judgmental. Little did he know that Reign''s apology was for an entirely different reason altogether. In the middle of the crowd , Reign began releasing a colorless gas from inside his body. Finally, he found a use for the ability he had acquired long ago. And thanks to the sheer number of people, the whole ce stank of sweat, masking any awareness of the virus as he contaminated the air around him. He made another round, discreetly moving through the venttion system and air conditioning units to contaminate the air further. The virus he released was light, bouncing around the air, increasing its contagiousness. Afterpleting his task, he climbed up to the upper levels to meet with Aiku, who had disguised herself first. Reign and Aiku were now seated in afortable room for important and wealthy people, positioned high above the concert floor, giving them a clear view of the bustling crowd below. The lounge was elegantly furnished withfortable leather seating and expensive looking decor. Large windows along one side offered a sweeping view of the concert venue, while expensive speakers lined the walls, perfectly mimicking the real voices of the performers without any interference. Soft lighting added a cozy ambiance to the room, making it feel exclusive and weing. Outside the divided viewing area for VIP''s, staff moved among the guests, offering snacks, food and drinks from a bar in one corner. Overall, the VIP lounge felt refined andfortable, providing an ideal spot to enjoy the concert while not having to go through the hassle of mingling with the crowds while waiting. However¡ª Reign was pleased to see therge crowd below him. They looked like ants from his vantage point, and he couldn''t help but imagine how much satisfying it was to devour each and everyone of them. This number of humans would soon be his food, fueling his power much further. The auditorium had a capacity of 80,000 people, and it was filled to capacity. Aiku had instructed the instation of more portable air conditioning units and an additional 10,000 seats to amodate more attendees. Some fans had gathered outside, numbering up to 50,000, all cheering and watching the scene unfold on a 300-inch monitor. This was all he could ask for. His job was already finished, and he just had to wait for these people toe home and infect their close rtives. The only issue he had right now was Ang, the unknown variable in his n. "ANGELA !" "ANGELA !" "ANGELA !" "ANGELA !" The whole crowd erupted in unified cheers, their shouts enough to shake the whole ce. As the stage lights dimmed, in response to their cheers, the air was filled with the sound of instruments. Suddenly, a spotlight illuminated a particr spot on the center stage While the instrument increase its tempo from below the stage ,a drop gorgeous woman emerged being carried by a round moving tform. She wore a simple but elegant gown, crafted from flowing white fabric with subtle gold embellishments The dress fit her figure perfectly, highlighting her natural beauty. As she stood in the spotlight, her golden hair flowed down her back, framing her wless face. The soft glow of the spotlight emphasized her features, giving her an angelic aura . "This song is dedicated to all my fans out there. Thank you foring to see me, " she spoke warmly, her voice resonating through the stadium with a soothing charm that captivated everyone. Despite the number of crowds, her words felt intimate and personal, as if she were speaking directly to each individual in the audience. They were all entranced by her presence, their attention solely focused on her face. "This song is for everyone... Angel''s Descent," she dered, and with that, she began to sing. Her angelic voice filled the auditorium, wrapping around the audience like a warm embrace. It was as if each note she sang carried a piece of heaven with it, resonating deep within the hearts of those who listened. The crowd fell silent, captivated by the ethereal sound emanating from the stage. People in the crowd felt as though they were being transported to another realm, a ce where only pure, and innocence existed. Every note she sang felt like a blessing, a gift from above that touched the soul and lifted the spirit. ''This bitch , she''s practically hypnotizing people ,'' Reign cursed inwardly as he watched the scene unfold. The energy inside his body automatically protected him, indicating that she was trying to influence the minds of others. From what he could see, her ability to control people was not as concentrated as that cult leader''s, but it had a wider range. He nced at Aiku and noticed that she was also unaffected. Not only that, but he observed the crowd and realized that some of them were not bothered by it either. Many of them looked like they knew how to fight, perhaps working for the government or other organizations. It seemed that only normal humans with no way of defending against her charm were affected, and it wasn''t something thatpletely controlled minds; rather, it just made others view her in a more favorable light. ''What is she nning to do?'' He mused to himself. This level of influence wouldn''t garner much devotion or faith, and even if it did, it wouldn''t be particrly powerful. It was like diluting something in a basin of water; even poison would be ineffective in such arge quantity. "Something is wrong, Master," Aiku''s words caught Reign''s attention. *** Authors Note Starting from June 3rd, I''ll be posting three chapters per day until June 10th, just like I did previously. This will make a total of seven bonus chapters as a token of gratitude for the Powerstones and Golden Tickets for this month. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Chapter 193: Subtle Warning "What''s wrong?" Reign asked, curious by her statement. He had been observing Ang from the very moment she showed herself but hadn''t noticed anything out of the ordinary aside from the charming effect of the song that was mostly harmless to humans. "I could see parts of their souls leaving their body" Aiku responded. "Soul?" Reign asked. It was the first time he had heard that she could see souls. After thinking about it, she was a ghost to begin with, so it wasn''t far-fetched that she also had an ability akin to his Undead Eye but with a different spectrum. He had an urge to devour her and see if he could gain another eye-based ability, but after weighing her usefulness, he decided to spare her. The ability to possess bodies was too useful, and he didn''t know if he could even get that ability if he eat her, considering that her real body was ethereal in nature. Aiku felt a chill run down her spine when Reign turned his head toward her. She sensed her life was on the line. ''Please don''t kill me, please don''t kill me,'' she repeated in her mind, regretting that she had opened her mouth in the first ce. He noticed her fear and decided to look back at the stage to give her some breathing space. ''Is it the same thing with vitality?'' he mused inwardly, wondering if the phenomenon she observed was simr to what he sees when he activates his undead eyes. He used his ability again , but he didn''t notice anything leaving the bodies of the crowd at all. In fact, he could see their vitality rising. It was like they were nts being showered by liquid type fertilizer and water. Every time she sang a high-pitched note, their vitality would glow brighter for a brief moment. So, while in this mode, he felt like he was watching a bunch of Christmas lights blinking. "How do you even see souls?" he asked, wanting to understand what she was witnessing andpare it to his own perceptions. Aiku pondered for a moment, trying to simplify her exnation for her master. Not because he wouldn''t understand, but because she didn''t want to waste his time, afraid that he might scold her for not being able to articte her words well enough. "They look like floating orb located in their chest. I see light blue for humans, for Divergents they look dark blue, for demons they look purple," she exined, her words clear and concise. ''Interesting,'' he mumbled to himself, pondering her words. "What about me? What do you see?" he asked, wondering if his soul still resembled that of a human or if it had changed into something else. He remembered hearing from that hypocritical cult leader that in her perspective, he didn''t look like a demon, so he was curious to know what exactly he was. "I''m sorry, Master, but I can''t tell," she shook her head. "What do you mean?" "It''s either you don''t have a soul, or maybe you''re so strong that I can''t see it¡­ I''m sorry, Master," Aiku apologized again, her voice filled with uncertainty and fear. "Never mind, just tell me what''s exactly happening," he refocused his attention to Ang. "Yes Master¡­ it''s in small quantities and wouldn''t harm them in the short term. But particles of souls are converging in her, and every time she breathes she sucks in these particles. Also, her soul is golden, and it''s not in orb shape," she exined. "It''s not ? What is it then? " Aiku squinted her eyes to get a better view. Her sense of sight was limited to that of a human, so she had to put effort into making out the details. "I think... I think it''s a golden harp," she concluded. "A golden harp? What does that even mean?" Reign asked, clearly annoyed by her uncertainty. "I¡ª I don''t know, Master, this is the first time I''ve seen something like this," she replied with a trembling lips . ''I''m just talking to you, and you''re already shaking?'' he mused inwardly, finding her repeated apologies annoying but deciding to let it go. He started focusing his attention on the air around him and discovered that the virus was still present, meaning it wasn''t being affected by her singing at all, which was a relief. The worst-case scenario in his mind was that all this singing would miraculously heal the humans with divine power, canceling out his efforts. If that happened, he might just snap and blow this whole ce up along with her. So with his n still on track, he decided to just let her finish her concert first, before doing anything impulsive . It would take days for the virus to show symptoms, so if he got lucky, she would be gone by that time and everyone with her would carry the virus to the next city. That was the n. However, before she sang herst song, Ang looked up, and he could tell she was looking directly at him. There was a warm smile on her face, but he knew that there was a hidden meaning into it. ''I knew it. Why can''t the world just go along with me?'' hesighed. These angels were always so troublesome, somehow always able to detect him. Ang''s song continued, but now it wasced with a different kind of energy. The crowd remained blissfully unaware, swaying to her melody, but he felt a subtle shift. It was as if she was challenging him, daring him to act. Aiku sensed his frustration and whispered, "What''s happening, Master?" Reign''s remained calm as he considered his options. He couldn''t risk exposing his n prematurely, but he also couldn''t ignore the threat Ang posed. "We don''t do anything," Reign replied. If his assumption was right, then she also didn''t want to make amotion. For some reason, angels were not known in the world, so she must also have a reason for hiding her real identity. She nodded, though she still looked uneasy. "Are you sure, Master?" Reign gave a short nod. "Yes. She doesn''t want to reveal herself any more than I do. If we y this right, we can still achieve my goal." Ang''s performance reached its climax, her voice soaring and captivating the audience. Reign watched intently, his mind racing. He needed to understand her intentions so he could devise a n of his own. Was she merely taunting him, or did she have a counter-move prepared? When the final note hung in the air and the crowd erupted in apuse, Ang''s gaze didn''t waver. She held his eyes with a knowing look, as if to say, ''I can see you.'' As the apuse died down, she addressed the audience before finally ending her concert. "Thank you all for being here tonight. Your support means the world to me. Let''s keep this energy in the air alive and spread it far and wide." CRACK! ''Motherfucker,'' Reign clenched his jaw so hard that Aiku could hear the cracking noise. Her words carried more than just gratitude; they were a subtle warning. She was aware of the virus, or at least suspected something. Chapter 194: Subtle Warning Part 2 "Governor, Miss Ang requested to meet you," a female staff member from the VIP room announced after receiving a message from the lounge private phone. Aiku was taken aback. She hadn''t expected her to seek them out herself. Wasn''t she afraid that her intimidating and evil master wouldjust kill her directly? Aiku considered Ang''s actions dumb and risky. She had witnessed firsthand how powerful Reign was, even when he wasn''t putting his full effort into a fight. It was like watching a trained adult bully a group of kindergartners. In her eyes, he was currently the most powerful being in the city. Even the reports on the current powerhouses didn''t show any individuals she thought could contend with him. Ang was justdigging her own grave by seeking out a confrontation against someone who clearly outmatched her. Reign, however, viewed the situation differently. He interpreted Ang''s request as a disy of overwhelming confidence in her own power. It showed that she wasn''t afraid of him, even after realizing his existence. "Let''s go. I also want to meet her," he stood up, gesturing for Aiku to follow. The staff found it odd that the governor was following Reign as if she were the underling instead, but she chose to ignore it, thinking it wasn''t her ce to question. For all she knew, he might be a secret boss or an official with a higher position than the governor herself. As they neared Ang''s dressing room, Reign''s senses were on high alert. He knew better than to underestimate angels; they were cunning, arrogant and prideful beings so it was better to be careful than sorry. Approaching the door, he instinctively positioned himself between Aiku and any potential threat, silently preparing for any surprises that might await them inside. "Wait here," He instructed . "Yes, Master," she nodded. CLICK! As the door swung open, he was greeted by the sight of Ang seated gracefully in front of a vanity mirror, her golden hair flowing over her shoulders . She turned to face him, her serene smile never faltering for a moment. She did not look worried at all that she was facing someone with Reign''s caliber. "Hello, nice to finally meet you," Ang greeted him with a warm greeting, her auradevoid of any hostility. However, Reign''s instincts told him not to be deceived by appearances; the angel he met before was very deceptive and maniptive, so he couldn''t afford to underestimate her. Maintaining aposed demeanor, he subtly prepared himself for any potential threats. He was ready to unleash his domain at a moment''s notice, should the need arise. "You don''t have to be too guarded; I''m not here to fight," She broke the silence, her voice gentle but carrying a hint of arrogance, a traitmon among angels who mostly regarded themselves as the highest beings after the creator. "Last time I heard that from your kind, I ended up killing her after she attacked me while I was just minding my own business," Reign scoffed, his voice filled with disdain. Ang paused for a moment and sighed. "I''m sorry to hear that," she said. "I heard about how you taught my little sister a lesson, but please don''t generalize us. She''s a really hot-tempered person and very vengeful, but I''m different from her." "You guys are good at lying so don''t think that I''m stupid enough to fall for your words," he replied sternly. Ang''s lips curved into a smile after hearing Reign''s remark. "I am aware of your ns,," she continued, her voice calm and firm. "But I am not here to interfere. Rather, I wish you to seed, " Reign''s eye behind the bandaged flickered in surprise. " Why would you wish that?" Ang''s smile widened slightly. "Because our goals align more than you realize. I, too, seek to gain more power. And your actions, though drastic, will serve that purpose." Reign considered her words carefully, his mind racing with possibilities. Could this angel really be offering her help, or was it a ploy to gain his trust? "Let''s say I believe your words," Reign finally spoke. "What exactly do you propose?" Ang''s expression remained serene. "I want human souls," she stated calmly. "Human souls ? " he repeated ,he wanted more rification. Ang stood up, picked up a ss of red wine, and took a sip before leaning on the desk. "Let''s just say that unlike my sisters, I don''t agree that we need humans to survive. Unfortunately, they are all deluded into thinking that we need these inferior beings, but I''m different, and I need human souls for my n to seed ," she exined calmly. "And how is this rted to me?" Reign inquired, maintaining his guarded stance. "Easy, you kill the humans, eat them or whatever, but in return, you have to give me their souls," Ang exined, sipping her wine casually. "The fuck are you talking about? I don''t know how to extract souls," Reign replied, his toneced with skepticism. Ang paused for a moment, her gaze piercing through Reign as if trying to see into his soul. "You have a lot of souls inside your body right now," she remarked, her expression unreadable. Reign was taken aback. Could it be that she could somehow see through that Dark space where his puppets live? "I have no idea what you mean," he denied her statement, his voice steady despite the unease stirring within him. After hearing his denial, Ang sighed. She looked disappointed for a moment, but quickly returned her facial expression to normal. "Alright, we all have our secrets. You have yours, and I have mine. So just use this." She pulled something from her pocket and threw it to Reign. Of course, he didn''t catch it and just let itnd on the ground. "A Golden Chalice?" he mused aloud, "That''s no ordinary chalice, it''s a divine object, and I spent a lot of my power just to bring that thing down to this world," she exined. "And you just expect me to take this and be your ve?" he asked with a mocking tone. Ang rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache. It was clear she wasn''t getting through to Reign because he was more stubborn than she had anticipated. "Listen, if I wanted you dead, you''d be gone by now." Her voice hardened as she snapped her fingers. The whole room transformed, transporting them to her domain. Everything was shrouded in pure darkness except for a giant harp behind her the size of a mountain. Reign attempted to activate his domain, only to be shocked to discover that he had beenpletely suppressed. "Do you see it now? The gap in our powers is too wide. Unlike my sisters, who rely on fate, I''ve been feeding myself souls to get stronger. Right now, I''m already close to the level of a Demon King. So it''s better for you to ept my offer," she dered, her presence more imposing than before. Reign felt like cursing her aloud, but he controlled his anger. If she was telling the truth, then she could very well kill him with a flick of her fingers. "What''s in it for me? What benefit can I get from you?" he asked. He didn''t like the idea of working for her, but a partnership would be a different story. Besides, it might be true that he was now weaker than her, but that would only be temporary. After he seeded with his n and reached the status of Demon Lord, he would betray and kill her. ''Let''s see who''s faster, your soul-eating or my system,'' he scoffed inwardly. Chapter 195: Dark Thoughts "You''re really interesting," Ang started giggling, surprised that he wasn''t even slightly intimidated by her domain. She found his confidence both amusing and irritating at the same time. It might be true that her power was limited because she was using a vessel, but her domain was an ability she had honed for countless years. In terms of quality, it was already on another level. She was already close to breaking the Demon King status in terms of power, while Reign hadn''t even reached the Demon Lord level yet. Logically, he should have been overwhelmed, forced to his knees by the sheer pressure of her domain alone, so it was a miracle that he could still stand tall in front of her. This just showed that he had solid foundation; even a real Beginner Rank Demon Lord would falter against her suppression a bit, but Reign did not even flinch. "You want to strike a partnership instead of just being happy of working for me and keeping you alive?" Ang asked, her eyes glinting with amusement at his audacity. She was curious where this confidence wasing from. "It''s only normal, after all, you need me," Reign replied with a casual tone. "I think you''re misunderstanding something. I only offered you this because it''s a pity to kill you. So you don''t really have much right to negotiate," she retorted, her voiceced with contempt. Reign shook his head, his lips curling into a creepy smile. His gesture made it clear he had something against her. Ang''s face turned serious at his reaction. For the first time in the whole conversation, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. It felt like he really had something on her that could turn this whole confrontation upside down. "Stop talking nonsense. If you could really kill a lot of humans on your own, you would have already done that with this much power," he stated firmly. Pausing for effect, his creepy smile widened as he watched her facial expression shift from calm to serious. "So I''ve been thinking, and guess that you angels can''t directly kill humans," he spat out, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You¡­," Ang gritted her teeth in annoyance . She did not expect him to easily uncover one of the angels'' weakness. ''Got you,'' Reign, seeing her expression, couldn''t help but smile sadistically. He had guessed right, and the satisfaction of seeing her shocked reaction fueled his confidence more. Her first mistake was talking to him in the first ce. He might act aggressive, brutal, and monstrous from time to time, but he was a bonafide genius who could see through inconsistencies and remember details with precision. The moment they began conversing, he analyzed her sentences and recalled his first meeting with that hypocritical cult leader in Summit City. By gathering as much information as possible about his enemies, he could form his own conclusion. And it was even easier for him to read an angel. They were bad liars for some reason. Maybe it was because they had never had to resort to using such tricks before, or maybe they were just born to be arrogant and haughty. Even if they pretended to be good, he could see through their hypocrisy right away. "I knew it. You angels are bound by a rule. I''ve been wondering why you had to do all this silly thing like singing to take small parts of souls from humans. So this was the reason," he chuckled aloud, relishing the sight of her being pushed into a corner. "And if I''m right, you will suffer some kind of penalty or bacsh if you go against this rule," he pointed out, adding fuel to the fire, and then fanning it even more. She clenched her fists, her mind racing with thoughts of how to regain the upper hand again. Him knowing her weakness would onlyplicate things for her in the future. It was true that angels were bound by a rule set by their father. This was to prevent them from using their power for violence. The only way they could kill a human was if that person sacrificed his or her vitality for them. And killing a human directly would decrease their karma, and for an angel, the lower their karma bes, the weaker they get. There were even cases where an angel ended up killing so many humans that they turned into one after losing all their divinity. Once stripped of their divine nature, they were condemned to live out their existence as mere mortals, forever severed from heaven. "It''s true that it''s a hassle for me to kill humans, but I can just kill you right now," she spat out, her eyes narrowing in anger. "You can, but really, you''ll have a hard time finding another one like me that can kill an entire city poption. Imagine the number of souls you can absorb with me around. And it''s not like I don''t want to work with you; I just want some benefits," he replied, his tone softening slightly. He knew he had to first deceive her into working with him, and then when the time was ripe, he would dispose of her too. Ang remained quiet for a moment and unclenched her fist. Reign has a point and she would be lying if she was not tempted by his ability to release airborne viruses. The golden chalice was a very powerful object, but it had limitations. One of them was that it could only absorb the souls of those killed by the holder. And because Reign created this virus himself, every death from this pandemic would automatically be attributed to him. Therefore, he was the perfect candidate to hold the Chalice. If she could absorb all of their souls, then maybe she could finally break through to Demon King status. When that happened, even if he tried to betray her, there was no way he could win. She was currently limited by the number of abilities she could use, but by reaching Demon King level, she would finally be able to ess one particr skill and proceed with her n, and will no longer need him. ''Alright, I''ll y with you¡­But you will regret pushing your luck too far,'' she sneered in contempt. "I''ll give you this in exchange for your cooperation," she said, raising her hand and producing a small, hand-sized golden crystal ball. "This is a Divine Equipment called Holy sh," she exined. "When used, it will generate a divine wave that could incinerate anything impure within 100 meters. It could even hurt a Demon King." Reign grabbed the ball this time. [DING] [System: Detected arge amount of Divine Energy. The system could convert it to Skill Points.] ''Is this thing safe?'' he asked the system . [System: Affirmative.] "Alright, I''ll take it," Reign agreed. "Partners?" he raised his hand for a handshake. Ang, after seeing this, could not help but sneer in contempt secretly. She was an angel, arrogant to the core, so him acting like her equal came to her as an insult. However, she maintained herposure andagreed with him. "Partners," she epted Reign''s hand, and the two of them smiled at each other, each secretly plotting how they would eliminate the other once their own goal was achieved. Chapter 196: Dark Thoughts Part 2 "Master, are you okay?" Aiku inquired as Reign exited the room. She was unaware of what transpired inside since the domain only extended to the dressing room. She sensed he was in a bad mood and decided not to intrude further, respecting his space. "Just follow me," he ordered. He didn''t have the time nor the patience to talk right now. Aiku nodded, and followed him from behind. They moved through the corridors, their footsteps echoing off the walls. As they walked, Reign''s mind raced with thoughts of his next move. He was well aware that he had to be careful with Ang, but he also knew that her power and her own ambitions were a dangerousbination. He had to stay one step ahead if he wanted to kill her. There was even a fleeting thought of him wanting to escape from her, but he had already poured too much effort and time into his n to just abandon it now. ''She''s not yet at the Demon King level, so I can still defeat her'' he reassured himself. Even though she was already a peak Demon Lord, he refused to believed that she was unbeatable as long as he also reached the status of a Demon Lord. With all his groundwork at a legendary level, he was confident that he could put up a fight against her once he made his breakthrough. And even if he were to be killed, he still had another life to spare. ''I need to get stronger and find a way to kill her,'' Reign''s eyes flickered with determination. <3 Hours Later> Reign wasted no time after returning to the mansion. He was now seated in a private room, facing six corpsesid out before him. They were all headless except for one, whose head had been blown open by a gunshot. With Aiku''s status, she could easily bribe the police officer for the bodies of her assassins with the right amount of money. As he consumed them, he hoped for a mutation organ that could at least help him a bit, but unfortunately, they relied too much on external sources to power up. They did grant him a lot of EXPpared to normal humans, but that was it; they were still useless overall. In fact, even if he turned them into puppets, they wouldn''t be much use anyway without their powersuits. This was the problem with people who relied too much on external equipment. While it was true that they gained a massive boost from such gear, without proper discipline, their real power and techniques would remain stagnant, and maybe even deteriorate . Now, Reign finally had some inkling as to why hunters usually did not use powersuits. Perhaps they also believed that relying too much on external equipment could only provide short-term enhancements but would be detrimental in the long run. The next item on his agenda was to absorb the Divine Equipment¡ªthe golden ball he held in his hand. He observed it carefully. She said that it has the ability to hurt a Demon King , but it could really mean a lot of things. It could mean that it could hurt them a lot or just superficial damages. It also urred to him that her assurances might be nothing more than empty promises. After all, there was no way to validate her words without putting her ims to the test using the item in question. Moreover, the thought of having something from someone as dangerous and cunning as an angel unsettled him. Reign knew that it had to go. [Ding] [System: Do you want to sacrifice it?] [Yes]/[No] "Yes," Reignmanded firmly, and the golden ball began to dim as his hands greedily absorbed all the energy it contained. He could feel the immense power within just from the pressure it emitted, as if it was struggling to break free. The dimming persisted until the once radiant crystal ball lost all its color, cracks spider-webbing across its surface before crumbling into fine dust, dissolving into the air just like that. [System: You gained 150 Skill Points] ''Not enough,'' he sighed. With 150 skill points at his disposal, he should have been jumping for joy, but the presence of Ang cast a shadow over this gain. It felt like there was nothing to celebrate in her presence He needed more power before his n could evene to fruition in a couple of days, just in case she decided to change her mind and attack him. There were no absolutes in this world. So, he reasoned it was better to always expect the worst-case scenario. This mindset would ensure he was prepared for whatever threat Ang might bring his way. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! The sudden interruption caught his attention, breaking his train of thought. "Come in," The door slowly swung open, revealing Aiku standing there. "Master, this is the letter of rmendation. With this, you can leave the barrier for a scouting mission," she said, handing him the letter. "Got it, you can leave now," Reign said as he took the letter from her hand, signaling her dismissal. Hunting down corrupteds outside the barrier was not his preferred method, but he knew he had no choice. He needed every advantage he could get in order to protect himself. Plus, there was another driving force behind his decision: the urgent need for more Dark Dust. The dark mist enveloped the area, making it deste and eerie. Normally, Reign would have struggled to locate a horde of Corrupteds due to therge area he had to search. Fortunately, Aiku had provided him with the exact coordinates of a confirmed Corrupted Nest and even arranged for ess to a pickup truck equipped to block the ck Mist. The truck looked like something straight out of a subpar, under-budget futuristic movie, with its sharp-angled design. Even Reign felt it was too ugly for his taste. They called it a cyber truck, but in his opinion, it was better to call it a pile of shit. The only reason he used it was because, unlike other trucks that ran on gas, this thing ran on battery. It was purely electric, meaning it didn''t even have an exhaust. Additionally, it had its own air filtering system for long travels, a feature essential for navigating through the hazardous environment of the dark mist. Another perk of this ugly-looking truck was also the fact that it did not generate any loud noise. As he continued to ride through the ck desert-like dry sands for a few more hours, he felt the terrain elevation getting steeper, indicating that he was now climbing a hill. The truck''s electric motor hummed quietly as it navigated the rough terrain, its tires gripping the sand with ease. Reign tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his senses on high alert for any signs of danger. With each passing moment, the tension in the air grew thicker, and he knew he was getting closer to his destination. SCREECH! He hit the brakes and stopped a kilometer away from the nest. He could feel the vibrations on the ground, indicating that in front of him was a horde of corrupted. ''Time to hunt,'' Chapter 197: Preparation Part 1 BUZZZZ! The sound of chainsaws ripping through flesh echoed through the barrenndscape as Reign began dual wielding. With each swing of his two Skull Grinder Carnages, he carved a path through the horde of corrupteds. His movements were brutal and deadly. There was no time to waste, so he mowed down everything in his path. "RAWWR!" The corrupteds rushed at him with wild red eyes and twisted limbs, but he showed no mercy. His chainsaws roared and spat blood and spoiled remains, tearing through flesh and bone with ease. The ground became slick with ck substance as he hacked his way forward . Arc was on his right, his sword shing in the dark mist . Each strike was precise, leaving a trail of destruction behind him. He moved fast and efficiently slicing through the horde with minimal effort . Every time he swung his sword, red lightning killed those around him, creating a chain reaction that prevented him from being easily surrounded. The sound of metal meeting flesh echoed through the air as Arc''s de found its mark time and time again. His movements were too smooth, a stark contrast to Reign who was just cleaving everything like a psychopath . The reason for this difference wasn''t because Arc was more disciplined; rather, it was because he was restricted to a set of movements, while Reign, on the other hand, could do whatever he wanted while achieving much better results. Meanwhile, Shackler covered the left nk, her chain whipping through the air and coiling on anything that dared to approach her. The metal links struck out like serpents, wrapping around the corrupted''s limbs and torsos with a vice-like grip. With a powerful tug, she pulled them closer, their roars drowned out by the sound of their flesh being squeezed until they turned into mangled meat. She faced more difficulty because her power wasn''t focused on heavy attacks. However, as she continued to fight, Reign could tell that she was improving little by little. With the trio working together, their fighting power was strong enough to turn the encounter into a one-sided massacre. This nest feared by many be just a normal hunting ground for them . As the horde began to thin out, Reign took a moment to absorb their corpses. Meanwhile, Arc and Shackler continued to hold off the remaining corrupteds, ensuring that none would escape. After a couple of minutes, the whole ce became silent again, the echoes of battle fading into the distance. What remained was the trio, their master sitting on the ground while the two piled up the corpses near him. [Ding!] [Level Up+ 1] "Finally," Reign sighed after seeing that he had reached level 35. He was afraid that this nest would not provide him enough experience points, but thankfully, he was already close to leveling up after that train incident. All he needed was a push. But for now, he was more focused on getting more Dark Dust, so without checking his stats, he hurriedly went back to his truck and began to hit more nests. The number of corrupteds in each nest wasn''t that high, so he had to sweep through the avable locations near the city. He didn''t try venturing out further because he knew it would only end up wasting his time because of how rare corrupted nest where in this area. It wasn''t like those ces in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities where the poption of corrupteds was almost endless. He had just gotten lucky in Summit City because that giant pile of corpses end up collecting a lot of corrupted , making his life easier. Almost two days had passed, and during that time frame, he did not level up, showing just how inefficient this way of leveling up was. He discovered that the freshly made corrupted from Summit City provided more EXP, while those who had been corrupted for a long time barely gave anything. The only silver lining here was that at least he was gaining more Dark Points ''That was thest nest,'' He paused in his track after destroying another horde. Instead of getting further from the city, he decided to take a break and think about creating new skills while he was still out in the open. His strongest one was Death Rail Gun, and he wanted to improve it using the new knowledge he had gathered so far. He sat down on the dusty ground, his mind whirring with calctions. The Death Rail Gun was a powerful weapon, but he knew it had room for improvement. He needed to break down itsponents and understand how to enhance each aspect. First, he considered the energy source. The current system drew power directly from his own core, channeling it into the high-velocity projectile he created from his bones. While effective, it drained his energy rapidly. He needed a way to increase efficiency. He envisioned using parts of his bones to create a capacitor. He thought of using his bones'' natural ability to store and release energy. By hollowing out sections of his bones and filling them with dense,pact bone marrow, he could create a natural capacitor. The bone marrow, rich in iron and minerals, would act as a storage medium. He would use a spiral structure within the bone to maximize surface area and efficiency. When charged with his energy, these "bone capacitors" would release a burst of power when needed, reducing the strain on his core. Next, he focused on the projectile itself. The current design was a solid sharp pointy bone. It was effective butcked sophistication. He considered ways to increase its destructive power. He envisioned ayered projectile with an aerodynamic shape to reduce air friction and increase speed. The projectile would have a dense core made from the strongest parts of his bones, surrounded by a streamlined outer shell. The outer shell would be shaped like a cone , minimizing air resistance. Thisyering would ensure stability in flight and maximum impact upon hitting the target. The firing mechanism was another area for improvement. Currently, the rail gun used electromaic rails to elerate the projectile. He knew he could increase the speed and power with some adjustments. He already had a rail system made from his bones, infused with his energy to minimize energy loss and maximize projectile speed. To enhance it, he focused on increasing efficiency and precision. He decided to improve the maic confinement, ensuring the projectile remained on a precise trajectory. By integrating additional maic nodes along the rail, he could create a more stable and powerful maic field. This would ensure the projectile stayed centered, reducing any wobble and increasing uracy. To further enhance the system''s efficiency, he worked on optimizing the natural conductivity of his bones. By reconfiguring the internal structure of the bone rails, he could increase the flow of energy with less resistance. This involved meticulous reshaping and reinforcing the bones to create a more direct and efficient energy pathway. Reign also decided to incorporate an energy recycling system. As the projectile moved along the rail, some of the energy would be recaptured and fed back into the weapon, reducing overall energy consumption and allowing for rapid, sessive shots without draining his reserves too quickly. [Ding: Congrattions! Your Death Rail Gun has been upgraded multiple times. Would you like to rename it?] [Yes]/[No] Chapter 198: Preparation Part 2 ''What should I name it ?'' he thought for a while and felt that improving his Rail Gun would be very hard now, so he had toe up with a pretty good name befitting it. He paused, allowing thoughts toe and go in his mind . ''Hyper Rail Gun or HRG,'' he mumbled. It was a name that described the skill perfectly and was very catchy at the same time. [System: Hyper Rail Gun Registered ] ''Sweet,'' he nodded in satisfaction . He retracted the skill initially, then reactivated it to observe the materialization process. Assisted by the system, the bones began to form effortlessly, almost as if guided by an automated software, without him needing to consciously direct the process. Since it was now smaller and more efficient, it didn''t take long for his skill to activate with the system''s assistance. He retracted it again. This time, he wanted to test the materialization and execution time frame by counting . In a high-level battle, a split second could be the difference between victory and defeat. Reign focused, activating the Hyper Rail Gun. He timed the process, counting the seconds it took from thought to full activation. It was 3 seconds , a big improvement over its previous iteration, considering that it has now moreplicated parts. But he was not satisfied yet. Using 100K Dark points, he pushed Bone Control to level 30 and tried again. This time, it only took him 2 seconds to form the bones. Still not satisfied, he added another 100K Dark points, but the materialization time only decreased to 1.5 seconds. ''I can''t risk it,'' he told himself firmly, then spent another 100K Dark Points to reduce the materialization time to 1 second. ''This is good enough,'' he added . ''Now I just need to test how strong this thing is in actualbat,'' he mused inwardly The ce has low visibility because of the mist, but with his enhanced senses, he could make out something in the distance. Taking aim at a small hill, he fired. BUZZZZZZZZ! Red lightning arced from the impact point and made the projectile prate the hill with ease . The resulting shockwave was so intense that it momentarily cleared the dark mist, revealing the true devastation by the attack. "Impressive," he mused aloud. He calcted that the prative power of his railgun was now at least 50-70% more. The icing on the cake was the fact that he barely felt any energy consumption when using it. The Hyper Rail Gun''s improved efficiency meant he no longer have to worry about using this skill all the time. But he was not done yet. The next thing he tried was the rapid shot. Multiple buzzing sounds echoed as he used the rail gun like a Gatling gun. The impact of each shot wasn''t as powerful as the single shot, but it was at least stronger prior to the upgrade. He continued to fire, testing the limits of his new capability. The next thing he tested was a charged shot. This time, he pointed the railgun and held on to the activation of the shot. Electricity flowed erratically, and the projectile started spinning even inside the rail, creating a strong humming sound that electrified the air. 2 seconds passed. 5 seconds passed. At the 10-second mark, he felt like his newly formed railgun could not withstand the power anymore. The air crackled as it reached the breaking point. Reign gritted his teeth, his bones tense with the effort of containing the vtile energy. Suddenly, with a deafening roar, the railgun unleashed its charged shot. A brilliant burst of crimson light erupted from the rail, streaking towards its target with unstoppable force. The ground trembled beneath his feet as the shockwave from the st rippled through the air, shattering everything in its path. BOOOOOOOM! The charged shot struck its mark with devastating impact, obliterating the hill with a deafening explosion. Rocks and debris were sent flying in all directions as the sheer power of the attack tore through thendscape In terms of power, it was already close to being called a weapon of mass destruction. ''This will definitelye in handy,'' he thought, deactivating the weapon and letting it dissolve. The ability to switch between single shots, rapid fire and charge shot gave him a versatile edge inbat. However¡ª ''It''s not enough,'' he clicked his tongue. For some reason, he felt like even with this, it was not enough to defeat Ang. It was his instinct telling him that he needed more. ''But at least I increased my chance with this skill. I just need to reach level 40 and evolved, ''He reassured himself. Consuming more humans would give him more experience, so he was sure to easily get to level 40 after the pandemic n came into fruition. With his Rail Gun testsplete, he felt the need to expand his arsenal. He redesigned his Buster Mode and Skull Grinder Carnage, and added more original skill sets, each one meant to help him in different situations. ''I should head back now,'' he thought to himself after he finished wrapping everything up. There was nothing more to do here anymore. He walked back towards his truck and started checking it. It had been outside the barrier for a long time, so it was bound to have some damage. Fortunately, it was only all external. Next, he checked the battery level on the dashboard and saw that it was only at 8%. There was no way this was enough, considering he had to ride for hours to get back to the city. Good thing he had already anticipated this. He popped open the trunk and grabbed another battery kit, quickly swapping out the depleted one for the fresh one in his truck. He had specifically carried this spare battery because he knew there was no ce to charge out here. It was ironic that he could control lightning, but he couldn''t use it to charge a car. Pure lightning couldn''t be converted into a usable form without frying the whole system due to the sheer amount of voltage. He did, however, consider using a converter, but the voltage of his lightning was just too high and unstable. Doing so would not work. Maybe in the future, if he had more control over his power, it could be a viable option. He checked the dashboard again and saw that the battery charge was at 95% and could run up to 400km. However, because of the filter system, it could only go up to 300-350 km in real-life scenarios. With everything in order, he started the engine , and set off towards the city. As he drove, his mind wandered to things waiting for him. At this point, the virus had already incubated enough, merging within the poption . Initially, people would brushed off the early symptoms as nothing more than amon cold¡ªjust a sniffle here, a fever that refused to break, a cough that rattled the lungs, and a fatigue that weighed heavy on the limbs. But after another day , the symptoms would spread like wildfire and became more fatal. This would lead to a citywide lockdown and the deration of a pandemic. And Reign would be there, ready to seize all the benefits for himself. Chapter 199: The Grand Plan Part 1 After a couple of hours riding through the dark mist, Reign managed to return to the city. Without roads to navigate, he relied on his sense of direction, and back tracking the route as a guide to navigate through the uneven ground. He was not worrying about getting lost; as long as he kept heading to the east, he knew he would eventually reach his destination. When he finally caught sight of the city sign, he didn''t risk riding through it. He knew the area was littered withndmines. Instead, he opted to retrace his way, seeking out the same exit point he had used before. CREAK! CREAK! CREAK! The tform slowly descended underground with a low rumble. Gears spun and nked, echoing through the chamber as the machinery lowered his truck down. THUD! When the tform reached the bottom, he saw the familiar tunnel stretching out before him. He stayed in the vehicle, gripping the wheel as he moved through it. Its interior was filled with walls lined with cables and pipes. The steady glow of fluorescent lights cast a harsh illumination on the cold and silent tunnel. The only sound he could hear was the noise of his tires on the ground, magnified by the tunnel''s echoes. Fortunately, the route was direct, and has no turns or branches which made the whole ride much easier and faster. As heapproached the end of the tunnel, arge and thick steel door loomed ahead. He slowed the vehicle and noticed military personnels guarding the area. They were all wearing full hazmat suits, their bodies entirely covered in protective gear from head to toe. Thick gloves encased their hands, and heavy boots nked against thefloor as they moved. Over their suits, they wore gas masks with tinted visor. Each one also carried a utility beltequipped with various tools and supplies. "Stop," one of themmanded, raising his hand. When Reignpletely stopped the car, the military personnel slowly the driver''s sit window. "Sir, I think it''s better for you to stay in the fort for a while," the guard said, recognizing Reign as the same person who got special ess through the governor rmendation. Not just anyone could venture outside alone without the strength to survive, so knowing that Reign came from out there was enough to solidify his status as a powerful individual. "Why?" Reign asked, feigning ignorance. The guard paused for a moment before answering, "The whole city is on lockdown. We discovered a deadly virus, so it''s dangerous to head to the center." "A virus?" he repeated, pretending to be rmed. "That sounds serious. How did this happen?" The guard sighed, a weary look crossing his face. "We''re not entirely sure yet. It just spread out of nowhere. The authorities are doing everything they can to contain it, but for now, it''s safest to stay within the fort." "I get you," Reign replied, his voice filled with concern, "but I work for the governor, and I need to get back to her no matter what for a special mission. I know that this virus is dangerous, but I can''t abandon my duty." The guards exchanged nces, sensing the sincerity in Reign''s words. Despite the gravity of the situation, they couldn''t help but admire his dedication to his duty. "I understand, sir," one of them said, nodding in acknowledgment. "But please, exercise extreme caution. We''ll do our best to provide you with an escort back to the center." "Thank you," Reign nodded gratefully, offering them a sincere smile. But deep inside, he couldn''t contain his excitement . Everything was proceeding ording to n, and soon he would have everything he needed to achieve his goals Before he left, Reign was provided with a set of yellow hazmat suit. They already detected that the virus was airborne, so anyone walking outside had to wear one. Meanwhile, those inside their homes were equipped with filters to further minimize the risk of exposure to the virus. The city was still a distant destination, and to reach it, they needed to traverse the highway. Reign and his escort made their way to the waiting vehicle (Military HuNovelFireee), where they climbed in and set off towards their destination. The highway stretched out before them, the road illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights. Other military vehicles zoomed past, their headlights cutting through the darkness as they hurried to their own destinations. "How''s the status, by the way?" Reign asked, trying to figure out the current situation. The military personnel hesitated for a moment, contemting if he should disclosed the real information. However, recognizing Reign''s direct affiliation with the governor, they made the decision to divulge the ssified information, trusting in his discretion and understanding of the circumstances. "It''s bad," the military personnel continued, his tone grave. "I heard from someone in the Department of Health that already 4500+ people died today, and hundreds of thousands are already showing symptoms." "That''s terrible," Reign replied, his voice filled with fake sympathy. "What are the authorities doing to contain it?" The military personnel shook his head, a sense of helplessness evident in his demeanor. "We''re doing everything we can," he replied, his voice filled with genuine worry. He, too, had family in the city, but because of his duty, he could not contact them at all "Quarantine measures have been implemented, and medical teams are working around the clock to treat the infected. But the virus is spreading quickly, and it''s bing more difficult to keep up." "What about the dead bodies, they should be disposed of, right?" Reign asked. "Yes, they are being disposed of in ordance with strict protocols to prevent further spread of the virus," one of them exined. "Where are they keeping them ?" "In the West part, there''s an abandoned Open Pit Mine," one of them exined. "The dead bodies are being transferred there. The governor instructed everyone not to burn the corpses because it might contaminate the air more. Also, we can''t just throw them outside because they would turn into corrupteds." ''Sweet,'' Reign fought to suppress a burst ofughter bubbling up within him. This was all his doing. He had even instructed Aiku to ce the corpses in an isted area so he could devour them without any disturbance. The reported 4500+ deaths might not sound like much, but he knew that starting tomorrow, more and more people would sumb to the virus, and this would tilt everything for the worst. He had even intentionally spared the military from his virus, knowing that if they also died, there would be no one left to transport the bodies. As he contemted the unfolding chaos, Reign couldn''t help but feel a rush of exhration. The pieces of his grand design were falling into ce, and his anticipation grew as he contemted the next step. He wanted to go to that Open Pit Mine and begin devouring the corpses as soon as possible. As they traveled towards the city, he noticed the deserted highway. There was no traffic; only government and military personnel, all wearing hazmat suits, moved along the road. The once busy road was now almost deste, so it did not take long for him to reach the Governor''s Mansion Chapter 200: [Bonus]The Grand Plan Part 2 "You''re finally back," Aiku said casually, pretending as if she had the authority over him, knowing there were too many witnesses around. She wasn''t wearing a hazmat suit and showed no concern about being infected, thanks to the antibodies Reign had given her. Creating a virus was his power, so naturally, he could also develop an anti-virus to protect those loyal to him. She immediately led him to the study room so they could talk about the current situation of the city and the status of the task he assigned her. "Good work," Reign grinned at her. It was supposed to be apliment, but his sadistic nature made it unsettling. Instinctively, she took a step back. Unlike the soldiers, she knew his true evil nature and couldn''t help but feel threatened in his presence despite being his aplice. In her opinion , she was only a disposable pawn in his eyes . "Did you do what I asked you to? What''s the status of Ang?" he inquired, his tone sharp. He had ordered her with putting Ang under a 24/7 surveince. Aiku nodded quickly. "Yes, Master. she is still in the city, inside the most expensive penthouse in 27 high Street. She seems to be aware that someone was watching her, but she hasn''t made any big moves yet. She''s mostly staying in her room" "I see," he nodded in understanding. It was strange that Ang hadn''t made any moves even after he left the city. Maybe she was just that confident in her abilities, or perhaps she had a way to track him down. "Keep monitoring her closely," he instructed Aiku. "I don''t want any surprises." Reign was a vengeful person at heart, and Ang had made a grave mistake by treating him like a fool. . He would show her that anyone who dared to take advantage of him would suffer in the end. "Yes, Master. I''ll ensure constant surveince." "Good," he nodded, his mind already shifting to his grand n. For now, his focus needed to be on the Open Pit Mine and the pile of corpses waiting form him there. "Prepare me a ride to the mine" he repeated. "I need to be there as soon as possible." Aiku nodded and hurried off to make the necessary arrangements. Reign watched her go, a creepy smile ying on his lips as he enjoyed the perks of having apetentckey. The pieces of his n were falling into ce, and soon, he would reached another heights of power. In just ten minutes, a ck heavy duty pick up truck was ready for him. It wasn''t electric but a genuine, gas-powered machine that polluted the air. ''Now this is real ride'' , Reign thought with a smirk. The truck''s engine roared to life as he climbed into the driver''s seat, feeling the raw power beneath him. VROOOOOM! VROOOOOM! VROOOOOM! Every time he revved the engine, it felt like his ears were being blessed. This was something electric vehicles could never replicate. They could install speakers to mimic the sound, but nothing would evere close to the real roar of a motor engine. As for air pollution, that was none of his concern. This world was already filled with toxic ck miasma; air pollution from a vehicle wouldn''t even make a difference. VROOOOOM! With everything in ce, he drove off towards the Open Pit Mine, eager to gain a bunch of levels. Reign drove along the highway until he reached a point where the asphalt abruptly ended, merging into a dirt road. The ground was rough, jarring the truck with every bump and dip. After a few hours, the terrain began to change. The ground became more uneven, andrge craters dotted thendscape, but it was easily by passed thanks to the high suspension of his truck. Finally, he arrived at the Open Pit Mine. The ce was massive, a gaping hole on the ground. But he had no time to be amazed, because something much more amazing was happening below. A line of trucks filled with men could be seen, dumping thousands of dead bodies. Aiku took careful measures to block information and avoid causing panic, ensuring that the true death count remained undisclosed. Next, she also instructed some of the military to check on houses, especially those who attended the concert, and then bring in the dead bodies without making too muchmotion. Because all hermands were logical, none really suspected that she was doing all of this to serve an all-you-can-eat buffet for her evil master. ording to her reports to him, the number had already reached 20,000+ and was steadily rising. ''That woman sure is useful,'' he chuckled sadistically. He had to admit, she had done her job perfectly. He might have nned everything, but she was the one who executed everything. Reign remembered a saying from his old world. ''Behind every sessful men are women who knew how to shut up and listen.'' He mused to himself. ''Well, I am pretty sure it wasn''t the exact saying, but it was pretty close,'' Reign added with a smirk as he drove toward the bottom. "Please stop, this is a restricted area," one of the military personnel guarding the ce called out. "Don''t worry, I came here to help you dispose the dead bodies. I''m from the Disease Control Department in Green Valley," Reign assured, handing over the fake document he had prepared. It had Aiku''s signature, and to bolster its authenticity, he had instructed her to call ahead of time about her arrival. "So you''re that virus expert who came here to help us!" the military eximed, relieved at the prospect of assistance from a Tier 3 city. At this point, any help was good news. "That''s right, I came to help dispose of these bodies first," Reign exined. "They are dangerous, and we must ensure that they won''t contaminate thend and air further. I want you to assign me a storage unit that can hold 1000-2000 corpses, because I will be using a special type of liquid solution to dissolve the bodies." "Yes, sir!" they responded in unison, ready to get to work. They didn''t know what kind of technology he would be using, but if he was from a Tier 3 city, it must be very advanced. After 15 minutes, the military personnel led Reign to arge storage area situated near the center of the pit. It was a sturdy, concrete structure with multiple levels, resembling a warehouse. The building had been repurposed for storing equipment and supplies during the mine''s operational days As they entered, the air was thick with the scent of mold, a smell that showed just how old this structure was. The interior was dimly lit, and inside were around 2000+ bodies that had been transferred there as per his order. "This is the storage area we''ve allocated for you, sir," one of the military personnel exined. Reign nodded in approval, surveying the space with a satisfied smile. It was suitable for his needs, providing enough room to carry out his n to feast on corpses without any disturbance. "This is good enough," he remarked. "You can leave now. What I will do here is top secret." Chapter 201: The Grand Plan Part 3 As soon as the military personnel left, Reign wasted no time in locking the storage area from the inside. He secured the door, ensuring that no unwanted intruders would disturb his operations Next, he meticulously scanned the surroundings for any hidden CCTV cameras, his eyes darting from corner to corner in search of surveince devices. Reign knew how important it was to keep up his bogus image in order to avoid unwanted attention and put his objectives in jeopardy. He had worked hard to ensure that those stupid military guards saw him as one of their allies, therefore it would be foolish of him to be negligent now that he was so close topleting his scheme. ''Nothing, this ce is clear,'' he thought to himself. Satisfied that he was not being watched, he allowed himself a moment of relief. The room fell silent except for the faint hum of the lights overhead. He took of his clothing, materializing several sharp, metallic limbs extending from his back. Each limb ended in a razor-sharp tip, glinting ominously in the dim light. He resembled a humanoid spider, his body both intimidating and functional for absorbing corpses. But before he could start eating them, he felt a sudden impulse to take out the Golden Chalice from inside his body. Curiosity got the better of him,pelling him to see what would happen if he held it in his hand. He retrieved the divine artifact and as soon as his fingers touched the surface of the chalice, a strange sensation coursed through him. The artifact began to vibrate, emitting a soft hum that reverberated in the air. [Ding!] [System: An external object is attempting to utilize host energy to activate itself. Would you like to allow it?] [Yes]/[No] "Is it safe?" [System: Yes, the amount of energy required is minimal.] Reign considered for a moment; after all, Ang had given him this object to help her gather souls, so he didn''t really need to follow her, but he was still interested in what it might be able to aplish. "System, do you have any information about this item?" he inquired. [System: Negative, this is a foreign object, so the host must use it for the system to analyze .] ''Alright,'' he murmured to himself before saying, "Yes" Blue orbs of energy materialized from the surrounding corpses, hovering in the air likewisps. Reign''s eyes widened in astonishment as he watched the orbs float towards the chalice, drawn to its power like moths to a me. Each orb shimmered with ethereal light, pulsating with a soft glow that seemed to dance in the air. The chalice, sensing the influx of souls, hummed with anticipation, its golden surface glowe. It seemed almost sentient, as if it were eagerly awaiting the feast about to unfold. Next, the chalice acted like a vacuum , its power reaching out to suck the orbs . Each soul was drawntowards the artifact, caught in its irresistible pull. As thest orb disappeared into the chalice, a flicker of concern crossed Reign''s mind. Would he no longer gain experience from the corpses now that their souls had been absorbed by it . It was a worrying thought, one that threatened to disrupt his ns for gaining power. But then, he remembered his Undead Eye¡ªthe ability he possessed that allowed him to see the vitality of living beings. With a sense of urgency, he activated his ability, focusing his gaze on the remaining bodies before him. To his relief, he saw that there were still traces of vitality lingering within the corpses. "System, does extracting souls from humans reduce my EXP?" Reign inquired, his voiceced with a hint of concern. [System: Extracting souls from humans does not reduce your EXP. Vitality and soul are different sources of energy. You may continue to gain experience from the residual vitality of the corpses.] "Can I get any power up from souls?" he asked again, his curiosity piqued by the possibilities. [System: Your race is only capable of recycling souls to create your puppets; however, the host has no way to convert souls to power. This type of conversion was only possible for selected races.] "How about other benefits ?" [System: The host can fill the chalice, and once it is filled up, you can sacrifice the chalice along with its contents to gain Attribute Points and Skill Points.] ''So, that''s how it works,''he chuckled , satisfied with the system''s answer. The ability to sacrifice the chalice, along with its umted contents, in exchange for Attribute Points and Skill Points was a game-changer for him. The souls he devoured vanished eventually if he don''t turn them into puppets, making it more practical to continuously feed the Golden Chalice like a pig until it reached its full capacity. ''It''s settled then,'' he muttered to himself, his determination solidifying. ''I''ll keep feeding the chalice until it''s brimming with energy. When the time is right, I''ll harvest it for maximum benefit.'' As for giving the chalice to Ang? He''d rather die that to do something so stupid. He approached the first pile of bodies with a smirk. "Time to feast," he muttered. The dozens of limbs shot forward, piercing through the corpses. Each puncture almost surgical and end up pinning down 5-10 corpses like a BBQ stick. As the limbs began to suck out the remaining vitality from the dead, a low, sinister growl emanated from Reign, mixing with the sound of slurping . The process was horrifying. The bodies deted, shriveling as they were slowly drained, leaving behind nothing but their clothings. Reign''s eyes glowed with red piercing light as the power surged through him. Every corpse added to his experience bar, and he could tell that the amount he was getting was way more than from the corrupted. Some of the corpses had been dead for hours now, so they weren''t that concentrated; nevertheless, it was still better. He moved, going from one body to the next, the limbs working tirelessly. The storage room, once filled with rows of dead bodies, now began to empty. "I need more," Reign dered, wearing and adjusting his clothing before stepping outside the storage room to ask the military to refill it. He behaved like a casual customer in a restaurant, just ordering food like it was no big deal. The personnel exchanged confused nces after they saw the empty room, their shock evident as they realized that there were no remnants left from the bodies. It was as if the corpses had just vanished into thin air. "Sir, there''s... there''s nothing left?" one of the personnel stammered, his voice tinged with disbelief. Reign met their skepticismwith a calm demeanor "This technology is experimental," heexined, gesturing towards the empty storage room. "It''s from a Tier 2 city. The bodies are disintegratedpletely, leaving no trace behind." Everyone looked at him with a mixture of awe and apprehension, unsure of how to respond to this revtion. The idea that such advanced technology existed was beyond theirprehension, but they had no reason to doubt his words. "Understood, sir," one of them finally said, snapping out of his daze. "We''ll continue to refill the storage room as ordered." "Good work, soldiers. I''ll be sure to put in a good word to the governor about this," Reign dered, his voice filled with assurance. "Thank you, Sir!" Chapter 202: The Grand Plan Part 4 He waited patiently as the military personnel brought in another batch of corpses, filling the storage room again. They maneuvered the forklift, treating the bodies like mere pieces of meat, loading and unloading to the storage room. He watched them carefully, ensuring they followed his instructions. Once the room was filled to capacity, he dismissed them with anod. As soon as thest soldier exited and the door slid shut, Reign wasted no time in locking it from the inside. Satisfied that it was secured, he turned his attention back to the rows of corpsesid out before him. He took off his clothing again, allowing his sharp, metallic limbs to extend from his back. They glinted menacingly in the light. ''Time for round 2,'' he muttered, a sinister and creepy smile ying on his lips as he began feasting on the dead corpses. Midway through the process, Reign''s attention wasdrawn to the familiar sound of a notification. [Level Up + 1] It took him that much corpses to level up, showing just how greedy the system was by increasing the level cap too much. However, he did not care because right now, he had an endless supply that would only continue to increase exponentially . He felt good that he had waited this long and was now reaping all the benefits. With this motivation, he repeated the process of devouring and refilling the storage room. ''This is the life,'' he chuckled to himself, relishing the rapid increase in his power. There wasn''t even a hint of remorse in his mind for all the people and families who had died and would die for the sake of his own benefits. For him, humans were just there to feed his EXP bar. From the very beginning, since he transmigrated into this world, he never considered them worth pitying, and his mind would never change. He was a monster, not bound by those morals. As panic spread through the city like wildfire, frightened residents abandoned their homes, ignoring safety protocols, and ran to the hospitals for treatment. When humans feel they are dying, their survival instinct kicks in and overrides the need to follow useless rules. Whatw? What order? Those things could go to hell. Right now, they all clung to the hope that the doctors could help them. However¡ª The hospitals, overwhelmed, had to close because all their rooms were filled. Some of the nurses and doctors were also afflicted by the virus. They managed to slow down the effects using current antigens and immune system boosters, but these measures could only sustain them for a few days at most. Military units quickly arrived, blocking streets and stopping people from getting closer. But even they grew edgy as they faced a growing number of desperate citizens shouting and pleading for treatment. The chaos and cries for help added to the already tense atmosphere, making the soldiers'' task even more daunting. Inside the hospital, the air was filled with urgency as nurses moved quickly between patients, their faces filled with exhaustion . In one VIP room, a group of nurses attended to a female patient, feverish, having a hard time to breath and trembling. They exchanged worried nces as they administeredbasic medication, their hands gentle but urgent. "Why are you using the normal medicines ? We need to save her, this girl is the daughter of one of the richest family in the city !" A young looking doctor screamed in frustration as he began checking the girls vitals. "But doctor, we don''t have enough boosters left for everyone, we already given her a dose!" one of the nurses replied. "Give her more!" he barked out. "But.." "Just shut up and do what I say!" he scolded her. Meanwhile, in the emergency room, doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize another critically injured VIP patient. The sound of medical equipment beeped as they ced him on a venttor to sustain his breathing. In another area, a team of medical professionals huddled around to talk about the current situation. Dr. Carter, a seasoned pulmonologist, spoke first. "Given the nature of the virus affecting the patient''s lungs, our priority should be to support their respiratory function. We need to start them on oxygen therapy immediately and closely monitor their oxygen saturation levels." "But what about antiviral medication? If we can target the virus directly, we might be able to stop its progression and prevent further damage to the lungs."Another doctor spoke. Dr. Stan, the head of the department, listened carefully to both arguments before weighing in. "I agree with Dr. Carter that respiratory support is important at this stage. However, we can''t ignore the benefits of antiviral therapy. Let''s initiate oxygen therapy while we await the results of the viral tests. " The doctors nodded, but before they could begin their n, another doctor entered the room. It was the same Doctor who had scolded the nurse earlier. "Doctor Stan, our immune system booster shot stocks won''t be enough tost us. I think we should stop injecting them into ordinary citizens," he exined. Doctor Stan''s expression softened as he considered their options. "But how can we make that call?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "Every person in need deserves help. How do we choose who gets it and who doesn''t? What if we turn away someone who could have been saved?" He shook his head, conflicted and troubled by the weight of the decision. "If we be indecisive, we''ll all die here anyway. It''s better to focus on the important people and ignore the rest. Even the military is withholding their supply. We can''t save everyone! This is no time to be morally correct," the young doctor protested, his voice filled with urgency and frustration. "I agree with him. I think we should keep the remaining booster for ourselves," Doctor Carter nodded in agreement. This virus was not something that could be easily cured with their current resources . "I heard from one of the research papers that Tier 2 cities have some miracle medicine that could kill any type of virus. If we hold out, we can wait for a high-tier city toe and rescue us."Doctor Carter added. "That''s right, we should think first of ourselves and our families," the young doctor spoke, using Dr. Stan''s soft spot to drive his point. "Doctor Stan, you have a granddaughter in the hospital right now. Do you want her to die because we have a shortage in supply?" When Dr. Stan heard him, his face turned pale. His granddaughter was now in a much better condition than othersbecause she received the best treatment, but that would change once the supply dried up. The thought of his young granddaughter weighed heavily on his heart. "Alright, give orders to stop giving booster shots to ordinary citizens," he conceded, his tone weighted with the burden of the decision. "And for the corpses , just give them to the military so they can be transferred out of here," he added, his voice tinged with resignation. "Our hospital can''t contain that many people" "I''ll handle it, Dr. Stan," the young doctor replied confidently. He was relieved to have convinced the head director. Now, he could monopolize the booster shots to only be given to people he deemed important. Chapter 203: [Bonus] The Grand Plan Part 5 As the desperation outside the hospital reached a breaking point, soldiers and police officers resorted to force to maintain control. They formed a solid line, pushing back against the surging crowds with their ballistic shields, their expressions frustrated as they used violence against the people they swore to protect. "Move back! You cannot enter!" shouted one of the officers, his voice drowned out by the scream of the crowd. "I said move back, don''t force us to hurt you!" Another officer screamed, his baton already raised as he smashed it into one of the people trying to squeeze their way in. "Let us in, we also need help!" "We''re dying here! What is the government doing?" "Are you just going to let us die here?" "I have a daughter, please, she needs help!" "Fuck you! Fuck the government, you''re abandoning us!" The people, driven by fear and desperation, refused to be deterred. They pressed forward, their cries growing louder as they demanded ess to medical care for themselves and their loved ones. In response, the soldiers and police officers intensified their efforts, using batons and shields to push back against the crowd BANG! BANG! BANG! They fired warning shots into the air, hoping to disperse the crowd, but their efforts only seemed to incite further chaos. "Fuck you! You fucking bastards!" A man in the crowd shouted and attacked the police. He was dying anyway, so he would rather vent his frustration. This action force the police to use shotguns, resulting in chaos. Some people ran, while others charged toward the ballistic shields, attempting to overrun them. Fueled by fear, anger, and desperation, fists flew and batons swung as both sides struggled to assert control. In the middle of the turmoil, the sound of sirens red as fire trucks arrived on the scene. Firefighters, equipped with powerful hoses, joined the fray, spraying jets of water into the crowd in an attempt to quell the unrest. However, what was happening right now was already beyond control. Not just this ce, but most ces started to go down the drain. Stores were being robbed of their essentials, pharmacies were being pried open for medication, and other small hospitals and clinics were getting overrun by desperate crowds seeking aid. This city, once filled with joy and excitement, had be a shithole because of the pandemic. A woman, wearing a simple white sleeping gown, stood at herrge window, gazing out at the city. The orange glow of fires lit up the night sky, and smoke bellowed in the air. Ang saw buildings burning down and people rioting in the streets. Some civilians were now armed, fighting againstw enforcers. ''Amazing,'' she murmured to herself, her lips forming a smile. ''I can''t believe that his n would create this much panic. He''s better than I thought.'' Sipping her red wine slowly, she pondered the events unfolding before her. She couldn''t help but admit that Reign was very resourceful, having surpassed all her expectations in many ways. However¡ª ''No matter how much you try '' she sneered, her voice filled with confidence, ''you can never reach Demon Lord status.'' Her bold statement wasn''t because this citycked enough humans. She knew it wasn''t just a matter of quantity. The requirements for attaining Demon Lord status were far moreplex than others believed. If it were as simple as devouring humans, demons would have driven humanity to extinction long ago. That requirement was something Reign did not possess in the first ce. When she used her ability on him to check, she was shocked to discover that even though he was strong, he did not meet the qualifications to reach the status of a demon lord. It wasn''t something rare, really; some beings were just meant to stop at a certain point. This was also one of the reasons why she was not afraid of him, even in the off chance that he received a power boost. ''I''ll kill you after you serve your purpose. Or maybe I should turn you into a weapon?'' she giggled, her imagination running wild with thoughts of using Reign''s body parts as forging materials. As she gazed at the horizon, she could sense a heavenly energy growing stronger; she knew it wasing from the Chalice, implying that Reign was carrying out their agreement. ''What a gullible creature you are'' [Ding!] [Congrattion Host for Reaching Level 40] "This is it," Reign smiled from ear to ear as he finally heard the notification he had been waiting for. He quickly checked his status to see what his next evolution path was going to be. === >>Lightning Skull Sovereign :The advanced version of the Skull Monarch. In terms of power, the Skull Sovereign race surpasses all others in their ability to amass armies. At their peak, they couldmand tens of thousands and obliterate entire civilizations. Convergence : The ability to merge puppets into the host body temporarily, enhancing the host''s strength and power. (Note: sacrificed puppets vanish after being used .) Death Cry : The ability to boost all the stats of host puppets by emitting a powerful shout. Death''s Embrace: Temporarily renders the host immune to certain amount of fatal blows, granting invulnerability for a brief duration. +2 RankAll Minor Attributes +1Rank Energy Attribute === ''Is this really enough to push me to the status of a Demon Lord?'' Reign pondered silently. Though the rewards looked promising, he couldn''t shake the feeling that something was missing. But with no other options, he decided to try it first. After he pressed the evolve button, a surge of dark energy enveloped him, swirling around his body like a living ck mist. The solid ck bones that once formed his body began to hollow out, shedding away like fragile shells. In their recement, a dense mist, as dark as the abyss, coalesced inside it, pulsating with crackling arcs of red lightning . As the transformation progressed, Reign''s skull shifted from its human-like shape to something more menacing. The jawline became sharper, while the head elongated into a sleeker shape, devoid of any semnce of humanity. His new countenance emanated dread, with angr features that instilled fear in all who witnessed it. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Then something emerged from his back; it was a wing bone, but instead of flesh, the bones released a ck jelly like substance that shaped like a demonic wing. As they fully formed, the wings stretched outward, casting an eerie shadow over the surroundings. With each beat, they released wisps of darkness and red sparks. After the external transformation reached its final phrase, another change began to stir within Reign''s internal body. A new core materialized on his chest, pulsating with energy that seemed to resonate with the darkness surrounding him "I could feel it, I''m getting stronger. That bitch will regret sparing me, " Reignughed manically, assuming that he was close to breaking through. However, out of nowhere, he felt that the new core stopped forming midway. [Ding!] [System: Hostcks the requirements to reach the Demon Lord status] "What''s going on?" Reign asked, confused. [System: Host is considered a foreign object, so thews of the world will reject any attempt to break through by normal means.] "So what should I do?" Chapter 204: Give and Take [System: Host needs to undergoplete integration. Currently, the host''s body is made of this world matter, but your soul is still from your previous world.] Reign''s eyes flickered as he processed the message. What did the system mean when it says that his soul was still from the old world? Does it mean that he was still a human in terms of soul "Is there any risk of my dying ?" he asked. [System: None Host, but you have topletely integrate yourself. This will bind you to this world''sws and you would hit a ceiling in the future] Reign paused, absorbing the gravity of the message. He thought that tying himself down would cause problemster. It felt like choosing between what''s good for now and what might be badter. "Are there any other options?" he inquired of the system. The system had grown more intelligent as he progressed, so he hoped for a solution, given that this concerned his future potential. [System: Recalcting. Please wait as the system recalibrate to pick the best solution] Reign''s mind raced as he waited for the system''s response, his sharp fingers tapping his legs. Finally, a notification popped up on the screen. He read it eagerly. [System: Analysis done. Host has two options.] [Option 1: Override the World Law. ] >By choosing this, you can bypass the binding process by using all your energy and power, but you''ll have to sacrifice all your avable stats and start from scratch. > Your new body and soul would bepletely immune to the worldw, and your potential would be able to reach Demon God Status in the future without any restriction. > Note: By choosing this option, your level will revert to level 1, but the experience requirements will remain the same as if you were still at level 40. [Option 2: Execute an artificial death]. > Using the avable seed in your body, you can transfer your soul into it , vacating your current body. Then, you would sacrifice the 2nd body instead of you real body. > Note, You will only be able to break through Demon Lord Status. ''This is a no-brainer,'' Reign thought to himself. The seed was something he could just buy from the store, so losing it wouldn''t be an issue. It was true that during that time he wouldn''t have ess to a Second Life, but the first option was worse. He''d have to start from scratch, and even though there were many humans in this ce, he doubted he could regain most of his power with just this much considering that his EXP bar would not be reset. It would be a different story if there wasn''t the threat of an angel trying to kill him. So he couldn''t afford to have his stats reset now. "Option 2, " he ordered. [System: Activating Full Control of host body and soul, please wait until the process is over ] When Reign heard the words "full control," he almost cursed out loud. He had no idea the system had the ability to do that. But before he could say anything, his consciousness shut down, his red eyes turningpletely nk as his body froze in ce. [System: Transferring Host Soul to the Seed, chance of sess 50%.] The seed sat close to Reign''s core, looking like a real nt seed but bigger, about the size of a thumb, with veins pulsing like a heart. Slowly, his soul was transferred by the system to the seed, without him being aware of it. At this moment, his original body experienced true death. If his soul didn''t return immediately, recovery would be impossible. But then, the system acted in an unexpected manner. [System: Temporary Recing the Soul] His original body''s eyes shone again, radiating a bright red light. "Papa?" His body spoke, but the voice that echoed was not Reign''s. Instead, it resonated with the child-like tone of the meta-human that the system had absorbed before in the researchb. "Papa? " Reign''s body began to move in confusion like a clueless child, but before it could take more step, ck and red chains coiled around it , forcing it to kneel on the ground and remain still. "PAPA! PAPA! PAPA! " It struggled against the chains, but they refused to even budged. [System: Activating Soul Assistance to help host integrate into the Seed.] As another notification echoed, the system shifted its focus to the delicate task of making sure that Reign''s soul couldpletely adapt inside the seed. Every detail had to be perfect for the process to seed. The system had meticulously considered every variable and was now controlling the whole processed,making sure that no ident happened. [System: Integration Complete. Commencing Reformation.] Just like that, the seed inside Reign''s original body dug itself out, its root-like limbs piercing through his hard chest before dropping to the ground. THUD! As the processed began, the seed on the floor trembled, cracking open to reveal a tiny ck-red sprout. From it, roots snaked out, digging into the floor. The sprout grew taller, thickening and branching out. Lean tendrils emerged, weaving together into a structure resembling asmall tree, but made of pulsating muscle-like fibers. As the transformation continued, hissecond body took shape within the intricatework of fibers. First, slender limbs started to extend from the base, their tendrils weaving and binding together, forming solid and muscr arms. The structure grew thicker and stronger, the threads knitting into human-like flesh. Fingertips emerged, delicate but firm,pleting the hands. Next, the torso began to form. Layers of fiber tissue intertwined, creating a robust and sturdy frame. The chest expanded outward, ribs bing visible as they took shape, encapsting a simted heart that pulsed rhythmically. Abdomen followed, each muscle defined and in ce. As the upper body solidified, the lower limbs started to develop. The thighs and calves formed, gaining mass and definition, muscles contracting and expanding as if alive. Feet sprouted, perfectly bnced and stable, ensuring the body could stand tall. Finally, the head emerged. Features sculpted with detail, eyes, nose, mouth, and ears took shape, each aspect carefully created to mirror Reign''s vision. The skin-like surface smoothed out, covering theplexwork of fibers underneath, giving it a lifelike appearance. When the transformation waspleted, the second body stood fully formed, entirely humanoid, an exact replica of what Reign had designed . The body looked lifelike, but without the spark of life, it remained just an empty shell. [System: Using all avable Dark Points, Skill Points, and Dark Dust Points to upgrade the second body.] As the system notification echoed, new cores began to form on the second body, mirroring what Reign had before. The system was working tirelessly to upgrade the second body, pushing it to reach the breaking point of Peak Upper Level Demon. [System: Insufficient Required Points to reached Peak Upper Demon Level.] [System: Converting System Stored Energy and processing power as an alternative resource.] It began sacrificing its own processing power that it had been storing all this time. This was the reason it had be smarter. It had been siphoning 10-20% of the exp Reign gathered whenever he feed, causing the requirements to exponentially increase. He was unknowingly leveling up both his own body and the system simultaneously. But all of this was part of aplex design, a give-and-take scenario between the system and him. Chapter 205: Heavy Lifting With the added help of the system, the second body finally reached the bare minimum requirements. The system executed a pre-programmedmand before its processing power waspletely depleted. All of this was ording to its calction, so the system''s artificial intelligence reverted back to the very basic after making sure that everything was in order. Out of nowhere, Reign''s second body convulsed violently. It was as if it was being destroyed from within: veins inmed, skin turning red, and white mist releasing as the blood inside boiled. The pressure became unbearable after a couple seconds, causing the body to swell like an overfilled balloon until it could no longer hold the strain. BURST! Blood spurted in the air, scattering fragments of flesh and bone in all directions. Amidst this gruesome disy, Reign''s soul floated from the destroyed body , but it was now different from before. The soul was surrounded by an invisible barrier, shielding it from thews of this world. This barrier had been created by sacrificing a body capable of ascending to Demon Lord status. While it might pale inparison to Reign''s real body in terms of strength, it still qualified to ascend to Demon Lord status. His soul drifted slowly towards his real body who was still bound the the dark chain. "Papa!" The body spoke, its voice tinged with recognition and excitement the moment it saw Reign''s soul. The meta-human had imprinted on Reign as her father, much like a chick hatching from an egg and imprinting on the first thing it sees. This bond was immediate and unbreakable, tying her loyalty to him instinctively After reaching the chest part, a sudden force suckedthe meta-human soul, making room for Reign''s true essence to reassert itself. Normally, such fusion would be difficult, as two souls would fight each other. However, the meta-human knew her ce and did not resist at all. With the internal struggle settled, Reign''s consciousness flooded back into him. "AGGHHHHHHHH!" he roared, his voice echoing through the room like thunder It felt as though his mind was being assaulted and pierced by tens of thousands of needles, each puncture sending waves of excruciating pain through his skull. He copsed to the ground, his body wracked with spasms as his consciousness struggled to stabilized itself after the abrupt shutdown. "Fuck, my head hurts... What the hell did you do?" he asked the system with a pained and frustrated tone, but he received no response at all. He thought the system was messing with him, unaware that it was no longer capable of responding because it had lost its intelligence. Due to its own action, it would need more resources than before to get back some semnce of awareness . Before he could stabilize his mentality, another transformation urred. Another burst of energy ignited within his chest, signaling the continuation of his evolution. His third core began toplete itself, the surface vibrating with intensity as the transformation progressed. Because Death was one of Reign''s most dominant element, it automatically seeped through the 3rd core, filling it up in no time. After itspletion, a new phase began. The three cores connected with each other, their energies intertwining. At the center, a smaller core emerged, serving as a focal point between therger ones. This one was different. While the other cores were gem-like, this one was polished and smooth like marble, with a deep, pure ck color . Its presence unified the three cores together, giving the whole structure the ability to cycle between cores and improved the flow of energy. When the energy between the three cores perfectly converged at the center, Reign felt like his body was going to explode from too much power. ''I need to release the first,'' he muttered. It was the only option he had; he felt like a pressure cooker without any vents. With that in mind, he began making holes all over his body, allowing the energy residue to escape. His bones began to vibrate, and a dark red aura started blowing out ofhis body. It didn''t stop there; the aura continued to expand until it enveloped the entire room. "ARGHHHHH!" Reign screamed he began to released everything in one go . BOOOOOOM! The entire storage room exploded, sending shockwaves rippling outward. "What''s happening?" The military personnel who where stationed near the storage room asked in confusion. They all sensed that something was wrong, but it was toote. As the dark red aura burst through the room and touched them, they copsed to the ground. Fear gripped their hearts, triggering heart attacks. Everyone unlucky enough to be near Reign started dying one by one. Even gas masks couldn''t protect themfrom his deadly aura. The air was filled with the crackling energy of sparks, their sharp snaps and bursts weaving together that filled the surroundings . In the center of it all stood a solitary figure, exuding an imposing and intimidating presence. Anyone unfortunate enough to see this form would undoubtedly cower in fear, as its appearance alone was enough to instill nightmares in even the bravest of souls. A ck aura filled the hollow parts of his bones, and arcs of crackling red lightning danced around him, each one deadly enough to ki normal human. Behind his back, a pair of demon wings unfurled with a wet, jelly-like texture, glistening with a crimson electricity that crackled and hummed with power. It was as if the electricity was suspended inside the wings, and was held together by the jelly like texture. At the tip of each wing, razor-sharp w-like bones protruded downward, gleaming ominously in the dim light. "So this is the power of a demon lord..." he murmured, stunned by theenergy coursing through him. What he possessed now surpassed anything he had ever imagined. His old self paled inparison to his new body He had transcended his former limitations, bing something altogether more powerful and better in every way. The power he wielded now was so vast, so overwhelming, that he could annihte his old self with nothing more than a flick of his finger. ''Now I understand. These cores are like fuel tanks, holding onto all this energy. But it''s that thing in the middle that really does the heavy lifting. It takes all that stored up power and kicks it into high gear, making it stronger and more efficient,'' he thought to himself, a spark of realization igniting within him. It''s a perfect symbiosis. Eachponent works in harmony, unleashing his true potential. ''No wonder I couldn''t even activate my Domain against that bitch. The gap between a demon lord and a Peak Upper Level demon is just too huge topare,'' he chuckled to himself, feeling lucky that he did not fought her back then. He knew deep down that he had made the right decision and yed his cards wisely. "System, how strong am I now?" he inquired, his frustration with the system having subsided somewhat after seeing that everything had worked out in the end. However, he did not receive any response at all. He attempted to ask the system again, posing even simpler questions, but no matter what he did, there was no reply . ''What''s wrong with it?'' he mused inwardly, finding it odd that the system was not responding. Chapter 206: [Bonus]Life Changer Reign took a moment to think things over. Now, with his evolved body, he felt ready to tackle whatever obstacles came his way, even if Ang appeared out of the blue. His confidence wasn''t unfounded. Only he really knew the extent of his new power, and at this moment, he felt that he could kill her the next time they meet. But for now, he redirected his focus back to the system. "Status," hemuttered, calling up his window to see if the system was still working. ============ Name: Reign Level 40 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Sovereign(Legendary) Strength :S Agility. :S Stamina S Endurance : S Intelligence: S Energy: SS (Legendary) Bite 1 > 21 Undead Eye 20 > 30 Night Crawl: 20 >30 wer: 20>30 Viral Control: 15 > 25 w Bullet: 20> 30 w Barrage: 20-(SP) > 30 Hyper Rail Gun Buster Mode Skull Grinder Carnage -Click for More- Death Aura: 20 > 40 Enhance Bones: 35 > 55 Bone Control: 20 > 40 Bone Eater: 20 > 40 Bone Summoning: 20 > 40 Seed : N/A Convergence : 1 Death Cry : 1 Death''s Embrace: 1 Domain (Legendary) Scorpion Pores [30%] Mantis Eyes [35%] Serpent Vertebrate [25%] ck Raven Eyes [10%] Smander Scale [30%] Smander Lungs [55%] Smander w [45%] Drug Immunity Drug Resistance Drug Enhancer [Points] Attribute Points: -200 Skill Points : -500 Dark Dust: - 2,500,000 Evolution Points : 0 ============ ''Good,'' he sighed in relief as he saw the familiar window. There were a lot of changes in it; for example, he now noticed that the holy trinity¡ªLegendary Race, Core, and Domain¡ªwas more emphasized. He assumed that having those things there meant that even if someone had the same level as him, he would still surpass them in terms of quality. It was like having a top-of-the-line sports carpared to a standard model. Even if they both had the same horsepower, the performance and quality of the high-end vehicle would still outshine the basic one. All his minor attributes also broke through the S rank and directly jumped by two ranks. He could tell just from moving his fingers that his raw strength alone had increased by at least 200%, a massive improvement. Even the slightest movement of his fingers emitted a sharp snapping sound, causing the air to vibrate with the sheer power contained within each motion. If hebined his techniques and skills with his raw strength, his punches would be devastatingly lethal. A single strike would turn weaker enemy into mere mists of blood. In fact, right now, it was more important for him to learn how to control his strength, or he would end up destroying everything he touched. He shut his eyes and began to open and close his palm, each cycle apanied by a low snapping sound. After some concentration, he settled on using just 5% of his strength, a perfect bnce that allowed him to function like normal. ''Yeah, this feels just right,'' he murmured after adapting to his strength . As he continued to read through his updated stats, excitement surged within him with each improvement he discovered. However, when he scrolled down moreto check his points, he saw that everything was in the negative. "What happened ?" Reign''s voice echoed in the air, frustrationcing every word. "How is this even possible? I''ve worked so hard, and now everything''s in the negative?!" He paced back and forth, his mind racing with disbelief andfrustration. ''Easy now, Think first, '' Reign said to himself, taking a seat on the ground to calm down. Something must have gone awry during his breakthrough, causing the system to drain all his skill points and leave him in the negative. ''Maybe that''s why the system isn''t responding,'' he pondered silently. ''If the system is also dependent on my progress, then it''s possible that now, with my points in the negative, it''s also limiting some of its functions,'' he spected. When he first transmigrated into this world, the system''s intelligence was very basic, operating like a crudeputer. It improved when he got the official one, but even then, it took a long time for it to be more responsive, showing that it was improving the more he level up. Using this logic, he hypothesized that he had to bnce out all this negative points to ess the system''s responses again. Despite his frustration with the system for taking control of his body without warning, he couldn''t deny the bond they shared. In fact, ever since it started replying to him, he considered the system an ally. Together, they formed a dynamic duo, and he felt off that he could not talk to it. With this in mind, he looked at his surroundings and saw the corpses around him. ''I need to absorb more humans to level up, but...'' Reign''s thought trailed off as he reached for the Chalice. He had been using it to store souls, knowing that it would yield a huge reward once it waspletely full. As he raised the chalice in the air, it began absorbing the souls around him. Once all the souls had been devoured by it, Reign carefully stowed it away inside the hollow part of his bone body. With that taskpleted, he shifted his focus to devouring the corpses scattered around him, each one offering valuable experience points that would aid in his growth and progression. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Hundreds of long thin tendrils appeared all over his body, piercing through the corpses. With upgraded bone control, he could create hundreds of these tendrils and control thempletely, making the absorption process much faster. [Level up +1 ] ''Just one level, huh?'' Reign shook his head in disappointment. The experience bar was just too greedy for more EXP. Unfortunately, this ce was already devoid of any potential targets. The military had stopped sending corpses, because the city was now in total chaos, so piling up and disposing corpses was no longer a priority. Continuing on, he decided to leave the open pit mine . Gazing up at the dark sky, he spread his wings wide, feeling the rush of wind against his face as he prepared to take flight. It was a sensation unlike any he had experienced before, a thrilling mixture of excitement and curiosity . FLAP! As heunched himself into the air, the sensation of flight enveloped himpletely. It was as if his body instinctively knew how to maneuver through the air, each beat of his wings propelling him higher and farther . "Beautiful ," Reign marveled at thendscape unfolding beneath him as he soared through the sky. The world totally looked different from this vantage point. ''Let see how fast I can fly,'' he focused his gaze on a distant mountain, eager to test his speed. SWOOOSH! He pped his wings and elerated from 0 to 120 km/hour in under 1 second. With each subsequent p, he surged forward, reaching speeds of 200 km/hour, and then finally stopping at an impressive 400 km/hour. It was a velocity that surpassed even that of a normal helicopter, allowing him to move through the air without any issue at all. "This is incredible!" Reign eximed, exhration coursing through him as he soared through the sky. With this ability, he realized that he could traverse vast distances without the need for trains or other modes of transportation. Having a pair of wings was huge life changer for him. Chapter 207: Max Speed ''This humming sound is bit annoying in the ear,'' he remarked to himself as he soared into the dark night sky. Realizing that the sound of the air hitting him could easily be a distraction, Reign reformed his bones to minimize any echoing effects. He knew he could fly even faster by using his other abilities to supplement his speed, much like he did when running. And unlike on the ground, in the air, the only obstacle he had to worry about was air friction. But even that wasn''t a real concern because his body was even harder than steel . If the strongest fictional hero in his old world was called the Man of Steel, then he''d probably be the Bone of Steel, ready to save the day with a calcium-rich punch. ''How fast can I really go ? '' Curiosity got the better of him as he wondered the possibilities. But before testing and satisfying his curiosity , he decided to turn towards the opposite direction, instead of directly going to the city. He needed to avoid Ang sensing his presence. It wasn''t that he was afraid of her; he just wanted to improve his chances of winning with a surprise attack. After making sure that everything was okay, he started pping his wings again to gain more altitude . This time, he flew much higher, nearly reaching the end of the barrier that hovered above the clouds. ''I need to control my energy first,'' Focusing on his core that contained lightning element, he felt it begin to power the smaller core in the center. Next, he infused it with negative energy, creating his iconic dark red sparks. As the lightning began to flow around his body, he concentrated it in his wings. The energy moved erratically inside, causing the ck, jelly-like wings to glow red. The color intensified, turning from a faint hue to a vivid, moltenva-like glow, though slightly darker. With a deep paused to steady the raging power, he unleashed the full force of his wings. BOOOOOOM! With a thunderous p of his wings, he shot forward like high powered bullet, his form streaking through the sky with breathtaking speed, leaving behind a trail of dark red sparks that illuminated the night with brilliance. The eleration was so mind-blowing, the wind whipping past him with a thunderous roar, and the ground below transformed into a blurred . From the ground, he looked like a bolt of lightning streaking through the dark sky in a straight line. His speed was so fast that the thunder echoed long after he had passed overhead. The people below could only watch in awe and fear, witnessing a force of nature that defied exnation. ''Nothing can stop me now,'' he thought, his confidence soaring as high as he was. The power coursing through him was intoxicating, making him feel invincible. Air friction chip away his body, tearing at his bones and mussing his hair, but he barely registered it. He was too focused on the thrill of speed, of flight, of mastering the very essence of moving like lightning itself. In just a dozen minutes or more, he was already close to the the end of the barrier. He tried to stop by pping his wings in the opposite direction, but the sudden stop caused a massive burst of energy. BOOOOOOM! "FUCK !" he shouted in frustration as the force of the aerial maneuver tore through his wings, leaving them broken and useless. He plummeted from the sky, the ground rushing up to meet him. The wind roared in his ears, and the world spun around him as he fell like a rag-doll . Reign braced himself, knowing the impact would be quite loudfrom this height, especially considering how heavy his body was. It was like dropping a lead from the air. But despite the imminent danger, a wry smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I wonder if my body will be unscathed," he mused aloud, his voice lost in the rushing wind. His fingers absentmindedly traced the line of his jaw as he contemted the potential oue of his fall. The thought of dying from something as mundane as fall damage amused him. After all he had been through, it would be a bitterly ironic end for a demon lord to die from a fall. BOOOOOM! With a deafening explosion , he collided with the hard ground. Dirt and debris were thrown into the air as his body crashed into the ground with bone-breaking force. CRACK! He climbed out of the crater. Each step made the ground shake, sending pebbles rolling down. Reign''s body, as expected, showed no signs of any damage despite the violent impact that was enough to turn a human into meat paste. As he stood in the middle the debris, he ran a quick self-assessment, flexing his bones and testing his limbs for any fracture. ''Nice,'' he chuckled to himself. ''I''m pretty much invincible ,'' Suddenly, a voice from the distance broke his line of thoughts. "Hey, look, a spaceship just fell down!" "Are you filming this?" "I knew it, UFOs exist!" A group of people came running towards the site of the explosion. This group hadn''t been infected by the virus because they had been on an expedition for weeks, cruising along in their trucks to spot some UFOs. Reign watched as the headlights of their trucks approached him, casting a glow in the dimly lit surroundings. With a rumble, the vehicles came to a stop just a few meters away from him. "Wow, an actual alien! Are you seeing this guys?" One enthusiast immediately ran towards Reign and started taking pictures. ''Shit, they''re treating me like a circus show,'' Reign muttered, struggling to control his annoyance . These people were so ignorant that he couldn''t help but pity them. They were on the same level as those who believed the world was t, despite all the scientific evidence saying otherwise. After all, who needs actual logical reasoning when you''re aplete idiot? "Hello, can you unders¡ª?" one of them tried tomunicate, but before he could finish, Reign grabbed his head and ripped it off. The others watched in horror as they saw their friend''s neck burst open like a chocte fountain, spewing crimson-red liquid . But before they could even react and mourn, Reign used the severed head as a projectile, hurling it at one of them with such force that it sounded like a cannon st, even breaking the truck behind the poor guy. Without waiting for them to register what had happened, he brutally dismembered the headless corpse, tearing off an arm with a sickening crunch, and using it like throwable spear. SWOOOSH! The arm sliced through the air like a razor, piercing two people at once, leaving them pinned on one of the vehicle panels. He didn''t stop there. With a sadistic smile, he continued tearing off limbs and using them as weapons to hunt down the people running away in panic. Each throw of his improvised weapons sent the poor victims crashing to the ground, dead. ''An alien? Well, they weren''t wrong in that department,'' Reign chuckled . However, unlike their expectations, he had no intention ofmunicating with his food. Chapter 208: Taking a Risk Inside the walled city, the once lively streets turned into something out of a zombie movie. Bodies littered the ground like discarded dolls, their pale faces showed just how much they suffered before they all die. Traces of dried blood stained their clothing, an indication that they had sumbed to the virus''s critical stage, coughing blood from a raptured lungs in their final moments. Their suffering was beyond cruel, worse than death itself. They had to wait for their end while struggling to breathe, watching their loved ones die one by one. Some of the corpses were even hugging each other, likely a family epting their fate together. Others chose to end their agony quickly with a bullet to the head. Rats scurried and nibbled on the dead, their beady eyes gleaming , apanied by the incessant buzzing of flies that was feasting on the dead bodies. Buildings stood empty and broken, their shattered windows a proof what happened after the riot. Within these abandoned structures, the air reeked of even more death. Bodiesy scattered, some twisted in agony, others motionless as they were just sleeping. Blood marked the walls and pooled on the floor, a grim testament to the virus that had consumed the city. Even the military, entrusted with protecting this ce, had deserted their posts, leaving the residents to fend for themselves while they hide on their forts. As the sun rose, its weak light couldn''t pierce through the heavy despair shrouding area. Despite the new day, the city felt dead, casting a dark shadow over the air. A single figurewalked down the dirty bloodied streets, holding a golden gold cup. He absorbed souls while releasing flexible bone tendrils that prated the corpses, leaving only their clothing behind. It was Reign, but he looked different. Gone was the menacing sight of him soaring through the air with an unstoppable aura. Instead, he now resembled a walking skeleton, devoid of the dark red aura and wings that once surrounded him. Even his aura seemed subdued,cking the intensity one would expect from someone who had just attained the status of a demon lord. ''Is it just me, or did the exp cap increase again?'' Reign clicked his tongue in annoyance. Despite absorbing over 200,000+ humans already, he remained stuck at level 45 The level cap had shot up when he hit level 45, and he also noticed that the EXP he gained from corpses that had been dead for hours was much smallerpared to freshly killed humans. This was the trade-off of his n, At this rate, he doubted he would reach level 50 even after devouring everyone. ''I can''t even level up or purchase anything,'' he sighed . His points remained in the negative, and the rewards from leveling up were so small they hardly mattered. His only chance was the chalice; he nned to keep feeding it to earn more pointster. As for Dark Points, it wouldn''t be a problem. With his power and ability to fly, hunting down corrupteds would be a breeze in the future. He could simply locate a nest, unleash a devastating attack, and wipe out everyone in one fell swoop, then repeat the process as needed. Now, the reason why he was here was because he was pretending to follow through with Ang''smand. Though he maintained his act, a sense of tension hung in the air, heightened by his awareness of Ang''s watchful gaze. Every movement he made was calcted to fool her. ''That bitch must be excited to absorb all these souls, but she''s in for a surpriseter,'' Reign chuckled inwardly, relishing the thought of betraying and killing her vessel. As for the repercussions of killing another angel, he didn''t really care at all. If her words held truth, that unlike the other angels, she was harnessing souls, then it implied she was currently the most powerful. Eliminating her would essentially neutralize the most dangerous threat. [Level Up +1 ] Another notification popped up, but he ignored it as it held no immediate relevance to him. He hoped he could reach level 50 soon and undergo another evolution. From a distance, a pping sound echoed behind Reign. When he looked up, he saw a figure enveloped in a golden aura. She had pristine white wings that generated golden dust with each p, giving her an immacte appearance. "You''re more useful than I thought," Ang giggled, her lips curling with amusement as she observed Reign from her high position. She felt like a god looking down on an inferior being, unaware that Reign had already attained the status of a Demon Lord. Though she could sense that he had grown a bit stronger, it wasn''t enough to concern her. "I''m a man of my word. I just hope you won''t turn on me after this is all over," Reign replied, feigning concern for his own safety to further fool her. Ang, with her arrogant angelic demeanor, took his words as apliment. There was even a hint of surprise in her eyes at Reign''s attitude. She found his current demeanor pleasing enough; if he could be a loyal servant, she wouldn''t mind sparing his life. ''The future n I have in mind requires a lot of powerful allies. This inferior creature may not have high potential, but I could still see him serving as a sacrificial pawn under mymand'' she thought to herself. "Don''t worry, we angels always keep our word," Ang dered confidently. "I hope so," Reign replied, his tone somewhat weak and worried. Deep inside, though, he was bad mouthingher for lying through her teeth. He could even see the smug expression on her face, not even bothering to hide her lies. However, he remained calm andposed about it. After breaking through, hediscovered he could lower his aura without the system''s assistance. It was an instinct he learned after gaining more control over his body and energy cores. He half-expected Ang to see through it, but to his luck, she remained clueless about his new status. Which was a relief, as he still intended to feed the chalice more souls to maximize his benefits. Relying solely on levels to gain Skill Points and Attributes was a bad strategy. The rewards per level were too insignificant at this point to justify the reliance on them, so he had to take the risk. As for Ang trying to steal it from him? He dismissed the idea as a joke; his maximum speed was so fast that he doubted even she could catch up if he decided to flee. And his confidence wasn''t unfounded; he reasoned that her power didn''t lean on speed, given her domain was a giant Harp. Reign continued to sweep through the entire city. Though he encountered some individuals who were barely clinging to life, he had no time to stop for them, so he just killed them too. Ang observed everything with amusement in her eyes. ''The Chalice is getting stronger,'' she mused to herself, her eyes fixed on Reign. ''But I''ll need to wait for him to absorb more souls. It''s clear that it''s still not enough for me to break through to the level of Demon King.'' The gap between "Peak Demon Lord" and "Demon King"was evenrger than that between "Peak Upper Demon" and "Demon Lord". Therefore, it was only logical that the requirements were also more difficult and taxing. Chapter 209: [Bonus] Bad Match Up [Level Up+ 1] Another notification echoed, pushing his level to 48 after clearing through almost 70% of the city. ''There are still plenty of humans left to eat from outside of the wall. And Aiku said there''s some kind of underground emergency evacuation area for the wealthy too.'' he thought. The people inside were the same ones who thought highly of themselves, believing that money could buy safety and assurance. In a way, it was true, but when faced with overwhelming odds like a super deadly virus, no amount of money could save them. With how infectious the pathogen was the whole ce must be infected by now. Those wealthy individuals were just barely surviving, using any life-saving method they can think of. They think they can hide, but they were only dying the inevitable. The virus has already reached them, and it was only a matter of time before Reign did too. Everything was going ording to his n. However ¡ª He was beginning to feel worried because Ang was still hovering behind him, watching his every move. Reign couldn''t predict when she might attack, so he had to be more careful, ready to dodge any sudden threat that could potentially kill him with a single blow. Thest thing he wanted was to be back stabbed first. No matter how powerful he was, a moment of weakness could be the difference between winning and dying against someone with unknown power. Above, Ang floated and waited, her eyes squinting as she tried to see through Reign''s power. ''As expected, he already reached his limit,'' she thought, a smirk tugging at her lips. She had been watching him for some time, noticing that his power had be stagnant. ''It''s not really surprising,'' she mused.''He has no potential to be a demon lord. No matter how much he intakes now, it will be a wasted effort. Just as I expected from a lower life form. Uriel was an idiot to be killed by him.'' Her wings twitchedbehind her, the feathers ruffling with each movement as she nced over her shoulder at the golden chalice ''Just a bit more,'' she muttered, focusing her gaze on the divine artifact . She could tell it was nearing its current limit, maybe only needing 20,000 to 30,000 more souls. Unfortunately, the full capacity of the Chalice was still not enough to push her to the Demon King level. She would still have to give it back to Reign, biding her time until she could gather more souls. But while she was busy contemting, she turn her head straight, sensing a group of people approaching in the distance. ''So they''re finally here,'' she muttered, clicking her tongue in annoyance. Ang knew all this deaths would eventually draw the attention, but she hadn''t expected them to arrive so quickly. She thought she would have at least a couple more hours to spare, or maybe even a day. Her brows furrowed in frustration as she nced towards the direction of the approaching parties. They were disrupting her ns, forcing her to adjust. ''I can''t afford any distractions now,'' she thought, preparing herself to confront them. ''I''ll take care of them first.'' Reign also sensed their presence, but he acted clueless and waited for her to make the first move. He wasn''t sure if they were allies or enemies, so he prepared an escape n in case he was forced into a group fight. ''I need to stay sharp,'' he thought.''If things go south, I''ll need a quick exit.''He kept a watchful eye on Ang, ready to react based on her actions. "Stay here and keep absorbing the souls. I''m going to deal with the pests," Ang said, looking down with an annoyed expression. SWOOOOSH! She pped her wings and flew towards the direction of the approaching group before Reign could even reply. ''Pest?'' Reign couldn''t help but grin from ear to ear as he watched her figure disappearingin the distance. It seemed luck was on his side, and backup had arrived for him. ''Well, considering the damage I made, I think the government turning a blind eye would be weirder,'' This event was different from Summit City. That ce waspletely destroyed by the corrupteds, while this area was still rtively safe aside from the virus in the air. So, it was only normal that they would try to salvage the situation to make it habitable again. He imagined that losing a city this big would be a huge blow, especially considering how limited the remaining space was in this world. ''I hope they kill her and make my life easier,'' Reign remarked sarcastically before continuing. Now that she was upied, he increased his pace to gain more levels and souls. In the distance, Ang flew faster, ensuring that the approaching group wouldn''t disturb Reign. It was true that she could not hurt normal humans, but those who had achieved a certain level of power were no longer considered as humans . "Someone is approaching us," a man with gray hair said, his voice carrying over the wind as he leapt from one building to another, making it seem like he was running on air. Behind him were three more people, each also holding a katana, a signature weapon of the Hunter Association. However, this team was far more powerful than those Reign had faced before. Their movements were fast and coordinated. Each step they took was enough to creation sonic boom in the air. "I can''t believe we are being deployed to this ce," one of them spoke, his voice tinged with irritation. This time, it was a middle-aged man with brown hair. He looked annoyed that they had been sent on this mission, his expression clearly reflecting his displeasure. "We need to save this ce. More and more Tier 4 cities are being attacked and falling. We can''t afford to lose any more," the man with gray hair responded firmly. He was the leader of the group, and all of them were Tier 2 Hunters in the double digits. His expression was serious as he gaze on the horizon, understanding the gravity of their mission and the stakes involved. "Stop," hemanded, and the group of fournded on the rooftop of a building. In the sky, they saw a dot growingrger andrger as it approached, revealing a winged figure d in a golden aura. "What is that thing?," one of the hunter muttered "I don''t know, but it''s strong," the gray-haired man replied, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. Gripping his katana tightly, he prepared for an all-out fight, his eyes fixed on Ang with caution. She might look beautiful and holy but demons coulde in all forms and sizes. "Only four?" Ang spoke, her voice sweet and gentle, momentarily catching the four powerful hunters off guard. The hunters exchanged uncertain nces, taken aback by Ang''s unexpected soothing voice. This was a bad matched , as all of the hunters were men, and Ang, adorned in her golden aura, exuded a beauty and power that would dwarf even the likes of Anna and Cyril. Only individuals like Reign, who cared little for superficial beauty and charm, would be immune to her natural beauty . Chapter 210: One String On top of the building, the five individuals stood in a standoff. "Who are you, and why are you viting the peace treaty between humans and demons?" Bynum, the gray-haired man, asked, his voice firm andmanding after he broke through his momentarypses. He had achieved his power and status through effort and talent, making his will power quite strong. After a couple more seconds, the other hunters also broke through their confusion, and everyone clenched the hilt of their katana, knowing full well that they had almost sumbed to her charm. They were now ready to move at a moment''s notice. Slowly, they shifted into a loose formation, each hunter positioning themselves strategically to avoid the threat of getting taken out by arge scale attack. Bynum, the gray-haired leader, was at the forefront. His stance was wide and solid, feet nted firmly on the ground. He wore a white kimono, its fabric clean and crisp against the backdrop of the battle. His katana, sheathed at his side, was adorned with ancient symbols of some kind of bird, hinting at the power and heritage he carried. To his left stood Jaren, a towering figure at 6''5" with dreadlocks falling down his dark skin. His muscles were well-defined and bulging under the sunlight, and instead of a full kimono, he wore only half of one, leaving his upper body exposed. His katana wasrger and longer than the rest, restingfortably at his back, a clear sign that he was someone who focused more raw strength . On Bynum''s right stood the middle-aged man with brown hair called Nek. His expression was one of annoyance, but his stance showed a deep-seated readiness. Like Bynum, he wore a whitekimono. His katana restedfortably at his side, the hilt worn from years of use, a testament to the many battles he had fought. The fourth hunter, a younger man with blonde hair, stood slightly behind the others. His eyes were focused, sharp and attentive. He wore a ck and yellow kimono, the vibrant yellowplementing his hair color and adding a touch of brightness to his appearance. Meanwhile, Ang remained suspended in the air, exuding confidence that betrayed any hint of intimidation by the hunters'' presence. She had expected them to arrive with an army, as humans love to that, but to her surprise, there were only four hunters before her. While they might be powerful in their own right, they posed little threat to her. A normal Demon Lord might have found them hard to handle, but Ang was different. As an angel, her potential and standards were far higher than the average, even among those of the same rank. She was confident in her superiority, her divine essence elevating her beyond the reach of mortals. Their gazes lingered on her, scrutinizing every detail¡ªthe golden aura, the ethereal wings, the halo above her head. It was a sight that would have been deemed holy in any other context, but in a world where the existence of angels was considered a myth, they couldn''t fathom the truth before them. Despite the unmistakable signs of her divine nature, none of the hunters entertained the possibility that she was a real-life angel. After all,some demons could manipte reality itself with illusions, they assumed she was just another manifestation of demonic trickery. "I''ll ask again¡­ Who are you?" Bynum broke the silence. Ang''s lips curved into a smile, her golden aura shimmering around her. "I don''t really have to tell you anything," she answered casually. "But let''s just say I have my reasons for being here, reasons that you mere mortals wouldn''t understand." She did not dere that she was an angel. This misunderstanding would better aid her, as she also did not want her siblings to know about what she was up to. If they caught wind of her actions, it couldplicate matters and potentially destroy her ns. Bynum''s tone was direct butposed as he addressed Ang, "This goes against the treaty. You''re clearly a demon lord, which means you shouldn''t be doing this. Come with us and exin yourself." Ang raised her eyebrows, her tone a bit annoyed, "Will you believe me if I said I''m innocent? And I find it rather audacious that you would even suggest I surrender for a sin I nevermitted." Bynum''s response was quick, his gaze narrowing as he spoke, "You think we will just believe you after all these deaths?" With each word, his breathing grew heavier, the air around him vibrating with power. It was a simple movement, but it showcased just how powerful each breath was. His disy of strength served as a warning to Ang, emphasizing that the hunters were not to be underestimated. ''So this is the breathing technique humans developed?'' Ang pondered, her tone a bit disappointed. She touched her chin, her gaze fixed on Bynum''s heaving chest with a skeptical expression. This technique might be impressive to humans, but it was trivial to angels. For Ang, the notion of needing rigorous physical training to gain power only showed the inferiority of humans. It was a reminder that they had to rely on such methods just to mimic a fraction of an angel''s power. ''I knew it. These inferior beings don''t deserve to be protected.'' Memories of the rules imposed upon her by her own father flooded her mind, and she couldn''t help but resent the fact that angels like herself relied on human devotion and faith to exist. She wasn''t the first archangel to hold such contempt. Her sister, Fer, had orchestrated a revolt against their father long before humans even knew how to create fire. Fer insisted that superior beings like themselves should not be bound by a species of dumb, idiotic animals that resembled monkeys and rallied an army against her father. But her rebellion had ended in exile from heaven instead of the freedom she had sought. ''Maybe they could show me something interesting,'' she mused to herself, a hint of curiosity creeping into her thoughts. The breathing technique was created long after the world locked itself from heaven. Ang was curious to test its power, to see if it was something she needed to be concerned about or merely party tricks created by humans. As a test, she raised her arm, prompting the four hunters to instinctively draw their swords simultaneously and unleash their attacks. In high-level battles, the one who struck first held a big advantage. "Storm Falcon, Breathing Technique, Tornado de," Bynum''s voice echoed. As his de was unsheathed, the wind instantly coalesced around it, forming a powerful spinning tornado flew straight to her. Nek mirrored his movements, unleashing the same attack. The two powers merged, creating a muchrger tornado, its swirling mass big enough to devour a small building Windows shattered as the immense wind pressure from the attack generated force. Ang watched the iing attack with a calm demeanor. As the powerful vortex of wind barreled toward her, she gently summoned a golden musical instrument, a harp materializing in her hands. "Angel Cry," she uttered. With one delicate pluck of the strings, a powerful high pitch sound wave burst forth from the instrument. Chapter 211: Deadly Strike The sound wave burst outward, directly shing with the two tornadoes. The air hum and howl, apanied by powerful winds that shattered the windows of nearby buildings. Both attacks raged , locked in a fierce struggle. For a moment, it looked like they were evenly matched, each vying to extinguished each other. But then, Ang plucked her harp again, and everything changed in an instant. The tornadoes, unable to withstand the force of the second sound wave, began to falter and disintegrate. With a deafening roar, they copsed in on themselves, dissipating into nothingness. Bynum remained calm, his expression unbothered even in the face of Ang''s counterattack. He knew that in a battle against a true Demon Lord, such a disy of power would likely not be sufficientto secure victory. But it was enough to buy them some time. Without waiting for her tounch another attack, Bynum and Nek raised their swords high into the air. As they drew in a deep breath, their chests expanded from holding in the intense pressure, causing their swords to hum . "Storm Falcon, Breathing Technique, Wind Slicer! ," "Storm Falcon, Breathing Technique, Wind Slicer!," The duo shouted, bringing their swords in a downward sh. This time, instead of a tornado, a concentrated giant de of wind surged from their des, cutting through the air . This technique was a much more powerful version of Wind sh. Inparison , this attack was much faster and deadlier. Each Wind Slice, spanning about 70 feet in length, sliced through the air with a force capable of effortlessly cutting a building in half. . The sheer speed and power of the de created a visible tras it raced toward Ang. Ang saw this and couldn''t help but find it amusing. To her, it looked like a pitiful attempt to mimic one of her sisters attack . "Angel Cry, Triple String," she muttered, plucking the harp three times in quick session. Each pluck created a sound wave with different waves, each moving at a different momentum. When the first wave hit the Wind Slicer, it seemed like the attack might dissipate. However, as the second and third waves caught up, an interesting reaction urred. BOOOOOM! The three waves magnified each other, creating a violent explosion in the air. But it still fell within the hunters'' calctions. Using this opportunity, the dark-skinned hunter suddenly vanished from his spot and reappeared in front of Ang. Despite hisrge build, he moved really fast. This wasn''t just due to his own ability¡ªNek had used a wind technique to boost hisrade''s speed. Their coordination was seamless, so much so that even Ang hadn''t seen iting. "Titan Ape, Breathing Technique, Primal Smasher," he roared, bringing his massive katana down with a powerful swing, aiming directly for Ang''s head. She observed the sheer power behind the attack and realized it posed a bit of threat, even to her. With a quick p of her wings, she dodged it . However, this was something the hunters had also predicted. Nek and Bynum vanished from their spots, reappearing in a coordinated attack to intercept her. Ang, still holding her harp, quickly plucked the strings to retaliate. Being a long-distance fighter, she found herself at a disadvantage in such close quarters. Maintaining her distance, she dodged their strikes with aerial maneuvers, simultaneouslyunching her own counterattacks, forcing them to defend themselves. But with each passing moment, the pressure mounted as the hunters continued their coordinated attacks by using the buildings as spring board to maintain flight. This what makes humans scary: theypensate for theirck of individual power through cooperation and strategy. Unlike angels and demons, who rely solely on individual strength, humanbat techniques are the result of extensive research and hard work. So what if humans weren''t born physically stronger? So what if they were considered the weaker life form, relegated to the bottom of the food chain among intelligent beings? These were just the limitations imposed on them by their biology. But despite these challenges, humans refused to be defined by them. They pushed past boundaries, defied expectations, and forged their own path to sess. Through innovation, determination, and sheer willpower, they proved time and again that strength isn''t just measured by muscle or innate ability but by the power of the human will. "Don''t underestimate humans!" Bynum roared, his voice echoing with defiance as he hit Ang''s harp sending her flying and shing into one of the buildings. "Now," he ordered, and he and Nekunched another joint attack. "Storm Falcon, Breathing Technique, Storm Wind Vortex!" they roared in unison, unleashing a swirling ball of wind with immense force. As the vortex spun with ferocity, the Fourth Hunter seized the opportunity, adding his own attack to the mix. "Fire Drake, Breathing Technique, Inferno Burst!" Giant Orange mes erupted from his de, merging with the wind vortex. Thebination created a zing vortex that lit up the entire city in an orange hue, a testament to the devastating power of theirbined assault. The hot whirlwind of fire roared to life, expanding rapidly and making Ang appear like a tiny speck against its immense size Thebined attack surged forward with terrifying speed and temperature, a testament to the hunters'' synchronized power. As the scorching vortex barreled toward her, she gently touched her harp, a smirk ying on her lips. "It''s time to end this childish y," she sneered in contempt. All this time, she had been holding back, using only 30% of her true ability to prolong the fight. The harp glowed golden, its strings humming with anticipation as if eager to unleash the full extent of its power. "I will show you all the true power of the divine" she taunted, her voice ringing out clearly over the iing attack. With a graceful motion, she strummed the harp using both hands, sending a powerful wave of golden energy through the air. BOOOOOM! The energy shed against the giant vortex of fire, creating a spectacr explosion that shook the surrounding blocks of the city to their very foundations. The intense heat scorched the ground and air, leaving it charred and smoking. Everything was engulfed in a blinding light as the sh of powers reached its peak. The hunters waited atop the building, their stances still on guard . As the chaos subsided, they squinted their eyes, peering towards the building where Ang had stood just moments ago. They were eager to assess the damage they had inflicted to her, though they knew expecting her death was wishful thinking. "Buaahhh!" Ang knelt on the ground, vomiting blood after she received a fatal blow. "What happened?" Bynum''s confusion was visible as he stared at the gaping hole in Ang''s chest. It was so clean, it looked like aser had pierced straight through her. Meanwhile, Ang gritted her teeth in frustration as she attempted to use her ability to regenerate herself. She hadn''t anticipated another party joining the fray and attacking her from behind. But as she attempted to heal herself, she realized that her divine power was ineffective against the wound. It was as if some mysterious force was preventing her from regenerating her injuries "Death Energy!" she eximed, shock evident in her voice as she examined the wound. Chapter 212: Newcomer Ang''s mind raced with questions as she tried to stabilize her breathing. Her body was just a vessel, so she really didn''t need a heart, as her divine power could sustain life as long as she had enough reserved . However, if this body died, she would have to start from scratch, and traveling between Heaven and the human world was very difficult, so she had to protect this vessel at all costs. ''This is really death energy , and the quality is also high," she clicked her tongue in annoyance as her hand traced the hole in her chest. Dark aura surrounded it, decaying her muscles in real time. This was the reason why her it was taking so long to regenerate. Only demons had the power to control Death energy, and for this entity to affect her this much, it had to possess qualities akin to those of a demon lord at bare minimum. What was worse was that Death energy directly contradicted divine energy. It wasn''t an exaggeration to say that angels had even less resistance to it than humans. ''Who is it? Who attacked me?'' she gritted her teeth . She pondered the possibility that a powerful demon, involved in the peace treaty, hade to kill her. During her time in the human world, she sought out more information, knowing that the knowledge she possessed from the heavens was already outdated. It was then that she stumbled upon the existence of one particr group of demons who worked closely with humans. She thought they wouldn''t be able to arrive here too soon because the distance between Tier 4 cities and the demon lord areas was huge, and it would take at least weeks, even if they flew directly. ''Not good,'' her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of wind howling as the hunters seized the opportunity . Four giant des of wind flew towards her, each one aiming for a kill. With quick reflexes, she jump from the building, letting herself fall toward the ground to add momentum, narrowly evading the attacks. When the Wind des struck the building, it sliced through it, effortlessly cutting throughyers of concrete and steel. The sheer power behind each sh was evident as the structure crumbled, showcasing the terrifying power of each attack. ''If not for this wound...'' Ang''s frustration reached all time high, her face contorting in anger as she found herself forced into this situation. Despite the gaping hole in her chest, she pressed on, her wings struggling against the force of the wind from above. It made her situation even more challenging when her wings were affected by the attack, hindering her ability to move freely. ''I can activate that thing, but it will weaken me,'' she pondered. The thought of sacrificing her power temporarily to boost her divine energy just enough to purify the death energy crossed her mind. But if that demon attacked her in her weakened state, everything would be over. Realizing this, she decided to run away, first. ''I need to get the chalice and get out of here,'' she muttered. Straining her wings, she pushed herself forward towards Reign''s direction. "Chase her!" Bynum ordered. With each jump, the hunters leapt from one building to another, their powerful jumps shattering windows as the pressure from their steps reverberated through the air. "Just have to get..." Her thought was abruptly cut off by a sudden vibration . Mid-air, a sense of unease washed over her as her instincts screamed that her life was in danger. Reacting fast, she dodged just as an iing attack, a red sh of dark-red lightning, pierced through the air. It streaked towards her with rming speed, requiring her full attention to barely evade to the side. Her mind raced as she felt the heat of the attack grazing past her, sending shivers down her spine. It was so fast that if she hadn''t been facing it directly, she wouldn''t have been able to evade it with her current condition. ''Did that demon get him?'' she thought, her worry growing. The attack came from Reign''s direction, leading her to assume that a powerful entity had already neutralized her pawn. The hunters stopped chasing Ang after witnessing the streak of read lightning that almost took her out. They quickly concluded that the attack came from another party attempting to kill her as well. Judging from the power output, it was clear that the assant was someone highly skilled in high-speed long-distance attacks and was in no way weaker than them. In fact, those high-speed attacks were so fast that they reminded them of a powerful legendary hunter who also used lightning to cut down Demon Lords before they could even register what happened. "Bynum, did HQ send another team?" Nek asked as they stood on a rooftop, scanning the area for any signs of the neer who joined the fight. ''I don''t know, but that attack didn''te from a hunter. Maybe those beings are here too,'' Bynum replied, his face turning serious. "You mean...?" Nek paused, realizing the gravity of the situation. "That demon broke the peace treaty, so I''m sure the Abyssal Alliance found out. They might have sent a powerful demon lord to capture her," Bynum exined. It was the only conclusion he could think of for another demon lord to try and assassinate her. Everyone''s face turned pale at the mention of the Alliance. The alliance included Demon Lords, fearsome and cunning, Demon Kings, and at the pinnacle, a Demon God capable of pushing the human race to the brink of extinction. Legends spoke of their devastating conquests and the ancient wars that nearly wiped out entire civilizations before the Corrupted appeared . The name "Abyssal Alliance" alone was enough to deter anyone from breaking the Peace Treaty between humans and demons. That''s why this kind of incidents rarely happened because of this powerful group. "Should we chase her?" Jaren asked, resting his massive sword on his shoulder. He was eager to see the power of a Demon Lord from such a legendary group. "Let''s stop here and just observed from a safe distance. If they''re really from the Alliance, then we should let them handle this. That woman wasn''t even serious when she was fighting us," Bynum reasoned, recalling how effortlessly she had dealt with their attacks. "That''s boring, but you''re the leader," Jaren chuckled, shifting his massive sword on his shoulder. He was also relieved they didn''t have to deal with Ang. The four of them weren''t arrogant or foolish enough to overlook the fact that she hadn''t been fighting them seriously before. However, the same could be said for them too. "By the way, between the Abyssal Alliance and the true powerhouses of the Hunter Association, who do you think is stronger?" he asked, his curiosity piqued by the thought of such formidable forces shing. Bynum paused for a moment, contemting Jaren''s question. The hunters from Tier 1 cities were on a whole different level, evenpared to Tier 2 Hunters. He had encountered one such hunter group before, and although they were far from the top 10, Bynum saw them kill a Peak Demon Lord with in under a minute. The memory of that encounter still sent shivers down his spine, serving as a reminder that there were always bigger fish in the sea. "I don''t know," he shook his head. Chapter 213: Talent Vs Skill Multiple vibrations in the air forced Ang to dodge, her mind racingas she flew down the street to minimize her visibility, using the buildings as barricades. But even then, her attacker kept on shooting her . Each shot pierced through the structures like they were made of tufo, forcing her to adjust her flight path constantly until she found a safe ce in the ground. She then lowered her aura to further conceal her presence. The continuous barrage of attacks suggested that her attacker specialized in rapid long-distancebat, likely a type of demon with extreme proficiency in this area. It was not umon for beings like angels and demons to possess overwhelming strengths in one aspect while having vulnerabilities in another. But what made matters worse for her was the devastating prating power of each projectiles; if she were hit, she knew her defenses would be insufficient to block it . It was a tough situation for her, especially since she was already injured and most of her power was now focused on ridding herself of the Death Energy. If she hadn''t been wounded, she would have been able to fight more effectively. ''If I could just get close, I could activate my domain,'' she thought to herself. Activating her domain would at least allow her to use her home court advantage. She refused to believe that her domain, imbued with divine elements, could be beaten easily. In fact, domains were something angels specialized in; it wouldn''t be wrong to say that they were the first beings to possess this ability. However, the issue now was that she couldn''t sense the demon at all. Whatever ability or artifact it was using proved to be highly effective against her. ''Should I run away?'' she thought to herself. But before she could decide, her intuition kicked in, and she quickly dodged to the side. Another dark-red lightning sh, and the wall behind her was pierced through again, forcing her to change position. Whoever was attacking her seemed to have the ability to see through walls, judging from the uracy of the shot. ''Damn it,'' she muttered, biting her lips in annoyance. Her eyes filled with anger as her arrogant nature shed with the reality of being forced into this situation. At this point , she already nned to gave up and just escape, the lost of the chalice was big but this body was more important to her . However¡ª Before she could turn away, she caught sight of Reign standing around 5 kilometers away from her, the chalice gleaming in his outstretched hand . "He''s still alive?" Ang was shocked. She thought he had already been killed by the demon attacking her. "Good, I can still win," she thought, new hope flickering in her mind. The chalice had a purification effect; if she could use it, she could cleanse her body of the Death Energy corrupting it and turn the tide of the battle. SWOOOSH! She flew towards him, and there he stood casually, holding the chalice in his hand. His posture showed no hostility, making Ang lowered her guard a little. All that mattered now was reaching him and iming the chalice from his hand. "Good work!" she smiled, her fingers inches away from the chalice. But before she could grasp it, Reign threw the chalice away in another direction. "You''re dead!" Ang roared in anger as she mped his head, crushing it into pieces. But as she did so, she realized that inside the head was just dark aura with red lightning on it. "For my King!" the headless body dered, lunging forward to hug Ang. Dark chains erupted from the ground, coiling tightly around her body. The chains glowed with a sinister dark energy, wrapping around her arms and legs. They weren''t particrly strong, but it was enough to caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily immobilized. "No!" Ang roared in anger. She realized she had been set up, her divine energy running wild as she nned to obliterate everyone in her path. But that momentary mistake was all her enemy needed. "Die, bitch," Reign''s voice echoed from a distance. With a sadistic grin, the rail guns, positioned strategically and aimed at her even before she crushed Arc''s head, unleashed their payload. The dark red projectiles streaked through the air, their deadly hum drowning out all other sound. "YOU TRAITOR!" With a final roar, Ang cast a divine shield around herself by sacrificing most of her power to withstand the iing attack. In that moment of realization, she knew it was all Reign''s doing all along. He had managed to break through Demon Lord and conceal his aura from her, betraying her trust in the cruelest of ways. BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! Explosion after explosion echoed as the divine shield held for a moment, but the barrage kepting nonstop until itpletely destroyed the shield, shattering it like ss. Piece by piece, she was struck, each projectile tearing through her body. A gaping hole appeared in her stomach, followed by another in her neck. Her hands werepletely torn off, shredded by the onught, as she fought to maintain her footing amidst the one sided attack. Despite her efforts, her body was soon riddled with holes, the barrage leaving her battered and copsing to the ground. THUD! "I¡ª Impossible, how did I end up like this," she felt angry and insulted that she was reduced to this by someone she had thought was inferior, and in such a way that until the very end made her look like a fool. She was not beaten through dominance or raw power, which normally ur during high-level battle. No, she was defeated through the use of strategy, something she foundughable and typically used by the weak, like humans. There was no pride, no honor; it felt like Reign was looking at her not as an equal, but merely a somewhat harder to kill prey than a human. And she was right. From the very beginning, Reign had always considered her as just a prey. He was a true killing machine that would do everything it takes to win. "You angels really don''t learn," Reign''s sarcastic voice echoed through Arc''s headless body. It was an ability that he discovered after reaching Demon Lord Level and advancing to Skull Sovereign. "What a funny sight, " Reign''sughter filled the air, mocking Ang''s defeat. "Look at you," he sneered, "this is what happens when you''re careless." Ang gritted her teeth in frustration as she struggled to maintain her consciousness . "Y¡ª You''ve been hiding your true power all along to make me lower my guards down," she replied ,her ego further stung by his sharp words. "Nah, you''re just a gullible idiot," Arc''s body moved under Reign''smand , stepping on her head and rolling it along the ground like a ball. This disy of dominance infuriated her to the point where veins began to protrude on her forehead. She was seething with rage. "You will regret this. I will hunt you down after I find another vessel" she spat out. "My, my, you angels are reading from a script or something when you get beaten? That''s the same line your sister told me." "You¡­" she wanted to curse out, but before she could do so, Arc''s foot crashed into her headpletely destroying it. "Sorry, I don''t really talk to sore losers," Reign chuckled, his voice dripping with disdain. Chapter 214: Chest Piece "Did you see that?" Bynum and the rest of the hunters felt cold sweat dripping from their foreheads as they witnessed the entire ordeal from inside a building . Humans prided themselves on their resourcefulness and strategies, qualities that often allowed them to prevail against more powerful enemies who relied too much on their overwhelming strength to dominate the battle. But what they had just witnessed was out of the norm. A demon had used a multi-step strategy, and not just any strategy, but a very clever one that had allowed it to eliminate Ang with almost 100% uracy. It was akin to watching a genius tactician, manipting everything like chess pieces on a board. This demon possessed the ability to think multiple steps ahead of others, making it far more dangerous in their opinion . "So, what are we supposed to do?" Nek asked, his voice tinged with apprehension. "Judging from the battle, there are more than one demon who came here, and there might be more. This is beyond our capabilities" After witnessing Ang''s brutal death, he couldn''t shake the feeling that they were all just pawns in a game they didn''t understand, yed from the very beginning to the end. If he were being honest, he wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. Despite his sometimes arrogant behavior, he valued his and his teammates'' lives. "Hey, how did we even get the information so fast about this?" Nek asked, a furrow forming on his brow. Something felt off to him. They had been notified that a demon was nning to annihte a whole city, which was why they had rushed there in the first ce. If it had been just a virus outbreak, there would have been no need to send them there at a moment''s notice because they were not even equipped to handle it. In fact , there was no info about the virus at all. They had even been transported using a special type of vehicle reserved for emergencies. "The request came from the governor herself," Bynum exined. "She received a tip and informed the association two days ago through an emergency data train." Now that the four hunters had time to ponder the situation, they felt that something devious was really going on here. But before they could pinpoint what it was, their attention was drawn to Arc, who suddenly vanished into thin air. "Not good!" Bynum eximed . This put their senses on high alert, and they instinctively gripped their katanas, ready for any sudden attack. However, a minute passed, and no one attacked them "Who''s that in the sky?" Nek pointed, noticing a figure hovering above, its dark wings spread wide. At first, it looked just intimidating, but when it unleashed itsfull aura, a powerful and evil energy surrounded it. Dark-red arcs of lightning shot through the sky like veins of fire, making the scene even more menacing. All the hunters tightened their grips on their weapons. They felt genuine fear when they looked at the demon. Ang was strong, but her power came from divinity, so the hunters had only felt pressure from her. Reign, on the other hand, was different. He had ughtered countless humans, and his powers were infused with dark, negative energy. His killing intent was so powerful that it unconsciously instilled a deep, fear in those around him, making their hearts race and their hands tremble. "Get ready," Bynum instructed, his voice steady but tense. BOOOOOM! Reign disappeared from his spot followed by thunderous roar. Before they knew it, he was already in front of them, hovering just outside the window of the building. His speed was so fast that they didn''t even have time to draw their weapons. "You''rete. My partner already took care of that problematic demon," Reign sneered in disdain, his voice dripping with arrogance as he pretended that the person responsible for the long range attacks was a different individual all together. The hunters, after hearing this, became even more anxious. They could discern that Reign was also a demon lord, implying that there were potentially at least two or three demon lords present in this ce. So despite their suspicions, they chose to believe him for now. After all, a demon who specialized in long-distance attacks would not casually approach them. Their limited knowledge about Reign prevented them from considering that he might be an all-rounder. He had the ability to adjust and adapt to any type of fighting style due to his race and system. "Are you from the Alliance?" Bynum asked, his eyes focused on Reign. He remained confident that they could hold their own if they gave it their all. Reign grinned creepily as he watched the four hunters be uneasy in his presence. "Of course I''m from the Alliance. Do you think that a group of demon lords would juste here to save a Tier 4 city for no reason?" he added with a smirk. He had already known about this alliance from Aiku and had devised this n the moment Ang appeared, and messed up made thingsplicated. It was a contingency n he orchestrated in case he did not gain enough power to contend with her. But when he did, he adjusted his n, using the hunters as a distraction against her instead. From the very beginning, Ang had been ying into his hands like a fool. Reign''s ability to strategize was on a level that even the smartest humans in this world would find dangerously high. This was what set him apart from arrogant angels and powerful demons. "Is that demon one of yours?" Bynum asked, pointing at Ang''s corpse. But when he did, he was shocked to see that her body was no longer there. Reign had used the time they were distracted to absorb herpletely. "That demon lord is a rogue. She''s not affiliated with us," Reign deny any connection. Bynum''s eyebrows furrowed. He was still not convinced. There were too many questions that he needed answered. However, he couldn''t act tough here, fully aware that there were other demon lords lurking in the shadows. They were at aplete disadvantage. "Alright, I''ll report this to HQ," Bynum answered with a neutral tone. There was no need to argue. "Good," Reign responded, turning away. But before he did, he paused, as if a sudden thought struck him. He slowly reached into his back, his fingers wrapping around something golden and ornate. Reign pulled out a gleaming golden chalice, its intricate designs shimmering even in daylight. "I almost forgot," he said. "That woman seems to want this thing. Do you know what it is?" The hunters were also confused by the item. They did not know what it was, but they could tell that it was no ordinary object. Reign reached out with the item, as if signaling for them to take a closer look. Because of how casually he was talking, they had lowered their guard and allowed him to get closer, which turned out to be a stupid mistake. BOOOOOM! Lightning exploded from Reign''s wings, catching them all off guard. They scrambled to pull out their swords to defend themselves, but the distance was too short. In an instant, they were struck by him, their bodies sent flying in different directions. Chapter 215: Multiple Steps "We got yed," Nek gritted his teeth as he was sent flying through the air, crashing through walls as his back bore the brunt of the impact. He didn''t know what had happened to his otherrades, but one thing was for sure: they were all wounded by that surprise attack. No matter how strong a hunter was, they were still human. Without conscious effort to protect themselves, their bodies would be susceptible to damage. Drawing his sword mid-air, he mmed it into the ground to break his fall. The de tore through the floor, sending sparks flying as he finally came to a stop. He knelt on the floor, gasping for breath, his body trembling from the impact. "BUAHHHHH!" he vomited violently, blood bursting from his lips as the adrenaline faded. His body convulsed with each heave, blood sttering against the cracked floor. Trembling, he reached for his chest, fingers tracing the jagged lines of broken ribs poking through torn flesh. "This is not good, " With a gasp, he realized the extent of the damage, feeling the searing pain of internal ruptures in chest. But despite the searing pain, he fought to stay conscious . As a seasoned veteran hunter, he had faced wounds like this before and knew what to do. He took a deep breath and activated his body''s natural healing process. When a hunter reached a certain level, they could regenerate their bodies like demons by essing the Rune embedded inside them. The Rune inside him was simr to the one Jayden had found in Summit City, but unlike Jayden''s, which had been forcibly activated, Nek''s had been absorbed naturally. As a result, it had adapted and stabilized, resembling a Demon Core in its properties, but without the need for human consumption to fuel its growth. This was also how they were able to executesuch massive attacks before. They were unaware of the origin of these runes or how they came into existence. All they knew was that they could be harnessed by hunters, particrly those who had perfected their breathing techniques to a certain level. However, not just any hunter or human could use them. One must possess a certain level of skill to absorb the runes, or they would just explode from theconcentrated energy inside it. In a way, Jayden not dying on the spot after forcefully using it meant that his potential was extraordinarily high. Had Jayden not met his death at the hands of Reign, he could have reached a legendary status within the Hunter Association. "I need to regroup with the others," Nek mumbled, determination flickering in his eyes as he sensed that he could move again. The only way they could survive this situation was to coordinate their attacks. There was no way they could win one-on-one against a demon lord of Reign''s caliber. "I''ll help you with that," a sadistic and yful voice echoed from behind, forcing him to turn and sh his katana out of instinct. But instead of his weapon striking the demon, Nek''s gaze fell on Reign, who held Bynum''s wounded body in his grasp NO!!!" Nek shouted with regret, but it was toote. The momentum of his de had already begun, and Reign cruelly maneuvered their leader''s body so that it would sever his neck. SLASH! Bynum''s head flew into the air as the force of his own long time teammate''s attack struck him dead on the spot, severing his neck like a piece of paper. In that moment, memories flooded Nek''s mind¡ªcountless battles fought side by side, shared victories and defeats, moments of camaraderie and friendship. "This is not a movie so stop daydreaming," Reign''s cold voice echoed as he seized the opportunity to swing his Skull Grinder, now thinner after the upgrade. "I will kill you!" Nek roared in anger, matching his opponent''s swing with his own sword. The air hummed as both sides swung their weapons with the intent to kill. BOOOOOM! The sh of steel reverberated through the air, causing a shockwave that echoed across the building. Nek''s muscles strained as he pushed against Reign using his two hands to grip his katana. Meanwhile, Reign grinned from ear to ear, effortlessly holding his weapon with one hand, barely exerting any effort. ''Time to test it an actualbat,'' he thought to himself. BUUZZZZZZ The cutting teeth of the Skull Grinder began to spin, forcing Nek to moved his katana away to avoid the downward force . He then leaped backward to create distance, knowing his enemy was a master of close-quartersbat after their brief exchange. But once again, he was caught off guard as small projectiles bombarded him. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Forced to swing his sword faster and faster, Nek struggled to block the nonstop barrage of bone shrapneling from Reign. Each shard glinted as his de moved quickly, shing through the air. Sparks flew each time he deflected a piece. His arms tired out, muscles straining with each swing, but the attack continued, and he had to keep controlling his breathing to sustain blocking the projectiles. He didn''t know what these bone shrapnels could do, so it was better to avoid being hit by them if possible. But as time passed, he discovered a scary realization: the shrapnels were getting faster and heavier, indicating that his enemy was toying with him, slowly increasing the power of the attacks. It felt like trying to fend off a heavy rain with just an umbre, each shard wearing down his strength and focus. The floor around him became littered with pieces of bone shrapnel, showing his desperate fight. ''What the hell is this fighting style?'' Nek couldn''t believe what he was seeing. He had fought demon lords before, but this was the first time he had encountered someone who could seamlessly transition from onebat style to the next. He could tell that every movement and action that his enemy was doing was calcted, part of a meticulously nned strategy being executed wlessly. ''Not good.'' Sensing danger, he leaped into the air, narrowly avoiding the chains that erupted from the floor. The chains weren''t strong enough to actually harm him, but because he was being constantly attack , he assumed they possessed greater power than they actually did. This was another of Reign''s psychological tactics to disrupt his opponent''s rhythm. Now, vulnerable in mid-air, Nek was open to attack. Reign wasted no time, seizing the opportunity. With a quick motion, he lunged forward, his Skull Grinder gleaming and humming ominously in the air. Before Nek could even register what was happening, the de sliced through his neck withser like precision, blood spraying out in a crimson arc as his head was cleanly severed . THUD! THUD! Nek''s body and head fell separately to the ground with a dull thud. His eyes fixed on his own decapitated body, the strike had been too quick that it took a moment for his head toprehend that he was already dead. As his vision slowly blurred, he saw Reign walking towards him. "Don''t worry," Reign sneered as he crouched down to get a better look at Nek''s head. "I''ll make sure to make you stronger and less stupid after I make you my ve." Chapter 216: Hunters Resolve "We need to find cover fast! ," Jarren while escaping "We can''t keep running out in the open like this." Both of them decided to stick to the road, well aware that jumping from one building to another would be too eye-catching. Such a feat would generate too much shockwaves, essentially painting a target on their backs for a demon lord like Reign to easily track them down. The blond hunter named Marlon nodded, his face pale and filled with pain. "There¡ªan alley up ahead." "Alright¡­ But are you okay?" Jarren asked, ncing back at his teammate, who was struggling to keep up. "I''ll manage," Marlon replied through gritted teeth. He clutched his side, wincing with every step as the pain from his wounds and broken ribs had slowed him down. His rune regenerative abilities had already activated, but since it was of lower quality and he hadn''t fully absorbed it like Nek, its effect wasn''t as powerful. Finally, they reached a somewhat safe ce in their opinion, and they began to heal themselves while keeping watch on each other''s blind spots. "I can''t believe we got yed like a fool by a demon," Jarren muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. His body was far tougher than the rest, so he was in better condition. "Seriously," Marlon replied with a shake of his head. "We just let our guards down, and ended up like this!," Jarren scowled, his frustration evident. "We underestimated that demon," he admitted grudgingly. "Don''t worry, a lot of people do," Reign''s voice echoed mockingly from the sky as he flew casually above them. "Fuck!" Jarren cursed out as the two hunters quickly stood up and gripped their katanas. Reign''s smirk widened, savoring the thrill of the chase. "Come on, show me what you''ve got!" Reign taunted, his voice echoing sadistically. The two hunters exchanged a nce, their faces contorted. They knew they had to do something drastic to survive. Jaren took a deep breath, gathering his remaining strength. "We need to split up and report this. He can''t follow both of us," he said, his voice strained. Marlon nodded, wincing from his broken ribs. "Got it. Stay safe." With that, they broke off in different directions, hoping to confuse Reign. But Reign did not mind at all. He extended his wings and surged forward, choosing to follow Marlon. The hunter nced over his shoulder and saw Reign casually flying through the air, gaining on him. He gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder, but he had lost too much power healing himself and taking on the damage of the initial attack. "Running won''t save you," he mocked. Marlon knew he had no choice. With determination etched on his face, he turned sharply and swung his sword. As he did, mes erupted from it, casting an intense glow in the dim alleyway that directly engulfed everything on its path. However, to the hunter''s astonishment, Reign remained unmoved, the mes merely burning harmlessly around him. "Nice try," Hisughter echoed through the air, mocking the futile attempt to harm him. "but you''ll have to do better than that." Marlon, seeing that his attack was useless, stopped running. "If you''re really strong, then allow me to use my full power," he taunted. He knew demons were prideful and arrogant, so he wanted to capitalize on it to buy some time. Reign paused mid-air. It wasn''t every day that someone offered themselves to be one of his research volunteers. He had been wanting to know how powerful Hunters could be for future reference, so this was a good opportunity. ''Those two old hunters died too quickly to be a useful reference,''Reign mused, considering the proposition. "Alright, feel free to do whatever you''re nning," Reign responded casually, crossing his arms while hovering in the air. Hearing this, Marlon wasted no time and activated his forbidden technique. Reign was quick, so if Marlon didn''t have enough time to prepare, he would be killed way before he could activate it. In fact, most Hunter techniques require a bit amount of time to be effectively utilized their power. This was due to the intricate nature of these techniques, which often demand precise movements, concentration, and breathing. As a result, Hunters always operate in groups, allowing them to provide mutual support and watched each others back. But this was a double-edged sword. When a hunter finds themselves alone, they are faced with a dilemma. They must either risk leaving themselves vulnerable by taking the time to activate more powerful techniques or resort to quicker, but weaker, options. This choice often results in hunters inadvertently exposing weaknesses in their defense, as they prioritize speed over power in their desperate attempts to fend off threat ''I''ll take you down with me,'' Marlon gritted his teeth as he begrudginglysacrificed the rune inside his body. He raised his hands, took a deep breath, and then inhaled anotheryer of air. Energy erupted from him, crackling and swirling around him like a ming vortex. His skin flushed a deep crimson color, veins pulsating with power as if they were rivers of moltenva beneath his flesh. The ground beneath his feet glowed with a fierce orange hue, the floor itself sumbing to the blistering heat radiating from his body. ''Oh, this is the same one that Arc used before,'' Reign thought to himself, recognizing the technique. "Demon, do you know what this state is?" Marlon spoke as he raised his katana above him. The fear in his eyes was gone, reced by a calm eptance of his fate. After activating this ability, his chance of living was zero so he no longer have to worry about his life. With the fear of death gone, all his senses was now heightened, and devoid of distraction. "I don''t have a clue at all," Reign shook his head while he materialized two skull grinders in his hands. He could tell that Marlon had undergone a major power-up, so he felt it was only right to get a little bit serious. "Rune Overload, this is myst resort. I will die either way, so I''m killing you for the sake of humanity while I''m at it," he responded, each of his words releasing a breath hot enough to melt a person''s face. He could barely contain the temperature. "Does this Rune Overload thing also make you talkative?" Reign chuckled, but inside, he was curious to see what would happen next. If he got lucky, the dying hunter could show him some advanced techniques that he could copy, like Stream Guide. Marlon ignored the taunting. He knew that the demon in front of him was just trying to get into his head, but it was alright, because he also need time. He focused inward, feeling the intense heat building up within him, each heartbeat increasing the blood flow. Sweat evaporated up his brow as the temperature around him continued to rise, the air crackling with the intensity of his power. Every breath he took felt like inhaling mes, searing his lungs with each inhtion. With his sword ready for action, he stood in a wide stance, his right foot nted firmly forward, while his left foot remained behind. "Fire Drake Breathing Technique¡­." Marlon''s voice echoed, his words hanging in the air like an impending cmity. Chapter 217: Perspective "Lava sh!" Marlon roared, swinging his katana with determination. The de transformed into bright red-hot metal, ready to unleash its devastating power. SWOOOOSH! Marlon disappeared from the spot, using the intense pent up heat in his body to propel himself forward at an incredible speed over a short distance. Of course, from Reign''s perspective, he could clearly see the hunter''s movements because of his high reaction time. He could even tell how hot the metal was; it was a miracle that the katana could withstand such intense heat. When Marlon reappeared, he was already above Reign, his form a shadow against the day sky. Gripping his katana with both hands, he focused the raging power from his whole body in a single strike. He swung down his katana with all his might, the heat igniting the air as mes and sparks erupted around him, even before the de reached its target. "This is for all the humans you killed," Marlon spoke in a cold tone. Reign saw the attacking but made no move to dodge. Instead, he raised his hands, coating them with negative energy to increase its tolerance against Heat and mes. The dark energy turned his hands pure ck,pletely covering the red lightning pattern. BOOOOOOOOM! The collision between Reign''s palm and the hot-red katana sent shockwaves rippling through the air, mes and sparks erupting around them. Nearby buildings crumbled as steel beams melted, and the fire spread across the road, burning everything in its path. It was like a part of the city had been bombed with napalm, leaving behind a scene of chaos and devastation. When the sh was over, Marlon dropped to the ground, his knees sinking into the searing-hot pavement beneath him. But at this point, he was already too numb to even feel the pain. Whatever temperature the outside, the agony coursing through his body was far worse and more unbearable to tolerate. COUGH! COUGH! He coughed blood and gasped for breath, his chest heaving under the immense pressure bearing down on him. The acrid stench of smoke filled his nostrils, mingling with the crackling of mes that still raged around him. ''Is he dead?'' Marlon muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the crackling mes and the ringing in his ears. When his attacknded, he felt the impact sending the demon hurtling downwards But as he scannedthe ce, there was no sign of the demon''s body amidst the fire. For a fleeting moment, he dared to entertain the idea that maybe the demon had a weak defense, or was super vulnerable to fire, and that he actually one shot it. "I''ve got to admit, that attack was pretty strong," Reign''s voice cut through the crackling mes from behind Marlon. Startled, the hunter whirled around and shed his katana, but it was effortlessly stopped by Reign''s left hand. Seeing this, Marlon pushed his remaining power towards the katana, intending to increase its temperature enough to melt Reign''s palm. However, despite his efforts, the extreme heat generated by the de seemed to have no effect. The reason Reign was sent flying downward before was not because of the force of Marlon''s technique, but rather because he was attacked while mid-air. This caused him to lose stability as he struggled to p his wings against the force, a maneuver he had forgotten to execute properly since it was his first time being hit while flying. "I have to admit that you''re impressive, but you''re not the only one who has that kind of attack," Reign chuckled to himself as he raised his Skull Grinder using his right hand and revved it up to the fullest. Dark red lightning coursed through the weapon, making the cutting teeth spin faster and faster until they glowed bright red from the friction. "Thank you for the inspiration," Reign said, shing the Grinder straight directly toward Marlon, who was still holding the hilt. ''Not good,'' Marlon reacted instinctively, letting go of his katana and using the heat pressure from his body to jumped backward just before Reign''s attack could connect. With a burst of speed, he managed to put a distance of 50 meters between them, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. Now, he just need to find a way to get back his katana and salvage the situation. That''s what he had in mind, but when he looked down at the ground, he saw a line sliced through it, as if cut by aser. As he looked closer, horror washed over him as he realized the line went directly through his legs. "Fuc.." Marlon''s body was brutally cut in half. His internal organs, brains, and bones was exposed as both halves of his body dropped to the ground with sickening thuds. "Another one for my collection," Reign nodded in satisfaction as he absorbed Marlon''s body, adding its essence to his own. A notification rang out, informing him of all the benefits he had gained from the absorption. With a quick nce, he selected a mutation organ he found useful, saving the rest of the benefitsforter examination. For now, he had one target left to take care of. With a powerful p of his wings, he took to the air again, his undead eye scanning thendscape below. He tracked Jarren''s vitality, and although the hunter was far away, his energy signature stood out amidst the dead city. In a ce filled with humans, Reign would have struggled to detect him, as hunters could conceal their presence. But now, with everyone dead, Jarren''s energy signature was unmistakable and painted a target on his head. SWOOOOOSH! Reign focused and tracked down thest hunter. When he was right above him, he floated down,nding lightly in front of the hunter, who had already activated "Rune Overload." Unlike Marlon, Jarren''s transformation was more subdued in terms of aura, but hepensated with his appearance. He now appeared more muscr, his skin smooth as marble. He seemed to have gained a few inches in height, and the veins protruding from his head made him look like someone who took too much steroids. "If you were just going to activate your suicidal technique, then you should havee at me together from the start," Reign shook his head in disappointment, finding their tactics dumb as hell. "And what? So the other demon lord could shoot us while fighting you?" Jarren sneered in contempt, his voiceced with defiance. "What other demon lord?" Reign asked with a sarcastic voice. "Stop ying with your words, Fucker! Come at me together. I''ll make sure to at least beat the shit out of you," Jarren taunted, his voice dripping with anger. Unlike Marlon, who epted his fate, Jarren turned even more violent at the thought of dying. His resolve only strengthened in the face of adversity, fueling his determination to fight until the bitter end. "I wish I could just summon another demon lord, but I''m the only one here," Reign couldn''t help but smile creepily, relishing in Jarren''s continued misconception. This just showed the power of words, and how nting ideas of fear in one''s mind could manipte their perception. Now, no matter how much Reign exined, Jarren remained convinced that it was merely an attempt to lower his guard. Chapter 218: Forshadow "I will kill you for the sake of the future of this world." Jarren growled, his teeth clenched in anger. His eyes burned with determination as he raised his massive sword with ease, the weapon now appearing almost normal-sized in his erged form. Veins bulged under his ck skin, his muscles rippling with the raw power coursing through his body. Reign observed him with a smirk, finding amusement in his statements . "World future, huh?" he mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm."You humans and your delusions Always thinking you are the center of everything. Always thinking you matter." "Did it not ur to you that maybe the world is trying its best to squash you all like insects because, unlike what you want to believe, you''re the tumor in this world? Not the demons, or the corrupteds," he added. "So you''re one of those people who like to preach before a fight ?" Jarren sneered in contempt. "Shit," Reign click his tongue , shaking his head. He realized he''d gotten too caught up in his own power over the hunter and started talking nonsense. ''This must be why those angels were so talkative,'' he thought, making a mental note to be more mindful of his words. Refocusing, he locked eyes with the hunter. "Enough talk. Let''s settle this," He raised his Skull Grinder, ready to start the fight. But this time, the hunter was ready to fight until the very end, his resolve unshaken despite the daunting sight of Reign. The demon standing before him was the epitome of terror,pared to any demon lord he had encountered. While others may have appeared more human-like, Reign''s skeletal form, coupled with his ominous aura and wings that sparks lightning instilled fear in all who saw him. Without flesh to disy emotion, he remained an enigmatic and terrifying figure. But Jarren was already dying anyway, so such concerns was no longer important. All that mattered to him now was to unleash his anger on Reign and beat him to a pulp. "Titan Ape Breathing Technique¡­ Rampage !" With a roar of defiance, he took a single step forward, the force of his foot crushing the ground beneath him. Like a bullet train, that one step was enough to bridge the gap between them, closing the distance with astonishing speed. Reign couldn''t help but feel amazed as he watched the hunter close the gap so quickly. At first, he was impressed by how fast he moved for a human. But then, he remembered the special rune Jarren used to achieved "Overload" After thinking about it, he didn''t think his speed was all that impressive. He figured that if this was the best he could do, he should be the weakest of the four. However, for Jarren, seeing that his enemy didn''t move at all gave him a false assumption that he was too fast for the demon to react. This fueled his confidence even more. Taking advantage of the moment, he increased the strength of his grip, his sword aimed at the head. But suddenly, Reign shifted his hand holding the skull grinder and met Jarren''s attack head-on. BOOOOOOM! Despite the force behind katana strike, Reign held his own with ease, he did not even flinch as he absorbed the impact. However, the ground beneath him copsed under the strain of their sh, sending Reign hurtling downwards into the underground sewer system below. "Fuck, remind me to never say ''shit'' again," Reign sighed, feeling that his word before had turned into some kind of foreshadowing. Not the good kind. He managed to adjust quickly, pping his wings just in time to prevent himself from plunging into the dirty, polluted water below , turning him to be the first demon lord to ever bath in shit. SWOOOOSH! He soared upwards, emerging from the depths of ground that just caved in. Meanwhile, Jarren, still mid-air after being sent flying by Reign''s attack, used the side of the building to stand up, his eyes fixed on the hole as he prepared for their next sh. Reign shot forward without wasting any time, swinging his skull grinder. However, this time he didn''t use his full force. Instead, he held back, wanting to y with Jarren more as payback for almost making a fool out of him earlier. BOOOOOOOM! Another sh echoed, the force of the impact sending Jarren hurtling backwards. He crashed through walls upon impact, the structures unable to withstand the force of his momentum. One building after another crumbled as he got thrown away, the sound of destruction reverberating through the air, until finally, hecame to a stop amidst the wreckage. "BUAAHHHH!" Jarren vomited blood, the impact having inflicted several broken bones on him. Luckily, the power of his rune elerated his healing process, enabling him to quickly regain his mobility. Unlike the other runes, his might have been weaker in terms of attack power, but it excelled in physical enhancement. Even in his overloaded form, he could fight without experiencing too much bacsh right off the bat thanks to his enhance physical attribute. "You''re persistent, I''ll give you that," Reign said, a note of respect in his voice after seeing that Jarren was still standing. "But it won''t save you Heshed out with his Skull Grinder again, the de moving with lightning speed. Jaren barely managed to block the attack, the force of the blow nearly knocking him off his feet. SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! Reign pressed the attack, his strikesing faster and faster. Jaren fought back with everything he had, but he was no match for the demon lord''s superior strength and skill. The sh between them intensified, each exchange of shes reverberating through the air and causing the ground to tremble beneath their feet. As the intensity of the fight reached its peak, blood erupted from Jarren''s veins and eyes, painting a bad future for him. The effects of the rune overload finally caught, his body struggling to contain the immense strain it was under. "ARRRRGH!" Jarren screamed in anger as he gathered all his remaining strength for onest strike. But this time, Reign didn''t attempt to parry the attack. Instead, he leaped into the air, raising his skull grinder high above his head before bringing it down with tremendous force. As Jarren met the blow with his katana in a desperate attempt to block, he felt as though an entire mountain was crashing down upon him. The sheer weight of Reign''s strike sent shockwaves rippling through his body, causing the ground beneath his feet to copse. With a deafening crash, Jarren tumbled downwards, hurtling towards the very same sewer system that Reign had narrowly avoided moments ago. "Too bad for you, I''m a very vengeful person," Reign chuckled sadistically as he watched the poor hunter drown in literal shit. Afitting end for someone who was dumb enough and dared to challenge him. Using his undead eye, he confirmed that the hunter had died already. Hended on the ground and looked over the gaping hole, "Arc," he summoned. "Get that filthy body and find some water to clean it off," hemanded . There were certain things even he preferred to avoid if given the choice. Chapter 219: Steep Cost [Level Up +1] After consuming thest hunter, Reign only managed to reach level 52, which was rather low considering the huge amount of corpses he had devoured. The four hunters were powerful in their own right, but devouring them only gave him a modest increase in his level. What was even funnier was that this speed was already considered quite fast. This wouldn''t have been possible if he just killed humans normally, so he had to put a lot of hard work and effort into orchestrating everything to fall into ce. He had to create a deadly pandemic, y an angel, and then take out four powerful hunters just to get this far. But the level requirement wasn''t the only thing stressing him out. ''And then here is this thing ?'' he sighed looking at his window. He gained one Evolution point; however, the requirements for his next evolution now demanded two. He would need to reach level 60 for his next evolution. ''I feel like the system is telling me go fuck myself and go kill more humans, '' He sighed. He was a genius, and it did not took one to figure out how the system operates. It rewards him for killing humans, so if the requirements were too easy, then the damage and death count would also be low. By increasing the requirements and costs for each evolution, he would bepelled to kill more as he leveled up, directly reducing the human poption. The entire design of the system point him in one direction: to keep killing and consuming. There wasn''t even a limit to how much he could grow, as long as he had enough organisms to kill and consume. Now, he knew he was in serious business, and had to join the big leagues to continue growing stronger. It was obvious that the inhabitants of this world wouldn''t stand idly by while he continued to destroy cities, slowly bringing forth human extinction. There would be consequences for all of this, and it wouldn''t be limited to just humans. ''The system is basically turning me into amon enemy of humans, demons, corrupted and angels," Reign chuckled as he realized he had positioned himself against all factions in his pursuit of power. ''Talk about a major promotion,'' he added with a wry smile, reflecting on how he had once been nothing more than a mereb rat. Now, he stood as a true demon lord, and not just any demon lord, but an exceptionally strong one thanks to the system assistance. It granted him power, albeit at the cost of bing a killing machine. ''Well, no use in crying over spilled milk,'' he thought, shaking off the unnecessary thoughts After epting his fate anding to terms with bing the most being in this world, he decided to casually check his status. Reign had acquired a lot ofbenefits and mutation organs, but due to his busy schedule, he hadn''t had a chance to inspect them all at once. First, he looked at what he had gained from the stupid angel who had been so naive as to think she could treat him like a ve. Just imagining her final moments, when she realized she had been yed, brought a smile to his face. It was a bit creepy, but a smile nheless. ''I wonder if she''s having a tantrum right now in heaven,'' he chuckled. The existence of heaven was concerning, but seeing two angels using vessels, he knew that it wasn''t a problem he had to be worried about right away. In fact, he felt that the existence of heaven was actually good news. If he ended up having no more humans to eat, he could just visit heaven and start killing angels as a substitute. They gave more experience, and with humans extinct, they wouldn''t be as powerful anymore. ''Let see,'' he refocused his attention to the window. As he scrolled down, he started calcting how much he gained from absorbing Ang. She was more powerful than the cult leader, so she had given him quite a lot. Just like before, he did not choose the option to be an Angel, nor the one where he needed a devotee for power up, because it heavily contradicted him. He just converted all that divine energy into points, earning 500 Skill Points and 500 Attribute Points in total. Now, he was finally able to bnce out all his negatives thanks to Ang. And that wasn''t the only thing he got from absorbing her. He also received another surprise: a particr skill that almost made him jump and do a dance after reading the description. ===== Soul Converter: This skill allows the host to absorb souls and convert them into divine energy. Due to the host''s nature, the energy is directly converted into Soul Points. These Soul Points can then be converted into Skill Points or Attribute Points. The conversion ratio is 500:1, meaning for every 500 souls absorbed, you gain 1 Soul Point. ===== The conversion rate might be steep, but it wouldn''t matter for him in the long run. He nned to kill millions, so it would just be an added benefit. Plus, now that he could directly absorb souls, he no longer needed the chalice and could sacrifice it for additional benefits. He had always wanted to dispose of the chalice. Its divine energy made it easy to track, a beacon for anyone looking for him. Fortunately, he had found a way to temporarily hide its aura using death energy, but maintaining that cover was a hassle, and energy consuming. ''I can finally get rid of this,'' he muttered as he held the chalice and started absorbing it after seeing the notification for sacrifice. [Ding] [System: Gain 1500 Attribute Points and 1500 Skill Points ] ''Sweet,'' He had to admit, all the hard work and risks were finally paying off in a big way. A sense of satisfaction and excitement filled him for the first time in a long while, but he didn''t allow it to linger for too long. After all, there were still many things to focus on. His thoughts shifted back to his status window. ============ [Points] Attribute Points: 1900 Skill Points : 1510 Dark Dust: - 2,500,000 Evolution Points : 1 ============ The number of attribute points he had was now enough to upgrade his Energy, his most useful attribute. Energy was the foundation of his powers, fueling his abilities and giving him the edge he needed in every battle, so it was only normal that he prioritized it first. Energy (SS)> (SS+) =750 Attribute Points. The amount of points was big, but considering that upgrading higher rank attributes required more points but provided better effects, he thought it was a fair price. "Power alwayses with a price," he muttered to himself. "But this... this is worth it.". He poured 500 of his Attribute Points into Energy, feeling a surge of power coursing through him as his body adapted to the influx. Though no additional core was added, he sensed that all the existing cores were being strengthened, allowing them to contain more pure and concentrated types of energies. ''I still have more to spare,'' he thought, clicking the plus signagain. Energy (SS+)> (SSS-) =2000 Attribute Points. ''Damn it,'' Reign couldn''t help but force a chuckle after seeing the requirements for SSS Rank. It was quite the leap, as expected of his system, it wouldn''t just hand him power without robbing him of his points first. Chapter 220: Normal Ways ''I need to get a new seed.'' he thought to himself, Having a seed meant a second life, which would make him feel more secure. Though strong enough for a demon lord, there were far too many monsters and powerhouses in this world. He had barely scratched the surface and had not yet seen how powerful high-tier cities were or what secret weapons they had stored. There was no way those four hunters were all they had. If that were the case, the Corrupteds would have long since wiped out all the humans in this world. And then there was that Alliance of Demons that has a treaty with humans. He was pretty sure they would not stand idle either after the human governments started pressuring them to do something about him. . This was a political disaster for the demon side. Even if he was not part of the alliance, they would pressure the demons with authorities to kill him to maintain the bnce. It was a case of "your race, your problem," and knowing how cunning humans were, they would immediately use his existence as a bargaining chip against the demons. Plus, demons would also not like him to continue killing human cities because, from his information, demons and humans work together to maintain bnce. If humans went extinct, then the whole demon poption would also vanish after having no source of food. ''Yeah, I need to prepare more,'' he muttered to himself, making a mental note to never becent, especially now that his actions had be bolder and more daring. Back in the present, he focused his attention on the Mutation Organs he got from the hunters, specifically the crystallized Rune Hearts. Unlike Jayden/Arc, who forcibly activated the rune power to boost his abilities recklessly, the four hunters had already integrated the rune power into their bodies. This allowed Reign to absorb their Rune Hearts without too much bacsh. Coupled with his already high endurance, he only felt an itch after absorbing it. Now, there was another tab on his window showing all the runes he hadintegrated with his body. Having these runes inside him, he felt that his control over the elements had improved by arge margin. These enhancements were more than just an increase in power. They created a deeper connection to the natural world, blending his essence with the raw forces of the elements. The best part was that they integrated into his core without interfering with the flow of energy. They were just there to help him control the different elemental energies, making it much easier to avoid shes and ipatibility between them. Aside from that, his mutation organ had also been improved. Those redundant ones were absorbed by their more powerful versions. For example , the Smander Organs had been absorbed by the Fire Drake. He also gained two organs from the three hunters who were using the Storm Falcon Breathing Technique. One of them was an Eye Organ, which was directly absorbed by his Raven Eyes, and another was rted to bone, which was absorbed by his Bone Enhancement. The only new stand alone he got was the Storm Falcon Talon, which allowed him to generate more wind by incorporating the talon into his wings. Finally, there was the hunter with the Ape Technique. All his skills were physical-rted, so they too were absorbed by his Bone Enhancement. Next he started allocating his skill points. ''Sweet,'' Reign chuckled after seeing that the allowable upgrade for his skills using skill points went up from 20 to 30. He quickly upgraded all his skills, spending 101 skill points in total. "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 52 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Sovereign(Legendary) Strength :S Agility. :S Stamina S Endurance : S Intelligence: S Energy: SS+ (Legendary) Bite 30 Undead Eye 30 Night Crawl: 30 wer: 30 Viral Control: 30 w Bullet: 30 w Barrage: 30 Hyper Rail Gun Buster Mode Skull Grinder Carnage -Click for More- Death Aura: 40 Enhance Bones: 50 Bone Control: 40 Bone Eater: 40 Bone Summoning: 40 Seed : N/A Convergence : 30 Death Cry : 30 Death''s Embrace: 30 Domain (Legendary) -Vision- Mantis Eyes [35%] ck Raven Eyes [15%] -Attack- Scorpion Pores [30%] Fire Drake w [40%] Storm Falcon Talon [40%] -Enhance- Serpent Vertebrate [25%] Fire Drake Scale [30%] Fire DrakeLungs [50%] Drug Immunity Drug Resistance Drug Enhancer Lightning Rune Wind Rune Fire Rune Strength Rune [Points] Attribute Points: 1150 Skill Points : 1409 Dark Dust: - 2,500,000 Evolution Points : 1 ============ ''Sweet,'' Reign muttered, pleased to see the increase in his Bone Enhancement, which had risen from 40 to 50. After checking all his stats, Reign took a moment to assess his current situation. It was obvious that he was now far stronger and could do things he normally would not be able to do. So what should be his next moved? Destroy another city right away? As Reign pondered, his gaze was caught by the -2,500,000 Dark Dust. An idea sparked in his mind. He was in need of the seed that could be bought using Dark Dust, and at the same time, he could also take this time to go under the radar. This way, he could avoid being tracked down and wait for the humans and other factions to lower their guards again after a certain period. And what better ce to hide than inside the dark mist, where signals and any kind of tracking werepletely blocked off. ''I''ll go with that n then,'' he nodded. He didn''t see anything wrong with it. ''But before that, I need to wrap this up first,'' he grinned and flew up high, scanning the area for the location of the Evacuation Center. When he pinpointed it, he flew towards it and descended rapidly . As he reached the surface, he clenched his fist tightly and punched the ground with immense force. BOOOOOOM! The impact created a massive explosion, sending shock-waves rippling through the air and opening up a path for him with a deafening roar. This city was already dead, so there was no need for him to hold back. As expected, the people inside the ce were barely living, and Reign''s punch extinguished thest chance of life from them. Without batting an eye, he began absorbing everything using hundreds of tendrils, snaking through the copsed underground structure. Each tendril pierce the bodies as it extracted everyst bit of vitality , leaving nothing but their clothing. Reign moved methodically, his unreadable and detached as he continued feasting without a care in the world It was a brutal action for the majority, but was just the norm for him. After sweeping everything dry, he took to the sky again and looked in the direction of the military bases. Aiku had provided him with a detailed map of the entire city, highlighting the locations of the military bases and industrial areas outside the metal walls.These ces housed thousands of people. With a goal in mind, he set his sights on the military bases and industrial zones, determined to leave no stone unturned in his search for more humans to devour . Chapter 221: Special Seal "Governor, we''ve already ced the entire Crestwood city in lockdown and also the nearby cities," a woman in ck zers spoke. She had brown hair, eye sses, and a sharp-angled face that made her appear older than her age. "I see," Regional Governor David Bet, seated behind a long mahogany wooden desk, had a stern expression etched on his face as he sat tall in his leather executive chair, dressed in a crisply pressed navy suit. Deep lines creased his forehead, evidence ofhow serious the situation was. Two days ago, Crestwood was reported to have beenpletely wiped out by a deadly virus. Fortunately, the other Tier 4 cities were alerted in time, using a data train, and were able to stop city-to-city transportation. "How about the result from the C.H.O?" he asked. The CHO ( Center for Health Operations ) was the highest authority in terms of the general health of the human race. They were an organization that operated in Tier 1 cities and had ess to the most advanced medicinal and technological equipment. If there was an organization that could handle a deadly virus outbreak quickly and effectively, then they would be the best suited for it. "They went to the city and obtained a sample," stated the assistant. "ording to the data sent to use, it would take more than a week for them to create an antivirus, and we could take back the city after administering the antivirus in the air." "Good," Governor Bet sighed in relief. Crestwood City was part of his region, and Green Valley was the central hub. So, when the chain ofmand was not avable for a Tier 4 city, he automatically had the highest authority over it. "But what the hell is happening in our region? First Summit City, and now Crestwood? Is there any other information that we''ve received?" he asked. "Yes," the assistant replied, but before she could continue, the telephone on the governor''s desk rang. It was a different type of phone reserved for VIP, so he knew that it was important. He picked up the call, and a familiar voice echoed on the other side. It was his longtime friend, Dan Zaldyck, the director of the Hunter Association. "Leave me first," David gestured to his assistant, signaling for her to exit the office to have some privacy. The female assistant nodded and took her leave, closing the door and locking it to ensure that no one would disturb him. When David saw that everything was in ce, he resumed speaking through the telephone. "So, old friend, what made you call me?" he asked. ( David, I need you to give us ess to the city. I received an emergency notice from the Data Train that the hunters in Crestwood had evacuated into one of the training facilities in the mountain after realizing what was happening, ) Dan Zaldyck exined urgently. ''ess?'' David muttered, contemting the situation. He was aware that hunters were generally stronger than humans, so it wouldn''t be a shock if their antibodies had managed to eliminate the virus. "I''m sorry, but the whole city is now in lockdown, and only the C.H.O. could ess it," David replied regretfully. "But don''t worry, I''ve received news from them that they would be able to create an antivirus after a week , and we could safely rescue the hunters then." It was the best solution he could think of under the circumstances. There was a momentary paused on the other line. ( I don''t want to tell you this because it''s top secret, but¡­ ) Zaldyck''s voice trailed off, and even though David couldn''t see his face, he could tell that the director of Hunter Association was hesitating. "What is it?" he asked. ( This is actually a scouting mission, ) Zaldyck continued, his voice low and cautious. ( I got a heads up from Skyline Bay that they sent a team of "Tier 2" double digits hunters, and we haven''t received any news yet about them. ) "Tier 2 Double Digits!" he eximed, standing up in shock. "Why did the Hunter Association send such powerhouses to Crestwood?" ( You didn''t know? ) Zaldyck responded with a hint of surprise. ( Governor Demi sent us an emergency message detailing that a Demon Lord nned to attack the city. That''s why, as protocol, I sent the report to Skyline Bay, and they sent 4 high-level hunters via the emergency route. ) "Of course not! And why did you not inform me about this before ?" David asked, his tone irritated. ( The report had Governor Demi''s special seal of authority so I just took it at face value. You know how that thing works, right? ) Zaldyck exined. The special seal of authority was given to every governor, and they could only use it once, but only in a state of emergency that threatened to destroy a city. This seal directly bypassed all unnecessary requirements and approvals. It was also the reason why Zaldyck was able to forward the report directly to a Tier 2 City. Because of how important the Seal of Authority was, he had the impression that Governor Demi had done her due diligence to ensure that the content of the report was real and had enough supporting evidence. The use of the Seal in a false rm carried heavy punishment and imprisonment, so only an insane person would use it for no valid reason. Furthermore, it required the approval of other government politicians , so she must have had pretty strong evidence to convince everyone. "Regardless, you should have informed me!" he shouted in anger. He was theRegional Governor, and he felt insulted that he had been bypassed. All the stress of having to handle the bacsh that had been happening in his region had pent up so he ended up venting. ( Alright, I admit my mistake, but that''s in the past now, ) he replied, his tone colder this time. ( Considering how deadly the virus was, I doubt that ipetent governor is still alive. So, how about you just give my team ess to the city so I can send my hunters on a reconnaissance mission? ) David sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyebrows. The Hunter Association was on par of the government during emergencies, so he had to be careful with his words. He needed to make sure that this did not escte further. "I can give you ess, but this will be a one-way ticket," he added, his tone serious. "Your hunters will have to iste in Crestwood and wait for the antivirus there. They''ll also need to undergo quarantine before they can get back in Green Valley even after taking in the Anti-Virus." ( That won''t be a problem. I''ve already assigned a team and geared them up to ensure that they don''t even get infected, )Zaldyck reassured, his voice less overbearing this time . "Alright, I''ll send you the rmendation letterter. I just have to call the branch director of C.H.O first ," he replied. ( Thank you, and if you can, please don''t tell them about the Tier 2 hunters. You know how C.H.O. is part of that group, right? ) "Don''t worry about it. I don''t want to be in the middle of the power struggle of those two either," All this politics and internal struggles was tooplicated for him. Chapter 222: Dark Sky Above, the sky was shrouded in dark miasma, so dense and thick that no normal being could withstand it for even a few seconds. No ordinary being could endure this unnatural phenomenon for long. The swirling dark miasma moved unnaturally, twisting and coiling in ways that blocked out the daylight. Its heavy presence pressed down on thend below, making every breath feel like inhaling thick smoke. Its existence seeped into every corner, suffocating the air. The miasma turned thendscape below into a deste and ominous ce, where only the toughest and most prepared dared to venture. However¡ª From this dark ce, glowing yellow eyes pierced the miasma, their eerie light cutting through the darkness. Slowly, as the mist parted because of the wind, a giant lizard-like creature emerged, its body covered in dark, hard scales. But unlike any ordinary lizard, this beast had enormous wings, each p generating enough force to move its massive, heavy body with ease. The creature was not bothered by the miasma at all, undeterred by its thick, oppressive presence. "Is it just me, or is the miasma here getting thicker?" amanding female voice echoed from the creatures head, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings as she tightened her grip on the reins. Standing atop the creature''s head was a dark-skinned woman with long dreadlocks trailing down her back. Her piercing yellow eyes glowed faintly, creating a striking contrast against her darkplexion. She stood taller than average, around six feet, and dressed openly, exposing her belly button and well-defined abs. Abs weren''t the only thing defined; she was also blessed with a well-endowed chest that threatened to burst out of the leather top that barely held on. Her chest was at least a DD cup, inching toward an E,plementing herrge and flexible ass. She wore just a leather short, allowing everyone to see her soft, chocte-colored legs, which, for some reason, glinted like polished marble. Her name was Avet . Beside her, fourpanions shared some of her features with some different variation¡ªeach with dark locks and yellow eyes. Their clothing material mirrored the woman''s attire, designed to withstand the rigors of their environment while maintainingfortability . However, unlike her, they wore long coats lined with fur from beasts unknown. They were enveloped by a transparent barrier shimmering faintly with energy, shielding them from the thickening miasma that engulfed the air around them. "Yeah, this is really weird, especially for an area mostly popted by Tier 4 cities," remarked one of the woman''spanions¡ªa short girl with sses. She was theplete opposite of Avet ; she wore a full ck leather outfit that was so t there wasn''t even a bulge on her chest. Despite this, she looked beautiful in her own way, especially with her smart and calm demeanor entuated by her sses. Avet raised her eyebrows. "Well, I don''t really care much about this miasma. I''m just pissed that I have to be the one sent here," she scoffed. Having recently ascended to the rank of Middle Demon Lord, she was awaiting the allocation of her own territory when she received a job from the Abyssal Alliance. It concerned a rogue Demon Lord who had just wasted an entire human city. After the peace treaty between humans and demons, incidents where an actual Demon Lord destroyed an entire city had be rare because everyone was aware of the potential bacsh. More often, demon lords would attack cities without killing a lot of human; sometimes they would simply wreak havoc and then leaved. "We need to check on it because of the treaty," the short girl replied. "It''s just a Demon Lord from an unknown background, Zet. How strong can it really be? And why are we even bothering to fix this mess for the humans?" she sneered in contempt, her eyes focused on Zet, the short haired girl. "Don''t tell me humans can''t handle a mere Savage? How useless can they be?" Avet added her voice still filled with irritation. A ''savage'' wasn''t a term she used just to describe a demon''s nature; it was simply how demons referred to a Demon without lineage or bloodline. Most Demon Lords today came from specific bloodlines, divided into four groups: Royal, Noble , Aristocratand Commoner Demons. Having these bloodlines could either grant great potential to break through to Demon Lord status or not, depending on how it was. Most Commoners did not even reach Upper Rank Status because they did not have the potential to do so from the start. What about Savages? These demons were newly born from the negativity of this world, rarely even surpassing High Rank. However, asionally, there were Savages born with some potential. But even so, they could only reach the status of Demon Lord at best, generally being much weaker and less intelligent. In the past few hundreds of years, no Savage Demon has broken through to be a Demon King. That''s why she wasn''t convinced she needed to be here in the first ce. "But aren''t you curious? It''s a Savage Demon, so it must have some unique powers and origin," Zet replied. "Why should I care? I bet it''s a useless ability anyway," Avet shook her head. Coming from a noble lineage of demons, her ego was quite high, especially since she had been spoiled since birth. "Avet, I don''t think it''s right for you to say that. It might be a savage demon, but it''s still a Demon Lord," Zet raised her finger to reprimand her little sister. Despite appearing shorter and younger, she was actually the eldest between the two. "And why should I respect it ? That savaged demon destroy a human city because it was stupid and all it knew was to destroy things ," Avet argued. Zet sighed, "But you do realize that at one point, all demons started as Savages, right?" she pointed out. "Oh please, don''tpare our ancestors to them. We have already evolved far beyond that, and our ancestors earned their positions," Avet scoffed. What she was referring to was how this hierarchy was established. During ancient times, surviving demons started their own families, and those who were powerful enough gained recognition and acquired atitle. For example, her great-great -great -great grandfather reached the peak of Demon King status before her family gained the noble rank. Zet sighed, seeing that her little sister was too proud to be reasoned with. ''I have to calm her down, or she just might kill that poor Demon Lord out of spite,''she thought to herself. She came here because she was interested in seeing a new species of demons for herself, and it would be difficult to experiment on a dead corpse. She was not interested in killing if it could be avoided. She was one of the few Demon Lords who preferred gaining knowledge over violence, a total opposite of her sister Avet, who was a born impulsive and aggressivefrom birth. Nevertheless, that didn''t mean Zet was weaker. In fact, she was already a Peak Demon Lord and could very well crush her little sister if she wanted to. But the most dangerous part about her was her calm demeanor, a rare trait among demons. Chapter 223: Thick Air [Ding!] [Level + 1] A notification sounded in Reign''s ears as he devoured the final corpse at thest military base he visited. He had already swept through all the other bases, marking the end of his hunt. The virus had taken over, so he didn''t have to do much. When he reached the base, he didn''t have to worry about much resistance because everyone was busy coughing blood and bedridden, unable to muster a fight. There were some hunters who could still move due to their high immune system, but against a demon lord , they easily died without putting up much of a fight. ''I''m level 55 now,'' he thought to himself. ''I could still fly around and search small towns for humans, but their numbers won''t be much,'' he pondered. He was already in the big leagues, so adding a few hundred humans wouldn''t matter much. Besides, this ce was quiterge, and even if he could fly, it would take time. There was also the risk of other factionsing to investigate, so the longer he stayed, the more dangerous it would be. ''Alright, time to get out of this ce,''he decided, walking towards the exit of the hangar. Abandoned helicopters filled the airstrips, their metal frames glinting in the sunlight. Countless pieces of camouge and military clothing were spread across the area, gently moving in the breeze. Equipments were also scattered on the ground, all appeared new and well-maintained. It was evident that just a few days ago, the people here had been diligently cleaning their guns. And now, because of one single individual, they had all died just like that. It wasn''t the kind of death that offered a quick end either; rather, it was slow and agonizing, with them struggling to survive the deterioration of their lungs before ultimately dying. ''I bet they could reuse all this equipment and uniforms with some washing,'' Reign thought to himself. He observed that while this type of killing was clean, it left plenty of salvageable items. He briefly entertained the idea of destroying the base but concluded that none of the military equipment posed a threat to him, so why bother? "Master," echoed a woman''s voice¡ªit was Aiku. However, her appearance was different now; she had orange hair tied in a ponytail, brown eyes, and wore a kimono-like garment with a short skirt for ease of movement. A katana hung from her waist, and she looked moreposed . She had already vacated Demi''s body and now had taken possession of a Hunter as per Reign''s order. He walked closer to Aiku and inspected her new body. Reign had chosen it for a reason, believing that Aiku''s ability to possess bodies would be useful in the future. He also appreciated her submissive nature, which suited him well as he was ustomed to giving orders without unnecessary questions. All in all, he felt that Aiku was a good asset, and it would be a waste of her talent and ability if he did not maximize her usefulness. "How''s the new body?" He asked. Aiku flinched a little, a muscle reaction triggered by the tension she felt when her Master scrutinized her from head to toe. Being observed by a literal Demon Lord who looked like the incarnation of evil itself was not a good experience at all. Aiku quickly answered, her pace fast so as not to waste her master''s time. "It''s perfect. The breathing technique of this body is not harmful to me. Thank you, Master, for giving me this body. I will use this body to serve you..." She paused, realizing she had made a blunder. As a ghost, she was still a woman and knew her words might be interpreted with a double meaning. "Good," Reign nodded casually. There was not even a hint of surprise in his voice, as he had never considered that "serving with her body" could imply sexual pleasure. Right now, the only pleasure he felt came from devouring humans, bing stronger, and essentially tormenting and humiliating anyone who dared to underestimate or challenge him. There was a time when he felt some form of attraction in Summit City after meeting Cyril, but after not seeing her for a while, hepletely forgot those weird feeling he felt whenever she was around. In the end, he was never given the chance to developed or nurtured those feelings to the point where he realized he actually liked her. "I want you to keep pretending to be a hunter. We''ll meet in Green Valley City . So, make sure to integrate yourself well, build connections, and gather information for me. And try not to change bodies unless necessary so I can identify you more easily," He instructed, because he needed to give her some orders before he left the area and going off the radar for a few days or weeks. "Yes, Master," Aiku nodded, she nned to carry out his orders no matter what. Knowing Reign hadpletely destroyed a city, killed powerful hunters, and even an angel close to reaching Demon King Level reinforced hermitment to him; there was no way she would betray someone as powerful and psychoticas her master. She understood that her master was determined to eliminate humans, leaving her no option but to stay loyal, as fleeing would only dy the inevitable. Hiding from city to city would be useless if her master ended up destroying everything. So instead of fleeing from a moving cmity, it was better to hide behind it. They continued talking, with Reign giving her instructions so detailed that Aiku felt inadequate in terms of IQ and braincells inparison. His precision and insight made her aware of her own shorings. He not only advised her on how to stay hidden and safe but also offered suggestions on how to enhance her abilities. Just by listening to him, she had gained a lot of useful ideas and information that would allow her to utilize her new body more effectively. "Did you get all of that?" Reign asked. "Yes, Master, thank you for enlightening me," she bowed her head, impressed by her master''s resourcefulness and intelligence. "Don''t disappoint me," Reign warned onest time. With that, he pped his demon wings and flew upwards. This base was near the edge of the barrier, so it didn''t take him long to break through it. What greeted him was immediate darkness, a huge contrast to the warm atmosphere inside the barrier. With how thick the miasma was, it would be impossible for any kind of airne to stay in the air because the propellers would get wrecked. "Tsk" Reign clicked his tongue, forced to fly lower. He could have covered himself with Negative Energy to fight off the miasma, but he felt it was too much of a hassle. Plus, he also preferred flying lower; this way, he could even pinpoint if there was a horde of corrupteds worth killing. Others might fear them, but they werejust amodity for him. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to encounter a horde with over a million corrupteds to make his life much easier. ''Time to search for a huge nest!,'' Chapter 224: Solitude "Where the hell are those nests?" Reign grumbled aloud. He had been traveling for hours, sweeping the area back and forth, but he hadn''t spotted a single corrupted. It made him wonder if humans were exaggerating about the countless numbers of corrupteds they imed existed outside the barriers . Frustrated, he decided tond and double-check his route. He had been following the train tracks to avoid getting lost, always calcting his direction and distance flown so he could backtrack if needed. As he sat on the lifeless sand, hey down and began to contemte. Not being able to grind points and level up meant he had no goal to pursue, which left him feeling somewhat empty. "I know it. I have the most fun when I''m thinking about how to kill more humans," he thought. It was a dangerous and evil idea, but it was his honest feelings. What he had experienced before, all that nning and strategizing, might have seemed like roundabout steps to maximize his chances and ensure he wouldn''t get caught. But currently, to him, it was a load of fun, like ying a high-stakes game. Now, he had to stay under the radar for a bit, and he quickly found himself missing those exhrating challenges. ''No, I think it''s because it''s the only thing I ever think of,'' he muttered, sitting down. He could sense he was onto something. ''I also feel more alive when I killed that angel and those hunters,'' he pondered. These thoughts stemmed from after he had be a demon lord, enjoyingthe thrill of overwhelming his opponents. Previously, his focus had always been on bing stronger solely to survive. And this psychological question wasn''t isted to him alone. Even normal humans, once they reached a certain status in life, began to entertain such thoughts. Their dopamine levels no longer found satisfaction in normal means, and some would seek out more thrilling activities just to feed that craving. It could manifest in various ways: from engaging in dangerous sports to purchasing extravagant items beyond the norm. Some even indulged in forbidden activities, like pursuing other illicit thrills. ''I can''t believe I''m having an identity crisis at a time like this,'' he chuckled softly. The destion and silence around him had ironically heightened his sensitivity to such existential questions. As he began processing all of this, a memory surfaced in his mind: the faces of Cyril, George, and Melissa. It had been so long since he had seen them that they had almost be irrelevant to him. "I wonder how those two idiots are doing right now? Did they think that I died already?" he thought to himself. He couldn''t help but chuckle at the thought of the two, imagining their reactions if they knew he was still alive and kicking. "Yeah, I still have to meet those two idiots," Reign said, shaking his head with a smile. ''At the same time, I have to pay back those three vampires for humiliating me,'' his eyes glinted as he realized he still had plenty of unfinished business that would bring him satisfaction. Reign felt rejuvenated; at least now he had something to look forward to. He flexed his body and extended his wings, preparing to fly. However, before he could even move an inch, he heard a vibrating sound¡ªnot from his wings, but from a distance away. When he turned his head, he used his undead eye to see through the Dark Miasma. What he saw was arge chunk of dark vitality hurtling straight towards him. "HISSSSSSS!" The creature hissed, its sound causing the entire space to vibrate and parting away the miasma in waves. It revealed a long and huge creature resembling a snake, with dark scales and menacing red eyes. The same dark Miasma emanated from its form, swirling ominously around its massive body. "A corrupted!" he eximed, his voice filled with excitement, as if he had just spotted a new toy to y with. He could tell from its red, crazed eyes and the slimy texture oozing from its scales that the creature was indeed corrupted, twisted by dark energies beyond natural understanding. With excitement zing in his eyes ,he pped his wings and surged forward, meeting the corrupted creature head-on. The air crackled as he closed the distance between them, his undead eye scanning for weaknesses in the creature''s darkened form. The corrupted serpent, sensing his approach, coiled back and struck using its tail with lightning speed. Its massive body whipped through the air, leaving trails of corrosive miasma in its wake. Reign dodged and weaved in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the creature''s deadly strikes. Suddenly, the corrupted serpent''s tail whipped through the air with immense force, creating a shockwave that rattled the desert sands and sent tremors through the air. The impact was so powerful that it would have shattered buildings if they were nearby, demonstrating the creature''s strength. "That was close," Reign chuckled aloud. He knew that attack was no weaker than those of the hunters he had faced previously; the sheer weight and strength of the serpent made its strikes powerful. ''Wait, is it just me, or is this thing already wounded?'' Reign pondered as he hovered in the air. He noticed fresh damage on the serpent''s scales, as if something had bitten chunks off them. Despite its hard scales, the wounds were oozing slimy ck liquid, indicating recent damage that hadn''t fully healed yet. He wanted to observe the wounds more closely, suspecting they were bite marks from arger beast. But before he could do so, however, a hissing sound echoed, signaling the serpent''s continuation of its attack. It locked onto him with crazed gazed. In a wild motion, the serpent snapped its head, aiming to bite him mid-air. However, hewas quick to react. With a causal movement, he caught hold of the serpent''s fangs with both hands, preventing them from fully closing around him. His grip held firm against the serpent''s immense strength, and the creature''s fangs waspletely stopped. The serpent thrashed wildly, its powerful body writhing in an attempt to dislodge him. With each violent movement, heclung on tenaciously, his own strength tested against the snakes momentum. The serpent mmed its head against the ground, trying to shake him loose. BOOOOOOM! The impact reverberated through the earth, causing the sands to ripple and the air to tremble with each blow . BOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM! No matter how much effort it exerted, the serpent remained ineffective against him. He exerted little effort because the gap in their power was vast. If he had relied solely on his raw strength, the serpent might have already bitten him. However, his body was currently coated with negative energy, enhancing all his basic stats and making him impervious to its attempt. The serpent, frustrated and desperate, excreted ck, venomous liquid from its fangs in an attempt to melt Reign. However, hemerely scoffed at the feeble attempt. "Thanks for the wash," he chuckled, amused by the serpent''s futile effort. "I''ll give you free dental care as payment," Reign quipped, his voice filled with sarcasm as he twisted and pulled its two fangs to be true to his words. Chapter 225: Lessons Reign flew up, still holding the serpent''s fang in his hands. Below, the serpent red up at him with eyes burning with rage. The creature''s body coiled and uncoiled in frustration, its movements causing the surrounding sand to shift and ripple like waves. "HISSSSSS!" It hissed at him, its forked tongue flicking in and out as if trying to intimidate him. However, with its fangs now missing, it appeared almost cute to him. With a sudden burst of speed, it lunged forward, its massive head aiming to ram into him like a battering ram. "You want your fangs back?" he asked with a sly smile. As the serpent''s head drew nearer, he grasped the heavy, oversized fang more tightly, and effortlessly threw it. SWOOOOSH! The heavy projectile hurtled through the air, propelled by his raw power, and struck the serpent directly in its eyes. BURST! The corrupted serpent recoiled in agony, thrashing wildly as the fang embedded deep into its sockets, blinding itpletely. Dark, viscous liquid oozed from the wounds, mixing with the sands below. Reign watched from above, his demeanor calm andposed despite the chaos unfolding below. He knew the serpent''s blindness would only fueled its fury, and he was curious to see if it had any other tricks up its sleeve. "HISSSSSSS!" "HISSSSSSS!" "HISSSSSSS!" It continued tosh out with ferocious intensity, its massive body coiling and striking at the air in a desperate attempt to locate him. ''Is this all it''s got?'' he wondered aloud, his voice carrying a hint of disappointment. ''I wonder if the thing that bit it is more powerful?'' he mused silently, his eyes fixated on therge bite marks marring the serpent''s body If that creature was still present, it couldn''t have gone far judging by the freshness of the wounds. There was also the possibility that the serpent had defeated the other creature, but he held onto the hope that it was still alive, so he could farm it for more points. The potential rewards of killing it was too tempting for him. "Alright, time to end this," he dered, raising his hand which transformed into a rail gun. Without wasting any more time, he unleashed a barrage of shots at the serpent''s head. The rail gun''s powerful projectiles tore through the creature''s scales as if they were jelly. With each shot, dark, slimy blood sprayed into the air, the serpent''s thrashing growing weaker until it finallyy still, dead. Reign hovered for a moment, surveying the aftermath of the battle. The once intimidating creature nowy in a lifeless heap on the ground. He descended slowly, his wings moving steadily as hended beside the massive corpse. He ced his hand on the serpent''s body, feeling the dark energy coursing through it. As he began the process of absorbing its essence, the corrupted flesh started to disintegrate, turning into wisps of dust that flowed into him . The process took some time due to its immense size, but he remained patient, knowing the reward would be worth it. [Ding] [Dark Dust +157,525 ] It was far fewer than when he fought the Giant pile of corpses in Summit City, but considering that this creature was much smaller and weaker, the numbers made sense. Determined to get more Dark Points, he memorized his current location first, his eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of movement. Next, he pped his wings and flew forward, the miasma parting around him. SWOOOOOSH! With each powerful beat of his wings, he propelled himself closer and closer to his destination. *** *** *** Standing atop the head of a colossal creature, two women stood side by side. "That thing was overestimating itself, " Avet sneered in contempt as she remembered what happened just moments ago when they decided to fly down a bit and was ambushed by a giant snake-like corrupted. The creature had been weak, easily dispatched by their mount with a quick bite and toss aside using raw force. Still, its audacity irritated her deeply. If they hadn''t been busy, Avet would have pursued and finished it off herself just to quench her anger. She was the type of demon who would kill anyone, even if they just identally bumped into her. However, Zet had intervened, reminding her of their mission. "That creature is a Gran Serpiente Oscura," Zet spoke with a hint of fascination. She recalled the name from her reading a report of how humans categorized unique types of corrupted creatures. In her memories, the Gran Serpiente Oscura evolved from a normal serpent, growingrger and stronger by devouring other zombified corrupteds. This exined the scarcity of other corrupteds in the area¡ªthey had likely be sustenance for thatbeast. "I don''t care about its name, it''s weak and pathetic," Avet replied dismissively, her voice tinged with arrogance. "Oh, it''s only weak because we''re in a Tier 4 region. The ones in Tier 1 areas are muchrger and stronger," Avet exined, trying to engaged with a conversation with her little sister. "Did you know that the biggest Gran Serpiente Oscura ever recorded was at least 4000 meters in height, and it was so big that it took a coordinated effort of humans and demons to destroy it 30 years ago?" Zet added in enthusiastically, unable to contain her fascination with the creature''s lore. "You and your unnecessary trivia," Avet sighed, clearly annoyed by her big sister''s hobby of diving into geeky details. She rolled her eyes, anticipating that Zet mightunch into a lecture about other creatures like a literal historian. "It''s not unnecessary, Avet. Knowing about a variety of creatures and beasts means that when you encounter something you can''t overpower with raw strength alone, you can defeat it by exploiting its weaknesses," Zet exined, attempting to impart some wisdom to her younger sister. However, Avet just sighed heavily. "Why should I care about knowing my enemies? Only weak humans do that. We demons have been given superior bodies and power so we can dominate everything," she spat out, her voice dripping with disdain. "And if I ever face an enemy I can''t defeat, it just means I''m not strong enough. There''s nothing more to it, in and simple," she dered, her voice firm and unwavering. Zet shook her head, a mix of frustration and concern in her eyes. "That''s a dangerous way to think, Avet. Strength isn''t just about brute force. It''s about strategy, knowledge, and adaptability. You can''t rely solely on raw power." Avet crossed her arms defiantly. "Maybe you can''t. But I can. I''ll be the strongest, and I''ll do it my way." Zet sighed, realizing that arguing further would be futile. "Just remember, even the strongest can fall if they''re not careful. There''s always something or someone stronger out there." Avet rolled her eyes, dismissing her elder sister''s caution. "I''ll take my chances. Let''s keep moving. We have more important things to do than talk about hypothetical enemies." Zet sighed heavily, thinking, ''Once you fight a more powerful enemy that uses its head and intelligence , then you''ll understand how wrong you are.'' She kept her thoughts to herself, knowing that Avet would have to learn this hard lesson on her own. Chapter 226: Hunting Down Reign hovered down, his wings creating a gentle downdraft that scattered the sand below. As his feet touched the ground, he noticed a deep, long dent in it, as if something massive had hovered down, causing the sand to part like a ne passing by. The disturbed sand and the pattern of the drag marks indicated that arge flying object had passed here recently. "That thing is moving fast to make this big of a mark," he muttered. By measuring the width of the shifted sand, he tried to estimate its speed and size. Next, he flew in the direction where the marks ended, noticing the disturbed sand area was muchrger. This meant the creature had flown higher, needing more power to increase altitude. It was safe to assume it hadrge wings to carry its own weight. As all the variables came together, Reign''s first thought was of a winged lizard, or as it was known in his old world, a dragon. Thatrge serpent from before didn''t worry him much, as it could have evolved from a normal snake. However, the existence of a dragon was a different story. Dragons were powerful and proud creatures in the fictional books he read as a kid. In this world, it could very well be considered a type of demon ''Isn''t this getting dangerous?'' he thought to himself. It had been days since he had killed almost all the humans in Crestwood City, and now the hypothetical dragon in his mind seemed to be heading toward that very same city Chances were that some powerful individuals were already on their way to check the damage he had caused and hunt him down. If he get anymore closer, he risked exposing himself instead. "It''s not worth it," he sighed aloud, weighing his options. Charging head-on into an unknown enemies without any information would be reckless and potentially fatal. Despite his boredom and the thrill of killing powerful enemies for experience and points, he knew better than to rush into battle blindly. If he did, he would bemitting the same mistake as the arrogant Ang, who had died miserably at his hands. Beside it would also defeat the purposed why he was flying under the radar on the first ce. "Time to get out of this ce," he muttered. He decided to backtrack and focus on hunting corrupted nests instead. The allure of gathering dark points and enhancing his power with little to no risk was more appealing than an uncertain battle that could jeopardize his current advantage. *** *** *** <30 dayster.> A few weeks had passed since the incident in Crestwood. The C.H.O. had managed to neutralize the virus, and now the whole city was undergoing changes. People from overpopted cities were being enlisted and incentivized to repopte the city so that the industrial sector could function. Citizens were not typically inclined to move on their own. However, offering money and perks like five years of tax exemption tempted normal citizens along with those who were struggling to make ends meet. As for the information regarding what really happened to this ce, it was all hushed down by the government. And even if they knew what happened, it would be toote because they wouldn''t be able to leave the city on their own. "Humans are really interesting creatures, to think that they were able to bounce back this fast," Zet muttered to herself as she sat down on one of the building rooftop that managed to survive the previous battle . When their group arrived here, they checked the battlefield and looked for remnants of the said demon. They found a sample¡ªa ck, hardened bone. They had hoped to track their target down using an artifact that could locate a demon as long as they had a sample or part of its body. This object required a huge amount of power to use, and the user had to be more powerful than the demon being tracked for it to work. This was why she, a Peak Demon Lord, hade here . However, something interesting happened: when they used the artifact, it did not react at all. It wasn''t because she was weaker than the demon in question; rather, the artifact did not even register its existence, which irritated Avet. That artifact was one of their family heirlooms, renowned for its efficiency in tracking demons. But now, it had failed them. "Who are you, and how did you manage to hide from the artifact?" Zet muttered aloud. There was a smile on her lips because she found the existence of the savage demon interesting. This was also one of the reason why she insisted on staying behind. They had used a node to travel to this region faster than normal because it was an emergency, but the journey back to their region would take at least two weeks. So, she decided to stay here under the guise of a mission. If that interesting demon struck again, she could fly and confront it head-on. SWOOOOSH! SWOOOOSH! SWOOOOSH! Three figuresnded behind her, their katana des gleaming in the sunlight. Each bore the distinctive kimono attire of a hunter, their faces devoid of hostility as they recognized Zet, as a representative of the Abyssal Alliance. "Did you get any news from the other cities?" Zet asked casually. Her voice carried no arrogance, making the Hunters find her easy to work with. "There''s been no news yet, Demon Lord Zet," the team leader spoke. He possessed brown hair, dark eyes, a beard, and an overall bulky figure. Despite speaking to a demon, he addressed her with her title, knowing well that without her, hunting and killing a rogue Demon Lord who had gone insane would require sacrificing a lot of manpower. They couldn''t afford to lose any more hunters due to the increasing pressure from the corrupteds. "Then why did youe here?" Zet asked, she could tell from their faces that they wanted to say something important. "Demon Lord Zet, we received news that another Tier 4 city has been attacked by corrupteds. The higher-ups sent us to ask for your support. Of course, we are willing topensate you for the trouble," he exined. They had approached her because the higher-ups knew that she was one of the few and rare demon lord who was not aggressive or overbearing towards humans. Zet paused for a moment. With her power, she could indeed single-handedly aid a Tier 4 city. However, as a demon lord, she couldn''t act impulsively, especially in human territory. The Abyssal Alliance and humans coborated, but only for mutual benefit. She knew that despite humans losing cities, it wasn''t critical enough for the Alliance to take action. In terms of numbers, the existing human cities still provided enough resources for the demon region. And if worst came to worst, the demons could just use the humans it had in stock in their territoryto repopte, thereby addressing any food shortages. "I can''t do that. The peace treaty only requires the Alliance to assist humans against powerful demons and High Ranking Corrupteds . I am not obligated to do anything," she replied. "We understand," the team leader nodded, gesturing for the others to follow him. When the hunters left, she looked out on the horizon and contemted. "I should go to a different city," she mused. Chapter 227: Rocky Place "Fuck!" Reign cursed aloud as he was suddenly swallowed by a tornado made of ck miasma. He had been flying around, searching for another nest after destroying his 14th one in a row when he suddenly found himself stuck in its eye. As for how that happened, this dark miasma clearly defied natural order and physics. The miasma whirlwind wasn''t strong enough to harm him, but it threw him off course, messing up his sense of direction and thendscape around him. With visibility so poor in this ce, he waspletely lost after that whole fiasco. "Where is East, where is West?" He kept looking left and right, hoping his gut feeling would guide him, but it was futile. ''Can''t believe I got lost,'' he muttered, feeling frustrated. He had been meticulously memorizing his directions all along, using the train tracks as a reference point, but now all that effort was wasted. As hended on a patch of uneven ground, his feet sank slightly into the soft earth. Taking a deep paused, he tried to calm his racing thoughts. The surroundings were very unfamiliar, devoid of any recognizablendmarks because the tornado hadpletely reshuffled the sand. ''I need to find the train tracks,'' he muttered to himself. Minutes passed in silence as he contemted his options. Then, a n began to form in his mind. He would remember this spot as best as he could and pick a direction to travel. If after a considerable distance he didn''t encounter the railway tracks or any other familiar signs, he would backtrack to this starting point. With that in mind, he materialized a long pole made of bones and firmly nted it into the ground before taking flight again. This would serve as a marker to help him remember the location when he returned. SWOOOOOSH! With a strong p of his wings, he wasted no time and began flying to his right, or whatever direction it was. He continued flying, periodically materializing poles made of bones every 5 kilometers and throwing it on the ground . Each time he nted a new marker, he felt a sense of relief knowing that he was creating a trail. He continued flying further, and around the 50 km mark, he slowed down a bit because he saw something unexpected. Up until now, most of thendscape had been t and hilly, but in front of him was an actual tall mountain. Its presence was almost surreal amidst the otherwise deste and almost t terrain. He hovered in the air for a moment, taking in the sight. The mountain stood tall and imposing, its rocky surface was theplete opposite with the barren and sandyndscape around it. ''I''m pretty sure this is the wrong direction,'' Reign chuckled to himself. He wasn''t disappointed to admit his mistake; in fact, he sensed that something about this ce was different. And when something was different, it was bound to have both risk and reward. He took a closer look at the mountain and noted the features that made it stand out in his opinion. ''This mountain... it''s different from everything else I''ve seen out here,'' he thought, scanning the rocky slopes . ''The miasma is thinner, the ground isn''tpletely ruined, and there''s even some dry grass. It''s almost like this ce is fighting back against the corruption.'' He hovered a bit longer, the curiosity gnawing at him. ''Could this be a remain of a city that was here before? If that''s the case, there might be more to discover here.'' The thought excited him, the possibility of uncovering something valuable was too tempting. ''If this ce holds secrets, then it''s worth exploring. Risks and rewards go hand in hand, after all.'' With a determined nod, he made up his mind. ''Time to check this out up close.'' Reign descended cautiously, his wings folding as he approached a ledge on the mountain. Hended with a thud, his feet touching solid rocks. The air was noticeably clearer, almost breathable, a stark contrast to the oppressive miasma that dominated the surrounding . ''There''s definitely something unique about this ce,'' he muttered to himself, running his fingers over the ground. ''Let''s see what secrets you''re hiding. '' He walked slowly as he moved deeper into the mountain''s vicinity, taking in every detail with a sense of wonder and curiosity. He wasn''t in a hurry; instead, he relished the opportunity to explore this mysterious ce at his own pace. There was something about ces like this that stirred his inner child, igniting a sense of adventure that he thought he lost after all the traumatic experience he undergone. ''Hard floor really feels better,'' he thought to himself, a faint creepy smile appearing on his mouth. The ground was solid and stable, a wee change from the shifting sands he had walked on earlier. As he walked further, he saw some holes in the distance. Reign touch his chins as he examined the series of perfectly formed holes scattered throughout the mountain side. ''These holes are too urate to form naturally,'' he muttered, his curiosity piqued. Each hole seemed meticulously made, their smooth edges and uniform shape suggesting deliberate construction rather than random erosion. Intrigued, he approached one of therger holes and looked inside. What he had initially thought to be a simple cavity revealed itself to be a narrow tunnel, its walls carved from the solid rock of the mountain itself. The tunnel extended deeper into the heart of the mountain, disappearing into darkness. ''This hole is a bit small for me.'' he thought to himself, With a mentalmand, he called back his wings, and his body began to shrink in real-time. Bonespacted, and his frame reduced until he reached a manageable height of around 5"5 feet. Satisfied with his new size, he cautiously entered the narrow cavity. The tunnel, once cramped and restrictive, now felt more amodating as he navigated its twists and turns. The walls closed in around him, and he had to stoop slightly to avoid scraping against the rough rock. As he walked deeper into the tunnel, the air grew cooler, and faint echoes reverberated off the stone walls. Small cracks and crevices in the rock asionally offered glimpses of other passages and chambers beyond, hinting at howplex the mountain''s interior was. ''This must have been built for something, but what for? I doubt humans would bother making this many tunnels,'' he mused quietly to himself. "And where does these tunnels even lead to?" he wondered aloud, his words echoing against the wall. *** High above the sky, a winged figure soared at a fast pace, her body a blur against the backdrop of miasma. "A mountain ? " With aquick pivot of her wings, she slowed her momentum and hovered in midair, her gaze fixed on the imposing mass of rock and stone before her. The mountain stood tall and quiet, its peaks hidden in thin ck mist . "Wow, what is this ce? And I can also feel that there''s a barrier around it," Zet eximed aloud, her excitement evident as her geeky side took hold. She was a bit down earlier because while flying towards the next city, she encountered a Blight Tornado. It was mostly harmless given her power, but the real danger came from its trait to vanish and reappear in specific areas. Plus, this phenomenon was almost non-existent in Tier 4 Regions, so that really took her by surprise. ''I wonder what this ce has to offer,'' a smile formed on her lips as she quickly flew down. Chapter 228: Gripped ''A dead end?'' Reign paused, his hand resting against the solid wall that blocked further passage at the end of the tunnel. ''Can''t believe I have to backtrack again,'' he sighed. The maze-like nature of this ce frustrated him, added by the fact that his undead eye ability was useless without any living creatures to detect. Hemitted this tunnel''s details to memory¡ªso he wonte back here again identally . Turning back, he retraced his steps through the maze of tunnels he had bypassed earlier. At thest junction, five tunnels stretched out before him He had already explored the other four, leaving only one path uncharted. ''If this one''s another dead end, I might just st this whole mountain to pieces,'' Reign muttered in frustration. He clicked his tongue, annoyed at the thought. He had considered using brute force before but held back, wary of disturbing any potential hidden treasures within this mountain . After Reign walked inside the passage, his anticipation turned to disappointment again. The tunnel narrowed until he reached another dead end, almost causing him to lose hisposure. ''Another dead end?'' he muttered, frustration evident in his voice. He clenched his fists, feeling negative energy begin to surge within him, but with effort, he managed to regain control. Then, something caught his attention. There was something on the ceiling. Curious, he reached up and touched it, then knocked on it. ''It''s hollow,'' he eximed, his orb eyes narrowing with intrigue. He tested the other walls, but only the spot on the ceiling rang hollow. This discovery suggested there was another passage concealed behind it. ''Let see what''s behind this,'' With a controlled force, he retracted his arm and then, with a slow punch, he struck the wall covering the ceiling. The impact was strong enough to shatter the brittle material without causing too much destruction. ''A path upward, huh?'' Reign mused inwardly as he observed the newly revealed passage. The hole was narrow, but he could sense its length extending upward. A faint, cool breeze hinted at an open space awaiting at its end. ''It''s too narrow to fly upward,'' he muttered, assessing the tight confines of the passage. With careful consideration, heprepared himself to climb through the cramped opening using his bare hands. He customized his hand into a makeshift climbing axe, quickly embedding its sharp edges into the walls of the narrow passage. This would allow him to climb faster. Gripping tightly, he began his ascent, digging his sharp hand into the wall and alternately alternating between his left and right hand. With each upward movement, he found secure footholds with his sharp feet, ensuring steady progress despite the tight space. However, as he reached higher, the passage grew so narrow that moving his hands became more difficult. He had to shrink his body even more to squeeze through the tight space. ''This hole is too damn tight . I need to squish myself,'' he thought, maneuvering through yet another section that seemed to close in around him. Finally, he decided to shrink down to three feet in one go, hoping to avoid the frequent adjustments. For the next twentyminutes, he crawled and wriggled his way forward. The air grew cooler, and the rough stone walls pressed in on him from all sides. The tunnel''s darkness was almost absolute, save for the faint glow of his own glowing eye lighting the way. Finally, just as he was beginning to wonder if the passage would ever end, he saw a glimmer of light ahead. Excited, he quickened his pace, scrambling forward until he emerged into arger cavern. "What is this ce?" he mused aloud, his voice echoing slightly in the spacious area. The sight that greeted him was very unique . The cavern was filled with white, ss-like crystals that shimmered green in the dim light, their surfaces reflecting a glowing green rock. Some of the crystals jutted out from the ground like jagged teeth, while others hung from the ceiling, creating a surreal and beautifulndscape. As he observed the green rock, a memory stirred in his mind. In his old world, there was a type of rock that glowed like this¡ªit was fluorite. Fluorite glows due to a phenomenon called fluorescence. When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light or certain wavelengths of visible light, fluorite absorbs this energy and then emits it as visible light. ''They look like diamonds from my old world,'' he mused, sitting down to get a better look at the shimmering crystals. He reached out and touched one, its surface cool and smooth beneath his fingers. Curious about its durability, he applied pressure, trying to crush it. The crystal shattered into pieces with little resistance. ''Yeah, what was I thinking? With my strength, any kind of gem would be crushed no matter what it was,'' he chuckled, finding his blunder amusing. ''But this ce is really peaceful. For some reason, I feel sleepy,'' he pondered. He leaned back, resting against arger rock. He wondered why he felt so at home in this ce, like he wouldn''t mind just sleeping here for a long time. ''Maybe it''s the green rock? Probably some therapeutic effect?'' he mused, feeling a strange sense offort and peace wash over him. The cavern''s serene atmosphere gave him a rare moment to take a break from the hell hole outside. The red orb in his eyes slowly dimmed, letting the faint hum of the cavern wash over him. ''I feel tired,'' he thought to himself, his vision blurring a little. For a moment, he felt a strange peace, as if a luby were gently ying in the background. "A luby?" Reign''s eyes snapped open, and the energy within his body began to run amok and forcibly fought back the drowsiness. The soothing feeling vanished, snapping him back to full alertness. He stood up, shaking off the remnants of the weird tranquility he felt. ''This ce isn''t as harmless as it looks,'' he thought. ''My mind was strong enough to even ignore that Angel''s song, and this ce actually was able to affect me for a bit,'' he muttered This led him to assume that the inexplicable sensation he felt surpassed even the enchanting power of an angel''s voice ''Alright, just in case,'' he muttered under his breath. He focused his mind and surrounded himself with a cloak of negative energy, an aura that he created to shield him from falling for the same tricks again. ''This is the best I can manage right now. I don''t have any way to protect my mind yet,''he sighed heavily. This slip-up made him realize again how vulnerable he was to mental attacks. He needed a powerful passive mental skill that could prevent this from happening again. When he was confident that his defensive measures were in ce, he cautiously resumed exploring the cavern. His primary goal now was to uncover the source of the mental attack he had experienced earlier. Reign moved through the cavern, his senses keenly attuned to any shifts in the environment or subtle disturbances in the air. As he explored deeper, he discovered one tunnel and the density of the unknown minerals increased the further he walked, casting green glow on the cavern walls. Chapter 229: Vibrations ''I feel like something is calling me,'' he mused to himself. Reign couldn''t quite exin it, but that was what he was feeling right now. He wanted to ask the system, but ever since he evolved into a demon lord, it had been unresponsive. Deciding to trust his instincts, he entered the tunnel . The walls of the passaged were lined with crystals, their gentle glow illuminating his path with a surreal green light. As he walked deeper into the tunnel, his senses were in full alert when he suddenly felt a subtle vibration in the ground beneath his feet. It started as a faint tremor, barely noticeable , but soon grew stronger, causing loose stones to rattle and tter. Instinctively, he knelt down, cing his hand against the cold surface. He shut of his eyes, focusing on the vibrations traveling through the ground. Was it an earthquake, or something else entirely? As the trembling grew more intense, Reign''s instincts screamed that this was no ordinary tremor. The ground beneath him convulsed with a violence that was unnatural, each wave of force stop for a bit then intensify . It felt more like an explosion reverberating through the ground than a natural phenomenon. Just as he began to wonder if the mountain would copse around him, the seismic activity abruptly ceased after onest powerful tremor. At that moment, he sensed something in the air¡ªa familiar presence . When his eyes shone again, his entire demeanor shifted. ''That''s negative energy, and it''s pretty powerful,''he concluded. Only demons could wield Negative Energy. Judging by how he sensed it despite the distance, he believed there might be even more Negative Energy present than he himself possessed. ''A demon lord in this ce?'' he mused. ''No, it could also be crystallized negative energy,'' he added, considering the alternatives. Natural Crystallized Energy had always given him huge benefits, and what he felt right now was at least 20 times stronger than what he absorbed in that rat-infested cave. He felt that this could also be an opportunity. If it turned out to be the real deal, the potential benefits would far outweigh the risks. ''Alright, I''ll just scout it first and decide after,'' he thought. As long as he was careful, he could minimize the risk of being exposed just in case what he felt was actually a demon. He decided to conceal his aura even further, ensuring it wouldn''t be detectable. Then, he continued to walk straight down the tunnel for 15 minutes until he reached an opening. As he approached, he cautiously peeked through the hole to see whaty on the other side. It opened up into a vast cavern, farrger than he had imagined¡ªit could easily have fit an entire football stadium, maybe even a littlerger. However, what caught his interest was not just the cavern''s size, but what was in the center¡ªa dark, crystallized orb oozing with Negative Energy. It was so concentrated that he could even taste the negative energy from a distance away. It was thergest natural crystallized energy he had ever seen in his life. Normally, he would have jumped for joy at such a find, but as he looked closer, he noticed a small woman absorbing it. Her hands were touching the crystal, her eyes closed as she tried her best to absorb it. However, her absorption rate was a far cry from Reign''s, who was assisted by the system. It was likeparing a heavy duty vacuum to a mere sponge. Above her, a massive hole indicated that she had burst through the ce using brute force. That was the reason for all the trembling. ''Hey, that''s cheating,'' Reign sighed. He had gone through all the trouble of memorizing, climbing, crawling, and now this demon woman had just made her own way in like a real boss. ''I''ll teach you a lesson to never cheat,'' he murmured, slowly transforming his hand into a railgun and nting it on the ground for stability, aiming directly at his target. He knew that she was as a peak demon lord, but even someone of her caliber would be in trouble if he struck her unexpectedly from behind. ''One, two, three,'' he counted silently, then pulled the trigger. A powerful hyper-velocity projectile pierced the air, followed by a loud humming sound that was magnified by the confined area. "Attacking from behind, what a shrewd demon," Zet murmured, opening her eyes. The projectile pierce her head directly, but instead of bursting it apart, it passed through her as if she were made of smoke. But that wasn''t the end of it; her body suddenly multiplied into hundreds copies of herself, each one radiating negative energy. It became impossible to quickly discern her real body among the illusions. ''Damn it,'' Seeing this, Reign immediately realized he made ablunder. With a thunderous sound, he jumped forward, propelling himself toward therge hole she created to escape. He knew he was weak against illusions and mental attacks, making this a bad matchup for him. However¡ª BOOOOM! The moment he reached the hole, he collided with it as if it were solid rock, his body mming against its surface from the impact. The hole had been an illusion all along. "Running away just like that? You''re pretty smart," Zet giggled, genuinely impressed . Most demon lords would have chosen to fight rather than retreat, but he had made the opposite choice. While it might appear cowardly to some, it was definitely the correct decision when facing an enemy skilled in illusion in a confined space like this. But the problem was, Zet was a trickster at heart. Her power revolved around deceiving others, so she had set up all these traps from the very beginning out of habit . When she was on unfamiliar ground, she always made ns for the worst-case scenarios. "Good thing, I''m smarter," she giggled with no malicious intent, finding it exciting that she had outsmarted her enemy. She did not hear any response from him, so she thought he was considering a way to escape this situation. SWOOOOSH! "So you''re just attacking, huh? That''s a little disappointing and unimaginative," Zet shook her head, seeing that her enemy had chosen to confront her directly. Arcs of lightning coalesced within his weapon, attempting to strike her illusions by creating an electric wave on the ground, but it was futile, because the illusion just kept oning back. She then decided to attack using concentrated rays of negative energy, but something interesting happened. She didn''t put much force into it, but her enemy was immediately destroyed by her attack . "Wait... Aren''t you supposed to be a demon lord?" she raised her eyebrows, taking a closer look. But before she could get a response, the bones started to turn into ck liquid and disappeared from her sight. "Don''t tell me..." Zet was speechless. She had actually been outyed and tricked by another demon. *** SWOOOOOSH! Reign wasted no time and retraced his steps, running away as soon as he realized he had been discovered. He wasn''t running because he was afraid of fighting her head-on; rather, he was just wary that she might not be alone. It was better to be safe than dead. ''Oh, he killed Arc already,'' he thought to himself, sensing that his puppet had returned inside him. But he did not mind at all. With so much distance created and him running at lightning speed, she wouldn''t be able to catch up to him that quickly. Besides, this ce was too narrow for her to fit in even if she wanted to. "Good thing, I''m smarter," Reign chuckled . Chapter 230: Battle of Tactics "Did I just get outsmarted?" Zet asked, a huge grin spreading across her face. She wasn''t insulted at all. Instead, she found the whole thing incredibly funny. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as sheughed heartily, truly enjoying the moment. She was a master at tricking people into believing they were fighting her, then surprising them with illusions. This time, though, someone had turned the tables on her. She had been outyed in her own specialty, bested at the very game she had mastered: tricking others. This was the first time anyone had managed to fool her. As she contemted everything, her eyes glinted and her heart started beating faster and faster. Hugging herself, her nails dug into her shoulders as she struggled to contain her emotions. ''But how did he do it? I''m pretty sure that thing wasn''t an illusion, so how did he make it move?'' She wondered, trying to figure out how Reign had managed to pull it off in the first ce. As her mind raced, multiple possible scenarios ran through her thoughts. But only a few ideas stick out. "A puppet?" she murmured. This wasn''t a new concept to her, as she knew about some demon races that could create puppets. For example, the ArachneRace could control humans and weaker demons using their web strings, and the Gorgon Race could animate stone puppets. ''But that puppet is too powerful; it was at least Peak Upper Demon level,'' she pondered. Puppets were normally weak and used for distraction, but this one was different. Its fighting ability was not to be scoffed at by lower ranking demons. "Could it be a clone?" she mused aloud. She remembered the Doppelganger Race, which could divide their bodies. However, the copies would progressively weaken with each division. Additionally, any damage sustained by the clones would transfer back to the original, further diminishing their effectiveness. ''At the same time, it was made of bones. What kind of demon am I dealing with?'' another question filled her mind. She recognized from the bone color, that it was the same demon that destroyed Crestwood City. Despite all these questions, instead of feeling annoyed, she was actually enjoying it. ''Oh wait, I forgot I need to catch him,'' she muttered, shaking her head. She had been too caught up in the moment. With a snap of her fingers, the real hole appeared above her. Her wings extended as she pped them, soaring outside for a better view. She now overlooked the entire mountain, a smile curling on her lips. Though she was normally level-headed, deep down, she was still a demon, known for their selfish desires. No matter how hard she tried to conceal it, she longed to feel smarter than everyone else. And now that she had found someone who had managed to trick her, it triggered the extremes of her emotions. "Let''s see how you can escape from me," she dered, her voice echoing. Then, she sped her hands together, gathering energy around them as a swirling purple aura enveloped her. "Domain!" she muttered under her breath. The mountain sprawled before her, was too big to fully envelop. But, she found a loophole within this constraint. She guided the purple mist from her domain, letting it flow outwards. This actions diluted the power of her domain but it increased its area of effect. Gradually, the mist thickened and swirled, wrapping the entire mountain in its embrace. Now, she would be able detect any movement within its grasp. ''Entertain me more , I want to see who''s smarter than us ,'' *** Inside the mountain, Reign stopped as he sensed a sudden surge of energy from outside. Everywhere he turned, he could feel it, and when he focused his gaze, he saw purple smoke closing in on him. ''Did she cover the whole mountain?'' he thought to himself. Unaware of her activities, it was difficult for him to discern what was really happening . ''This is why I hate fighting when I have no clue about their abilities,'' he sighed, feeling frustrated. His preferred approach tobat strong opponents was to observe first and meticulously prepare for a guaranteed victory. This strategy remained consistent, even when he fought Ang, the hunters,¡ªhe watched, calcted, and acted only when certain of sess. However¡ª This situation was different. There were too many unanswered questions. How strong was she? What were her abilities? Was she skilled in closebat or long-distance attacks? How many allies did she have with her? ''If only I had a seed with me, I could act more boldly,''he thought. ''No use in dwelling on spilled milk,'' he sighed, quickly shaking off the frustration. He began contemting a way out of the situation He weighed his options carefully, and considered the best approach. ''I can''t just wait here,'' he thought urgently. Then, an idea shed into his mind. ''This could really work,'' a creepy smile spread across his face as he began to make adjustments to his n to increased his chances. SWOOOOOSH! He sprinted back into the cavern where the Natural Crystallized Negative energy was located. With the system, he could absorb its energy quickly to gain a huge power boost. When he reached it, the purple mist was already closing in on the tunnels, but he paid it no mind. He charged straight ahead. *** Above the mountain, Zet''s eyes snapped open as she sensed a disturbance. "What is happening? Five demons?" Zet squinted her eyes, unable to discern the exact strength of each demon, but she could sense their presences. She considered flying down to meet her target head-on at the hole, but she stopped as she realized that they were closing on her position. SWOOOOOSH! SWOOOOOSH! SWOOOOOSH! the ground, their skeletalbodies cloaked in kimono-like garments that swirled around them. Each wielded a katana, ranging in size from elegant and slender to imposing and broad. ''What are these things?'' she mused inwardly as she observed the five. They were all made of bones, just like thest one, with dark-red energy filling their hollow parts. However, each one of them had a different aura, giving off unique feelings, as if she was not facing demons at all. Looking closer, she saw two demons with identical auras¡ªdark-red energy crackling around them, with wind snapping from time to time. The next one had a bigger and bulkier body, which made it more imposing. It wielded a massive katana, its presence moremanding than the others. What set it apart was how it casually rested the big katana on its shoulder, exuding a confident and intimidating aura. Right beside it stood another one of normal human height. Its aura was a dark-red inferno, with dark-red mes dancing menacingly around its body, casting eerie shadows on the ground. Finally, there was the one she had just destroyed, covered in dark-red energy with asional arcs of lightning coursing through its body. "Each of them use a different element mixed with negative energy," she mumbled, "Wind, fire, and lightning." ''And why do they look like hunters?'' she wondered, squinting her eyes to geta better view. The feeling she got from them was the same, especially because of theshape of their weapons, and how they carried themselves. Chapter 231: Battle of Wits "Do you really n to fight me with just this?" Zet asked, realizing theirck of threat implied that none of them was the real one. Her eyes narrowed as she observed the puppets closely. She waited for any response but was met with silence instead. So she took a step forward, her wings twitching slightly . "Alright, I''ll force you to show yourself, then," she dered. Raising her hands, negative energy began to converge, mixing with the power of illusion to create a dark-purple aura around her palm. CLICK! The sound of des being unsheathed echoed . After receiving theirmands, the puppetsunched into a full-scale attack. The two puppets wielding wind elements unleashed their technique first. With quick movements, their des sliced through the air, instantly gathering wind around them.. As the tornadoes converged, they merged into a colossal vortex. Its dark-red hue intensified, crackling with energy far more powerful than ordinary wind. The massive tornado roared forward with ferocity, aiming directly at her, threatening to engulf her with its destructive force. "Impressive. This might affect a weak Demon Lord, but you''ll have to do better and be more creative than that," she giggled. Her words carried no arrogance; she was simply stating facts. True to her words, she merely raised her hand and met the tornado head-on. It roared, attempting to engulf her, but with minimal effort, she stopped its advance until it ultimately dissipated. She made it look easy, not because she was stronger than Ang, but because unlike that angel, she wasn''t inclined to go easy on her enemies without a valid reason. "Now it''s my turn," she dered. Dark-purple energy hummed in her hands as she channeled her power. Suddenly, the air grew heavy¡ªnot just metaphorically, but literally. Her dense mist enveloped the area where the puppets where standing, exerting a physical pressure that weighed down on them. The next moment, they started to crack one by one, with bones chipping away as the pressure intensified. The skill she was using allowed her to manipte the mass of her mist using negative energy. It was a simple but functional ability against those below the Demon Rank Status. As the puppets weakened and their movements slowed down, Zet saw her opportunity, and increased her power output further. With a decisive motion, she unleashed a final surge of energy, aiming to crush their remaining resistance and secure victory in the most efficient manner possible. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! The five puppets were forced to kneel on the ground, struggling to move under the oppressive weight. Gradually, they began sinking, their heads bowing down. As they crawled under her overwhelming power, a sudden vibration echoed from the hole. The next moment, a streak of dark- red hyper velocity projectile pierced through her. However, just likest time, it passed straight through her body without causing harm. As she stood unaffected, a smirk yed on her lips. "You''ll have to do better than that," she taunted, her confidence unshaken despite the surprise attack. The hole erupted again with the humming sound of objects flying at extreme speed. A barrage of dark-red projectiles followed, each impact cutting through the air. However, she remained unmoved, hovering casually as the attacks passed harmlessly through her. She observed with a calm demeanor as Reign fired his attacks nonstop, hoping tond a hit. ''Is this really all it can do? Just keep attacking like a barbarian?'' Zet thought to herself. The railgun projectiles were no doubt very powerful; if it were her younger sister in her ce, she would have been overwhelmed by their prating force already. However¡ª ''It''s too straightforward,'' she mumbled, analyzing the pattern of Reign''s attacks. It was all raw, prating, and destructive power¡ªnothing more, nothing less. For her, it was a disappointingly boring approach to fighting. ''Did I expect too much?"'' she pondered silently, her thoughts racing as she anticipated the next move. And that move came sooner than she expected. Another projectile shot through her, this time bigger and faster. "So you''ve just decided to make your attacks stronger?" Zet sighed, casually letting the projectile pass through her illusion. "Time to end this boring fight," she dered, her eyes filled with disappointment. She raised her hand and prepared for a big moved. However, before she could unleash it, she noticed that the five puppets had vanished. And not just that, the long distance attacks also stopped. "Don''t tell me!" she eximed, quickly looking behind and recalling thest projectile. "No way, I got fooled again!" With a quick p of her wings, she wasted no time in chasing after her target. SWOOOOSH! The speed at which she flew was anything but slow. Even so, she could tell that the dark red streak of lightning that passed through her before was much faster than her maximum speed. But she had no choice but to give chase, or risk losing track of it altogether. With her no longer in the vicinity of the mountain, the effect of her domain quickly vanished, and everything returned to normal. After a couple of minutes, another pping sound echoed, but it wasn''t from her. Instead, it came from another demon who was now smiling from ear to ear due to his sessful maneuver. "Got you," Reign chuckled to himself, his chest swelling with pride over his achievement. He had fooled her twice in a row. First, he created a projectile shaped like a missile and shot it towards her. Then, he recalled his summon and stopped his attack, to make her believe that thest attack was his real body. It was just a n that he had tried, and even if she wasn''t fooled by it, he still had other ns stored. Fortunately, luck was with him because she actually chased after it. He went to all this trouble to ensure he wouldn''t be ambushed. Considering that if she chased down the decoy, there was a very high chance her allies would also follow suit if she really had one. And even if not all of them followed, he would still be able to escape much easier now that their forces were divided. ''Time to leave I''m sure she will be furious after catching up to my decoy,'' he smirked, flying off in the opposite direction. As he soared through the air, he made a mental note to find ways to counter tricky abilities like illusions. This experience had shown him howrge this world was and the necessity of being prepared to handle anything to survive. All his thoughts about wanting to fight stronger opponents went down the drain. It was only fun to face strong opponents when he could dominate them one-sidedly. Being on the receiving end was not a good experience, and he learned that firsthand today. ''Next time we meet, you''ll regret not killing me today,'' he muttered to himself *** A distance away from the mountain "I..." Zet was speechless after shended and saw the decoy crashed on the ground. She didn''t have to be a genius to figure out what had happened. Zet, who held the title of Demon of Tricks and Illusions, was not only fooled once, but twice. "I¡­" "I¡­" "I think I''m in love!!!" she blurted out, blushing at the thought of how clever her opponent was. Chapter 232: Clusters BOOOOOOM! A massive explosion echoed, shaking the ground with a force so intense it felt like the earth itself was tearing apart. The shock-wave rippled outwards, briefly parting the thick, ck miasma before it returned, casting a depressing mist over the entire area again. When the dust settled, the once standing hill looked like a scene from a war documentary, devastated by a missile strike costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dors per shot. But for Reign, it only cost a portion of his energy reserves. This was something humans could never achieve; they had to rely on limited resources just to mimic a fraction of his power. And not just him. Demons, angels, and the corrupted, could cause the same damaged with just their bodies alone. Hended on the ground and quickly absorbed the mangled corpses using hundreds of bone tendrils. The ck miasma was filtered out of his body, and dark dust points umted at an elerated rate. Finally, he heard the level-up sound. [Level Up + 1] Reign clenched his fist, knowing that he had finally reached level 60. ''Good thing I absorbed that Naturalized Crystal,'' he said with a grin, remembering how that alone had boosted him three levels. Such treasure was quite rare and would take a normal demon hours, even days, to absorb. But with the system, he had consumed it with ease. "Give me something big!" He rubbed his bony hands together eagerly, anticipating what the system had in store, especially since this next evolution required 2 Evolution Points. [Ding] Overlord : The Ruler of death ¡­.. "This..." he couldn''t control his creepy grin, which stretched up to his ears as he read the description. It made him feel that all his previous evolutions were trash inparison. The Overlord evolution would grant him dominion over life and death. His power to control the undead would increase by ten fold, allowing him to summon andmand legions of skeletal warriors. His aura would instill fear and despair in his enemies, draining their strength and will to fight before they could even approach him. This form would also enhance all his physical abilities, giving him strength, speed, and resilience that was worthy of the title Overlord. The ultimate ruler of the battlefield, he would be a living nightmare for anyone who dared oppose him. CLICK! He wasted no time and chose to evolve. This ce was safe, giving him enough time to upgrade his body without any disturbances. As the evolution took effect, he felt a sudden warmth spreading through his body, intensifying into a searing heat. His bones began to burn as if they were metal reaching its melting point, glowing pure red. Even Reign, known for his durability, was forced to kneel under the excruciating heat, feeling as if he were swimming in molten magma at the center of a volcano. Wisps of smoke began to rise from his body as the intense heat continued to rise. ''What''s happening?'' He gritted his teeth against the pain, which surpassed anything he had ever experienced. And he was not speaking metaphorically; his bones were changing at an atomic level. Previously, his bones were harder than metal but still a bone nevertheless. Now, the very atoms of his body were transforming into a different periodic element, heated to the point where they began to melt. Due to the intense heat, his bones began dripping from his body. It started in his feet, where his bones began to glow with heat, tiny steams of molten metal forming at his ankles like wax dripping from a candle. The change moved upward, his legs now slowly shortening as the heat grew stronger. Advancing to his torso, the intense heat spread across his abdomen and chest, casting a strange red light that flickered around him. The heat kept spreading, moving up his arms to his shoulders, where it collected and dripped, forming tiny glowing drops that sizzled on the ground. Covered entirely in molten metal, his whole body became a pulsating mass of hot-red metal. And after the intense heat reached its peak, his body began to cool down andsolidify The molten metal that had once covered him now hardened, forming a rough looking piece of mineral . He resembled more of a rock than a demon now; anyone passing by might mistake him for an ore deposit. "Fuck, what kind of evolution is this?" he cursed aloud. How did he go from being a Demon Lord toa piece of ore? But before he could process what was happening, there was a sudden thud inside him. His vision blurred for a moment, and he waspulled back into a dream-like state. This time, he found himself in a dark ce. Everything was pitch ck, there was nothing but total darkness. [Ding: Congrattions! Toplete the entire transformation, you need to activate your DNA Clusters .] The familiar sound of the system was the silver lining in this weird situation. It made him feel less worried about being pulled into this dark ce. Finally, it decided to converse with him, and judging from its words, he could tell that there was some semnce of intelligence in it again. "So you finally decided to talk to me again? Why did you stop responding before?" he asked. The system did not answer him this time. He thought that his previous question might have been something too personal so he decided to ask something else rted to the current situation. "What''s happening ? And what''s a DNA Cluster? " [System: DNA Clusters are specific sequences within an organism''s DNA formed at birth. These clusters are predetermined, and when the peak is reached and limits are broken, the clusters unlock, allowing the organism to evolved further] "And how is this rted to me? I thought you were aiding me to bypass this unnecessary work," Reign asked, thinking this was different from the system''s usual straightforward evolution method. [System: Due to host having the Legendary Race, Legendary Core, and Legendary Domain, your clusters were far bigger than normal. The system doesn''t have enough reserves to automatically unlock them, so you need to manually unlock them yourself.] Reign sighed, feeling it was pointless to argue with the system. "Alright, so can you at least exin more?" [System: A normal organism typically has between 1 to 99 clusters, while stronger organisms may have between 99 to 199, 199 to 299, or 299 to 399 clusters in their bodies. The higher the cluster count, the greater the chance of reaching Demon God status.] ''Wait...'' Reign''s mind raced as he processed everything. This was a new term, but if his understanding was correct, these DNA clusters determined an organisms limit from birth. It meant that when a demon was born, they already have predetermine limit. This could exin why some demons could reach the rank of Demon Lord while others could not. For instance, if the requirement to be a Demon Lord was to unlock up to 100 clusters, a demon born with only 99 clusters would never break through no matter what. On the other hand, those who started with 99 to 199 clusters had a higher chance of breaking through. In his case, relying on the system meant that instead of having fix number from the get go, it generated additional ones as he grew stronger. "So what''s my current count right now ?" Chapter 233: Clusters 2 [System: The host has already reached Demon Lord status and has now unlocked 165 clusters out of 199.] "Is that impressive?" he asked, unaware of the normal standards. [System: An average Demon Lord who has just broken through typically has 100-110 clusters unlocks.] "Good," Reign nodded in satisfaction, pleased to hear his progress was exceptional. It would''ve been embarrassing if it wasn''t, considering all the cheats he got from the system. "Tell me, how can I open these clusters? And why did I turn into an ore to begin with? " He inquired. If the system had brought him to this mental space, there must be a method to make it easier for him. So he was certain that real demons had different, more challenging methods of unlocking it. [System: Normal demons undergo multiple enlightenments and temperings to unlock clusters instinctively. However, with the system aid, you can manually unlock clusters on your own.] [And because the Overlord Race requires a minimum of 199 clusters, you need to reach that threshold before the entire evolution ispleted.] "Will I be a Demon King after unlocking 199 clusters?" [System: Negative. Clusters measure potential, not actual fighting power. You will need to undergo another ordeal to reach Demon King status. The gap between Demon King and Demon Lord is like heaven and earth.] "So, in terms of power right now, how strong am I?" he inquired . [System: Middle Rank Demon Lord ] "Got it," Reign nodded . If it were that easy to reach Demon King, then this world would be filled with them already. To be a Demon King, one must have the right lineage, potential, resources, luck,and even with all of that, the chances were still low. Reign had only been able to reach this far because of his system. "Okay, tell me what I need to do," he asked, ready to follow the system''s guidance. However¡ª Instead of instructing him, the scene changed abruptly. When his vision cleared, he found himself in another dark ce filled with giant orbs with different sized scattered all around. Few glowed a deep red, while the majority emitted a pure white light. Vein-like lines pulsing with red energy connected the already unlocked orbs together. ''These must be the clusters!'' he concluded, counting the dark red orbs that totaled 165 , and the 34 white orbs . "But how can I even unlock one?" he wondered aloud. He focused intently on a white orb closest to the red one. As he did so, his vision suddenly zoomed in, and the orb expanded before him. In an instant, he found himself standing between the two orbs, each towering over him like colossal mountains, sandwiching him in the middle. Next, the red vein from the red orb extended towards Reign''s body and into the white orb. The vein started thin, but he saw it growingrger andrger until he was sucked up inside. Slowly, the white orb began to vibrate, its color morphing like clear water tainted with red ink dripping into it, gradually changing . At the same time, he felt a draining sensation after the white orb started sucking his energy. ''So I need to feed it to unlock it, pretty straightforward, but I feel like I''m wasting too much energy,'' he muttered to himself. His gaze shifted on the interior of the vein, and noticed their instability and imperfections. It was clear that these ws were causing the energy flow to be inefficient and wasteful. Instinctively, he felt that he could control the vein. He began envisioning a much-improvedwork: straighter, sturdier, and more efficient. As he focused, the flow of energy became concentrated, and the overall energy consumption decreased noticeably. After about 30 minutes of intense concentration, the entire white orb transformed into a deep crimson color, and a connection was established. ''That was easier than I expected,'' he thought to himself, taking a moment to rest before proceeding to the next orb. He had be so ustomed to the system''s spoon-fed growth method that this rtively easy task,pared to the normal means, felt like a lot of hard work for him. As he continued unlocking more clusters, he found the process bing more demanding. With each cluster he unlocked, the orb got bigger and the energy required intensified. What had started as a manageable consumptionon his reserves now felt like a strong current pulling at his very essence. He could feel the strain , the weariness settling into his very being as he focused on manipting the flows of energy. His energy reserves were down to just 20%. ''I need to take a rest,'' he thought to himself. He had already unlocked his 185th cluster, and now it was taking longer¡ªabout an hour and thirty minutes¡ªto fill each one. When his energy reserves were back to 100%, he resumed connecting the clusters. He persisted until he reached the 198th orb, a monumental achievement that left him with only 1% of his energy remaining. The sheer size andplexity of the 198th orbhad drained him to the limit. ''Finally, after the next one, I can get back to my body,'' he chuckled to himself, relieved at the thought. It looked like a short time had passed, but he had actually spent days here. Filling up each orb and then replenishing his energy took considerable time, effort, and energy. However, it didn''t bother him much; being trapped this long were rookie numberspared to what he had experienced before. His main concern was that someone might discovered his ore-like body and turn it into a weapon. It would be ironic if he returned to find himself forged into a sword or some other tool. ''Alright, onest orb and I''m done,'' he muttered to himself, his focus unwavering as he positioned himself between the two orbs. The veins connected automatically, and he began feeding energy into the 199th orb. With the connection forged he could feel losing his energy in a rapid pace. 100% 90% 50% 25% 10% 5% ''My full reserve is not enough to fill it,'' hethought to himself, realizing the orb was only 85% filled. Even if he exhausted all his energy, he could only fill it up to 90%. He needed to rest a bit before attempting to continue filling it again. Stopping the energy flow, he anticipated a moment of break. However¡ª Unexpectedly, the vein he focused on began to twist and convulse, as if it was copsing . Its steady flow of energy turnedinto erratic pulses, like lightning in a storm. Reign quickly tried to stabilize it by feeding more energy, but it was toote. The vein started to break apart, making sharp cracking sounds. Bright sparks burst from the fractures, lighting up the space momentarily. Each rupture weakened the connection to the orb, its glow fading with the instability. "You got to be kidding me," he gritted his teeth. Desperately, he pushed himself harder, trying to restore order. But with no energy left, the vein reached its breaking point. With a final shudder, it copsedpletely, turning into particles of light that scattered into nothingness. The orb, so close topletion, reverted to its original white color. Chapter 234: Clusters 3 ''Damn it,'' he muttered under his breath, frustration clear in his voice as he saw all his hard work go to waste just like that. But that wasn''t his main concern right now. His current energy capacity was clearlycking, and he needed to find a way to bridge the gap. The problem was that the math wasn''t adding up. No matter how much he calcted, there was no way he could fill the final orb for several reasons. First, his energy could not regenerate while he used it, forcing him to rely on his current capacity. Second, stopping the energy flow would destabilize the delicate bnce of the entire process. ''Think, think,'' he began, pondering deeply. He was a genius, so he should leverage his ability to think outside the box. Recalling all his experiences in this world¡ªhow he utilized his energy, powers, and abilities¡ªthere had to be insights hidden within his past experiences that he might have overlooked due to the aid of the system. He was well aware of bing overly dependent on the system, which might have obscured clues on how to ovee this challenge. If he thought hard enough, there must be a way forward. ''There''s always a solution,'' he thought to himself, his mind racing for answers. Then, a eureka moment struck him. He remembered how the demon he had tricked before used her power to make the air heavy by scattering her energy and embedding it in the purple mist. It was not an aura; the molecules in the air had literally and physically increased in mass due to her own power and intervention. If he could imitate that and find a way to scatter his own energy first, keeping it suspended for some time, he could then reabsorb it back. This new external source would mitigate his current energy deficiency. ''Alright, this can work,'' he muttered determinedly. He focused, attempting to emte the demon''s technique of scattering energy. Concentrating intensely, he managed to disperse a small portion of his energy into the surrounding air. For a fleeting moment, he felt a slight hope as the energy hung in the air. However, just as quickly as he dispersed it, the energy dissipated, leaving him frustrated and confused. "I need to try harder" he mumbled. This wasn''t like releasing his aura; he needed the energy to remain suspended even without active control. It was akin to separating something intangiblefrom his body and hoping it would remain stable enough to be useful. But the nature of energy itselfcked enough physical characteristics to exist without active control and sustenance. He tried again, this time focusing harder. Dispersing arger amount of energy, but again, it vanished almost instantly. Time passed as Reign persisted, attempting different methods to make it work somehow. Each attemptsted mere seconds before the energy slipped from his grasp. It was like trying to hold onto air¡ªalmost impossible. Minutes turned into hours as he practiced nonstop. He felt that if he perfected this, he would gain more than justpleting the evolution. It would be new knowledge and ideas that wouldallowed him to utilize his energy more effectively. Slowly, he began to grasp the logic of controlling dispersed energy. He experimented with different concentrations, amounts of dispersion, and methods of containment. After numerous failures and near-give-ups, he finally achieved a breakthrough. He dispersed a certain amount of energy and managed to kept it suspended in the air for several minutes. Then, he carefully reabsorbed the energy back into his body. A wave of relief washed over him as he felt his reserves replenished . "I did it," he eximed, a wide smile creeping onto his face. But his work was far from over. Perfecting this technique would require more practice and refinement. He continued his rigorous training, gradually increasing the duration and stability. Days passed. he faced some setbacks and frustrations, but with each failure, he learned valuable lessons. Slowly but surely, the whole process became much more streamlined after he made adjustments from all the failed attempts. One day, after what seemed like a very long time of practice, hesessfully dispersed a substantial amount of energy and maintained it for 30 minutes. Then, he calmly reabsorbed the energy back, feeling the familiar surge of strength returning to him. There was some wasted power or leakage, but it was within his margin of error. [System: Congrattions, Host, for creating a new original skill. Please name it.] Reign pondered for a moment, considering the essence of the skill he had developed. After a brief reflection, he decided to name it "Ethereal Suspension." This name captured the essence of manipting energy in a suspended state. When the system registered the skill, Reign activated it again. This time, it had be much easier. ''That took a lot of time. I can''t believe it requires this much effort just to master a skill of this caliber. Good thing I have the system, or it would take me years,'' he sighed. Now, he viewed beings who grew through hard work more favorably. Well, he would still kill and eat them, but hey, at least this time, he would acknowledge their effort first. It was a step up from being seen solely as a convenient food source. Maybe he''d even give them some pep talk before killing them and digging in¡ªsmall gestures mattered, right? Now fully prepared, he shifted his focus to the 199th orb. First, he scattered his power around him until it coalesced into multiple red orbs resembling fireflies, then controlled them to hover near his body. Next, using the remaining 15 minutes to fill up his reserves, he meticulously prepared for the second phase. The veins reconnected to the 199th orb, and he started using his internal energy first. When he had 80% remaining, he began reabsorbing the dispersed energy from the air to replenish his reserves, ensuring a seamless process without any pauses. And just as he had hoped, the connection remained stable this time, and he had enough energy topletely fill the 199th cluster. ''Closer, closer,'' he thought, watching intently as the orb slowly fill up . When it reached its maximum capacity, a sudden vibration echoed not just from thest orb, but from every one of them. The entire sequence of 199 clusterspleted, and the flow of energy stabilized. Reign waited intently to see what would happen next as he watched the clusters hum and vibrate with power like parts of aplex engine design. It looked stunningly beautiful, and he could sense a deep resonance with all the clusters. However¡ªWith a disorienting jolt, he found himself being forcibly ejected from this ce. The transition was abrupt, leaving him momentarily bewildered as he struggled to regain his bearings. ''I''m back?'' His vision cleared, and he found himself back in the destend filled with ck miasma. He tried to move his body and realized that he still looked like an ore deposit. Confused, he had thought he hadpleted the entire process sessfully, so what was happening? As if in response to his question, his body began to heat up again, the metallic rock glowing intensely like red-hot metal. Chapter 235: Formation ''Damn, why does the transformation have to hurt so much?'' Reign cursed inwardly It wasn''t just the physical pain that tormented him; it felt as if his very soul was being churned in a pit of magma. Each moment stretched agonizingly, making him wonder how long this unbearable sensation wouldst. Finally, some changes began to stir the moment hepletely melted into a pool of magma. At this point, only his soul and cores remained intact From his melted form, a small shape began to emerge. First, his head reformed¡ªa skull emerging from the molten mess. Sharp, jagged edges surrounded his eyes, giving them a hollow, menacing look. As the molten metal cooled and solidified, his other features took shape. Raw-boned cheekbones and a sharp jawline diverged from the human norm. His chin, elongated and forming like a reverse pyramid with a curl at the end, added to his demonic appearance. With the transformation progressing, the rough, unfinished surface of his face smoothed out, revealing a silver-colored head with two prominent horns curling upward like a devil''s crown. Thick at the base and sharp points at the tip, the horns added to his imposing presence. Anyone who saw this head would run for their life , this form put the word "FEAR" in "FEAR " Next, his neck materialized. The cervical vertebrae emerged one by one from the molten pool, pushing his head up as the transformation continued downward. Each vertebra had defined ridges and joints, resembling interlocking bones. Then , ayer of red-hot metal enveloped them like protective chainmail. The torso took shape next, with broad shoulders extending outward from his neck. At the top of each shoulder, sharp edges protruded like cones, curving slightly to resemble horns. His hands took shape next, fingers solidifying into distinct, flexible parts. The abdomen developed with well-defined metal abs, each texture sculpted from molten metal, followed by a strong, supportive waist. Continuing downward, his legs formed, each thigh and calf taking form with strength. His feet built was sturdy and grounded. When his entire metallic body base was finallypleted, he stood as a tall 6"5 foot tall humanoid figure gleaming like he was made of aluminum foil. Every contour and bone reflected a polished sheen. Just when he thought the transformation was over, something stirred behind him. From his back, wings began to emerge alongside a long, sharp tail. The tail had edges resembling fish finsfrom base to tip. The once jelly-like texture of his wings transformed into a delicate, translucent material, flexible yet maintaining structure. Lightning crackled through them with an ethereal glow while the talons in his wings resembled thick, razor-sharp des rather than bones. As the pure lightning energy stabilized in his wings, another transformation began from his chest. A jet-ck color spread outward from his three cores, enveloping his entire body in deep obsidian. However, certain parts took on a dark crimson red shade¡ªhis hands, fingers, elbows, knees, feet, shoulder des, forehead horns, and wing linings. Thebination of jet ck and dark red enhanced his appearance, giving it a more refined and uniqued aesthetic. When he flexed his fingers, the dark red joints glowed like neon lights, while a crimson aura leaked from his body,pleting his devilish appearance. "Is this the true form of the Overlord?" Reign mused aloud. His voice had transformed into a deep growling tone, reminiscent of death metal rockers screaming on stage. "What''s wrong with my voice? Why is it too deep?" he eximed, surprised. While it suited his intimidating presence, passing as human might be an issue. He''d have to dress like a metal rocker to exin his voice . Wearing ck leather pants, studded belts, and a sleeveless leather vest adorned with metal spikes, heavy bootsced to the calf, and essories like fingerless gloves with metal studs and chains wouldplete the look. Frustrated by the hassle, he decided to check if there was a way to change his voice back or perhaps gain control over it. Fortunately, he managed to revert his voice back to normal, which was a relief. He had no qualms about the attire because he embodied the whole genre itself. It was not just his style. In fact, he wouldn''t be surprised if they started worshiping him, especially if he started breathing fire and screaming "DEATH," "KILL," "DEVOUR" in a long deep growl. "Is the transformationplete?" he wondered aloud, waiting to see if there would be further changes. After a while, assured that the transformations had stopped, he scrutinized his new body with careful attention. ''It''s harder but more flexible at the same time,'' he pondered, noting how easily he could reshape his hands into a sword. Testing his new body even further, he pped his wings and was surprised by their lightness. ''Slick,''he marveled, effortlessly gaining altitude with a simple p, confirming his observations. Next, he tested his wings by flying around and maneuvering. Worried that his new, delicate wings might not sustain high speeds, he was pleasantly surprised to find they adjusted well to velocity and were even more aerodynamically efficient than expected. ''Now, let''s check my stats.'' Reignnded and opened his status window. ============ Name: Reign Level 60 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Overlord(Legendary) Strength :S+ Agility. :SS- Stamina S+ Endurance : SS- Intelligence: S+ Energy: SSS- (Legendary) (Click for More) (Click for More) Overlord Authority : 1 -new True Death : 1 - new Death Embrace 1- new (Click for More) (Click for More) (Click for More) ====== "Now, this is what I call an evolution," Reign chuckled, examining his improved attributes with satisfaction. He received free upgrades to his attributes and discovered three new skills that sounded really cool and powerful. "System, am I close to the strength of a Demon King now?" he asked. [System: Far from it.] "Wow, the gap between Demon Lord and Demon King must be really wide. How strong is a Demon Kingpared to a peak Demon Lord?" [System: An average Demon King is equal to 12 average Peak Demon Lords.] "That much?" he eximed. But after thinking it over, he realized this was to be expected. Demon Kings were akin to walking weapons of mass destruction, so their energy reservehad to be on a different level. "And where do I stand?" [System: An average Demon King is equal to 5 of you in terms of Energy.] Reign paused, absorbing the information. ''Five might sound way better than twelve, but it still means a Demon King could one-shot me,'' he mused, realizing the huge gap in strength. Just imagining his own power multiplied by four, Reign couldn''t help but feel a tinge of fear at the potential destruction a demon king could caused. The fact that an average Demon King was already that strong spoke volumes about their overwhelming power. He made a mental note to avoid facing a Demon King, even the weakest one, until he reached the same rank. This gap in power couldn''t be bridged just by having a legendary race. "It''s alright. With my current rate, I could catch up to them in no time. Speaking of time, how many days was I stuck here?" Reign inquired. . [System: 42 days.] Chapter 236: [Bonus] A lot of Time "That long?" he pped his forehead in surprised after hearing the system''s response. If that were the case, then he had been missing for more than two months now. He knew he had spent a lot of time in that mental space, but he hadn''t realized that so much had passed in the physical world too. ''Wait... This might be a good thing. I''m pretty sure they all thought I had already left this region with how long I was gone. I can continue massacring cities, and with my power, I don''t even need to be too careful anymore. I can go straight for the kill,'' he thought, a hint of optimism creeping in his mind. After realizing the advantages he could used from this setback, he began to think that this was all a blessing in disguise. ''I''ll allocate my points first, then head out,'' he decided, refocusing on his status window. He noticed a plus sign, indicating that all his skills could now be upgraded to level 50. With plenty of spare skill points, he quickly maxed out everything except for the new skills and turned his attention to their descriptions to understand it better. <¡ª> Overlord Authority: This skill grants the host the powerful ability to summon up to 500 additional puppets in addition to Bone Summon, each of which can be upgraded in rank manually, bypassing the need to wait. This allows the host tomand a formidable army of loyal servants, each capable of evolving to higher tiers of power at yourmand. Skill Upgrade: +10 slots per level Avable Rank Up Points: +1 per 10 levels <¡ª> True Death: This skill negates the ability of organisms to cheat death through life-saving methods. However, its effectiveness depends on the target''s power level¡ªif a being is too powerful, True Death may not work against them. Skill Upgrade: +0.5% chance per level up Skill Upgrade: +1% Additional bypassing Power <¡ª> Death Immunity: This skill grants immunity to all forms of death, including instant death attacks, for a certain period of time. Skill Upgrade: +0.10 seconds per level up Skill Upgrade: +0.5% defense against One Shot Attacks. <¡ª> "Nice!" Reign was ted after reading the skill descriptions. With Overlord Authority, he couldmand a legion of puppets, allowing him tobat an entire army if such a situation arose in the future. He would no longer have to worry about being overwhelmed by sheer numbers. The Rank Up points caught his attention too, giving him the ability to rank up his strongest puppets. He currently had five powerful ones: Arc, who was Knight Grade, and four new hunter summons, who were Elite Knight Grade. Unlike Arc, the four hunters had integrated with their runes before dying, giving them a higher starting point. ''I think it''s a waste to use the Rank Up points so soon. I''ll wait for them to evolve first,'' he thought. The higher the puppets rank, the harder it would be to promote them, so it''s better to save the points forter. Overlord Authority (1) > (50) He wasted no time leveling it up. This was the advantage of having surplus points; he didn''t need to hesitate. Next was the True Death skill. The description was straightforward, but one question lingered. ''Will this work against an angel?'' he mumbled. Angels used vessels, so defeating them didn''t necessarily mean their real bodies would die. He pondered what would happen if he used True Death. Would it kill the angel''s real body directly? Or at least cause some damage? ''I''ll try this the next time I meet one of those annoying angels again,'' he chuckled sadistically , making a mental note to experiment with the skill. True Death (1) > (50) Finally, his attention was focused on Death Immunity. Just from the name itself, he already had an idea of what it meant, and he was quite pleased with it. With this skill and the seed, he would gain two life-saving methods at his disposal. When he had enough money to get another seed for his second body, then he would have three methods of saving himself in the worst case scenario that he end up dying. Death Immunity (1) > (50) ''Now I can finally leave this ce,'' Reign rolled his shoulders and spread his wide wings. There was no longer a need for him to stay in this hellhole, so he hurriedly pped his wings and soared into the horizon. The next city unfortunate enough to be near him would be his next target, and this time he did not n to act nice. The wind rushed past him as he flew, his jet-ck body merging with the miasma, making himpletely invisible except for asional sparks of red lightning generated from his flight. It didn''t take him long to reach the rail tracks again. He began following them, knowing they would eventually lead him to the next city. ''I wonder what''s the poption of the next one, I hope it''s way more than Crestwood'' excitement coursed through him at the thought of entering and killing more humans to level up. The more he killed, the faster he would grow stronger. However¡ª ''What happened while I was out?'' Reign muttered, pausing his flight as he saw a destroyed city below him. At first, he thought it was just an old invaded city. However, as he observed the newly constructed buildings, he realized this was very recent. The whole ce looked exactly like what had happened to Summit City, now this ce was also overrun by Corrupted. "RAWWWWR!" The zombie-like Corrupteds sensed his aura and began running towards him. But since he was flying, they ended up swinging their deteriorating dark hands in the air, iling wildly as they desperately tried to reach him. As they continued to growl and move around, other Corrupteds in the vicinity also started converging towards his direction. It didn''t take long for them to begin piling up into a mountain of dead and smelly organism, all trying to reach him. It was a total nightmare. As their bodies writhed and convulsed, they looked like something straight out of a horror movie. But to him, they looked like a bunch of pest, unworthy of his attention. Nor did he care about what they were currently doing; none of them were capable of even hurting him, so there was no need to hurry in disposing of them for Dark Dust Points, of which he still needed a lot. Reign was more curious about how could all of this had happened to a city that was well-prepared and heavily equipped . He could epted what happened to Summit City because it was aplete surprise attack so it has a high chance of falling to begin with. But this? This waspletely different. He refused to believe that a horde of zombie-like creatures could have caused all this destruction. Something else must have happened or been responsible for all of this. ''I needed to find out what it was... and fast.'' Reign flew lower, scanning the area for clues, his mind racing with possibilities. Suddenly, amidst the growl of the tens of thousands of Corrupteds below him, a thunderous roar echoed through the air. In the distance, he sensed that a lone figure was watching him with a very strong killing intent. Chapter 237: Loud Clash "RAWWWR!!!" The lone figure''s roar reverberated through the air, its deafening volume spreading like a shockwave. Beneath Reign, the Zombie-Corrupted froze in their tracks, then suddenly turned away as if onmand, sprinting towards the direction of the roar. The hordes of Zombie-Corrupted froze in their tracks beneath Reign, then suddenly turned around as if onmand, sprinting towards the direction of the roar. Their movements resembled a panicked stampede of wild beast, limbs iling and bodies colliding in a frenzied rush. The ground trembled under the weight of their hurried steps. Reign, on the other hand, stayed hovering. His arms crossed over his chest as he waited for whatever was trying to intimidate him to show itself. He could pinpoint its exact direction using his Undead Eyes, but the miasma hid its actual appearance. "RAWWWR!!!"it roared again. ''Can this thing only roar?'' Reign asked, annoyance evident in his voice. "RAWWWR!!!" "MOTHERFUCKER, STOP SHOUTING!!!!!" Reign roared in response, his voice a deep, rumbling growl that echoed like an erupting volcano. Negative energy and a dominating aura surged from him, making the air vibrate. The ground began to shake, windows rattling and buildings quivering as if in an earthquake. Structures already on the verge of copse crumbled, reducing to debris. Clouds of ash and shattered concrete filled the air, intensifying the turmoil stirred by his overpowering roar. A group of Zombie-Corrupted, too close for their own good, didn''t even have time to scream before they exploded like overripe tomatoes from the sound waves. Their remains sttered against walls and debris, creating a gore art masterpiece. This was the effect of the knowledge he gained from unlocking clusters; now he could infuse negative energy into his voice, turning it into a powerful attack. [System: Congrattions, Host, for creating a new original skill. Please name it.] Reign didn''t dwell on it much and just called it (Sonic Roar.) ''Seriously, who needs this much roaring? It''s like watching a bad monster movie'' He adjusted his arms, crossing them tighter over his chest, waiting for whatever was out there to make a move¡ªpreferably one that didn''t involve more screaming like a bitch. However¡ª "RAWWWWR!" ''That''s it, you''re dead,'' Reign clicked his tongue in annoyance, his patience snapping like a twig. SWOOOOOOOSH! In an instant, he went from 0 to 500 km/h in one second, rocketing towards the source of the annoying sounds. The air hummed around him as he flew, his speed creating bunch of sonic booms . He zeroed in on the roaring figure like a missile, determined to put an end to it. When he got close, he finally saw the actual form of the creature. It was a unique type of corrupted. Though not as big as the two giants he''d faced, it still stood around the height of a three-story house. What caught his attention was its bizarre appearance: a massive, dog-like body coated in pure dark fur, surrounded by swirling ck smoke. Its three decaying heads were adorned with red, crazed eyes that glowed ominously. Dark, jelly-like substances oozed from its wounds and crevices, dripping onto the ground below. While it snarled, ck saliva dripped from its jagged, rabid-like teeth. He paused for a moment and decided not to kill it right away after seeing that it was a dog. Dogs held a special ce in his heart; they were his favorite animals before he became a psychotic, man-eating monster. Even now, he believed they were the most loyalpanions in the world. Hovering in the air, andstaring at the monstrosity before him, a memory shed through hismind. He recalled watching a movie depicting the hounds of hades, a multi-headed dog that guard the gates of the underworld to prevent the dead from living. But this creature was less majestic, far uglier, decayed in appearance, and way smaller¡ªalmost like a cheap imitation due to theck of budget for special effects. ''One of the heads also looks like my good boy, Wick,'' he thought. He felt a mix of amusement and irritation. It was as if someone had taken elements from his favorite pet and mashed them into this bizarre, corrupted form. ''Well, that''s just insulting,'' he muttered under his breath. "Copying my dog''s head ? You''ve got some nerve." he sneered in contempt, treating Wick''s face as if it were unique and not amon feature among a particr breed of dogs. "RAWWWWR" The corrupted three head dog roared again, its heads snapping and spewing toxic miasma. "Three heads and still this stupid?" he sighed, shaking his head with disappointment . "I''ve seen smarter dogs." He didn''t bother dodging the toxic miasma; there was no way something this weak could affect him, as there was not even a chance that this gas could enter his body. When the three-headed dog saw that its attack had failed, it leaped into the air, aiming to bite Reign head-on. With a casual movements, he raised his right hand and delivered a powerful p to one of the creature''s heads. BAM! The impact sent the monster flying downward, crashing violently onto the ground. He then activated his railgun; there was no need to prolong this fight against such a weak enemy. If it had been a demon, he might have tried to tame it like Wick, and use it as a mount. When the railgun formed, it appeared sleeker and smoother than before. It no longer resembled a bone but took on a futuristic and alien appearance, as he chose to maintain its exotic look of having some curves that looked like veins. With a low hum, the railgun powered up in his hands, its side lighting up in red. "You had your chance," he said, his voice firm . "Now, it''s time to end this." CLICK! ZZZZZZZZ! The railgun burst through the air, directly destroying the creature''s middle head. Pieces of bone and flesh scattered in all directions, mixing with the dark spray that painted the air. Despite the devastating blow, the creature''s body continued to convulse and twitch, its remaining heads snarling at him. ZZZZZZZZ! ZZZZZZZZ! He fired two more shots with lightning speed. The creature was unable to move an inch before its remaining heads exploded like ripe tomatoes, bursting in a gory spectacle of shattered bone and sttering muscle tissues. THUD! With thest two heads obliterated, the creature finally copsed to the ground in a heap of twitching limbs and pooling blood. Reign hovered over the grotesque remains, his railgun still hot from the rapid session of shots. Just as he began to rx, thinking the battle was over, a new threat emerged. The ground beneath him trembled as the horde of Zombie Corrupteds, drawn by the scent of blood , rushed forward. Rotting bodies surged and iled as they descended upon the fallen creature, tearing into its flesh like hungry beast. Their numbers were so overwhelming that the dog-like creature was quickly engulfed and drowned beneath them. ''Is this considered cannibalism?'' he asked inwardly. ''No, they''re not eating it,'' he mumbled, puzzled by the strange sight unfolding before him. As time passed, the number of Zombies surrounding the corpse diminished, but the creature''s body was growingrger and more menacing by the moment. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 238: Unclear Result The three-headed dog loomed over the ruined cityscape. Its 20-floor body was huge and monstrous, towering like a behemoth. It had just finished consuming thest of the decaying zombie-corrupteds. Each head had metallic teeth and crazy red eyes. Its once-fleshy body was nowpact and solid like hardened steel. Below, its ws had turned into sharp des. They looked powerful and could easily cut through buildings. He observed the creature''s transformation, and had some important questions in mind. ''Why do corrupted always growrger to get a power up?'' he muttered to himself. "Size alone won''t save you, especially not against someone like me." "RAWWWWWR!" The creature''s thunderous roar shook the city, crumbling buildings that had withstood his previous scream. He braced himself against the shockwaves, noting the surge in the creature''s power and size. "Quiet down," he shouted back over the deafening noise. However, the three-headed dog did not listen and instead raised its voice even louder. "Here we go again," Reign shook his head and raised his weapon. ZZZZZZ! The railgun round hit the creature''s forehead with a clean, piercing force. But before it could exit the other side, the wound began to heal in real-time. Its flesh knitted itself back together at an astonishing speed, so fast that by the time the projectile passed through, the creature''s head looked perfectly unharmed again. "That is borderline cheating," Reign sighed. He wasn''t genuinely worried; instead, he just wantedto highlight the creature''s unfair skill. Even the giant humanoid and the snake he had fought before hadn''t shown such quick and extreme regenerative abilities. Ironically, this came from him, someone who literally possessed the greatest cheat called the system. "Let''s see how you handle this," he muttered under his breath. This time, heswitched mode to rapid fire. ZZZZZZ! ZZZZZZ! ZZZZZZ! He unleashed shot after shot at the creature''s heads. He aimed to overwhelm its regenerative rate. With each sessive shot, the railgun discharged faster and faster round, striking the middle head brutally. The impact of the rapid-fire caused the creature''s head to jerk violently, bits of corrupted flesh and bone splintering off with each hit. Smoke and steam hissed from the wounds as the railgun projectiles prated deep, disrupting the creature''s regenerative processes. ''It''s not enough ,'' he thought to himself. In order to increase his fire power, hematerialized two additional railguns in his free hand and another on his shoulder. With these additional weapons at his disposal, he intensified the barrage, firing tens of rounds per second. The air around him crackled with spark of red electricity as the rapid session of projectiles hammered into the creature''s heads, overwhelming its ability to heal. And for a moment, it appeared to be working well enough, as the head, despite its size, waspletely mangled, leaving only the neck remaining. However¡ª When he stopped, the mangled neck of the creature began to churn with an unsettling, grotesque motion. And in the next moment, three more heads rapidly protruded from the torn flesh as if the previous damage had never urred. "Don''t tell me I have topletely kill this thing in one go to finish it off?" Reign wondered aloud, frustration evident in his voice. It wasn''t that hecked the capability to do so¡ªif he pushed himself, he believed he could find a way to destroy the whole body. The real issue wasin the fact that he still needed the creature''s parts intact for experience and Dark Dust points. Completely decimating it wasn''t an option. ''I need to find another way, '' As he pondered his next move, heweighed his options carefully. ''Will this work?'' an idea sparked in his mind. It was his recently acquired skill, True Death. ''That skill lets me bypass life-saving tricks. So theoretically, it should work on cheat likeregeneration too'' he mused, a spark of idea flickering in his mind. This was also the perfect opportunity to put the power of that skill to the test. ''Let''s see...'' Reign muttered, activating the skill for the first time. He hadn''t had anyone to test it out on before. The death energy from his third core surged through his body, a cold, dark energy flickering at his fingertips as he channeled it into one of his weapon. At first, he expected it to consume a lot of energy, but the reality was much harsher. As he tried to feed it to his rail gun round, he felt his third core depletepletely. ''This thing cost too much,'' hegrumbled, realizing the toll (True Death) had taken on his energy reserves. And he witness in real-time the effect of all those concentrated energies. The intense power began to deteriorate the railgun itself, forcing him to use his Bone Control to prevent it from crumbling away. As his railgun held on, he watched as the three-headed dog''s heads opened their maws. He sensed a shift in the creature''s energy as concentrated miasma began to form within each head. Unlike before, this miasma was not merely toxic air; it burned with a dark intensity, emitting ck mes that heated the surrounding air. "So you n to use your trump card too? Let''s see who has the bigger gun," Reign challenged, excited to see the aftermath of this sh. He infused more negative and lightning energy into his weapon, intensifying its charge. His increased conductivity due to having a more metallic bones amplified the maic field within the barrel, stabilizing the spinning projectile effortlessly As the humming sound grew louder and louder, the air around him also started to heat up. More and more arcs of electricity began to leak from his body, drawn towards the railgun. While he stabilized the energy , he waited for the perfect opportunity to use it. ''Come on, hurry up and use that trump card of yours, ''he thought. As the three-headed dog unleashed its ck mes, the separate streams of fire merged together into a single, massive jet me of darkness. The fireintensified, growing stronger and wider, resembling a colossal methrower aimed directly at Reign. He stood firm, eyes fixed on the approaching inferno Instead of retreating, he stood his ground. And with a confident expression, he unleashed the charged round. ZZZZZZ! Dark-red streak of lightning crackled through the air, followed by a thunderous roar as the projectile shot forth from the barrel. The charged round flew into the me with such incredible speed and violent force that it seemed to defy thews of physics. Normally, such temperaturewould have melted the outer shell of any other ordinary projectile. However, this one was different. Its momentum was so strong that the mes atoms barely had time to react as it pierced through them like a bullet through paper. Reign, on the other hand, also brushed against the dark mes, but they were not hot enough to even warrant dodging. After the projectilepletely passed through the mes, it struck the creature''s chest . A shockwave rippled outward from the point of impact, sending the three-headed dog staggering backward The force of the blow cracked through its thick metalic hide, eliciting a deep, roar of anger that echoed across the battlefield. "RAWWWWWWWWWWR!" ''Did it even work?'' Reign muttered with uncertainty . Chapter 239: Political Mess The three-headed dog, enraged by the gaping hole in its chest that refused to heal, lunged towards Reign. Each head roared furiously, theirbined voices creating a deafening sound that shook the ground. ''Why didn''t it work?'' he pondered, watching the giant three-headed dog got closer . He had expected the creature to copse right away. But, it remained furious and powerful as ever, except for the wound. Quickly assessing the situation, he reasoned,'' So, even True Death can''t fully stop it.'' ''It must beposed of different organisms,'' he concluded. True Death had worked, killing the organism struck directly. But, the creature managed to evade instant death. This was due to its nature, which wasposed of parts rather than a single entity. The three-headed dog finally reached him. Its eyes burned with rage. It lunged forward, swinging its right w. He saw the attacking, but it moved too slowly, that he decided to dodge at the veryst moment. Reign shifted sideways, eyes fixed intently on the creature''s movement. He noticed the energy from the chest wound. It was slowly corrupting the creature from within. Dark-red veins spread, causing flesh and bone to decay. ''Interesting'' he muttered. ''My skill is killing it, but not quickly enough.'' The dog charged again, its movements slower and morebored this time. Recognizing the opportunity, Reign flew to the left, avoiding a swipe of its massive ws, then backward to evade its snapping jaws. Seeing its slow decline, he flew higher, waiting for its inevitable death. The creature, enraged and desperate, leaped high into the air but couldn''t reach him. He hovered just out of reach, observing its futile attempts with a calm, curious gaze. "RAAWWWWR!" The three heads roared in unison, opening their maws and spewing dark mes into the air. The attack, however, was much weaker than before. Reign endured the damage and basked in the residual heat, feeling almost as if he were in a sauna. This was the unfair advantage of being a demon lord with bnced stats. Some demons might excel in e attack power butck defensive capabilities, while others could have the opposite. But, due to the system, Reign''s basic attributes were evenly distributed across the board. He could stay in this ce and let it attack him, and the poor creature wouldn''t even be able to break through his defensed. ''This thing''s attack power is only at the Peak Upper Demon Level in terms of damage,'' he pondered. ''It has a wide range, but the damage itself isn''t that threatening. To be honest, the me from the hunter with the Fire Drake Breathing technique during Rune Overload Mode was hotter.'' While he contemted leisurely about this, the raging inferno in the air stopped. As it subsided, the creature roared in frustration after seeing that Reign had sustained no damage. Though his external bones had been churned, his already ckened appearance masked any visible signs. "You should really just ept your death," Reign murmured, eyes fixed on the iling creature below. It was showing signs of dying. Death energy continued to corrupt its inside, spreading from the chest wound. Its movements grew erratic, its roars shifting to pained growls, the red glow in its eyes dimming with each passing moment. Maintaining altitude, he watched patiently. Engaging it directly seemed unnecessary; there was no need to rush. The death energy was effective, though slower than he hoped. Finally, the three-headed dog copsed, twitching as death energy took its toll. It let out a final, agonized roar before falling silent and slowly descending to the ground. Its massive body caused the ground to tremble upon impact. BURST! Reign wasted no time. Hundreds of tendrils shot from his body, piercing the giant corpse as he absorbed it. The beast shrank rapidly, but Reign did not gain any experience points. This oue had been expected. "I knew this wouldn''t be enough," he muttered ''The stronger I get, the harder it is to level up.'' ''It''s okay. I learned a lot from this battle,'' he nodded in satisfaction. Though he didn''t level up, the battle had not been in vain. Dark Dust Points would still offset his negative. Reflecting on the intense battle, he pondered how to better use "True Death" in the future. "True Death worked against regeneration," Reign thought. "But its limits are clear with creaturesposed of many entities." Reviewing the fight mentally, he noted True Death''s impacts and shorings. This analysis would refine his tactics in the future. Ideas raced as he considered enhancing True Death''s effectiveness. Combining it with other skills or techniques might yield better results. Experimenting would unlock its full potential. But, that was a concern for the future. For now, he was curious to see what had happened to the other cities. "Time to move on," **** "What''s happening? How could we lose four cities in just two months?" Governor David eximed, frustration evident as he rubbed his temples while seated at his desk, reading over the reports. "This is already beyond my control... one more city..." he mumbled, but before he could finish, the door mmed open. His assistant rushed in, breathless with urgency. "Governor! Another city has been destroyed!" "No... No way," he slumped in his chair, as if all the energy had drained from his body. This was the final straw. "Leave me," he instructed his assistant, waving him off. Next, he slowly opened his desk and found a ck metallic briefcase inside. Entering the code, he opened it to reveal a special type of paper: his Special Seal of Authority. As a Regional Governor, the power of his seal was much better than normal city governors. However, in this case, it also meant that he couldn''t handle his region well, so he would be forced to resign and relinquish full control of the region to a Tier 2 City for three whole years. It was the worst type of political scenario. Regions that reached this point were heavily taken advantage of; all resources would essentially be exploited freely, and after three years, the entire region would be left with only the bare minimum. He had even heard of some regions choosing to extend the three-year period because they wouldn''t be able to sustain themselves independently. The governor began writing his request and resignation letter at the same time. When he finished, he knew he would be theughingstock of everyone, with no way to return to the political world ''I''ll just transfer my family to a Tier 2 city and spend my days there until I die,'' he sighed. The long political history of his family woulde to an end with him, and he would bebeled as an ipetent fool by the next generation. After wrapping things up, he picked up the phone and called several people. He needed to quickly transfer his assets to his sons and daughters and arrange for them to relocate to a Tier 2 city as soon as possible. David had many enemies, and if they discovered his n to resign, there was a high chance they would try to assassinate him and his family. "Honey where are you?. I want you all to get ready. You need to catch the next train to Skyline Bay." Chapter 240: Family Mess "Wait... It''s too sudden!" A beautiful MILF around 40 years old eximed. Her voice was tinged with irritation after she had heard her husband''s instruction over the phone. She had a sexy body, with shoulder-length, chestnut-brown hair framing a face that retained traces of youth despite being a mother already. Her chest was also big, the result of surgeries that made them soft, flexible, and supple. The skin had also undergone enhancements, giving her a youthful appearance more akin to someone in their thirties than forties. And despite having five children, her figure remained youthful and shapely, a proof to what money could achieved. She embodied the saying, "You''re not ugly, just not rich enough." "Another city got destroyed?" She paused, absorbing the weight of her husband''s words, now fully grasping the gravity of the situation. As David began exining his n, she nodded along, keenly aware of the danger and valuing her own life as well. "Alright, Honey, I''ll head home quickly," she agreed. "I love you too, honey. Don''t worry, no matter what you decide, I will support you," she added, her voice filled with care and assurance. After ending the phone call, she nced at her reflection in the mirror. She wasn''t wearing any panties at the moment, and below her was a blond middle age man with muscr physique , grinding her cheating soaking wet slit . "Darling, I''m sorry, but I need to transfer to another city," she said, turning to her secret lover and gazing into his charismatic blue eyes. Her lover raised his eyebrows. Out of respect for her husband, he stopped his movementspletely while she was talking. "It''s alright ,but you need to let me cum inside " The man chuckled and started sliding his rod in and out of her slit, causing her to moan wildly. The forbidden pleasure coursed through her body as she arched her back, wanting more. The soft bed beneath them cushioned their movements as they continued to make love. Their bodies glistened with sweat under the red neon light, their hearts pounding in unison. The man''s hands held onto her hips, guiding her as he thrust deeper into her soaking wet slit. She opened up her legs wider, feeling the heat from his dick as he thrust into her again and again. "Fuck ! I love it! It''s way better than my husband!" She moaned , her eyes rolling back as she started squirting nonstop. At the same time, the man also unloaded his thick sperm into her cheating slit, unconcerned that he could impregnate her. THUD! She slumped into his chest, exhausted but contented. "That was the best; I''ll miss you¡­. how about you follow me to Skyline Bay? I can pay for the ticket" She asked, tracing her palm across his hairy chest. "I''ll think about it, but can you give me first what I asked for?" The man shifted the discussion. "Yes, of course, it''s in my bag," the woman said. She opened her fancy handbag, bought with her husband''s hard-earned money, and took a folder that she had stolen from his home office. The man eagerly opened the file, where he saw a picture of a creature with dark-red wings flying through the air like the literal god of death. However, instead of finding the picture scary, the man smiled which puzzled the woman. "By the way, why are you so interested in that demon that was spotted in Crestwood?" She asked, leaning on his shoulder as they both looked at the picture. She met her lover a month ago, and was charmed by him with his quirky humor and good looks, despite his age. Initially, she had suspected he was like her previous boy toys, interested in her money. But, she was surprised to discover he was just seeking information. As the wife of the governor, she had ess to important data not usually avable to the public. The information he wanted was highly confidential, and she initially suspected he was a spy, but after being mind fucked by him, she fell in love with how fantastic he was in bed. He made all her other boy toys feel like amateurs. "I''m searching for a friend ," George replied with a smile on his face. "A friend?" She was confused. "I''m sorry to tell you this, darling, but no one survived that ce because of the virus," she said, touching George''s shoulder in an attempt tofort him. "It''s okay, I know he''s alive now," George replied confidently. *** *** *** George was now wearing a ck suit as he carefully exit the hotel, there a car was waiting for him , "Hey, did you enjoy your night?" a dark-skinned sexy woman with dreadlocks giggled as she teased him. "Of course not, that was just business," he defended himself as he opened the car door. "Yeah, yeah, keep lying to yourself, you horny old man," Melissa teased him sarcastically. "I''m telling the truth," he sighed. "Sorry to tell you this, butpared to Reign, you''re a pervert," she giggled. "That''s unfairparison , that guy doesn''t even think about those things." "Fair point," Melissa nodded andugh , though there was a hint of disappointment in her voice. "So, did you get the files? Is it really him?" "Take a look ," he handed her the folder and she started flipping into it and stopped on the picture. "Is this really him? Why does he look like a badass demon lord?" she asked in surprise. George leaned back in his chair. "He doesn''t just look like one, he already is a demon lord ording to the report." "For real!" she eximed. It had only been a few months since she met Reign, and now he was already a demon lord? She might not be well-versed in these things, but she was pretty sure a demon couldn''t jump from a Low Demon to Demon Lord in under a year. Even Anna, who was very talented, had been stuck as a High Demon for years. "I told you before, that guy is special. Are you d you sided with him?" he asked. "I would be dead by now if not for him," Melissa rolled her eyes. ''What kind of question is that?'' George nodded in acknowledgment. "So, what''s the n now?" she inquired. "We go to the market and buy the most expensive steak," he replied. "Why?" Melissa was confused. "Are we going to celebrate that he''s alive?" George sighed. He still had to teach her the tricks to staying on Reign''s good side. "Wick," He uttered one word. At that moment, she finally realized what he meant. In terms of status, that dog held a higher ce in Reign''s heart than they did. Now that they knew he was alive, they needed to take care of his pet more. "You''re right. While we''re there, let''s also buy different types of meat so our lovable and cute dog won''t get bored with the taste," she added. "Now ,you''re talking," Georgeughed. Melissa hit the pedal, and the car took to the road. These two might looked insignificant in Green Valley, but they had the best backer they could ask for¡ªa literal unrivaled Demon Lord. Chapter 241: [Bonus] Good News Inside arge caf¨¦ where dozens of cats roamed freely, one animal stood out¡ªarge, ck dog that, for some reason, was being used as a cushion by the cute cats. "Oh, look at the dog! He''s not attacking the cats at all." "Hey, take a picture. This is Instar worthy." "Wow, I can''t believe how chill it is." Small talks started to circte as a group of high school girls took pictures, ensuring they were in the frame so they could brag on social media. In fact, 75% the pic was their face, and they ended up pouting their cheeks and adding heavy filters to make themselves look cuter than they actually were. "Do you think we can touch it?" one of the girls asked. "I think so. It looks smart and not aggressive at all," another student chimed in. The group of high school girls, encouraged by the dog''s calm demeanor, approached it cautiously. One of them extended her hand to pet its head, and it merely nced at her before resting its head back on the floor, utterly unbothered by the attention. "Oh my gosh, he''s so soft!" one of the girls eximed, running her fingers through the dog''s dark fur. "He''s like a big teddy bear," another added, kneeling down to scratch behind the dog''s ears. The dog let out a contented sigh, its tail thumpingzily against the floor. The cats continued to lounge on and around it, seemingly unfazed by the growing crowd of admirers. "This is amazing," one of the girls said, snapping more pictures. "I''ve never seen a dog so rxed around cats before." As the girls continued to pet and fuss over the dog, it remained calm, enjoying the attention. A caf¨¦ employee approached, smiling at the scene. "He''s a special one, isn''t he?" she said. "We call him Wick. " "Wick, huh?" one of the girls repeated. "I don''t think that''s a good name at all" "Yeah, he looks like a gentle giant, it''s better to call him ckie" another girl agreed. "RRRRR," Wick suddenly growled, his demeanor shifting dramatically. His eyes squinted as he stared at the girls. Startled, they stumbled backward, falling to the ground in a scramble to get away from him. "What the¡ª?" "Why is he angry all of a sudden?" The caf¨¦ fell silent as everyone turned to see what was happening. The cats, sensing the change in the Wick''s mood, quickly scattered, hiding under tables and behind chairs. The caf¨¦ employee rushed over, concern etched on her face. "Wick, calm down!" she called, trying to soothe the agitated dog. Wick''s growl deepened, but he didn''t advance toward the girls. "Girls, please don''t insult his name," a soothing voice echoed through the caf¨¦. Everyone turned to see the source of the voice and saw a drop-dead gorgeous woman. Her short blonde hair framed a face with beautiful emerald eyes that captivated the room. She exuded an aura of stunning beauty that left everyone momentarily breathless. The woman walked over to Wick and gently patted his head. "He really likes his name and the person who named him," she continued, smiling warmly at the girls. "Sorry," one of the girls mumbled, her cheeks turning pink. "We didn''t mean any harm." "It''s alright," Cyril replied kindly. "Just remember, names are important, even to our furry friends." Wick seemed to calm down even more under her touch, his eyes closing in contentment. T he girls rxed, feeling the tension in the room dissipate. "Who is she?" one of the girls whispered to her friend. "I don''t know, but she''s really pretty," the friend replied, equally awestruck. "I think she''s the owner of this ce," one girl responded, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Really?" another girl replied, ncing back at her friend. "That would make sense. She seems to know the dog really well." "Yeah, and she''s got that whole ''I''m in charge'' vibe," the first girl added, nodding in agreement. CLICK! The door to the caf¨¦ opened, and two people entered, a woman and a man, each carrying a bunch of stic bags with meats inside. "What''s going on here? What happened to our Wick?" George asked, noticing a crowd gathered around his most favorite dog in the world. "Sorry, we didn''t mean to upset him," apologized one of the female students. Melissa, trailing behind with her own bags, red at the girls. "You should be more careful. He''s not just any dog." The students reacted with shock and concern after they saw Melissa scolding them. Some exchanged uneasy nces, while others took a step back, unsure what to say. Tension hung in the air as Cyril attempted to diffuse the situation. "It was a misunderstanding," she exined calmly "Wick can be sensitive." "I... I''m sorry," Melissa said, keeping her emotions in check. She was deeply concerned because Wick was the pet of a Demon Lord; if he got angry, they were all in danger. "It''s alright. Is that all for Wick''s food?" Cyril shifted the conversation. "Yeah, by the way, we have good news," George hurriedly spoke up. "What is it?" Cyril asked, noticing the genuine happiness on his face for the first time in the long time. George''s face lit up with excitement. "That asshole is alive!" Cyril''s eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. "Are¡ªare you sure?" she asked, still in shock from the news. It was almost unbelievable, especially after all the bad news she had heard. "Trust us. I''m sure that guy will juste and find us sooner orter," George assured with confidence. He had believed the chance of rescuing his daughter was nonexistent after months of not receiving any news from her But with him bing a demon lord, all he needed to do was figure out her exact location, and they could save her. "That''s a relief," Cyril sighed, a soft smile lighting up her face. But she quickly turned away, cheeks flushing slightly as she realized her expression might be giving away more than she intended. However ¡ª Melissa and George noticed Cyril''s reaction and couldn''t help but feel awkward. Cyril still didn''t know that Reign was a man-eating, psychotic, brutal, demon made of bones. They knew it would take all the kindness in the world for her to actually like him after seeing his true form. As for Melissa? Well, she had always been the type to be attracted to exotic men. *** *** *** ''Why do I feel like someone is talking behind my back?'' Reign muttered to himself as he made his way to the next city. He kept following the railways, but after passing another destroyed city, he ended up at a crossroads. Ahead, one rail continued straight, while another veered to the right. ''Wait, where should I go now?'' he mused. The map he had seenst time turned out to be fake, leaving him with two options: go straight or turn right. As he pondered, one part of him leaned towards going right, while another insisted on continuing straight ahead. "Fuck it, I''ll just go straight," he decided and flew forward. SWOOOOSH! The wind from his flight created small shockwaves. They uncovered something buried in the sand. It was a sign that read [Green Valley City Straight Ahead.] Chapter 242: Pinned Down BOOOOOM! A shockwave rippled through the air as Reign abruptly stopped in mid-air. His once quickly moving wings froze, hovering in the sky. ''There''s something out there,'' he thought, eyes fixed on the horizon. A hunch urged him to investigate. He looked down at the track below, torn between continuing to the next city or following his instinct. ''Where there''s danger, there are rewards,'' he mused. If it was another crystallized negative energy, he couldn''t afford to ignore it. Crystallized Energy was one of the best resources for him. It allowed him to gain attribute and skill points without relying on the slow process of normal leveling up. SWOOOOSH! With a decisive p of his wings, he sped toward the source of his odd feeling. As he flew closer, the air grew colder and thendscape more barren, confirming his instincts. ''This is farther than I expected,'' he thought, already over 10 kilometers in. Soon, he spotted a hill, sensing something emanating from there. Afternding, he found only sand swept by the wind from his wings. ''I''m certain I sensed something,'' he thought, kneeling to touch the cold darkened sand. ''It''s underground,'' he concluded . With his discovery, he reshaped his hand into a rapidly spinning drill. He drove it into the sand, piercing through with ease. He kept drilling, the ground giving way under the rotation of his makeshift drill. Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through, followed by a rumble as the hillside copsed. Dust and debris flew as the ground gave in, revealing a massive hole beneath. "What is this feeling?" Reign was stunned. After the hole was exposed, he sensed a resonance deep within himself. Shutting his eyes, he concentrated, trying to figure out what it was. ''My runes are reacting!'' He decided to investigate the hole further. With slow steps, he approached the edge where the hill had copsed. Peering down into the darkness, he sensed an unusual energy emanating from below getting stronger. Without hesitation, he extended his wings and descended into the depths. As he descended deeper, the air grew cooler. The sensation of power grew stronger, drawing him closer and closer. After a minute, he touched down on solid ground at the bottom of the hole, greeted by a sight that was both extraordinary and unfamiliar. Cave walls had patterns and symbols he did not understand. The markings resembled Asian script, characterized by intricate strokes andplex characters. The symbols had graceful but meticulous design. Each stroke connected seamlessly to the next, forming borate patterns. ''Are they the same ones from my old world?'' he wondered. It wasn''t impossible for the same type ofnguage to exist here, especially considering that katanas also existed. ''What''s that?'' His eyes were drawn to a particr object in the middle of the cave; a small glowing rock sat on a stand. But this rock was unique. It wasn''t just glowing; symbols around it moved in real time. Just by looking at it, he could tell this rune contained a lot of power. ''No wonder the Hunters could grow so strong with this'' he muttered, studying the rune closely. "But is finding a rune really this easy?" he wondered silently. He had imagined it would be more challenging, considering how powerful and useful it was. However, he didn''t sense anything wrong with the ce at all. After pondering for a while, he began to consider that maybe it had been easier for him to find this ce because he possessed something that others did not. And that was because he had a number of runes. With several of them integrated into his core already, they acted like a radar, guiding him to this ce that would normally be very hard to find. ''I''ll just take it then, the more the better,'' he chuckled. It was an unexpected perk, so there was no need to hesitate. He slowly walked toward the stand and observed rune. It was yellow with intricate patterns etched into its surface. As he extended his hand towards the rune, expecting an easy grab, the rune suddenly surged with power. ''What''s happening?'' he asked with a puzzled look. In the next moment, the rune erupted with a blinding sh of light and a deafening boom. A shock-wave sted outward. It mmed him so hard that he was hurled backward and crashed against the cave wall. ''The heck was that?'' he grumbled, shaking off the surprise. The shock-wave was not strong; it had just caught him off guard. He tried grabbing it again, this time bracing himself. As the light shed, he nted his feet firmly on the ground and channeled his power to anchor himself, determined not to be thrown back again. ''Okay, bring it on¡­ I''m ready,'' he muttered confidently. But to his surprise¡ªand slight embarrassment¡ªthe shock-wave turned out to be even stronger than before. Despite his efforts, he found himself flying backwards again "Whoa, okay, maybe not that ready,'' he eximed as he crashed into a nearby pile of rocks, sending them scattering in all directions. He quickly stood up and shook off the debris from his body ''Third time''s the charm,'' he reassured himself with a determined nod. This time, he came more prepared. He created spikes on his feet for better grip and summoned hundreds of sharp tendrils that pierced into the cave walls, acting like cables to anchor himself firmly against the expected attack. As the stone shed and hummed with power again, he braced himself. BOOOOOOM! The shock wave hit with unexpected force, despite his preparations. The spikes gripped the ground, and the tendrils strained against the walls, but he was still lifted off his feet, soaring through the air again. ''Seriously?'' he eximed in disbelief as hended with a thud, this time in a heap of loose rubble. He shook his head , dusting himself off again. ''I don''t think this rune wants to be taken away,'' he clicked his tongue in annoyance. At this point, he was convinced that the shock-wave was not following thews of physics at all. He calcted the level of force each shock-wave had generated. Despite their power, they shouldn''t have been able to throw someone like him off bnce. This meant something strange was shielding the stone from his grasp. ''If I can''t take it with my strong body, there''s no way a human could. So how did the hunters get this things?,'' he reasoned . ''There must be a way to get this stone.'' Unfortunately, hecked the knowledge to figure out what it was, so trial and error looked to be his only option. He paced around it, deep in thought. He knew brute force wouldn''t work, so he began considering alternative approaches. First, he tried to use his wind to blow the stone away. As the rune shed again, he put more effort, but the stone didn''t even flinch. "If wind isn''t enough, then how about this?" He materialized a railgun and shot it point-nk. As the round left the barrel with a loud humming sound, it traveled at hypervelocity toward the stone. However, just before impact, the projectile bent around the stone. It then ricocheted back towards him. He was struck in the arm at close range, sending him flying and pinned against the wall. Chapter 243: Hidden Meaning CRACK! Reign pulled his arm from the wall and checked if his hand was okay. He was durable, but the hole made by the rail gun round showed its incredible pration. If not for his defense, it would have drilled straight through the wall. ''Am I not putting enough much power into this?'' he mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He still had a lot of ways and skills if it was just increasing his destructive power , so he wondered if this was really the right way of doing things . "But if I use that, this whole ce might copse from the shockwave," he rubbed his temple, unsure whether to unleash his strongest attack. ''There''s also a chance it could destroy the runepletely, wasting all my effort.'' ''If force isn''t the answer, then maybe there''s a mechanism here that will allow me to get it after I meet some conditions,'' he concluded, pacing around the rune. He noticed markings on the stand and followed them downward to a tablet in the ground that contain texts. "System, I have auto-trantion ability, right? Can you trante this?" he asked. In this world, they used a different type ofnguage, but thanks to his system, it automatically tranted everything he read and heard. [System: Negative, host. This text is in an aliennguage.] "An aliennguage? So whoever created this isn''t from this world?" he eximed, feeling like he was onto something. [System: Affirmative] Reign paused for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities. "Am I considered an alien too?" he asked aloud. [System: Affirmative] He nodded, already expecting it to be the case. "Is there a way for me to trante this?" [System: Affirmative] "There is? How?" [System: Host, you can study thenguage behind the runes using the system Intermediate Mode.] "I can do that? Why didn''t you tell me sooner?" [System: Intermediate Mode requires a lot of processing power, so it is currently locked. You will unlock this mode after reaching level 100] "That''s too long," he shook his head. With his current speed of leveling, he wasn''t even sure if he could reach that level after destroying multiple Tier 3 city. "Is there any other way ?" The system had be smarter after Reign unknowingly kept feeding it every time he gain EXP . This was also the reason why he was leveling up at a snail''s pace. However, being unaware of this, he just attributed it to the idea that the stronger he got, the higher the EXP requirements were. It also helped that the system''s responsiveness allowed him to ask it more frequently about things he was unsure of. Slowly, he began to trust the system more and more. [System: You can unlock a portion of Intermediate Mode , the Language Analyzer ] "Unlock it," he hurriedly ordered. [System: Cost of Language Analyzer¡­puting.] [System: Cost of Language Analyzer: All Attribute Points] "This..." he was shocked after hearing the system''s greedy pricing. At this point, he started suspecting that it was using him as food collector. "Hey, system, isn''t this counterproductive? Why are you being so greedy with me? You''re slowing my growth!" he retorted. [System: That''s not true host. You''ve grown powerful. The system now has to do more work and needs more processing to keep up with your power. This happens when you use the cheat-like function of the system. It lets you grow very fast, beyond normal means.] [Benefits that the system provided host] >>Skill Assistance >>Energy Control >>Energy Filter System >>Miasma Immunity >>Auto Trantion >>System Guiding Function >>System Inquiry >>System Organizer >>System EXP Converter >>System Atomic Conversion >>System Auto Image Converter >>System rm >>More The list started to stack up, and Reign was shocked to see how much work the system was doing in the background. "I..." He was speechless. He felt like the system was acting like a wife. She had begun tallying all the help, money, and resources she had given him after he started bing sessful. It was to remind him of his ce. "Please stop listing more, I get it, I get it. Thank you for everything. I''m sorry for being too ungrateful," he pleaded in defeat. "Take it all, give me the Language Analyzer," [Language Analyzer, Unlock] After the upgrade, he finally saw the option. He noticed that it also costs more skill points to analyze the runes''nguage, but this time he decided to shut up. The moment he clicked the analyze button, a torrent of information surged into his mind. Bit by bit, he started to decipher the core concepts of the text more deeply. Diagrams, symbols, and text data filled his mind. They showed tiny details aboutnguage''s structure and meaning. "Wait, is this real?" He was shock after seeing the tranted text. ===== Whoever reads this must be of my kin, and I have departed this world a long time ago already. I am Satoshi, the creator of these Runes. I crafted them to grant humans a chance against demons.I know one person''s strength is not sufficient to save humanity. Thus, I created the Breathing Techniques, taught the forging of powerful katanas, and crafted these runes. I left behind legacies I hope will aid humanity. To those now wielding my legacy, I wish you will one day eradicate all demons from this world and prove that humans deserve to survive. From Satoshi, I hope to see you again my mothend, "Nihon" - Land of the Rising Sun. ===== "Satoshi, huh?," he thought to himself. But he didn''t find it weird, considering Aiku was also an umon name in this world. He was just surprised that the name wasn''t more exotic, considering the system had identified it as an aliennguage. ''Maybe this Satoshi was Aiku''s ancestor. It could be possible if the guy lived a very long time ago,'' he thought. He was also intrigued by thest text, "Land of the Rising Sun." There was a nation on his old world, before his father united all the nations, that has that same tag line, but it started with J and not N. After pondering the less important details, Reign finally got some clues from the text. These runes were made to fight demons. So, they had defenses to stop demons from getting them. So, how did he get the runes inside his body? Simple. Those runes were no longer pure; they had already been absorbed and broken by humans, so the defense mechanisms were no longer in ce. And with the help of the system, he was able to acquire their power. ''The reason it reacted was because even though I''m not a demon in the literal sense, my whole body is still filled with demonic elements. If I learn how to iste all energies rted to demons, then I should be able to pick it up normally,'' he hypothesized in his head. ''But how?'' His mind raced as he searched for a solution until suddenly, an idea struck him. He raised his hands, using what he had learned about controlling energy from when he unlocked his "DNA CLUSTERS" Focusing on only releasing his Lightning element, he carefully separated it from the other energies inside him. CRACK! Sparks of bright blue lightning emerged in his hand, the purest form of the lightning attribute. ''I hope this works,'' he smiled wryly as he cautiously reached out to grab the rune. Chapter 244: Rune Effect The vibrations from his now lightning-charged hands ensured his bones wouldn''t touch the stone directly. Slowly but surely, the rune started vibrating. This time, the stand where it sat didn''t react. As the sparks touched the rune, it was lifted by the maic field created by all the electricity. Carefully, he guided it out of the stand. His mind raced as the rune hovered in his grasp, suspended by the energy flowing through him. The control needed to be precise, maintaining the delicate bnce to keep the rune from falling or reacting negatively. With a deep breath, he carefully walked backward and moved the rune away from the stand. He sighed in relief, knowing he had seeded without causing any reactions at all. "I did it," he muttered to himself, feeling a sense of aplishment wash over him. ''But it''s not over yet. Now for the real deal,'' he thought. He needed to be quick for this to seed. Once everything was in ce, he gripped the rune and removed the electricity from his hands. sping the rune tightly, he heard a notification from the system. [System: Do you wish to absorb the rune?] "Yes!" he hurriedly replied. CRACK! The runes shattered into pieces, and the energy coursed through him, immediately redirecting to his cores where the other runes were embedded. He felt his body growing heavier, not just a feeling¡ªhis feet was literally sinking to the ground. ''What''s happening?''. The pressure increased, making it hard to move. It felt like gravity itself was pulling him down, trying to crush him. [System: Rune absorption in progress. The rune''s energy is integrating with your body.] "Alright," he replied casually. The increase in pressure was not problematic for him, considering how powerful his body was. But as time passed, he felt that the integration was having an adverse effect. It reminded him of what had happened to Jayden, or Arc as he was now known, when he had forcibly destroyed the rune to gain a boost in power. The only difference was that, because he was a demon made of hard material, the internal pressure wasn''t as severe. Instead, he felt his body getting progressively heavier. [System: Integration 50%plete.] He started sinking more to the ground, but he didn''t do anything at all; this was nothingpared to being melted into literal molten metal. That experience raised his threshold for pain to an extreme level; he doubted anything could surpass the sensation of slowly melting down into liquid, only to be reformed again. [System: Integration 65%plete.] [System: Integration 75%plete.] He continued sinking, now almost neck-deep in the ground. [System: Integration 85%plete.] Then, just as he thought he would be buried alive, the pressure began to ease up. [System:Integration 100%plete. Rune sessfully absorbed. New Rune unlocked: Overweight.] "Overweight, huh? Why do I feel like this rune''s name is a bit insulting?" he pondered aloud, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He started reading the description and formed a general idea of what it means. ''Alright, let''s test it,'' he muttered, eager to try out his new ability. He started by using his hand to climb out of the hole first. Next, he started thinking of the best and easiest way to check how effective it was in a real battle. ''I think that will work'' He summoned his Skull Grinder, the chainsaw-like sword that now looked sleeker and thinner after his evolution into an Overlord. Its de shimmered with red hue. R-R-R-R-R-R! The weapon hummed to life, its cutting-teeth spinning menacingly. Raising it high, he focused on increasing its mass as he brought it down. The moment the de began its descent, he felt the difference. The force behind the sh doubled in an instant, and the ground where the sword struck split open, a deep gash carved into thefloor. "This rune is incredible," he chuckled aloud, his fingers tapping eagerly on the surface of the weapon. The increased mass added so much power to his swing that it felt like an entirely new weapon. ''Let see¡­'' He lifted the Skull Grinder again, feeling its weight return to normal. ''So I can only increase the weight but not lower it down than its original one,'' he thought to himself, discovering the limitations of the rune. If the rune could also decrease weight, its effect would be more useful . He decided to further test its capabilities to see just how much he could increase the weight of his attacks. He swung the Skull Grinder again, focusing on increasing its mass. With each swing, the weight increased by a notch, pushing the limits of the rune''s power. The force behind each blow was getting stronger, causing deep fissures in the ground and sending shock-waves through the air. After a series of swings, he reached his maximum of seven times the original . ''Seven times the weight,'' he muttered, impressed by the rune''s capacity. ''That''s not bad at all'' he nodded in satisfaction. It meant that if he was wielding a 100kg weapon, he could enhance its weight with each swing until it reached a staggering 700kg. This increase was separate from the actual force he applied to his swings, which meant that the actual impact force would be much stronger if timed perfectly. The reason was in the physics of mass and eleration. It was akin to dropping a heavy ball of metal versus dropping a wood at the same height. Despite applying the same force to both objects, the heavier one would elerate faster due to its greater mass. And the greater the eleration, the more damage it could cause. ''I''ll try testing it on my other skillster,'' he mentally noted, nning to further experiment with this new ability. As he reabsorbed the Skull Grinder, he began to ponder the strength and abilities of Satoshi, the creator of the runes. For someone to craft an object capable of altering the naturalws of the world, Satoshi must have been extraordinarily powerful. ''Just how strong was hei?'' he wondered. ''To create runes that can manipte mass¡­ its even moreplex than the elemental runes'' He considered the potential of the rune he had just absorbed. While elemental runes granted him control over specific elements, this new rune offered a broader range of applications. Increasing the mass of his attacks, enhancing his physical strength, and even creating defensive measures were just a few of the possibilities. He knew he had only scratched the surface of its potential. The ability to manipte mass could change the way he fought. "I wonder if someday, I could also create things like this," he wondered aloud, contemting the rune''s intricate design and its creator''s skill. Right now, all of his original skills still followed thews of nature and physics, but the runes, on the other hand, did not. They were more magical than scientific, if he was being honest. Even the defense mechanism that he encountered before was something that could not be exined by science or logic. "Speaking of magic¡­" He turned towards the stand, thinking there might be still something there that could be useful to him. He walked closer to study it more closely. Chapter 245: Fated ''Yeah, this thing is pretty much useless without the rune,'' he concluded after not sensing anything. He even broke the stand, half expecting it might unleash a curse, but nothing happened at all. ''Is that it? Is there any treasure here?'' he mused inwardly as he started searching for more, hoping that he would uncover another one aside from the runes. In movies, ces like this would contain a lot of hidden treasure. However¡ª After a thorough search of every corner, he sighed in disappointment. ''All that effort for nothing'' he muttered, kicking a small pile of debris. ''I guess not everything can be like the movies.'' He took onest look around the ce, ensuring he hadn''t missed anything. Seeing that there was nothing left to find, he decided to leave. With a wide motion of his wings, he flew toward the opening in the ceiling. Emerging into the space above, he was greeted by a familiar scent of decay and death. The world outside remained as bleak as ever, but he paid it no mind. His only concern was the miasma constantly obscuring his vision. Without wasting any more time, he flew back in the direction of the train track. The wind whipped around him as he soared through the miasma-filled sky, his wings cutting through the thick air with ease. *** One Day Later. BOOOM! A loud explosion thundered, sending debris and sand flying in all directions. When the dust settled, a crater marked the epicenter, and above it hovered a humanoid figure, embodying evil itself, like a harbinger of death. [Ding!] [Level + 1] Reign leveled up, reaching 62, after destroying another nest. So how did he end up here? After flying for nearly a day, he found that the number of Nests in the area had grown a lot. Each was teeming with arge poption of targets to kill. He first noticed this when a unique monster attacked him. He quickly killed the monster without hesitation, then immediately traced its origin. His strategy remained the same. He would find a nest, unleashed an area-of-effect attack, absorb the corpses for experience points and Dark Dust, and repeat the process. ''120,000,'' he muttered, taking note of the number of Dark Points he currently possessed. He had finally recovered all his negative Dark Dust points and was now farming for more to purchase a new seed. Another life wouldn''t hurt him after all, and the sooner he got it, the better. ''Now to the next one,'' Reign took to the sky again, selecting a location to check out. As long as he remembered the direction of his flight, he could find the train tracks, his sole means of navigating the terrain. . He readied himself to take flight, but then he sensed something approaching. At first, he thought it might be another Unique Corrupted, but when he used his undead eye, he discovered they were a group humans. Reign hovered down from the sky, his wings beating steadily as he descended. He chose tond first, opting to observe the situation before making any further moves. ''What''s happening here?'' Reign wondered silently as he hid behind a hill. Humans rarely entered this deadly zone, where one mistake could lead to instant death. So it was either they hade here for an important mission, or the human city he was searching for was closer than he expected. After a few minutes, he spotted five Humvee Type Electric Trucks cruising along the miasma-fillednd. They stopped near the hill and got out. Each of them had bulky power armor that was much heavier than the suits those mercenaries he killed in Crestwood City were wearing. The armors were designed for durability and protection, not speed. They covered the user from head to toe in reinforced ting. "Get the Sensors !" One of the armored humansmanded . The others nodded in silent agreement. They retrieved arge ck pole from the back of the Humvee, along with heavy drilling equipment. Each pole, at least five feet long, was carried with careful precision, reflecting their importance. "Drill a hole in that spot," ordered one of the high ranking personnel. The other members immediately sprang into action. They put the heavy drilling equipment over a designated area of the sandy ground R-R-R-R-R! The drill whirred to life with a metallic hum, its sharp tip biting into the sand first, until it broke through the ground beneath it. Next, they retrieved an old dusty pole from inside the ground, carefully extracting it . Reign watched attentively from his concealed position as the soldiers exchanged the old pole for the new one. Once they finished, he noticed a red light blinking momentarily before it turned offpletely. Having securely installed the new pole, they began to refilling the freshly excavated hole. They worked fast, using shovels and their hands to pack the soil and sand back into ce around the base of the pole. ''This is my chance'' Reign thought to himself. Quickly shrinking down and using his Night Crawl ability, which was at level 50, he slowly inched toward the truck. The area was dark because of the miasma, which helped him stay hidden. Finding enough space under the truck, he slipped underneath and fit perfectly. So why did he bother to do all of this ? He saw the name on the truck: "Green Valley Military Research Department." Putting the pieces together, he realized he had inadvertently taken the route to it. Because of this, he decided to change his n. He couldn''t just waltz into a Tier 3 city without gathering proper information first. For all he knew, powerful people could already be there. Especially after seeing the destroyed cities he had passed. At the same time, there was also the information he got from Aiku. ording to her, the barrier of a Tier 3 city was much stronger, and anything that passed through it would be detected almost immediately. After hanging around for a couple of minutes, the military personnel finally returned. They quickly got into their vehicle as their air reserves were running low and drove back to the city, unaware that an uninvited guest was hitchhiking along with them. The ride was quite bumpy due to the uneven sand, but he didn''t mind at all. In fact, he began to yawn from the boredom of the journey. After 3 hours, they reached a tform . It began descending slowly, revealing a tunnel. This tunnel was familiar to Reign because he had used something simr in CrestWood. And, he knew there would be a checkpoint at the end, where the vehicles would be inspected. So he decided to quietly jump out of the Humvee without causing anymotion. Using the ceiling like a spider, he capitalized on the darkness to quickly follow the them to the gated checkpoint. When the heavy metal gate opened for the truck, he casually slipped through it. ''Too easy'' The simrities of the tunnel system made it easier for him to infiltrate it without drawing too much attention. ''I''m finally here,'' he chuckled quietly to himself. He had thought abouting herest, but it felt like fate had brought him here. Chapter 246: Twisted Idea ''I take back what I said. This ce isrger and more heavily guarded'' Reign sighed after seeing the inside of the Military Base. The entire area was also filled with sensors and CCTV, leaving him with few options. While his night crawler skill made him almost invisible in low-light settings, he doubted it could evade sensors sensitive to even the slightest movements. Plus, unlike humans, digital equipment like CCTV recorded raw footage, so it was not affected by his skills at all. It would have been much easier if all his equipment and gadgets, including his mask, were still here, but they all burned after he melted into molten metal. ''I have to restock my supplies after I escape this ce,'' he made a mental note . What was more dangerous than a powerful and deadly monster? Of course, it was a powerful and deadly monster who was always prepared. Thisbination spelled trouble for all humans unfortunate enough to be on his menu. As he thought it over, he decided to take his time and hide among the stacked crates. He pondered his next move and noticed people entering a nearby room. They always wore in white clothing when they entered and exited in their military uniforms. ''Is that a changing room?'' he thought. Reign decided to crawl towards it and check it out. Luckily, there was a small vent in the ceiling, so he used it to gain ess to the room. Inside, he discovered a spacious changing room, just as he had guessed, filled with various clothing. There were even small private cubicles where people could change discreetly. ''This is perfect... I can pretend to be a military personnel and get out.'' The n was good, but then he realized one problem: his face. ''I can hide my horn and materialize a new skin, but my face...''he trailed off. He didn''t find his face unbearable at all. In fact, he had grown to love it. Unfortunately, no human in their right mind would consider him even slightly normal after seeing it. ''Maybe I can wear a mask?'' he pondered. ''No, that would just make me stand out more.'' He was running out of ideas when something popped into his mind. ''Wait¡­ I think that could work,'' Reign quickly climbed down from the vent and hid. Since there was no one else around, and the area was specifically for changing clothes, there were no CCTV cameras, which was exactly what he needed. Momentster, a group of people entered the changing room. There were too many of them for him to make a move just yet, so he waited and observed without taking action. More and more groups came and went, until finally, an unlucky individual entered the changing room alone. The muscr man in a white T-shirt began selecting his clothing based on his rank. While doing so, there was an annoyed look on his face, and he was grumbling to himself. "Man I can''t believe that whore is ckmailing me," The man mumbled as he started wearing his uniform. "If I had known she was crazy enough to call my wife, I wouldn''t have fuck that bitch," he cursed aloud, the veins in his head showing just how angry he was. "You''re right. Don''t put your dick in crazy " a voice echoed from behind him. "Oh man, you said it. Screw her loose pussy," the man replied. "Well, isn''t the issue because you decided to screw her to begin with?" The muscr man''s face turned sour "Hey buddy, let me tell you something," he began, turning around. But before he could fully turn, a cold sensation overwhelmed his chest. Looking down, he saw a small de sticking out. "BUAHHHH!" Blood gushed from his mouth. He gasped for breath and tried to scream, but only more blood bubbled. "I''m listening," Reign replied, his lips curling into a twisted smile. "BUAHHHH!" The man vomited blood again as Reign twisted the de further. SLASH! With a quick, decisive motion, Reign used his hand, severing the man''s head from his body in one clean stroke. Next, he quickly absorbed the whole body while holding the head in his right hand. "If I just focus enough..." His voice trailed off as he activated his bone eater on the head. He concentrated, visualizing only the inner parts being absorbed. Slowly, the head began to shrink, the flesh and bone dissolving into nothingness until only the outer skin remained. He even kept the eyeballs intact, knowing they might be usefulter. ''Now this is what I call a realistic mask,'' he chuckled sadistically, satisfied that he had just solved his face problem. Holding the hollow skin, he admired his work, feeling a twisted sense of aplishment. ''I just need to reform my face to make this fit perfectly,'' he muttered to himself. A cracking sound echoed as he reshaped his head to match the deceased''s features. This way, even without muscles, the human skin mask would fit seamlessly, ensuring it wouldn''t look too odd. After some reformation, he wore his new mask and made some minute adjustmentto ensure it fit perfectly. "Smile!" He looked in the mirror and tried to imitate a smiling facial expression. It looked really awkward because this human skin was not meant to be worn to begin with, but it would suffice for now. ''Perfect ''With a satisfied nod, he exited the room with a confident stride. He wore his visor and stole his victim''s ess card and other belongings to pass the checkpoints. As he approached the first door, he swiped the card and waited. The scanner beeped, and the door clicked open. He stepped through casually to not stand out. He blended seamlessly with the surroundings, expertly avoiding people who might notice his odd-looking face. Fortunately, everyone was too preupied to give him more than a double take and simply let him pass. Within minutes, he reached the parking lot, a space filled with rows of vehicles. He scanned the area, searching for any clues about newly acquired car. Pulling out the key-chain he stole, he began walking down the rows, pressing the buttons methodically. At first, there was no response, so he kept going, his eyes darting from side to side, looking for any signs of a reaction. Suddenly, a distant chirp caught his attention. He approached the car, confirming it was the right one. ''Nice,'' he nodded in satisfaction, observing that it was a well maintained pick up truck. He unlocked the door, sliding into the driver''s seat. ''That guy had good taste. Too bad he''s dead now,''he thought to himself, a smirk ying on his lips as he adjusted to the vehicle''s feel. CLICK! Reign inserted the key into the ignition, twisting it until the engine roared to life. Rather than hitting the pedal right away, he let the engine idle for a moment, allowing it to warm up. VROOOOOOM! VROOOOOOM! Satisfied with the roar of the engine, he gently pressed the elerator, maneuvering the truck out of its parking spot. Along the way, there were checkpoints, but with an ess card and some convincing excuses, he was able to pass with no trouble. Chapter 247: New City As the wheels of the truck rumbled along the highway, Reign hummed under his breath. "Country Road, take me home¡­ to a ce¡­ where I beloooong!!!" he sang out, his voice filled with nostalgia as he drummed the beat on the steering wheel. His head bobbed up and down to the rhythm, his eyes focused on the road ahead but his mind drifting to memories of his past life. The familiar melody of a hundreds of years old song filled the vehicle, blending with the steady hum of the engine. With each verse, his voice grew stronger, echoing through the empty stretches of road ahead. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows over thendscape. He had been flying for so long, moving fast and quick, that he decided to appreciate the charm of driving a diesel-powered truck while polluting the environment. Because in a world filled with miasma, who cared about pollution anyway? ''How far is the city?'' he pondered, turning his head towards the dashboard. Even the civilian cars here were more advanced, equipped with touch screens and other features. He checked the local GPS map and saw that he still had a long way to go to reach the capital, highlighting the vast size difference between a Tier 3 and a Tier 4 city. Not only was the cityrger, but even the quality of the roads impressed him. It boasted 8ne highways, and despite being on the outskirts, he noticed numerous exits leading to big towns located outside the city limits. The traffic was also more lively. He started remembering his old world, where his mother would always give the "F" sign every time someone cut her off on the road. Lost in memories, he mused inwardly, ''I could have contacted those two if I still had my phone,'' His phone had also been destroyed during the incident, leaving him no choice but to purchase a new one and possibly re-register with the Veiled Nights. ''Ah, fuck, my card was also gone. Do I have to start all over again?'' he mumbled to himself. He realized how much he had lost after that melting ident . Before, he had been flying around a literal wastnd , where he didn''t need any of those human technology. Now that he was back in civilization, he began to appreciate their importance and started to feel their absence was inconvenient. He made a mental note to look into those thingster, but for now, it was time to increased his paced and get to the city sooner. Just as he started feel the gas pedal, preparing to overtake, an ident suddenly urred. One truck containing dozens of bigwooden logs tumbled over, causing a chain reaction among the speeding vehicles around it. Metal screeched and tires squealed as cars swerved to avoid collision. Luckily, Reign''s inhumane reaction time kicked in. With calm mind, he casually swerved using only one hand, effortlessly dodging the whole incident like a total bad-ass. When the dust settled, he expected people to exit their cars and curse the truck driver. But, to his surprise, no one got out or honked their horns while shouting insults "RAWWWR!" A thunderous roar echoed. With a powerful leap, a big creaturended atop the wrecked truck. Its sleek grey fur gleamed under the streetlights, and its orange eyes glowed menacingly. The sight caused everyone to shrink into their cars, fearing that the creature would target them next. "RAWWWR!" its growl reverberated through the highway, getting attention from the onlookers who where frozen in fear. ''A demon!'' These creatures were pretty rare, almost nonexistent in Tier 4 cities, so he was surprised that they were much moremon here. And judging from the reactions of the people, this was not their first encounter with such beings. ''Should I tame it?'' he pondered. ''No, there are too many witnesses, and...'' His voice trailed off as he noticed the creature was already wounded, indicating that someone was already hunting it down. BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! Multiple shockwaves hit the creature, sending it flying off the road. Then, three figures with katanas emerged from a military HuNovelBinee. They wore traditional kimonos that identify them as hunters. Without wasting any time, they drew their weapons and engaged the savage demon in a fierce battle. Intrigued, Reign left his car and joined the onlookers who were now no longer afraid after seeing the hunters in action. Some bystanders had started filming the distant fight , their phones held high to capture every dramatic moment. From his vantage point among the crowd, Reign could see the hunters coordinating their attacks with precision. "Wow, look at that. That''s Hunter Risa! She''s really cool and sexy!" remarked a kid, about sixteen years old, his eyes fixed on a hunter with a short orange hair and eyes. Her movements were smooth and precise, each sh of her sword generating sparks of electricity. "I think Hunter Vin is more awesome. Did you see how strong he was?" remarked a girl, about fifteen years old, her eyes filled with admiration as she continued to film the entire battle. They were talking as if they were watching basketball, not a dangerous fight. ''Whoa, even the hunters are like celebrities here!'' Reign eximed, experiencing a big culture shock. He knew Tier 3 citizens were more aware about the existence of demons and corrupted, but he hadn''t expected them to treat a fight like this as if it were a TV show. More and more people gathered to watch the fight as they saw the hunters guiding the demon away. In the distance, the hunter continued to confront the demon. Their movements were synchronized, and even Reign had to admit there was no way the poor creature would survive this encounter. In fact, he noticed the hunters could have ended the fight much sooner, but they deliberately prolonged it for some reason. ''Why are these guys doing all of this?'' he wondered, his genius mind could not understand the logic behind it. "Wow, my Risa is so good. I''m going to donate money!" eximed a 30-year-old man with thick eyesses, looking like he hadn''t bathed in days, as he fumbled with his phone. Intrigued, Reign edged closer and asked, "What are you doing?" The man looked at him like he was an idiot for asking such a dumb question. "What am I doing ?" He rolled his eyes " I''m her loyal fan, so I''m donating money to her!" " "Donating money?" he asked, still confused. He felt like he was talking to some kind of rare specimen. The man sighed, seeing that Reign was not willing to back down without getting answers. He showed him his phone and began to exin. "See, this app here is like a Social Media app for hunters," the man started, swiping through the interface to reveal a livestream of the ongoing battle. "People like me can donate money to our favorite hunters while they''re out there risking their lives. It''s like supporting them and cheering them on." Reign watched the screen intently, seeingments scroll by and virtual gifts being sent to the hunters. "So, you''re giving them money for fighting monsters and saving people, right ?" Reign rified, beginning to understand. "Of course not, dummy. I''m giving her money because she''s hot and the girl of my dreams!" the 30 year old man retorted, adjusting his eyesses like he was some badass Anime MC. Chapter 248: Showcasing "Fair enough," Reign nodded in understanding. He didn''t see the appeal of ogling and simping over beautiful and sexy women, but it was the man''s money. His cash, his rules. Kudos to him for being honest and not a hypocrite. Reign hated hypocritical people the most.In his case, he had always considered himself evil; he never justified his actions as good, nor did he feel the need to. He saw himself as a monster, devoid of morals. "Now that you understand how awesome I am, get out of the way. I''m watching my Risa." The man shooed Reign, oblivious to the fact that he was addressing a Peak Demon Lord capable of killing everyone here with a flick of his finger. The funny thing was, Reign just nodded and stepped aside, finding a spot to watch the battle himself. "Oh my god, did you see that? I think I just saw her panty!" The man kept mumbling . Others heard him and gave him funny looks. In another five minutes, the battle finally ended. The four-legged demon was in after the hunters had finished showcasing their skills for the audience''s benefit. . ''Maybe I can still steal it for negative energy,'' Reign wondered, eyeing the demon''s corpse. ''Nah, it''s too weak to be useful anyway,'' he concluded, seeing no reason to take the risk. Wr! - Wr! - Wr! - Wr! The distant whirring of helicopter des caught his attention. Arge cargo helicopter, its rotors slicing through the air, descended smoothly onto the scene of the fight. The ground vibrated under its immense weight, sending gusts of wind in all directions. As itnded, the back hatch opened with a hydraulic hiss, revealing a team of people in clean white hazmat suits. Their movements were coordinated and efficient, suggesting they had done this countless times before. "Secure the perimeter." "Check for pathogens." "Check for dangerous chemicals." One by one, the people in hazmat suits began following orders. They moved with a sense of urgency, each task executed properly. The perimeter team spread out, marking the area with bright, reflective tape and setting up portable barriers. Their job was to ensure that no unauthorized personnel got too close to the site, and they were diligent in their patrol. Meanwhile, the team assigned to pathogen detection unfurled advanced handheld devices, sweeping them over the ground and air. These scanners emitted soft, steady beeps as they analyzed the environment for any biological threats. The data was quickly ryed back to themand unit, where it was processed in real-time Another group focused on chemical hazards. They used a variety of sensors and sampling tools to detect any dangerous substances that might have been released during the fight. Containers were filled with samples of soil and air, each carefullybeled for further analysis . Even the people here were morepetitive. A couple of minutes passed, and one more helicopter arrived, this time equipped with crane designed for lifting heavy objects. Its purpose was to carry the corpse away. The next helicopter arrived with a water and cleansing unit designed to disinfect the hunters. The seamless integration of their tools and their expertise in handling supernatural threats was impressive. This level of preparedness meant that any virus he unleashed would have to be advanced to bypass their defenses. ''Yeah, this ce is not like Crestwood,'' he nodded, noting the big differences. Little did he realize that all these protocols were new, and the reason for their implementation was because of him in the first ce. "Hunter Risa, can I get a picture?" "I''m from Green Valley News Center, can I get an interview?" "Miss Risa, remember me? I''m from Epic News. Can I get an interview?" The moment the hunters were finished being cleansed, reporters stormed them, apanied by eager fans hoping to meet their idols. The hunter in question smiled back at the reporters. She was indeed beautiful, but Cyril and Anna were still leagues above her. Risa found herself surrounded by the reporter, who fired off questions one after another like a rapid-fire. "So, Risa, could you describe the fight?" the reporter asked, leaning in with a notepad ready. Risa took a moment to collect her thoughts, pretending that it was an intense battle. "It was a challenging fight. The creature was fast and had a thick fur so it took as a while to kill it." The reporter nodded, jotting down notes. "How did your team manage to contain it?" "We had to coordinate carefully," Risa exined. "We exploited its weaknesses and used abination of tactics to immobilize it." The reporter''s eyes widened with curiosity. "Was there a moment during the battle that stood out to you?" Risa paused, reflecting on a critical moment. "There was a point where it nearly broke through our defenses. That''s when our teamwork and training really paid off." Reign shook his head in disbelief. ''What a load of bullshit,'' he chuckled under his breath. These hunters were just paying lip service at this point. What hard battles? If they hadn''t held back, the ident on the road could have been prevented. Risa noticed Reign''s subtle movements and turned her head towards him. ''Did she realize something?'' he thought to himself, staying calm. Not that his expression could be read anyway¡ªthankfully, he wore a face mask and visor, leaving him looking shady, and not demonic at all. After giving him a double take, Risa returned to answering the reporters. She had only nced at him when he shook his head, which caught her attention. "It''s your fault! My father died because of you!" A sudden cry of anger echoed, grabbing everyone''s attention. When they turned around, they saw a 15-year-old boy crying, his body bloodied. "If you had killed the demon faster, we wouldn''t have been in an ident!" he spat out in anger. He was one of the unfortunate victims of the road incident. Tears streamed down his face as he struggled to articte his grief and frustration. Risa looked sad after hearing him, but Reign'' sharp senses says otherwise. He noticed that before disying sadness and concern, she clicked her tongue in annoyance. "I''m sorry¡­ I''m really sorry!" she bowed her head, her voice breaking as if she was on the brink of tears herself. This prompted her fans to rush to her defense. Her fans immediately rallied to her defense, their voices rising in solidarity. "Don''t me her! She did her best!" "She saved so many lives today!" "It''s not her fault, it was the demon!" Their passionate support echoed through the crowd, forming a protective shield around Risa amid her fake emotional turmoil. It was ironic how they dismissed the fact that the kid had just be an orphan because of the incident. ''Wow, this is really low,'' Reign sighed inwardly. He knew he had no right to judge her reaction, considering he had killed many parents before, and indirectly caused human deaths across all ages. However, at least he didn''t pretend to be a good Samaritan. "I... I..." The poor kid stuttered, forced to step back, unsure of what to do next after being berated by the adults. His shoulders slumped, overwhelmed by the weight of his grief , and being called out. Chapter 249: Masked When themotion was over, the poor kid was left alone and sat on the ambnce to treat his wounds. He continued to cry over what had happened, feeling utterly alone. Some of the health professionals tried to talk to him and offered counseling, but the damage was done. The sense of abandonment and loss weighed heavily on him, and no words could ease his pain in that moment. "Are you alright?" A man wearing a face mask sat beside the boy. The boy looked at him, unable to see the man''s face clearly. He sniffled and wiped his tears, unsure how to respond. "It''s my mistake. I know it''s not the hunters'' fault," he replied, his voice dejected. He was afraid of being judged again, so his answer was more careful. "Those guys could have killed that monster in one attack," the masked man chuckled, his tone filled with sarcasm. The boy frozed, confused by the man''s words. "But they dragged it out, didn''t they? That''s why your father died,"he hinted. "N¡ª No, you''re lying," the boy replied, stuttering. His eyes filled with a mix of denial and fear as he tried to reject the masked man''s insinuation. "It''s up to you whether to believe it or not. Just remember, calling them out¡ªthat was the right thing to do, and you''re brave for doing that. You''re father will be proud of you if he was still alive," the masked man said while standing up. He walked away, leaving the boy confused. "I¡ª I''m right? It''s their fault that Daddy died?" The boy repeated those words, his eyes narrowing in anger. He gripped his fists in rage, ring at the hunters who were still talking to the press like they were some kind of hero. The boy slowly stood up, wanting to run at them, but he knew he was too weak. Then, he saw something in the area where the masked sat: a vial and a letter. Curious, he picked up the letter and read it. "If you want to get your revenge and be stronger, drink this" A couple meters away , Reign lean on the railings as he watched a masked man interact with the orphaned boy. He overhead them with his senses, and he also saw how the man put the vial into the boy''s side. ''Man, this ce is really lively¡ªa demon right of the bat, and then a mysterious person casually giving strange drugs to minors,'' he thought to himself. Of course, he didn''t feel it was his ce to confront the masked man. He was certain whatever that guy was doing was nothingpared to what he had done. Giving an unknown substance? That''s child''s y. Reign had literally caused a pandemic that killed an entire city. If there were a ranking here for the most evil, he would 100% top the chart. ''Alright, I''ve watched enough drama. Time to hit the road,'' he muttered to himself. There was no reason to linger here any longer¡ª "ARHHHHHHHH!" A loud scream pierced the air. The boy, who had been crying moments ago, started growlingand attacking the people around him, bing violent and uncontroble. He hadpletely lost control, his eyes turning crazed red. His skin began to darken, tainted by corruption, and a dark miasma started to seep from his body, swirling around him ominously. ''This...'' Reign paused, recognizing the transformation. It was the same thing he had seen back at the Research Center, when those doctors had injected a serum into the prisoner. But this one looked stronger and moreplete, evident by the fact that the boy didn''t die right away. SWOOOOSH! The hunters reacted quickly, drawing their swords to confront the boy. Risa was the first to moved, her sword shing through the air in a swift arc aimed directly at the boy''s neck. The de sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, aimed for a decisive strike. But just as it seemed the blow wouldnd, the boy''s skin around his neck suddenly hardened, as if ayer of metal had encased him. CLANG! Risa''s sword met this resistance with a resounding sound, sparks flying as metal shed against hardened flesh. Surprised by the unexpected turn of events, she staggered back. The boy impervious to her attack, let out another guttural roar, his eyes glowing more intensely. The other hunters, sensing the danger, closed in fast, their weapons ready for another strike against this new threat. ''That boy is even more powerful than that demon before!'' Reign thought, assessing the escting threat that made the whole ce chaotic again. The other civilians started running away in panic. "Dude, run away! Why are you just standing there?" the 30-year-old man whom Reign had spoken to earlier urged him. "Don''t worry about me," "You''re crazy, man!" the 30-year-old man shouted, before finally turning to run with the fleeing crowd, leaving Reign free to watch the whole fight. The three hunters quickly shifted tactics, opting to lead the rampaging boy away from the crowded highway to prevent further civilian casualties. Risa took the lead again, skillfully dodging the boy''s frenzied attacks. She dashed around him, provoking him to chase her as she leaped and rolled away from his wed strikes. Behind her, the other hunters mirrored her movements. They formed a coordinated front, their katanas ready to strike defensively and guide the boy''s movements away. They refrained from using stronger techniques despite their capability, mindful of the potential coteral damage it could cause. In the distance, the masked man responsible for the chaos watched everything with a smirk, jotting down notes as if the entire scene were merely an experiment to him. "So, I''m right. Strong emotions can increase the chance of the serum working," he mused aloud, affirming his hypothesis with a satisfied nod. "But the boy is still too impulsive. At this point, he''s no different from a monster," he shook his head. "I beg to differ. I think the boy is doing pretty well," a voice came from behind the masked man, startling him as he realized someone had approached unnoticed. With a quick reaction, ck miasma started to release from his body, but before he could unleash itpletely, his whole body froze. It felt as though he was being stared down by death itself. "I wouldn''t do that if I were you," Reign warned. "W¡ªWho are you?" The man asked, his voice trembling, unable to muster the courage to even turn around. His instincts warned him that any unnecessary action might lead to his death. "Don''t mind me, I''m just a demon lord," Reign answered casually, downying his title as if it were nothing impressive. "A demon lord?" The man gulped nervously after hearing Reign''s response. Normally, he might have dismissed such a im as a bluff, but in this moment, he couldn''t deny it even if he wanted to. He had faced off against a Middle Upper Demon before, and though he had been forced to retreat, he had still managed to hold his own in the fight. But this was different. The power in Reign''s words alone was enough to make his target cower in fear, leaving the masked man to wonder just how powerful the being behind him. Chapter 250: Agendas "Why are you shaking?" Reign asked, noticing the masked man sweating alot. He had only spoken the truth, but the masked man reacted as if his soul had fled his body. "I-I''m sorry, I didn''t know there was a Demon Lord in this city," the masked man replied, his voice stuttering under the pressure of standing near someone who could end his life effortlessly. The masked man, once filled with pride and arrogance, would have faced down dozens of hunters without hesitation. Now, confronted by someone at the apex of the food chain, all his bravado evaporated, leaving him humbled. Little did he know, Reign was still keepinghis aura controlled, ensuring no one else noticed. ''Could Demon Lords be such a big deal already?'' Reign pondered. He knew he was strong, but he was still far from being the strongest . And strength was subjective; for instance, he might be powerful, but he would have still avoided the Illusion Demon girl because her abilities posed a serious threat to him. "What was that serum you gave the boy?" Reign shifted the conversation, curious about its origin. The serum had turned a seemingly harmless kid into a wild killing machine, impressing even Reign, who had taken multiple evolutions to reach such power. The masked man hesitated, realizing the danger of divulging his secret. But he had no choice. If he didn''t answer, he would be killed on the spot. "I''m waiting," Reign repeated, tapping his foot impatiently, his tone growing more annoyed . "Please don''t kill me! I''m just ackey. I don''t know where the serumes from; someone just ordered me to test it," he pleaded, valuing his life above all else. "Why would I kill you over that?" Reign asked with a puzzle tone. "B¡ª Because of what I did to the boy?" the masked man asked nervously. Reign shook his head. "That''s his choice. Besides, you did nothing wrong. You just provided an option," he said calmly. The masked man was astonished by Reign''s response. He had anticipated a one sided judgment and execution. "S¡ª So you''re not going to kill me?" the masked man asked cautiously, seeking confirmation. He found it hard to believe that a Demon Lord would make such a statement so casually. "Don''t misunderstand. I will still kill you, but not for what you did. I''ll kill you because I want to," Reign rified. "And don''t think about causing amotion. I can end you before you make a sound." His threat sent a chill down the masked man''s spine. Desperate to save himself, the masked man blurted out, "Please don''t! I can tell you more. We are an organization called the Enlighten, and we''re big. Some Demon Lords are affiliated with us. Maybe we can negotiate," he stammered. Reign''s curiosity was piqued at the mention of "Demon Lords." It seemed demons were more active in human cities than he had imagined. "So your organization is backed by a Demon Lord?" he inquired skeptically. "I-I heard it from our leader. He told us that we have their support," the masked man replied hesitantly, having never met a Demon Lord himself prior to this. "Alright, I won''t kill you, but you will work for me from now on," Reign offered. "W¡ª What?" The masked man was stunned. It felt more like a recruitment than punishment for his crimes. But considering Reign''s demonic nature, his criteria for servants were equally sinister, requiring ruthlessness, morally evil, and degeneracy . In that regard, the masked man fit the bill perfectly. "You don''t want to ? I can just kill you, you know. And don''t think your organization can save you. I''m close to reaching Demon King status, so choose wisely," Reign warned, his tone filled with threat. He was justbluffing about his progress toward bing a Demon King, but who would dare to question him? "I''ll serve you... I''ll serve you," the masked man replied hastily. "Good choice," Reign nodded in satisfaction. Meanwhile, the battle between the boy and the hunter concluded. As expected, the boy''s body couldn''t contain the overwhelming power within him, leading to a sudden explosion that painted the ground ck. "Finish what you''re doing and take me to your base. I want to speak with your leader," Reignmanded. He could have killed the masked man immediately, but that would leave him with only one person to consume. So his n was to investigate this organization called the ''Enlighten,'' uncover the source of their power, and devour everyone associated with it. ''This guy isn''t human or demon. The miasma I felt from him is like the one in the Corrupteds'', but it''s more restrained and controlled. I''m sure his organization can offer me a lot of benefits,'' he thought, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he imagined the rewards from this unexpected encounter. The masked man''s blood ran cold at themand. He understood the potential consequences of leading Reign to their base but had no alternative. He regretteding here in the first ce. It was his leader''s idea to provoke the demon attack, hoping to lure hunters to test the experiment''sbat capabilities. Instead, it had backfired, leaving him cornered and facing unexpected consequences. "I have a car," the masked man replied dejectedly. "Lead the way." Reluctantly, he led Reign to where his car was parked nearby. As they drove down the highway, the masked man stole nervous nces, uncertain of the Demon Lord''s intentions. ''So their base is in the capital, huh?'' he mused, having assumed it would be hidden in a smaller town. He was surprised when the GPS indicated they were headed toward the city center. Throughout the journey, the masked remained silent, acutely aware of Reign''s watchful eye. Every move, every nce, and every gesture was scrutinized. The masked man kept his actions careful, afraid to provoke any suspicion that could lead to dire consequences. After an hour or so. ''This ce is on another level,'' he muttered to himself as they finally saw the outline of the city . Towering walls loomedrger than any he had seen in Tier 4 cities. They stretched so far that even with his vision, he couldn''t see from end to end on either side. Atop the walls, rows of massive cannons were visible, their size and scale apparent even from a distance, emphasizing the city''s formidable defenses. And not just the walls, he could also see a lot of equipment on the t area surrounding the area. They looked like cannons but more advanced. "Where exactly is your base ?" Reign asked . The masked man paused for a moment, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "It''s in the 3rd Region," he admitted reluctantly. "3rd Region, huh," Reign nodded. He had done some research using the man''s phone and figured out that this ce had a total of 5 regions. The closer to the center, the more exclusive it became. After seeing the entire map on the local internertwork, he discovered just how massive this ce was. The area inside the barrier was only twice as big as a Tier 4 city, but the actual walled capital was at least six timesrger. ''I''m finally here,'' he muttered. Chapter 251: Closer "ID and registration," the city guards demanded as they scrutinized the vehicle. They worebat suits, though not as advanced as those worn by the mercenaries Reign had encountered in Crestwood. Only a few guards at the gate had these suits, providing minimal defense against low-caliber bullets and stab wounds. They were essentially glorified full-body vests. HuNovelBinees equipped with mounted machine guns also nked the gate, a deterrent against any troublemakers. CCTV cameras dotted the area, and drones flew overhead, scanning cars for illegal merchandise. The driver handed over his ID, which read Richard Simon. The guards scanned it, checking the system for any crimes associated with his name. The ID''s QR code ensured that even if someone else hadmitted a crime under the same name, it wouldn''t g in their system as a positive match. "It''s clear," a guard said, handing back the card. However, he didn''t let them pass immediately. Instead, he shone his shlight into the passenger seat, noticing arge metal ball, about the size of six basketballs. "What''s in the back?" the guard asked, his tone neutral but curious. "It''s a piece of art," Richard replied, following the alibi Reign had instructed him to tell. The guards exchanged nces, their skepticism evident. "Sir, please park over there for inspection," the guard instructed, pointing to a designated area. Richard nodded, outwardly calm but inwardly anxious, hoping the guards would discover Reign so he could escape. "We''ll run a few checks. Keep your hands on the wheel and don''t move," they warned. "Alright, officer," Richard nodded inpliance. The guards brought out an array of sophisticated sensors, each designed for specific purposes. Handheld devices resembling scanners with glowing disys were swept meticulously over the metal ball. Larger sensors, mounted on tripods, emitted faint hums as they scanned the vehicle''s interior. Richard recognized these devices. They were advanced technology capable of detecting Negative Energy, important for identifying demons. He felt rtively safe because his abilities were concealed from detection. However, he knew that Reign, being a powerful demon lord, would likely be detected due to the nature and intensity of his negative energy. But to his surprise, the guards repeatedly scanned the round object but received no reaction. "You can go now, sir. This art is beautiful. It must have been expensive," a guard remarked, impressed as he touched the object and felt its quality. "Ah, yes," Richard replied, still in shock at this sudden turn of events. "It''s a gift for my boss," he added before carefully maneuvering the vehicle through the checkpoint. Once they were far enough , Reign morphed back to his original appearance and retrieved the skin and clothing he had concealed inside the ball. As a Demon Lord, his control over his aura was on another level, enhanced further by the capabilities of the system. Passing through checkpoints like that was a breeze for him. "Keep driving," Reign ordered. It was still nighttime, but this part of the city bustled with people, showcasing its high poption density. Region 5, thergest but the least developed, was a lively area. Tall buildings were few and far between, with most shops and establishments limited to just the first to fourth floors. Brightly lit signs adorned the facades of shops, casting colorful reflections on the pavement below. People filled the sidewalks, moving in and out of small, local businesses that lined the streets. The atmosphere was lively, with the chatter of voices, the aroma of street food wafting through the air, and the asional honking of horns from passing vehicles navigating the road. Despite being less developed than other regions, Region 5 exuded a sense ofmunity and vibrancy that was uniquely its own. It was a kind of warmth not typically found in exclusive neighborhoods where people often lived separate lives. This ce resembled a cleaner, safer version of the Slump, with less crime and better security. After navigating through turns, the car passed through amercial center. It was just one of many centers in Region 5, but this particr area was among the most popr. Situated closest to the outer gate, it offered direct ess to the road leading to Region 4. As a result, there was a four-way avenue designed to manage traffic flow and prevent congestion. In this avenue, there were more attractive shops strategically positioned to attract business from the constant flow of people entering and exiting the city. Consequently, the rent here was the highest too, so only those with a lot of financial resources could afford it. "Is that a cat caf¨¦?" Reign wondered, spotting a two-story building adorned with arge cat sign. The concept struck him as out of ce, especially considering that most stores lining this area sold expensive-looking merchandise. "Do you want check it out?" Richard asked, uncertain why a demon lord would want to enter such a ce. "Why would I?" Reign shook his head. "Just drive. I want to talk to your leader. If I like what I see, I might also support your organization. Having another demon lord backing you up is not a bad deal," he added. Richard nearly hit the brakes after hearing Reign''s words. He began to sense that this encounter could potentially work in their group''s favor. "Yes, Master," Richard replied, now adding the word "Master" to his response to show his respect and loyalty. Without wasting any time, he stepped on the gas and drove the car towards their base. VROOOOOM! *** *** *** Cyril opened the door to the balcony on the second floor to take a breather. She leaned on the railing, watching the cars on the road below. The traffic was no longer that congested due to the time, but it was still lively. ''I wonder how Wick is doing? It''s lonely here without him,'' she muttered to herself. George and Melissa had taken him, and it''s been days since they came. She knew they were safe because she had spoken to Melissa, but she was still worried about him. Just yesterday, Wick started getting sick, like he had a fever. They took him to the vet, but he ended up attacking the staff. So, Melissa and George decided to take care of him at home instead. ''Where are you now?,'' she thought, gazing up at the night sky above. This time, her thoughts weren''t on Wick but on his owner. "Miss Cyril, you have a call," spoke out one of the female store employees. Cyril turned around to answer. "Alright, I''ll be down in a minute," she replied. VROOOOOM! She heard a loud noise and checked it out, only to see a car speeding away. ''Some people really don''t know how to be a little bit patient,'' she sighed before turning away. Inside, the caf¨¦ was warm and cozy, with cats lounging on every avable surface. She made her way downstairs, picking up the phone. "Hello, Cyril speaking," she answered. [Hi, Cyril, it''s Melissa. Just wanted to give you an update on Wick, ] "Oh, thank goodness. How is he?" she asked, relief evident in her voice. [He''s doing much better. ] "That''s such a relief to hear. I was so worried about him," Cyril said, her tension easing. [We''ll bring him back soon ] Chapter 252: Haunting Past CLICK! "Sir, we are already closed," a female store employee hurried towards the door as five men entered. She felt intimidated by their presence, but remained respectful, avoiding eye contact. All of them wore ck coats except one, who stood out in a gray formal jacket and golden-rimmed sunsses. The man in gray had brown hair, piercing eyes, and a prominent nose.His expensive-looking watch probably cost millions. He moved with an air of arrogance, like someone used to getting what he wanted. "I''m looking for the owner," he said, his tonemanding. He took a seat while the other men stood guard near him. The employee was flustered . Fortunately, her boss stepped in. "I''m the owner. How can I help you?" Cyril came out from the kitchen, still wearing her apron. It gave her the air of a caring, beautiful housewife who could make any man''s heart skip a beat with her charm. The man in gray was momentarily stunned. He adjusted his sses, not believing his eyes. Cyril''s presence captivated him. Even with his experience with actresses and models, they paled inparison to her effortless charm. He reflected on his past experiences; those women were only good for short-term fun in bed, but he often grew bored or annoyed due to theirck of personality and depth. Cyril noticed his reaction but didn''t react; she was used to such attention. The other men eyed her lewdly too, but they were mistaken if they thought she was easy prey. She could incapacitate them in seconds if needed. "Good, very good! You''re even more beautiful in person!" the man in gray pped, pleased with what he was seeing . He stood up to hug her, but she stepped back, and kept her distance. She clenched her fists, feeling objectified. She considered using the knife hidden at her waist but held back, not wanting to ruin her peaceful life over one rude man. CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! The man continued pping, ignoring her difort. ''Calm down,'' She took a deep breath, maintaining herposure. "Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I''m Vincent... Vincent Hewlet," he said with an arrogant smirk. ''No!'' Cyril''s heart sank . Vincent Hewlett¡ªthe owner of Pantheon Corporation and the man she was supposed to marry. She had tried to forget that name, but now he came knocking on her door, ready to ruin the life she was trying to protect. "It seems we have a lot to catch up on, Cyril," Vincent remarked, satisfied by her reaction. ''This bastard¡­'' Cyril fought to stay calm, avoiding eye contact to hide her disgust . "I heard about your family. I''m sorry for your loss," he said insincerely. "Thank you for your concern," she nodded, choosing to y it safe. "Don''t worry about it ! We''re practically family! Even though your family lost everything, I''m still willing to marry you. It''s a good deal, right?" His words dripped with arrogance. "I''m sorry, but that engagement was off the moment my father died," she replied, her frustration barely concealed. "Nonsense. Your father promised me you''d marry me. You can''t just act like it never happened!" Vincent insisted, stepping forward. Cyril moved away, her disgust evident in her face. She could no longer hold her emotions. "Hey, what the hell do you think you''re doing?" Vincent snapped, his voice cold and eyes zing with annoyance. "I''m being nice here, and you dare give me that look?" "Please Leave now, or I''ll call the police," an employee interjected, unable to stay silent anymore. Vincent turned angrily. "Police? Do you know who I am? I own this whole City ! I could beat you to death, and no one would help you!" he roared. "I¡ª I," the employee stuttered, tears streaming down her cheeks as she sat on the floor, her legs failing her. Cyril stepped protectively in front of her. "Enough! Leave now," Cyrilmanded firmly, raising her hand protectively towards her trembling employee. Vincent sneered in disdain, his eyes filled with anger. "You''re making a mistake. Marrying me is your best option. Think about your future, your family''s legacy." Cyril shook her head, her voice steady. "My future is my own to decide. Now, please leave." Vincent''s face twisted with rage. "This isn''t over. You will regret this. I will make your life hell until you beg for me! " He turned on his heel and stormed out of the store, his men following close behind. BAM! The sound of the door being forcefully mmed shut echoed through the room. The employee let out a shaky breath, relief flooding her face. "Thank you, Boss. I didn''t know what to do." Cyril gave her a reassuring smile. "It''s okay. You''re safe now,." She nced at the door where Vincent had just left, her expression hardening. "But we need to be careful." She added and instructed her employees to lock up the store immediately. Fear rippled through the small team as they hurriedly closed down the Roll Up cover of the store. When they were finished, Cyril called everyone together and handed them each an envelope filled with their month''s pay. "Please be careful on your way home. I''ve arranged a ride for you guys, don''t worry. I''ll cover the cost, and...." Cyril assured her employees, her voice trailing off momentarily. "I think it''s best to close the store for a few days until I sort this out," she added with a heavy tone. The employees could sense her distress beneath herposed exterior. They had worked with her long enough to recognize the subtle signs¡ªthe slight furrow in her brow, the tightness around her eyes, and the asional deep breath she took to steady herself. They knew she was grappling with emotions far beyond their control or understanding. "Boss, are you sure you''re okay?" one her employee asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Cyril met her gaze, offering a faint smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes. "I''m fine," *** In her second-floor office, Cyril locked the door and opened herputer. She began by scheduling money transfers to her employees'' ounts, enough to sustain them for three years without needing to work. Next, she set up donations to orphanages and other charities, ensuring the funds would be disbursed in a monthly basis unless canceled. Lastly, she allocated funds for Melissa to ensure Wick, would be well cared for.She had grown to loved that dog. Each action was a deliberate effort to secure the future of those she cared about amidst the uncertainty brought by Vincent Hewlett''s visit. With everything set, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. When she reopened them, her demeanor shifted entirely. Her eyes sparkled with determination. She stood up and pressed a hidden button on the bookshelf, which swung open to reveal another room. Inside, rows of weapons lined the walls¡ªguns, swords, and high-tech gear neatly arranged. In the middle of the room, under a ss case, was her power suit. This suit wasn''t just for show; She had invested a significant portion of her savings to acquire it from the ck market. It was the kind of gear that only Tier 2 mercenaries could ess¡ªsleek and ck with white ents at the joints. ''Too bad¡­ I won''t be here when youe back,'' Cyril muttered to herself, a fleeting memory of a strong figure that had briefly stirred her heart. Chapter 253: Fateful Meeting ''Is that a convoy?'' Reign wondered, watching a line of expensive cars emerge from the Region 4 gate. There were five cars in total. ''Must be from a very wealthy family,'' he added Intrigued, he activated his undead eye to assess the vitality of the people inside. He noticed four divergents; though not particrly strong, the fact that they were hired suggested the person they were guarding was extremely wealthy. In the past, he might have considered killing those divergents for extra EXP. However, now that he was much stronger, such small-time killings didn''t interest him anymore. He just gave the cars a brief double take and moved on. His ride passed through the checkpoint, but it was a rtively smooth process now, and Reign didn''t need to conceal himself anymore. ording to Richard, only Region 1 required an ID for entry, as it was the city''s central hub where the most important people resided. *** Region 4 stretched out before them, its cityscape boasting prosperity despite being sote already. It resembled a tier 4 city but was wider, with cleaner streets and imposing buildings. Skyscrapers with shiny windows, some reaching twenty floors high, reflected the city night lights. Navigating through bustling streets, they passed upscale shops and soon to closed restaurants. As they moved into the Third Region, Reign noticed taller buildings, standing around thirty to fortyfloors high. The streets had changed, now, the pedestrian walkways were paved with zigzagging brick stones. Richard drove the car towards a distant residential area filled with mansions, each encircled by tall walls. The surroundings were quieter here, ensuring privacy with spacious gaps between the residence . "We''re almost there," Richard said nervously. He then turned onto a tree-lined driveway leading to one of thergest mansions in the area. The ce was reallyrge, making Cyril''s family home looked like a normal vi inparison . The gate opened automatically as they approached, allowing them entry. Richard parked in a circr courtyard with a maze garden at the front. CLICK! They stepped out of the car, only to find themselves encircled by individuals dressed in ck trench coats, each figure exuding an intimidating presence. "What''s going on? Why did you bring an outsider?" demanded a stern voice, its owner eyeing Reign suspiciously. Richard hesitated, trying to exin. "He''s here to talk about an alliance, Dan," he finally managed to say. Dan narrowed his eyes skeptically. "An alliance? With him?" His stance clearly indicated that he wasn''t buying Richard''s exnation at all. "Enough wasting time," Reign intervened, releasing some ofhis aura. His presence was so strong that everyone involuntarily kneeled before him. Richard watched in amazement, realizing Reign had been holding back earlier. He felt relieved that he hadn''t been dumb enough to confront such a powerful figure. "Please forgive my subordinates." A melodic sweet voice came from the mansion''s entrance. It was a woman with memorable purple hair and eyes, her presence bothmanding and attractive. "So, the boss is a woman," Reign remarked, surprised to see drop dead gorgeous beauty instead of a viinous-looking man. "Don''t judge me by my looks," she giggledher voice soft and low. Reign remained silent, maintaining the pressure on everyone present, including her. He focused his aura, testing her resilience, and was surprised to find that she could withstand it. "Let''s see how much you can take," he challenged. Suddenly, the pressure doubled, catching her off guard. She flinched and was forced to kneel on the ground under the intensity of the dominating aura. ''So she only amounts to this much,'' Reign shook his head in disappointment. He had tested her resilience enough and nned to release the pressure. However, before he could do so, ck miasma started to emanate from the woman''s body. Slowly, she stood up, her face shing with a confident smile. "How about this," Reign intensified the pressure , causing the marbled floor beneath her to crack. This time, however, she stood tall, meeting his gaze with a wide confident smile. CRACK! Horns began to slowly protrude from her forehead, emerging with a disturbing, unnatural grace. Each horn only abit twisted and curled, taking on a dark, obsidian hue that contrasted sharply with her pale skin. He could even see thick, purple-like liquid dripping from the horns. Unsure if it was blood or something more sinister, Reign sensed its ominous nature, and decided to be careful . The substance seemed to pulse with a dangerous energy, which made him a bit threatened . As the transformation progressed, her entire body became enveloped in ck, stic clothing that materialize from a dark substance, encasing her up to her neck. Her ears also sharpened and lengthened, adding to her unique appearance. When she smiled, he noticed her tongue was unusually sharp and long. But it didn''t decreased her attractiveness; in fact, the long tongue enhanced her beauty, giving her a mesmerizing allure. She was like a creature men would willingly risk their lives for, just to witness the seductive power of that tongue in action. The possibilities were endless. "A demon?" he wondered aloud. Reign found himself mostly immune to her seductive allure. While he acknowledged her attractiveness, it wasn''t enough to sway him into imagining her as a potential mate partner. Those things simply weren''t on his mind. ''No, it''s different,'' he mused inwardly. What he sensed now was unique, somethingmoreplex and unfamiliar to him. "Please don''t group me with those cheap copycats ," her disappointed voice echoed, resonating with an unexinable power. Suddenly, Reign found himself no longer in the yard; instead, he stood in a dark, mysterious ce. ''When did she activate her domain?'' he pondered silently. He hadn''t sensed any fluctuations which should have been present if she had activated her power. ''This is getting dangerous, but I can''t show her any weakness,'' he thought to himself. In situations like this, the first to disy doubt and vulnerabilities would be at a disadvantage, and he knew he couldn''t afford that. ''I might not know how she did it, but she also doesn''t know that. I just need to pretend to be unaffected,'' he added quietly to himself. "So you want to fight me?" Reign taunted, his voice brimming with confidence. "I''ll humor you, but don''t me me if you regret it," The woman did not speak right away, instead a her lips curl into a smile. "You''re not a demon, are you?" she asked with a knowing smile, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity. Reign met her gaze evenly, his expression unreadable. "What makes you say that?" he replied calmly, intrigued by her insight. She studied him more intently, her glowing purple eyes narrowing slightly. "I sense something different about you," she continued, her tone contemtive. "Your aura, it''s more foreign ." Reign was shocked by her insights. The only beings who had previously figured out his true nature were the Angels. Even a powerful demon lord, like the illusionist he had encountered before, had assumed that he was a demon. "I''m pretty sure you''re not an angel, seeing that you have a horn," he pointed out, noting the obvious. The woman chuckled softly, finding his statement funny. She regarded Reign with a yful glint in her eyes, her amusement evident from her smiles. "My name is Lilith" Chapter 254: Her Words "So, am I supposed to know you?" Reign asked casually. He didn''t really care what her name was. Powerful people always felt the need to introduce themselves every single time. Imagine if he did that. Every time he met someone, he''d say, "I''m Reign! ," like he was some kind of multibillionaire hero who was always prepared . It would be unnecessary because 99.99% of the people he met would end up dead anyway. "I know it, my name has long been forgotten," she sighed, hinting that she used to be someone well-known. Unfortunately for her, Reign was from a different world, so he would not know about her regardless. "What are you and what do you want?" he asked, getting straight to the point. Lilith smiled at his question, her lips curling. "You know about angels, right? So, that means you''ve already met one." "I killed two," he replied, trying to intimidate her. Lilith burst into a softughter. "You killed two angels? Impressive," she said between giggles. "But those were just vessels. The real deal can kill demon gods with ease." Reign didn''t reply. He just stayed alert, watching her closely. "Don''t worry, I''m not doubting your power for killing a vessel. Besides, angels are hypocrites and annoying so I don''t me you for killing them," she added with a sly smile on her face. "You haven''t answered my question," he interjected. "You''re very impatient," she sighed, her voice carrying a hint of amusement rather than hostility. "You could say I''m the pr opposite of angels¡ªa devil," she dered proudly, expecting him to be shocked by her sudden revtion. "Okay," he nodded calmly, unfazed. He had already assumed that if angels existed, devils couldn''t be far behind. ''This woman might just be a vessel too,'' he thought, sensing no immediate danger from her. If that were the case, there was a probability that he was currently stronger, especially since she didn''t act arrogantly or make any moves to attack him, which led him to assume shecked confidence in winning. ''Interesting'' Lilith was curious after hearing his nonchnt reply. She waited for him to break the silence. Seconds ticked by, but he remained quiet. In this standoff, the one who spoke first risked losing ground, and he was determined not to be the one to give in. "I''m not here to fight. Instead, I want to offer you a partnership," she finally broke the silence, unable to hold it any longer. There was a reason why she wanted to work with someone as powerful as Reign, and she also didn''t see any merits in fighting him. Reign studied Lilith''s face, searching for any hint of deception. Her offer took him by surprise, because he hadn''t expected coboration from someone he initially viewed as a potential threat. Normally, he would tell her to fuck off, but her demeanor showed no sign of lies. "What kind of partnership?" he asked cautiously, keeping his tone neutral. Lilith smiled, d that he was willing to talk. "A mutually beneficial one," she replied. "I have resources and knowledge that could be of use to you. Together, we could achieve far more than either of us could alone." Reign paused for and thought about her offer carefully. ''Do I really need a partner?'' he pondered. He already had an overpowered and greedy system as hispanion, so he felt there was no need to coborate with her. However, the issue now was that she knew about him, putting him in a difficult situation. "I don''t need an ally right now, and I''m not exactly looking for one," he replied firmly. "I see.." Lilith looked disappointed for a moment, but she didn''t take it to heart. Her expression shifted to a thoughtful look as she considered her next move. "That''s too bad. If we can''t be allies, how about not being enemies?" she offered. ''Is she really a devil?'' Reign was puzzled. Why did he feel that she was less annoying and arrogant than the angels he had met? Shouldn''t it be the opposite? Or are devils so skilled at deceiving others that he couldn''t see through her facade? ''I need to be careful,she might be more dangerous than I thought,'' he made a mental note not to trust her words too easily. "And how can I be sure that you won''t betray me?" he asked. Trusting a devil''s word would be a foolish move; they were called the devil for a reason. "I can sign a contract," she suggested. "And what can a piece of paper do?" he sighed, feeling like she was treating him like an idiot. Even humans often ignored contracts, so what use could it have for powerful beings like them? "I''m not talking about just any contract." Lilith raised her hand, and a me ignited, revealing a parchment made of human skin. Strange symbols adorned it, in anguage he didn''t understand, but he could sense its extraordinary nature. "This is the Devil''s Contract," Lilith exined solemnly. "It''s a powerful tool for binding agreements. If we use it, betrayal would mean death as the only way out, regardless of a person''s strength." "And you expect me to sign it?" he asked skeptically. Why would he sign a strange document from hell? "Don''t worry, you don''t have to sign. But I can sign here that I would never tell anyone that you''re here¡­ the wanted rogue demon that destroyed Crestwood City, right?" she pointed out. His expression hardened at her mention of Crestwood City, silently acknowledging that she possessed knowledge that could potentially threaten him. Lilith also noticed the sudden shift in his aura, but she intentionally did it "I told you what I know because I want you to trust me. I might be a devil, but I am far more trustworthy than those angels. We always follow our contract ," "Let me see it first," Reign''s tail extended and coiled around the contract, bringing it closer for inspection. "It''s no use; you won''t be able to understand the devil''snguage. I need to help you trante the content," she exined. "No need for that," Reign shook his head, and use analyzed. Just like that, the whole document was auto-tranted. He read through it and was impressed by how detailed it was, considering she had just offered it. ''Can this contract read minds?'' he wondered, noting its thoroughness, especially the use about her not divulging information about him being in the city. However, he also spotted some loopholes that could potentially be used against him. The contract did not specify a duration. If circumstances changed or if Lilith found a way to interpret the terms loosely, she could exploit this to reveal information about him in the future. There were also vague references to situations where disclosure might be deemed necessary for her safety or to fulfill other obligations This could allow her to justify revealing sensitive information under certain circumstances, potentiallypromising him. Although divulging his presence here would lead to death as stipted, the conditions triggering termination of the contract were vaguely defined. If she found a way to trigger these conditions without technically betraying him, she might escape the consequences while still harming him. ''Can he really read it?'' she wondered silently, observing him closely as he focused on the contract. Chapter 255: The Contract "I''m going to change some terms here," he dered, surprising Lilith, who had assumed he couldn''t understand devil''snguage, and was just pretending. ''Did he really understand, or is he bluffing?'' she raised her eyebrows in doubt. The devil''snguage was not something that could be learned just from reading or studying. It had the same concept as the Divine Language. Both could only be understood by their respective races . In fact, even within their respective races, thosenguages could only be utilized to its full potential by those strong enough to contain the power of those words. She decided to remain neutral for now and act as though she believed him . "I understand, hand it over, and I''ll make the changes as per your terms," she said softly, extending her hand to receive the contract back. "Like I said, no need for that," Reign shook his head. He focused his thoughts in devil''snguage, and to Lilith''s astonishment, the contract began to vibrate faintly. Drops of blood fell from it, and new words appeared as if written by an invisible hand. "I¡ª Impossible!" Lilith gasped, realizing that he was rewriting the entire thing. And not just that, he was able to changed it with ease, indicating that his soul was far stronger than hers. Reign was unaware that the contract had a loophole. Devils always had an advantage in writing it, using their powerful souls to subtly manipte interpretations to their benefit. However, it was a different scenario when the person in question could understand and even write in the Devil''snguage. Now she felt like she had pushed herself into a corner. The contract was made partially from her soul, and now that Reign began to rewrite it, she saw three options: sign it, negotiate, or reject it. "It''s done," Reign threw the contract back . The text was now at least tripled in word count. ''This¡­'' Lilith was speechless after reading it. The number of words showed how powerful Reign''s soul was. She was a Royal Devil, and even she couldn''t write this much, as each letter would take away a bit of soul from the user. Little did she know, Reign''s soul had already been heavily tempered. ''I also don''t see anything wrong with it,'' she thought. It was too detailed. He had patched all possible loopholes, and even she could not see any reason to reject it. The contract protected him, and as long as she followed it, then there wont be any issue at all. But there was one thing that made her raise an eyebrow. "In the event that I fail to adhere to the contract, instead of death, I will be your ve?" she repeated those words and looked at him weirdly. "Why? At least it''s not death," he exined . "I think you misunderstand. A devil''scontract can only result in death for a breach. You can''t just add your own punishment. It doesn''t work like that," she replied, shaking her head. Who did he think he was to alter such a powerful tool that had existed before even this world was created? God? "Oh, don''t worry," Reign chuckled, a cruel twist in his smile. "This isn''t just some devil''s contract anymore." Lilith was unsure of what he meant, so she decided to study it more carefully. This time, she used her soul to resonate with it, and though fundamentally the same, she realized it had been tampered with¡ªnot just the content, but even the death sentence had been removed. "This is impossible. How did you change the nature of the devil''s contract?" she wondered aloud. "I have my means. So, are you going to sign it or not?" he asked while releasing his aura to stop her from asking so many questions. He now appeared more powerful and intimidating in her eyes, thanks to all his past feats, which made her reconsider his strength. This was the power of psychological warfare. Despite being a devil, Lilith was an intelligent being susceptible to such tactics, and Reign had effectively portrayed himself as mysterious and powerful being. It was a ssic case of "fake it till you make it." ''Who are you?'' she wondered, now feeling that her identity as a devil was not as impressive and mind-blowingpared to the person in front of her. ''Maybe he can do it?,'' she thought. Initially, she had seen Reign as a unique creature, but after witnessing all that he had aplished, she began to believe he could be more than just extra muscle forher goal. Her n required someone capable of reading ancientnguages that she had been searching for¡ªan object on this nted by her predecessors. Reign seemed to have the ability to understand uniquenguages, so he might be her ticket to essing that legacy. "I''ll sign it," she agreed. In the contract, the time frame was only six months, which, for a devil like her, was rtively short. This made her think that it wasn''t such a bad deal after all. "Good," Reign nodded, satisfied by this turn of events. He had intentionally included the six-month rule to trick her into signing it. By doing so, she didn''t even consider that this contract heavily restricted her because she was focused on the short time frame instead. Lilith, after thinking it through, raised her finger and bit it. One droplet of blood flowed from her finger, which she used to sign the contract. As her blood touched the skinned texture paper, the parchment glowed with an eerie red light. The ink absorbed her blood, the symbols shifting and twisting as ifing to life. A surge of power pulsed through the air, and the contract emitted a faint hum, signifying the binding agreement. The glow faded, leaving it slightly warm to the touch. Suddenly, it flew towards Reign before burning away, leaving a ck tattoo that appeared on his forearm. The tattoo didn''t concern Reign at all because the system had already assured him that it was safe. In fact, it was thanks to the system that he had been able to change the contract. He took advantage of this revtion to deceive her. ''I can''t believe I just tricked a devil. What a twist,'' he chuckled to himself, feeling proud of his achievement. He was unaware that the only reason she agreed to all of this was because she wanted to build a bridge for future cooperation. Both of them were ying each other, but it was still too early to tell who had tricked whom. When everything was settled, Reign found himself back in the yard as if nothing had happened. "You!" Dan released his aura out of anger after being freed. Beside him, the other members of their group looked equally wary and ready for a fight . Lilith stepped forward, raising a hand to calm the situation. "He''s not our enemy," She walked towards Reign and offered her hand. "He''s my important guest," Lilith said with a sweet smile forming on her lips, already beginning to treat him more favorably in ordance with her n. Reign noticed her action and decided to humor her for now. "Come, I know you have a lot of questions," she added. Chapter 256: Secrets Within. Inside the mansion, she guided Reign through wide halls adorned with expensive paintings and polished marble floors. Maids and butlers, dressed in ck, impably, paused in their tasks to watch them pass with polite nods. They crossed a spacious living room furnished with plush sofas and gilded mirrors. As they climbed the wide staircase, the air grew cooler, carrying the faint scent of aged wood and fresh flowers strategically ced on ornate tables. The staircase itself was a work of art, its banisters intricately carved with floral motifs. After reaching the upper level, she led him down a hallway lined with portraits in expensive looking frames, their stern gazes seeming to follow their every move. Crystal chandeliers overhead cast a soft glow, illuminating the corridor and casting gentle shadows along the walls. Finally, they arrived at a private study room tucked away at the hallway''s end. The door, made of solid mahogany, opened silently as she gestured for Reign to enter. Inside, the room was warmly lit by wall-mounted lights. Arge table of purple heartwood dominated the center, its surface polished to a high sheen, reflecting the soft candlelight that bathed the room in a golden hue. The walls were paneled with dark mahogany, intricately carved with patterns that spoke of craftsmanship. Lilith gracefully took her seat at one end of the table, gesturing for him to sit opposite her. He walked slowly to the table and sat down across from her. His eyes stayed on her face, trying to understand what she wanted. "You must have many questions," she began, her voice soft, with a hint of sweetness. "I''m here to answer what I can." "Why are you going to all this trouble? You''re putting in a lot of effort to please me," he cut straight to the point. Lilith''s expression softened slightly at his direct question. "I have my reasons," she replied frankly, not hiding her underlying motive. "Don''t worry, it''s not something that I n to force on you," she added, maintaining herposure. For him, her straightforwardness was a quality he appreciated. Both of them were powerful and inherently aligned with the dark side, so there was no need for pretense or beating around the bush. "Alright, I''m curious about what you really want, so just say it. I''ll decide after," he responded calmly. Whatever it was, it wouldn''t hurt to find out. Lilith felt a surge of excitement, seeing that her risks were paying off. She had managed to get him to at least hear her side of the story. Now, she just needed to choose her words carefully to avoid driving him away. "I..." She began, but Reign interjected before she could continue. "On second thought, tell me first about the serum you used to transform a human into a monster," he pressed on. He was really impressed by its effect and wanted to figure out its origin. Why? To build an army? Of course not!He didn''t need that because he already had his skull puppets. What he had in mind was far more sinister than that. He nned to turn humans into monsters, make them strong, and then harvest them like fatted pigs, which would give him more experience than normal. Corrupteds gave him less experience because they had mostly lost their vitality that could be absorbed. But when he observed the kid from before using his undead eye, he discovered that the kid''s vitality had spiked and skyrocketed. If he devoured a human during this time window, he could level up much faster. He called this n the "Ranch." If it could be done on arge scale, his growth would reach unimaginable levels. "You mean that strange serum?" Lilith mused. "That''s right," he nodded. "Well, it was being studied by a Research Institute, and our group obtained it. Initially, it was barely functional, but with a drop of my blood, I managed to neutralize its side effects," Lilith exined. "What were the initial side effects of the serum ?" "The initial side effects were not good. Severe instability and uncontroble mutations. Within a minute, the body would explode every time," she responded, showing no hint of disgust or worry on her face. Such scenes were child''s y to her. "So, it''s fully operational now?" he asked "Not quite. Its sess rate is very low¡ª0% on normal humans and around 3>5% on Divergents. Even then, those who use it must continue to feed on my blood to control the powers," she rified. "Weird, I''m pretty sure that I sense the same aura as the corrupted inside the kid''s body, and also in your subordinates," he mused aloud. "It''s not really surprising," Lilith chimed in. "The Miasma you see beyond the barrier? It''s a lesser version of Hell''s Breath." "Hell''s breath?"his demeanor shifted slightly, intrigued by her revtions. "The ck miasma here is like what we have in Hell. The difference is that Hell''s Breath stays in specific ces, but here, it keeps spreading," she exined. ''I can see a pattern here,'' he wondered silently. ording to what he had heard from the Angel, demons were originally created to eliminate humans, a mission that failed and led to the creation of the corrupted. But after seeing Lilith, and considering her words that demons were copies of devils, and the ck fog was simr too, it seemed like the world was borrowing ideas from Hell. Could he have been mistaken? Maybe this chaos wasn''t rted to the World''s Will after all. Maybe it was an artificial chaos created by someone else, someone powerful enough to pull the strings? "Do the corrupted exist in Hell as well?" he inquired, seeking further rification. "They do, but we don''t call them corrupted. We refer to them as Filth," she answered right away. This information wasn''t a secret or particrly important, but sharing it would likely increase his favorability towards her. ''This world is moreplex than I expected, '' he sighed, feeling as though he had opened Pandora''s box. The more he learned, the more questions arose, leaving him with a sense of unease. "Alright, tell me now what you really desire from me," he asked, getting straight to the point. Lilith started bursting intoughter, a light and amused giggle that filled the room. He did not react and just let her continue. He could tell that she was notughing at him. "I''m sorry," she apologized,posing herself. "I just remembered someone who used the word ''desire'' all the time." "Am I supposed to know that person?" He asked. "Don''t worry, he''s just someone I used to know," she said, shaking her head andposing herself. "It''s about a ce called the Garden," she revealed . ''The Garden... why does that sound familiar?'' he pondered, feeling the name on the tip of his tongue but unable to ce it. A fog seemed to cloud his memory, hindering his ability to recall where he had heard the term before. "What makes this ce so important?" he inquired. "It''s not so much the ce itself, but what is inside it. It store a treasure known as the Seed of Knowledge, capable of transforming any devil into a Primordial Devil. They are said to be the strongest among devils, even surpassing Archangels," she exined. "Primordial Devil?" he repeated, the name sounded really powerful. Chapter 257: Secrets Within Part 2 Lilith''s lips curled into a smile after she noticed that he was getting more interested. All along, she had been subtly guiding the conversation, answering his questions while strategically presenting information that seemed highly confidential but was actuallymon knowledge in hell. By doing this, she portrayed herself as honest and trustworthy individual, tactics that Devils had honed since their dealings with humans revolved around striking contracts.This was why Devils were often referred to as having a "silver tongue." In myths, they were often portrayed as scary beings when summoned, but in reality, they took on the appearance of normal humans to establish a connection . After all, no sane human would make a deal without trust between the parties involved. She touched her chin and muttered to herself, ''The best way to handle him is to cooperate, a give-and-take scenario,'' Lilith knew that Reign was exceptionally intelligent, maybe even more so than her in certain aspects. This was evident from how he had wlessly rewritten the contract, even managing to put her at a disadvantage in their dealing. A feat that could not be achieved by mere luck alone. Someone like him, in her opinion, could be the best ally or the worst enemy¡ªonly a fool would choose thetter if it could be avoided. "May I offer you some wine?" she inquired gracefully, presenting a bottle of the finest vintage that had cost her asum of 250,000 credits. "I don''t have a stomach," he shook his head. Technically, he did possess one, but consuming wine that couldn''t affect him was pointless. If she had offered her maids in a ter instead, perhaps then he might reconsider. Knowing himself, he would eat them just because he could. "Understood. Please, don''t mind me," she replied, pouring herself a ss. With an elegant movement, she swirled the wine, noting its rich color and viscosity like a connoisseur. She sipped the wine delicately, savoring its taste with a delighted expression. Her movements conveyed sophistication, adding an air of refinement to the atmosphere. He watched her closely, reluctantly admitting to himself that she looked quite stunning, especially when she licked the side of her lips with her long tongue. There was a certain charm to a woman who could twist and twirl her tongue like that. But he didn''t quite understand why he found it appealing,cking experience in such matters, but something inside him acknowledged it as a desirable trait. After drinking the whole ss, she met his gaze directly. The unique purple hue of her eyes held a subtle power of its own. "Now, where were we?" she inquired while gathering her thoughts. "Primordial devils," he responded. "Thank you... Where to start¡­," she trailed off, beginning to form the sentence in her mind. "Primordial devils are the very first devils that existed. They existed at the same time as the archangels," she started, exining their ancient origin. "Continue," he ordered, intrigued. She nodded, her voice steady and thoughtful, "Primordial devils are said to embody the oldest and most pure form of darkness , and¡­. . " "Cut the narrative. Get to the point," he interjected firmly. Her smile faded slightly at his interruption. She nodded, adopting a more serious tone. "So basically, Archangels are the oldest and most powerful force of light, while Primordial Devils represent darkness¡ªtwo opposing forces. But after our defeat, Hell sealed itself off to prevent total annihtion " She paused, her gaze drifting momentarily as if lost in thought, a hint of sadness flickering in her eyes. He noticed the shift in her facial expression but he didn''t care about the sad story reying in her mind. He was a man eating monster, not a psychiatrist, so he didn''t give a damn. "I''m sorry, I just remembered something," she apologized. "Where was I again?" "The part where your kind got beaten to crap by the angels," he responded.. Her expression tightened briefly at his rude words, finding them somewhat insensitive, but she understood hisck of empathy.After all, it was a history he had no personal stake in. She sighed quietly, steering the conversation back on course. "As a result of our loss, angels were able to exert greater influence over the human world because we arepletely sealed off. . " She added. "Completely sealed off? So there were no more devils in the human world after the war?" "Yes," she nodded . "And all this happened before demons even existed?" "That''s another thing. Demons didn''t originate from Hell; humans just mixed our two races together, painting us as viins" she exined, her tone tinged with frustration at their unjust portrayal. "But you do look the part. Horns, dark aura, that long, flexible tongue¡ªif evil had a look, it would probably be you," Reign remarked bluntly. She was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by his rude observation. ''Why do I feel like sometimes I''m talking to a genius, and other times to a child?'' she wondered silently. He was just too downright honest. "First of all, Devils don''t eat humans. We don''t need to do that like demons do," she rified firmly. "Not needing to eat humans make you not evil ?. I don''t need to eat humans either, but I''m pretty sure I''m evil," he countered. ''Is he testing me?'' She pondered, sensing something off in his words. ''Alright, I''ll be patient for now,'' she decided silently. "You make a valid point. Some devils are evil, just as some humans and angels are," she retorted, pouring herself another ss of wine. "True, but your name literally has ''D-evil'' in it," he pointed out, testing her patience. "That''s the angels propaganda. They may appear holy, but they''re more cunning and deceitful than devils," she replied, drinking her wine, and pouring another. He sighed inwardly. ''Idon''t really care who''s good or evil. I''m pretty sure I''ll be the evilest after a few years,'' She was trying so hard to defend her race while talking to someone whose n A and n B were to kill everything in sight. Does he has a n C? Of course!. His n C was to let humans go for a couple of years to repopte the, and then feed on them again, rinse and repeat. "So, about the Primordial Devils and the garden again? Can we get back to the topic?" He interjected , sensing the need to refocus the conversation. His earlierments had been a test of her character, and she had passed. Now, he was ready to be more serious. Collecting herself, Lilith stated firmly, "I want your assistance to ess the Garden and obtain the ''Seed of Knowledge'', so that I can be a Primordial Devil." "I expected as much. But what''s in it for me?" "A path," she replied confidently. "A path to what?" he inquired, genuinely curious. "To attain the same power as Primordial Devils. "she dered with confidence. "I thought that was exclusive to devils?" he wondered aloud. "It''s not necessarily the case. " She shook her head."The origin of the ''Seed of Knowledge'' goes far deeper and predates the existence of both Angels and Devils. Its power is beyond anything you can imagine," "Go on, I''m listening," Reign said, leaning forward on the desk with his elbows and resting his chin on his hands. Chapter 258: The Garden Lilith took a deep breath, her fingers lightly tapping on the armrest of her chair as she gathered her thoughts. "The Seed of Knowledge works on all organisms, elevating their power to the highest potential. In your case, reaching the peak rank in this world was just a matter of time, meaning your potential is not at all worse than mine, maybe even better," she exined, not forgetting topliment him for added points. Unfortunately, herpliments didn''t even register in his mind. What Potential? He had the system, giving him all the potential he could ask for. It would be weird if someone surpassed him in that department with all the cheats he possessed. But the pressing question remained: did he really require the Seed of Knowledge? Were its rewards worth the risks? ''System,'' he asked internally, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the outline of his chin, ''any insights on the power of Primordial Devils?'' [System: Negative. That ssification predates the most recent data avable.] ''Can I reach that level someday ?'' [System: The host possesses the capability to surpass the level of a Demon God. However, confirmation of superiority over a Primordial Devil or a fully empowered Archangel requires additional information.] ''I see,'' he nodded thoughtfully. ''If even the systemcks data, then the Seed may really be worth the risk'' ''Wait, System,'' he continued, shifting slightly in his seat, ''my race is categorized as Legendary Rank, aligned with demons. Why am I unable to ess the Devils Race?'' [System: Angels and Devils were absent during the first system scan, resulting in iplete or unavable information. Other foreign entities are also not included in the System''s database and require updates.] ''So the system''s limitations are much bigger than I had assumed,''he mused inwardly. He had to see it for himself, whether it was worth it or not. So, regardless of the risks and uncertainties, heknew he couldn''t rely solely on the limited insights provided by the system. "Okay, I will assist you, but first, I need rification," he agreed. Lilith''s lips curled into a knowing smile, her posture rxed and attentive. "What would you like to know?" "Are you coborating with other Demon Lords? I''m sure you already know that I am being hunted," Reign asked. "The Abyssal Alliance?" she echoed softly, her own fingers tracing patterns on the polished surface of her desk. "Yes," he affirmed with a nod, his gaze steady. "Don''t worry, I''m in hiding as well. If they knewof my true nature, they would not revere me as their ancestor; they would likely hunt me down to check if they could gain power from eating me so I would never ally myself with them," she replied. "Valid point," he acknowledged her reason. He couldn''t deny that he was also intrigued by the idea of consuming her and observing the results. If it weren''t for the opportunity to find the Garden, he might have considered a way to eliminate her with minimal risk. "And what about other devils?" he pressed further. "I have not encountered anyone yet aftering to the human world. The portal to Hell opened just over a year ago for a split second so I don''t really know if there are others like me," she rified. "So this body is just a vessel, like the angels?" "Not like Angels, Devils just manifest an avatar¡ªwe don''t really need a vessel. But we also need to start from scratch in the human world," she rified. "So what happened if your avatar die ?" "No big deal, really. I''d wake up somewhere random in Hell, deal with a bit of bacsh. But while I''m here in the human world, I can''t ess hell or return just like that. Death''s the only way back, and traveling between realms is a hassle, almost impossible " Lilith disclosed. She saw no reason to withhold such information if it served to foster a deeper sense of trust between them. Reign absorbed her words thoughtfully, his fingers lightly drumming on the armrest of his chair. ''Start from scratch, huh?'' he mused inwardly. "Let me guess, you''ve gained power through deals?" he suggested, his eyes flickering with intrigue . "Yeah, even this organization was built on a contract. The more outrageous the deal, the more power I get when I fulfill it," she admitted openly, her gaze locking confidently with his. "Why does it seem like your way of gaining power has more integrity than the angels''?" he pondered aloud. . "It''s not just a feeling. Devils pursue power with a business-like attitude. At least we don''t fake miracles or pretend to be holy to win human favor," she asserted, her tone carrying a hint of disdain towards angels who often used such tactics. Reign nodded thoughtfully, recognizing an ironic truth in her words, despite her devilish nature. They continued their conversation, delving deeper until Reign had addressed some of his most pressing questions. Finally, they arrived at the main topic: the location of the Garden and how they could uncover its whereabouts. "The Garden''s location can only be discovered once we obtain the six keys. This," Lilith said, reaching into the middle of her breast area , "is one of them." She withdrew a key, pure ck and emitting an aura that seemed both visible and ethereal. "Can I touch it?"he raised his hand, and without hesitation, she handed the key over to him. "It''s warm," Reignmented casually. "I¡­ " Lilith blushed slightly in response, but quickly regained herposure, realizing he was simply noting the key''s temperature, and not hinting that it was warm because it came from her cleavage [System: Error] ''Error? So you can''t analyze it?'' he asked. [System: Affirmative] ''What if I eat it ?'' he asked. [System: Bad Idea] Seeing that the system couldn''t extract any information from it, he handed the key back to her. "So how many do you have ?" he asked . "Just one, " she replied with a smile. "But don''t worry. Now that we have this, it''ll be much easier to find the others. You see, the reason it''s warm is because it reacts whenever another key is nearby," she exined, raising the key and giving it a shake to emphasize her point. "So, you''re searching for a key in this city, right? What''s the status?"he asked. "I have some leads, but it will still take time," she replied honestly. "Alright, I''ll..." Reign was trying to say something when he was cut off by a knock on the door. Lilith''s expression changed abruptly. She had instructed everyone never to disturb them unless it was urgent news. "Excuse me," she said as she stood up and walked towards the door. She opened it, revealing Dan, who was visibly anxious. "What is it ?" she asked. "Miss Lilith, one of ourbs on the outskirts has been attacked," he reported urgently, his breathing in short gasps. "Which one ?" "The one that was making the serum," he replied, shifting his weight nervously from one foot to the other. "Do you know who attacked us?" she asked, stepping closer to Dan, her eyes narrowing . She did not appreciate this turn of events. Dan rubbed the back of his neck, ncing around nervously before meeting her gaze. "We don''t have all the details yet, but our surveince team is working on it," he replied, his eyes darting away. Chapter 259: Holding Back "I''ll handle it," she sighed, gesturing for Dan to leave her for now. Then she turned around to face Reign, who was still lounging in his chair like usual. He didn''t even bother to look at her because it wasn''t his problem at all. "I''m sorry about this, but I have to take care of something important," she said, walking closer to him. "Don''t worry about it," he replied with a nonchnt tone. "I already know what I want. By the way, whatever you need to do to find the key, finish it fast. I n to destroy and kill the humans of this city soon." Lilith was taken aback, her eyes widening in shock. She hadn''t realized Reign had such evil intentions. She thought the city he destroyed was just a one-time impulsive behavior, but it wasn''t the case. His hunger for more bloodshed and his desire to take more lives were clear. The scary part was that, as a devil, Lilith had the natural ability to sense a person''s desires. When he had said the word "destroy," "Killed," she felt it resonate deeply within her. She took a moment topose herself before speaking again. "Why this obsession with killing humans?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "Evenpared to demons, your thirst for bloodshedis extreme." "It''s none of your business," he replied with a cold tone Pausing to assess the situation, Lilith knew she it was not a good idea to force her question. ''Did I just ally myself with a total psycho?'' she asked herself, feeling that he was too unpredictable even for her own taste. She had dealt with many dangerous beings, but his thirst for destruction was on another level. "I''m not against you destroying this city," she began slowly, choosing her words with care. "But if it''s just humans you want, why not target a smaller city first? It would be less risky and draw less attention." He considered her words for a moment, his eyes narrowing in thought. "And why should I take your advice? What do you gain from this?" Lilith met his gaze steadily. "As I said before, I need time to find the key. If you destroy this city now, it will be chaotic, and my search will be more difficult." His gaze bore into hers, searching for any hint of deceit. Finally, he nodded. "Okay. I''ll consider your suggestion." Lilith smiled, relieved that he was at least willing to listen to her. "By the way, I think your mask is of low quality. If you want, I can get you new ones," she offered, trying to lighten the tension. "Oh, that''s a good idea. Give me a phone too, and a new identity," he added, his tonemanding as if he were addressing a servant rather than a Royal Devil. Lilith suppressed a sigh, maintaining herposure. "Certainly," she replied warmly, though inwardly, she red up at the way he spoke to her. "I''ll arrange everything as soon as possible." Reign nodded. "Make sure it''s done quickly. I don''t have time to wait." "I will try my best. While you wait, I can assign Richard as your personal assistant. We have plenty of properties in the city; you can choose wherever you''d like," she offered. Reign considered her help for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Very well," he finally replied. "That guy will do. "I''ll have him meet you shortly," she assured him . Reign nodded, seemingly satisfied with her response. "Make sure he knows to be discreet," he added, a hint of warning in his voice. "I''ll inform him," she affirmed, her tone steady as she prepared to handle the issue of theboratory. Turning away from him, she focused on the urgent task at hand. The attack on theirboratory demanded her immediate attention, and she needed to coordinate the response quickly and efficiently. As she made her way through the corridors, her subordinates were already gathering in the yard where the convoy of vehicles awaited. Under the cover of night, ten ck sedan-type cars stood in a precise line-up. Their polished surfaces glinted faintly under the moonlight. Approaching them with a focused yet calm expression, Lilith radiated authority, a stark contrast to the way she had to interact with Reign just moments ago. As a tactician, she only needed to mask her true demeanor when dealing with someone as unpredictable as Reign. Now, free from the need to please others, her true nature surfaced. Her second-inmand, Dan, approached with a concerned look. "Miss Lilith, we''re ready to move out. The team is briefed and standing by." "Let''s not waste any more time,"shemanded. "And remember, don''t use your powers unless necessary. We can''t let others know about the effect of the serum," she reminded everyone sternly. The serum had the potential to weaponize humans, and her blood held the key to neutralizing its side effects. It would be disastrous if they discovered this important information. "Understood," everyone replied in unison. CLICK! Dan stepped forward and opened the door of the 2nd lead sedan for Lilith. She nodded andgracefully slid into the back seat. Dan quickly circled around to the passenger seat in the front, taking his position with efficiency The rest of the team moved fast, entering their vehicles. VROOOOOOM! The convoy set off, driving quickly towards the outskirts of the city where theboratory was located. Inside the lead car, Dan began briefing Lilith on what they had gathered so far. "Theboratory managed to hold on for a while," he began, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "But we have news that the attack was nned by the Scorpion Mercenary Group. They sent a team of twenty to infiltrate the base." Lilith listened intently, absorbing the information.They were notorious for their ruthless tactics and relentless pursuit of their goals. However, she never expected that they would attack her, considering she had been buying ck market materials from their group for a high price. ''Humans sure do like to backstab the hands that feeds them,'' she sighed, the weight of betrayal heavy on her mind. ''I''ll teach them that the tolerance of a devil can only go so far,'' she muttered, her purple eyes glowing with frustration. The convoy moved steadily through theRegion 5 streets, the silence only broken by the loud hum of engines. Suddenly, the lead car screeched to a stop, throwing everyone forward in their seats. Lilith''s sedan followed suit,ing to an abrupt stop. BOOOOM! Before Dan could respond, a deafening explosion shattered the quite night. Up ahead, a building crumbled into a wreck, debris scattering across the street. The force of the st had caused the lead car to brake abruptly, avoiding the falling rubble. "An explosion," Dan said, stating the obvious. Lilith rolled her eyes, "I have eyes," "This wasn''t an ident," she muttered. "Someone''s trying to dy us." "Find another way, " Dan quickly ryed orders through the convoy''smunication system. ''If I could just use my powers, this would be a piece of cake,'' she sighed, feeling frustrated. She had been holding back to avoid being discovered and causing moreplications. Chapter 260 : Smooth Transition The driver quickly shifted the car into reverse, maneuvering the vehicle back to find another route. BOOOOOM! Another explosion echoed,stopping them in their tracks before they could put any distance between themselves and the first st. CLICK! A group of individuals wearing ck vests and visors appeared, their red visors glowing ominously. They surrounded the cars, their heavy-duty guns pointed directly at the convoy. Redser dots flickered across the vehicles, showing them that one more moved and everything will go down. Lilith clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing. "Looks like they were waiting for us," she said, her voice low and annoyed. Dan nced at her, waiting for orders. "What''s the n, Miss Lilith? Should we activate our powers?" he asked. There are 12 people who can used the serum in their group. Seven are in this convoy. The others were in different facilities. "We''ll have to fight our way out. But remember, don''t activate your true powers unless absolutely necessary. Don''t show any aura; just use your physical strength." She instructed. Dan nodded and ryed the message to the others. They all activated the power-suits beneath their coats. Ironically, these suits came from the Scorpion Mercenary group, so they looked alike, except for the visors. BAM! With quick feet, they kicked their car doors open, the metal door thudding against the pavement, and dashed towards the attackers. Ra-ta-tat-tat ! Ra-ta-tat-tat ! Ra-ta-tat-tat ! The air crackled with gunfire as the mercenaries opened fire. Dan, using his power armor, raised his arm, the suit''s reinforced gauntlet absorbing the impact of bullets aimed at him Experience new worlds on M-VL-em|p,yr Others leaped to the side, their agility augmented by the suit''s enhanced reflexes, narrowly avoiding a spray of bullets. Because Dan''s group did not wear any helmets, they had to raise their hands to protect their heads. Ra-ta-tat-tat ! Bullets flew nonstop through the air, their sound echoing all around them. Dan reached the first attacker who tried to shoot him from behind cover. With a sudden burst of eleration, he closed the distance quickly and delivered a powerful punch to the attacker''s gut, bursting the abdomen open. There were two more attackers near him. With a brutal decision, he used both his left and right hands to knock their heads together. The impact shattered their skulls, scattering brain matter on the ground. The gunmen were just ordinary foot soldiers, so even though Dan''s group was holding back, they posed no threat. Rest of Dan''s team spread out, each engaging multiple enemies at once. The battle was tilting in their favor, but suddenly, one of their member was sent flying through the air. Turning towards the source of the attack, they saw eight people wearing a different type of power-armor . These suits looked more advanced, ck with a mix of metallic and stic surfaces. Their visors were sleeker, covering only their eyes and not their mouths and noses. They were the Divergent Division; each member was trained in various forms ofbat and equipped with diverse collections of melee weapons. "We will handle this," one of the Divergent mercenary ordered, his voice echoed with authority . The foot-soldiersnodded in acknowledgment and stepped back, giving way for their elite fighters to take over thefight. They were under the impression that Dan''s group were also Divergents equipped with power armor. "What is the meaning of this?" Lilith stepped out of her vehicle and confronted them. Now, the two groups faced each other, tense and ready for a fight. "Miss Lilith, you''re so rich that our boss thinks you''re hiding a big secret from us. Since you won''t share it willingly, we''re taking matters into our own hands," said Jayson, the leader of the Divergent team. He had green spiky hair and was tasked to handle this operation. "I''ve been paying your organization a lot of money, and this is the thanks I get?" She shook her head in disappointment . If she hadn''t been holding back, she would have torn them apart already. Unfortunately, the area was too public, with CCTV cameras scattered throughout the street. Lilith hoped the police would arrive soon to stop them, avoiding the need for her to take more drastic action. "This is just business, someone pays higher than you," Jayson chuckled, his tone nonchnt despite the tension in the air. Lilith raised an eyebrow. To build her group, she had to get her hands dirty, making enemies along the way that even she couldn''t keep track of. "Who ordered it?" she demanded, taking a step forward¡ªan unconscious gesture born of annoyance. Jayson shook his head and chuckled. "Sorry, we have principles," he teased her. "Well, I don''t," a voice echoed behind the Divergent group. They hurriedly scattered in defense, but before the others could get far, a cold sensation cut through their abdomen. A long de sliced through their power armor as if it were paper. Jayson and the remaining four jumped away from the attacker. They turned to see a man in a ck trench coat wielding a long katana His face was obscured by a ck motorcycle helmet, hiding his identity. "A hunter?" Jayson asked with surprised expression, after seeing the katana and the attacker''s movements. He could tell from these clues that whoever had just attacked them was a skilled and powerful hunter. "Why is the Hunter Association intervening here? This goes against the rules," Jayson spat out, his frustration evident. "Rules? Says the one who destroyed a whole block just to bully a beautiful woman," theneer with the helmet shook his head, resting his de on his shoulder with a casual swagger. "Besides, I don''t need a reason to save ady in distress," he added, turning towards Lilith and raising his right hand to form a heart shape with his fingers. Lilith didn''t appreciate the gesture, but seeing that this shy guy was willing to help her, she decided to smile back, showing him a thankful smile. Despite his helmet covering his face, the hunter''s bodynguage showed that he like what he saw, clearly smitten by her gorgeous smile. "Back off, fes," he dered dramatically, "she''s under my protection!," Jayson''s brows furrowed in irritation at the hunter''s flirtatious antics "You will regret this?" Jayson warned, his voice tinged filled with anger. He was very prideful because of his power, but the neer just treated him like air. "Regret? That''s only for mob characters," the neer shook his head confidently. "I''m a main character type of guy, so a bunch of thugs won''t be able to touch me." His tone carried arrogance. "You crazy son of a bitch," Jayson spat out, his power armor humming as he prepared for battle. "This is why I don''t like stereo type viins , they don''t know what''s good for them," the neer sighed, he then lower his sword casually. "Lightning Dragon Breathing Technique¡­ Blinding sh!" he uttered. FLASH! A blinding light followed by thunder engulfed everyone. When it cleared in a matter of seconds, everyone, including the normal mercenaries, was cut down . The neer was already behind Jayson''s severed body. He sheathed his sword on the scabbard on his back, looking really powerful as white sparks of lightning covered his body. He turned and walked casually toward Lilith, grabbed her hand, and kissed it. "My name is Quill... Quill zer. May I ask the name of a beautifuldy such as yourself?" he asked smoothly. Chapter 261 : Flasher Lilith was momentarily stunned by this chain of events. Quill''s entrance was sudden and shocking. She had thought he was just a powerful hunter who came to help, but what he showed was extraordinary even for her standards. Despite being able to see through his attack, she was still impressed by how quickly he moved. During that moment, he swung his de to the ground, creating a spark strong enough to blind everyone. Then he moved, elerating from zero to top speed without any preparation whatsoever. So, with all of that variablebined, he was able to disorient his enemies'' sense of time, making it appear that he moved in an instant. It was an impressive feat, especially considering her own reaction time was not too shabby, despite her power not leaning on direct physicalbat. "Wait... zer ? Does he mean the legendary zer Family from the Tier 1 city of Tempest Fort?" she gasped. Lilithhad heard about this family extensively. She had invested considerable resources to gather information on the current powerhouses of the human world. The zer Family was one of the twelve most powerful Hunter families known for practicing the Lightning Dragon Breathing Technique, oftenpared to another family skilled in the Thunderbird Breathing Technique. Both families used lightning attributes, but they differed in how they utilized them, sparking numerous debates over which style was superior. ording to her information, Thunderbirds specialized in long charged attacks, using unrivaled top speed and prating power, akin to a predatory bird diving head-on from the air to catch its prey. While Lightning Dragon users were quicker, they sacrificed prating power for faster eleration, a trade-off that made them more deadly inbat against other hunters. ''Why is someone like him here in this ce?'' she mused inwardly, realizing this couldplicate the situation. She couldn''t shake the uncertainty¡ªwas his presence here mere coincidence, or part of arger scheme? ''No, that''s not important right now. I need to act more normal or he might get suspicious,'' she thought to herself. "Thank you for saving me," she replied, adopting a maidenly and gentle demeanor. She yed the role of a damsel in distress so convincingly that even Dan felt their leader could apply for an acting career. She was just too natural. "It was my honor toe to your aid, Lady¡­?," he asked. "Lilith, my name is Lilith," she replied, keeping up with her facade. "What a beautiful name, " he replied with a gant bow. "Such beauty deserves nothing less than the utmost protection. " "Thank you," Lilith nodded, hiding her skepticism behind a gracious smile. Quill''s words seemed sincere, but her instincts warned her to tread carefully. Men who talks like him tend to had a high ego. "I really wanted to get to know you better, Lady Lilith..." his voice trailed off, as if it was difficult to let go of her hand. "Unfortunately, I can''t stay here long as I''m on a secret mission to save the world. I''d appreciate it if you kept this between us," he said with a chuckle, raising his hand to gently touch her lips. But she tilted her head just enough to avoid letting him touch it. Dan and the others where annoyed by his blunt actions, almost ready to fight him, but she intervened, stopping them with a raised hand. "I will," Lilith replied, forcing a smile . After her words of confirmation, Quill nodded, turned away, and ran , darting from one streetlight to another. Each leap propelled him higher until hended gracefully on the rooftop of a nearby building. "Bye " He waved his hand as a gesture, then continued jumping from rooftop to rooftop, his figure shrinking into the distance until he disappeared from view. ''What a weirdo ,'' she sighed, she felt that her luck with men was really bad today. First, a man-eating monsters who treated her like she owed him something. And now, a horny hunter with a heroplex. The issue was, both men were extremely powerful, so she couldn''t evenin. ''If this were hell, I wouldn''t have to tolerate this,'' she added. *** "Who was that jerk?" Cyril rubbed her forehead, still feeling annoyed. She was taking a breather on her balcony when a man carrying a katana and wearing a helmet jumped over. Thinking he was an enemy sent by Vincent, she retaliated, only to be yed around by his quick movements. Then, out of nowhere, he confessed his admiration to her like a weirdo and disappeared after hearing an explosion in the distance. ''Why can''t others be like him,'' she sighed, remembering someone in her past who was different from other men. Not once did she feel that he looked at her with any perverted thoughts, so she regained some hope that not all men think with their dicks. Little did she know that the man in question didn''t have a dick yet. ''I hope that jerk doesn''te back,'' she sighed, feeling even more afraid than when she met Vincent. After a couple of minutes, she heard the roar of engines. Looking down, she saw a convoy of damaged ck sedans, some with doors destroyed. In that split second they passed through her shop, she noticed something that even made her look. ''What a pretty person,'' she thought, apliment that meant a loting from someone as attractive as herself. *** Lilith and her group passed a seemingly ordinary Cat Cafe and headed directly to the gate to exit the Walled City The night air was thick with tension, each member of the convoy on high alert after the unexpected encounters they had just faced. As they sped towards theboratory, Lilith reyed their encounter in her mind. His quick movements and the way he effortlessly disoriented their senses of time. ''Can I beat him?'' she thought to herself. She excelled in other aspects, but fast opponents would be a bad matched with her fighting style. In Hell, at her peak form, it wouldn''t matter. However, her current body was at best equivalent to the power of a Middle Rank Demon Lord. She thought she was safe in this city, believing that her current power was enough to put her in the list of one of the strongest. ''Speaking of the strongest? Can he beat him?'' she wondered, her mind imagining Reign. She had not fought him directly, but when he released his aura, she could tell right away that he was way stronger than her. ''No, I think it''s also a bad match-up. I feel like he''s also weak against fast opponents,'' she thought, assuming that Reign might be strong but not particrly fast. The lightning attribute was the fastest attribute. Even in Hell, devils who could control lightning were more powerful and revered, but they were few and far between. So, Quill having mastered his own lightning attribute to a level that could even threaten someone like her, just showed how dangerous he was. ''I need to tell him to be careful, or he might end up fighting that weird hunter,'' she made a mental note to warn her new ally. She needed him to stay healthy for her own goals, after all. Chapter 262: Lightning vs Lightning Inside Lilith''s mansion, Reign lounged on the bed. He decided to stay for the night and leave tomorrow. Though he appeared to bezing around, it was far from the truth. Richard had given him a new phone, and he spent his time reading e-books. Now that he had evolved, he felt it was time to improved his original skills using all the knowledge he had gained so far. ''I see, so I can develop more variants of my railgun if I do this,'' he mused inwardly, the idea forming in his mind as he absorbed more knowledge from the E-Book he was reading . He first created a small, long spike. This was the bullet for his railgun, and he wanted to see if he could improve it to explode on impact instead of just piercing through. As he studied the long spike, he began reshaping it. He increased its size and created a hollow space at the tip. Then, he released dark-red lightning from his hands, channeling it into the hollow part. He continued until the spike started vibrating. Carefully, he released the pent-up energy so it wouldn''t destroy the room. ''I need to find an open area to test this new projectile,'' he chuckled to himself. He was confident it would work, but a practical experiment was still needed to make adjustments. ''Lightning element is really powerful. Good thing I got this one early on; it''s helped me a lot of times,'' he added as sparks of dark red lightning ran through his hand. He was thankful he met Jayden early on. Even the powerful hunters he fought before didn''t have any lightning element, showing just how rare this attribute was. ''Speaking of which¡­,'' he closed his eyes and found himself inside his summoner''s space. The ce was now more lively and bigger. He could even see a mountain of bones, and the higher-ranked summons were starting to build vis for themselves. This showed they were bing more intelligent. ''I wonder what this ce really is,''he mused. At first, he thought it was just a mental manifestation, but seeing it develop, he felt it was a different world altogether. The bones had also be more permanent; they no longer disappeared like before because of his new skill that automatically absorbed souls. It was an ability he acquired when he killed the second angel. "Come ," he ordered, and from the bone made vis , all the 5 hunters and the Shackler jumped in front of him and bowed their head . "My King, why did you summon us?" Arc was the first to speak. He had already evolved into an Elite Knight Grade, and as the first summon, he held a higher status than the others. His vi was also thergest. "I just want to check on you guys. Why did you build your own houses, and why is everything getting bigger?" he asked. "My king, these structures signify our status in this ce. They also give us things to do when you don''t need us," Arc replied. His speech was now more human-like, and the way he constructed his sentences was easier to understand. "And what other things do you do here when I don''t need you?" he asked, curious about their lives. "We spar with each other," Arc replied. "You do? Good job," Reign nodded in satisfaction. At least his summons weren''tzy and kept improving themselves. "Thank you, my king. It''s only natural that we train so we won''t be left behind. You are growing stronger every day, and as your servants, we can''t just stand still," Arc replied, his voice filled with devotion. "Good, good," Reign nodded again. He felt like a big boss beingplimented for merely existing. "Let''s see how much you''ve grown," Reign chuckled. He realized he could use this ce to test his new skills and train, fully utilizing its potential. "Thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn more," they all replied in unison. "First, I will fight each of you one on one to see if you have improved. Don''t worry, I will adjust to your level, so give it your best," he dered, next a katana materialized in his hand. It would be overkill to use Skull Grinder, so he decided to stick with a normal weapon this time. "Come, Arc, show me how good you are now," he said, raising his palm and motioning for Arc to attack. Seeing this, Arc grabbed the hilt of his katana and readied himself. Dark red lightning began to engulf his body, overflowing until the air vibrated. The sound of crackling electricity filled the space .It was as if a thousand birds were chirping in unison, creating a symphony of electric energy that echoed nonstop. "What a powerful charge," Reign nodded in satisfaction. Whatever Arc was nning, it was obvious it would be fast and powerful. CRACK! With a loud bang, Arc vanished from his position and appeared right in front of him. There were no tricks¡ªhe was just that fast. His de was already on a direct path to behead Reign. "Nice, but not enough," Reign chuckled. He barely tilted his head to dodge the first swing. As he did, he kicked Arc, who was left open after the wide swing, sending him flying. "Your attack is super fast and deadly, but against a faster opponent, you will be open for a counterattack after a well timed dodge," Reign pointed out. "At the same time, your charge takes too long. Did you expect your enemy to just wait?" Reign continued, "Plus, Your attack is too straightforward. You need to be more fluid and adaptable. When youmit to a strike, make sure you have a n for whates next. Don''t just rely on brute force and speed." He paused, letting his words sink in. "Also, your energy control needs improvement. You''re wasting too much power in your initial charge. Focus on conserving your strength and releasing it in more precise bursts. Efficiency is just as important as power." "Thank you for pointing out my ws, my king," Arc said, kneeling on the ground as he contemted his mistakes. "Next," Reign said, pointing his katana at Winder One, the hunter with the ability to control winds. Winder One nodded and took his stance. Learning from Arc''s mistake, he didn''t go for a heavy attack. He began by summoning a gust of wind to propel himself to Reign''s left side. He swung his de in a wide arc, aiming for the ribs. Reign effortlessly dodged by stepping back, the wind from Winder One''s attack barely touching him. Undeterred, Winder One continued his assault, using the wind to enhance his speed and agility. He spun around, using a series of rapid, precise strikes aimed at the legs and torso. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Reign parried each strike with his katana, their des shing with a sharp metallic ring. Winder One then changed tactics. He created a small whirlwind to lift himself into the air and struck downward, aiming for the head. Reign sidestepped, his katana rising to meet Winder One''s de. CLANG! The impact sent sparks flying, and Winder One used the momentum tounch himself back into a storm of attacks from different angles. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Reign dodged and blocked each attack, his movements smooth. He could see Winder One''s strategy¡ªusing speed and unpredictability to find gaps in his defense. However, Reign''s reflexes and experience kept him one step ahead. Reign smiled. "You''re skilled, Winder One. But you''ll need more than just speed and agility to defeat me." Chapter 263: Master of Lightning SWOOOOSH! Winder One dashed forward again, putting more force into his swing, thinking that was what Reign had pointed out. He held his sword further away from his body to build more momentum as he swung it horizontally. But, this made his attack path longer and more predictable. "Not like this," Reign shook his head and put more weight into his counter attack. CLANG! The force behind Reign''s attack caught Winder One off guard . Despite his control over the wind, he was unable to evade the force of the blow, and was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground with a thud. He skidded several feet before finallying to a stop. "You''recking patience, Winder One," he remarked calmly. "You''re quick and skilled with your wind control, but you rush your attacks. You need to wait for the right moment, not force it, especially if you are facing a faster opponent,." Winder One nodded, absorbing the advice with a nod of understanding. "Thank you, My King. I need to be more patient, wait for openings instead of creating them forcefully." "Exactly," "Next," He wasted no time and began sparring with everyone, teaching them individually what they werecking. Reign focused on refining their techniques, enhancing their strategies, and instilling patience and adaptability in their approaches. Despite his strength,he always approached his fights with logic. He never engaged without thinking multiple ns ahead, a strategy that had kept him alive for so long. He aimed to teach his summons this principle so they would be more valuable in future battles. Because at their level and ability, they were basically just distractions against peak Demon Lord level opponents. It wasn''t that they were too weak; Peak Demon Lords were simply too strong. Without using techniques and strategy, they wouldn''t stand a chance in contending with them at all. With that, the training continued, each hunter summon striving to improve under his guidance, while Shackler worked diligently to find her ce in theirbat strategies. Because her ability was uniquepared to the others, she approachedbat in her ownway. However, due to her lower rank, her ability to learn and adapt was limited. Her chains and restriction ability, while useful in certain situations,cked the versatility and quick movements seen in the hunters. Reign observed her during their training sessions, noting her struggles to keep up with the fast movements of her peers. While she could effectively restrain weaker opponents and create strategic advantages with her ability, she often found herself outmatched in dynamic and fast-pacedbat scenarios. That''s why Reign instructed her to focus on controlling her chain instead of copying the fighting style of the hunters. After he was done training them ,he went into a deste part of the area, to try his new and improve "round" . ''I need a target,'' he thought to himself. Spotting some skeletons nearby, hemanded them to assemble into a towering mountain of bones. It was a perfect target for testing his new "round" designed to explode on impact rather than prate. CRACK-CLICK ! He loaded the new round into his railgun, feeling it hum as he focused his lightning element on it. The rail gun sparks as he took aim at the bone mountain. He fired. ZZZZZZZZ! The round shot out with incredible speed, aimed directly at the middle portion. However, just as it approached, it exploded prematurely, detonating in mid-air with a sudden burst of violent electricity. The force of the explosion made the ground trembled, but it was still a failure. He frowned as he watched the unexpected detonation. He did not anticipate that the round would explode too soon. Checking his weapon, he examined the mechanism and the round itself, trying to pinpoint the cause of the premature explosion. ''It must be the energy flow,'' he murmured to himself, his imaginary brow furrowing in concentration. He adjusted the lightning infusion by fine-tuning the energy within the hollow tip. Taking aim again at the bone mountain, Reign fired the second time. ZZZZZZZZ! This time, the round streaked through the air, hitting the bone structure dead center. There was a moment of suspense as the round embedded itself into the bones, but this time, it exploded after it pierced the whole target, defeating the whole purpose. "Too much eleration," he realized, shaking his head. He needed to find a delicate bnce between enough energy to detonate on impact and not so much that it detonated prematurely, orte. With a determined expression, he continued to adjust and refine it. He experimented with different configurations and carefully controlled the flow of lightning energy. Each attempt brought him closer to the desired effect, but there were still setbacks¡ªrounds that exploded too weak, others that failed to detonate upon impact. After several more trials and adjustments, he finally felt confident in his approach. He loaded another round into the railgun, meticulously calibrating the energy infusion andposition of the explosive charge. Taking a deep paused, he aimed again at the bone mountain. ZZZZZZZZ! The round shot out with precision, flying toward its target with controlled speed. It struck the bone mountain dead center, and this time, there was a brief pause¡ªa moment of suspense that seemed to stretch endlessly. Then, with a satisfying roar, the round detonated exactly as intended. BOOOOOOM! The bone mountain erupted in a powerful explosion, sending bone shards flying in all directions. The lightning explosion did not stop there; a bunch of chain lightning bolts started to disintegrate even the bones that were sent flying. With this level of destruction, even a Peak Demon Lord would cry out as their bodypletely turned into a fireworks disy. If Lilith were here right now, witnessing this, she would scold herself for everparing Quill''s lightning to Reign''s. What sh? What technique? What speed? Every feat Quill aplished could be effortlessly matched, and surpassed, by Reign. If there was a master of lightning in Green Valley City, it wasn''t a skirt-chaser but rather a calcted, man eating monster whose sole purpose in life was to refine his skills to kill more people. Reign grinned , his persistence and hard work finally paying off. He had sessfully mastered the creation of explosive rounds for his railgun, achieving the desired effect through careful experimentation and adjustment. ''Got it,'' he muttered, nodding in satisfaction. ''I wonder what would happen if I erged the round by 200 times and just dropped it in the middle of the city?'' he wondered . ''Oh right, she told me not to destroy this ce yet,'' It was meant as a joke, but anyone overhearing would likely sweat blood after discovering how brutal his line of thoughts were. ''Now let''s tinker a bit with my other original skills,'' he thought to himself as he summoned his Skull Grinder. He began tweaking the melee weapon, sharpening the cutting teeth and increasing its rotational speed. The faster it rotated, the more damage it could inflict, so he added new gears to facilitate smoother operation. With the modificationsplete, he tested the Skull Grinder''s enhanced capabilities. He swung it through the air, observing how effortlessly it sliced through solid objectspared to before. "Now we''re talking," he was satisfied with the result. Chapter 264: Professional Deal "That was exhausting," Reign muttered aloud as he returned to reality, staring up at the familiar ceiling of the bedroom. He hadn''t anticipated it would take such a long time to adapt and enhance all his original skills. It highlighted how much extra knowledge could improve one''s skills. Diving into a book on mechanical engineering and machinery had elevated hisbat skills by around 10-15%, even without any direct boosts to his stats. To others, it would appear he had simply gone to sleep, unaware that he had spent the night training and refining his abilities. He sat up in bed and nced at the wall clock, seeing that it would soon be morning. ''She''s not back yet? May be she''s dead already?'' he wondered momentarily, then quickly shook his head. He was certain the entire city would be in an uproar if she had really unleashed her full power. Reign wasn''t really concerned about her. If she died, it was no longer his problem. However, he would feel a bit disappointed that he wouldn''t be able to eat her body. That missed EXP and reward would haunt him in his sleep. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! The sudden noise jolted him from his thoughts. He turned toward the door, and replied "It''s open" CLICK! The door swung open, revealing Richard standing there with another person. It was a young woman wearing a ck jacket, a bright bubble gum bubble popping between her lips. She held a briefcase in one hand and surveyed the room with a casual, almost bored expression. The woman raised an eyebrow, blowing another bubble before letting it pop. "Nice ce, so where is the demon that needs a make over? " When the woman spoke so boldly, Richard almost raised his hand to p her in the face. ''Watch your tone in front of a demon lord," he thought angrily. "Do you want us all to die? Are you really that bored with your life that you want this city to perish with you?'' However, before he could react, he noticed that Reign hadn''t moved at all. ''A divergent, huh?'' he thought, sensing her aura. She might be able to hide from weaker demons, but not from someone with his caliber. "I''m that demon?" Reign replied calmly, his voice devoid of anger, so Richard saw no reason to scold the woman. When he wasn''t in eating mode, such attitudes didn''t bother him. Why would he be angry at things he saw as livestock? Being upset by her behavior was like getting angry at a rooster for crowing. The woman nced at him, and blew another bubble. Richard clenched his fists, still stopping himself from pping the fuck out of her. If she weren''t one of the few professionals who could actually make ultra-realistic masks, he wouldn''t have been this patient. ''Can I take a look at your real face?'' she asked, moving closer. She could immediately tell his current skin was the real deal, but it was evident he had just ripped it off from some poor guy. Reign nodded and removed his human skin mask, revealing his true face¡ªa polished ck skull that was almost marble like. It was already modified; his real one had horns and sharp chin and jawline so it was not fit for a mask. The woman stopped chewing her gum for a moment, her eyes widening slightly. "I can definitely make you a mask. Your skull is in perfect ratio," she eximed, showing no fear. She was used to seeing scary things, not because she encountered a lot of demons, but because she worked as a stic surgeon in the underground world . Operating on numerous people had made her immune to gore, so despite finding Reign''s intimidating face, she couldn''t help but feel it was sculpted with a certain artistry. "I''ll start preparing the mold," her tone shifted to that of a true professional. She quickly retrieved a pair of surgical gloves from her bag. Next, she ced her briefcase on the table and opened it with a press of a button Inside, various materials and chemicals were neatly organized. She began mixing the materials inside a circr container, carefullybining them until they reached the perfect consistency¡ªthick enough to resemble wet sand. As she worked, she nced up at Reign. "This y will mold to your features," she exined, her hands moving slowly. "It''ll give me the exact measurements I need to create you a new, realistic mask." Reign just nodded and allowed her to proceed with her work. He had no interest in the process itself, only the end result mattered to him. Richard, still standing nearby, kept a wary eye on the proceedings. The woman pressed the y gently against Reign''s face, smoothing it out to capture every contour and angle. Despite her casual demeanor, it was clear she was a professional when it mattered,pletely absorbed in her work. After a few moments, she carefully removed the mold and inspected it with a critical eye. She then poured a white chemical into the mold, which would form the basis of the mask. While waiting, she then pull up a tablet and then showed him an app that has controls in it where he could actually edit his face "This is a face customizer. You can tweak it so I can make masks for you," she exined. "Can I design multiple masks?" Reign asked, feeling like he was using a character creation tool in a game. "Sure, as long as you have the money," she turned towards Richard. "Money is not an issue. He is our very important guest and deserves only the best," Richard replied, making sure to butter up Reign for added points. The woman smiled, knowing she would earn a huge sum from this job. As for Reign, he had already begun designing his face in the app. He didn''t really care about Richard''s words¡ªwhat was money to him anyway? If she didn''t make more masks, he would just rip her head off. After much editing, he designed three masks that he believed he could use in the future. The first mask featured his iconic white hair and youthful, smooth skin that made him appear to be 20 years old. Second mask was simr but with a different hairstyle, styled in a brushed-off fashion. Lastly, there was a mask that aged him to look like a 70-year-old man, with gray hair and signs of aging etched across the whole face. The woman examined the designs and didn''t question his taste; as long as she got paid, her job was to make masks, not to judge others, after all. "Perfect," she said,. "I''ll have your new mask ready soon." "How many days?" Reign asked, curious about the time frame. . "Days? I can finish this in 5 hours," she replied confidently. "Then make four ofeach for me," he ordered. Losing his mask had be a recurring issue, so he nned to have plenty of spares hidden in different locations, just in case something happened again. "Alright, that''s not an issue." she responded. When she left the room, Reign called for Richard. "Make sure she doesn''t leak anything," he warned. "Don''t worry, Master. We already know what to do," Richard replied, his eyes suggesting that the woman wouldn''t be able to enjoy her money for long. Chapter 265: Compensating "Is this the safehouses I can choose from ?" Reign asked as he swipe through the picture that Richard had sent him. "Yes Master, that''s all the properties that Miss Lilith sent me," he replied respectfully. Even the one pulling the strings behind their organization treated Reign with importance, so it was only right that he treaded carefully. Reign continued to review the properties, impressed by the wealth Lilith had amassed in such a short time. He wondered what kind of business genius she was to achieve such expansion without revealing her true powers. On this regard, even he doubted he could umte such wealth in his own. "Why don''t you have any property in Regions 2 and 1?" he wondered aloud. "Master, the prices ofnd in Regions 2 and 1 are so inted that only the very rich could afford it," Richard exined. "Even renting there costs a fortune." "So Lilith didn''t have the money, or is this list iplete?" he asked, seeking rification. "I don''t know," Richard shook his head, genuinely unsure of the answer. "Never mind, I''ll pick this then, " Reign said, handing back the tablet. On the screen was a two-story house in Region 5. He didn''t particrly care for the designs of the houses in the higher regions and preferred something simpler. "I''ll get the key to this, Master," Richard said, bowing his head without question. After a couple of minutes, he returned with the key and informed Reign that they were ready to go. "Lead the way" he ordered. Along the way, Reign began asking questions about the problem that Lilith had gone to fix. However, Richard didn''t know because they hadn''t received any reports yet. Seeing that there was no information about it, he shifted the conversation to another topic. "Did you find the people I told you about?" Reign asked. "Not yet. It''ll take a day or two to find them because the city is big, and most of the information from government logistics is encrypted. But I''ll update you right away after we have something," Richard answered, sounding determined to assure Reign they were doing their best . "Just make it fast. I''m not good at waiting," he warned firmly, ensuring his point was clear. Fear was a powerful motivator, after all. Hearing this, Richard gulped nervously, mentally noting to push their intelligence team to expedite their efforts. He picked up his phone and started texting, [Fuck, all of you stopzing around or we are all dead]. Reign saw this and was satisfied with the immediate effect. This was the perk of being on the dark side¡ªno need to beat around the bush, just take charge and order what he wanted. "Master, the garage isn''t far," Richard said, gesturing ahead. "We have quite a collection of cars. I trust you''ll find something suitable for your needs." He added. They arrived at the garage, a spacious underground chamber illuminated by rows of fluorescent lights. The floor was made of smooth tiles, and along the walls stood an impressive collections of vehicles¡ªluxury cars, sleek motorcycles, and some military grade vehicles. Richard led Reign towards a section reserved for special cars, where a line of armored SUVs, HuNovelBinee and luxury sedans awaited. Judging by their appearance and quality, they were far more advanced and expensive than what he was ustomed to driving. "Here we are, Master" Richard said, opening the door to one of the expensive looking SUVs. "I believe this one will suit your preferences." "The fuck are you talking about?" Reign raised his imaginary eyebrow. Why would he choose a sedan when there were pickup trucks right in front of him? Richard was taken aback and nearly panicked when he was scolded. He reminded himself never to act smart again. "I''m sorry. May I ask which car you''d like to take?" he hurriedly bowed his head, trying to salvage the awkward situation. "That one," Reign pointed decisively at a ck pickup truck. Its armored panels gleamed in the light, and its six big wheels and tall suspension made it look like a ride for someone who was definitelypensating . Ironically, in Reign''s case, he had topensate a lot because he had none at all. Even Richard felt the same, but he wisely kept his thoughts to himself. He knew better than to provoke a psychotic demon like Reign. He feared he might end up as a gruesome decoration¡ªor worse, have his blood drained to fuel the car Reign was like a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any moment. "I''ll get the keys," Richard hurriedly walked towards a wall where the keys were located. All the vehicles here were numbered, so he easily found and grabbed the correct one. He walked towards the truck driver''s sit, thinking he would be the driver. But as he opened the door, someonesuddenly grabbed his cor and threw him to the floor. THUD! "Ouch!" Richard shouted, feeling the impact of being thrown by a literal demon lord. "I''ll drive it," Reign dered. "Yes, yes¡­ of course " Richard apologized and gave the key, still confused about why a demon lord was so fixated on this truck. When Reign sat in the driver''s seat, he nodded in satisfaction as he firmly gripped the steering wheel. It fit his hands perfectly, and he found the dashboard satisfactory¡ªnot overly advanced and wide, but still equipped with a touchscreen in the middle. Its size was just right, not making the car feel too futuristic for his taste. ''Manual transmission? Sweet,'' he chuckled, noticing the three pedals and the six gears avable on the shifter. cing the key in the ignition, he turned it, and the engine roared to life. The truck vibrated with the power of itsrge engine, filling the air with itsmanding presence. But Reign didn''t immediately press the elerator . He waited patiently for the engine to warm up. He felt that using such a magnificent piece of machinery improperly would be a disservice to its capabilities. After 10 minutes, he could feel that the engine was warm enough. VROOOM! VROOOM! VROOOM! He hit the pedal and revved the engine up, eager to feel the horsepower. ''Nice sound,'' he added with a grin. ''I''ll call you Dark Six, because you''ve got six awesome wheels.''He affectionately patted the steering wheel, already feeling a connection to the powerful vehicle. He knew he would have to let go of this beauty eventually, but he vowed to take good care of it while it was under his possession. CLICK! The passenger seat opened, and Richard began to climb into position, but Reign pushed him again. "You sit in the back," he ordered, pointing to the cargo bed . "Yes, Master," Richard replied obediently, choosing not to protest and simply following Reign''smand. At this point, Richard realized that trying to understand how a demon lord''s mind worked was useless. He was too impulsive and unpredictable, making it difficult to please him because he didn''t conform to certain stereotypes. VROOOM! VROOOM! VROOOM! Reign revved the engine again, causing the exhaust pipe to released more dirty fumes in the air. RING! RING! RING! Richard hurriedly answered his phone, noticing the call was from the intelligence unit. "You found them?" he asked aloud. Chapter 266 : Hard Choice Reign''s ears perked up when he overheard the call, but he didn''t react immediately. He didn''t want to appear excited about finally seeing his two somewhat useful servants and most importantly, his trusted dog. It would be odd for a demon, whose sole purpose was to kill humans, to be happy to see insignificant figures. It would break his whole evil persona. Nevertheless, he was d inwardly. So he waited for him to finish, but after a couple of seconds, he didn''t seem to say anything at all even after finishing the call. ''What''s taking this idiot so long ?'' he wondered, his patience running thin. But there were no reports at all. Instead, Richard leaned on the edge of the cargo bed, texting on his phone. "What''s the status? You said you found them?" he snapped, , a bit annoyed that he was being kept in the dark. "Find what, Master?"Richard''s brow furrowed, and his eyes widened in confusion . "You just got a call, right? And you said you found them," he asked, tapping the steering wheel to control his frustration. "That Call ? Oh, It was my subordinates. I lost my house keys and asked him to find them. Sorry for the misunderstanding," Richard hurriedly replied, realizing that the call had been misunderstood.. Reign''s clenched his fists, fighting the urge to snap Richard''s neck on the spot. He took a deep paused, reminding himself of the bigger picture and the need for some level of patience. "You''re telling me," he began, his voice dangerously low, "that all this was about your house keys?" Richard nodded nervously, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Reign red at him, the intensity of his gaze enough to make anyone feel like they were shrinking from fear. "Consider yourself lucky," he growled. "If you waste my time like this again, I won''t hesitate to make an example out of you." "Yes.. Yes..." Richard nodded quickly, scrambling into the cargo bed, his heart pounding with fear. But deep inside, he felt it wasn''t his fault that Reign misunderstood. He had a life too. Why would Reign assume that everything he did was rted to his orders? Unfortunately, he had to suck it up because people with power could do whatever they wanted. It was their right. VROOOOOOM! He hit the elerator, guiding his truck out of therge garage and into the mansion private road. The sound of six wheels spinning on the asphalt road made him a bit calmer than before. At least he got something useful in this mansion other than an ipetent assistant. As they drove, they encountered several checkpoints. Reluctantly, he allowed Richard to take over the driving until they reached Region 5, where they saw several burned buildings, the aftermath of a recent conflicts. For some, this type of scene might be terrifying, but for him, the damage was negligible. It barely registered as something to care about. They continued traveling along the road, until they finally entered a residential area. The scene shifted to a more peaceful neighborhood. Modest homes lined the streets, each with its own yard and parking lot. These were small houses, but they offered a sense of stability and calm. "Almost there," Richard said, pointing to a two-story house at the end of the street. It was in but well-maintained, with a neatly trimmedwn and a small garden. They parked the truck and stepped out, surveying the surroundings. He appreciated the privacy and low profile of the house. It was just what he needed. At this point, the sun would rise in another 10-15 minutes, and people were already out jogging. They all gave a double take at hisrge truck, and he felt proud . "This will do," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. Richard, eager to make amends, quickly retrieved the keys and handed them. "Here you go, Master. Everything is ready inside." He took the keys and walked towards the front door, his mind already nning his next moves. Richard followed closely behind, but before he could enter, Reign mmed the door. BAM! "Master?" Richard asked while rubbing his nose, confused. "You stay in the truck, and don''t you dare use the driver seat, or I''ll skin you alive," he warned from the other side of the door. He was a very vengeful and petty individual , unable to let go of what happened in the garage . "I..." Richard wanted to say something but was cut off by another order. "And don''t go anywhere else. I''m watching you from inside." ''Does he expect me to wait in the sun?'' Richard grumbled inwardly, realizing his master was even more evil and petty than he had thought. CLICK! The curtains near the front door pull up, revealing Reign looking at him and making the "I''m watching you" gesture, followed by a threatening gesture as if shing the neck, indicating dire consequences if Richard disobeyed. Not only that, but he also turned on the AC unit unnecessarily, just to annoy his poor servant. ''He''s a total psycho¡­'' Richard felt like he had the worst job in the world. What was scarier than a demon lord? A psychotic demon lord, that''s right! *** *** *** "RAWWR!" "RAWWR!" "RAWWR!" "What''s happening? Why did he start acting crazy?" Melissa asked, her expression anxious. Wick suddenly began behaving strangely. They thought he was recovering, but he started acting wild, his eyes turning red and saliva dripping from his mouth, as if he had rabies. They locked him in a heavy-duty cage, but it was barely holding on because even his body was getting stronger and his ws sharper. Wick''s behavior had turned frantic¡ªhe bumped his head against the cage, wed at it furiously, and then began biting the metal bars like a craze animal. "Hey George, I thought Wick was a normal dog now? Why the hell does he look like a demon?" Melissa asked, her voice tinged with growing anxiety as she watched the dod''s disturbing transformation and violent attempts to escape the cage. "I don''t really know. Wick is Reign''s pet, so don''t expect him to be normal," he replied, cautiously holding a long stick as he attempted to push the wild dog back. However, Wick aggressivelybit off the stick and threw George against the floor with surprising force. CLICK! "Wick, stop! Why are you doing this?" Melissa cried out, hoping he would remember how they had taken care of him. "RAWWR!" "RAWWR!" "RAWWR!" Wick continued to growl, his barks growing louder and more menacing. "This can''t go on. The neighbors might call the police on us," she muttered anxiously, tapping her feet on the floor and biting her fingers as she tried to think of a solution. "I''ll prepare the tranquilizer," he sighed. He had bought it after noticing Wick''s increasing aggression, just as a precaution. George carefully opened the long briefcase, revealing the tranquilizer gun nestled inside. First, picked it up and loaded a tranquilizer dart into the chamber, pressing it in until it clicked securely into ce. "Is that thing strong enough ?" Mellisa asked. "Don''t worry, this thing has enough juice to make an elephant fall asleep," he assured her. George positioned himself for a clear shot, aiming the tranquilizer gun towards Wick''s lower body, who continued to growl and thrash in the cage. He adjusted his stance, aligning the sights carefully with the target. ''I don''t really want to do this to you,'' he sighed, Chapter 267 : Pacify ''But you leave me no choice,'' George sighed with a heavy heart. He had grown to love Wick, despite the dog being snobbish most of the time and only ying with Melissa, especially during bath time. This dog loved being bathed by her and wouldn''t let males touch him. ''I''m totally not doing this because I hate you,''With a deep breath, he took aim, focusing on the moment he would need to fire. However¡ª Wick suddenly stopped moving and looked at George intently. ''Can he recognize me? Could it be that he remembers our good time together?'' he thought to himself, noticing that Wick didn''t looked aggressive anymore. In fact, it started brushing its head against the cage, as if wanting to be petted. "Oh my god, I can''t believe it, he remembered us!" Melissa eximed, her eyes almost teary. She felt proud that they were able to fix the issue without resorting to theirst choice. "Good boy... good boy," George chuckled with relief as he slowly reached to give it pat. "RAWWWR!" Wick snapped and open his maw for a bite . George barely pulled back in time, yelping in surprise. "Whoa! " He eximed, stumbling backward and nearly tripping over his own feet. "RAWWWR!" "RAWWWR!" "RAWWWR!" Wick immediately reverted to his aggressive behavior, snarling and snapping at the cage bars . ''Shit, he almost got my hand,'' he muttered, sweating cold buckets. The thought of his hand being torn off shed through his mind, sending a chill down his spine. "It''s no use¡­ " he sighed and took aim. " You forced me ," He squeezed the trigger, the dartunching from the gun with a soft hiss. It hit its mark, embedding itself into the skin. George monitored Wick closely, watching for any signs of the tranquilizer taking effect. ''Please let this work,'' he whispered, hoping the drug would do its job without any more surprises. Wick''s movements gradually slowed, his growls diminishing into low, pained whimpers, until he copsed . With him sedated and the situation under control, George secured the tranquilizer gun back into the briefcase, ensuring it was safely stowed away. "What happens when he wakes up? We can''t just keep shooting him," Melissa said, standing side by side with him as they watched the cage. "Let''s move him to the basement and then buy a bigger, stronger cage. Also, those soundproof pads," He responded, thinking of ways to hide Wick''s condition from the public. If anyone discovered they were hiding a demonized dog, a whole hunter team woulde and for the kill. When that happened, forget about saving Anna. Reign would be so pissed off that he would One hundred percent kill both him and Melissa. After that, this city would be done for. No amount of talking could ever hope to sway someone as ruthless and closed minded as Reign if his dog died. "You''re right. It''s already morning. I''ll pick up all those things at the Department Store," she replied, wasting no time. Quickly preparing her ck Sedan, she drove off towards themercial area. Along the way, she thought hard about whether all this waiting was worth it. She was grateful to Reign for the ticket that allowed her to escape Summit City before it was run over by corrupted , but now she wondered if she could have a fresh start in life. This ce was huge and full of opportunity, and if she put in the effort, she could restart her life in the Veiled Nights as a broker. ''No¡­. if I just quit, he will hunt me down for betraying him,'' she sighed, fully aware of Reign''s unconventional personality. Even if he didn''t kill her, if he decided to go on a rampage, she could still die from coteral damage. There was a saying: if you don''t want to be killed by a storm, stay behind it. "Whoa, nice truck," shemented as she passed a house with a ck armored truck sporting six wheels. She was also a fan of pick up trucks, and honestly, if she had the money, she would buy one herself. It looked really cool, except for the guy sitting in the back despite the heat. ''What an idiot,'' she giggled, finding his annoyed face amusing. Whoever came up with the prank to force that poor guy there must be pretty evil and petty. *** *** *** ''So this is the basement. It''s bigger than I thought,'' Reign nodded in approval after deciding to check out more of the house. Richard had informed him that this was supposed to be an undergroundb, so the basement was about five floors deep and made of hard concrete. Looking around, he saw that there was no other furniture there because the project had been abandoned after they realized it was too dangerous to turn into a drugb. That''s right. So one of the reason Lilith was so rich was because she also made drugs for a living, and hers was quite popr¡ªa product called Sin Crystal Meth with 99.5% purity. ''Why are people in this world so fixated on drugs?'' he sighed, genuinely wandering what''s so good about them. ''This ce would be a cool hideout though,'' he thought, continuing to stroll the ce out of curiosity. He began to feel like he could really live in this house for a long time. When he reached the bottom floor, he found it was just an open space. Thinking there was nothing of interest there, he climbed back upstairs. ''Good,'' he chuckled inwardly, noting that Richard was still in the truck, not moving an inch due to his orders. ''But this is really boring,''he sighed as he sat on the chair directly facing the window. ''I really want tostart killing as soon as possible. How long should I wait? Where is my mask? My new identity?'' he wondered impatiently. With those things, he would be able to move around the city more freely and perhaps find something interesting to do. Because at this point, he was going mad from all the waiting. It was one thing to refrain from eating humans when he was outside, surrounded by miasma and destion, and another to be in a city teeming with millions of potential meals just walking around. He could even see a few of them passing him in their jogging clothes. Unfortunately, in reality, everything takes time, and his wishes couldn''t just materialize out of nowhere. So, he had to be patient. Suddenly, Richard stood up, his eyes fixed on the window as he tightly gripped his phone. Without hesitation, he dashed towards the window of the house. "Master, I got the news. We found the people you''re looking for" he reported, all smiles, finally bringing good results and hoping to increase his value. Reign did not reply and maintained his chill demeanor. He had learned his lesson from the garage incident. Richard hesitated, uncertain of his next moved. Was Reign pleased with the news or indifferent? Regardless, he pressed on, his voice steady but nerves shaking . "We found George and Melissa, "he reported, choosing his words carefully. "Their home is only 7 km from this ce." Richard waited anxiously for the response, hoping this information would prove valuable "Oh, good job then," Reign replied with a nonchnt tone, as if the locations of the two meant nothing to him. Chapter 268: Secret Boss KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! A sound at the door jolted George from his half-dozing state on the sofa. He had already moved Wick to the basement and was trying to catch a few moments of shut-eye before Melissa returned. Exhausted from all the drama with Wick, George struggled to keep his eyes open. ''Already back?'' he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with weariness. Themercial area was at least 20 minutes away from this ce without traffic, so he started to wonder if maybe she had left something and came back. He forced his tired body to the door, annoyed at being disturbed . However, when he reached the doorknob, he realized something. ''Why would she knock? She should have her key with her. '' He thought to himself. ''Could it be the police?'' A lump formed in his throat as he swallowed hard, his mind racing through the possibilities. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! The door rang again, this time much harder. He looked through the peephole, and when he did, he cursed aloud and jumped back. "Motherfucker, a serial killer!" he stumbled, seeing someone who was definitely wearing human skin. He remembered a popr movie where the antagonist did that¡ªit had the number 13 in the title. He drew his pistol from his waist and pointed it at the door. "Fuck you! Don''te inside or I''ll shoot! Don''t test me, I''m not joking around" he warned. On the other side of the door stood two individuals. ''Shit, this person has a death wish,'' Richard paled after hearing the warning. He looked at Reign, thinking that he would destroy the whole house judging by how petty he was¡ªor with his power, even the entire residential area. "Old man, it looks like your voice is still as annoying as ever. You want to shoot the one person that can save your daughter? I guessed you don''t care about her anyway" Reign replied, his voice carrying a hint of yful tone that shocked even Richard. He hadn''t known Reign could talk like this. . CLICK! George quickly opened the door, and after getting a good look, he finally realized who it was. "Reign!" he eximed and went for a wide hug. Richard thought Reign would be offended and went for a kick, but instead, he saw a normal human hugging a psychoticdemon lord. ''Is he somehow a secret boss?'' Richard wondered, narrowing his eyes as he looked at George seemingly normal face. He couldn''t sense any power from him, but seeing him act so casually with a demon lord indicated his hidden power and status. "Where the hell did you go? We''ve waiting for you ," George pushed back realizing that he let his emotion get the best of him. "It''s a long story," Reign replied, and before George could respond, Reign stopped him from talking. "Negative energy?" he added, sensing traces from the entire house. George realized that Reign had sensed the anomaly, so he hurriedly answered, "It''s Wick. It''s a good thing you came back. He started acting weird and turned into a demon! We did our best, but we were forced to put him to sleep using tranquilizers, and then caged him," he exined, his heart pounding because he did not want to get med. "I see," Reign replied with just a nod. There was nothing particrly shocking about it; it simply meant that the negative energy in Wick''s body had built up again. "You''re not mad?" George asked. "Why would I be mad ? Can you handle a demon ?" He asked . "No, of course not" George shook his head. "Exactly, you''re just an old man. Expecting you to solve a simple problem like this is like expecting a child to build a house," Reign chuckled, mocking George. ''Shit,'' George cursed inwardly. He had thought Reign had changed and became more matured, but it was all an act to lower his guard. He felt that Reign had just grown stronger but still acted like a child when talking to him. ''No, this is better. At least he didn''t let his new power into his head,'' he reasoned with himself. "I''ll check him. Lead the way," Reign ordered. There was no need to talk anymore now that he had been able to insult George; that was like 99% of the reason why he wanted to meet him again. Richard was boring, and not crazy enough to match Reign''s mentality. George, on the other hand, despite being human, was a total psycho pretending to be normal, and that''s why they got along well. Got to hand it to the man who fed his wives to her daughter and didn''t even feel anything wrong with it. Worthy of Reign''s recognition. "Master... Is he a powerful demon too?" Richard whispered in Reign''s ear, wanting to know how he should treat George. "Nope, but he''s the second craziest person I know. I''m the first, by the way," Reign replied. "What!" Richard trembled unconsciously. He wondered what sick act or crime this seemingly normal person hadmitted to garner such feedback. If it had been just a normal person telling him that, Richard would have dismissed it as nonsense, believing himself far more vile and degenerate if he listed his own crimes. But hearing it from Reign, someone whose moralpass was so twisted, added a lot of credibility, George now looked like the incarnation of evil in Richard''s eyes. "Hello, my name is Richard," he introduced himself, putting extra effort into sounding respectful. "Hello, Richard. My name is George," he responded, raising his hand for a handshake. "Why are you shaking?" George asked, sensing the vibration in the handshake. "I have weak hands," Richard replied, trying to find a reason that wouldn''t sound awkward. "Stop wasting time and walk!" Reign ordered, seeing the two talking like idiots. Why did they think this was, a family reunion? Richard and George exchanged a quick nce, both sensing Reign''s impatience. They nodded at each other and silently followed Reign down the corridor. George led the way towards the basement where Wick had been temporarily subdued, his mind racing with thoughts of the demonic transformation he had witnessed earlier CLICK! They opened the door to the basement and saw a sleeping dog, but this time Wick''s body wasrger, around 10 feet tall, and it was him sleeping. His form loomed ominously in the dim light of the basement, his breathing heavy andbored. "You said you put him in the cage?" Reign asked. "Are you seriously asking me that?" George sighed, finding it hard to believe Reign could miss the broken cage right in front of him. "That piece of trash is a cage?" Reign pointed, his tone clearly trying to annoy George. "Well, I''m sorry, that''s the only thing I could get," George replied defensively. "Don''t be, I never expected anything from you anyway. It''s alright , not everyone was born equal, there are just some that are pretty much a waste of space ," Reign patted George shoulder trying to act like a buddy. George stiffened slightly, his jaw tightening. He forced a tight-lipped smile. ''Now I remember how annoying he is. I can''t believe I missed him.'' "RRRRG" Suddenly, a low growl rumbled from Wick''s throat. His eyes flickered open, glowing red in a crazed state. Chapter 269: Demon Standards "Stay back, I''ll handle this," Reign said as he stepped forward, pushing the other two aside with such force that they ended up tumbling to the floor. "Oh, sorry about that. I forgot you''re all weak," Reign apologized. But both of them knew it was intentional; they felt that he had put extra force into pushing them away. "Hey buddy..." Reign spoke, but before he could do anything, Wick extended his head , shocking George and Richard, who anticipated a huge fight. However¡ª "Woof! Woof!" he stopped and began licking Reign''s face. "Oh, so you just missed me?" he chuckled aloud, his voice tinged with amusement as Wick nuzzled against him, tail wagging eagerly. "Wick is not crazy. He was just stressed out from not seeing me for so long," he added while patting his pet''s head. Wick''s tail wagged faster and he even rolled over, slowly rxing and shrinking his body. George''s heart sank as he watched the affectionate behavior between the two. Feeling a pang of betrayal, he couldn''t shake the memory of Wick almost biting his arm off earlier. If he hadn''t been quick enough, he would have had to get a disability card. ''I took care of you for months, fed you expensive steak, yed fetch with you while you''re owner is busy doing his own thing,'' he sighed inwardly . It was akin to putting effort into healing a broken-hearted girl, only for her ex-boyfriend to return, bend her over, fuck her , and take everything away including the gifts given to her. All the memories of being the good partner, all the effort put into providing, gone just like that because of one bad boy. "Are you sure he''s not crazy? He tried to kill me earlier ?" George couldn''t hold it anymore. In his mind, there had to be a reason why Wick had acted wildly. What about Melissa? Wick liked her better, and even she wasn''t spared from his aggressivebehavior. "Pretty sure," Reign replied with a nonchnt tone. "Are you really sure?" George asked, now feeling bit angry. "I don''t see anything wrong with him," Reign shook his head. "Maybe he was cured after calming down. I used a tranquilizer on him earlier," George tried to get some credits. "I don''t really know what to say, but I can confirm that he was in the right state of mind. Maybe he just hates you? I mean, I also think of killing you from time to time," Reign replied, patting Wick''s head and adding insult to injury. George felt depressed. But he realized that speaking further would only worsen things for him, so he just epted this turned of events. Little did he know that Reign had been lying to him all along. He had used his aura to knock some sense into Wick, who had gone wild due to the excesss amount of negative energy flowing through his body. If he hadn''t been there, Wick would have suffered the same fate as that wild demon he had seen on the highway before. ''Nice facial expression,'' Reign chuckled inwardly, amused by how dejected and betrayed George looked. Did Reign think his prank was below the belt? Of course. Did he care? Of course not. George was lucky that he was only ying a prank on him. Ny-nine point ny-nine percent of people would just get eaten or killed. After enjoying the scene of watching his ve feel like trash, Reign focused his attention on a more important matter. ''So you also grew stronger,'' He couldn''t believe it¡ªWick had actually broken through to be a Beginner High demon, meaning hisbat power was now close to Anna''s. ''I wonder why he still could not talk,'' he pondered. In his knowledge, wild demons would typically be able to talk after reaching High Demon standards, with the exception of ghost-like beings such as Aiku, thetter being a former human. ''Well, not like it''s important. Besides, it''s better this way,'' he added, thinking that Wick would be less of a pet if it could talk. "Now that this is finished¡ªwell, not like it was an issue to begin with. We should head up. I also want to hear your reports, old man. Don''t tell me you just wasted your time here doing nothing?" Reign asked. "Of course not! I''ll tell you what I found out," George answered confidently . He felt energized now that Reign had finally brought the topic up. *** *** *** Upstairs . They sat in the living room coach, the air thick with anticipation as George, eager to share his findings, leaned forward. Wick, now calm and behaving like a normal dog, loungedfortably nearby, his earlier aggressive state no longer an issue. "Alright, let''s hear it," Reign said, leaning backward in his chair. "I got information about the demons that kidnapped my daughter and almost killed us. They were from the Bloodcrest Empire, and the man who took Anna, Alexander is part of the demon family that controlled that region." George pointed out, emphasizing the words "almost killed us" to trigger Reign''s vengeful nature. "Bloodcrest Empire?" Richard repeated, familiar with the name. "You know about it?" George asked. "Yes, we have some info about Demon Cities. If my memory is correct, this empire is pretty popr even among Demon Territorybecause of its leader, Demon Lord Elizabeth," he exined. "Is she really that strong to be so well-known?" Reign asked, intrigued. "Well, she''s bound to be strong because she''s a Peak demon lord, but she''s popr for a different reason. You see, a lot of people say she''s the kindest demon in the world. Her empire is a paradise for humans where they can just enjoy their lives without worrying about anything," Richard began, sharing what he knew about her. It wasn''t exactly secret information; Elizabeth was like a celebrity, and many humans adored her. "Paradise for humans?," Reign startedughing hysterically after hearing all that nonsense. "A demon building a paradise for humans? What''s next, don''t tell me she also thinks humans deserve equal rights?" he added, finding it all too amusing. "Alright, nice joke. Now tell me the truth, she''s just pretending, right?" he asked, unable to believe such a fairy tale-like person existed. Everything moved for their own self-interest. There was no such thing as a person who acted without wanting anything in exchange; even animals knew that. "There''s no hard catch, Master. She has a perfect record. Well, she does require humans to donate blood, but that''s it, and it''s not even life-threatening. In her city, demons can''t even insult humans and has more rights than human cities," Richard added. ''What a load of bullshit, '' Reign shook his head and turned to George , he knew he could get more honest answer from him. "He''s telling the truth. Elizabeth is a good demon, and I think you really have a twisted way of judging intelligent demons. You know, not all are like you. I don''t know if you are aware of it, but you''re crazy even by demon standards," George bluntly pointed out. "I am?" Reign asked, puzzled. He was quite certain that what he was doing was the normal way to act as a monster. "Yes, you are," George sighed Reign turned to Richard, who immediately averted his eyes, sharing the same opinion as George. Chapter 270: Demon Type "Why bother doing all those good things for humans?" Reign shook his head, disappointed. "It seems like a waste of time." "Maybe she can do it because she''s not human?" Richard suggested. "If that''s true, then the secret to being kind to humans is to not be one," George added sarcastically. "Guess that means we are more wed than demons." "I do think that we are wed, ," Richard responded. "I''ve seen how greedy humans can be, and that''s really the core of our organization. We want to surpass our limits and be non-humans," he added with conviction. "What do you think, Master?" Richard asked. ''These two¡­,'' Reign sighed, hearing them talking as if they were ordinary. One was a demon fucker, and the other was worse than a demon in many ways. "I think talking about this topic is a waste of time. wed or not, everything that moves is food in my eyes," Reign dered with a nonchnt tone. "Just give me the info on where that ce is located so I can get my payback on those three. And if that Elizabeth tries to stop me, then humans would have their first demon saint after I rip her head off." He added Both George and Richard visibly swallowed hard, their expressions tensing as they registered the seriousness in his words. They could tell he meant all words he said. And they were right. He didn''t care whether he was killing a good demon or not. He would be a failure of a monster if he had to take into consideration every good deed of the people he killed. In that case, he might as well stop what he was doing and spend his life hiding. "Reign, about Anna..." George spoke up, his voiceden with the concern he had been hiding all this time. He had pretended to be okay, but inside, he was consumed with worry for his daughter well-being. Now that Reign was here, he finally saw a chance to save her. During these few months, George slept with dozens of women to forget. He also gambled heavily and was forced to borrow money from Cyril. That''s how hard depression hit him. Of course, he would never tell anyone this. He was certain it would get him killed on the spot if Reign discovered his coping mechanism. Reign pondered for a moment. He had almost forgotten about Anna, and while he didn''t like her, it was because he had been weaker than her before and hated being treated like a toy.. Now that he was stronger, he found all her actions just a bit annoying. "Don''t worry, I''ll save her," Reign replied confidently . If she pushed him too far, he could just p some sense into her. The only problem he could see arising from that would be if she enjoyed the pain and asked for more. And considering her personality, there was a 99.99% chance of that happening. "Oh, by the way, do you still keep in touch with Cyril?" Reign asked, recalling her suddenly. It was out of the blue, resurfacing now that he had met George. He didn''t dislike her personality; in fact, she was the only woman he found tolerable. Her beauty was merely an added bonus, something he didn''t really care much about. If he had to describe it, it wasn''t exactly liking her. He just found herfortable to talk to. ''So he immediately thought of her¡­'' George felt sad for his daughter. He could sense from Reign''s tone that he preferred Cyril over Anna, and the difficult part was that George couldn''t me anyone. Over the months he hade to know her, he had to admit that Cyril wasperfect wife material In fact, if he hadn''t known that Reign held her in high regard, George might have been tempted to flirt with her himself. She possessed all the qualities of a high quality woman, and she would be wasted to someone like Reign, who only seemed to think about consuming humans and bing more powerful . A man-eating monster should stick with his daughter, especially because Anna would be the only one to ept him even if he destroyed the entire world. How about Cyril ? She was a human, and she would hate him if she discovered the truth. But just to be safe, George decided to test the waters. "Hey, did you grow one after bing a demon lord?" he leaned in and whispered . "Grow what ?" Reign asked, confused. "You know, the one men use to have fun and procreate?" George replied, his eyes ncing at Reign''s bottom. "Fuck off, I don''t need it," Reign pushed him away. ''He doesn''t need it? Maybe I''m mistaken. Maybe he really doesn''t care about the opposite sex,'' George wondered. He wanted to further test his theory, but before he could do so, the door mmed open, revealing Melissa. "Melissa, I have good news, Reign is ¡­." "Cyril has been kidnapped!" she interrupted abruptly. CRACK!!! The entire couch where Reign sat exploded to nothingness after dark red sparks of electricity burst out from his body. The intense energy burned away his human face-skin and tore apart his clothes, revealing his true form in a dramatic disy of power. "Sorry. I must have lost control for a moment," Reign apologized, his voice dangerously low. Everyone froze, feeling the heavy atmosphere weigh down on them, as if the air had turned to lead. ''Yeah, he definitely likes her,'' George sighed in defeat. There was no other reason a psychotic monster like Reign would react this way if that weren''t the case. ''I''m sensing a hugemotioning,'' George added. Anyone foolish enough to kidnap Cyril would soon learn a hard lesson. Never mess with a woman who had a demon lord for an admirer. "What happened exactly?" George asked, his brow furrowing in concern. By now, Melissa had already realized Reign was back, but there was no time for a reunion hug, not after hearing what happened to Cyril, who she now considered as her girl best-friend. "I came to their store to check on her, but the windows were broken and there were signs of a fight. When I reviewed the hidden CCTV she told me about for emergencies, I saw 10 people ganging up on her and then taking her away." She hurriedly exined. "Who kidnapped her?" Reign asked, his voice still cold, but at least the crackling electricity around his body had stopped. Melissa paused for a moment. She already knew the answer after talking to one of the store employees, but she feared Reign would blow everything out of proportion. "TELL ME..." Reign spat out, this time Melissa was forced to kneel on the ground, his dominating presence pressing her against the cold floor. "Pantheon... it''s the CEO of Pantheon Corporation," she replied, gasping for air. But the physical pain was secondary; she was more hurt emotionally . Almost not answering nearly cost her dearly, highlighting that she was far less favoredpared to Cyril. Even Melissa could see that Reign had a favorite human. He was just too inexperienced to ept his feelings or maybe too broken to understand the idea of actually liking someone. But actions spoke louder than words. "Pantheon?" Reign repeated through gritted teeth, unfamiliar with the term. Chapter 271: Demons Wrath "Master, it''s one of thergest conglomerates in Green Valley. Its roots are so deep that it has connections to otherpanies in Tier 2 cities. You could even say that Pantheon is by far the wealthiest and most powerfulpany in Green Valley," Richard hurriedly exined. He wanted to emphasize thepany''s reputation so Reign wouldn''t impulsively rush into decisions and start a war. Even Lilith was wary of fighting against the Chamber of Commerce because they controlled the government. Engaging them meant taking on the entire human race. "So?" Reign asked. "I don''t care if it''s the number onepany in the world. That ce will be destroyed today," he dered, his wings expanding from his back. He was ready to take off, fly directly through whatever skyscraper they were holding her in, and destroy everything that dared to stop him. "Wait Master!, please think this through! Everything will be messed up if you just go there. Miss Lilith''s n would be ruined too. I can call our people, and we can save her without causing too muchmotion." "Fuck Lilith. I''ll kill her too if she dares to stop me," Reign growled. He felt like he was wasting time here, and he began to imagine what could happen to her. He didn''t know why, but just thinking about it grated on his nerves. ''If they dared touched her...'' he thought, sparks of electricity beginning to dance aggressively around his body again. "Reign, let''s just save her without making amotion. You can pretend to be a mercenary and infiltrate the ce. You don''t have to reveal your full power," George interjected. He also didn''t want to escte the situation. "That''s right Master!, we can give you a fullbat suit to hide your identity, and then you can just go attack the ce. I''ll call my people to prepare everything," Richard added. This was a far better option than him rampaging through the city like a flying weapon of mass destruction. If that happened, the city would be the center of attention for multiple powerhouses, making it harder for Lilith to find the key with so many additional eyes on them. In the worst-case scenario, they might discover her organization andunch a hunt. That wasn''t the only issue; it would also be dangerous for Reign, no matter how strong he was. A demon lord of his caliber flying around the city, would invite all the hidden powerhouse to attack him. And because this was a Tier 3 city, reinforcements from higher-tier cities would also flood in an hour or two. The resulting chaos would be catastrophic, drawing attention from far and wide. "Stop wasting time and prepare everything then!" Reign ordered while retracting his wings. Hearing this, everyone nodded and didn''t waste any time. Even Melissa did not ask about Richard''s identity or Lilith''s organization; Cyril''s life was more important. And the longer they waited, the more her life would be in danger. Melissa already had an idea why she had been abducted¡ªthe curse of being a generational beauty in a world filled with greedy and perverted bastards. *** *** *** VROOOOOM! An armored Humvee thundered down the street, its engine roaring as it sped toward the Region 2 gates. Cyril had informed Melissa about the emergency tracking chip imnted in her body. From this, she deduced that her friend was taken in the Tier 2 Region. "Stop!" dozens of guard patrols shouted, their hands gesturing urgently as they recognized the unauthorized approach. essing Region 2 required a meticulously verified permit, but the armored humvee showed no signs of slowing down. "Shoot them! Shoot them!" Themand echoed across the checkpoint as guards hastily shouldered their rifles and opened fire, the sharp cracks of gunfire piercing the air. RATAAAT-RAATATTTT ! RATAAAT-RAATATTTT ! RATAAAT-RAATATTTT ! Bullets whizzed past the speeding Humvee, but its armor held on. The guards, desperate to stop it, reached for a rocketuncher. But before they could even prepare it, their chests were pierced by small projectiles, killing them instantly. "EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY SAFETY PROTOCOL ACTIVATED!" red the loudspeakers. Suddenly, the walls within the gate hissed and swung open, revealing 15 mechanical robots. Each stood 10 feet tall and was armed with advanced weaponry. The robots had a sleek, futuristic design with abination of dark grey and orange hues. Their bodies were heavily armored, providing robust protection against attacks. Intricate circuitry and glowing lines of energy crisscrossed their exoskeletons, giving them a high-tech appearance. Their heads were fitted with multiple sensors and cameras, allowing for a 360-degree view of their surroundings. One of their arms was equipped with arge, saw-like weapon, designed for closebat and capable of slicing through almost anything. The other arm featured a powerful, Rocket Launcher-based weapon, ready to unleash devastating sts at any threat. Their four legs were sturdy and reinforced, designed to support their massive frames and provide stability even during intensebat. Enjoy more content from m-v l''-NovelBin Advanced joints and servos also allowed for fluid motion. They all lined up, forcing the Humvee to screech to a stop. From inside, a figure jumped out, d in a full advanced power suit. The armor gleamed under the harsh sunlight, a striking blend of sleek white and jet ck. The helmet, with its reflective visor, concealed the facepletely, adding an air of mystery and intimidation. As the figure moved, the segmented tes of the suit shifted seamlessly, revealing the sophisticated engineering beneath the surface. The chest te was broad and solid, designed to withstand powerful impacts. ck panels crisscrossed the torso, highlighting the reinforced areas and adding to the suit''s futuristic aesthetic. The figure wielded two short des made of ck material, one at each end of his hands, ready to fight. "Will he be okay without using his demonic power?" Mellisa asked as they watched Reign. The robots looked pretty advanced and powerful. "I don''t know. Even I would struggle to deal with 5 those things, even if I used my full power," Richard admitted. Those things were really durable to the point that they could even contend with a High Demon, especially if they coordinated their attacks. "It''s starting!" Melissa eximed as the robots dashed forward, armed with what looked like saw des, to confront Reign. The trio waited inside the vehicle, anticipating a hard fight. When the first robot swung its weapon downward, Reign sidestepped effortlessly. But it wasn''t over yet. Electric shocks burst from its weapon, attempting to stun him. "Cute," Reignmented. "They actually think an oversized taser would work on me?" Before the robot could retract its weapon, Reignunched into action. With a casual leap, he sliced through its neck using nothing but his raw physical prowess. THUD! One robot went down, and the remaining fourteen decided to attack Reign using rocketunchers. But before the cannons could fire, Reign countered by flicking coins into their barrels, causing all their guns to jam, with some even exploding. BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! The sts echoed loudly, shaking the ground with their force. "I don''t have time to waste on tin cans ," he muttered, shaking his head. SWOOOSH! In the blink of an eye, he blurred into motion, his movements so fast they made him appear like a blur, powered by pure agility alone. Chapter 272: Long Ride He didn''t need to tap into his Lightning attribute; his agility alone was fast enough, moving at (SS-) level speed. In moments, he closed the gap between himself and the surviving robots. With a swift upward swing of his dagger, he sliced through their hardened metal bodies effortlessly. The other robots retaliated with their saw des, but Reign dodged at thest moment, using theirrgeweapons as stepping stones to jump. Mid-air, he spun, his twin des severing two robot heads cleanly before they could even recognized what happened. And he was not done yet. Using a headless robot as a tform, heunched himself towards another cluster of enemies, his movements a blur as he dodge the iing shes mid air. When he got close enough, he sliced through the remaining robots effortlessly, his dagger cutting through them like butter. After clearing the immediate threats, Reign sprinted back to the Humvee. He stood at the roof with his two des ready VROOOOM! The trio elerated through the streets, leaving the destroyed checkpoint behind. But they all knew this was just the beginning; what would happen would be even more chaotic. *** *** *** BANG! Reign squeezed the trigger of the sniper rifle, the sharp crack echoing across the road. The weapon, borrowed from Lilith''s organization, was meant for stationarybat due to its weight, but in Reign''s hands, it felt as light as a pistol. He steadied his aim, slowly as he adjusted for wind and distance, before delivering a precise shot. BANG! As the bullet left the barrel, it sliced through the air and shattered the windshield of a police car, instantly headshotting the driver. The vehicle veered wildly out of control, mming into another car in a violent collision. But it wasn''t over yet; more and more cars wereing hot on their heels. BOOOOM! Reign shot the fuel tank of one of the police car and it exploded. In responses, they tried to shoot Reign''s Humvee and use rocketunchers to stop him, but he was always one step ahead. His reaction time allowed him to pinpoint his targets with deadly uracy. BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! Just like that, multiple police cars exploded, and Reign''s ride plowed through anything they sent in their way. "Hit the gas!" Reign ordered after seeing a roadblock . The blockade was fortified with several police cruisers strategically positioned across the road. In addition to the cars, spikes had been deployed on the road, glinting dangerously,and furtherplicating their escape route. Richardplied and hit the gas at full force, their armored vehicle speeding through the police cars. He was confident in its durability because this Humvee was built like a tank, designed to take a beating. VROOOOOOOOM! As they elerated, police officers opened fire in an attempt to stop them. But Reign stood at the hood and began deflecting the bullets with his daggers, each block sending sparks flying as the bullets shed against his de. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! With a thunderous crash, they plowed through the vehicles, sending the cars tumbling . Despite the chaos, Reign''s group managed to break through. *** *** *** In just a matter of minutes, they reached the area where Pantheon HQ was located. It was a huge skyscraper, visible even from a distance. The open area around it was vast, with a 2-kilometer road leading to the building, nked by parks on either side. It was supposed to be a beautiful view, but now it was filled with armed personnel scrambling into defensive positions. Some took cover behind hastily erected barricades, while others set up heavy machine guns and rocketunchers. "Send more troops! Stop the intruders no matter what!" Ordered by one of the high ranking guard. They waited and saw the vehicle but it stopped midway , "What''s that?" one of the guards pointed, noticing an individual carrying two daggers standing at the hood. They squinted their eyes to see more clearly, but the moment they blinked, the figure disappeared from their sight . What happened next was a total bloodbath. SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! Without wasting time, Reign began his one-sided massacre and cut everyone on his path. He moved so fast that before they could react, he had already moved on to another victim. "Shoot him ! Shoot him! " The sound of gunfire echoed through the air as the guards attempted to stop hims, but it was no use. He was unbelievably fast, dodging bullets like they were moving in slow motion. Armed with two daggers, he shed through anyone who tried to stop him, cutting their throats without remorse. Richard, watching from afar, couldn''t believe what he was seeing. "Is he really a demon? How can his technical skill be this good?" he whispered to Melissa, both of them wide-eyed with amazement, as Reign continued to deflect bullets with precision. Demons typically rely on their sheer power, often neglecting refined techniques inbat. However, observing Reign''s fluid and precise movements, he appeared more akin to a seasoned mercenary than a demon relying solely on brute force. His actions were so clean and controlled that one could hardly believe he was a demon at all. The trio focused their eyes on him, feeling like they were watching a movie at this point. Reign faced a Divergent-type guard d in a powered suit with a long de. The guard was fast, but as their des shed, Reign used Stream Guide to redirect the force downward. In a seamless motion, he cleanly decapitated his adversary with his other de. Before the other guards could react, the divergent''s head flew through the air, and Reign was already moving towards his next target. "He''s too strong, and he''s not even serious right now!," George eximed. Mellisa nodded in agreement, her eyes wide with awe. "It''s like he''s in a different league altogether. They don''t stand a chance." Near the main building, soldiers and guards tried to stop Reign, but he moved like a blur that their efforts were useless. He moved through their ranks like a ghost, leaving a trail of headless bodies behind. It reached a point where some of the guards felt like just facing the enemy was suicidal, with no hope of victory whatsoever. "Why are you attacking us ?" One of the guards shouted in fear he wanted to know why they had to die. "It''s because a pig took something that does not belong to him," Reign answered coldly SWOOOSH! Continue your adventure with m|v-l''e-NovelBin He threw a small knife, which hummed from the force , and pierced through three people at once beforending on the wall and also prating it. Even a simple knife throw became a deadly weapon in his hands. Without wasting movements, he retrieved another throwing knife from his "Knee Sheath" andunched it again. Each hum as the de cut through the air meant one to four lives ended simultaneously, escting the chaos of the situation to a whole new level. "When will the backup arrive?" one of the guards shouted, realizing this situation was far beyond their capabilities. "I don''t..," a guard attempted to reply, but before he could finish, a dagger struck his head, bursting it open. Hisrades, who witnessed this, were stunned. But soon after, their heads also exploded . Their brain matter painted the ground, and they all met a gruesome end because their employer had foolishly provoked someone that should not be messed with. Chapter 273: Risk Taker On top of Pantheon HQ. Vincent mmed his desk in frustration. The impact echoed through the room, rattling the items on his desk. His face twisted with anger, and his eyes burned with fury as he red at the massacreunfolding on the monitors before him. "What''s happening? Why can''t you stop a single mercenary?" Vincent roared over the phone, scolding his security team. Pantheon HQ had its own private army for situations like this, but now his security was telling him they couldn''t stop the attacker because he was just too strong. He watched the footage more closely and finally understood what was happening. The attacker had at least a Diamond or maybe even the ck Rankby mercenary standards. Mercenaries of this caliber could only be found only in Tier 1 cities, and each one was a prideful and egotistic individual, beyond even Vincent''s status to hire. "Enter the emergency code, send more people, and activate the unmannedbat robots we bought from EDGE TECH INDUSTRY for emergencies," he ordered, his voice pissed and urgent. He had been looking forward to enjoying himself after securing a quality woman, but before he could even take advantage of her body, someone had dared to attack his building. ''Who would want to attack me? No, who would dare? I have the Chamber of Commerce Protection,'' he thought to himself. He began to ponder, realizing there were very few who would dared to attempt a direct assassination against him. Even the new group opposing the Chamber of Commerce wouldn''t risk such a controversial move. ''Could it be?''An idea struck his mind, and he hurriedly ran to another room. Enjoy exclusive adventures from m-v l''-NovelBin His office had a private bedroom where he took advantage of women he liked. As he opened the door, he saw Cyril, still weak and groggy from being drugged. She looked at him with frustration, thinking of biting her tongue off rather than give her self to a pig like Vincent. But her mouth was stuffed with a red ball gag strapped around her head, preventing her from biting, and her hands were tied down securely. Surrounding Cyril were a bunch of toys like whips, chains, handcuffs, and other items that Vincent would use to sadistically stimte a woman. "Who''s backing you, bitch?" Vincent snarled as he stormed towards her. He grabbed her hair roughly, yanking her head back. His eyes were filled with fury, and his knuckles turned white as he tightened his grip, forcing her to meet his intense gaze. She was the only new variable in this whole situation, so he suspected her right away. He couldn''t understand how a woman of her status could afford to hire a mercenary of that caliber. However, there was a possibility that an influential and powerful individual, enamored by her beauty, had sent the mercenary to rescue her. Cyril winced in pain, her eyes reflecting her disgust and defiance . SLAP! Vincent pped her face hard in anger, sending her crashing to the floor. "You think you can make fun of me ? I own you !" he roared. SLAP! He hit her again, pinning her to the ground. The stress had made him snap, fueling his aggression even more. SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! He ended up hitting her a dozen times, his rage driving each blow harder than thest. Being a divergent, she could endure more hits, but the drugs rendered her unable to muster enough strength topletely ignore it. All those attacks had left her face red, with blood streaming from her nose. "Bitch, after I''m done with the problem outside, you''ll regret ever defying me, I''ll used your body and then sell you to my friends " he chuckled pervertedly,spitting on her face before pushing it back to the ground. On the floor, Cyril tried her best to not cry ''So, I''m being treated like an object again,'' she thought. She had hoped to escape that life, to live in peace, but human greed always seemed to track her down. If only there was someone who wouldn''t see her as just an object, someone who would appreciate her for who she was¡ªher personality, not just her beauty. She longed for that kind of happiness and contentment. In her moment of weakness, she recalled a person. ''Would he save me if he were here?'' she wondered, but quickly dismissed the idea. ''Why would he risk his life for someone he barely knew?'' she added, but thinking about him made her calm down a little. *** *** *** CRACK! The ss entrance to the building shattered as Reign forced himself inside, his power armor suits now coated in red blood, a visual proof to the lives he had taken to reach this point. Waiting for him were advanced unmanned robots, humanoid in form and standing at 8 feet tall. They wielded giant des crackling with electricity. Each robot had a futuristic design, with over sized, mechanical arms and intricate details that gave them a menacing presence. Their central eye or sensor, prominently disyed on their head, glowed with red light, adding to their intimidating appearance. The white metallic sheen of their bodies reflected the sparks from their electrified des, making them look more powerful. There were twelve of them in total, each also equipped with a peculiar rectangr-barreled gun alongside their electric de, which added to the strange and formidable sight. But Reign did not even feel any threat; he was more concerned with the aftermath of all of this. He was risking everything to save her, and the funny part was that he didn''t know why. He simply couldn''t bear the thought of her being hurt. ''I''m really acting out of character,'' he sighed. If it was the normal him, he would only went with this kind of approach if he was serious about destroying the whole city. But today, his mind was muddled by the thoughts of her well-being. ''Time to end this fast,'' Reign wasted no time and bent his knee for a dash. The robots raised their guns in response and unleashed a sudden heat wave that forced him to jump in the air. The intense st struck apir behind him, instantly ckening it from the heat. Before he could evennd, the remaining eleven robots bombarded him with their heat wave guns, forcing him to slice through the air with his dagger to elerate his fall speed. As hended, he dashed forward with increased force, putting more weight behind his attack. His de connected with the closest robot . It cut through the metal casing like a hot knife through butter, slicing vertically from top to bottom. The robot''sponents sputtered and sparked as it split cleanly into two parts, which thudded heavily to the ground before exploding. These things were still nothing to him. He twirled his dagger, rotating it skillfully between his fingers to readjust his grip. The remaining enemies attempted to surround him, but he moved like master ofbat. He parried iing strikes with his dagger, countering with precise shes. One by one, he destroyed them, exploiting weaknesses in their wide attacks. Sparks flew as he dispatched them one by one, until only silence and the faint smell of burnt metal remained in the aftermath of his wrath. Chapter 274: Fifty Percent On top of Pantheon HQ, Vincent roared in anger over the line. "Send me your hunters! I don''t care if the one attacking us is not a fucking Demon. One guy just destroyed advanced unmannedbat robots from a Tier 2 city like they were nothing! If you don''t send a hunter now, you can forget about ourpany funding your useless organization!" BAM! In a fit of frustration, he mmed the desk phone back down hard. He had hoped thebat robots would neutralize the threat, but they hadn''t even slowed down the attackers. ''I need more people,'' he thought, quickly dialing more numbers. He called the military and local police, demanding assistance and cursing them for moving too slowly and letting this event unfold. In addition, he also threatened that if they didn''t send more troops, he would report this to the chamber and cut their funding. After that, he watched the CCTV feed, horrified, as the infiltrator massacred everything in sight. It was a brutal disy of violence, indiscriminately targeting even innocent employees who happened to be in the wrong ce at the wrong time. RING! RING! RING! His private phone rang, a line reserved for those with influence¡ªmeaning whoever was calling must be important. The call disyed no number, indicating it came from an untraceable phone . "Hello? Who is this?" he asked, ensuring his tone was respectful to avoid offending the person on the other end. [It seems you''re having problems on your end. Want me to take care of it?] "Who are you ?" Vincent asked with a low voice. And after hearing the caller''s name, a smile formed in his face. "Yes, I''m willing to agree to your terms. If you kill that bastard, Pantheon will support your family , and I''ll donate five billion credits for the trouble!" he eximed. Five billion credits meant nothing to someone like him. Hispany earned billions of credits per month across multiple cities. In fact, he didn''t really need to pay the caller the money; he offered it as a gesture of goodwill. When the call ended, he settled back into his chair, a wide smile stretching across his face. He leaned back and lit an expensive cigar, confident that this incident would soon be resolved. "I''m one lucky bastard," he chuckled to himself. The caller was renowned, even in Tier 1 cities. It wasn''t an overstatement to say that he was the strongest in Green Valley City at this very moment. Just his name alone struck fear into humans and demons alike¡ªa generational genius who had made a name for himself at the young age of 6 for his unmatched potential, and killed his first demon at the age of 10. "I hope that bastard can evenst a second against that monster," Vincent chuckled aloud. He requested ess to more CCTV footage from all over the building so he could watch this battle unfold. In his monitor, the intruder moved unhindered through the top floors, clearly intent on reaching his target. ''You will regreting here,'' Vincent sneered with contempt, eager to see the intruder killed on the spot. He even considered bringing the soon to be dead body to Cyril, to show her what happens to those who defy him. ''Money can buy everything, and I have a lot of it,'' he added while smoking his cigar and pouring himself a ss of expensive vodka. *** *** *** THUD! Another headless body copsed to the ground. As Reign rotate the dagger, inspecting it, he discovered its edge had begun to dull from the countless people he had killed. He had avoided using his negative energy or any energy at all to conceal his demon power, which contributed to the daggers losing durability way faster than normal. Good thing he anticipated this and had another set of daggers reserved. He nned to rece the ones he was using now when he heard a footstep. Normally, such a sound wouldn''t have rmed him, but what made him paused was that someone managed to walked right up to him, face-to-face, before he even heard any noise. When he turned to face the neer, he saw someone in a ck motorcycle jacket adorned with white lightning patterns on the sides. The neer wore a ck helmet that obscured his face, but the katana gripped firmly in his hand was a dead giveaway that he was a hunter. "You''re really strong. Which Tier 1 city did youe from?" The neer asked casually, his voice showing no hint of wariness despite facing someonewho had massacred his way through this ce. This person was none other than Quill . From his confident voice, it was clear he didn''t even see the intruder as an enemy. "I''m not really in the mood for a chat right now," Reign replied, finding the hunter''s demeanor a bit irritating. A smile formed under Quill''s helmet. He sensed that his enemy was equally confident. "Shame¡­ I only brought my katana with me. If I''d known someone like you was here, I would''ve brought my full gear... But I think this will do," Quill chuckled aloud, swinging his swordzily to the ground. FLASH! A sudden burst of blinding light filled the corridor. As the brilliance faded, Quill was already a couple of meters behind Reign, his katana now sheathed. The fight had ended in an instant. "So, you''re weaker than I thought," Quill sighed. He had expected his enemy to at least survive three of his casual attacks. "You''re really funny. You just broke my dagger and act like you''ve already won," Reign responded. Quill had thought he had sliced through the body, but when he turned to look, only the dagger was cut in half. "Good. It would be boring if you died too fast." He chuckled confidently. Without wasting a moment, he unleashed another sh of light, increasing his speed a bit to uncover how his first attack got evaded the first time. Inside the blinding brightness,he dashed forward and swung his sword vertically, aiming to cut his target in half. His speed was extremely fast, but just before impact, blue arcs of electricity crackled around Reign, and he sidestepped with lightning-fast reflexes, evading the attackpletely. He then returned to his original position seamlessly, as if he had never moved at all. When the light subsided, both looked each other face to face. ''Thunderbird?'' Quill mused inwardly. He was almost 60% certain that the arcs of lightning he had seen moments ago were from the Thunderbird Breathing Technique. ''But his eleration was too fast for the Thunderbird,'' Quill contemted. ''I''ll keep an eye on him during the fight.'' He moved his katana, shifting from azy stance to a precise, battle-ready posture. He spread his legs for a firm grip on the ground, with his front knee slightly bent and his back leg stretched out straight. His body leaned a bit forward, ready to move. Gripping the katana firmly in his right hand, he angled the de down, its tip pointing toward the floor. His eyes locked into his opponent, no longer underestimating the threat. ''Let''s see if you can handle my 50%,'' he chuckled inwardly, eager to test someone who could match his speed. Chapter 275: Seventy Percent FLASH! With another blinding sh, both of them sprang into action. Quill moved from his position, swinging his katana with precise vertical shed aimed at the body. Reign countered, dodging and blocking with his daggers. They circled each other, trading blows in a fast-paced of attack and defense. The disorienting effect of the blinding light made it seem like they were moving instantaneously , when, in fact, it was just the light affecting their visibility, and those around observing them. After the blinding light ended , the two stood face to face again. Quill despite increasing his speed to 70% midway was unable to get a proper hit. Reign, constrained by the amount of energy he could safely use, also found himself unable to deliver a killing strike. But, that wasn''t the sole reason he couldn''t defeat his enemy. His opponent''s exceptional skill and quick reaction time matched Reign''s own abilities, making it challenging to gain the upper hand. If he get really serious, Reign could destroy his opponent along with the entire block where this building stood. However, doing so would reveal to the world that he was a demon. "Hey, tell me, why are you attacking this ce?" Quill asked, hesitating to go all out now that he had confirmed that his opponent was using a unique version of Thunderbird style . Both families were in a delicate situation, and killing one another could spark a war. Reign did not reply right away. He was also surprised that he was forced to use his lightning attribute just to dodge the attacks. The lightning he used was the one he got from arc, with only about 60% of the power and speedpared to his Dark Red lightning. However, being forced to use an elemental attribute showed that his enemy was too fast for him to rely on raw speed alone. In addition, it was clear that his opponent had not yet unleashed his full power. Whenever Reign tried to speed up and increase the force of his attacks, the other party adjusted too, maintaining a bnced fight. "Why do you want to ask? Let''s just fight and end this quick," he raised his daggers, fully prepared for battle. If he couldn''t defeat him using the bare minimum, he would resort to his demonic power to decisively overpower him. "Chill, I just really want to ask, to be honest , I''m not really required to save the owner of this ce, this could be treated like a side mission, so I wanted to know if its really worth it to provoke someone like you ," Quill replied casually, his demeanor still brimming with confidence because he had never doubted his ability to win. His arrogance stemmed from the belief that his opponent was relying on his power-armor to match his speed, when in reality, it was purely aesthetic. It had never urred to him that, between them, Reign was holding out the most. Reign paused for a moment. He wanted to save Cyril fast, but at the same time, it would be more favorable if he could also conceal the fact that he was a demon. "I''m here for a woman. She got kidnapped, and I''m here to rescue her," he responded. "A woman?" Quill was surprised. He thought that this attack was because of a political agenda , so rescuing a woman seemed unexpectedly personal. But those words struck a chord with the hunter. It resonated because he was someone who cherished women of all races, even demons, in fact. Readtest chapters at m_v-l''e|m,p| y- r "So you''re a gentleman too, like myself," he replied, his voice now filled with acknowledgment, as if he had found someone who shared the same passion and ideology as him. "Alright, I understand. It seems the owner of this ce is a bastard who deserves to die. I won''t help him anymore. You''re free to go," Quill added. He turned around, and before Reign could respond, a blinding light shed, and hedisappeared on the spot. ''What the fuck just happened?,''Reign muttered, bewildered by his weird opponent''s sudden change of heart and disappearance. He had thought he''d met plenty of weird people, but that guy took the prize for being too unpredictable and entric. ''Nevermind, I don''t have time to waste on idiots,'' he muttered under his breath, his focus sharpening with each step. He moved like a shadow through the corridors. Each floor passed in a blur as he navigated the maze of hallways and stairwells. Reign finally reached the VIP elevator lobby, where he forced open the door and then destroyed the ceiling, transforming the elevator shaft into an open path upward. Now that he didn''t have to worry about any CCTV, he used his lightning attribute to create a maic effect at his feet. This allowed him to run straight up the shaft without worrying about gravity. Sparks flew as arcs of electricity crackled and hissed under his feet, illuminating the narrow space with shes of blue light. ''This is the ce!'' he muttered, stopping at an elevator and kicking it open. He could see Cyril''s location on the virtual screen in his visor, where Mellissa had connected the GPS tracker. Reign quickly assessed the floor , noting the location indicated by the tracker. "Stop him!" dozens of the guards shouted, opening fire . With lightning-fast reflexes, he dodged the bulletsing at him . SWOOOOSH! He dashed forward, moving so fast he was almost a blur, and began taking down everyone in sight. Blood sttered the floor and walls as he quickly cut down every guard he encountered. The lobby echoed with screams and the sickening sound of metal slicing through muscles and bones. Until finally there was silence , no one dared to approach him anymore, no amount of money would force a sane human to give away their lives , knowing full well that only death would await them. "Where is the woman you kidnapped?" Reign asked, his voice cold and intimidating, as he watched the surviving guards lose their will to fight. "I know where she is," a middle-aged man answered, looking pale and sick after witnessing so much death. "Good," Reign replied. He swung his dagger, quickly killing everyone except the middle-aged man. "I only need one guide," he added, his dagger dripping with blood. The middle-aged man trembled after seeing his co-workers died just like ughtered pigs. He forced himself to lead the way, hoping desperately that he would prove useful enough to escape death. His steps were hesitant, his eyes darting nervously around as they passed empty offices and locked doors. Reign followed closely behind. His dagger remained in hand, a constant reminder that he could kill the middle age man anytime he wanted to. After 5 minutes of silence, they reached a door at the end of a long hallway. The man hesitated, swallowing nervously before finally pointing to the door. "She''s in there," he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for guiding me," Reign responded calmly. For a brief moment, the middle-aged man felt a sense of relief wash over him. However, it was short-lived as, within a split second, he saw his ownbody while his head was in free fall to the ground. "Eh?" he wondered, confused by the sudden change in perspective. Chapter 276: Born Lucky CLICK! Cyril was on the ground when the door slowly opened, her face wounded and bleeding, her hair disheveled. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, each one a struggle. She tried to lift her head, to see who had just entered the room, but her vision was blurred and unfocused, making it impossible to make out any details. Her once bright green eyes were now clouded with pain and exhaustion.She winced as she tried to move, her body aching all over. Every movement hurt, but she forced herself to try to stay awake. She needed to know who hade in. Was it someone to help her or someone who wanted to hurt her more. The room around her seemed to spin, and she could barely make out the shape of the person standing in the doorway. Her mind was full of questions, but she couldn''t speak because her mouth was covered with a ball gag. She tried to move her jaw, to say something, but the gag muffled any sound she made. The figure moved closer, and she tried to focus on the face, but it was too hard. Her head hurt, and she felt herself getting weaker because of the drugs. When the hazy figure got near her, she felt him untie the gag in her mouth. She took a deep breath, her lips trembling as she finally felt the restraint removed. She tried to speak, but her voice was weak and shaky. "Who... who are you?" she whispered, her voice trembling . "It''s okay," acalm voice said. "You''re safe now." Cyril wanted to believe the words, to feelforted, but the pain and confusion were too much. Her vision kept getting blurrier, and she felt herself fading, the world around her growing darker. In herst moments of being awake, she hoped that whoever had found her would help her and keep her safe. And then, with a final, shaky breath, she let the exhaustion take her. "You''ve suffered a lot," Reign muttered aloud as he gently fixed her hair. He still couldn''t understand why he was doing all of this. Maybe he had gone soft, or perhaps there was something special about her that drew him in. Some kind of unique charm His mind raced with questions, but he pushed them aside, focusing on her. Her breathing was shallow, and she looked so fragile. He felt a surge of protectiveness, a need to be there for her, even though he didn''t fully understand why. "I will kill everyone rted to this incident," he whispered with a cold tone, more to himself than to her. He gently lifted her and ced her on the bed. "I''ll be back after I deal with that pig," he said, his voice filled with killing intent. He turned and headed towards the CEO''s office. Earlier, while they were walking to this ce, he had asked a middle-aged man about its location and some other details about the building. Following the directions, he found the office. Reign kicked the door open, but the room was empty, just as he had expected. While he looked through therge ss window, he saw a helicopter flying away from the building, knowing exactly who was inside. *** *** *** "That bastard," Vincent roared in anger as he settled into his seat beside the pilot. "I''ll find out who he is and wipe out his entire family." Vincent came from the famous Hewlett family, known for their ster reputation in the technology industry. But now, these incident could make him a joke among the important people in the Chamber of Commerce. He could already picture them snickering and gossiping about him, wondering how he could mess up so badly. Experience more content on m v|l e''-NovelBin "I''ll kill that bastard," he spat out, seething with anger. "And that hunter from the zer Family for double-crossing me," he added, his voice dripping with contempt. He didn''t forget Quill either. But before he could even contemte his next move, a sudden jolt threw him against the side . The helicopter''s engine vibrated intensely, and it swerved sharply to the left. "What the hell is happening?" he shouted to the pilot, but the man was slumped over the controls with a gaping hole in his forehead. Blood spattered on the gleaming controlpanel, and the whirl of the rotors grew erratic. Panic filled his face as the aircraft descended rapidly. Vincent''s heart raced as he realized the gravity of the situation. "Damn it! How did we get hit at this altitude and distance?" he cursed inwardly. He had thought he had escaped sessfully With no other options left, he attempted to control the helicopter from his seat, struggling to stabilize the flight. However, the angle was too steep for him to regain control, causing the helicopter to start spinning in the sky. "SHIT!!!" he cursed loudly, his voice strained with frustration as he strapped himself tightly into his seat. "Son of a bitch!" He tugged the straps into his power armor, securing them . "Come on,e on," he muttered, his fingers pulling the Cyclic Stick , trying to stabilize the spinning. The wind howled around him as the helicopter continued its erratic movements in the sky. "Shit! Shit Shit," he growled, his jaw clenched . He knew his power armor gave could him surviving chance. As long as the helicopter didn''t explode, his survival odds remained high. "Hold together you piece of junk,," he muttered through gritted teeth, his knuckles white as he gripped the controls. "Not today," he muttered defiantly to himself. "I won''t go down like this." He fought against the spinning, using every ounce of strength from the power armor to wrestle the helicopter back under control. The strain was immense, but he refused to give up. The Hewlet name, his family''s honor, depended on his ability to survive this ordeal. And as if by a miracle, he managed to barely wrestle the helicopter back under control just in time for him to emergencynd it . CRASH! The aircraft descent was rough, crashing onto anotherbuilding rooftop with a loud, bone-jarring impact. But, thanks to hisst-minute save and the protection of his power armor, he emerged with barely any injuries at all. "You can''t kill me bastard! I am born lucky! " Vincent eximed in pure ecstasy , his voice hoarse with adrenaline as he gripped the controls tightly. Next, he took a deep breath,ughing almost maniacally. He felt a rush of liberation and empowerment after pulling off that stunt. As he calmed down a bit, he noticed a stainless steel sk containing alcohol in one of thepartments. To soothe his agitation, he grabbed it and drank deeply, savoring the moment. It was true what they said about near-death experiences¡ªpeople learned to appreciate life more. He felt as though everything around him had more vivid colors now, and he began to contemte all the ways he could enjoy life even more in the future. "Is this red wine?" he murmured to himself, noticing a drop of red liquid along the sk. As he focused, a burning hot sensation throbbed in his forehead. Raising his hand to check, he surprisingly saw his own blood smeared on his palm. "Fuck..." he uttered, his voice trailing off before his head slumped down. Chapter 277: Connections "Idiot," Reign coldly remarked. "That''s what you get for biting off more than you can chew," he added, letting out his anger onest time. If there was one thing he was disappointed about right now, it was the fact that he couldn''t torture Vincent slowly. After confirming his target was dead using his undead eye, he lowered the seemingly ordinary pistol he was carrying. Normally, a handgun wouldn''t be capable of hitting a target at such a distance due to the limitations of its muzzle velocity and aerodynamic drag. But, using his blue lightning element, he imparted additionalkic energy to the bullet, augmenting its speed and force. This enhancement extended the projectile''s effective range beyond conventional limits, resulting in a shot that surpassed even the longest distances achievable by the most powerful sniper rifles currently avable. In addition, because of the bullet''s incredible speed, the wind had minimal effect on its trajectory, enabling him to urately shoot Vincent. As he stood there, he heard the distant sound of rotor des approaching. ''So the backup has arrived'' he mused inwardly, observing as dots in the sky grew closer and closer. In the distance, a fleet of helicopters approached the building, their presence growing nearer. Looking below, the roads were also filled with tanks and other military vehiclesrushing in, a formidable show of military might converging on his location. There were evenbat robots, at least five dozen of them surrounding the entire area. It was clear that the authorities weren''t taking any chances. He would have loved to y with them, but he needed to ensure Cyril was safe. ''I''ll kill you allter,'' he thought. Before exiting the office, he inserted a Data Stick into the deskputer . This way, the mainframe could be hacked, and the CCTV footage erased. With the sh drive in ce, he watched as the hacking program quickly did its job. Within moments, the screens flickered, and the data began to disappear. Satisfied, he turned around and went to check on Cyril. She was still sleeping soundly in the bed, which was better for him¡ªit meant he could move unhindered. ''I''ll bring you to a safer ce,''he muttered, even though he knew she couldn''t hear him. Scooping her up gently, hemade his way to the elevator shaft. Using the cables, he slid down to the lower levels. From there, he navigated through the bloodied lobby and into the underground parking lot, where he essed the building''s drainage system. He chose this route to avoid detection. The entire area outside the building was already surrounded by the military, so this was the only location safe enough to use. First, he destroyed the concrete floor , creating an entry point into the blocked drainage system. Because the drainage system was also blocked by some metal bars, he used his me element to burn away the obstruction that prevented ess. From there, he descended into arge sewer below. The sewers were wide and echoed with dripping water. Despite its spooky look and the foul smell, the sewers gave them a hidden route under the building, keeping them safe from being detected. Moving silently, he kept Cyril close, his senses alert to any signs of pursuit. The distant sounds of helicopters and military vehicles echoed faintly from above, but down in the shadows of the drainage tunnels, they remained unseen and unheard. The asional drip of water was their onlypanion in the underground sewer until he finally found the location that Richard told him before hand. Climbing thedder, Reign pushed open the manhole cover. There, George and the rest of the team were waiting, having secured a new ride for their escape. "I''m d she''s safe!," Melissa eximed, hurrying to assist Reign in cing Cyril into the white van. "I can''t believe you actually pulled it off," George smiled, relieved that everything went ording to n. Reign did not respond and just entered the vehicle. He sat silently his seat, too mentally exhausted to even joke around with George. All he wanted was to bring an end to this ordeal and get somewhere else so they could get Cyril the medical assistance she needed. As he looked at her sleeping face at the back of the van, Reign felt an urge to touch her lips to check if she was still breathing. But he restrained himself, not wanting others to think he favored her too much. Richard drove the van to a secluded location inside the Region 2 while avoiding the authorities. It was a ce owned by someone who owed Lilith''s organization a substantial debt¡ªa five star hotel and casino. As they arrived, Reign quickly wore his new human mask and changed his clothing. He then carefully pushed Cyril inside in a wheelchair that had been prepared beforehand, with Melissa and George following closely behind. They bypassed the normal lobby and headed straight to the elevator, making their way to the 30th floor where a VIP suite awaited them. When they entered, Lilith was already in the suite, sipping a red wine and watching the news on a massive 100-inch television. "Wee back," she greeted. Her back turned toward them soGeorge and Melissa didn''t see her face, but her voice alone suggested she was a beauty. "You made quite amotion," she giggled, showing thatshe wasn''t displeased with what he had done. "You helped me a lot this time," Reign responded, his tone surprisingly thankful. Normally, he would be too reserved to admit it, but he must give credit where it was due. "Of course I''ll help you, we are partners," Lilith replied. This time, she stood up and turned around to face them while holding her ss of wine. George and Melissa were shocked; she was even more charismatic and alluring than Cyril. ''Why is this guy a chick ma?'' George thought, ncing at Reign and noticing how Lilith seemed to hold this man eating monster in high regard. ''Is it just me, or am I bing less attractive?'' Melissa wondered silently. She could sensed her confidence slipping with each passing moment. Anna, Cyril, and now Lilith¡ªshe felt like all the women in Reign''s life were stunning beauties of their generation. While Melissa knew she was beautiful in her own right, she couldn''t help but feel that her genes were too ordinarypared to theirs. "I''m sorry, where are my manners? I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Lilith," she apologized warmly, her tone instantly making everyone lower their guards down. Melissa nodded and smiled politely, while George was still struck by her beauty. Even his wife, Annabelle, couldn''tpare to Lilith''s effortlessly charming face. Her purple hair and eyes made her stand out even more¡ªshe was otherworldly beautiful. THUD! Reign kick George''s behind after seeing him waste time. "Pervert," Melissa sneered in disdain, knowing exactly what was going on in George''s mind. Lilith, on the other hand, just smiled at their interaction. She was ustomed to this kind of situation; after all, her beauty was renowned even in the highest echelons of Hell. She even recalled a time when even the King of Hell himself tried to win her over. It was a rough period, and she had ended up hiding for countless years until the connection to the human world was reestablished. "Please bring her to the other room. I''ve already called a private doctor to check on her," Lilith said, breaking the awkward silence. Chapter 278: Questions and Realizations When everything was said and done, Reign sat on therge sofa and watched the news while he waited for the doctor to finish treating Cyril. It was a major event; on the screen, a female news anchor was reporting with the destroyed helicopter visible behind her. ( This is a sad day for Green Valley City, as one of our most influential men, Vincent Hewlet, the CEO of Pantheon, was assassinated by multiple assants a couple of hours ago. Mr. Vincent was a good man; he and his family had been donating money to the city''s betterment for generations. ) ''Good man?'' Reign sneered with contempt . ''Humans have such low standards for what qualifies as ''good'','' he mused. ''If I could turn back time, I''d have killed that pig a hundred times over '' Bored and annoyed by the biased news, he changed the channel, but the topic persisted This time, a male reporter was speaking outside the building. ( This incident is unprecedented,) the male reporter narrated, his voice somber. ( We''re standing outside the Pantheon headquarters, where the brutal murder of hundreds of innocent civilians and renowed CEO Vincent Hewlet took ce. Witnesses im they saw only one man in white power armor suit attacking the building and single handedly killing everyone on sight. ) Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin The reporter took a deep breath and paused for a moment before continuing, (As you can see, the area is currently secured by the localw enforcement, and the city is on high alert. The authorities are urging residents to stay indoors until the situation is fully under control.) The camera panned to show a side street where several headless bodies wereid out on the pavement, each one surrounded by dry blood. Dozens of health officers were organizing the bodies, trying to figure out which head belonged to whom. The people who saw this on their screen felt their stomach churn despite the censorship . (The attacker was a total maniac and psychotic ,) he went on, his voice filled with anger . He knelt beside one of the bodies, his voice shaking slightly as he delivered the grim details. (All the victims appear to have been killed by a sharp de. The precision and brutality of these actions suggest a professional killer from a higher tiered city. The police are working tirelessly to piece together what happened here and bring those responsible to justice.) "Wow, they''re really milking this headline," Lilith giggled as she sat beside him. His actions might not have pleased her, but at least he had shown some restraint. Otherwise, the damage andmotion would have been out of proportion. She discovered that despite him being crazy by nature, Reign could follow a step-by-step n when needed and was smart enough toplete it without relying heavily on his demonic power. But this was not her greatest discovery. Instead, it was his weakness¡ªCyril. Anyone with a below average IQ could see that he favored the girl a lot. It wouldn''t be wrong to say she was his Achilles'' heel. "How is she? Is she alright?" he asked . ''Geez, he''s too innocent. He''s not even hiding it,'' Lilith thought, as she stop herself from giggling. She found this side of him adorable. The way he talk now,bined with his new ultra-realistic mask that made him look more human, lowered his intimidating factor significantly. He wore a ck blindfold that covered his hollow and glowing eyes, giving him a mysterious and enigmatic appearance. His skin tone was fair,plementing his white hair. And whenever he moved his mouth, his face now had the ability to show more facial expressions because the mask incorporated thetest technology avable to assist patients with semi-paralyzed faces "She''s fine," Lilith said. "The doctor is detoxifying her body since she got drugged. Thankfully, she''s a Divergent so her immune system is way stronger than normal. She should be okay after two or three days of rest." She reassured him while also hinting at the lengths she had gone to help. The more he owed her, the better she could position her request for help in the future. "But you really surprised me. I can''t believe you''d go to such lengths for a friend," she pointed out, curious to see his reaction. "A friend?" He replied with a puzzled tone. Could he really consider her a friend? They hadn''t talked for more than five minutes in total, and their meetings had been so brief that calling her an acquaintance might not even be justifiable. But if she wasn''t a friend or an acquaintance, then what was she to him? He leaned back in his chair, his imaginary brow furrowed in deep contemtion. It was clear he was trying to figure something out. ''Why did he stop talking? Did I say something wrong?'' Lilith mused inwardly. She sensed that his focus had shifted, even though she couldn''t read his expression due to the blindfold over his eyes. Little did she know, Reign himself didn''t realize he liked Cyril. His mind couldn''t process something so illogical. Why would he like a fragile woman? He didn''t even have the right sexual organs to get aroused in the first ce. As seconds stretched into moments, Lilith resisted the urge to break the silence, sensing that whatever upied his mind was important. She also leaned back in her chair and drank her wine while watching him with curiosity and patience, waiting for him to emerge from the depths of his thoughts. "I like her ?" he asked, his voice tinged with puzzlement. Even now, he struggled to ept such reasoning. Lilith was stunned by the revtion. ''Wait... he didn''t know?'' ''How could someone be so clueless? He had rushed in to save her without even realizing?''She shook her head, unsure if he was ying a prank on her or genuinely oblivious. ''Do I really like her?'' he pondered silently, beginning to contemte again. ''What does it even mean to like someone? I remember liking my mother, but that''s definitely a different kind of liking,'' Reign''s missed puberty had finally caught up with him, a consequence of his past as ab rat. "Hey, what does it mean to like someone?" He turned his head towards Lilith, the only other person present, seeking an answer to the question bothering in his mind. Lilith blinked, taken aback by the unexpected inquiry. As she pondered, she realized that she alsocked genuine experience in liking someone Female Devils typically interacted with others for deals or benefits, often neglecting romantic feelings in the processed. That concept was also interpreted differently by male devils. In many cases, when a male liked a female , they just pursued her, often forcefully. There were even cases where two devils who liked the same woman would battle to the death to prove their worthiness for her hand. ''I can''t say I don''t know,'' she thought, reluctant to admit ignorance given her ancient age. She decided toe up with something, drawing on her extensive interactions with humans to make an educated guess. "Liking someone is..." She paused, feeling Reign''s serious and powerful gaze even through the blindfold. He was really interested in hearing her say on the matter. Chapter 279: Broken Individual "It''s like finding someone''s presenceforting, their smile warm," she began while eyeing Reign for any reaction. "It''s about wanting to be with them, to share moments, to protect and maybe even to... feel something." Lilith felt a little awkward discussing such a human concept she learned from watching a drama series on TV. ''Damn it, I might actually like her,'' Reign sighed. Every word she said hit the mark, and now he felt that this couldplicate things. It wouldn''t be an issue if he were a good guy, but he was a monster who had killed many people and would surely kill more in the future. And the worst part was, he enjoyed killing and eating humans more than anything. That alone was already a major hurdle, because he doubted she would ept his way of living. If there was one woman who could ept him for who he was right now, it would be Anna. She was the only one crazy enough not to question him at all; she would even support his endeavors by killing humans alongside him. Even Lilith, who was a devil herself, found him too evil and brutal for her own taste. It showed that his actions were beyond even the baseline for what an actual devil would find eptable. ''I can''t talk to her right now,'' he thought. ''I need to figure this out first. Maybe I''m just confused,'' he added, attempting to deny his own feelings. "Which Tier 4 city is on the brink of being overrun by the corrupteds?" he asked hurriedly, trying to shift the conversation to distract himself. Lilith noticed this but decided not to point it out, avoiding pushing him into a corner. As a demon lord, his emotional instability could potentially cause the destruction of this whole building. "There''s a Tier 4 city called Brentwood. I heard from my intelligence that the number of corrupteds surrounding the barrier is increasing daily. I think that''s your best bet to kill humans without attracting too much attention to yourself," she responded. "That''s it? Just one? I need more cities. Give me all you got," Reign ordered. One city was no longer enough because he nned to leave for long a period of time to think, and to sweep through more Tier 4 cities along the way. Lilith was taken aback by his greediness. ''Is this guy trying to kill all the humans? Surely he''s not thinking something so crazy,'' she wondered. However, despite opposing his methods, she needed him for her n. ''I could just stop him after I get the seed,'' she thought to herself. Preserving humans was a must for her. Devils, angels, and humans lived in a delicate bnce, and if humans went extinct , it would spell the end for the devil race as well. "Alright, I''ll give you all the data so you can choose which city is best for your picking," she responded with a heavy sigh." Sacrificing a few cities was a small trade-off in exchange for a better chance of getting inside the Garden. "Good, now call George and Melissa. I want to speak with them," he ordered, his attitudepletely changed after realizing he was experiencing something out of character. Lilith did not like his tone of voice, but she still followed hismand. After a few moments, the duo sat on the sofa in front of Reign, with Lilith sitting on her own chair nearby. He nced at the two of them. They had only just reunited, but now he needed to leave them behind again. They were just too weak to apany him; they amounted to nothing more than dead weight. Enjoy exclusive adventures from m-v l''-NovelBin "George, I''m going out first to get stronger," Reign dered, leaning forward with a fierce intensity in his tone "The Demon Territory is dangerous, so it''s better for me to go there after I reach Demon King status," he added. ''Demon King status?'' Lilith raised her eyebrows, feeling that Reign was being rather too optimistic about something so difficult to attain. While it might not be a big deal in Hell, achieving that status was a monumental feat in the human world. The requirements to ascend to that rank were unfairly high, nearly impossible to meet. ording to her intelligence team, for every 200 Demon Lords, only one could reach that status, highlighting just how rare and challenging it was, given that Demon Lords were already scarce. ''Even if he were a genius among geniuses, it would still take him years to attain that rank. Consuming humans wasn''t the sole requirement to break through.'' ''If that were the case, all demon lords would do the same and just keep on killing,'' she thought to herself, considering the implications of such strategy. ''But where is he getting this confidence from ? Or does he has more lose screw than I assumed?, '' "Okay," George nodded and epted. He had no say in this matter and could only wait . Lilith almostugh up after hearing George''s response. She assumed he was ignorant of how difficult it really was to reach Demon King status¡ªit could take years, perhaps even a decade. "Good. While I''m gone, I want you to work for Lilith and gather more information about the Demon Territory. Also..." He paused for a moment. "And don''t tell Cyril about me, and don''t mention that I''m the one who saved her," he added. George and Melissa exchanged surprised nces, unsure of how to respond to his request, so they just nodded. After he finished giving his instructions, he turned to Lilith and ordered her to take care of them. He was already treating her more like a servant than a partner, but she could only endure. "Are you leaving without waiting for Cyril to wake up?" Mellissa asked, overhearing Reign discussing ns with Lilith. "Of course. Why should I wait for her?" Reign replied, his tone dismissive and indifferent, as if Cyril''s well- being was no importance to him. It was aplete reversal of the attitude he had before he became aware of his feelings.Now, he was doing his utmost to ignore them. This line of thought wasn''t merely because he disliked having a rtionship with her; it stemmed from a fear that entertaining such emotions would make him soft, illogical, and dumb in the long term. Recalling how he had almost jeopardized himself to save a single human woman reminded him of the idiocy of it all. He had be vulnerable because of her, and he despised this feeling; he wanted it gone. "But you like¡ª" Mellissa blurted out, but before she could finish her words, she felt his killing intent. She gasped for breath after realizing that she just made a huge blunder. "I think you people are misunderstanding something. I''m a monster, and I''ve never liked or considered anyone as my friend or ally. You''re just my tools for convenience, so just do what I ask you to, and stop meddling in my business or I''ll kill you all myself," he warned, his dominating and brutal aura exerting a pressure that also weighed heavily on George and Lilith. ''What is this killing intent? He''s not joking at all,'' Lilith thought, puzzled by how quickly his demeanor had changed like a light switch. ''He''s even more mentally broken than I thought ,'' she concluded quietly to herself. Chapter 280: Holding Back by Miles One mansion stood tall in the fading light of dusk, its elegant structure casting long shadows over the gardens. A mysterious figure approached, dressed in a ck jacket with swirling patterns of white lightning on the side, and a ck helmet that hid his face. Despite his suspicious appearance, the guards at the entrance barely nced at him before stepping aside. They were all expecting this person toe here. Not only that, but the security guards had been strictly instructed not to speak to him or ask any kind of questions, emphasizing just how important this person was. In front of the mysterious man was the paved private road to the vi. The mansion symbolized timeless beauty, with a blend of Mediterranean and modern styles. Its soft pastel walls glowed warmly at twilight. A curved driveway led to the main entrance, surrounded by well-kept gardens and tall palm trees. As he approached, gentle lights highlighted the mansion''s details. The front doors were wooden with intricate carvings and iron ents. Above them, arched windows hinted at the elegance inside. To the left of the entrance, a three-car garage was partly hidden by vines, adding privacy. Its dark wood doors matched the main entrance. The second floor featured balconies with wrought iron railings, ideal for taking in the views. While this ce was smaller than other mansions in Green Valley, this onemanded a higher price . Its location in the first region alone increased its cost by 50 timespared to other properties in the other region because of the limited space Inside, the mansion was filled with luxury. Soft, warm lights shone on shiny marble floors with intricate patterns. The air smelled like polished wood and fresh flowers, and soft ssical music could be heard from afar. As Quill walked further into the mansion, his footsteps echoed softly on the tiled floors. "Wee, Mr. Quill zer," greeted a distinguished middle-aged man as he came down the stairs. He looked both smart and sophisticated, with neatlybed back silver hair and a well-trimmed beard that had a unique dark stripe down the center. Mr. Jones wore a sharp white suit with a golden tie and matching pocket square, showing off his refined style. His serious expression and sharp features reflected his wisdom and experience, fitting for someone known as one of the world''s top Rune Researchers. "Please follow me to my office," Mr. Jones gestured, leading the way to one of the study rooms on the first floor. The corridors they walked through were adorned with antique furnitures and ornate chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the rich wooden paneling. The air was subtly scented with the aroma of aged books and the faint hint of oak from the finely crafted furniture that filled each room they passed. Entering the study, Quill noted the meticulous organization of the space¡ªa testament to Mr. Jones''s methodical nature. Shelves lined with ancient tomes and artifacts from distantnds filled one wall, while the opposite side boasted a grand mahogany desk adorned with maps and intricate charts. The room felt like a ce for learning and discovery, perfect for talking about the mysteries of runes and ancient stories. "Please, have a seat," he offered, gesturing towards a plush armchair positioned near arge window overlooking the mansion''s sprawling gardens. Quill rxed into the chair with a confident lean, crossing one leg over the other . His posture showed a casual but strong sense of authority. Leaning back slightly, he sped his hands in hisp, his focus unwavering on Mr. Jones. It was a position that conveyed his ease and readiness, like someone who knew how to take charge and handle any situation with calm assurance. "Is the Lightning God Rune really true? Don''t tell me I''ve been wasting my time chasing a fairy tale after all this years? ," Quill chuckled, his usual easy-going attitude shining through despite the serious topic. "You really live up to the rumors, the super genius of the zer family who does as he pleases," Jones chuckled, lighting a cigar and offering it to Quill, who declined with a shake of his head. "I don''t smoke. You do realize my lung is the source of my strength right? ," he replied with a hint of sarcasm. Jonesughed softly at the response. "Fair point," he conceded, taking a puff from his cigar. "I also don''t appreciate secondhand smoke," Quill added firmly. Jones shook his head, raising his hands insurrender. "Alright, alright, no need to worry about my bad habits," he joked, yfully tapping the cigar on the ashtray. "Consider it gone," he added with a grin, setting the cigar aside. "You can thank me for adding more years to your remaining life," Quill remarked. Jones felt a slight insult but chose not to dwell on it . Expecting someone like Quill to respect his elders was out of the question . After all, the young man in front of him was infamous for being the genius ck sheep of the zer Family. He was so uncontroble that he remained an unranked hunter, despite proving to everyone that he was a one in a billion talent, just because he refused to work for the Hunter Association. "So, regarding your question," Jones''s shifted the topic. "Yes, those legendary Rune does exist," he dered. "Are you sure?" Quill asked, his tone filled with doubt. Runes were divided into four categories: Common, Rare, Advanced, and Mastered. The God''s Rune was like a myth even in the long history of hunters. Though mentioned in ancient texts, no one had ever actually found it, making its existence questionable . "Of course, I''m sure. And I know you believe it too, Mr. Quill," Jones responded, with a knowing look in his eyes. "That''s why, even now, you haven''t integrated with any rune yet, correct?" Quill paused for a moment, momentarily shocked by Jones''s urate guess. "How did you know that?" he replied, his tone turning serious. The secret of his runeless status had been carefully concealed by his family for years. Due to his exceptional strength, everyone assumed he had already integrated with a rune. Why wouldn''t they? He would be more like a monster than a human if that was not case . But the truth was, he had deliberately handicapped himself by not integrating with a rune. With his skill and talent, he could potentially be the youngest Hunter to reach the Peak Demon Lord Level of power if he integrated with a Mastered Rune. However, his aspirations were much higher . He aimed not just to achieve the Demon King Level of power but to surpass it, ultimately reaching for the realm of the Demon God level. And it was not an impossible dream for him; Quill indeed possessed the talent to break through. "I have my sources, but honestly, I''m quite amazed at how you''ve achieved this level of power relying solely on your talent. Your gics is too exceptional," Jones remarked, impressed. "Perks of being the main character," Quill joked, attempting to conceal his earlier shock by using his sense of humor. Since Jones already knew his secret, there was no point in denying it. Experience more content on m v|l e''-NovelBin Chapter 281: Unrivaled Talent ? Jones leaned back, watching Quill return to his usual easy going demeanor. He had hoped to surprise him with the revtion, but the young genius looked unaffected. For Quill, the only drawback with this info leaking was that those aiming to kill him would know hecked Rune Overload, making them bolder. But he wasn''t concerned because he still had plenty of tricks up his sleeve. If anyone thought they could eliminate him just because hecked a rune, they would end digging their own graves. "So, tell me what you''ve learned about the rune," Quill redirected the conversation. Jones took a deep breath and began to exin. "The map I have is really old, showing a civilization in the Eastern part of the, located in a tall, mountain long before the Demons took over. " "They revered the Lightning God''s Rune as sacred¡ªnot merely a weapon or tool, but a powerful artifact that has many uses," he added, his tone growing more serious. "In fact, they didn''t just use the rune in battle; it also powered their entire civilization for centuries. And unlike standard runes, these variant could continuously strengthen the user." Discover more content at m,v l''e-NovelBin Quill paused, absorbed in the discussion but still skeptical. "How do I know you''re telling the truth?" he pressed, seeking reassurance. Jones stood up and retrieved an old book from his file cab. The cover was filled with text written in an ancientnguage. "That''s one of Satoshi''s tomes!" Quill eximed, recognizing the text. These tomes were rare and invaluable. Satoshi''s name was renowned in the Hunter Association as the originator of breathing techniques and other inventions that empowered humans to stand against demons. One could argue that without him, the human race would have long sumbed to the demons. "Yes " Jones confirmed. "We found this during an excavation in the Tier 1 region. You can tell that its the real deal, right? ." Quill nodded, sensing the aura even without touching the tome. "Why keep this from the Hunter Association?" he inquired, intrigued. Jones sighed, reclining in his chair. "The Association is currently under conglomerate control. Frankly, I kept this information hidden because I aim to instigate change from within, but I will need the help of the strongest hunter to achieve that," he answered, his gaze fixed on the genius hunter, subtly hinting at his political agenda. "So you want me to take on that role because I don''t let the Association dictate my actions?" Quill deduced, connecting the dots. "That''s one reason," Jones affirmed, his eyes narrowing with conviction. "But the most important one is your talent. If you integrated with a God''s Rune, there''s no doubt that you will be unrivaled among Demons and Hunters alike." "Unrivaled?" Quill repeated, the words resonating deeply with him. Jones was right; Quill''s talent was exceptional, and the young man had grown really strong in a short amount of time. It would be difficult to find someone else like him. ''What should I do ? '' Quill paused, contemting his options. This could be his best shot at achieving his dream, but it also came with a huge risk. The Eastern Region, now called the Demon Territory , stretched vast and wide, and this search could take years. "Can you tell me where exactly the map is pointing?" "It''s likely around the Crimson Blood Region," Jones replied. "The region controlled by Demon Lord Elizabeth?" Quill eximed. He had admired her picture since he was twelve¡ªshe was one of his first crushes. "Yeah, that''s the ce," Jones replied, taken aback by the sudden change in attitude. "What are we waiting for? Let''s go search for that Rune!" Quill chuckled aloud, all his doubts dispelled after learning their destination. In fact, meeting Elizabeth in person had be his top priority. *** *** *** "Are you really leaving ?" George asked . He hadn''t voiced his concern earlier because of the others around, but now that they were alone, he felt more confident to speak. "I told you, I''m doing this to grow stronger so we can go to the Demon territory and save your daughter," Reign replied with a nonchnt tone. But George knew deep down that Anna had never really been the priority. Reign''s focus had always been on personal strength, with her safety always taking a backseat. "How about we go there and negotiate with Demon Lord Elizabeth? I''ve heard she''s a reasonable person. Maybe I can ask her to return Anna to us," he suggested. "Are you an idiot? Why would she listen to you?" Reign sneered. "Listen, whether it''s humans or demons, they won''t just grant you favors because you ask nicely." George sighed heavily, his frustration evident. "Look, Reign, I know it sounds risky, but sometimes diplomacy¡ª" Reign cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Diplomacy won''t work with someone like her. Trust me, I''ve dealt with enough of these situations. Most people who act like they''re doing something for the greater good are just hypocrites pretending for their own benefit." George persisted, his voice tinged with hope despite Reign''s skepticism. "But she might be different. We have to try every option, Reign. Anna''s safety is at stake here. The more we wait, the higher the chance that something will happen to her!" Reign scoffed, his toneced with disdain. "You''re naive, and you''re way of thinking is just in stupid. The only way to ensure this goes smoothly is for me to assert dominance. Trust me, overwhelming force is the onlynguage these demons understand. Trying to reason with her will get us nowhere." "But¡­" "Not another word. If you keep pestering me, forget about me saving her. I couldn''t care less about her life. I''m only in this for revenge against those three bastards . She just happened to be there," Reign spat out, his irritation evident. This was precisely why he preferred working alone¡ªto avoid people and their nonsensical arguments. ''Why are humans so dumb and irrational?'' he sighed, burdened by his high intelligence, which forced him to lower himself to their level whenever he engaged in conversation. CLICK! Their talk was interrupted by the door swinging open. Melissa entered abruptly. "Cyril just woke up," she announced. Reign''s aura flickered momentarily, but he quickly regained hisposure. "Don''t mention me to her," he warned. "Okay," she replied weakly. Seeing Reign''s foul mood, George also decided it was best not to engage further. Silently, he stood up and left the room, leaving Reign alone with his thoughts. "Is he okay?" Melissa asked George after leaving the room, noticing Reign''s unusual moodiness. George sighed, concerned. "He''s dealing with a lot right now. I think he just needs some space to gather his thoughts," he replied quietly. "Maybe it''s really best for him to take some time away," she suggested thoughtfully. "I don''t think he enjoys being around too many humans." George nodded in agreement. "We have to ept that he''s different. Maybe it was wrong of us to expect him to understand humans like us," he sighed, grappling with the realization. Lilith overheard their conversation and couldn''t help but raise her eyebrows. ''Please, not all of us are crazy and aggressive like him. Don''t generalize us,'' she sighed, feeling that Reign was singlehandedly destroying the reputation of Demons and Devils. Chapter 282: Complicated "What do you feel? Are you okay ? Are you still feeling dizzy ? " Melissa asked with a concerned look on her face as she handed Cyril a cup of warm water. "I''m still weak but I can manage," Cyril replied in a low tone. "Thank you for saving me," she added, turning towards Melissa and George. Her eyes softened, filling with warmth and sincerity. A gentle smile spread across her face, showing the depth of her gratitude. "We really didn''t do much, it''s all his..." Melissa almost made a blunder, but George hit her with his elbow. His face tightened with urgency, his brows furrowing as he nced sharply at Melissa. His eyes widened a bit, silently begging her to stop talking. Melissa got his message and quickly corrected herself, "Ah, right, we got some help from an acquaintance of ours, Miss Lilith," she quickly salvaged the situation. Reign had instructed them to never tell Cyril that he was the knight in shining armor who had recklessly attacked the biggestpany in the city just for her sake. "Miss Lilith?" Cyril asked, looking confused. She didn''t know anyone by that name. "She''s a good friend of ours and she helped us when we asked," George answered. "I see, then I must thank her and repay my debt," Cyril replied with a smile. She still had a lot of money to spare because she could cancel all the advance donations she had made. It didn''t sit well with her to owe someone , especially considering the amount of resources used for her rescue. There was no way it had been that easy, and whoever they hired to rescue her must have been very expensive, likely from a higher-tier city. "I remember someone, a man. He was the one who rescued me. Where is he?" she asked, wanting to thank him herself. "Ah, that..." Melissa trailed off and looked at George for answers. Explore stories on m,v l''-NovelBin George''s eyes flicked to Melissa, then back to Cyril. He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. His jaw tightened slightly. "He''s already on a mission," a sweet female voice chimed in. When the trio turned their heads to the source, they saw a beautiful woman whose charisma even Cyril couldn''t match. "Miss Lilith," George greeted, his voice filled with relief and respect. Reign had reminded him that Lilith was potentially at Peak Demon Lord Level, and was a very dangerous individual. "Miss Lilith ? Hearing the name of her benefactor, Cyril hurriedlyposed herself. "Thank you for saving me," she said, her tone showing how much it meant to her. "No worries," Lilith giggled warmly, showing no sign of arrogance. "The important thing is you''re safe," she added. Cyril''s opinion of Lilith improved; she was not overbearing and seemed genuinely kind. "I know this might sound disrespectful, but I''m willing to pay for everything. It must have cost you a lot of money," Cyril suggested. Lilith could see that Cyril was speaking out of principle and knew that not epting her offer might make things awkward. Plus, her organization needed the money after losing aboratory and maintaining an expensive informationwork. "I won''t reject it," Lilith replied with a smile, aware that the young woman in front of her had a lot of money. She had run a background check and discovered that Cyril inherited a substantial amount after liquidating her family business.. "Thank you," Cyril replied with a warm smile, d she could at least pay for the trouble she caused. She didn''t need much money and felt this was for the best. As she calmed down, her mind began to work more clearly, and she started to wonder about her current situation. "May I ask something, Miss Lilith?" "What is it?" "What happened to him? Vincent Hewlet?" sheinquired. If he was still around, it meant she wasn''tpletely safe. "Don''t worry about that fool, he''s already dead," Lilith replied bluntly . "Dead? Just like that? " Cyril was shocked. Lilith spoke of the death of one of the most influential men in the city as if he were a nobody. "That''s right, my agent made sure to kill him, so you don''t have to worry about him bothering you again," she reassured her. Cyril was momentarily stunned as she processed the information. "Wait, isn''t this dangerous? Won''t the chamber ofmerce go after you?" Cyril asked, feeling a bit guilty that she was the cause of all this. "If not for me..." Her voice trailed off. "Don''t worry, I was already nning to kill that fool, and you just happened to be there," Lilith reassured her, but all those words were a lie. Why would she want a conflict with the chamber ofmerce? But Cyril didn''t need to know that. Lilith could tell that Reign wasn''t fond of involving Cyril in his dark business. ''I don''t know if you''re unlucky or lucky for having him as an admirer,'' she thought, finding it ironic that someone so well-educated and well-mannered like Cyril was admired by someone so different. "So, that person who saved me?" Cyril tried to bring up the topic again. "I''m sorry for asking so many questions. It''s just that when he touched me, I felt he was familiar," Cyril said apologetically. "She touched you? Where did he touch you? That pervert!" Melissa reacted, her eyes wide with disbelief. She couldn''t fathom that Reign would stoop to such behavior. "No, no, please don''t misunderstand!" Cyril quickly interjected, shaking her head rapidly. "I meant when he carried me to the bed! "Carried you to the bed? And do what ? " Melissa''s confusion deepened. Cyril, feeling the need to rify further, spoke up. "Really, he was nothing but respectful. He carried me because I was tied down on the floor, and he made sure I was safe." "Oh," Melissa muttered, scratching her head in embarrassment. She realized she had judged Reign without hearing the full story. "I''m sorry, I jumped to conclusions." George, who had been watching the exchange, sighed deeply. Melissa was too quick to assume the worst. Based on Reign''s character, he had the lowest possibility of doing something so inappropriate if killing and eating humans was not included. "Melissa, not all men are like that," George said gently. Melissa looked down, feeling a bit ashamed. "I know, it''s just... the idea of him taking advantage..." Lilith, observing the conversation, decided to set the record straight. "He''s just an assassin. You don''t really need to be thankful to him. If it wasn''t for my order, he would have killed you too, thinking you could be a witness." Her tone was blunt, but she knew it was necessary to prevent Cyril from being too curious about her masked savior. Cyril looked at Lilith, processing her words. "I understand," she nodded, finally letting it go. The idea of her rescuer being an assassin was not important to her, but she realized it was best not to delve too deeply into it. "Thank you for exining," she added softly, appreciating Lilith''s honesty. Lilith gave a small nod. "It''s important you know the truth. Now, focus on getting better. You have friends here who care about you." Cyril smiled and nodded, but deep inside, her heart raced as she recalled the person who had rescued her. ''I really wish it was you,'' she muttered to herself. Chapter 283: Swarmed. Two dayster, Region 2 remained under lockdown as authorities continued their intensive search for the individual responsible for the assassination. Normally, this case wouldn''t attract much attention, but the Chamber of Commerce''s top leaders demanded action from the local government. Vincent''s death severely damaged the Chamber''s reputation since they pride themselves on their power and invulnerability. Losing someone like him makes them look weak and could make other members doubt their strength, especially now that another big rival organization was trying to challenge them. Given the seriousness of the situation, many officials and political figures in Green Valley found themselves in precarious positions, especially the governor "Damn it! I can''t believe something like this would happen just after I took over," Johnson, a middle-aged man with gray hair and a neatly trimmed beard, roared in anger, nearly tipping his desk before realizing it was too heavy. "If I had known this would happen, I would have never agreed to take over in the first ce," he muttered in frustration, clicking his tongue in annoyance. "It''s that ipetent fool''s fault, that bastard. I''ll make sure to get someone to take care of him and his family," he spat out, the memory of the previous Governor David enough to darken his mood even more. He calmed himself down and leaned back in his chair, taking a moment to double-check the reports again. In his hand, he held his sses, and his other hand massaged his forehead as he stared at the documents spread out on his desk. "I need updates on the lockdown status," Johnson called out to his female assistant, who hurriedly entered the room with a folder in hand. "Sir, the search are ongoing, but there''s been noprogress in locating the suspect," the assistant reported with a tone of concern. Johnson nodded grimly. "We can''t afford to let this drag on. The Chamber won''t tolerate any more dys." As he reviewed the reports, he couldn''t shake the feeling that his every move was being scrutinized, not just by the Chamber but by the public as well. His decisions now would shape his tenure and define his future. At this rate, finding the culprit looked impossible, so he feltpelled to take drastic action to salvage the situation. "Contact the policemissioner and tell them I want to discuss something with him," he ordered. Yes, Governor," the assistant nodded, then quickly left the room. *** *** *** Inside the hotel room, Reign spent the past two days doing nothing but sleeping. He had been in a foul mood, tempted at times to check on Cyril in the adjacent room, but always stopping himself. ''Forget about her, forget about her, forget about her,'' he repeated to himself, trying to regain control of his emotions. ''Damn it, why do I keep thinking about her?'' he cursed aloud. This mental obsession was taking a toll on him, and he despised the feeling. There were times he even entertained dark thoughts, contemting that maybe eating her would endeverything. But, he always recoiled from such ideas because the mere thought of her suffering filled him with rage. ''When will this lockdown be over?'' he thought to himself, but dwelling on it only made time drag on longer. He decided to turn on the television to catch up on the news instead. (Breaking news: The lockdown in Region 2 has been extended, and additional forces have been deployed to intensify the search for the culprit behind the assassination of our beloved Mr. Vincent Hewlet, the previous CEO of Pantheon Corporation.) ''That''s it, I''m going to fix this myself,'' he finally snapped, picking up the hotel room phone to contact Lilith. In just five minutes, she arrived in his room and settled onto his sofa, appearing nonchnt as if the turmoil outside didn''t faze her. "What is it?" she asked, clearly confused by his sudden call. "This isn''t working out. I''m going to take action to end this lockdown once and for all," Reign dered firmly. "And how do you n to do that? Don''t tell me you''re nning to go all out and kill everyone?" Lilith asked, raising an eyebrow. For her, that was the worst way to handle the situation. It was feasible, but the consequences would be immense. This ce would be a hub for powerhouses, and despite Reign''s strength, he wouldn''t withstand a manhunt involving dozens of high-tier hunters. "You''re underestimating me too much. You might not believe this, but I''m way smarter than you," Reign replied confidently. It was finally time to showcase his intelligence. "Okay, then prove it," she said, sounding both intrigued and challenging. She wanted to see what Reign had nned, intrigued by his bold statement. "Just watch and see, "he replied, finally feeling relieved to leave this depressing ce . *** *** *** BOOOOOM! A loud explosion reverberated through themercial area as the military, hunters, and police officers finally pinpointed the culprit''s location. They cornered the culprit in a hotel, but it made a desperate attempt to escape. He moved really fast, wielding his two deadly daggers and leaving a trail of blood to whoever tried to face him. As he ran through streets, police officers tried to stop him. With quick and deadlymovements, he cut through the officer''s defenses, leaving a deep, bloody wound on their chest, and instantly killing them. Some hunters tried to attack together, thinking they could overpower the culprit. Sadly, their n failed miserably. The hunters were quickly struck down, their necks sliced as if they were made of tofu. They copsed instantly, paying a heavy price for underestimating their opponent. "There''s no doubt about it, we have the right man. This guy is the one who attacked Pantheon," one of the hunters dered, after seeing their target''sbat ability. Not just anyone could move so fast like that. "He''s heading east! Don''t let him escape!" shouted by one personns they began their chased. "Be careful, he is really strong. I can''t believe he managed to kill so many military officers in such a short amount of time,"mented one hunter, surveying the numerous bodies strewn across the ground. BOOOOOM! Find exclusive stories on m_v l|e-NovelBin Another Explosions reverberated in the distance, heightening the urgency of the situation as they closed in on their target. One by one, additional teams of hunters joined alongside military personnel in vehicles. Above, helicopters swarmed the area, maintaining a vignt watch from the skies. Surrounded on all sides, the culprit finallyfound himself trapped amidst a storm of gunfire and explosions. "Let''s end this !" Armed with their katanas and breathing techniques, the hunters began coordinating for a stronger attack, forcing their target to be on the defensive. Meanwhile, the military had begun using rocketunchers, unleashing a nonstop assault. The air filled with the acrid scent of burning debris and the deafening roar of explosions as the battle continues. Military forces went all out, relentlessly bombing a single spot, while hunters skilled in fire breathing techniques united to obliterate the enemy into ashes. In just under a minute, when the dust and mes subsided, the only remnants left were traces of the power suit. ''It''s finally over,'' they thought to themselves, relieved that the culprit was now dead. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 284: Fade Away ''It''s finally over,'' Reign muttered with a smirk, watching his decoy get sted to bits from a safe distance in another building. He reclined on a sofa, legs stretched outfortably, as if he was just watching a simple movie. He had orchestrated the whole charade, using Arc as his stand-in to deceive everyone, ensuring a quicker way to put an end to this manhunt once and for all. Below, the authorities were still swarming the area, convinced they had killed the real threat. ''They''ll probably drink and celebrate tonight,'' he chuckled to himself. ''Enjoy your life. Because sooner orter, this ce will also be destroyed by me,'' he added with a cold tone. ''Now I just need to wait for the lockdown to be lifted so I can finally leave this ce,'' he thought to himself. ''If I had known it would take this long, I would have made a move much earlier,'' he sighed. Without his intervention, this mess would''ve dragged on much longer. He appreciated Lilith''s assistance, but found her way of thinking too narrow. Unlike her, he thrived on daring and bold schemes with low risk and high returns¡ªsomething that set him apart from others. He had believed she was smarter than humans, but he had clearly overestimated her. ''I knew it. I can only rely on my intelligence,'' he added, making a mental note to never expect anything from anyone and to assume everyone was stupid. As minutes ticked by, he decided to focus on a new goal, and that was to reach Demon King Status. He carefully reviewed the information given to him by Lilith, considering every detail and thinking about strategies that would maximized his benefits and minimized the risks. While immersed in this process, he began to uncover deeper understandings that extended beyond just his goal to level up. Reflecting deeply, he gained insights into both his personal life and the broader implications of his own emotions. ''I''m more myself when I''m away from her,'' he concluded, rubbing his temples. ''So she''s basically my weakness,'' he added with a heavy sigh, slumping slightly in his chair, fully aware now that her existence could lead to his downfall. ''I need to find a way to forget about her. I can''t allow my emotion dictate my actions'' he thought, redirecting his focus toward something that he loved doing more than anything else; killing , eating and leveling. The thrill of power and destruction was a good distraction , leaving him invigorated and eager to unleash his violent nature again. Meanwhile, on another rooftop across the area, a man frowned in confusion. He had observed the whole affair and sensed the figure they had taken down was far weaker than the one he had faced. ''He was much stronger,'' Quill muttered, perplexed. ''This doesn''t add up.'' Watching the authorities celebrate their victory, he couldn''t shake the feeling they''d been deceived. The true threat still lurked somewhere, and was probably enjoying the view. However ¡ª "Forget it. Not my concern. " he turned away. He had more pressing matters¡ªlike finding his God''s Rune. Besides, he figured out that someone smart enough had also noticed the inconsistencies and anomalies in the incident. But knowing how politicians operate, he suspected they might sweep it under the rug for the sake of convenience. And he was right on the money. The authorities started reopening borders after just two hours, the new governor was spared from the backsh, and the Chamber of Commerce itself salvaged its reputation by demonstrating the consequences of crossing them. It was a win-win situation for everyone involved. Peace and stability returned to the city, and like many others who had died, Vincent Hewlet''s name would soon fade away¡ªjust another casualty because of his inability to keep his impulses in check. Over the next couple of days, a series of chain events unfolded. For the Pantheon group, recovery had been fast given their corporate structure; all they needed was to elect a new CEO. However, the incident did caused their stock value to plummet by 50% due to panic selling. Stock stability returned after Lilith bought back shares, ultimately earning a substantial profit in the process. Within just a short period of time, the shares actually surpassed their value prior to the assassination , as investors joined to get a piece of the pie. This just showed that all the talked and news about Vincent''s death was merely businessmen fanning the fire to manipte the market for profit. Meanwhile, George, Mellissa, and Cyril found themselves under Lilith''s protection. They were instructed toy low for a while at one of the organization''s resorts located outside the city walls. Someone might discovered that Cyril was thest person Vincent had tried to kidnap, potentially leading to clues pointing back to her. To stay safe, she had to hide and go incognito . *** *** *** Back at the house Reign got in Region 5, he sat on his couch, casually rxing. He had intended to head to the next city immediately, but a piece of news caught his attention, so postponed his ns. He leaned back, a smirk ying on his lips as he regarded his visitor "So, what news do you have for me?" he asked, his tonemanding and serious. A woman in casual red clothing bowed her head before speaking. "Master, I was able to infiltrate the Hunter Association and got the info you wanted. These are the lists of hunters currently in Green Valley City and the other Tier 4 cities." It was Aiku who was now working as a double agent for him. She handed him a sh drive and aptop. He inserted the sh drive into the USB socket and began reading the information, meticulously scanning through the lists, searching for someone specific. "Weird, he''s not here at all," he wondered aloud, remembering the strange hunter he had fought before. He knew the hunter''s name was Quill zer from Lilith''s words, but he wanted to figure out why such a person hade to this ce in the first instance. Reign suspected that Quill was hiding a secret or searching for something worth stealing. Unfortunately, he found no official record about his visit. "Is this all the info you got?" Reign turned his attention to her, frustration evident in his voice. The information he got was pretty much useless. "Please pardon me, Master, but my current body is not that high ranking. It took a lot of effort for me to gather this much," Aiku replied, trying to exin her side. "So?" Reign raised his eyebrows. "Is that supposed to be my problem?" he asked, disappointed by her performance. She was a ghost who could possessed bodies, and this was all she had managed to obtain? "I..." Aiku''s reaction was one of fear and apprehension. She lowered her gaze, her voice trembling as she responded, "I-I''m sorry, Master. I did my best. Please forgive me." Her bodynguage showed her anxiety, hands fidgeting nervously as she awaited his response. She knew all too well how unpredictable her master could be. If he deemed her useless, then only death would follow. ''I need to teach her a lesson; she''s just wasting her abilities,'' Reign muttered, shaking his head in disappointment. Chapter 285: The Obvious Answer "Listen here, Aiku," Reign''s tone was harsh and condemning, sounding like a boss about to fire an under performing employee. But in this case, her life depended on getting her act together. "Your use of your abilities is so pitiful that sometimes I wonder if you even have a brain. Do you?" He emphasized his words, making sure she understood his displeasure. Aiku listened intently, fear evident on her face, afraid that any more mistakes would cost her life. ''I can''t die here,'' she thought to herself. As a ghost, her will to live surpassed even that of humans. It was why she had never betrayed Reign, still convinced that his summons lurked within her shadow, capable of ending her at any moment. "What should I do, Master?" she beg for answers. There was a moment of silence before she received a reply. "Instead of possessing someone with mediocre strength like your current body, it''s better for you to possess a person with a higher status," he suggested. "Remember when you had Demi''s body? You were more useful to me then," he pointed out. Aiku nodded, conceding that he had a point. Her current body was physically strong, but it was too limiting. "Master, are you telling me to possess the current Director of the Hunter Association?" she asked with a hint of worry in her eyes. That route would be challenging because her possession ability takes time to work. "Now you''re using your brain," Reign nodded approvingly. He wanted more information about the Hunter Association, and Aiku''s ability was the perfect double agent as long as she improved. "But that''s impossible for me, Master. The director always has hunters guarding him in the shadows. If they see me acting suspiciously, they''ll capture or kill me," Aiku protested, her nervous habit of shaking slightly while talking to him was still obvious. Reign leaned back on the couch, shaking his head. "That''s why you''re not improving," he retorted bluntly. "You''re a coward who thinks of reasons before even trying. If you can''t do it now, then find a better way. Use your mind and think outside the box. Observe and study him. It''s not like you have to possess his body right away." Aiku''s face flushed with shame after being called a coward. The worst part was, she knew it was true. She was indeed a scaredy-cat. But if she wanted to avoid being discarded, then she needed to prove her worth. "I understand, Master. I will find a way," she promised. Reign nodded, satisfied with her response. "Good. Now go and start nning. " "Thank you, Master " Aiku bowed and quickly left. ''I hope she doesn''t disappoint me again,'' he sighed as he watched her drive away. After finishing his business with her, Reign decided to visit Lilith''s mansion before leaving the city. She had mentioned wanting to discuss something important with him. "Come here, boy," he whistled. From the kitchen, Wick started running toward him and followed him outside to where his six-wheeler pickup truck was waiting. Without hesitation, the lowkey demon dog jump onto the truck bed, his favorite spot. Reign followed suit, opening the driver''s seat and sitting down. The satisfying click of his keys echoed followed by the engine starting up. He nced over at Wick, who settledfortably in the back, tongue lolling out in excitement. Next, he patted the dashboard of his truck affectionately before pulling out of the driveway and heading towards Lilith''s mansion. The drive was quick, and he didn''t have to worry about checkpoints anymore, because he now had his own identity. As he approached her estate, the imposing gates swung open automatically, allowing him entry. After parking the truck in front of the mansion, Reign climbed out and he walked up the steps to the entrance where Richard was already waiting for him. "Master, Miss Lilith is waiting for you in the study room," he gestured. Reign just nodded and made his way to room, already familiar with the route from theirst meeting. Inside the room, Lilith was already there, engrossed in reading some old documents. The text was in small letters, with some parts damaged, so she used a magnifying ss to read them more closely. asionally, she paused to copy down passages onto a piece of paper. "What are those documents?" Reign asked, curious. Lilith paused and looked at him. "Please, take a seat. Just give me a minute," she replied, then returned her attention to the documents. Reign watched her for a moment, intrigued by the ancient-looking documents and wondering what secrets they held. "Is that rted to the keys?" he interrupted, his thirst for knowledge getting the better of him. Lilith''s lips curled slightly as she saw her n had worked on him. Before she turned to face him, she erased the smirk and simply answered, "These are ancient documents. I''ve been trying to decipher them because they might lead us to clues about the exact location of the key," she exined, pushing the documents toward him. Reign, already curious, grabbed it and used his system trantion skills . He read through the pages, flipping them one by one until he had covered everything. "I see, so that''s how it works," he nodded with satisfaction before handing the documents back to her. She was shocked by how quickly he had tranted everything, as if he already knew thenguage beforehand. "So, what is it? What''s the content? Did it give you any clues?" she asked eagerly, excited to know his findings. "What content?" he feigned ignorance. "You said something about how it works," she pressed on. "Ah, that? I was just talking to myself," he answered with a sarcastic tone. He had seen through her ploy from the moment he entered her mansion and decided to turn the tables on her. ''You think you can fool me? You''ll have to be better than that,'' he chuckled inwardly, enjoying her uneasy expression. After a while, she also realized what was happening. She felt the urge to scold Reign for ying with her, but then she remembered that she had started this game. After a moment ofposing herself, she cleared her throat and spoke with a calmer tone. "I apologize. I shouldn''t have tried to trick you into helping me without being upfront about it." "You were trying to trick me? I had no clue," he replied casually, pretending not to know. Lilith sighed softly, realizing he wasn''t going to let her off easily. She straightened her posture and replied with a hint of sheepishness, "I understand. I''ll be more straightforward next time." She took a moment to collect herself before continuing, "So, what did you make of the documents? Any new information?" Seeing that she had shifted into her business mode, Reign decided it would be boring to continue teasing her. He knew that the sooner she found the key, the sooner he could wreak havoc and gain a lot of experience points. "It''s describing a ce," Reign started, . "An ind, a single tree, abody of water , but the details are vague and can be interpreted differently. " "An ind with only one tree? Oh my goodness, how did I miss that!" She muttered aloud. Chapter 286: A New Threat "Maybe because you''re not smart enough?" he asked sarcastically, making fun of her for not being able to figure it out. Too bad she didn''t have a system like his, which allowed for quick trantion of any type ofnguage. And since the text was not as foreign as the one used by Satoshi, it cost him almost nothing to run the analysis. Her eyes narrowed, and a sh of frustration crossed her face. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. Her hands clenched at her sides. She maintained herposure, determined not to let him see how much hisment had stung "I don''t need your sarcasm," she replied, clearly insulted. "If you''re so clever, how about you tell me what to do next?" she added, trying to manipte him into helping her again. He smirked, clearly reading through her again. ''She really doesn''t learn,'' he chuckled inwardly, finding her tricks futile against someone with his intelligence. Maybe it was her Devilish pride that made her try these tricks from time to time. Nevertheless, he was not kind enough to let it slide. "I could do that, but it would just make you feel worse, so I''ll leave it up to you," he added with an arrogant tone, crossing one leg over the other while he sped his hands on his knee to emphasize his confidence. "So why did you really call for me? Don''t tell me this was just about this silly ancient text?" he immediately shifted the conversation, not allowing her to dwell on the topic. Her expression twitched slightly, realizing she needed to change her approach when dealing with someone as unpredictable and erratic as Reign. "Fine. You''re right," she admitted. "This ancient text are important, but there''s more. I''ve received top secret information about a new threat in Brentwood. Maybe you''d like to know about it before you go there?" He leaned forward, curious. "Tell me more." She took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. "Have you ever heard of a unique type of Corrupteds?" "I might have. I killed a couple of them while I''m on my way here. One was a giant humanoid the size of a skyscraper, a big three headed dog,and the other was a huge snake. They were too easy to kill, so calling them unique doesn''t really fit," he replied with a nonchnt tone. Lilith nodded after hearing him. She could already tell what those things were, but what amazed her was the fact that he encountered so many of them. It was as if he was a ma for these dangerous monsters. "You seem to attract these creatures," she said, a mix of curiosity and concern in her voice. "It''s like they''re drawn to you." He shrugged, unfazed. "It''s not like I go looking for them, but I hope they keeping at me," he replied with a smirk. In his opinion, the most challenging part of collecting Dark Dust Points was finding a suitable farming spot. So theming to him would be like free supply airdrops. Lilith shook her head, half-amused, half-annoyed. "You really do have a death wish, don''t you?" she said with a sigh. "I''ve already died too many times; adding one more wouldn''t be a big deal" he remarked nonchntly. Lilith shook her head, her expression unchanged as she continued, "It''s alright to be arrogant, but this unique monster is different. It''s a Numbered " He raised an eyebrow, "Numbered? What does that mean?" "Numbered are elite types of corrupted, each with unique abilities that make them almost impossible to kill. They''re so problematic that they even earned their own numbers because, despite being well-known, they can''t be easily hunted down." Shepaused, her expression thoughtful as she considered her next words carefully. "The one in Brentwood right now is called Corrupted No. 17, a double-digit enemy with the strength of a Middle Demon Lord," she added. "But its fighting power isn''t the only reason it earned its number." "Wait, if this information were confirmed, what the hell is the government doing?" He raised an eyebrow, unable to believe they would just sit and do nothing. They even sent a couple of hunters and even a Demon Lord to hunt him down, showing just how important they prioritizedtheir cities. "They''ve sent a couple teams of Tier 2 Hunters and military to handle the situation. But the issue with No. 17 is its ability toeback as long as other simr creatures are in the area," she exined. "How does it work exactly?" he inquired, curious about such a cheating ability. Lilith began to rify, "No. 17''s ability is linked to the presence of other simr creatures nearby. It has a way to embed some of its cells in other creatures, so when one body dies, it can regenerate itself using another. No. 17''sbat power isn''t that great, but its ability is troublesome." ''That''s like an overpowered version of my Seed,'' he thought to himself. He had considered his Seed to be powerful, but now he realized it wasparatively weak. This showed that he could not underestimate the corrupteds; what he had faced before was just the tip of the iceberg. "Is there any drawback to its ability? Like a weakness or a particr habit?" he inquired further, now curious about its other abilities just in case he had to actually fight it. She took some documents from her table and handed them to him while exining the information she had gathered. He flipped through the documents and saw some top-secret files and pictures. No. 17 was rtively small, maybe only around 10 feet in size, and it looked like a deformed human. Its sharp, jelly like features and hands were so long that they touched the ground even when it was standing. Thisbination of attributes made it appear both disgusting and menacing to looked at. "You''re really good at getting information. It must have taken you a lot of resources to get all of this¡­ Nice " Hemented, impressed by her resourcefulness, and attention to detail. Lilith was flustered for a moment after hearing something so positive from him. Hispliment was barely passable, but because she was so used to his rude attitude, it felt more important and satisfying than it actually was. At this point, even a simple thank you from someone like him would have a bigger impact on her. ''He''s more cunning that I thought, I need to be careful,'' she made a mental note to be wary of his maniptive habit, assuming that he was doing all this on purpose. The funny part was that he wasn''t intentionally doing it. He was basically acting on impulse and would insult others just to alleviate his boredom. While he read the documents, she decided to speak and provide a summary. "One of its weaknesses is that it can only regenerate within a 1 km radius," she began. "The Hunter Association tried to iste it before but failed because it can control other creatures like it, and they always follow it." "Is that all?" he asked. "They even tried extreme measures like using a powerful bomb to kill No. 17 , but it still managed toe back." Chapter 287: An Old Threat "They did? Then this creature is nearly impossible to kill," he responded, second-guessing whether it was worth attempting to go there with such a creature lurking around. The document mentioned its weak attack powerpared to the other numbered, so he didn''t need to fear being killed by it. However, he wasn''t so bored that he would attempt to hunt an unkible and annoying monster just for the sake of it. ''Would my True Death even work?'' he pondered, recalling his skill that had managed to defeat the three-headed dog known for its rapid regeneration. ''This thing could be a good test subject to push the limits of my skill,'' he added, recognizing the potential benefit of hunting it down. He continued to read the content, but the more he read, the more he felt that something was wrong. "This information is outdated. Are you really sure its area of effect still spans a 1km radius? That''s quite some time ago, and it may have grown stronger since then," he pointed out, noting the document was from two years ago "And how did they even figure out that it was within 1km, when they weren''t even able to kill it in the first ce?" he added, his keen eyes not missing any inconsistencies. "I¡­" Lilith was speechless. She couldn''t believe how easily he had figured out all those ws in the information she had given him. ''Is he really a psychotic monster, or was he a schr before?'' she thought. He would always make her felt dumb whenever he pointed out something. "I think some of this information is bullshit... Either that or you didn''t give me the whole data," he said, throwing the document back on the table with displeasure in his tone. Lilith took the documents back "I don''t really know how they did it, but this is the only info I have," she admitted. "So, we just have to trust this data? For all we know, it could be fake," he shook his head in disappointment, his tone turning more rude again. Lilith decided not to respond. She had shared the information to ensure he was prepared, but she felt her efforts were unappreciated. ''This stuck-up..rude.. Annoying ¡­'' she began to vent her frustration in her mind, imagining variousints. But outwardly, she maintained a poker face. She knew she still needed him, and he didn''t really need her, so she felt she needed to put in more effort to add value to their partnership. Her evaluation of his power had also increased, especially after witnessing his summoning ability.She assumed he had a lot of tricks up his sleeve, so she didn''t want to upset him while she was still much weaker than him. "How many corrupteds are following it right now?" he asked, breaking the silence to assess the current level of difficulty of confronting number 17. If it wasn''t worth the risk, he would consider skipping Brentwood altogether. "Currently, there are estimated to be around 20 million of them camping around the city," she exined, expecting Reign to feel threatened by the sheer number of enemies. But instead of fear, Reign startedughing. "20 million? You''re not joking, right?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement. Lilith frowned, puzzled by his reaction. "Number 17 is a serious threat. You can''t afford to underestimate it," she cautioned, concerned by his easy going attitude. Reign waved off her concern, still grinning. "I just hope they don''t kill too many of them. Alright, I should head to that ce now before I miss a golden opportunity." He stood up and turned around. Every moment spent here could mean losing tens of thousands of Dark Dust Points. ''I''ll be a multimillionaire after this,'' he grinned in satisfaction, envisioning the rewards of exploiting the situation. Lilith, on the other hand, was confused. ''Why is he so exited?'' "Wait before you go, I want to ask a favor," she called out. "What is it?" he paused, turning back to face her. "I want you to follow someone to Brentwood. She''s an important researcher, and I''ve heard she''s nning to acquire a more powerful version of the serum I used to transform my followers." "And?" he asked . "I want you to investigate where she''s getting those serums and steal a sample for me, if you have the time," she added, hoping Reign could manage this alongside his other goals. "No," he shook his head and walked away. Why should he be bothered with her personal issue? He wasn''t her employee, and even though he owed her for all her help, it wasn''t enough for him to just follow hermand. He preferred being the one to boss people around, not the other way around. Besides, all the help she had given him was already paid for when he tranted those texts for free. He doubted that even the best trantor in the world could contend with his system. "Wait," Lilith called out, still trying to say something. "Stop wasting your time. I''ve already said no," Reign replied firmly, then continued on his way. "Then please, just follow her and don''t destroy the facility. I need something from there, and if you go all out, all that research would be lost," she exined, stressing how important it was for her. The research aimed to enhance her followers'' abilities and benefit herself as well. She realized that the serum could enhance her own power, so she wanted to gather more information about it. Her goal was to find a way to reverse-engineer it to work on Devils. "Alright, if you tell me why you really need that serum, then I might reconsider," he replied, intrigued by what kind of research could make someone like Lilith so invested. If he found it beneficial to himself too, he wouldn''t mind taking a look while he was there. Lilith hesitated for a moment. Her research was about strengthening herself, and she didn''t like the idea of sharing it with someone like him, whose sole purpose in life was to be stronger and more powerful no matter what. But she didn''t have many options. The real reason she asked him for help was because she had received information that an exceptionally powerful guardian was protecting the Research Facility in Brentwood. It wasn''t a hunter or a demon, but something else entirely. Therefore, she believed only someone as capable as Reign could handle this task. "I''m developing a booster serum that could work on Demons and Devils," she admitted. There was no point in lying, as he could easily see through it. "A serum for Demons and Devils," he mused, a glint of interest flickering in his gaze. He crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "And you need my help to get it from just a harmless research facility?" he stated, more as an observation than a question. "Is the facility owned by BioGen Corporation?" he asked, recalling his less-than-positive experience with the organisms they referred to as "Meta Humans." "How did you know?" Lilith was surprised that he was familiar with it. "I see," he sighed, finally piecing everything together. He had been wondering why she needed a Demon Lord like him for this job. "So you want me to go there because you''re afraid of dealing with the Meta Human yourself?" he pointed out, revealing her hidden agenda. Chapter 288: Preparing for the Storm "Yes," she admitted, her shoulders slumping slightly in defeat. It was embarrassing that a Royal Devil like herself would be afraid of something created by humans, but her current power was a far cry from what she had in Hell. If not for this, she wouldn''t bother to act so deferential and amodating in front of Reign. He looked at her for a long moment, weighing his options. "Alright," he finally said, his tone neutral. "I''ll help you. But I expect something in return." Lilith narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?" He smiled with a hidden motive. "ess to the serum and all rted research. I want to know everything you''ve discovered and n to develop. And when I say everything, I mean everything." She hesitated, knowing how much she was giving up. But she had no other choice. "Fine," she agreed reluctantly. "You''ll have ess to everything." "Good," he said, uncrossing his arms. "Now, tell me everything you know about this Meta Human and the facility''s defenses. I need to be prepared." The Meta Human he had faced before could freeze his thoughts, demonstrating just how dangerous they could be. They were an enigma even for someone like him.It would be dumb to be overly confident just because he had reached the Peak Demon Lord Level. Lilith nodded thoughtfully and led the way back to the meeting room. She took a seat at her desk, gesturing for Reign to sit across from her. Retrieving a document from a drawer, she carefully reviewed its contents before handing it to him. "Wow, you really like hard copies," he chuckled, seeing how outdated she was. "Even Aiku uses digital copies." "Aiku?" Lilith raised her eyebrows, curious, as that name was umon in this part of the world. "Ah, don''t worry, she''s just one of my servants," he answered, dismissing her question quickly. "But isn''t it a hassle to carry hard copies all the time?" he asked, curious about why she preferred old-school methods. Lilith shrugged, unfazed by hisment. "Old habits die hard," she replied. "And sometimes, it''s harder to hack paper." Reign raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting such a sharp response. He let out a genuineugh, finding her response amusing. "Fair point" Lilith allowed a small smile to y on her lips before continuing . "The Meta Human guarding the facility is called Juggernaut," she exined. "He''s incredibly durable and has skin tougher than metal. It can withstand even heavy bombardment . But, he''s slow-moving, which gives you some leeway " "Is that it? Is that the only ability he has?" he asked, raising his fake eyebrows. It seemed too weak to even be considered a threat to him. "No, of course not. If that was all, I wouldn''t be asking for help. This thing has a unique ability to reflect damage. " "I don''t know exactly how it works, but the more you hurt it, the more the damagees back to the attacker, doubled," she exined. His expression shifted from skepticism to curiosity. "Reflect damage, doubling it back?" He leaned forward, interested. "I''m curious to see how that works. That''s a very difficult skill to deal with, " he added. Lilith nodded in agreement before speaking. "It reminds me of a type of devil in Hell, known for their ability to absorb attacks and redirect them. But unlike them, this Meta Human doesn''t need to actively redirect it. The damage inflicted by the attacker automatically rebounds. ording to the reports I received, it can even bypass armor and just appear directly on the body." Reign rubbed his chin in mind. "Juggernaut" was tougher to handle than the "Numbered" . ''This world is really huge,'' he mused inwardly. ''The stronger I get, the stronger my enemies be.'' He sighed, realizing that his quest to be the strongest was far from over. "What kind of damage can it reflect?" he asked, leaning forward with growing curiosity. "Physical, energy-based, or something else?" Lilith sighed, shaking her head. "It doesn''t matter," she exined. "All attacks get redirected, whether they''re physical, energy-based, or any other type. The reports are clear, any damage you do will bounce back to you,with twice the force. It''s like hitting a mirror that hits back even harder." Reign leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "That reallyplicates things," he admitted. "I''ll need toe up with a strategy that takes this into ount. It sounds like a nightmare to deal with inbat." Lilith nodded. "That''s why I''m asking for your help. "Alright, I''ll keep this in mind," he said, standing up and gathering all the documents. He nned to study them furtherter. He tucked the documents under his arm and walked away. *** *** *** The sound of the train engine roared outside, cutting through the ck miasma. Its speed surpassed even the one he had seen before, and this one was equipped with even more defense mechanisms. Inside, it felt cozy and well-kept. There was a single bed with a blue checkered nket, a small desk, and a digital window screen showing fake footage of the world before the corruption. The screen disyed serene images of green mountains and untouched nature. Warm and inviting lighting created afortable refuge from the unsettling environment just outside. Experience tales at m v|l e''-NovelBin ''Wow, so this is the VIP lounge,'' he thought as hey down on the bed. He rode the train because of Lilith''s request. Regarding hunting Corrupteds for Dark Dust points, he decided he would wait until after they had taken over Brentwood, his next target city. This way, he could kill two birds with one stone. KNOCK ! KNOCK! KNOCK! Echoing through the cabin, a series of knocks interrupted him. "Go open it," he ordered Wick, whoy on the floor. Wick nudged it with his nose, sniffing around the handle. Finding it familiar from previous nudges, he pressed against it with enough force to utch the door. On the other sidestood a woman in a blue train uniform, pushing a tray loaded with dozens of steaks¡ªa treat he had ordered for his beloved dog. "Just put it there," he gestured to the employee. The woman nodded and ced everything on the desk. However, before leaving, she walked towards him with a nervous expression and handed him a note. He took the note, unfolding it to read its contents. "So, now I''m a private mercenary?" he chuckled, reading the note left by one of Lilith''s followers who had infiltrated the train. "I guess that girl was also part of the organization," he thought, recalling the train employee who had brought them food. He began to wonder just how many people on the train were Lilith''s henchmen. ''She''s really resourceful,'' heplimented her silently. Despite his rude attitude towards her, he could tell she had a knack for running a secret organization. In his defense, he had a habit of being straight-out rude as a way to channel his violent nature in a more controlled manner. If he didn''t do it, he feared he might lose control and start a killing spree, especially when forced to socialize too much . Sometimes people close to him forgot that he wasn''t a human pretending to be a monster, but rather a monster trying hard to act human when interacting with them. Chapter 289: Riding to the Storm After ensuring Wick was well-fed, they strolled towards the exclusive area of the train, his steps muffled by the plush carpet that ran the length of the corridor. Along the way, the interior began to transform, shifting from a contemporary style to a more elegant wooden decor. Eachpartment they passed showcased a distinct level of luxury, emphasizing that this area was exclusively reserved for the wealthy . ''Humans sure love to divide themselves, even in something as simple as traveling,'' he chuckled, observing how their behavior remained consistent regardless of the world. ''So, this is the bar? Seems like a waste of space,'' he thought to himself. The bar was a luxurious spot with a shiny wooden counter and soft velvet stools. A short t patterned ceiling light hung above, casting a warm, golden glow that made the room feel rich and inviting. The air carried the scent of whiskey and leather, creating a cozy atmosphere despite the train''s steady rumble. Discover stories with m,v l''e-NovelBin As he approached, the mahogany counter caught the ambient light from above, enhancing its eye-catching appearance. A middle age bartender, dressed in a white crisp uniform, greeted Wick with a smile before turning his attention to Reign. "What can I get for you, sir?" His voice was seasoned with a blend of courtesy and genuine interest. Reign settled onto a stool, his gaze sweeping the room as he pondered his drink. "Just a whiskey," he replied casually. He wasn''t particrly interested in drinking, but it was necessary to order one while here. It was his way of blending in and avoiding unnecessary attention. "Give me a moment, " The bartender nodded knowingly, his hands movingto pour a generous amount of dark red liquid into a ss over ice. As the bartender worked, he struck up a conversation, his tone tinged with curiosity. "I''ve never seen a pet like yours before. Is he a rare breed?" "You could say that," Reign replied with a hint of amusement, ncing down at Wick, who lounged at his feet. ''Yeah, being a demon dog is definitely rare,'' he chuckled to himself, amused that anyone could mistake his pet for a normal dog. "Here you go, Sir, " The bartender finished preparing the drink. Pretending to take a sip of his whiskey, he nced around, absorbing theyout and the constant murmur of conversations. The bar was pretty big, featuring not only the one where he sat but also another at the far end. Between them were tables, including poker tables where patrons gathered for games. Despite the possibility of the train being attacked at any moment, the wealthy passengers remained unconcerned, focused on ying games and spending money as if there were no danger at all, which struck him as both funny and disappointing. "Mind if I join you?" His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a man in a formal ck zer. The individual had dark gray, neatly styled hair, slicked back slightly. His eyes were sharp and piercing, a deep ck that made him look way younger than he was. His jawline was strong too and well-defined, giving him amanding presence. "So you''re Mr. Rain," he remarked in a friendly voice.. "I''m Lucas. Lilith mentioned you''d be apanying me to Brentwood as my bodyguard,." "Yeah, that''s me," Reign confirmed with a small nod. "Miss Lilith wasn''t exaggerating when she said you looked tough," Lucas continued, his eyes observing himfrom top to bottom. Reign controlled his violent tendency, recalling from Lilith''s note that the man in front of him was his ticket into Brentwood, a city now tightly guarded due to the rising numbers of corrupteds in the area, as well as reports of a "Numbered" sighting. "How do you n to get through the city''s defenses? This train just stops at the closest city," Reign cut to the chased. Lucas was taken aback by Reign''s straightforward character, but he didn''t dislike this type of personality. "We''ve arranged for a private train waiting in Rosewood," Lucas exined confidently. "Loaded with the weapons and ammunitionI intend to sell in Brentwood." Leaning forward slightly, Reign''s interest deepened. "And how do you n to pass the horde of corrupted?" Lucas chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "I''ve secured the support of powerful allies. Together, we''ll carve a path into Brentwood." Curious about their strategy, Reign asked, "So why do you want me to guard you?" "An extrayer of security never hurts," Lucas replied, signaling for a drink of his own. "And I''ve heardmendable things about Lilith''s associates. You, in particr, are reputed to be the strongest." ''So she''s been telling everyone I''m her henchman?'' Reign sighed, displeased by her actions. He made a mental note to teach her a lesson after he returned. But for now, he had to reluctantly y his role. "Don''t worry, I''ll keep you safe. She wasn''t lying when she said I''m the strongest," he replied with a bored tone, ying the role of a seasoned mercenary. Lucas nodded, a glint of respect in his eyes. "d to hear it. Together, we''ll make a great team. " he dered, raising his ss in a silent toast. In response, Reign also raised his ss in a gesture of agreement, deciding to y along for now. Their conversation flowed effortlessly as they discussed ns and contingencies, the train''s gentle sway beneath them a steady reminder of their journey''s. In the middle of their discussion, a woman with short brown hair approached their counter, her demeanor was normal. "Mr. Lucas, thank you for including me in your n," she greeted warmly. Lucas smiled warmly in return. "It''s my pleasure, Ms. Emy. Biogen is one of my most reliable customers. So this is the least I could do," he replied graciously. "Care to join us for a drink?" he asked. "I won''t say no," Emy replied with a nod, taking a seat beside him. "A martini, please," she requested politely, her gaze shifting from the bartender to Reign with genuine interest. "And who might this gentleman be?" she asked. "Rain. He''s my bodyguard," Lucas introduced. Emy''s eyes twinkled with curiosity as she observed Reign. "Oh, so you''re the one keeping us safe," she giggled. "You must be pretty powerful." Reign paused, catching the hint of sarcasm in her voice, which annoyed him. "Yeah, I can handle everyone," he responded bluntly, his tone honest rather than boastful. Emy blinked a couple of times in shock at his deration, but her expression quickly turned calm as she assessed him, She understood the implications behind his words¡ªwords that spoke volumes about his capabilities without the need for embellishment. But she was curious whether he was telling the truth or not. "Perfect. I''ve also hired three Divergents as bodyguards, and they im to be quite strong. Would you like to spar?" she asked, attempting to test him. "Inside the train? This ce will get messed up," Reign shook his head, feeling no obligation to prove himself to her. "Are you perhaps afraid of losing? You said you can handle everyone, right?" she challenged, her tone shifting from calm to haughty. Reign did not appreciate her attitude, feeling a strong urge to kill her if not for the mission at hand. Chapter 290: Testing the Waters "Alright, I''ll humor you. So, how do you propose wepete? Don''t tell that you want us to fight in this cramped space?" Reign replied confidently. "I can do that, but it would be bad if I sent your cheap bodyguard flying a few feet and ended up breaking the furniture. I''m pretty sure those things are more valuable than him." He added. His words were meant to stir things up. He wanted pushed their buttons, eager to see how far they could go. This challenge wasn''t just about showing his strength; it was about letting out his irritation and making them regret underestimating him. Emy narrowed her eyes at histaunting words. She crossed her arms, trying to stay calm despite the tension building up. "Fine," she replied, her voice steady but tinged with annoyance. "We''ll wait until the next stop where there''s more space. Let''s see if your confidence holds up," "Oh, this is getting interesting," Lucas chimed in, his voice carrying across the bar. The other patrons paused in their conversations, intrigued by the unfolding challenge. "How about we ce some bets?" one man suggested, clearly fascinated by this turn of events. "Alright, I''ll bet 1,000,000 credits on my bodyguard. Alfonso,e here," Emy dered. A tall, dark-skinned man, closed to seven feet tall, stood beside her. He had an impressive physique, and even though he wore a coat, it was clear that he had a lot of muscles beneath it. "Only 1,000,000 credits? I didn''t know a representative of BioGen Corporation could be this poor," Reign said, shaking his head. "I''ll bet on myself¡ª10,000,000 credits!" he dered confidently. Lilith had given him 10 million credits as pocket money. He didn''t really need it, but she insisted Emy''s eyes widened in surprise at his bold bet. She hadn''t expected him to be so confident and assertive. She had only intended to test the waters because she suspected Reign might be a spy. Who would have thought that instead of keeping a low profile, he would make himself the center of attention? A spy wouldn''t behave in such a manner. "I..." She paused, feeling the urge to retract her earlier challenge. However, the crowd in the bar began cheering and cing bets, escting the situation to the point where backing down would be embarrassing. "Very well," she said, swallowing her hesitation. "Let''s see if you can back up that confidence." The bar buzzed with excitement as everyone reacted to the challenge. People exchanged eager nces, and the murmur of conversations grew louder. "Did you hear that? Tenmillion credits!" one man eximed, eyes wide with astonishment. "This is going to be one hell of a show," another chimed in, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. Some patrons started pulling out their credit chips, ready to ce their own bets. "I''m putting my money on the big guy, Alfonso!" shouted a burly man near the poker table. "No way, I''m betting on the MercenaryAnyone who throws down Ten million credits has to be confident for a reason," a woman said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. The bartender, wiping down sses, shook his head with a grin. "Looks like things are about to get interesting." Lucas leaned back, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "I''ll match that bet, I''ll go with my boy" he dered. Another businessman, overhearing the challenge, called out his own bet, adding to the mounting stakes. Emy, though internally conflicted, maintained herposed exterior. She nced at Alfonso, who gave a nod of assurance. The tension and excitement in the room were visible, setting the stage for an unforgettable confrontation. "I hope you don''t get cold feetter," Reign chuckled, his tone dripping with contempt. They had started this feud, and now he was determined to finish it. Who gave her the idea to act so arrogant in front of a Demon Lord? Alfonso stepped forward, ring at him. "Don''t be too arrogant, Mercenary" he warned, his voice steady and menacing. "You might regret it." Alfonso crossed his muscr arms, standing tall and imposing. "I''ve seen a lot of tough guyse and go. Confidence is one thing, but overconfidence? That can be dangerous." Reign met his gaze without flinching. "We''ll see about that," he replied with a nonchnt tone. "I don''t get scared easily." With that, both parties came to an agreement, and their fight quickly became the talk of the masses. Conversations buzzed through the train, echoing through the elegant cabins. In one of the more luxuriouspartments, a group of well-dressed passengers discussed Emy''s bodyguard''s impressive background. "Did you hear about Alfonso?" a man whispered, leaning in closer to hispanions. "He used to be a tinum member of Veiled Nights. He was so close to reaching Diamond in a Tier 2 city before." A middle age woman nodded admiringly"I heard about that. They say he was one of the best, known for hisstrength and unmatchedbat skills. No wonder the representative of BioGen hired him as her bodyguard." Another passenger chimed in, "It makes you wonder how strong Lucas body guard must be to challenge someone like Alfonso. This is going to be an interesting fight." Simr conversations unfolded throughout the train. In the dining car, a group of businessmen spected on the uing sh. "I''ve seen Alfonso in action before," one man said, slicing his steak. "He''s not just strong, he''s smart. This Mercenary must have a death wish." Hispanion, sipping a ss of wine, shook his head. "Or he''s got something up his sleeve. Either way, it''s going to be quite the show." In another cabin, a couple of gamblers excitedly ced their bets. "I''m putting my money on Alfonso," one of them said, counting his chips. "A guy with his track record? No way he loses." "Don''t be so sure," his friend replied, leaning back in his seat. "The Mercenary seems confident for a reason. He might just surprise us all." As the train sped towards its next destination, the anticipation grew with every passing mile. The uing fight between Reign and Alfonso became the main thing everyone talked about, making the train buzz with excitement in every part. Meanwhile, Reign was lounging in his cabin, rxed and unconcerned about the uing fight. There was no way he would lose to an Ex-tinum Divergent, or even hundreds of them. To him, defeating such a weak opponent would be as simple as snapping a chicken''s neck. And he wasn''t the only one confident in the oue. Lucas began cing bets left and right, while even Lilith''s hidden followers wagered on Reign to earn some extra pocket money. "A bet?" A woman with jet-ck hair and piercing ck eyes raised her eyebrows after overhearing the rumors circting. Her unique appearance stood out, so she covered her face with sses and a hoodie. But beneath the hood and sses, she had wless skin, small eyes, and cute lips that gave her a youthful appearance, despite being 25 years old¡ªamon trait among people of her race. "Yes, Seki-sama," her male body guard bowed respectfully. He shared her jet-ck hair and small eyes, and also wore a cover to hide his face. Chapter 291: Gathering of Agendas "What kind of bet, Nobu-san?" she asked, her tone respectful despite her higher status. Respect for the elders was deeply ingrained in their culture, a sign of their disciplined upbringing. "Seki-sama, someone called Alfonso, an Ex-tinum Mercenary, is fighting an unknown individual," Oda Nobu answered. He wore a simple ck jacket with a minimalist design, his appearance reflecting his straightforward nature. They came from an ind nation in the Far East, one of the few ces that had not yet been conquered by the Demons. The East was known for its tough and strong willed people who never gave up, even when things were really hard. "tinum? Is that rank renowned for their strength, Nobu-san?" she inquired, showing her unfamiliarity with Western rankings. Having been sheltered in a temple, her exposure tomon knowledge beyond spiritual teachings and martial arts was limited. The concept of this new hierarchical rankings in Western territories, particrly regardingbat power, was intriguing to her. "Seki-sama, their rankings here are also unfamiliar to me, but observing the battle will allow me to gauge theirbat power," he responded without sounding too confident. Coming from a family of Shinobi, he held the rank of Master, but even he was unsure how he would fare against a tinum Rank. It wasn''t because he doubted his own skills; rather, his culture ced a high value on respect and honor. In his training and doctrine, he had learned that underestimating an enemy was a grave mistake. He understood that withoutprehensive knowledge, making assumptions could lead to catastrophic failures. ''To know your enemy is to be prepared; to underestimate him is to invite defeat.'' he muttered to himself. "Very well, Nobu-san, let us observe. I am curious to witness the ability of those from the West as well," she nodded in agreement. People might think that the Easterners were weak because they had lost much of their territory to the demons, but that was far from the truth. In reality, the demons had focused on the East first because it was a ce where even a simple drunkard could be a formidable martial artist. And despite the Demon''s aggressive invasion, some nations still stood strong, showcasing their enduring strength and readiness for battle. These nations had a collective power that was in no way inferior to the numerous cities of the West. Unlike their western counterparts, the people of the East had higher averagebat power because their environment was more brutal. While the West had the luxury of time to develop, the East was forged through bloodshed and endless war, a ce akin to hell where resources were scarce, and only the strongest survived. There was a famous saying in their hometown: ''Where life is more terrible than death, it is then the truest valor to dare to live.'' "I think it''s wise decision, Seki-sama," Nobu nodded in agreement, sharing her curiosity. He was equally eager to observe their abilities firsthand. "Speaking ofbat power, do you find their Demon yerscking in strength, Nobu-san?" she asked, her voice devoid of any hint of mockery, just recounting what she had observed during the incident in Green Valley. She had been present when a wolf demon rampaged on the highway. Despite the fight being rtively easy, she found their techniques severelycking inpetence and discipline needed to fully unleash their potential. "Seki-sama, they''re called Demon Hunters here, and yes, I believe those fighters we saw before were weakerpared to our Demon yers. Their use of the Breathing Technique is an embarrassment to our ancestor, Satoshi-san," he sighed, expressing his disappointment in the contrast in skill and respect for traditional techniques between their cultures. "But we can''t judge solely based on what we saw. I''ve heard that Tier 1 cities have individuals powerful enough to match our Demon yers," he added. "Well, I hope they prove stronger than our assumptions, or humanity may truly be doomed, Nobu-san," she sighed, unconvinced by fighters who merely copied their techniques. Nobu remained silent, understanding her perspective well. He had not been impressed by the Demon Hunters in Green Valley as well;paring them to the Demon yers of their nation was likeparing a pebble to a gemstone. However, he knew that underestimating the Hunters just because some of them were weak would be foolish. "By the way, Seki-sama, I''m uncertain if it''s appropriate for me to ask, but what exactly are we searching for?" he asked cautiously. He hesitated to pry but believed that having a general idea might help in their search. She paused, considering Nobu''s loyalty to her n. Hehailed from a lineage of loyal shinobi, his family having served faithfully for generations under her family''s banner. After a brief moment, she decided to share the details with him. "We are here to investigate leads regarding a pair of relics, Nobu-san," she exined. "There are rumors suggesting they may have been smuggled into this region. Our objective is to determine who took them and get them back." "A pair of relics, Seki-sama?" he repeated. "It''s important for our people''s survival. Sadly, some greedy individuals only saw them as two expensive-looking pendants, Nobu-san," she sighed. "Do you believe it''s linked to the recent surge in Corrupted activity around here, Seki-sama?" he asked, his tone reflecting concern. "It''s possible, Nobu-san," she nodded, her eyes narrowing in thought. Those pendants were made to store a single soul, which goes against the natural order. It could very well be the cause of all this. If that was the case, then Brentwood was their best bet. As Seki and Nobu discussed their next steps, they finalized their n to investigate Brentwood thoroughly. They knew they had to tread carefully in unfamiliar territory. "Perhaps we should consider hiring a Westerner, Seki-sama," he suggested, acknowledging the practicality of seeking assistance. She hesitated, uncertain about involving outsiders in their mission. "But how can we be certain of their trustworthiness, Nobu-san?" she questioned, her brow furrowing with concern. He reassured her calmly, "Seki-sama, we can keep our intentions a secret and reveal only what''s necessary. A trusted individual could offer invaluable insights without attracting unwanted attention." She nodded slowly, recognizing the wisdom in his words. "Very well, Nobu-san. Let''s proceed carefully and find someone who knows Brentwood well but can keep our mission confidential." As the train continued its journey, various agendas began to form among its passengers¡ªnot just theirs. Many others where here for a purpose, all converging on onemon destination: Brentwood. But despite the tension brewing on the horizon, one person was sound asleep in his bed, his dog resting on his stomach out of sheer boredom from waiting. "Is it still far?" Reign asked aloud, itching to stretch his wings but holding himself back. "Woof! Woof! Woof!" Wick barked yfully. "You''re hungry again? Want to go grab dinner?" he asked. "Woof," Wick replied, tongue out. "Alright, let''s go to the Diner," he chuckled and gestured Wick to follow. As they walked through the long corridor, he noticed two mysterious individuals wearing hoodies and sunsses. ''What a bunch of weirdos,'' he thought to himself. Then, with a sudden realization, he burst outughing¡ªrealizing he, too, was wandering around with a blindfold on. Chapter 292: Grand Entrance "Did you see that, Nobu-san?" Seki asked, her attention focused on the person with a dog who had just passed by them. "Yes, Seki-Sama," he replied, a bead of sweat dripping from his forehead. "That person''s movements were too fluid. I could tell he was very skilled just by the way he walked." As a ninja specializing in stealth and covert missions, Nobu was used to encountering other skilled shinobi. But he hadn''t heard a single footstep. Then, a realization struck him. "Seki-Sama, that person matches the description of the unknown fighter who will fight Alfonso!" "Are you sure, Nobu-san?" she asked skeptically. "I''m sure, Seki-Sama." "If the person we saw is going to face off against a well known tinum Mercenary, just how strong is this Alfonso?" she pondered aloud. *** *** *** Read thetest on m_v-l''e|-NovelBin Reign ordered 2 dozens of steaks and fed them to Wick, pretending to eat one himself to maintain his disguise among the patrons. "This tastes terrible," he grumbled, clearly displeased. He wished they served something better than this; like human meat. Meanwhile, Wick seemed to enjoy the meal. ''You have really low standards,'' Reign sighed, finding his pet too domesticated. ''I''ll have to toughen him upter.'' If Wick was to be his battlepanion, he needed him to be ruthless and effective when needed. Reign recalled the three-headed dog and the Demon Wolf he had encountered before. He desired a bad-ass mount like them. Since Wick was his only pet and he cherished him deeply, Reign wanted him to be stronger. To achieve this, he nned to train his pet through livebat and by feeding him ample human targets. He also had ess to the System Store, where he could purchase items to elerate Wick''s growth. ''Speaking of which, I wonder what would happen if I added another DNA to him. Like the DNA of a Bat Demon¡ªwould he grow wings and be able to fly?'' he mused, eyeing Wick, his imagination racing. ''Hey system, can Ibine multiple DNAs in one organism?'' he asked eagerly, seeking rification. [System: Affirmative, but the host needs to findpatible DNA. Too much difference could lead to mutation or death.] ''I thought as much,'' he nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the system''s response. Enhancing Wick with additional DNA to unlock new abilities intrigued him, but he understood the risks involved. He resolved to research and n carefully before attempting anything that could harm his belovedpanion. As he contemted the possibilities, the train''s announcement interrupted his thoughts. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are now approaching the next stop. You will have a 30-minute break at the underground station before continuing our journey," the train driver''s voice echoed through the carriage. ''Oh, it''s time to deal with that woman and her bodyguard,'' a sadistic smile crept onto his lips. ''Finally, a chance to relieve some stress. I hope he''s strong enough not to disappoint me too much,'' he added with a smirk. *** *** *** The passengers interested in the battle wasted no time and immediately gathered to watch. Even the guards depending the underground station were curious, joining the crowd under the cold tunnel lights. Excited whispers filled the air as everyone waited for the showdown between Alfonso and Reign. They stood back at a safe distance, knowing even a spar could cause a lot damage. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation as they prepared to witness two formidable individuals face off. "He''s here!" a spectator shouted, pointing at Alfonso who now wore a grayish-ck power armor covering his entire body up to his neck. Its flexibility was evident in how easily he moved. "Damn, that''s the FLEX Defender from SPARK Corporation!" another spectator eximed. "It''s thetest model judging by the design. BioGen doesn''t cut corners with their bodyguards." "Isn''t that the one that costs 40,000,000 credits?" another chimed in. "Yeah, that''s the one." "Wow, Alfonso is really going all out. I think this is going to be a bloody battle," one spectator remarked. "Yeah, no kidding. Someone might end up dead today, and I''m pretty sure it won''t be my boy Alfonso," another man, looking slightly intoxicated,ughed loudly. He had bet 5,000,000 credits in favor of Alfonso. When Alfonso reached the center, another bodyguard brought a long ck briefcase and ced it on the ground. He opened it, revealing an impressive weapon: a massive, double-edged sword with a unique design. When held by the handle in the middle, it looked as if the wielder was holding two swords with one hand¡ª one de pointing up and the other down. The broad, angr des were etched with intricate geometric designs, giving the weapon an air of power. Its metallic surface had a weathered, battle-worn appearance, hinting at its extensive use in countless battles. The hilt, located at the midpoint of the des, was crafted with ornate golden details, providing both elegance and a secure grip. Eager to disy his strength, Alfonso raised the weapon and spun it, causing it to blur as it generated wind . The dual des rotated rapidly, creating a visual effect like a helicopter rotor, showcasing both his power and the weapon''s lethal potential. The hum of the weapon alone made everyone gulp, their mouths dry with anticipation. Some spectators who had bet on Reign were now having doubts. No matter how they looked at it, Alfonso clearly had the advantage with both his weapon and armor. His power armor and formidable double-edged sword looked like an unfairbination against any opponent. "He''s here too!" One spectator broke the silence, pointing to a figure walking alongside his dog. Unlike Alfonso''s grand entrance, Reign appeared in the same casual clothing as before, showing no sign of any power armor. "Is he nning to fight like that?" spectators murmured anxiously, especially those who had bet on him. "He''s not even wearing a power armor? That''s suicide!" someone eximed, their disbelief turning to frustration. "I think he''s throwing the fight!" one man eximed angrily. "Hey, give me back my money!" Lucas sensed the tension among the crowd and stepped forward to calm their concerns. "Hey, don''t jump to conclusions. My bodyguard''s strategy is different. He''s a speed type, relying on agility and quick attack rather than armor." "I don''t know, man. Alfonso looks like a walking fortress over there," another remarked skeptically. Lucas nodded . "I get it, but trust me, my bodyguard knows what he''s doing. His techniques are unconventional, but really effective." "But what if he gets hit? He''s toast! Alfonso''s weapon can cleave a metal in half !" a voice shouted, growing more agitated. Lucas raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Look, I''m just as invested as you are, but my bodyguard got this. Let''s give him a chance to show us what he''s capable of." The crowd grumbled with uncertainty, torn between faith in Reign''s unorthodox approach and fear of losing their bets. As tension mounted, all eyes remained fixed on the uing sh, waiting to see how this daring gamble would unfold. Reign ignored the crowd noise and walked confidently towards his designated spot. As he approached, he nced at his daring opponent, slightly tilting his head up due to the height difference between them. "You look like a garbage bin ," Reign pointed out bluntly. Chapter 293: Snapped and Triggered Alfonso''s smug smile turned into a snarl as he stepped forward, the FLEX Defender synchronizing with his movements. "You dare insult me? Where''s your pride as a Mercenary?" he growled, his voice echoing through the tunnel. "I don''t have any," Reign said, shaking his head. "But that''s not important. You should put your visor, or this will be too easy." "Or are you using your ugly face as a distraction? Well yed." Reign pped his hands, further mocking his opponent. Reign aimed to shatter Alfonso''s pride and teach him that some mountains were too high to ovee. "Take out your weapon so I can beat the crap out of you," Alfonso growled, ring as he prepared his stance. "Alright, but put on your helmet first," Reign said sarcastically. The Divergent gritted his teeth, anger burning in his eyes. "You¡ª" he began, his voice trembling with rage. He was about to snap when Emy intervened "Alfonso, calm down," she said firmly, holding up his metallic visor. "Put this on." He grabbed it from her, ring at Reign before putting it on. CLICK! The helmet clicked into ce,pleting his full gear armor . His body was now fully protected, the helmet gleaming under the industrial lights. Fully equipped and ready, he felt more confident about winning this fight. The helmet was equipped with advanced AIbat technology that could predict attack trajectories after analyzing the opponent. It was still in beta stage at SPARK Corporation, but BioGen obtained it due to their close rtionship. "There you go, now you look even more like a trash can." Reign chuckled louder. "Keep talking shit," Alfonso growled from behind his helmet. "When I''m done with you, no one will be able to recognize that smug face of yours." He tightened his grip on his big weapon, his eyes narrowing as he focused his mind, ready for the fight. "Now draw your weapon!" Alfonso ordered impatiently, expecting Reign to draw a dagger. "Before we start, I want to set some rules and rify something," Reign suggested, turning his gaze towards Emy. "What?, you''re not suggesting a handicap, are you?" Alfonso sneered in disdain. "Of course not. It will make the fight boring and too easy. I just want this fight to be a battle to the death, and make it more fun and exciting," Reign replied arrogantly. Emy''s eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively tightening on her chest. "You can''t be serious," she protested, "This is just a spar, " Alfonso''s expression also darkened, his jaw tightening. "You''re ying with fire," he warned. "You two are the ones who challenged me in the first ce while I was just minding my own business," Reign shook his head, acting like he was the victim . "And now you''re saying that I''m ying with fire? Or are you afraid that you''ll lose despite all the tech you have in your body?" he added his voiceced with disdain. Emy''s brows furrowed with worry as she watched the two. She had never imagined things would escte to this level. She had underestimated how impulsive and erratic Reign could be. She stepped forward, her voice urgent. "This isn''t a game. I didn''t expect..." "Stop!" Alfonso cut her off with a wave of his hand before pointing his de forward "Enough talk. It''s time to settle this once and for all," he said, his voice firm and annoyed. His grip tightened around his weapon as he steeled himself. Seeing that her bodyguard had been provoked by Reign''s taunts, Emy sighed deeply. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, concealed item, her expression one of reluctance. "Use this if something unexpected happens," she instructed, her voice low and secretive . Alfonso took the object from her and examined it closely. It was a small pill. "I''m ready. Now take out your weapon!" Alfonso raised his weapon, pointing therge de forward. "Alright," Reign nodded and pulled something out of his pocket, which elicited gasps of surprise from everyone.In his hand was a steak knife. Alfonso''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Is this a joke?" The spectators also exchanged bewildered looks, unsure whether tough or be concerned. One muttered, "A steak knife? Seriously?" Even Emy couldn''t hide her astonishment. She whispered to Alfonso though the ear-piece , "He''s taunting you. Don''t let him get to your head, " Reign twirled his weapon of choice between his fingers nonchntly. "You said weapon, didn''t you?" His smirk grew wider as he continued to toy with the knife, clearly enjoying the reaction he was getting. Alfonso''s face turned sour with anger and disbelief. "Are you mocking me?" he spat out. "What makes you say that?" Reign asked, feigning ignorance. "You will regret this!" Alfonso roared in anger, and dashed forward without waiting for any signal. He swung his double-edged de downward with force, aiming to break through his opponent''s defenses The steel gleamed as it descended, the sheer force behind the blow threatening to break through any resistance. However, it was easily dodged by Reign who sidestep to the left. Alfonso anticipated that his initial attack would be evaded, so he quickly twisted his wrist and swung the de horizontally, not allowing his opponent any break. But Reign just casually leaped back, effortlessly dodging the iing de. ''That''s it, get angry. I''ll let you think you''re winning first, and then I''ll show you hell when you realize I''ve just been toying with you, ''Reign chuckled sadistically. ''And when the timees, I''ll make you beg for your life.'' He muttered menacingly, excited in the psychological torment he would unleashed slowly. His vengeful nature had been triggered, and all the taunting was just his way of holding back from killing his opponent too quickly. If he hadn''t been venting his frustrations and distracting himself by taunting his opponent, he would have lost control of his emotions much earlier. "Stop dodging !" Alfonso''s eyes glinted with killing intent as he tightened his grip on the double-edged de, the weight of the weapon looked insignificant in his hands. Without hesitation, he closed the distance again, moving with a speed that defied his size. The massive de whistled through the air in a deadly vertical arc. Reign, armed with nothing more than a steak knife, dodged the iing assault. His movements were too simple, narrowly avoiding the attack that could have easily cleaved a weaker opponent in half. Alfonso wasn''t done yet. Learning from his mistake, he threw a punch with his free hand, but Reign dodged it by tilting his head Undeterred, he tried a new approach, alternating between punches and swings of his weapon. Each time, Reign managed to evade the attacks at thest possible moment. The nonstop pattern of dodging only fueled his frustration as he struggled tond a hit. ''Shit, no wonder he is really arrogant.. I have to admit, he''s good at dodging.''Alfonso thought to himself. ''But if that''s the only thing you can do, then your fate is sealed when you face someone like me!'' he added fiercely as he continued to swing his weapon. The design of his de made his attacks hard to predict. Unfortunately, one unique weapon wasn''t enough to be a real threat for someone with Reign''s caliber. Chapter 294: A Foolish Challenge CLANG! The sound of steel meeting asphalt echoed through the air as Alfonso''s double edge de struck the ground, sending sparks flying. Reign had dodged just in time, the de missing his head by inches. He took advantage of the brief pause, darting in with his steak knife to sh at Alfonso''s side. But the veteran Divergent was ready. He pivoted on his heel, bringing the hilt of his sword up in a counter-strike. CLANG! The knife struck only the hilt. Alfonso didn''t waste any time. His de sliced through the air, missing Reign''s face by inches before he could jump backwards. Hended a few feet away, his eyes never leaving Alfonso, who was already preparing for the next attack. "That almost got me," Reign remarked, his words contrasting with the confident smile on his face. SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! Alfonso pressed the attack, his sword a blur of motion. He swung it overhead, then abruptly twisted his wrist to reversed the direction, the other end of the weapon arcing up in a devastating uppercut. Reign twisted his body to the side, feeling the rush of air as the sword narrowly missed him again. Rolling across the ground, Reign rose to one knee just in time to see Alfonso charging toward him, determined not to give him a breather. SLASH! Reign dodged to the side and jumped away, ensuring he had plenty of space between them. "FIGHT! FIGHT ! FIGHT! The tunnel reverberated with the crowd''s thunderous cheers, their voices blending into a lively chorus of support for the armored Divergent. "Alfonso, you got this!" echoed through the air, apanied by enthusiastic ps and stomping feet. "Finish him off!" cried one spectator, their voice rising above the rest. "Show him what you''re made of!" shouted another, their excitement visible in their faces. "Don''t let him dodge you like that!" came a frustrated yell, highlighting the growing impatience with his opponent''s evasive tactics. "Knock him out!" roared a voice from the back, urging him to deliver a decisive blow. In the middle of the cheers, an angry and frustrated shouts echoed. "Stop dodging, you coward!" "Is that all you can do? You''re wasting our time!" Their frustration with Reign''s strategy was evident. But Reign ignored their words and kept dodging. He made it look like their skills were evenly matched so he could enjoy watching his opponent struggle even more. Finally, Alfonso reached his limit. His armor began to hum, and mist started flowing upwards from its joints. The visor of his helmet turned a menacing red, signaling that he was unleashing the full power of his power armor. FLEX Defender, like any other advanced armor, had the ability to enhance the user''s base stats Specifically for this model, the Flex Defender had the ability to increase the user''s stats by 80%, which was a huge boost. This meant his strength, speed, and endurance were nearly doubled, giving him a major advantage inbat. The spectators watched in anticipation, realizing that the battle was about to escte to a new level of intensity. "So you''re finally getting serious," Reign uttered while spinning the steak knife in his hand. BOOM! Alfonso''s first step was so powerful that it created a small dent in the ground from the sheer force. In no time, he closed the gap between them. His de shed , cutting through the air in a diagonal arc towards the left hip. Reign managed to dodge, but the next series of attacks came even faster. Alfonso even added spins to his strikes, mixing in agile punches and kicks, varying his attacks. It demonstrated Alfonso''s experience and versatility. With the added power of the armor, hisbat ability far exceeded what it had been when he was with the Veiled Nights. At this moment, he was already at the level of Diamond Rank. SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! Reign, who had been holding back, felt pushed to his current limits. It was getting harder and harder for him to contain his own power. Alfonso''s nonstop attacks and the power armor''s enhancements were proving to be a real challenge. "Not bad," Reignmented, acknowledging his opponent as the strongest Divergent he had faced so far. "But it''s not enough," he shook his head, a taunting smirk ying on his lips. As Alfonso went for another wide strike, Reign seized the opportunity. He closed the distance in a blink, aiming for a quick blow to the chest . "Idiot, I already predicted that," Alfonso sneered in contempt. Hisbat AI had already finished analyzing Reign''s movements, speed, agility, and other statistics. He saw the attacking from miles away, baiting him into making a move. "Die," Alfonso roared, redirecting his de to strike the head. But before the de could connect, Reign twisted and spun his body in an unexpected manner,pletely evading the attack. Then, he kicked Alfonso hard in the stomach, sending the armored divergent flying. To prevent himself from being thrown off, Alfonso hastily plunged his weapon into the ground. "You''re not the only one who can predict attacks, but minees more naturally," Reign remarked sharply, twirling his knife to taunt his opponent further. His Raven Eye ability normally struggled against extremely fast opponent like the shy hunter from before, but Alfonso''s slower speed made it easy to foresee movements. Alfonso got back on his feet. He hadn''t been knocked down because he couldn''t handle the blow, but simply due to his footing. But, in that moment, he recognized that his opponent was skilled not just in evasion. "I won''t underestimate you again!" Alfonso steadied himself and adjusted his stance. "This time, I''ll put an end to you for good." Heunched another attack, aiming to catch his opponent off guard. But Reign was prepared. He met his charge, skillfully dodging each strike and countering effectively. Both of them were predicting each other''s moves, but Reign was faster and more agile. ''What''s happening? Every time my Combat AI finishes readjusting, he gets faster,'' Alfonso clicked his tongue in annoyance.It felt like his opponent was deliberately restraining himself. ''Could his real speed be faster?'' he wondered, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead as he realized that his opponent was aplete mystery. But stopping now wasn''t an option. He had to push harder; he was confident in his stamina, so he decided to wear down his opponent first. However-- Alfonso''s attacks grew more desperate as he tried to find a gap. Meanwhile, Reign remained calm and chill, exploiting every opportunity to strike back. CLANG! In a critical moment, Alfonso''s helmet saved him from a potentially deadly blow.Catching his breath, he realized he needed to change his approach if he wanted to win this duel. But Reign didn''t give him a moment''s rest.He continued to attack the armor nonstop. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! While each individual strike was not strong enough to break through the armor, their sheer number gradually pushed Alfonso back. ''Shit, what''s that knife made of?!'' Alfonso cursed inwardly, frustrated that despite his opponent wielding a kitchen utensil , he was being pushed back like a bitch. He started to wonder whether the steak knife was actually a disguised super advanced weapon. Chapter 295: Unstable CLANG! After continuous use, the steak knife finally bent to the point of being useless. Alfonso felt relieved that it was just an ordinary knife after all, but his relief was short-lived when Reign delivered another kick that sent him staggering back five steps, despite his attempt to block it with his weapon. "Come on, do you think I only brought one weapon?" Reign mocked. He reached into his pocket, and everyone anticipated he would reveal his true weapon. Instead, to further taunt Alfonso, he pulled out another steak knife. "This is more than enough for someone like you," Reign sneered. His insulting words struck his opponent''s pride. With a furious roar, Alfonso spat back, "You Bastard!!" His attacks grew fiercer, driven by anger. Each swing of his de was aimed to kill in one shot. But as his emotions clouded his judgment, he began to be more open for attacks. Reign seized the opportunity, exploiting the gaps .He struck at the armor from different angles, ensuring each blow was precisely calcted to just leave a dent rather than fatally wound the divergent. Reign was like a lion savoring the hunt before delivering the final blow to his prey. CLANG! Another strikended, and this time Alfonso felt it deeply. Reign had finally breached the armor. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! The frequency of Reign''s attacks intensified, each blow chipping away at the defensed. Though the wounds were superficial and non-threatening, they revealed the disparity in power between the twobatants. ''I can''t hold back anymore,'' Alfonso gritted his teeth. He had wanted to save this mode for something more important, but his enemy''s strength left him no choice. Inside his armor, there was a serum created by BioGen to enhance the power of Divergents. This was why he chose to work for them instead of remaining a mercenary. He understood that even if he reached the ck Rank, he would still be weaker than Hunters that he despised . To make up for this, he opted to sign a contract with the corporation. "I can''t believe I''m forced to this point. I admit, you''re strong, someone who''s already on the brink of reaching ck Rank." He admitted. The crowd was shocked to hear his deration. He had just announced that his opponent was close to reaching the pinnacle rank of a Mercenary. Normally, they wouldn''t believe it so easily because ck Rank was almost nonexistent in Tier 3 cities. However, after witnessing Reign dominate the battle with a steak knife, they began to believe that the im was true. "Is he going to give up the fight?" one of the spectators asked. "Probably, I mean he just admitted that his opponent was stronger," another replied. "Yeah, but what about our bets?" The crowd erupted into a heated debate about what would happen next. Reign stood back, allowing his opponent a moment to breathe. "I won''t hold back just because youplimented me," he said. "Me neither. I prepared this just in case I needed to teach a hunter a lesson, but you''re as annoying as they are, so be prepared," Alfonso retorted, then activated the serum. A needle pierced the back of his neck, and the drug took effect immediately. "AGGGHHHH!" he groaned, overwhelmed by the side effects. His armor shook as his muscles expanded, stretching the flexible metallic fabric but not tearing it. "This is my strongest form, and right now I have the strength to contend even with a double-digit Hunter," he dered confidently. "Contend with a double-digit? With just that?" Reign burst intoughter at his opponent deration. He continuedughing, clutching his stomach out of habit. "Hey, have you ever fought a Double Digit before?" Alfonso fell silent. He hadn''t faced one, and Reign''sughter made him more irritated. "You talk like you''ve fought one," Alfonso replied, his grip tightening on his weapon. "Fought one?" Reign paused, finding it amusing that Alfonso questioned someone who had already killed too many to count. "Stop talking nonsense. Let''s end this," Alfonso dered, his voice now deeper due to the drugs. Reign''sughter stopped. "Alright, I believe it''s time to finish this." Pretending to take a deep breath, the exaggerated suction sound of air reverberated through the tunnel. As he exhaled, an unexpected scene yed¡ªsparks of blue electricity crackled across his entire body, casting an erratic glow around him. "My god! He''s a Hunter!" eximed someone in the crowd. The spectators all started talking after witnessing the used of a breathing technique. "Was that a Hunter''s move?" one asked. "Yeah, that''s iconic for them," another replied. ''I knew it. They all assumed I was one,'' Reign mused inwardly. He had picked up on their earlier conversation¡ªAlfonso''s disdain for Hunters. To rub salt in the wound, he decided to y along and pretend to be one himself. The Divergent was taken aback by this turn of events. His enemy was actually a Hunter, and what shocked him even more was that no breathing techniques had been used prior. It became clear that Reign had been toying with him all along. He gritted his teeth in anger. Alfonso harbored a deep hatred towards Hunters because he had once aspired to be one himself.But he was told that Divergent like him couldn''t practice breathing techniques. This discrimination pushed many like him into mercenary work. In his view, being a Divergent didn''t make him any less capable than a Hunter. He believed it was all driven by political agendas and biases that perpetuated this unjust perception. ''I can''t lose here. This is my time to prove that I''m not inferior!'' he steeled his resolve and took out the pill that Emy had given him. "No, don''t use it," Emy warned. "This is enough. I admit my mistake, and we are surrendering," she admitted, her tone now more humble. She could already predict the oue of this battle after seeing the arcs of electricity. Lightning was a rare element among hunters, so she immediately assumed that Reign came from a powerful family. Not just her, even the others in the crowd were thinking the same thing. Alfonso paused in his tracks. He was angry, but not so angry that he would risk his life over a bet. If he needed to fight, he would, but if not, he was willing to let this go. "Oh, you think you can just surrender? This is a fight to the death. "Reign taunted. Emy stepped forward to deescte the situation and avoid further damaged . "Mr. Lucas, I apologize for my rudeness toward your bodyguard, but I believe we should end this. Please, ask him to stop," she pleaded earnestly. Lucas''s expression turned awkward. Reign worked for Lilith, not him, so he couldn''t act too boldly. However, taking no action would make him appear involved in bullying a representative of BioGen, which would not be good for his reputation and own business. It also didn''t help that Lucas had bet a huge amount of money on Reign. Now that Reign was revealed to be a Hunter, everyone would assume Lucas knew all along. "Mr. Rain, I think we should¡­" "I''ll kill you too if you stop me," Reign warned cutting him off. Chapter 296: Not Fit Reign''s sudden deration made Lucas break into a cold sweat. He realized that he was in no position to give orders. In fact, from Reign''s tone, it was clear he was dead serious. ''These ignorant humans. I''ve been ying along with your games, and now you think you can just back away without consequence?'' he sneered in contempt. ''Who gave you the right to bypass me?''This was a bigger insult to him than the fight itself. How dare they act like their words held more weight than his? Emy stepped forward, her face serious. "This is enough! This has gone too far. You can''t just threaten everyone because you''re strong. I admit my mistake and is willing topensate you. " CRACK! The sparks of blue electricity around him intensified. "You dare to lecture me?" he growled, his anger evident. Her words only fueled his frustration. The once easygoing personality had vanished, reced by his true naturel; a vengeful monster. Continue your adventure with m|v-l''e -NovelBin Emy was taken aback. She had hoped her words would bring him to his senses, but they had the opposite effect. "Don''t make this moreplicated. I''m a representative of BioGen, one of the biggest corporations under the Chamber of Commerce. Do you know what you''re doing by rejecting thispromise?" she warned, now forced to use her background as leverage. "BioGen? Am I supposed to kneel and beg just because you''re using that name?" he sneered in contempt. "Fuck your corporation and Fuck you. We already had a deal¡ªthis is a fight to the death, and no one is allowed to interfere." Emy''s face went pale as she heard his words. She realized that her attempts to de-escte the situation had failed . She looked at Lucas, only to see him sweating as well. "Isn''t he your bodyguard? order him to stand down," she protested. CRACK! The sparks of electricity around Reign''s body grew stronger. ''This woman really doesn''t know what''s good for her. Just shut the fuck up,'' he mumbled, his mind urging him to tear her apart. Emy''s eyes widened with fear. The raw power emanating from him made her confidence waver. The dangerous energy crackling around him made her realize just how dangerous the situation had be. But instead of apologizing and begging, she kept talking as if her words had the magical ability to fixed anything. "Don''t do this. I''m warning you! " she threatened, feeling cornered and desperate. The truth was, Alfonso was her lover , so him dying was out of the question. "Regret?" he chuckled sadistically. "Thunder-bird Breathing Technique¡­" He inhaled and exhaled, causing electricity around his body danced madly. "Oh my god, he''s from that family!" one of the spectators eximed. "No wonder he doesn''t take BioGen seriously. His background is like something out of a legend," another spectator remarked. Alfonso, hearing the whispers, realized there was no way out. Even the authorities in the tunnel wouldn''t dare stop someone from a legendary Hunter n. He bravely drank the drug in his hand, determined to fight until the end. As the drug took effect, his muscles began to expand, straining against his armor. The pressure was so intense that the top area split open, exposing his dark-skinned chest. "ARGHHHHH!" A roar of pain erupted from him as the transformation continued. His body began to bleed, with streams of blood seeping through his torn skin. His muscles glistened and started to take on a metallic sheen, as though they were turning into living steel. The process was agonizing, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on, driven by his will to survived. After a while, his body stabilized. He now looked more like a berserk monster than a human. His muscles were bulked up and metallic, and his eyes glowed red with a fierce intensity. The transformation had turned him into a terrifying, powerful figure, ready to face anyone. "This power," Alfonso clenched his fists, feeling his strength had grown at least tenfold. He smiled with satisfaction as he felt the power coursing through his body. It was intoxicating, making him feel as though he could defeat anyone. However, Emy looked deeply concerned. The drug had many side effects, and with the amount of blood on the floor, it was clear that her lover wouldn''t be able to sustain this form for long Alfonso was also aware of the risks, so he quickly turned to Reign. "Let''s end this!" he roared, now more confident than ever. He couldn''t imagine being defeated in his current state. "I''ll let you taste the power of Bio¡ª" CRACK! In an instant, Reign vanished from view, only to reappear behind Alfonso. He barely had time to react before sensing something had gone terribly wrong. A moment of silence followed, only to be shattered when Alfonso''s body split in two from the top of his head, like it had been cleaved by aser. THUD! THUD! Both halves of his body dropped to the ground almost simultaneously. "You can me your death on someone who couldn''t keep her mouth shut," Reign sneered in contempt, turning his head toward Emy. He walked closer to her and leaned in to whisper something. "You''re the one responsible for his death. Don''t say another word if you don''t want to follow in his steps," he warned, walking past her. After he was gone, her knees weakened, and she dropped to the ground. She was stunned and speechless, feeling in that moment that she was going to die. ''Why did I mess with someone like him?'' she thought, tears welling up. She was humbled and had a harsh reality check. When her gazednded at her ex-lover''s body, her stomach churned, and she vomited the meal she had just eaten. The sight was too gruesome to bear. The crowd on the other hand waspletely silent, their faces showing shock and fear. There were no cheers¡ªjustplete silence. What they had just seen wasn''t a fair fight but a one-sided massacre. ''Shit, who did Lilith sent to guard me?'' Lucas muttered, wiping his forehead with a handkerchief, still shaking. In his honest opinion, Reign was not fit to be a bodyguard. He would be better suited as an assassin. "Miss Emy, believe me, I had no idea this would happen. I hired him through a close acquaintance of mine and didn''t know he was connected to a well-known hunter family," he exined. It would be disastrous if he became a target of BioGen. She didn''t reply; she was still too heartbroken and unstable. "I''ll take my leave," he said, bowing his head and walking away. He would collect his winningster, assuming he wasn''t beaten to death by the other gambler. But after recalling Reign''s disy of power, though, he knew they wouldn''t dare risk not paying. When the crowd began to thin out, two people in hoodies remained. They had witnessed everything with their own eyes, and their perception of the West''s power level had shifted. "Did you see that, Nobu-san? That technique is simr to our Azure Dragon Lightning," Seki whispered. "Yes, it felt simr, but at the same time, it was odd, Seki-sama," he answered, his voice skeptical. "What do you mean, Nobu-san?" He touched his chin in contemtion. "I don''t think that was a breathing technique at all, Seki-sama" he concluded. Chapter 297: Reverse Status "Can you please borate, Nobu-san?" she asked in a disciplined manner, noticing nothing unusual. As a temple priestess, her expertisey in other areas, not in breathing techniques. On the other hand, Nobu, with his experience in sparring with Demon yers, sensed something was off right away. It felt unnatural, but he couldn''t quite figure out why. He furrowed his brows, still trying to pinpoint the issue. "I''m not sure, Seki-sama. There''s something... off. The way he''s breathing doesn''t feel real. It''s as if he''s imitating it, but something is not quite right." She frowned thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing as she considered his words. "What should we do, Nobu-san?" "I think we should keep our distance, Seki-sama. That person is extremely dangerous and mentally unstable," he replied bluntly. He had encountered many crazy individuals before and could see that Reign had serious mental issues. She nodded, making a mental note to avoid Reign. However, her curiosity got the better of her. She asked, "Nobu-san, who do you think would win if you fought him? I''m just curious." He scratched his chin, considering the question carefully. He could have also easily beaten Alfonso based on the previous battle, but he was certain that Reign was not even serious back then. "I''d probably losepletely, Seki-sama. I might manage to dodge a few of his strikes, but that''s it. He''s not just powerful; he''s also exceptionally skilled at predicting his opponents'' movements. I hate to admit it, but his technical skills and battle IQ are off the charts. If it weren''t for his crazy nature, I''d love to spar with him for some pointers." She tilted her head, intrigued. "What if you use the element of surprise and tried to assassinate him, Nobu-san?" Nobu sighed. His mistress was always curious about many things, but since there was still time, he decided to share his thoughts with her. "Seki-sama, I might have a 1% chance of seeding if I was lucky. Someone at his level has sharp senses and intuition; he would know right away if I tried to get close. Besides, from observing his movements, I believe he''s an even better assassin than I am," he admitted. "Are you sure, Nobu-san? You''re a practitioner of the shadow arts. Aren''t you overestimating him too much," she protested, unable to understand his reasoning. His brow furrowed. "Even if I fought with everything I''ve got, it would be the same, Seki-sama. I can''t see myself winning against someone with his level of skill and power." "Is he really that strong, Nobu-san ?" she asked, still having a hard time to believed it. "He''s a monster in human form," Nobu sighed, using an analogy to described Reign. Her time in the temple, surrounded by formidable fighters, had skewed her sense of what was truly strong. To her, someone like Reign might not seem extraordinary, but he knew the reality of facing such a powerful and skilled opponent. [Attention, passengers:] [The train will be resuming its journey shortly. Please return to your seats and ensure all personal belongings are with you. We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to your destination. Thank you for traveling with us.] The train announcement interrupted their conversation. Before they reached the mechanical door, they noticed a group of uniformed individuals carefully gathering Alfonso''s remains and loading them onto the train. As the train resumed its journey, passengers began to gossip about the earlier events. Wealthy individuals in one carriage sipped vodka to steady their nerves, the memory of Alfonso''s gruesome death making some of them feel surreal. "Man, that guy''s a psycho," one man said, disbelief in his voice as he downed another shot. "I can''t believe he killed someone like that over a petty reason." "You said it," another agreed, taking a sip of his drink. "Just being on this train with someone like him around is making me uneasy." "Same here," a young man added with a nervous chuckle. "I almost considered staying in that city for a week just to avoid running into that madman." Meanwhile, some spectators buzzed with excitement on a different area of the train. The adrenaline from witnessing the intense battle left them hyper. They exchanged stories about the fight, their voices filled with energy and enthusiasm . "Did you see how fast he moved? I''ve never seen anything like it¡­ He was like lightning!" one passenger eximed, eyes wide with excitement. He even acted out the scene, mimicking Reign''s movements and dramatic strikes with exaggerated gestures, making everyone around himugh and cheer. "I know! That blue electricity was cool¡­ Do you think he''s really from a legendary Hunter n?" another replied, eyes wide with wonder. "He must be. Only someone from such a powerful family could use that kind of power," a third person chimed in. "I saw him take down Alfonso in a sh. That guy didn''t stand a chance," said a man, shaking his head in disbelief. "But did you see the way he mocked the BioGen representative? He didn''t even flinch. That takes guts," added another, admiring the audacity. "I wouldn''t want to cross him. He''s not just powerful; he''s unpredictable. Best to stay clear of him," another agreed. Meanwhile, the talk of everyone was lying on his bed, trying to calm himself down. If he didn''t, he risked losing hisposurepletely. But with the way things were going, there wasn''t much of his cover left anyway. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! "Who is it?" Reign asked, his tone tinged with annoyance. "It''s me, Lucas. I''m here to deliver your winnings," Lucas''s voice came through the door. "My winnings? Oh right, I almost forgot about that," he said, his tone indifferent. Money was inconsequential to him. "Can Ie in?" Lucas asked, his tone more respectful than before. "It''s open." Lucas hesitated before stepping inside the cabin. He remained standing near the entrance, his posture rigid and his eyes darting around nervously. "So where''s my money? Why are you just standing there?" Reign asked, his irritation clear. Lucas swallowed hard, his nerves on edge. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick envelope, holding it out with a shaky hand. "Here it is, Mr. Reign. All the winnings you won," he said, his voice trembling slightly. Reign took the envelope and opened it, revealing a stack of semi-metallic paper in various colors. "What are these?" Reign asked, puzzled. "What am I supposed to do with them?" "Those are Cash Certificates approved and signed by the Railing Company," Lucas exined. "We can''t use digital money here due to theck of inte. These certificates can be exchanged for real money once we reach the city." Reign frowned, clearly unimpressed. "What a hassle," he muttered. "But I suppose it''s better than nothing." He shrugged and pocketed the certificates. "So what else do you want to talk about?" Reign asked, fully aware that Lucas didn''te here just to deliver something so insignificant. Lucas hesitated, clearly ufortable under Reign''s intense gaze. "Well," he began, "there''s something else I wanted to discuss. Given the... intensity of what happened earlier, I thought it might be important to address any potential concerns or... future arrangements." He shifted nervously, waiting for a reaction. Chapter 298: Most Valuable "What''s to discuss?" Reign raised his voice, his impatience clear .He was curious about what Lucas wanted to say after all that happened. He was tired of pretending to be human. If not for the weapon dealer being his ticket to Brentwood, he would have caused a massacre on the train. Unfortunately, he had to restrain himself. Lucas moved nervously, sensing the irritation.He now saw Reign as someone far more important than just a bodyguard. Reign''s arrogance and dismissal of BioGen''s influenced made everybody think that his background was beyond anything the Chamber of Commerce could touch. No sane person would intentionally mess with such a group without being confident in their own backing. "Well, Mr. Rain," Lucas said, trying to stay calm, "Miss Emy wanted to speak with you and apologize for disrespecting you earlier. She mentioned that if there''s anything you need or any concerns you have, please let her know. She wanted to avoid any trouble that could affect your ns or our arrangements." Explore more stories with m,v l''e-NovelBin Reign paused for a moment, as he absorbed the information. ''So she decided to change her bitchy attitude. What a boring move,'' he thought, dismissing the gesture as futile. He would be a fool to believe she genuinely wanted to make peace. With her personality, she was likely trying to find a way to temporary be out of harms way. Once she was in a better position, she would likely try to take her revenge. ''But alright, I''ll y along. Let''s see what she''s nning, '' he thought, his lips curling into a sadistic creepy grin. Lucas shivered at Reign''s expression and sighed, thinking, ''I hate this. I want this deal to over as soon as possible.'' Although Reign''s protection would make reaching Brentwood easier, Lucas felt that the person before him was more dangerous than the hordes of corrupted surrounding the city. ''Am I just imagining things? I wish I''m just over thinking ,'' he wondered, hoping that his usually urate intuition was wrong this time. Reign''s smile lingered as he observed Lucas''s difort. He could sense the man''s growing unease, which only amused him further. He had no intention of revealing his true intentions just yet. For now, he would y along and see how the situation unfolded. He liked this much more than pretending to be just another person among ordinary humans. Lilith might be able to fake it for a long time, but he couldn''t stand it. Reign''s true identity was a Peak Unrivaled Demon Lord, capable of destroying cities. If any humans thought they could boss him around, he would dly teach them a lesson¡ªfree of charge. "Tell her I expect a direct apology. Tell her toe here," he ordered, his voice moremanding, knowing no one would dare question him. Lucas swallowed hard, nodding quickly. "Yes, Mr. Reign. Right away," he replied, his voice trembling slightly. He turned and hurried out of the cabin, not daring to hesitate . A couple of minutester, Emy walked in. She was now dressed more casually, with her top covered by an expensive-looking gray jacket. For a moment, her face showed a bit of fear, but she quickly pulled herself together. She needed to reach Brentwood, and with his help, her chances were much better. She knew it wouldn''t be good if he decided to abandon her during an emergency, especially now that her lover and strongest bodyguard was dead. "I apologize for my behavior. I didn''t know you''re from a prestigious Hunter family," she said, bowing her head. Her face was filled with embarrassment and grief. But she knew she had to hide her own frustration. "And why should I ept your apology? You threatened me with your corporation, and now you''re trying to pretend it never happened. This is really annoying. Even the young master of the zer family didn''t irritate me this much," he shook his head in utter disappointment. The mention of the zers made Emy break into a cold sweat. The zer family was known as one of the strongest lightning hunters. ''No way, so he''s really from that family,'' She had thought he might be a rogue Hunter or someone who had been exiled, but his casual mention of the zer family made her reassess his value. Reign smiled, enjoying her reaction. He remembered the information Lilith had given him. Seeing that they all misunderstood his identity, he decided to go with the flow and pretend to be from Arc/Jayden''s n. "I''m willing topensate you," she added. "I don''t need money. I''m so rich I don''t even know how to spend it," he replied with a sneer. "I want something else, something more important and valuable to you." Emy was speechless. She turned to look at him and was shocked to see his creepy smile. ''Is he serious? Does he want me to offer myself to him? '' she thought, feeling frustrated by the idea. ''How sick can he be? First, he killed my lover, and now he''s making these outrageous demands,'' she added, disgusted by the mere thought. Reign, on the other hand, was innocent and just genuinely grinning. He was just smiling at the sight of such a stuck-up woman being on edge, butshe was already mentally using him of being disgusting pervert. And even if he were nning anything with her, it would be nothing more than eating her¡ªliterally. "Anything but that," she protested strongly ''But what? Did she somehow figured out what I wanted even before I did? ''he thought, amused. ''I don''t even have anything in mind yet!'' However, seeing her conflicted face gave him some satisfaction, so he decided to go along with it. "Why not? Do you think that''s more important than your life?" he replied with a sneer, making his response vague because he didn''t know what she meant. ''Disgusting murderer! she cursed inwardly. '' She felt insulted as a woman that Reign saw her body like an object. She wanted to p him so badly but controlled her emotions. She hade here to mend their rtionship, not to make things worse. "Please don''t be too unreasonable. I know you hate me, but this is just too much," she pleaded, trying to negotiate. ''What the hell is she talking about?''he thought. ''Maybe it''s something so important that she''s acting this desperate? "Just give it to me," he ordered, his voice growing colder and deeper. The sudden, unsettling vibration in his tone made Emy instinctively drop to the ground, feeling suffocated. ''What''s happening to me? I can''t breathe, '' she gasped. Reign stood up and moved closer. "Listen, you came here to apologize, so it''s my right to demand what I want. Stop talking and just give me what I want," he warned. "I¡­" she tried to fight it off, but the pressure was too much. In the end, she finally gave in. "I will." At that moment, the pressure on her body was released. He sat back on his bed, excited about whatever she was nning to give him in exchange. It must be really important, given her reluctance to part with it. "Show it to me now," he ordered, his creepy smile widening with anticipation. Chapter 299: Coming Out "Give me time to prepare emotionally," she said, standing up with her thin soft looking legs still trembling. ''I knew it. What she''s about to give me must be really important,'' he thought to himself, feeling pleased for going along with her nonsense. Emy took a deep breath and slowly removed her jacket, her movements hesitant. She nced around nervously, unsure if what she was doing was the right moved. Her face turned red with embarrassment, and she wiped a tear from her eye before finally letting the jacket slip to the floor. ''She is too emotional,'' he sighed, thinking she was making things moreplicated than they needed to be. ''Just give it to me so we can get this over with.'' Emy, on the other hand, felt more and more self-conscious. She felt disgusted just imagining what would happen next. The evil man before her would ravage her, and she could do nothing . ''Am I really going to be used by the same person who killed Alfonso?'' Her heart ached at the thought of her own fate. Reign stayed still, keeping his grin in ce to hide his confusion. ''Why did she even take off her jacket?'' he wondered, but decided to keep quiet and see what would happen next. Emy darted her eyes around as she slowly unbuttoned her top, unable to bear looking at his creepy smile. ''Oh, she''s undressing?'' Reign was puzzled but quickly reached a conclusion with his sharp mind. ''I see, she must have hidden something inside her clothing, maybe a secret drug to boost strength?. '' He watched with no perverted thoughts, simply curious about what she was going to give him. Her fingers trembled as she slipped out of her dress, and drop it to the floor , to reveal her ckced bra with flower pattern on it. Reign assumed she would pull something out of her cleavage, but her next move was unexpected. She focused on her pants, her fingers shaking slightly as she undid the button.As she slid her pants down, her ck panty was revealed with a subtle touch of sexiness . ''Did she put it there? Not bad. I think that''s a good hiding ce '' Now, she was left in just her underwear, her bare skin exposed for Reign to scrutinized and enjoy. Emy''s face turned bright red from a mix of embarrassment and anger.She felt like crying but tried hard to hold back the tears. The strong feeling of humiliation made her feel exposed and very ufortable, making it difficult for her to stay calm. They both watched each other closely. Emy waited, expecting him to make a move, but he remained still. She couldn''t read his thoughts because of his blindfold, but she knew he could clearly see her exposed body. "What are you doing? Hurry up and get it over with," he spat out. Emy let out a deep sigh, her heart pounding with anxiety. She felt a heavy knot of fear in her chest as she thought, ''He''s so intense. What''s going to happen to me?'' His demeanor gave her the impression that he was very rough in bed, someone who took pleasure in inflicting pain and had a sadistic streak. She wasn''t entirely mistaken, but she was imagining a different kind of sadism than what Reign followed. His version of it was purely about pain, with no hint of pleasure involved. "You''re wasting so much of my time," he grumbled. Her heart sank as she reluctantly slid her underwear down, her body fully exposed to Reign''s gaze. She moved slowly, each motion filled with disgust. Once she had removed thest piece of clothing, she instinctively tried to cover herself with her hands, but her embarrassment was too much control. Her cheeks flushed with heat as she shifted, trying to shield her hairy private areas. Reign observed her with a mix of detachment and curiosity. He could see the difort and shame in her expression, but he remained focused on something else. "Where is it? Is it inside that hole?" he asked aloud. ''T¡ª That hole?'' Emy nearly lost herposure when she heard him refer to her most private part as "that hole." ''So he wants to roley?'' Emy thought with a heavy sigh. ''I''ll y along for now, but I''ll make sure to get my revengeter.'' She made a silent vow to herself. "Yes, it''s inside," she admitted, her voice trembling as her eyes quickly darted away . ''I knew it! So she hid it inside all along. Not gonna lie, that''s a pretty smart move,'' he mused inwardly, nodding in satisfaction. "Go on, get it " he ordered. ''He wants me to touch myself first?'' That was how she understood his statement. Hesitantly, she began to touch her slit, feeling awkward with each movement. But, at the same time, she couldn''t help but feel a strange thrill from being so exposed. Her cheeks burned with a blend of embarrassment and excitement as she grew morefortable with the sensation. The gentle strokes of her own thin fingers grew more vigorous and she discovered the rhythm that felt just right. Her breathing grew heavier, and she could feel her chest rising and falling with each touch. Her body was responding in ways she had never imagined. The tension grew, squirming up like a spring inside her belly. She closed her eyes and focused on the pleasure that was building. The sounds of her own moans filled the quiet room, echoing off the walls and bouncing back to her ears. "Can you tell me what you''re doing?" Reign asked, clearly confused by what was happening. He noticed an unusual smelling from her slit, but as a man-eating monster, such smells didn''t bother him. ''He wants me to talk while touching myself?'' she thought. Misunderstanding his question, she began to speak, "I¡ª I¡­. making myself... wet so it will be easierter," her words blending with her moans. "I see," he nodded, thinking she was talking about the item she nned to give him. "It must be big," he added. ''Big? Is he referring to his? '' she thought, ncing towards Reign''s pants. She couldn''t see any trace of it, so she assumed he must be wearing something to hide the bulged. "Yes, it''s pretty big," she replied with a rugged breath, ying along with the roley. "That''s insane. Can it even fit in that hole?" he asked again. ''Is he asking if I''ve had experience with something extrarge? ''she thought. ''That should be obvious,'' she added, recalling her past experiences with her previous BBC partner who was brutally killed by none other than Reign. "I can take it... I''m used to it" she answered, her strokes growing faster. The conversation seemed to heighten her excitement, making her moans louder. The sound of her slit was a soft, rhythmic pping mixed with a wet, squelching noise. Each stroke created a gentle, sticky sound as her fingers glided over her private parts. The echoes of her pleasure filled the room, blending with the sounds of her breathing and moans. "It''sing!" she eximed, feeling herself getting closer. "It''sing?" Reign asked, his gaze fixed on her slurping wet slit, expecting to see a valuable object came out. Chapter 300: First Time A squirting sound echoed as she finally couldn''t hold it anymore. Her sticky and murky arousal discharge flowed down her thighs, and she began to shake from too much pleasure. Her eyes widened in shock as her squirting grew stronger, soaking the floor beneath her. She had never experienced anything like this before. Her body was not her own, it was a yground for the intense sensations that coursed through her. Emy couldn''t believe what was happening to her, but she also couldn''t stop it. It was a woman''s nature to be attracted to someone they deemed a fine specimen. No matter how much she hated him, subconsciously, she admired him for his overwhelming power. His sheer power andmanding presence was intoxicating. She hated how her body reacted, how it trembled with an undeniable attraction. Reign, on the other hand, was utterly confused. "Where is it? Where is the serum?" he asked. Emy, thinking they were still roleying, assumed ''serum'' meant her love juice. "It''s this thing...you can check it out.." she replied, embarrassed. ''What a weird way to store a drug, but I need to test if it''s really effective,'' he thought. He stood up and then knelt in front of her slit. It had a murky odor, but he didn''t mind; he was used to the stench of foul corpses, so this smell was like a perfume inparison. Slowly, he opened his mouth and licked her slit without any thought of perverseness. He was still under the impression that he was merely testing a drug . He tasted the saltiness of her juice and felt nothing out of the ordinary. ''Is it working ?'' She on the other hand reacted very differently . "Ahhh" Her breath hitched as she watched him, her eyes locked onto his hair as he took a tentative taste. The sensation of his tongue on her clit sent shockwaves through her body, making her squirt even more. He felt her slit opening and throbbing, and for a moment, he wondered if the serum was affecting her too. Emy''s breath grew ragged as she watched him, her chest heaving with every gasp. Her body was a reacting too much, each pulse of pleasure building on thest, and she could feel another climax approaching like a tidal wave. As Reign continued to lick and explore, she felt her legs begin to shake and open up more. She reached down and grabbed his hair, pulling him closer as she moved her hips, wanting more stimtion. ''Maybe it''s still deep inside?'' he pondered. He extended his tongue further, searching for something within her, but all he could feel were soft tissues rubbing against his tongue. ''Fuck! How long is his tongue?'' She bit her lip from the pleasure. The feeling was overwhelming, and she couldn''t help but moan out loud. Each stroke was a spark that ignited a new fire within her, and she could feel her pussy contract around his mouth, eager for more. "It''sing! It''sing!" she cried out in pleasure before finally letting go. The squirting grew more intense, her juices soaking him, his clothing, and the floor beneath them. Her shaky moan filled the room, mixing with the wet sounds of his tongue and her squirting. Her breath grew shorter and shorter, and she knew she was about to cum again. She tilted her head back and let out a scream that was muffled by her own palm. "I''ming ! I''m cuming !" Emy''s pussy spasmed around his tongue, releasing even more of her love juice. It was like nothing she had ever felt before, and she didn''t want it to end. She wanted more, and for a moment she had forgotten about her dead ex-lover. However¡ª Reign pulled away, his mouth glistening with her fluids. He looked up at her, his expression filled with confusion . "Where is it?" he inquired "W¡ªWhat do you mean?" she asked, realizing his reaction was too indifferent for someone who should be aroused.''Isn''t he supposed to pin me down on the floor and fuck my mind out? '' she thought, struggling to understand the situation. "The thing that you wanted to give me?" Reign asked, his voice more curious than menacing. ''Wait¡­ Don''t tell me he didn''t mean sex? '' she thought. Emy, cheeks flushed and eyes filled with distress, struggled to speak. "I thought¡­ I thought this was what you wanted to do. I''m trying to prove that I''m serious and that I''m willing to offer my body." He was taken aback . "Why would I want that?" "You don''t want my body?" She asked, her voice trembling with confusion. "Do you want to die?" Reign asked, his voice sharp. He was confused, thinking she wanted him to eat her alive. He was more than willing to do that , if that was her wished. Emy''s eyes widened in panic. "No! I don''t want to die! I just... I thought you wanted to do something perverted with me" "Do something perverted ?" Reign pondered aloud, his gaze moving from top to bottom. The only thing he could think of was eating her. Technically, he had already done that, albeit without him realizing it. She noticed his intense gaze and felt a shiver run down her spine. "What are you thinking?" she asked, her voice trembling. "There are no hidden drugs? No special serum?" he inquired again. She shook her head. He sighed, trying to clear his thoughts. "Never mind. Just get dressed. I don''t want anything to do with you anymore. I''ll tell you what I needter. You can go now." He dismissed her with a wave, as if her body was of no importance. Emy''s ego took a huge hit, and she felt a mix of embarrassment and hurt. ''Am I not enough for him? Am I not attractive? ''she thought, clicking her tongue in annoyance. She was already enjoying it, and she believed Reign had teased her slit just to make fun of her. "Get the fuck out of here, you just wasted my time," he snapped, shooing her away, no longer in the mood. "I¡­" She wanted to say something, but seeing him strongly turn away and head back to the bed made her even more furious. She quickly put her clothes back on, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and indignation. As she walked out of the cabin, her steps were unsteady, and her flushed face showed her lingering difort The humiliation was clear on her face as she retreated from his presence, her dignity feeling bruised. Reign, on the other hand, shook his head and muttered, ''What a weird woman.'' He had expected something worthwhile, but instead, he received nothing of value. Momentster, another individual entered in the cabin. It was one of Lilith''s hidden spies, pushing a food cart. She left it in the room, bowed, and then took her leave. Reign walked over to the cart and slowly opened it to reveal the contents inside. ''Now this is what I call food,'' he chuckled inwardly, his smile growing wider as he smelled a familiar cuisine. He was so excited that he had already pushed the memory of what had happened earlier to the back of his mind. Chapter 301: Piece by Piece With a much better mood, Reign locked the door to his cabin to ensure privacy for what he had nned in mind. The clunk of the lock clicking into ce signaled that he was now free from unwanted interruptions. He turned his attention back to the food cart, prepared his te and began pulling freshly ughtered meats from inside one of the stainless container. Although the pieces were ck and pale on the outside, the inside was still red and juicy. It was Alfonso''s corpse, cut into steak-sized portions as he had ordered. Thanks to Lilith''s influence, and of course, some money and bribery, he managed to secure the corpse this without drawing attention. If Emy ever asked where it went, they could simply say they had dumped it along the way. And if it came to that, they didn''t have to worry because just one word from Reign could silence all of her protests. ''I''ll start with the belly,'' Reign said, taking his time and savoring each moment as he prepared to eat. He carefully arranged the meat on his te, appreciating the rich color and texture. Using a sharp knife, he sliced off a piece, noting the tenderness of the flesh. Each cut was precise, revealing the juicy interior. He lifted the first bite to his mouth, savoring it. ''Yummy! I knew it, nothing beats human flesh,'' he chuckled inwardly. ''The fat-to-muscle ratio is just right. I''d rate this a 7 out of 10. '' "WOOF! WOOF!" Wick started barking, his eyes fixed on one of the steaks. His excitement was obvious as he wagged his tail furiously. Wick''s mouth watered, and he started salivating as he tried to get closer to the meat. "You want one too?" Reign asked "WOOOF! WOOOF! " Wick nodded. "Alright, but remember, next time you need to hunt for your own food. You can''t just rely on me just because I spoil you," Reign said as he stood up. "What part do you want?" he asked, holding out various pieces of meat for Wick. He moved the different cuts around, watching for a reaction to see which onehis pet preferred. "WOOOF! " "You want the whole bottom part? Alright, here you go," Reign said, cing the meat on the floor. He made sure to put down a stainless tray first to avoid staining the floor. Wick''s eyes lit up with hunger as he grabbed the meat with his mouth. He tore into it with a ferocity that sent juices and small bits of flesh flying. His teeth sank deep into the tender muscle, shredding it with ease. CRUNCH! The sound of ripping meat filled the room as he devoured the leg, gnawing on the bone and savoring every morsel. His mouth glistened with blood and juices, showing a satisfied smile. Reign also went back to eating, cutting into his next piece of meat. Between bites, he sipped from a ss of blood, enhancing the vors of the meat. He treated the mes if it were a gourmet delicacy prepared by a master chef If anyone were looking at the two right now, they might think they were disgusting and sick to the core. But to Reign, this was just normal. He was a monster and had never considered himself human. This was also the reason why Emy''s love juice didn''t even manage to arouse him. If it had been Cyril, maybe it would have been different, but to him, any other woman was just food. After he was done eating, he waited for any notification, but unfortunately, one Divergent was not enough. He also didn''t find any mutation organs, showing just how ordinary Alfonso was. Experience more content on m v|l e''-NovelBin ''Well, at least I got to eat a human after so long, ''he thought, trying to see the positive side. With that over, he decided to sleep until they reached Rosewood, the closest city to Brentwood. Reign stretched out on his bed, shutting down his eyes and letting the satisfaction of his meal lull him into sleep. The journey to Rosewood was uneventful, providing Reign with plenty of time to reflect. The tter of the train wheels provided a steady backdrop to his thoughts. Unfortunately, he found everyone involved to be too insignificant, leaving him with nothing worth pondering. Thendscape on the screen gradually changed from dense forests to wide, open fields, and finally to the beach. Each passing scene simting the past. As they neared Rosewood, the train began to slow down, signaling that their arrival was closed. Reign could feel the anticipation in the air, not just within himself but among the other passengers as well. They had been on this journey for a while, and the end was finally in sight. The train made a brief stop at a tform, and the track descended, leading into an underground tunnel. When it was done, the screen stopped ying the fake footage, and everyone could finally see what was really outside. Not that it had much to offer¡ªjust hard cement and overhead lights. Reign looked around thepartment, observing the other members of Lucas'' group. They were all silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Thetension from what happened seemed to have dissipated. They knew that reaching Rosewood was just the beginning; their true mission awaited them after they changed transportation. After the train went through some checkpoints , it emerged from the tunnel, and the passengers were greeted by the sight of RosewoodStation. Steam hissed from the train''s brakes as it came to a stop, and the doors opened with a mechanical hiss, releasing a burst of cool air into the warmpartment. Reign and the others in Lucas'' group gathered their belongings and prepared to exit. They moved together in a coordinated manner. As they stepped onto the tform, they were hit by the busy scene around them. Passengers rushed about, porters pushed carts full of luggage, and the noise of people talking filled the air. Reign, on the other hand, just observed. ''This city will be my next target,'' he made a mental note to himself before following Lucas. While the other passengers headed towards Customs to enter Rosewood Capital, Lucas'' group had different ns. They bypassed the main exit, heading instead towards a more secluded part of the station. Their destination was arge, industrialized freight train that was already waiting for them. The freight train stood out among the other trains at the station. Its once-sleek, metallic exterior now looked old and worn. Rust had built up in ces, and the paint was chipped and faded. The engine made a low rumbling noise, adding to its old-fashioned feel. "This thing is a mess," Reign muttered aloud. "Are you sure it''s still working?" he asked Lucas, who was leading the group. Lucas looked at the train with a hint of embarrassment. "Uh, yeah, it should be," he replied, his voicecking confidence. "It''s seen better days, but it''s still operational. It will get us where we need to go." He avoided Reign''s gazed, not wanting to admit how unreliable the old train might actually be. "I hope it gets us there in one piece," Reign said sarcastically, causing the other passengers to shift uneasily and nce at each other with anxious looks. Chapter 302: Rough Ride Reign''s sarcasticment made everyone uneasy. The passengers expression soured, giving each other worried looks. Quiet whispers started to spread through the group. "Is this really safe?" one of them muttered, ncing doubtfully at the train. He tried to find something good about it, but no matter how hard he looked, the train''s old and rusty structure made it hard for him to see any positives. "I heard it''s been out of service for years," another whispered, eyes wide with concern. "Do you think Lucas knows what he''s doing?" someone else questioned, his voice barely audible. A sense of doubt seemed to take hold of the group. People started to huddle in small clusters, whispering to each other. Continue your saga on m|v-l''e -NovelBin "What if it breaks down?" a young woman asked, her voice trembling. "If we''re in the middle of nowhere," herpanion replied, ncing around nervously. "We''ll be stranded." Lucas overheard some of the whispers and was annoyed by Reign''s words, but he felt powerless to do anything. When he looked at the person who was responsible for all of this, he saw him standing there with his dog, smiling and enjoying the whole situation. "Ahem!"He cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the situation "Everyone, calm down," Lucas said loudly to cut through the noise, "This train might not look great outside, but it''s functional and the engines were well-maintained inside. We''ll reach our destination safely." But even though he tried to reassure everyone, the doubt remained. Seeing the unease and whispers still spreading, Lucas had an idea. He spoke up loudly, trying to sound confident. "Besides, we have Mr. Rain here," he dered loudly, causing heads to turn. "With him around, it will feel like we are being escorted by an army of one thousand! No.. Two Thousands!" The group fell silent, eyes turning to Reign. For a moment, the anxiety in the air dissipated, reced by awe as they remembered his epic and overwhelming one sided performance. He was someone who could move like lightning, someone who could kill opponents before they even processed what was happening. In their eyes, he was the epitome of power and strength, and this made them calm down. . "That''s right ! We have him on our side. He''s like a force of nature," someone whispered, admiration clear in their voice. Another voice added, "Yeah, if anyone can get us through this, it''s him." A third person nodded, saying, "I feel better knowing he''s here." Reign just stood there, exuding confidence and silent authority. He didn''t need to say anything; his reputation spoke for him. ''This shrewd businessman,'' Reign clicked his tongue in annoyance, seeing that his name was being used to calm everyone down. ''Alright, I''ll show you what happens when you use my name without my permission,'' he chuckled sadistically. Reign stepped closer to Lucas and the group, his smile widening. "I only came here to protect this guy because I got paid for it," Reign said, grabbing Lucas by the shoulder. "If there''s a problem, he''s my top priority." He grinned and added, "But don''t worry, I''ll save you if I''m in the mood to do some charity for free" Everyone''s reactions were mixed. Some looked confused, while others quickly realized what Reign might be suggesting. One person, eager to avoid trouble, stepped forward. "How much do you want?" heasked with a firm tone. Another hurriedly chimed in, "Yes, just tell us the amount. We don''t want any problems." Reign''s eyes sparkled with amusement as he watched the passengers scramble. He leaned back on the rusty train, enjoying the chaos he had stirred up. "Oh, you''re so quick to catch on," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. " "Five million credits per person," he said, his tone casual and unbothered. "That''s what it''ll take to keep things quiet." The passengers exchanged nces, their worry turning to relief. Since they were all wealthy, the amount didn''t faze them. They quickly began pulling out their cash certificates, each one showing their readiness to pay. One by one, they handed the money. "Here you go," one of them said, handing over the certificate with a smile. "I''ll entrust my life to you." Another added, "I''ll give you more if you prioritize me in case of emergency .." Reign collected the certificates with a satisfied grin, clearly pleased with how easily they hadplied. ''Idiots, You really think I will bother saving you all? '' he thought with a smirk. He didn''t actually need the money; he just liked making have some false sense of safety. Emy also handed over her protection money to Reign without saying a word. She looked away, still angry about what had happened earlier. In her mind, Reign had yed with her emotions, and she couldn''t forgive him for that. "Alright, let''s go," Reign dered, leading the way. "Don''t worry, I''m a man of my word. I will protect you all." He walked in first, signaling everyone to follow. With their mind now a bit more calm, they slowly entered the train. As they boarded the freight train, a crew member in casual, mechanic-like clothing greeted them. His shirt was stained with oil, and his pants were worn and patched. The uniform, clearly meant for manualbor rather than customer service, added to the rough and unpolished feel of the train. He pointed to their designated car, which matched the train''s overall worn-down appearance. Interior was basic and old, designed for function overfort, and the crew member''s attire only reinforced the sense that this was not a train meant for luxury . The metal benches, worn and scratched, lined the walls. The floor was covered in a faded, industrial-grade material that had seen better days. Reign found a spot, sitting down on one of the hard benches casually. The car''s unpolished, utilitarian design made it clear that this was a no-frills ride. The others, especially those used to wealth andfort, had a very different reaction. They looked around with visible disappointment and difort. One person wrinkled their nose at the old, worn metal benches and the grimy floor. "Is this really where we''re supposed to be? We might get sick just sitting here" he whispered to apanion, his voice filled with disbelief. Another passenger tugged at their expensive clothing, trying to avoid sitting directly on the worn seats. "I thought we''d be traveling in something a bit more... civilized," she said, her toneced with irritation. Few others exchanged uneasy nces, clearly unsettled the interior. Once everyone was settled, the crew began closing the metal windows to ensure no miasma could get through. They also started up the outdated filter system to prevent anyone from suffocating. Fortunately, most of the train cars were packed with weapons, and only one car was set up for passengers, so the amount of oxygen needed wasn''t very high. The freight train began to move, starting slowly and then gradually picking up speed. As it passed through the station, it drew curious looks from others. Its worn appearance made it stand outpared to the newer trains. Reign just leaned back against his hard chair, shutting of his eyes and allowing himself to rx until they reached Brentwood. Chapter 303: Howling Air As the train moved through the track, the passengers continued to reluctantly settled into their ufortable seats. Some brought their own sleeping cushions and ced them on the chairs so they could lie down. It was a good thing the train car wasn''t very full, so there was plenty of space. The interior was dim, lit only by a few flickering lights. The filter system hummed loudly, but at least it was working. Lucas kept a close eye on everyone. His eyesnded on two mysterious people who had asked him for a ride a while back. They hadn''t revealed their identities, but they paid triple the amount of others, so he had dly epted their offer. On any other day, he might have been suspicious and afraid. But with Reign guarding him, only an idiot would dare to sabotage or assassinate him. As he continued to scan the area, he looked at the other people who hade. Each one had a different story about why they went through all this danger. Emy sat in a corner, arms crossed, still angry but quiet. Every now and then, she would re at Reign, her annoyance barely contained. Reign, on the other hand, waspletely rxed. He was just chilling, his dog at his feet, andjust slept through it. He wasn''t really worried. Even if a unique corrupted appeared and destroyed the whole train with one attack, he would still be okay and unscathed. As for the other passengers, well, they''d just have to me it all to bad luck. Meanwhile, outside the train, there was nondscape to see¡ªjust the swirling ck miasma. The windows were tightly sealed, keeping the dangerous air from seeping inside. After a while, one of the passengers broke the silence. "How long until we get there?" he asked, his voice shaky. Lucas checked his watch. "10 hours, maybe less if we keep this speed." One burly train crew chuckled. "Worried we won''t make it?" The passenger nced at him nervously. "Just... curious." "We''ll make it," Lucas assured him, giving the train crew a warning look. "Just sit tight." The train continued, the steady nking of the wheels almostforting. But despite Lucas''s reassurances, the tension in the train car remained thick. The filter system struggled with the increasing miasma , and after 7 hours, a faint, nasty smell began to seep inside. "What is that smell?" one passenger protested, covering her face with a handkerchief . The others noticed it too, and began to murmur in concern. "It''s the miasma," Lucas exined, trying to stay calm. "The filter system need some maintenance, but it''s still working. Just hang in there." Another passenger looked worried. "Will it keep us safe?" "It should," Lucas replied, though he nced nervously at the grumbling filter. Seeing the growing concern among the passengers, he quickly spoke with the other crew members. They nodded and immediately began working on the filter system, trying to repair it before things got worse. Lucas turned to the passengers. "We''re fixing the filter right now. It''ll be fine. Just stay calm." The crew members worked quickly, using their tools to fix the old machinery. Clinking tools and grunts of effort filled the utility room as they manually fix it. While the passengers waited anxiously, hoping the repairs would be sessful. Emy, still ring at Reign, muttered, ''I wouldn''t be this worry if Alfonso was here!'' She still had other guards with her, but they were weaker than her dead loverbined, so they were basically useless. Suddenly, a loud banging sound echoed from outside but it was too far that only Reign felt the vibration. The vibrations continued to increase, and he quickly pinpointed that they wereing from thest carriage. ''Ah, right, I forgot that this thing needs to reach the city, or all my effort would be wasted,'' he sighed and stood upzily. With a casual nce at Lucas, he asked, "Hey, where''s the exit?" "The exit? Why?" Lucas inquired, looking puzzled. "We''re already being attacked. I need to get out to deal with the uninvited passengers," Reign replied casually. "What! " His eyes widened in rm as he understood the seriousness of the situation. Everyone else also stood up, looking worried. "Alright, let''s go," Lucas said urgently. He quickly helped Reign move towards the other sector of the train where the exit and the power armor were located. He guided him through the narrow corridor, his heart racing. "You''ll need something to breathe through the miasma," he said, and handed a breathing device and watched him put on the power armor. ''This is such a hassle,'' Reign sighed. He had to pretend to need all these extra objects to pass as a human. Even though it was inconvenient, he put on the power armor just to be over with it. With the gear on, he looked more dependable. "Be careful out there," Lucas said, his voice full of worry. "We''re counting on you." Reign ignored him and didn''t answer. He opened the first door, revealing a small room that could only fit one person. There was a second, mechanical door behind it that would only open once the first door was closed and locked. CLICK! When the door opened, the ck miasma immediately surrounded him. He spotted adder on the side of the train and climbed it to reach the roof. Once on top, he walked slowly towards where the noises wereing from. It didn''t take long for him to spot dozens of corrupted creatures on the roof. Crawling towards him, their grotesque forms was horrifying to see. Their thin, spindly limbs moved in a creepy way. The creatures had twisted, unnatural bodies. Their eyes bulged and moved around in all directions, and their mouths were full of sharp teeth dripping with a thick, ck goo. Some had extra limbs sticking out at odd angles, twitching and jerking in a creepy way. Their unblinking red eyes were filled with a strange hunger and stared directly at him. "This is new," Reign chuckled aloud. This was the first time he had encountered creatures like these. "EKKKKK!!!" The air was suddenly pierced by a shrill, unnatural screech. Without warning, their twisted limbs shot towards him, multiplying in mid-air as they aimed to ensnare and crush him. The attack moved with such speed that a human would barely have time to react. But Reign perceived everything in slow motion. Calmly, he walked towards the creatures while dodging their attacks, moving with minimal, motions, exuding absolute confidence in his reaction time. It wasn''t that the creatures were weak; he was simply too strong for them to be a real threat. ''This is far enough,'' he said, stopping suddenly. He drew his daggers with a smooth, decisive motion. SLASH! The wind howled loudly, cutting through the miasma with a piercing shriek. For a moment, the air around him seemed to clear as if by magic. But when the howl stopped, everything in his path was cut¡ªsevered limbs and twisted bodies scattered across the train roof, a chilling proof to his overwhelming power. ''I should have charged them more for super premium security,'' he sighed, feeling that five million credits was too little for his level of skill. Chapter 304: Unique Creature Reign brandished his dagger, flicking off the foul ck blood that clung to its de. The miasma absorbed the droplets, hissing quietly as the train moved steadily along the tracks. Thinking the danger had passed, he turned to head back inside. Just then, a low vibration hummed through the air. Reign spun around, eyes narrowing behind his blindfold as the miasma above the train parted. From the swirling darkness, a disgusting mass of corpses emerged, bound together by a twisted force. Countless eyes dotted the monster, each one glowing a menacing red. It floated above the train, hovering its massive body over him. ''How can this thing even fly?'' Reign muttered, puzzled by the absence of wings. ''Does it have a jet engine at the back? '' The abomination hovered, defying logic. Reign focused, trying to discern how it stayed suspended. The miasma swirled around it, almost supporting the creature like water. ''It''s the miasma,'' he realized. ''It''s using it to float like it was in water.'' ''What a unique ability. How did it do that?'' He began studying the creature more closely, but before he could get any answers, he was cut off . "EEKKKK!" A chilling screech pierced the air as the abomination''s many eyes locked onto him with murderous intent. Suddenly, the creature''s lower half convulsed violently. The shaking intensified, apanied by a sickening ripping sound. A tear appeared in the abomination, revealing a creepy and horrifying sight. From the ragged, pulsating opening, new monsters emerged, covered in slick, ck ooze. Their countless eyes glowed sinisterly, and their mouths gaped open, revealing rows of sharp teeth. Reign watched everything unfold, patiently waiting as their numbers grew. He wasn''t in a hurry, and thesight didn''t disgust him. The newborn creatures slithered onto the roof of the train, their bodies slick with dark ooze. They wiggled and squirmed, struggling to find their bnce on the moving train. Limbs twisted and iled, trying to gain a foothold on the smooth surface. The dark ooze dripped from their bodies, leaving a sticky trail behind them as they wriggled closer to him, who stood casually. SLASH! With just one sh, all the effort the flying corruptedspent was reduced to nothing. Reign''s de cut through its spawns like they were made of butter. And from within his feet, he absorbed their corpses, earning himself a huge chunk of Dark Points. "Come on, don''t stop¡­ Kept iting ! " he taunted, seeing how many Points he had gained from that wave. The flying corrupted convulsed again, birthing more creatures. Reign smirked, gripping his dagger tighter. "Let''s see how many more Points I can rack up." He chuckled aloud. SLASH! Once again, he used just one sh to get it over with. His dagger generated enough shockwaves to cut through the the horde, cutting them in half in instant. But it wasn''t over yet. The corrupted creature didn''t learn from its mistakes and continued using the same tactics, as if it had no other options. The cycle repeated itself eleven more times. Each time, his de sent powerful shockwaves that sliced the monsters before they could even reach him. After the eleventh cycle, the main body of the corrupted creature began to shrink. It shivered and writhed, its massive structure diminishing. The dark ooze that once poured from it now barely trickled, and the convulsions grew weaker. Reign watched in disappointment as his farming livestock came to an end. "Don''t give up, I know you can do it," he taunted, almost mockingly. The abomination shuddered weakly, its body barely holding together. Despite its efforts, no more creatures emerged. The ck liquidpletely stopped tickling, and the miasma around it thinned. "Come on," he urged. "Just a few more." But it had nothing left to offer. Its body convulsed onest time before copsing into a heap of dissolving flesh. ''Guess that''s it,'' he muttered, feeling both satisfied and slightly let down. At least the Dark Points he had collected would serve him well. *** *** *** Continue reading at mvl Lucas waited at the entrance, his eyes filled with relief. "Is it over?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. Everyone felt the rumbling from the intense fight, even within the sealed train. The vibrations were so strong that passengers thought the they where being directly attack. In reality, the tremors were just the shockwaves from Reign''s powerful strikes. "Don''t worry. It was just a unique corrupted," Reign said nonchntly. His tone conveyed how insignificant the beast had been in his eyes. "What !" Lucas''s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "A unique corrupted?" he repeated, his voice almost a whisper. He looked at Reign, trying toprehend the magnitude of what had just happened. A unique variant was something that could make an entire Tier 4 city dere a state of emergency. "Do you understand what that means?" Lucas asked, his voice rising "A unique corrupted could decimate a city. It could... it could..." His words trailed off as he struggled to find the right way to express the potential catastrophe. Reign smirked, clearly enjoying Lucas''s reaction. "I know exactly what it means," he said. "And it was just one more monster in my way." Lucas shook his head, still trying to process it all. ''Maybe it''s not that strong? That''s right, there''s no way he could take out something like that alone, even if he was powerful,'' he thought to himself, trying to rationalize what he had just heard. Reign, on the other hand, didn''t really care whether what he fought was considered strong or not. At his level, everything below the Demon Lord Rankwas weak. After calming down, Lucas spoke again. "We need to make sure the passengers are safe and that the filters are working. We can''t let our guard down, not after something like this." Reign leaned against the wall, his demeanor rxed. "I did my job already. Now it''s your turn. " Lucas nodded, his respect for Reign growing despite his lingering doubts. He felt a pang of guilt for having judged Reign as someone evil and crazy when, in reality, he had just saved everyone. "I misjudged you," Lucas admitted quietly, ncing at Reign. "I thought you were... well, something else. But you just saved all of us." Reign shrugged, not looking particrly moved by the admission. "It''s all part of my job. Just keep the train moving." Lucas nodded again, more firmly this time. "Right. We''ll do our part." ''You better do your job, or I''ll rip your head off for wasting my time,'' Reign muttered to himself, not liking the idea of saving humans he barely knew. As Lucas moved away to organize the crew and check on the passengers, Reign''s thoughts lingered on how inconvenientall of this was for him. ''I want to kill everyone and just fly out of here,'' he sighed. Lucas, unaware of Reign''s darker thoughts, started working. He quickly coordinated with the crew to fix the filters and ensure the passengers were safe and calm. As the train continued its journey, the steady nking of the wheels provided a rhythm to their work. Lucas couldn''t help but nce back at Reign asionally, grateful for his presence despite the unsettling aura he carried. Chapter 305: Breaking Through The screeching sound of the train wheels against the track echoed through the cabin as it disengaged the brake. Anxiety spread among the passengers. "Why did we stop?" one of them asked. Lucas stood up, his face calm despite the tension. He moved to the front to speak. Though he might have seemed cowardly before, now, with the confrontation near, he stepped forward with the authority of a true leader. "A few kilometers from here is the hordes of corrupted camping outside Brentwood . We have to break through them, and this will be dangerous. So, I want you all to wear this power armor." He gestured to the suits stacked nearby. The suits were bulky, with a metallic sheen, and had built-in oxygen tanks. "These suitse with a back oxygen tank, just in case," he continued. "They''ll protect you from the miasma and give you a fighting chance if things get rough."He added. Next, he opened a securepartment and revealed a cache of high-powered guns. "These are weapons designed to handle zombie type corrupted. Normally, they would be too heavy for anyone to carry, but with the support of your power armor, you should be able to manage." The passengers exchanged nervous nces but began to don the armor and take the weapons. Lucas and the other crew members moved among them, helping with straps and making sure everyone was properly suited up and armed. "What''s the n?" one of the passengers asked. Lucas took a deep breath."We''ll ram through the horde. This train is equipped with methrowers and missiles. Our goal is to clear a path by using these weapons to break through . Once we reach the checkpoint, we''ll have support from the Brentwood military." He paused to let the information sink in. He noticed the others still had doubtful looks, so he decided to exin more to give them hope. "The methrowers will deal with any corrupted blocking our way, and the missiles will help us handlerger clusters or particrly tough ones. Keep your weapons ready and stay alert. Our job is to keep this train moving and defend against any threats." His words seemed to boost the passengers'' confidence a bit. Despite the grim situation, the detailed n gave them a sense of control. They adjusted their weapons and armor, preparing for the imminent confrontation. "Remember," Lucas continued, "once we break through, we need to move quickly. The Brentwood military will take over from there, but until we reach them, it''s up to us to keep this train safe." He surveyed the crowd of passengers, his gaze steady andmanding. "So, anyone here who can fight, please raise your hands," he inquired. Several hands went up, showing a mix of determination and apprehension. He nodded in acknowledgment. "Good. We''ll need all the help we can get. Please stay close and follow instructions. We need to ensure everyone''s safety and keep the area secure." Reign watched the scene with disinterest. He took a step back, letting Lucas and the crew handle the small details while he took a moment to assess the situation from the shadows. ''I will only move if needed,'' Reign thought to himself. His job was to protect the train, and any deaths on the way would no longer be his problem. As he observed everyone, he began gauging their individual abilities. Most of them were barely passable. ''Interesting,'' he mused, looking at two mysterious individuals who were wearing their own power suits that covered most of their bodies. The one that caught his attention was a woman, who, when he used his undead eye, revealed that she had a concentrated amount of vitality. She looked like a candle among matchsticks in his eyes. "What''s your name?" Reign asked as he walked toward her. The woman turned around out of habit, and herpanion, stepped in between them to protect her. "We don''t want any trouble," herpanion spoke up, his tone firm and direct. Reign''s sharp hearing assessed their ent, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.He immediately recalled Aiku''s way of speaking from before he had possessed Demi. "Are you maybe from the East?" Reign asked, his voice just barely above a whisper. Stay connected through mvl Nobu''s expression remained guarded. "We don''t see how it''s any of your business," he replied bluntly . "That''s unfortunate, My father is of Eastern heritage too." Reign replied with a shrug. He wasn''t lying; his real father was really from the East, though it was in a different world entirely. Seki''s eyes lit up with excitement. She hurriedly bowed her head in a gesture of respect. "I apologized for being rude. It''s always a pleasure to meet someone with connections to the East."she said with genuine enthusiasm. Reign raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by her reaction. "Thank you. It''s not something I mention often." "What are you doing here? The east is pretty far away," Reign asked, certain they hade for something important. His senses for treasure and opportunity tingled just hearing her voice. Well, he didn''t actually have such senses, but he liked to believe he did. "I''m sorry, but it''s our business," Nobu replied warily. He didn''t trust someone like him and feared Seki might be too naive and reveal their secrets. Reign might be acting normal now, but everyone knew he was a sadistic individual.. "Okay, but if you need any help, just let me know. It''s not every day I meet someone from the East." Reign cupped his hands and bowed. He had seen this on TV as a kid and wanted to see if it worked here. Seeing Reign''s gesture, Nobu and Seki did the same, drawing the attention of everyone. But it did notst long as the train jolted back into motion, breaking the silence and redirecting everyone''s attention. "Alright everyone, get ready. The corrupted are not going to wait for us to be fully prepared. We will reach the ce in ten minutes." The passengers, now armored and armed, took their positions on their seats. The train shuddered as the engines roared louder, gaining speed. It was determined to crush anything in its path. The first sight of the horde corrupteds sent a wave of fear through crew members manning the train. Lucas and Reign moved to the front to get a better view of the situation through the monitor. "Full speed!" the driver shouted, pushing the lever forward. The train engine let out a powerful roar as it surged ahead, ramming into the horde with a tremendous force. The train plowed through the twisted figures, clearing a path. Once the way was partially cleared, the driver flipped a switch, and the methrowers roared to life. mes spewed from the front and the side, incinerating any remaining corrupted in their path. But the chaos was far from over. Themotion had attracted more corrupted, their twisted bodies running toward the train. Lucas signaled the crew, who beganunching missiles to thin out the approaching waves. BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! Explosions after explosions rocked the area, sending shockwaves through the surrounding as debris and corrupted bodies were destroyed from the impact. They spared no ammunition, firing missile after missile to clear the way. Chapter 306: Breaking Through Part 2 The train¡¯s powerful engine roared at full strength, making everyone worry that it might break under the immense pressure. Lucas and Reign watched through the monitor as the train plowed forward, its massive frame pushing against the hordes of corrupted that dared to block it. Initial impact of their attacks had been devastating, but as the train continued its advance, it became apparent that their previous estimates had been grossly underestimated. The horde turned out to be thicker and more aggressive than expected. Metal wheels of the train screeched and scraped against the corpses, filling the air with a terrible grinding and tearing noise. The train shook violently as the pile of twisted bodies grewrger in front of it. Each moment, the train¡¯s progress slowed more because of the heavy weight of the corrupted corpses. "Losing momentum!" the driver shouted over the noise, his voice filled with panic. He fought with the controls, pushing the engine to its limits. But despite his efforts, the train struggled to move forward, held back by the ever-growing pile of corrupted bodies. Lucas, his face full of worry, turned and walked to the passenger car, with Reign following closely behind. "We¡¯ve underestimated their numbers," he announced, his voice firm. "The train can¡¯t continue like this. We need to clear the path ourselves." A wave of unease swept through the cabin. Several passengers exchanged worried nces, their faces pale under the harsh lights. One tall man, his face lined with stress, spoke up,. "Are you serious? Fighting them head on? We¡¯ll be ughtered! We¡¯re safer inside the train." Another passenger, a woman clutching her weapon tightly, nodded in agreement. "We don¡¯t even know how many are out there. We¡¯re just going to make things worse if we fight now." As the conversation grew more frantic, the passengers turned their gaze toward Reign, who had been observing the scene with a detached air. "What about him?" one of the passengers asked,. "He¡¯s really powerful. Can¡¯t he do something to help us?" Reign turned his head toward the source, his face giving nothing away. A faint, almost mocking smile appeared on his lips. "I¡¯m powerful," he said, trying to sound modest, "but do you really think I can deal with all of this by myself?" The question lingered, making everyone doubt their ns. Reign looked calm and serious. Even though he spoke that he needed their help, he actually had the power to change everything on his own. For now, he wanted the tension and uncertainty to y for his amusement. Lucas saw the crowd¡¯s shifting attention and jumped in, his voice slicing through the growing noise. "Listen up! If we don¡¯t act now, we¡¯re all going to die. The train is stuck, and the corrupted are closing in. If we don¡¯t clear a path, they will rip this train apart, and we¡¯ll be trapped." The room fell silent as his words sank in. The passengers exchanged worried looks, their earlier confidence reced by fear. Seeing that they were scared, Lucas spoke firmly. "I know this is dangerous," he said, his voice strong. "But if we don¡¯t do something now, we¡¯re all going to die. We have a chance if we act quickly. If you¡¯re ready to help, step up and fight. If you¡¯re too scared, stay inside and help keep the train safe." After a moment of hesitation, the passengers began to move. Some, still nervous, took up their weapons, while others prepared to open the windows and face the corrupted. They made the decision not out of bravery but because they had no other choice. As the crew worked to open the windows, Lucas continued to coordinate the effort. "Let¡¯s get these windows open! We need to create a clear field of fire. Don¡¯t waste time arguing¡ªact quickly!" Feeling the pressure, the crew quickly pulled levers and pressed buttons to open the reinforced windows. The cabin was filled with the sharp sound of the windows unlocking and sliding open. Followed by thick, dark mist that began to seep into the cabin, bringing with it a terrible foul smell. The passengers recoiled at the sight of the ck Miasma. Thankfully, the train¡¯s filter system quickly kicked in, working to reduce the impact of the miasma. While some of the dark fog still trickled in, it wasn¡¯t as dense within the cabin. The filter system¡¯s powerful fans blew much of the mist back outside, providing the passengers with a clearer view . The outside was now visible, filled with glowing red eyes of the corrupted creatures. Lucas moved to an open window, his face set with determination. "Everyone, look at the spots where the corrupted are most crowded. Aim carefully and help each other out. We need to clear a path or the train won¡¯t make it through." "FIRE!" The first burst of gunfire shattered the air, hitting the corrupted outside. They were pushed back, but more kepting. The sound of weapons firing and the roaring methrowers filled the air, mixing with the screeching of the train wheels and the groans of the struggling engine. Lucas scanned the room, his eyes sharp and focused. He saw several passengers who looked ready for action. "If you can fight, get ready to go outside!" he shouted over the noise. "We need to clear the front manually!" With reluctance, a group of experienced fighters, their faces set with annoyance, headed for the train¡¯s exits. Among them were five men and a woman, all strong and capable. When the crew opened the emergency exits, they were immediately swarmed by corrupted creatures. The fighters, ready and determined, began fighting back with all their might. They moved together seamlessly, their weapons zing and slicing through the horde to keep the corrupted at bay. Their coordinated effort was important; if they faltered, they risked being overwhelmed. The train¡¯s methrowers continued to roar, burning the corrupted and creating temporary gaps which the fighters used to break and push forward, helping to clear a path and allowing the train to move a little. Lucas, watching from the window, nodded in approval. "They¡¯re doing great. Keep focusing on clearing the areas they¡¯re working on. We need to make sure we don¡¯t fall behind." Inside the cabin, the other passengers and crew kept firing their weapons to support the fighters. The train¡¯s engines struggled against the pile of bodies in front of it, but thebined efforts were making a difference. However ¡ª Even with their hard work, the horde seemed endless, constantlying at them from every side. The fighters, though skilled, were battling new waves that seemed to never stop. They fought with all their strength, pushing forward despite their exhaustion. ¡¯I can¡¯t believe I was assigned to guard someone so ipetent,¡¯ Reign grumbled. Seeing the tough situation, he finally decided to join the fight. ¡¯Time for me to step in,¡¯ he muttered while walking towards the exit. Some of the passengers noticed him and, for a brief moment, began to wished that he might somehow perform a miracle and turn things around. However, those who understood the situation better, like Nobu and Seki, were doubtful that he could save them all. They even considered abandoning the train and making a run for it. Chapter 307: Breaking Through Part 3 "RAWWWRRR!!!" The corrupted swarmed the area , their bodies twisted and deformed. Their eyes glowed red as they charged at Reign, their ragged fingers outstretched. They moved in chaotic waves, each one desperate to tear at him. Driven by frenzied instincts, their attacks came from every direction. Anyone else would have felt threatened by the scene, but Reign didn¡¯t even consider them worth his full attention. Without breaking his steady pace, he brandished his dagger. SLASH! The de shed with a sharp, blue electric arc, slicing through the air. With each swing, the corrupted fell before him. His de sliced through their rotting flesh, sending dark sprays of blood into the air. Their growled were cut short as their bodies hit the ground with dull thuds, only to vanish into the miasma that hung thick and suffocating around them. Meanwhile, tiny, nearly invisible bones tendrils extended from Reign¡¯s feet into the ground. They absorbed the fallen enemies silently. The rise of his Dark Points satisfied him, and he began to think that it might not be such a bad thing after all. He had been frustrated with saving annoying, rich, and stuck-up humans, so the points were a wee reward. ¡¯I can¡¯t forget the rest,¡¯ he muttered to himself, making sure to absorb the thousands of corrupted who had fallen in the initial bombardment. ¡¯Free points, nice,¡¯ he thought inwardly. "RAWWWRRR!!!" The corrupted kepting, their attacks growing more frenzied as they failed to realize that their efforts were futile and useless. So Reign just advanced steadily, cutting down anything that was within his range. Thirty, forty, fifty¡ªeach number marked a new wave of enemies falling before him. Their bodies piled up around him, before vanishing . The passengers watching from the windows could hardly believe their eyes. Reign movements where so amazing, as if the battle were merely a walk in the park. "He¡¯s... he¡¯s incredible," someone whispered in awe, unable to look away from the scene. Everyone watched Reign as if they were witnessing a a real life superhero in action. His dagger gleamed through the miasma, slicing through the air with a humming sound followed by a chorus of crackling, like the flutter of thousands of birds. The corrupted fell in droves, their numbers thinning with every step he took. Inside the train, a new sense of hope began to rise. The passengers, who had been teetering on the edge of despair, now watched with a flicker of optimism. Even Nobu and Seki, who had doubted his abilities, observed with a mix of fear and respect. Seki, in particr, felt a surge of pride. To see someone of Eastern heritage wield such power and skill was very impressive. Finally, as Reign reached the front of the train, he began increasing his attacks speed, cutting through the corrupted ruthlessly . The train followed closely behind, gaining ground as he cleared a path through the horde Seeing Reign¡¯s dominating the fight, the surviving mercenaries decided to take a short break. They climbed to the top of the train to get a better view. From up there, they could see just how effective Reignbat style was as he annihted everything in his way. His dagger sparked with electricity, slicing through the corrupted with each swing. One of the fighters, a middle age veteran named Jock, watched in amazement. "Look at him go," he said, his voice filled with approval . "He¡¯s cutting through them like they¡¯re nothing." Arah, another mercenary with a reputation, nodded in agreement. "I¡¯ve never seen anyone fight like this" Ben, who had been focused on his own fighting earlier, turned to the others with a puzzled look. "Do you think we¡¯re really needed here? I mean, he¡¯s clearing the way on his own." Jock shook his head slowly. "It¡¯s hard to say. He¡¯s making it look so easy. Maybe we will just slow him down if we join." Ben sighed. "I was thinking the same thing." Arah¡¯s eyes remained fixed on Reign, admiration and frustration mixing in her expression. "Yeah. I guess we should just focus on supporting where we can." Ben nodded. "Agreed. Let¡¯s stay ready and make sure we¡¯re here if he needs us. But it¡¯s clear he¡¯s got this under control." The fighters watched in silence, readying themselves for any unexpected events. Reign, however, remained unfazed, scanning the area for any remaining threats. He knew that most of the swarm, were likely still far away, but he was eager for more points. He had even slowed down a bit, pretending to get tired in order to wait for more toe. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, their numbers continued to thin out. ¡¯Damn it, these things are too slow,¡¯ he clicked his tongue in annoyance. With a final, decisive swing, he took down thest of the enemies around him. The path was now clear, so he leaped onto the train¡¯s roof, his expression remaining unchanged. As Reign stood on the train¡¯s roof, Arah approached, trying to get his attention. "Thank you for saving us" He didn¡¯t look at her or respond. He just kept staring into the distance, andpletely ignored her. "I¡¯m sorry for running my mouth," She apologized , epting that he needed space. The engine started , and it began to move forward, crushing any remaining corrupted along the way. With the train picking up speed, the passengers, who had been gripped by fear, now felt more safe . Meanwhile, seeing that there was no more immediate danger, Reign returned to the passenger car. The battle was over, but the impact of his actions would linger long after the train left the danger behind. Upon entering the car, the passengers burst into apuse, their faces reflecting relief and genuine appreciation. They now saw him as a hero, feeling grateful for his timely intervention and skill. Some approached him, eager to thank him for his heroic intervention. Their voices were filled with admiration, and a few even reached out to shake his hand or offer their heartfelt thanks. However, Reign just ignored them. One particrly enthusiastic passenger, her face alight with admiration, stepped forward with the intention of hugging Reign. Her arms were open wide, and she had a big smile on her face. Reign, however, grumbled under his breath, clearly irritated by the overzealous disy of gratitude. But before she could reach him, he lifted his leg and delivered a sharp, brutal kick. BAM! The impact sent the woman stumbling backward, crashing into a nearby seat with a grunt of surprise and pain. "I¡ª I can¡¯t..." she gasped, squirming on the floor as she struggled to catch her breath. The cabin fell silent, with all eyes turning toward Reign. "You¡¯re misunderstanding something," Reign said, his voice breaking the silence. "I¡¯m not your hero, so don¡¯t get too friendly. If you do, I¡¯ll throw you off this train," he warned. His aggressive tone and the brutal kick made it clear that he had no interest in their thanks. The once-celebratory atmosphere turned tense and uneasy. The passengers¡¯ gratitude was overshadowed by his harsh and brutal response. With a final nce at the shocked faces around him, he turned and found an empty seat. He sat down, his expression unreadable . Chapter 308: Checkpoint and Background The cabin was so quiet it felt like everyone had stopped breathing. A moment ago, there had been cheers and pping, but now everyone was stunned and scared. His action of kicking a woman reminded them that he was still the cold-hearted person they had thought he was. "Please¡­ " The woman who had tried to hug him struggled to her feet, her face pale and her eyes watering with pain and humiliation. She clutched her side where she got hit, wincing with each breath. If not for her power armor, that kick would have killed her. "I just wanted to thank him," she said in a voice barely above a whisper, tears streaming down her cheeks. ¡¯I can¡¯t believe he hit a woman just because he¡¯s angry,¡¯ one of the passengers grumbled to himself, thinking that Reign was a failure of a man for hurting a woman. Little did he know, Reign didn¡¯t see any difference between genders when they were insignificant to him. To him, they were all ssified as food. Expecting a monster like him to give women a free pass for pissing him off was a concept that only applies for weak humans. One of the train¡¯s crew, who had been watching from the back, stepped forward cautiously. His eyes flicked to the woman before deciding to assist her. "Let¡¯s get you some help," The crew member said softly, guiding her away. The atmosphere in the train car had changedpletely after this. No one dared approach him again. ¡¯This is much better,¡¯ Reign thought to himself. He should be feared, not the other way around. He would be a failure as a monster if he started getting happy from merepliments. The train continued its journey, but the path was not entirely clear of danger. Minor blockages, mostly scattered debris and a few remaining corrupted zombies, asionally slowed its progress. However, these obstacles were quickly handled by the train¡¯s crew without needing Reign¡¯s intervention. His earlier disy of power had left asting impression, and for now, his presence was more a symbol of reassurance than a necessity. Eventually, the train approached its destination: a fortified tform that had been transformed into a stronghold. Tall barriers and heavy machinery lined the area, clearly prepared to fend off any attack that might try to breach the defenses. Among the setup were trucks carrying long-range rocketunchers,rge cannons, and other heavy equipment designed to hold the line against overwhelming forces. As the train inched closer to the tform, the military personnel stationed there signaled it to stopped. They were d in imposing and gray heavy power armor. The inspection team, initially focused on the task at hand, was taken aback when they finally saw the state of the train. It was ragged and battered, evidence of the hard battles it had endured. One soldier, his visor reflecting the harsh lights of the tform, voiced what many were thinking. "Is this is the train that made it through all that? It looks really outdated" His disbelief was shared by the others. The train looked barely capable of making the journey. One of the officers, a tall man with amanding presence, stepped forward. "What is this train carrying?" he asked one of his subordinates, who hurriedly whispered something in response. "Weapons and ammunition? You¡¯re telling me this train carries the supplies we¡¯ve been desperately waiting for?" "Yes, sir," the personnel replied. Before he could say more, someone stepped off the train. "My name is Lucas, a weapons dealer. I¡¯m here to trade these weapons to aid our government," Lucas introduced himself. "Did you bring a lot?" the officer asked as they shook hands. Lucas nodded firmly. "That¡¯s right. We¡¯ve got enough to help you buy some time before the next reinforcement arrived." The officer¡¯s face lit up with enthusiasm. Without wasting a moment, he raised hismunicator to his mouth and spoke into it. [ We¡¯ve got a train here with the supplies we¡¯ve been waiting for. Get themanding officer down here immediately! ] Within moments, the tform was abuzz with activity. The military quickly shifted from their routine duties to prepare for the arrival of themanding officer. Lucas stood by, watching as the tform turned into a busy scene. The soldiers were clearly excited, moving quickly and with purpose. News of the iing supplies had boosted their moral. They no longer worried about the train¡¯s worn-out look, as the promise of much-needed equipment made them eager and hopeful. Themanding officer arrived shortly, a stern figure who quickly assessed the situation. He looked over the train with a critical eye before turning his attention to Lucas. "You¡¯re the one who brought this in? Lucas nodded. "That¡¯s correct. We¡¯ve got the ammunition and weaponry you need. Let¡¯s get it unloaded and to where it¡¯s needed most." Themanding officer¡¯s expression softened into a rare smile. "Excellent work. This is exactly what we¡¯ve been waiting for. Let¡¯s get these supplies distributed and make sure they¡¯re put to good use." Lucas chuckled and respectfully asked for his payment. "Before that, about our fee for delivering these supplies¡­" Themanding officer raised his eyebrows, trying to maintain hismanding demeanor. "You¡¯re asking for payment now? Right in the middle of all this?" Lucas didn¡¯t budge. "That¡¯s right. We took a huge risk to get these supplies here, and we need to bepensated. The amount of money I spent just to break through that horde was astronomical." His words left no room for negotiation. For a moment, themanding officer tried to hold his stern expression. But seeing Lucas¡¯s unwavering stance, he finally chuckled, his rigid posture softening. "Well, you¡¯ve got some guts, I¡¯ll give you that," themanding officer said. Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly but stayed firm. "Even if we¡¯re brave, we still need fair payment for the risk we took. We went through a lot to get these supplies here." He didn¡¯t back down, staring directly at themanding officer. "Alright, alright. Show me the list of the weapons and ammunition you¡¯re selling." Lucas handed over a detailed list of the cargo, carefully itemized and organized. The officer took the list, scanning it with his eyes. After a moment, he nodded and said, "This looks a lot. Let¡¯s get these unloaded and inspected first, then I¡¯ll pay you" He motioned for dozens of soldiers to start moving the crates from the train. Lucas nodded in agreement, his expression rxing slightly. "That works for me," he said. He watched as the soldiers began unloading the crates, his eyes scanning the activity. As the crates were moved and inspected, he remained alert, ensuring that everything was handled properly. He knew that this was just the first step and that the final payment was still to be determined. But he wasn¡¯t worried about profits. During wartime, the price of goods could increase a lot. He expected to sell these weapons at a 500% markup or more. Plus, there were very few weapons dealers like him who would risk dying just to trade, so the military wouldn¡¯t be too unreasonable with him. "I want to report something." A woman¡¯s voice broke the silence. "What are you doing here, Miss Emy?" Lucas was shocked; he didn¡¯t expect her to leaved the train. "My name is Emy Miller, a representative of BioGen, and I want to report a criminal currently on the train," she spat out. "Miller? Are you General Emelio¡¯s daughter?" themanding officer asked. "The one and only," Emy said with a hint of satisfaction, her eyes gleaming with the anticipation of finally getting her revenge. ¡¯I¡¯ll make you pay for killing Alfonso and ying with my emotions,¡¯ Chapter 309: Checkpoint and Background 2 "This is outrageous!" Lucas eximed. He couldn¡¯t believe how audacious Emy was to demand the imprisonment of the one person responsible for their safety. Reign might have been overbearing, rude, psychopathic, and unpredictable, but it didn¡¯t change the fact that everyone would likely be dead by now if not for him. Lucas had hoped that, given all Reign had done, Emy might let things go. However, he had underestimated how petty she could be. "I can¡¯t let you take him. He¡¯s my bodyguard, and without him, I won¡¯t be able to get back to Green Valley!" Lucas protested, finally revealing the real reason he couldn¡¯t allow such action. Emy¡¯s smile widened, unfazed by Lucas¡¯s protest. "Your personal concerns don¡¯t matter here, Mr. Lucas. That man is a criminal and needs to be dealt with ordingly." Themanding officer nced between the two, clearly weighing the situation. "Miss Miller, do you have any evidence of his crimes?" "Yes," she replied, taking out a small device from her pocket. "This contains footage of himmitting several atrocities." Themanding officer nodded and took the device from her. He watched it, and a series of disturbing images and videos began to y Lucas stepped forward, desperation in his eyes. "You can¡¯t just arrest him based on that." "Mr, Lucas , please don¡¯t side with him or I will deal with you too. My father is the highest General in this ce , and if you kept on talking, I promise you that I will make your life difficult," she warned. Lucas felt a chill run down his spine. Her threat was not something he could ignore. Swallowing hard, he forced a calm expression and nodded slightly. "Please arrest that man immediately, and be careful. That criminal on par with a high level hunter," she ordered. Themanding officer¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. He could tell that Emy had ulterior motives and that the video he had seen only showed part of the story. However, it didn¡¯t change the fact that her im about Reign killing Alfonso and threatening the passengers was true. "Mr. Lucas, I¡¯m sorry, but as per protocol, we need to detain him for questioning. Don¡¯t worry, if he¡¯s really innocent, we¡¯ll let him go, especially since he¡¯s a powerful person who could be an asset to the city," he exined. Lucas wanted to respond, and exin how much Reign had contributed to their survival, but before he could say anything, themanding officer signaled his men to enter the train for the arrest. The soldiers moved cautiously, surrounding the train before entering it. Lucas followed them inside, determined to be the one to deliver the bad news. Inside, Reign was sitting calmly in his seat, patting Wick¡¯s head, as they approached. "I¡¯m so sorry for this. Miss Emy wants you to be arrested," Lucas exined. "Please don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll find a way to get you out of prison." After he was finished, a fully geared officer stepped forward. "Sir, please cooperate. We don¡¯t want any unnecessary violence," he said firmly. "Arrest me? " Reign almost burst inugher at the absurdity of their request. What prison could possibly hold a Demon Lord like himself? Still, he needed to stay calm. Blowing his cover now would turn all his efforts worthless. "That woman didn¡¯t learn her lesson .I can¡¯t believe she¡¯d actually dare to make such a move after everything I¡¯ve shown her." Reign said, shaking his head. "Sir, you have the right to remain silent, but anything you say could be used against you in a court ofw," the officer spoke but just got ignored. "I want to talk to someone with more authority," Reign said, standing up. "Don¡¯t move!" The soldiers quickly pointed their guns at his face. Seeing their weapons aimed at him, he felt an urge to kill everyone with his dagger but held back because he had alreadye up with a n to handle the situation. "I¡¯m a Hunter from a Tier 1 city. Are you really sure it¡¯s wise to point your guns at me?" CRACK! Electric sparks dance across his body, a warning of the power he could unleash if they choose to fight. "Hold your fire," one of the soldiers ordered, his voice steady but with a hint of unease. Everyone hesitated, their weapons lowering slightly as they exchanged nervous nces. "Please follow us so you can talk to him," Reign was escorted outside of the train, where Emy stood waiting alongside themanding officer. Her eyes shed with satisfaction as she saw him being led toward her. "Are you already regretting your decision?" she asked, her tone haughty and arrogant. Reign nced at her, then at themanding officer. "Regret ?" he sneered in contempt "I¡¯m just trying to make sure you all know what you¡¯re doing," CRACK! Without warning, chain of electrical charge surged around him, weaving a shimmering barrier of lightning. The air vibrated, and the sound of thousands of chirping birds filled the fort as his aura became brighter and more overwhelming . It sent out waves of blue electricity that seemed to pulse with every beat. "Get ready !" The soldiers stepped back, holding their guns up in worry. Some of them shifted nervously, their fingers twitching on their triggers. Themanding officer, trying to stay in control, looked worried . "I¡¯m from the Razer Family," Reign dered, using Jayden¡¯sst name to his advantage. Themanding officer¡¯s eyes widened in recognition. "The Razer Family? One of the two families known for lightning breathing technique ?" "That¡¯s right. If you know my family¡¯s reputation, you should understand that what you¡¯re doing is wrong," Reign replied, his voice showing annoyance. "Do you even know why I¡¯m here?" Themanding officer¡¯s eyes shifted from curiosity to concern. "I¡¯m afraid we don¡¯t have all the details. We are arresting you based on the evidence provided by Miss Miller." "Don¡¯t believe him!" Emy interrupted. She had been suspicious about his im to be from the Razer family from the start, and after seeing how he fought before, she concluded that he wasn¡¯t a true hunter. "I saw him fight. I think he¡¯s a rogue who stole the Razer Family¡¯s techniques. We¡¯d be rewarded if we turn him in. Think about it¡ªwhy would someone from that Legendary Family be here and act as a mere bodyguard , and without an official mission?" she exined, trying to twist the narrative to her advantage. The soldiers exchanged worried nces, understanding the logic behind her words. CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! Reign broke the silence with a slow, mocking p. "I¡¯ve met a lot of annoying women before, but you really take the icing in the cake," "Don¡¯t act so arrogant. You¡¯re a criminal and need to be detained!" Emy snapped, her anger and hatred clear in her every words. Her eyes narrowed, as if she couldn¡¯t wait to punish him for all the physical and emotional damage he had caused her. "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Rain, but without proper proof of your identity, we need you toe with us," themanding officer said with a heavy sighed. Normally, he would have been more authoritative and firm, but the backgrounds of the people involved made him choose a more neutral approach. Chapter 310: Checkpoint and Background 3 Emy¡¯s smile widened after hearing themanding officer¡¯s words. As long as she could detain Reign long enough, she could convince her father to prosecute him. ¡¯My dad spoiled me a lot, so what if you¡¯re from the Razer Family?¡¯ she sneered with contempt. ¡¯You will still die, ¡¯ ¡¯We can just control the information and pretend you were never here,¡¯ she giggled. The thought alone was enough to lift her spirits. "Do you regret it?" she asked with a cruel smile, her cold, mocking gaze never leaving him. Reign saw her annoying expression and had to admit to himself that her face was really punchable. Staying calm was taking all his effort. To think that a single woman would give him this much trouble. "Are you sure about this? "He asked themanding officer onest time to try and salvage the situation. He didn¡¯t want his efforts to go to waste. "Mr. Rain, if you don¡¯t have anything to hide, then you have nothing to worry about. I will personally apologize to you after it¡¯s done," themanding officer responded, his tone neutral as if he were just following procedures. Reign, on the other hand, almostughed at the response. ¡¯Why would I need an apology from a food who could not even decide which side to take ? ¡¯ ¡¯Alright, time to kill everyone,¡¯ he thought, his patience running thin. They could have lived for a few more days, but they had really pushed his buttons. Now, he would teach them a lesson they would only learn once. Forget about the corrupted camp outside; he alone would destroy everything in sight to quell his anger. And if there were powerful people in the city? He could always fly away if necessary. The only downside was that it would make him a target for the Abyssal Alliance again. Unfortunately, being hunted was part of the job, so this setback was to be expected. ¡¯I¡¯ll kill this annoying woman first,¡¯ he thought, ready for a bloodbath. His mind raced with ns to torture Emy, making her regret ruining all his hard work. But just as he prepared to grab her neck, a loud explosion outside jolted everyone. Cannons had been fired, sending shells crashing into the surrounding area. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The nonstop sound of explosions was a loud sign that something major was happening. [We are under attack! At 12 o¡¯clock, a horde of an estimated 300,000 corrupteds ising this way] A soldier announced, his voice barely audible over the ring rm. Reign stopped before he could lift a finger, his anger momentarily overtaken by his curiosity . Emy¡¯s smile, on the other hand, faltered as she realized the seriousness of the situation. "All units, defensive positions! Protect the fort! Send more tanks outside!" Themanding officer barked orders on his radio, trying to regain control. "Are you still going to arrest me ? "Reign asked themander officer, who looked at him with mixed emotions. "Just get on the train. We¡¯ll deal with your case at the base. I¡¯m going to call someone there to assist you," themanding officer responded. "Okay," Reign nodded. "Are you just going to let him go? "Emy retorted sharply, stepping forward with a look of disbelief. "After everything he¡¯s done? This isn¡¯t just about protocol. We need to hold him ountable for his crimes and actions. Allowing him to walk away without any consequences would be a mistake." Her voice was firm and insistent, making it clear she wasn¡¯t backing down from her stance. Themanding officer paused, showing irritation on his face. This was not the time for personal agendas, but she still refused to let go of her grudges, even temporarily. "Sergeant, follow him into the station." hemanded. "Yes, sir," the sergeant replied with a salute. Next, he turned toward Reign with a respectful nod. Having witnessed everything, he knew better than to act haughty in front of such a powerful individual. Unlike Emy, he understood how to avoid aggravating someone who could potentially kill him. It was the most logical and smartest thing to do when facing a person of unknown origin. Unfortunately, for some reason, Emy¡¯s ability to detect and be aware of danger was almost nonexistent. Reign noticed that, for once, someone had enough brain cells to understand the situation, so he decided to let it go for now. Gaining ess to the city without creating amotion would be better. "Don¡¯t think this is over! "Emy said, rolling her eyes. Reign justughed it off. "I hope this fort can hold up and that you don¡¯t end up dead," he said with a smirk. Then, he turned on his heel and walked away, with Lucas and the other military personnel following him. She red at his back, her frustration clear on her face. She even bit her lips to keep her anger under control. As the group moved closer into the train, Lucas whispered, "What do you think will happen? " "Whatever happens, I hope those things destroy this ce," Reign replied with a cold, detached tone. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Another consecutive explosion roared, the rate of fire intensifying. The sounds painted a grim picture of how dire the situation outside was. Lucas, sensing the danger, didn¡¯t waste any time and entered the train. Despite some shaking from the vibration, the tform managed tond safely underground. From there, the train moved toward the station, its wheels screeching as it came to a stop at the now-busy hub. The station was crowded with military personnel , and other trains were quickly leaving for the fort outside. Each train carried supplies and manpower, in an attempt to push back the invader. Reign stayed calm and didn¡¯t make amotion after he set foot at the station. He could sense powerful individuals within the crowd. While each one was no match for him individually, their numbers could pose a bit of a challenge. "Mr. Rain, follow me," a woman with short orange hair approached. She wore a sharp ck coat that fell to her knees, adding an air of authority to her presence. "And who are you? "He asked. "My name is Agatha. I¡¯m from the Military Intelligence Department, or MID. I¡¯m here to check your credentials " she replied. She was surrounded by six military personnel who acted as her bodyguards. Their uniforms were neat, and they stood close to her, ready to protect her. Each of them was alert, keeping an eye on everything around them to make sure she was safe. "I can¡¯t really let you do that," Reign said, trying to reason with her. "I came here on a secret mission, and letting you know my identity would ruin the whole thing." Agatha smiled as if already expecting such a reason: "You don¡¯t need to worry about that. We¡¯re willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement. You can be assured that we won¡¯t do anything to jeopardize you once we confirm your identity." ¡¯I see, so I have no choice then,¡¯ he sighed. There was no way to validate an identity that didn¡¯t exist in the first ce. He began to survey the area, looking for an escape route. Beingbeled a criminal was way more convenient than being branded a demon. Chapter 311: Checkpoint and Background 4 Ring! Ring! Ring! Agatha¡¯s phone rang, breaking the silence. She picked it up quickly and stepped away from the group to answer the call. "Hello?," she said, her voice steady but her eyes showing concern . She started the conversation normally, but as the minutes passed, her face grew paler and her gaze repeatedly shifted toward Reign and the phone. By the time she ended the call, she looked ashen and shaken. Slowly, she walked back toward Reign, her steps slower and her demeanor subdued. "Mr. Rain," she began, her voice soft but earnest, "we believe you came here with good intentions for the city. I apologize on behalf of the military. The General called and requested your assistance because the fort is struggling to fend off the attack, and we desperately need your help." She bowed her head respectfully. Reign¡¯s expression hardened, a sneer forming on his lips. "So now you need my help?" he retorted. "You insulted me and my family name. What do you take me for? Just validate my identity and let me leave," he spat, trying to sound as irritated as he could. Agatha¡¯s face flushed with frustration. She cursed her superiors inwardly for their contradictory orders¡ªfirst to detain Reign and then to seek his help. Did they think this was some sort of joke? "Mr. Rain, I¡¯m really sorry for this situation. The General said that if you refused, we were to offerpensation to convince you," Agatha said, her voice tinged with resignation. "Oh, that¡¯s nice. You should have started with that," he said, nodding slightly as if he were considering the offer. She felt a surge of relief. At least he was willing to listen now. With the government¡¯s funds, thanks to the businesses contributing to the city¡¯s defense, even ten¡¯s of million credits would be manageable for one person. "Alright then," Reign said casually, lifting his two hands as if the amount were trivial. "I will help you all for 10 billion credits." "What ?" Agatha¡¯s eyes widened, and she nearly choked at the astronomical figure. Only someone with immense resources could demand such a sum. "W¡ªwe don¡¯t have that much," she stammered. Reign¡¯s eyes glinted with amusement. "I thought you were just a military officer. Didn¡¯t realize you were the treasurer as well," he said mockingly. Agatha felt a sting of insult from his mockery but kept herposure, understanding that they needed his help right now. "I¡¯ll call the General," she said, sighing in defeat. "There¡¯s no need for that. We are here now," came a husky voice, cutting through the conversation. Reign turned to see the source of the noise and saw sixty hunters standing in the clearing. Their collective presence was so powerful that it made Reign feel a flicker of intimidation. "Hunter An," Agatha eximed, her tone a mix of surprise and relief. The hunter who interjected was well-known for his status and achievements since arriving in the city a month ago. He was a Double Digit Hunter from a Tier 2 city, and his presence was important for the city¡¯s defense against the corrupted. Without their aid, the city might have already fallen. "Hunter An, I thought you were dealing with the East Area?" Agatha asked, her admiration evident. "We finished that already, "An replied, his gaze shifting toward Reign. The blindfold made Reign¡¯s expression unreadable, but An¡¯s curiosity was evident as he scanned him from head to toe. "Who is this man, Agatha?" An inquired. She hesitated, unsure if it was appropriate to reveal Reign¡¯s imed identity as a member of the Razer Family. "You don¡¯t need to ask her; this is enough," Reign said, raising his hands. Sparks of blue electricity danced around his fingertips, drawing attention. "Thunderbird Breathing Technique of the Razer family," An said, nodding in recognition. "My name is An, a Tier 2 Double Digit Hunter," he introduced himself. "I go by the alias Rain," "All right, Rain," An chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Where¡¯s your katana?" he asked, noticing that Reign was unarmed. "I don¡¯t need it; I¡¯m on a secret mission," Reign said nonchntly. An raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A secret mission, you say? And yet, you¡¯re asking for 10 billion credits? " Reign¡¯sposure remained intact as he considered his response. "I was just teasing her. They kept insisting on knowing my real identity, even though I¡¯ve already said I¡¯m here on a matter that requires discretion," he said, sounding like he was the victim in all of this. "Is this mission sanctioned by the Hunter Association?" An asked, his brow furrowing with doubt. "No," Reign replied casually. "It¡¯s a family matter. Besides, I don¡¯t really work for the Hunter Association. I¡¯m more like Quill," He referenced the information he¡¯d gotten from Lilith about the infamous hunter. An¡¯s expression remained neutral. He knew about Quill zer¡¯s poprity, known for his independence and godlike level talent and potential. But simply mentioning the name didn¡¯t prove much. The fact that Reign wasn¡¯t affiliated with the Hunter Association made An more suspicious. "I¡¯ve heard a lot about the Razer family," An said after a moment. "I even sparred with someone from your family once. Unfortunately, he went missing after a corrupted invasion," he added, his voice tinged with sadness. He wasn¡¯t alone in his reaction. Some of the hunters behind him also showed somber expressions, their shared memories of the missing person evident. Hearing the mention of Corrupted Invasion, Reign immediately pieced the information together and decided to gamble. "I understand your pain," he said gravely. "I also have a missing cousin. I hope my little brother, Jayden, will somehow return to our family." "What? You know Jayden?" An eximed in shock. But the young maiden with green hair and eyes had an even more intense reaction. "Jayden? You¡¯re his big brother?" The girl¡¯s voice wavered as she stepped closer, her eyes wide with shock. "I trained with him and we were close. Do you know what happened to him? I¡¯ve been so worried." Her expression softened from shock to concern, showing a personal connection to Jayden. ¡¯Does this girl have a crush on Arc?¡¯ he wondered inwardly. If that was the case, he could use her to his advantage. "I¡¯m his cousin, but he used to call me ¡¯big brother¡¯," Reign said, weaving a web of lies. Technically, he wasn¡¯t entirely untruthful, as Arc was part of him. "Really? Wait, I think I remember now," the girl said, her eyes searching Reign¡¯s face. "Jayden mentioned he idolized someone in his family¡ªhis big brother Jayreen. Are you him?" Reign¡¯s expression remained neutral as he considered his response. He neither confirmed nor denied the im. "I¡¯m on an important and secret mission, so I can¡¯t disclose much," he said, choosing to keep the details vague. For all he knew, there might be no one named Jayreen, and she could just be trying to catch him off guard. The girl looked momentarily dejected but managed a smile as she calmed herself. An then rejoined the conversation. "I won¡¯t bother you any longer," he said. "But perhaps we can discuss Jayden more after our group finish defending the fort." "Sure," Reign agreed, and they exchanged phone numbers. Chapter 312: Identity "Our ride is here," An said, ncing at the approaching train. "Let''s catch upter." He gave a quick nod to Reign before heading toward the tform with his team. Their impressive lineup attracted a lot of attention, with journalists snapping photos and capturing their celebrity status. They were like real-life superheroes of justice, defending the weak and standing up for those in need. Reign wouldn''t be surprised if they had their own action figures. After the team of hunters was gone, he turned to Agatha, who had heard everything. He crossed his arms before giving her a wide smile. "Do you still need to verify my identity?" His tone dripped with sarcasm. Agatha took a deep breath, trying to keep herposure. It was clear from the exchange that his knowledge and demeanor suggested he was indeed from the Razer family. "No, Mr. Rain," she said, her voice steady despite the previous tension. "I believe we can consider your identity verified." "I''ll take my leave then," he answered quickly and called for Lucas and Wick, who were waiting for his signal. But before they could reach him, Agatha stepped forward, her eyes signaling that she wanted to continue the conversation. She looked determined and hopeful, clearly intent on discussing something important with him. "Mr. Rain, please allow me to apologize again on behalf of the military," she said, bowing deeply to show her sincerity. "We were wrong to suspect someone like you, who risked your life toe here and help us." Reign stayed quiet, watching her closely. He was curious to hear what she would say next. Noticing no reaction, she decided to do her best to make her point clear. She took a deep breath and spoke with more urgency. She might not be able to convince him today, but she knew there was still a chance. "I know saying sorry can''t change what happened," she said, "but I hope it can be the beginning of fixing things. We really need your help, and I want you to know how much we appreciate talented people like you" He didn''t respond right away, his gaze drifting. ''It would be bad if I just reject them; I really don''t want the military on my tail,'' he sighed inwardly, hiding his frustration behind a calm exterior. Reign knew how politics often worked: if he showed he wasn''t willing to help no matter what, they would see him as a liability. That wouldn''t be good for him, especially since he still had a lot of ns to carry out in the city before he was done with it. "Alright, you can call Lucas if you need anything from me," he said, then turned away without saying another word. "Thank you for giving us a chance," shereplied, offering a respectful nod behind his back. As Lucas passed her, she made sure to get his number. At the same time, she handed him an ID that would help them bypass most of the security checks at the station. This was her way of showing goodwill, hoping it would encourage Reign to side with them. Thanks to the ID she provided, the trio was able to pass through the guards without any issues alongside the others. After walking far enough away, Lucas couldn''t hold back his curiosity. "So you''re really from the Razer family?" he asked, still grappling with the revtion. He had thought Reign was just bluffing, but all that talk says otherwise. "Are you deaf?" Reign sighed, ncing back at Lucas with a disappointed look "I kept repeating it since back in the fort" Lucas''s eyes widened, and he looked a bit embarrassed. "Oh, right," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I wasn''t paying enough attention. I didn''t think you were serious." He shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around the new information. "So," Lucas began hesitantly, "what''s the real deal with the Razer family? I''ve heard some things, but¡­" He trailed off, waiting for Reign to fill in the gaps. Reign stopped and turned toward Lucas, "I can tell you," he said with a chuckle, his lips curling into a sadistic grin, "but I''d have to kill you afterward because you''d know too much." Lucas''s face went pale, and he took a step back, his eyes widening in shock. "You''re joking, right?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. The yful tone in Reign''s voice did little to reassure him. He nced at the others,hoping for some sign that this was just a bad joke. But everyone just refused to make eye contact with him. In the end, he decided it was best to stop asking so many questions. He led Reign and Wick to the customs office, where they checked their names and identities. The process went smoothly, and soon everyone began to go their separate ways. As the group dispersed, only Lucas, Reign, and Wick remained . Everyone avoided Reign like he was the gue, wary of his impulsive behavior. Now that they were safe and had no more immediate use for him, they began cursing him silently in their minds, their irritation simmering beneath the surface. If Reign could read their thoughts, he would have felt a certain satisfaction in seeing them being true to themselves¡ªgreedy individuals who only cared about others when they saw a personal benefit. He didn''t really dislike that way of thinking; in fact, he shared the same ideology. The only difference was that he never pretended to be righteous or acted as though he was morally superior. He was honest about his motives, embracing his own evil nature. "Mr. Rain," a female voice called out from behind. He turned to find Seki and Nobu walking toward him. "What is it?" he asked, his voice calmer now. Seki took a step closer, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I''m just wondering if we could exchange numbers," ''Oh, does she need something from me? ''he silently questioned her motives. He found it hard to believe that she would approach him without some agenda, especially after seeing his rough attitude towards women. Clearly, her need for his assistance outweighed any reservations she might have had about his personality. He studied her for a moment, noting the earnestness in her tone. Enjoy new stories from mvl "Alright, we can exchange numbers," he said, pulling out his phone. They exchanged contact information. "Thanks," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I hope we can work together in the future." ''I knew it,'' he chuckled inwardly, proving his guessed. "As long as you have something worth my time, you can call me." His tone was neutral, revealing neither excitement nor reluctance. Nobu also gave a firm nod. "We appreciate your willingness to help. We''ll be in touch if we needed something ," "No problem, " Reign responded causally. "Thank you again," Seki said, bowing her head onest time before turning away. After the duo bid their farewells, Reign''s group climbed up from the station. What greeted them was the sight of the military base. Inside, people looked stressed and tired as they carried on with their tasks. Their faces showed the constant pressure and fatigue, and their hurried movements made it clear they were worn out. Chapter 313: Hidden Above the station, the practical design of the base was immediately apparent. The walls were painted a dull gray, giving the space a semi-industrial feel. The minimalistic design was functional but uninviting, reflecting the city''s current state. There were no decorative elements, only the essential features needed to keep the station operational. Overall impression was one of efficiency overfort. "They look awful," Reign muttered aloud, observing the current conditions of the military . The morale of everyone was at an all-time low, especially the soldiers who were all too aware of how serious the situation was. Some of these soldiers had sacrificed a finger or two, and in some cases, entire limbs, to protect the city. Others had given up their families, leaving them behind to focus on their duty. And then there were those who had paid the ultimate price, giving up their own lives for the city''s defense. Brentwood was on the defensive, struggling to hold back the growing number of corrupted outside the barrier. With each passing day, the situation grew worse. It seemed more likely that the city might bepletely destroyed soon. "I think they''re losing the war," Reign said, observing the grim situation. "All they''re doing is dying the inevitable." Lucas''s ears perked up after hearing his words. "I agree with you. I n to leave this ce as quickly as possible. I don''t think it will hold out much longer too." he remarked. He had initially thought the situation in Brentwood wasn''t that serious, but seeing it firsthand and experiencing the horde hadpletely changed his perspective. If it weren''t for Reign''s help, everyone would have already been dead¡ªor worse, turned into corrupted creatures. His presence had been the thin line between survival andplete disaster for them. "Well, you''d better find another bodyguard. It''s time for us to part ways here," Reign replied. "Wait, what do you mean? I thought you were supposed toe back with me to Green Valley?," Lucas asked, surprised by the sudden change of ns. Reign shrugged, his expression indifferent. "I''m done with protecting you. I have other things to handle. If you need a bodyguard, you''ll have to find someone else." Lucas''s eyes widened in disbelief. "But we agreed you''de with me. This is sudden." Reign nced at him with a bored look. " You''ll manage without me." Lucas tried to protest, but Reign was already walking away with Wick by his side. ''No... I can''t leave this ce without his help,'' Lucas muttered to himself as he watched the two getting further and further away. The journey back to Green Valley would be even more dangerous than before. Without Reign, his chance of surviving had dropped from 90% to just 10%. This was a huge drop, and with only a 10% chance of survival, Lucas had second thoughts. ''Should I wait for him to finish his mission in this ce? '' he wondered. ''No, the more I wait, the greater the risk of being trapped here if things go wrong,'' he thought. In the end, he decided to head back to the station to see if there was a newer war train avable for sale. *** *** *** After walking a few hundred meters, Reign reached the parking area of the base . He had considered stealing a truck for himself, but before he could act, a white van pulled up and stopped right in front of him. ''Am I going to get kidnapped?'' he wondered to himself. The door slid open, revealing two familiar faces¡ªthe two men who had been with him on the train earlier pretending to be wealthy passengers. "Miss Lilith sent us to assist you," said one of them, a man with a short, neatly trimmed haircut. "Lead the way," Reign said, not bothering with more questions as he climbed into the van. Inside the vehicle, the atmosphere grew tense. Despite being on the same side, the two remained wary of him. They didn''t want to risk provoking him like the woman on the train who got kicked for being too friendly . Explore stories on mvl In their minds, the best approach was to speak as little as possible and avoid offending him with their presence. ''Less words , less mistakes '' they told themselves. "Where are we going?" Reign inquired, breaking the silence. "In the safe house," Aljon replied. He was the one with the trimmed haircut. As a new member, he hadn''t taken the enhancement drugs yet, so he was still just a regr human. "No need for that. Just head directly to where theb is," Reign said sharply. His tone left no room for argument. He was still angry about what Emy had done to him and wanted to get to theb quickly to wait for her there. The thought of her reaction when he collected what she owed made him exited. He pictured her face going pale with shock and fear, which made him smile slightly. ''Just you wait. I''ll make sure you suffer and beg for your own death,'' he thought, a sadistic chuckle escaping him. In a way, he and Emy shared petty personality; the difference was that Reign always delivered. Once he set his mind on something, he went above and beyond, ensuring he outperformed even his own expectations. This trait worked in his favor but spelled trouble for anyone who crossed him. A chill ran down the spines of the two spies as they watched Reign. His smile twisted cruelly, stretching his lips into an unnaturally wide grin that made him look crazy. "Sir, we need to head to the safe house first. There''s something there you will want to see," Aljon exined. Seeing they were insistent, he decided to check it out first. The van continued its journey, passing through the central area of the city. Once lively and vibrant, the ce was now overrun with homeless people. Teenagers, angry and frustrated, were protesting against the government in the za, adding to the sense of chaos in the city. After a few more minutes, they finally reached the safe house. It was a two-story building with a very simple design. When they opened the door, he found the interior barely furnished. Aside from a basic sofa, there were minimal items, but the house was functional and provided a ce to stay. "Mr. Rain, the documents are on your desk upstairs," Aljon said, guiding him inside. "Our informant gave this information, and it''s quite urate." Reign nodded, not bothering to respond. He headed up the stairs, the creaking of the steps echoing through the otherwise silent house. The wooden floorboards on the second floor felt solid underfoot, and thedecor gave the ce an unweing feel. At the top of the stairs, he found a small, tidy room .A simple wooden desk sat against the far wall, and on it, neatly arranged, were several folders and a stack of papers. Reign walked over and began scanning through the documents, his eyes reading quickly as he searched for anything useful. As he read through the documents, his face remained expressionless. The papers contained detailed information about various key locations in the city, including maps , hunter list, and notes on security measures. As he flipped through it, the initial pages held only general information. But as he continued, the content became more detailed and specific. Eventually, he stopped on a page that made him question, ''Is this thing real?'' Chapter 314: Access Point In the document Reign read, there was something even a demon lord like him had to be wary about. ''This ce is filled with hidden powers,'' he sighed, realizing it was a good decision not to start sting his way through the city. ''I wonder why they weren''t making a move yet?'' he thought inwardly. If someone of this caliber was here, they should have already taken action and save this ce. ''Or are they also wary of something else?'' he pondered. There was no reason to prolong this invasion if they had the firepower, so he came to this conclusion. With that in mind, he made a mental note to be careful of that threat. Next, he opened the documents with the blueprint of the BioGenboratory. The ce was at least five times bigger than the one in Crestwood. It seemed Lilith had sent many groups there, but they all ended up dead. He read and memorized everything. The blueprint wasn''tplete, but it provided enough details to help him figure out theyout of the ce. With the map clear in his mind, he prepared himself for the next phase of his mission. He went downstairs and ordered Aljon to drive him to the location of theboratory. It was already close to noon, and he nned to infiltrate the ce at night. "Stay here," he instructed. "WOOOF!" Wick nodded As they drove towards theboratory, he stared out the window, lost in thought. The cityscape blurred by, a mix of towering buildings and almost empty streets, but his mind was focused on the mission ahead. After 30 minutes, they left the city walls and drove through the outskirts. The urban environment gave way to more open spaces and agricultural areas. The buildings became less frequent, and the streets were quieter. "Sir, we''re almost there," Aljon said, breaking the silence . Reign nodded. "Park a few miles away. I need to approach on foot to avoid detection." They found a secluded spot and parked the car. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across thendscape. ''Finally, some peace,'' he thought, pretending to stretch his nonexistent muscles. He was tired of all those interactions from before, and he had to admit that they took a toll on his mind far worse than actual fighting. At least in fighting, he could just silence his enemies with overwhelming power or outsmart them. But interacting with humans was moreplicated simply because most of them didn''t havemon sense, "By the way, did you check what I told you about?" he asked . Aljon nodded. "Yes, sir. I asked someone to follow the BioGen representative, and I just got confirmation that she is now inside the researchb. That ce has a residential area, so she must be nning to stay there until it''s time for her to return to Green Valley." ''Lucky me¡­'' Reign trailed off, his lips curling into a grin after hearing the good news. He was thinking about how he would torture her, and now he just got an answer. "Sir, these are the items you will need," Aljon said, handing over a bag. "We already studied the blueprint, and this will help you disable some of the security measures." Reign checked its contents. He then took the time to listen to Aljon''s exnation of how they work. It was perfect for a stealth mission. He nned to carefully obtain the serum and, at the same time, assassinate the Meta Human and devour him. He was confident he would gain a lot of material and experience from someone powerful. If he couldn''t do it quietly, then that would be the time he would finally wreak havoc and go all out. As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, Reign set out on his mission. He wished he had a teleportation ability¡ªit would make his life much easier. Unfortunately, he had chosen the Overlord Race, so he had to live with its limitations. The only thing he could do now was hope that he got lucky enough to actually get an ability like that. Moving through the darkeningndscape, he approached the BioGenboratory slowly. The shadows grew longer, and the air cooled as night settled in. As he neared the facility, he decided to test a new approach. He remembered from the blueprint that there was a sewer and an underground basement he could ess. The ce was tens of thousands of square meters, and the amount of utilities and waste it produced was alsorge. Because of this, they had a huge area underground for storage and utility purposes. Of course, such an area was heavily guarded, and it wasn''t something that could be easily essed by normal means. Using equipment like those for tunnel drilling could do the job, but it would be too noisy and obvious. Normally, it would take hours to dig underground even with the proper equipment, but he didn''t have to worry because he could use his skill to dig straight through it. He found a secluded spot near theboratory grounds. Taking a deep paused, he activated his skill. His hands transformed into powerful drills, and he began to dig into the earth with ease. Being small and able to transform the shape of the drill in any way, he managed to minimize the noise and vibration. This allowed him to dig quietly, avoiding detection from the facility''s guards and surveince systems. The soil and rocks parted effortlessly, forming a tunnel as he worked his way downward. After a short while, he reached a depth of around 30 feet underground. He then began digging horizontally until he encountered a wall made of cement. ''Sweet,'' he chuckled while knocking on it. ''It''s thick, but it''s not something that could stop me,'' he added while changing the shape of his drill to make it more efficient for digging through cement. The reinforced wall was no match for his abilities, and in no time he was able to dig a holerge enough for him to pass through. On the other side of the wall, a dimly lit tunnel stretched out before him. Explore stories at §Þ?? The air was cool and damp, and the faint hum of the generator and water pump echoed . Pipes lined the walls, carrying water and other utilities to various parts of the facility above. The tunnel seemed to go on forever, disappearing into the darkness. He followed the map''s directions, navigating the passages. As he moved , he remained vignt, listening for any sounds that might indicate the presence of guards or other security measures. Eventually, he reached arge grate that marked one of the ess points. He carefully lifted the heavy metal cover and slipped through, finding himself in another dimly lit corridor. The walls were lined with pipes and cables, and the air was cooler. He checked the area first with his undead eye, and as expected, he saw traces of humans working in maintenance. The faint glow of life signatures moved around, some close by and others further down the tunnel. CRACK! He quickly shrank his body, making it harder for anyone to notice him. His smaller form allowed him to move more quietly , slipping through the shadows and avoiding detection. Chapter 315: Illogical Results The corridors had a lot of corners, casting shadows on the walls. He moved quickly, remembering the way in his head. Finally, he reached a reinforced door. It was made of thick, gray metal with arge, central wheel handle, reminiscent of a vault. Its surface was filled, with rivets along the edges and seams that gave it an industrial, almost imprable look. The door frame was simrly reinforced, suggesting it was designed to withstand significant amount of force. ''This should lead me to a warehouse above,'' he thought,paring the ce to the map he memorized. ''But why is this thing so sturdy?'' he thought to himself. Reign could tell that it was not just a normal reinforced door just by observing the material used, and it was pretty new judging from the color. He examined the door closely, noticing the reinforced steel and advanced locking mechanisms. His intuition tingled, so he activated his undead eye to check what was inside. Unfortunately, there was no one nearby with any vitality, so he couldn''t see through it. Not wanting to waste anymore time, he decided to just open it. CREEEEK! He twisted the wheel and felt how stiff it was. No human would be able to open it without the key, but Reign, with just a bit of his strength, destroyed the lock mechanism altogether. The heavy door creaked open, revealing a dark hallway . Reign walked further inside until he saw a staircase. The stairs had a zigzag pattern, leading upward in a series of sharp turns. He began his climb, each step echoing softly in the silent corridor. The walls were lined with metallic panels, and the air grew colder. When he was close to the top, he felt a cold air wash past him, like he was in a freezer. ''Did they renovate this ce?'' he mused inwardly. But before he could figure out what was happening, a sudden gush of cold mist came down from the top. The mist moved quickly, swirling around his feet and rising up to cover him. At first, he thought it was just cold air, but he soon realized it was something worse. The mist was freezing cold, making his bones stiff and locking him in ce. In a split of a second, he turned into ice. STEP ! STEP! STEP! The sound of footsteps echoed, and along with it came another wave ofmist. Appearing from within was a girl around 5 foot in height with white hair and blue eyes. Every time she breathed, the temperature dropped even further. She walked closer to Reign, who was nowpletely frozen. "I... I did it again," she sighed, her eyes filled with sadness, as if she hadn''t meant for this to happen. She looked at her victim one more time, not caring if he looked like a monster. In her experienced, everything that dared to get near her would turn into ice. "I''m sorry for killing you," she apologized, bowing her head. Her eyes teared up, but before the tears could fall, they froze instantly. "Kill me?" A mocking chuckle echoed from within the ice. Before she could react, the ice began to melt. In an instant, Reign''s hand shot out, grabbing her by the neck. CRACK! Reign''s palm instantly froze, and when he pulled away, his whole hand shattered to pieces. "What the fuck," he cursed aloud, and jump away to kept his distance. His bones were supposed to be so durable they could withstand explosions capable of destroying a city block, but they broke like ss in front of her. "How? How are you alive?" she asked, her eyes showing curiosity and excitement. Seeing her reaction, Reign felt a strange familiarity. She reminded him of someone he had known long ago. And it was not a good memory. SWOOOOSH! He summoned his Skull Grinder and shed at her without remorse. But just likest time, his weapon froze the moment it touched her skin and shattered into pieces. Reign hurriedly let go of his weapon and backed away. The girl watched the shattered remnants of Reign''s weapon fall to the ground, her eyes wide with innocent curiosity. "Your toy broke," she said, her voice light and soft "My toy broke?" he almost burst outughing after hearing someone call his Skull Grinder a toy. But what amused him even more was that he couldn''t fault her for saying that. ''Damn, so this is how my enemies feel when I insult them,'' he chuckled inwardly. Discover stories at §Þ?? Trying to suppress his amusement, he focused back on the girl, who was still looking at him with curiosity. "It''s not a toy, and I''m trying to hurt you," Reign replied while red lightning danced around his body. It was time for him to get a little bit serious. He had thought that only Juggernaut could force him to this point, but this ce was hiding another metahuman. Her eyes widened with fascination as she watched the red lightning crackle around him. "Wow, that''s so pretty!" she eximed, pping her hands together in delight. Reign gritted his teeth, realizing she still didn''t grasp the seriousness of the situation. ''She reminds me of Anna so much,'' he thought to himself. This was exactly how she used to act. The only difference was that this girl was far stronger and more dangerous. He steadied himself, his mind racing as he tried toe up with a n. "I can''t let my guard down," he muttered under his breath. The dark red electricity intensified around him. CLAAAAP! A thunderous sound echoed as he lunged at her and threw a punch, his fist enveloped in lightning and mes, to counteract the freezing effects. But instead of a loud thud, what he heard was the sound of his whole arm shattering to pieces upon impact. Even with all the elements he had used, she was still able topletely neutralize him. He quickly jumped back again a couple of meters away, his bnce a little off due to having one less arm. "How is that even possible ? ," he muttered aloud. Her power was even crazier than the angels "I''m really sorry, I didn''t mean to break your arm," she said, bowing her head in apology, which further irritated him. All his pride and ego had been shattered by that single sentence. "Enough," he snapped, unable to hide his frustration. The arm he had lostregenerated, and he was as good as new. "If not for me holding back¡­" he trailed off, pondering if it was now time for him to go all out. "You can also heal yourself?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder. "Also? " Reign repeated. "We are the same ," She ripped off her own right hand with a wide smile on her face. In the next moment, ice formed from her shoulder to rece her arm, and she lookedpletely uninjured. It was even faster than his own regeneration. ''System, are you sure I''m the demon lordwith a system here ? Why do I feel like this girl has more cheat like ability than me? '' he asked [System: Host, your firepower is the best in your rank. However, the girl''s power operates on a different logic and cannot be easily measured.] ''In other words, she''s overpowered,'' he sighed. Chapter 316: Higher Mountain Reign''s mind raced. He had faced many powerful enemies, but this girl was something else entirely. He had to find a way to ovee her, but the only thing he could think of was destroying her through overwhelming firepower. He doubted she could withstand an attack capable of piercing through almost anything. "Hyper Rail Gun," he muttered, summoning his iconic skill. The weapon materialized from his hands, sleek and powerful, glowing with an intense dark red lightning energy. He pointed it at the girl, locking and loading it, his finger hovering over the trigger. A smaller projectile was chosen on purpose this time. The idea was that it would cause enough damage to be deadly but wouldn''t create a big explosion. This approach ensured that things wouldn''t spiral out of control. The girl gazed up at him with confusion in her eyes. "What are you doing?" she whispered faintly. Reign chuckled. "I''m nning to kill you because you''re a bad girl," "I see," she replied with a mncholic tone. "Before you kill me, I want you to know that I did not mean to hurt you," she added. "I don''t really care, as long as you''re dead,"he responded, the electric arc in the Hyper Rail Gun charging with a high-pitched sound. "Before I die, can you at least give me a name? They just call me M-015," she said, her voice filled with sadness. "Are you sure? I''m really bad at naming," he asked. She nodded, her eyes bright with excitement . "Yes, I''m sure. " "A name, huh?" Reign mused, looking at her. He was going to kill her anyway, so he decided to grant herst dying wish. As he essed his memory, he recalled a particr name from his past life. He remembered watching reruns of a show where the character had left a strong impression on him. "Alright. How about... Elsa?" "Elsa?" she repeated, her lips forming a smile. "I love it." Her smile widened, and she opened and raised her arms to ept her death. This made him feel that she was more of a nut-case than Anna. First, she asked him for a name, and now she was just epting her fate. But that wasn''t important . What mattered to him was her power, and he wanted it for himself. If he could absorb her abilities, freezing the entire city would be possible. "I hope you can kill me," she spoke up. "Many have tried, but everyone failed." There was no arrogance in her voice; she was just stating the truth. Looking at her, he felt that she genuinely wanted to die, which might exin why she wasn''t resisting. Regardless, he kept his guard up. He didn''t want to get toocent and end up dead. For all he knew, this girl might be a cunning monster just waiting for the right moment to strike. "It just means you haven''t met someone strong enough!" Reign chuckled before pulling the trigger. ZZZZZZ! Find exclusive stories on §Þ?? The hyper projectile pierced through the air and, because of the short distance, itnded almost instantly. However, despite the increased power, it froze and shattered into pieces before it could even touch her. Reign scowled, frustration clear on his face, but he didn''t pause. Determined to ovee her defense, he immediately started shooting again. ZZZZZZ! ZZZZZZ! ZZZZZZ! Each time, he increased the power by 10%,yering his attacks with different types of energy. First, he unleashed a burst of Fire and lightning Energy, scorching everything in its path. Next, he added Negative Energy, which twisted the very air around his shots, making them more destructive. Wind Energy hummed through the mix, adding more power to his projectiles, causing intense wind and jolts with each shot. Finally, he infused Death Energy , giving his attacks a dark, annihting force that was supposed to drain life itself from anything it touched. With each increase in power, his attacks became more devastating. At 70% of his maximum charge, thebined forces of Fire, Negative, Lightning, Wind, and Death Energy created an overwhelming attack. The air itself seemed to tremble under the strain, and the intensity of the attacks reached a level that was almost beyondprehension. But no matter how strong the attacks were, they instantly vanished along with their shockwaves. If not for her weird ability, the entire ce would have already been blown apart from the amount of power he was releasing. ''Should I increase the area of effect?'' he muttered, considering making his bulletrger. However, after contemting it, he realized it wouldn''t matter much. The prating power of a smaller projectile was higher. ''Her power is really something else'' he thought to himself. He wasn''t worried about not being able to kill her; he had plenty of trump cards left. Instead, he was intrigued by her ability. From that exchange, he could tell her power wasn''t just ice; it was something entirely different, something far more powerful and terrifying. ''What the hell did the humans create?'' he sighed, torn between being amazed and cursing the ingenuity of human beings. ''I should use this opportunity to test my power,'' he thought. He wanted to see how well she could defend against his normal attacks. So, he materialized two more railguns, intending to see if she could freeze it when he used them in rapid fire mode. Reign aimed the three railguns at Elsa and unleashed a barrage of rapid-fire projectiles. ZZZ¡ª ZZZ¡ªZZZ! ZZZ¡ª ZZZ¡ªZZZ! ZZZ¡ª ZZZ¡ªZZZ! The air crackledand thundered as the bullets streaked towards her. Each projectile was smaller but packed with immense power, designed to prate even the toughest defenses. As expected, Elsa''s freezing ability activated, but Reign was hoping that one of his attacks would actually hit. However¡ª Everything froze and shattered before they could reach her, no matter how fast or numerous they were. Her defense remained constantly strong, and the projectiles froze and get destroyed instantly upon impact. Herfreezing ability held strong, showing no signs of being overwhelmed. He realized he needed a new strategy, as sheer quantity alone wasn''t enough. "Alright, let''s see if you can handle this," he muttered aloud. Hebined the three railguns into a triple-barrel railgun, a new variation of his skill that he named Triple Slug. This technique was inspired by the concept of a double-barrel shotgun but with three barrels, designed to deliver a powerful and concentrated one shot attack. The sound of the spinning projectile hummed inside the weapon like a powerful jet engine, and red electric shocks danced around them, melting the ice on the walls. "Goodbye," Reign said with a smirk. ZZZZZZZZZZ! He fired the Triple Slug, and the three projectiles burst out with power now about 150% stronger than before. Reign expected the impact to be enough to make her head explode, but unfortunately, it did not make any difference. "I¡­" Reign was stunned. That attack could have killed a Peak Demon Lord, but she just stood there, unaffected. The worst part was that she wasn''t even trying to resist; she was simply existing. "When do you n to kill me?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry, she feared that Reign might not be powerful enough to end her life. ''Damn it,'' he cursed inwardly, feeling insulted by her honest words. Chapter 317: Painful Lesson "I admit, you''re the most difficult opponent I''ve ever faced," Reign said, his voice firm. "If you were up against anyone but me, not even a Beginner Level Demon King could kill you," he added. "Are you giving up?" Elsa asked. He shook his head and chuckled. Backing down now would be an insult to his ego. If he couldn''t kill someone who wanted to die, then he has no business in bing the strongest. "You know, your power is a cheat," he continued. Elsa didn''t respond immediately, but he could see she agreed. "It''s a curse," she said quietly. "Let me ask you one more time: are you sure you really want to die? This next attack will definitely kill you," he dered with absolute confidence. For the first time in Elsa''s life, she felt death was near. "I''d be forever grateful if you killed me. Please, I can''t endure this istion any longer¡­ I don''t want to be alone anymore," she replied, her eyes filled with sadness. "True Death," Reign muttered as he pulled the trigger. ZZZZZZ! The projectile struck her head before she could react. The shot wasn''t the fastest, but her freezing ability couldn''t counteract its unique effect. Her mouth opened slightly, as if to utter a final word of thanks , but no sound came. In the next instant, her body crumpled to the floor, copsing with a sudden thud. Her eyes, wide and zed, stared nkly at the ceiling, and her lips remained parted in a final, silent gasp. Reign regarded her lifeless body with a detached demeanor. "You''re not the only one with a cheat-like ability." His decision was made without remorse. He knelt beside her and noticed that despite the hole in her head, she still wore the smile she had before dying. Her skin had be paler, but there was no blood¡ªperhaps due to her own power. "Time to eat you," he thought as he reached out to touch her head. But, just likest time, the contact caused an immediate freeze. He had to break his hand himself to prevent the cold from spreading through his body. ''How is this even possible? Is she still alive?'' he wondered. Reign stared at her body, puzzled by how her power still affected him despite being dead already. The ice around her seemed to have a constant effect. ''I need to resolve this quickly,'' he muttered to himself. Carefully, he reached out again, trying to touch her without getting frozen. He used his elements to melt the ice around his hands, being cautious not to let the cold spread further. But it did nothing. It was as if her freezing ability was directly neutralizing his elemental powers, even his death energy. ''What the hell,'' he cursed inwardly. ''If she''s this hard to devour, what about that Juggernaut guy?'' ''Metahumans are even moreplex and troubling than demons and angels.'' He sighed. "System, do you have any idea?" [System: Host, I advised against devouring her through normal means. Her power operates in the metaphysical realm, not the physical. You are not strong enough to integrate such a unique ability.] "Then what should I do with the body?...I can''t even touch it, and it''s a waste to just discard such rare materials." [System: Host can absorb the body into your soul in exchange for experience points. Once you be powerful enough, you can devour her to integrate her abilities.] "I can do that?" He was surprised by this new option. [System: Affirmative. The system did it before with the previous Meta-Human, who was just an infant, so it didn''t require much processing power.] Reign''s eyes widened with realization. "Wait, so the missing Meta-Human in Crestwood was your doing?" he asked, his voice a mix of surprise and suspicion. [System: Yes] "I thought that thing froze my consciousness and then vanished. I didn''t know it was absorbed by you." [System: Correct. Absorbing the Meta-Human from Crestwood was essential for improving your overall power in the future.] Reign''s frustration grew. "Why didn''t you tell me?" he demanded with an irritated tone. [System: Host never asked.] "I didn''t ask? I didn''t even know I needed to!" he snapped, his frustration rising. However¡ª The system remained silent, leaving him no choice but to ept it and move on. He couldn''t change the situation or force it to exin, so he pushed his frustration aside and focused on his next steps. "How many points do I have to sacrifice?" he asked, still annoyed. [System: Calcting] [System: Calcting] [System: Calcting] [Attribute Points: All ¡ª Skill Points: All ¡ª Experience Points:-10 levels] "That much?" he eximed, his voice tinged with disbelief. The cost was staggering¡ªfar more than he had anticipated. The numbers seemed overwhelming as he tried to understand just how much it would take. But as he thought about the power he could get¡ªbeing able to freeze anything¡ªit felt worth it. ''If I get this ability, I''d be nearly unkible,'' Reign took a long pause, shaking off his frustration. The opportunity was too valuable to pass up. "System, start the absorption process," hemanded firmly. [System: Absorption willmence. Sacrificing Attribute/Skill/Experience Points.] Reign braced himself as itbegan. Chains emerged from his body, and he instantly felt sick and weak from their presence, forcing him to kneel and hold his head. "What is this pain?" he gritted his teeth. [System: Host''s willpower is not strong enough to endure this phenomenon. Would you like the system to turn off your consciousness like before?] [Yes] or [No] "No!" Reign roared in anger. He disliked the idea of the system controlling his mind. He endured the rising pain, which intensified with each moment. When the chains finally touched Elsa''s body, the agony surged to unbearable levels. The torment felt worse than anything he had experienced before. "ARGGGGG!" He pounded his head back and forth against the floor to stay conscious. [Would you like the system to turn off your consciousness?] [Yes] or [No] He hesitated, the idea of escaping the pain through the it was tempting. But he refused to let the system dictate his life. ''This is not enough to push me, '' "NOOOO!" he roared defiantly. The pain grew fiercer as the chains coiled tighter around her body. Reign''s vision blurred, and his senses were overwhelmed. Every moment felt like an eternity. He felt as though his very essence was being torn apart, stretched thin, and pulled into countless pieces. The inside of his head pounded relentlessly, making it hard to think or see clearly. After a while, the pain surged to a whole new intensity. It became too much that he couldn''t help but start shouting. "ARGHGGGGG!" His regret grew with every passing moment. He wished he had epted the system''s offer to turn off his consciousness. "Turn off my consciousness!" "Turn off my consciousness!" "Turn off my consciousness!" He pleaded repeatedly, but there was no response, which only made the whole ordeal even worse. Discover hidden tales at §Þ?? The pain was unbearable, a sensation beyond what anyone should experience. It felt as though the chain held a secret powerful enough to disintegrate the consciousness of anyone who gazed upon it. [DING!] Finally, the system responded. [Would you like the system to turn off your consciousness?] [Yes] or [No] "Yes, do it!," he replied immediately. [System: Acknowledged. Turning off consciousness for the absorption process.] . Chapter 318: Within me When his consciousness returned, he found himself lying on the cold floor, his face staring up at the still-frozen ceiling. The air was still biting, but Elsa''s body had vanished. ''My head still hurts,'' he grumbled. Nausea gripped his mind, and the world spun around him. Struggling to sit up, he felt disoriented and weak. His vision was blurry as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The freezing temperature seeped into his bones, a constant reminder of what just happened. He tried to piece together everything. "Did I absorb her?" he asked aloud. [System: Affirmative. The absorption process was sessful. The Meta-human''s body has been safetly stored in your soul.] He touched his chest but didn''t feel anything unusual. Taking a deep breath, he stood up to steady himself. "System, what was that chain? Why did I feel so much pain just from looking at it?" he asked, trying to understand the agonizingphenomenon. Whatever that object was, it was powerful enough to threaten his consciousness. He needed to understand what he had encountered and why it had such a strong effect on him. The system did not respond right away, so he grew concerned and asked again. [System: Hostcks the authority to know this information.] "Figures," he muttered. ''So, it is now hiding information from me,'' he thought, feeling a twinge of frustration. The intense pain from what had happened earlier was one thing, but the system''s ability to shut down his consciousness was an even bigger issue. He realized that the system was filled with secrets, and the more powerful he became, the more worried he felt about its true nature. Unfortunately, he had no means to defend himself against whatever the system was nning. It felt like a ticking time bomb, and he was helpless to stop it. His only option was to continue growing stronger and hope to eventually be independent from the system''s control. ''I can''t stay frustrated,'' he sighed, trying to calm his emotions. He knew dwelling on this was pointless at the moment, so he redirected his focus to understanding the value of Meta-Humans in his growth. It might just give him the answer he was looking for, especially since even the system was unaware of its full abilities "System, what role do Meta-Humans y in my future ?" he asked, his tone now more casual. [System: Meta-Humans possess unique abilities. If integrated properly, they can significantly enhance your powers.] "Is their power greater than what the system can offer if I reach the highest level?" he asked, eager topare. [System: Unclear. The system cannot measure which is more powerful due to insufficient data on other Meta-Human powers.] "Just inparison to the one I have," he rified, seeking a more precise answer. [System: Based on the Meta-Humans already absorbed, their powers offer unique advantages that can surpass some of the highest-level abilities the system provides. However, the system still offers some unique skills that are more powerful.] Reign felt a sense of satisfaction, realizing that his system didn''t know everything about Meta-Human power. The revtion opened up new possibilities, making it clear that there were sources of power in the world that could rival his system. ''I need to be more powerful,'' he reminded himself. This insight pushed him to stay vignt and proactive, knowing that his greatest ally might be also his most dangerous threat. As he pondered his next move, he remembered that there were two Meta-Humans in the facility. Unlike Elsa, these Meta-Human could control his power, making him far more challenging to confront. ''I''ve tested that my True Death works on her, but now I need to deal with that Juggernaut guy,'' he thought, touching his chin thoughtfully. Experiencing a Meta-Human''s power firsthand made it clear that brute force alone wouldn''t be enough to defeat it. He could rely on his "True Death", but the issue was that the Juggernaut''s ability was very tricky. "Hey, System, what will happen if my True Death is reflected back at me?" he asked. [System: Host will die.] Reign''s eyes widened in shock. The idea of his own attack being used against him was unsettling. "Die... just like that?" he muttered, disbelief evident in his voice. [System: Meta-Humans'' powers are metaphysical. Without sufficient knowledge, host should assume the worst.] "I need to find a way to avoid that. There must be a strategy to handle this Juggernaut without falling victim to my own power. Do you have any suggestions?" [System: Negative. More information about the Meta-Humans is needed.] "You''ve got two of them stored in my soul, right? Can''t you use them as a reference to analyze their powers?" he asked. [System: Negative. Meta-Humans'' powers are moreplex than those of Demons, Devils, and Angels. The system currentlycks the processing power to analyze them.] "Yet?" he asked. "What are the requirements for you to analyze Meta-Humans?" The faster the system could analyze them, the sooner he could understand their powers. [System: To analyze Meta-Humans, the system needs significantly more processing power and detailed information about their abilities. This involves collecting more samples, studying their powers thoroughly, and improving the operating capabilities of the system. Currently, the system is not strong enough for this task.] "Can you make it short? Tell me exactly what I should do?" he asked, his frustration evident. [System: Reach Level 100. Reach Peak Demon King.] "That high?" he said, shaking his head. The system''s requirements were overwhelming, especially since absorbing Meta-Humans required sacrificing his level each time. It felt like investing everything he had in the hope of a future gain while risking everything in the present. ''Forget it. I''ll deal with it when I get there,'' he decided. With that resolved, he continued his mission and headed deeper into the warehouse, which was now a frozen wastnd because of Elsa. The cold persisted, with no sign of melting. For some reason, his powerful attacks didn''t trigger any rms, so he assumed that Elsa''s ability was so strong that even sounds didn''t escape this ce. ''So they trapped her here because she couldn''t control her power,'' he thought. ''No wonder she looked so lonely. I did her a favor by killing her.'' He started searching for security cameras but found none. The lights were also frozen, indicating she must have lived inplete darkness. ''So that''s why she was so happy when I used my lightning,'' he mused. The warehouse was eerily quiet, the silence broken only by the asional creak of the ice-covered structures. He moved carefully, his steps muffled by the thickyer of frost on the floor. Not wasting any time, he searched for another way out. Eventually, he noticed a vent that had also been frozen. He raised his hands and slowly melted the ice away. Now that she was gone, the ice was melting like normal. CRACK! He shrank his body again in order to fit through the narrow space. The air was damp and chilly, which made the vent feel even more isted, but he didn''t mind at all. ''Is it just me, or do I actually like narrow and tight spaces?'' he thought to himself as he continue crawling. ''Maybe it''s because I lived in a coffin for a year? Or maybe it''s an old habit from when I was still ab rat?'' Those thoughts ran through his mind as he passed the time until he finally emerged from the vent and found himself on the roof. ''Wow, this ce is even bigger up close,'' he thought. Chapter 319: Hard Pick Reign stood on the roof of the warehouse, looking out at thergeplex below. This ce was not just any neighborhood; it was a hugeboratorypound where advanced scientific work happened every day. The buildings were arranged in neat rows, with some structures standing out because of their structure. Theseb buildings had shiny ss walls, allowing people to see the high-tech equipment and busy people inside. The scientists, wearing white coats, moved around quickly, working on their experiments and research projects despite thete hours. Next to theb buildings were massive warehouses. These enormous, windowless structures looked a bit mysterious and intimidating. They were designed to store lots of equipment, hazardous chemicals, and other materials needed for the scientists'' work. Their huge size andck of windows made it seem like they were hiding important secrets. Despite the industrial feel of thepound, there were also areas of green. Beautiful gardens and rooftop terraces were carefully maintained, providing peaceful spots for the scientists and staff to rx. These green spaces, with their winding paths and benches, offered a nice break from the busy, high-tech environment. Inside thepound were roads lined with tall trees. Trucks and vans drove along these path, delivering supplies and transporting finished products. The whole area was buzzing with activity, a mix of nature and technology. ''They did not cheap out in making this ce,'' he thought to himself. Even a monster like him could admire the beauty of an area like this. It just showed that they put more budget into building thispared to the one in Crestwood. This also meant that whatever BioGen was hiding here must be even more important and powerful. ''The document says they hid the serum inside the most secure building here,'' he thought while scanning the area for the most heavily guarded structure. It didn''t take him long to find it because it was too eye-catching. The building stood out from the rest because it waspletely windowless, with only one big visible entrance guarded by multiple armed personnel and evenbat robots. And judging by how much smoother their movements were, it was safe to say they were more advanced than the one Reign destroyed at the Pantheon HQ. This security setup clearly marked the building as the most important area in this ce. Now, he knew this was where he needed to go. However, another building caught his interest. It looked like a residential apartment with balconies. He could see people reading newspapers, working on theirptops, and even doing yoga, with their matsid out on the floor. Seeing this, he recalled someone he needed to teach a lesson to¡ªEmy. ''Between the serum and taking my revenge, it''s obvious which one I''ll prioritize,'' he chuckled inwardly. Reign from the roof without hesitation and headed straight for the residential area. He began by scaling the exterior walls of the other buildings before it, using any handholds and ledges to moved around without being detected. Moving carefully, he stayed close to the wall to blend in with the darkness. While moving, he stayed alert for any signs of security that might spot him. He had put in a lot of effort to remain hidden and didn''t want to jeopardize it with a simple mistake. Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and he reached the location without any issue. He hid in one of the rooftops and observed the surroundings first. The security of the residential area wasn''t as tough as the main building, but there were still patrols now and then to make sure everything was in ce. Judging by their bored expressions, it was clear they weren''t expecting any ident to happen tonight, as usual. They had becent because this ce was not prone to attacks. Unfortunately for them, a very dangerous monster was lurking in the shadow, watching their every move and searching for a specific ce. ''Where is that good-for-nothing woman?'' he thought, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of rooms in the building. There were so many rooms, so searching each one would waste time and effort. But that wasn''t the only reason he wanted to hurry up. He felt excited to vent his frustration from the warehouse incident, and torturing the person he currently hated most was the perfect therapy. ''Now I just need to find her.'' Just imagining her helpless, begging face made him smirk from ear to ear. ''But how?'' Then he remembered something that could solve his issue. ''That''s right, how could I forget?'' he eximed and activated his Undead Eye. He had used this skill on her before, on the train, and now he just needed to check each window to find her room. Normally, the Undead Eye couldn''t detect the exact appearance of a person''s vitality, but his near-perfect memory helped. As he focused his gaze, the image of people doing their own thing inside their rooms filled his mind. He watched them closely. When he didn''t find Emy, he moved to another angle of the building until he saw something that resembled her vitality. ''Time to check it out,'' he chuckled sadistically before leaping from his position and heading towards the building. Due to the simple design of the structure, it didn''t take him long to reach the 5th floor. Reignnded on the balcony and slowly crawled toward the ss window when he heard gasping sounds. "Fuck me harder!" A woman''s voice echoed from inside, and through Reign''s eyes, he saw another energy signature lying on top of her. "Oh my god. Oh my god," she moaned as she continued to be rammed by one of her bodyguards. "I''m close... Don''t stop! Don''t stop!" She urged, her hands mping on the bedsheet as she neared orgasm. But before she could enjoy it, she paused, thinking her bodyguard hade on her face as she felt a hot, dripping substance. She opened her eyes to see what had happened but was shocked to find her new lover''s head missing. "No!!!" she stuttered, not knowing what to do. "This must be a dream," she added . "Oh, it''s not a dream," Reign''s voice cut through the silence. Emy''s attention shifted to him, and she broke into cold sweats when she saw a demon made of bones in her bedroom. Her heart raced, and she tried to scream in fear, but Reign quickly silenced her by choking her and lifting her off the bed. "Look at you, enjoying yourself after what you did to me," he said coldly. Emy was confused and afraid. She had no memory of offending a demon, so why was she being attacked? "Oh, you still can''t remember me?" he asked again, his lips curling into a sadistic smile. "I-I don''t know who you are, please let me go," she pleaded, her oxygen-deprived mind causing hallucinations. "Are you sure you don''t remember? Because I still remember your punchable face vividly," he teased, tightening his grip on her neck, making her turn pale and gasped for more air. Emy started iling, trying to escape his hands, but it was no use. When she was finally losing consciousness and on the brink of dying, Reign let go. Then he grabbed her hair and forced her to look at him. "Don''t worry, I won''t kill you too quickly. I still have a lot of ns for you," he chuckled sadistically. Chapter 320: My Wrath Emy''s eyes grew wide with fear as she gasped for air. Her shoulders shook uncontrobly,pletely overtaken by her emotion. She hadn''t expected such a terrible turn of events after what was meant to be a pleasurable evening following the train ordeal. Having faced life-threatening situations before, her instinct for survival and procreating was heightened. This same instinct drove her and her bodyguard into each other''s arms, leading them to fuck each other . But out of nowhere, her new lover was killed. She felt overwhelmed by a sense of bad luck. One by one, her men died¡ªfirst to an arrogant hunter, and now to a terrifying demon. "What the hell are you daydreaming about?" Reign snapped, his voice dripping sarcasm. Before she could even open her mouth, he pped her sharply across the face. The force made her head jerk to the side, and she ended up falling back onto the bed. Her body bounced a little off the soft cushion. Reign''s eyes shone with a cruel satisfaction as heughed loudly, his voice harsh and full of satisfaction "Sweet, that felt so good," he said, clearly enjoying the pain he caused her. "What did I do to you?" she asked, her face still red and aching from the p. BAM! Without warning, Reign brought his feet down on her stomach. The force of the pain made her feel like she was going to vomit. The agony was overwhelming, causing her to let out a strangled, squeaky cry. She had never felt so vulnerable and powerless in her life. Her thoughts raced as she tried to understand what was happening. What could she have done to deserve this? What had she done to provoke a monster like him? But as she searched through her memories, everything was a blur. Her mind was too scared to piece together why he was so angry. Reign leaned in closer, his bony hands gripping her hair again, forcing her to look into his glowing eyes. Her eyes darted around the room, looking for anything she could use to defend herself or call for help. But all she saw was the body of her now dead lover and the cold, creepy gaze of the creature holding her life in his skeletal hands. Reign noticed her gaze turning to the headless corpse and an idea sparked in his twisted mind. He grabbedthe head and began to manipte the mouth with his hand. "Hello, I''m like this now because of this woman," he said, his voice taking on a mocking tone as he made the mouth move. It was a sick joke, meant to deepen her horror and despair. Emy''s face went pale as Reign''s cruel disy continued. The sight of the head and his mocking words were too much for her to bear. Her stomach churned violently, and she could no longer hold it in. "BUAHHHH" With a gagging sound, she vomited, the contents of her stomach spilling out in a loud, wet stter. Her body convulsed with each heave, and her tears mixed with the bile, creating a pitiful mess . He let her finish throwing up. Reign''s demeanor stayed cold , clearly taking pleasure in her suffering as she tried to pull herself together. "Do you want to live?" he asked, the creepy grin never leaving his face. "YES! YES!" she nodded frantically. All her ego and pride were shattered by overwhelming fear. "Alright, I do hate you, but I''ll give you a chance if you''re useful,"he replied. Emy swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to steady her trembling hands and meet his gaze. "I''m going to ask you some questions, and you need to be honest, or you''ll end up like this," he said, gripping the head. With a sickening crunch, he bit off the ears, blood and bits of flesh sttering on her face. He tore into the head, ripping it open and devouring the juicy brain matter, the gore dripping from his mouth as he chewed with a satisfied look. "I''LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING!" she cried out in panic, desperately hoping that her words would be enough to save her life. Reign didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he licked his fingers, savoring every morsel of brain matter. The momentary pause felt like a death sentence for her, as she was left in terror, unsure if she would be the next part of his gruesome meal. When he was done eating, he turned his attention back to her. "I''ll start with something simple," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Tell me where the serum you''re supposed to get is." He wanted to find out if she already had it, which would make his mission much easier. If she did have it, he could leave immediately to secure it. As for the Juggernaut, he''d deal with him another day. It wasn''t as if he had to fight the meta-human right away anyway. "Okay, okay," she croaked out, her voice strained and barely audible. "I''ll tell you what I know." Taking a deep breath, she tried to gather her thoughts. "The serum.... It''s hidden in my office on the fifth floor of the main building, the one with no windows. I can give you my ess card. Just please don''t hurt me anymore." "Give me the card, "he demanded, his voice cold andmanding. She hesitated for a moment, then shakily reached for her discarded clothes. She found the small card tucked into a hidden pocket and handed it to him with trembling fingers. Hesnatched it from her hand and inspected it. The ess card was small and sleek, made of a glossy ck stic. It had a metallic strip along one edge and a faintly glowing holographic emblem of BioGen in the center, indicating high-level clearance. "Will you let me go now?" she asked, but before she could say anything else, Reign kicked her in the stomach again. The impact knocked the wind out of her. "Of course.... not, you dimwit," he shook his head. "But you said¡ª" she protested, but he cut her off with his iconic p. The force of the blow made her head snap to the side. "You shouldn''t believed the words of someone who looks like this," he said, pointing toward his scary face. He was now smiling in a mocking, twisted way, his expression adding to the horror of the moment. "W¡ª Why are you doing this?" she stuttered, her tears and snot mixing with blood as her nose bled from the consecutive blow. "Do you still not remember me? I''m the guy you tried to frame. You even scammed me when you asked me to lick that dirty thing," he chuckled with contempt, finally revealing his identity. "N¡ª No¡­" Emy''s eyes widened in shock. The memories of her petty actions came crashing back, amplifying her terror as she realized the man she had wronged was standing over her with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "No¡­ No, you''re lying," she shook her head, her voice trembling with disbelief. She was in a state of denial, unable to ept the horrifying truth. "Am I?" Reign raised his hands, and sparks of blue electricity crackled across his fingertips, an undeniable proof of his identity. "Y¡ª You''re a demon!" she eximed in shock. Chapter 321: Mental State "A demon lord, to be exact," he responded with a haughty look, further torturing her mentally. He leaned closer, his imposing figure casting a dark shadow over her as she cowered on the bed. "Did you really think you could go on living after crossing me?" he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. She shrank further into the bedding, trying to make herself as small as possible beneath his towering figure. The grin on his face widened as he watched her struggle. "P¡ª Please, forgive me. I didn''t know you were a demon lord," she pleaded, her voice breaking with desperation. "I can''t do that," he said, shaking his head. "I enjoy watching you suffer," he continued, leaning in so his face was inches from hers. "I want to hurt you more, torture you, and destroy you. And after you''re dead, I''ll eat you like livestock¡ªno, you''ll experience worse than that." His words cut deeply, each one delivering a new wave of pain. She recoiled, her breathing in short, panicked gasps. "I wonder how this frail thing tastes," he said, grabbing her thin arm and pretending to bite it. She wanted to scream, but every time she tried, Reign pped her brutally, silencing her cries with each harsh blow. "The next time you scream, I''ll rip your head off and shove it in your hole," he threatened. Emy''s face contorted in horror and despair, tears streaming down her cheeks as she tried to grasp the reality of his threat. She knew he could actually do what he had just said, making the situation even more horrifying. "P¡ª Please don''t kill me. I''m sorry for everything. I can give anything. My father is the general in this city. If you let me go¡ª" she pleaded, but before she could finish, he pped her again. "I told you to stop making noise, didn''t I? Why can''t you just listen for once?" he added . This time, he didn''t stop. He kept hitting her, his hand striking her face over and over. SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! Her head jerked with each blow, tears mixing with blood as he held her hair, forcing her to endure. Emy''s cries became weaker with each hit, the pain and terror overwhelming her. Her eyes, once wide with terror, were now half-closed and zed over, the whites barely visible behind swollen lids. The repetitive ps had also left her face bruised and puffy, with blood seeping from the corners of her mouth. "Why are you not talking anymore? Did you bite your tongue?" Reign''s cruelughter echoed in her ears, making the nightmare feel endless. She tried to speak, but her face was too badly beaten to form words. "You can''t talk ?" he asked, but all he received were groans. "Since you''re not nning to speak, then you don''t need these," he said with a sadistic chuckle. He grabbed one of her front tooth and yanked it out, blood spurting out immediately. "Nuh..Stuhhp¡­"She squirmed in agony, but he wasn''t finished yet. With a cruel smile, he yanked out the next tooth. "That''s another one," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. Blood spurted from the socket, and her body convulsed as she let out a muffled groan. He moved to the next tooth, twisting and pulling until it came loose with a sickening snap. Next, he held it up, looking at it briefly before popping it into his mouth like a candy. Chewing slowly, he savored the crunch with a twisted sense of satisfaction. "That''s three," he dered, his eyes gleaming with excitement. The process continued, each tooth pulled with cruelty in mind. Blood flowed freely, mixing with her tears and sweat as her suffering intensified. Meanwhile, Reign took his time, not rushing but enjoying the torment. He counted each tooth aloud as he removed them, turning her suffering into a sick game. "Ten," he said, with a creepy smile, as another tooth came free. He chewed it again, letting the taste linger before continuing. By the time he reached thest few teeth, she was barely conscious. Her skin was slick with sweat and blood, her lips trembling as they parted in a silent, broken plea. Finally, as he pulled thest tooth, he leaned back, admiring his work. She no longer had any teeth, and her face was a horrific mess. It was a miracle she was still alive. "You can''t die yet," he said, shaking his head. He then injected her with a non-transmissible virus. An intense burning sensation spread across her skin, while her throat dried out so severely that she couldn''t scream. The symptoms were excruciating but not fatal. And to prolong her suffering, he had included a pathogen that would increase her pain sensitivity while preventing her from bleeding to death. Her face twisted in sheer agony, her eyes wide with terror and pain. Her once smooth and pale skin now cracked and reddened, as if it were being consumed by invisible mes. Every nerve in her body screamed as the burning sensation grew more intense with each passing second. Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with the snot from her nose, creating a pitiful and messy disy of her suffering. Meanwhile, Reign watched with a cold, sadistic look, his eyes fixed on her. Her face showed her deep misery and desperation, showing just how much pain and suffering she was feeling. Finally, after enduring so much , her heart gave out. She went into cardiac arrest, and in her final moments, all she felt was fear, regret, and horror. But even in that moments, Reign didn''t grant her a normal death. He opened his mouth wide and began to devour her. Bones and muscles cracked loudly in his mouth as he tore into her flesh. Each bite was apanied by sickening sounds of gnawing and crunching. As he continued to devour her, he felt a strange and unfamiliar sensation growing inside him. It was as if something new was awakening within him, but he couldn''t quite pinpoint what it was. The feeling was different from anything he had experienced before¡ªintense. His mind became clouded, focused solely on the intense pleasure of consuming her. Until¡ª [DING!] [HIDDEN MISSION -TITLE QUEST- COMPLETED] [Congrattions, host. You have reached the required milestone for attaining a new title by killing and devouring enemies you hated ] [REWARD: TITLE] [VENGEFUL AURA: This skill creates an intense feeling of anger.When activated, it makes host stronger and faster in fights, especially against targets host really hates.] "What? I didn''t know something like this actually existed," he eximed, taken aback by the unexpected surprise. He read the description of the new title, and with each line, his grin grew wider. The title''s effects were stackable, and although the system hadn''t specified the requirements, he was certain it was closely tied to his own state of mind. ''So once again, I''m being rewarded for being cruel and acting on my impulses,'' he thought to himself. He had suspected this before, but the new system feature confirmed his theory. ''Well, I don''t really mind the additional benefits,'' he added. If it were before, he would have been hyped up, but now he couldn''t help but be wary of the system. Chapter 322: Testing the System "That was a satisfying meal," he said, standing up and pretending to shake off the remains from his body. His mouth was still smeared with blood, so he wiped it off with his hand. But instead of finding something to clean it like a normal person, he licked it, savoring the taste as if it were leftover nacho cheese. "Yummy," he chuckled, savoring the sensation as his fingers touched his mouth. Her blood flowed through him, an addictive rush that he couldn''t get enough of. ''If I had topare it to another meat, it would be like the most expensive wagyu beef from my old world, and even that pales inparison in terms of juiciness and fats.'' "Is it just me, or do people I hate taste better?" he wondered aloud. "Maybe it''s because of my race?" he asked. "System, is my tendency to eat humans because ofthat?" He had always thought it was just a trait of being a monster, but now that the system could provide some information, he wanted to understand more. But that wasn''t the only reason he wanted to converse with the system casually; he also wanted to test how intelligent it was now. The system had shown a level of authority that made him worry, and understanding its capabilities and autonomy was important. [DING!] [System: Negative. Your chosen race does not eat humans through their mouth because they do not have a stomach. They absorb vitality directly through touch and do not enjoy eating humans directly.] Reign was stunned and did not expect that kind of answer. "Then why do I find human meat so good?" he asked, curious about why it seemed like the finest delicacy in the world. [DING!] [System: It''s all psychological. Host convinced yourself that it tastes good.] "Wait, what? Of course not. You turned me into a monster, so that''s why I like eating humans," he reasoned out. [DING!] [The system never gave host a mission to eat humans in the first ce; host just assumed .] "Don''t twist it. You said eating humans increases my stats and EXP in the cemetery," he argued, feeling like the system was tricking him. [DING!] [The system only mentioned the benefits of eating humans after you had already eaten one.] "I¡­" Reign was stunned. He began to recall the events, repeating them in his mind. He remembered the first time he ate human meat. It was true that the system hadn''t given him a mission back then. Feeling hungry at that time and seeing himself as zombie-like, he had assumed that eating humans was necessary to satisfy his hunger like in the movies. So when those grave robbers offered themselves to him, he simply saw it as an opportunity to feed. After that, the rest was history. "Wait.. Don''t tell me ?" he trailed off. [Ding!] [The system adjusted to the host''s mental state at that time and concluded that, given the host''s unstable psychological condition, eating humans was what you desired the most.] "So, the reason I didn''t evolve into a more human-like creature is because I want to eat humans of my own free will? You didn''t do anything?" he asked, feeling confused. [Ding!] [System: Affirmative. The system concluded that the host suffers from various mental disorders andcks the desire to mutate into a more human form. Because of this, the system offered a monster-like form and appearance to fit the host''s broken and unstable personality.] "But demons are supposed to be scary looking, right? That''s why I look like this? " he asked. [System: Intelligent and powerful demons are mostly attractive beings. Only low-level demons are scary and ugly because they are considered savages.] "H¡ª How about Demon Lords?" [System: Demon Lords, are typically more attractive and charismatic.] "What the hell!" he eximed. He had been wondering why all the intelligent demons he met were good-looking. Even Aiku''s original form could be considered a beauty. Now, he finally realized that he was unique for still looking like a monster. "Wait¡­ Does this mean the reason I can''t materialize skin on my face is because of my psychological condition?" he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. [System: Affirmative ] "Then, can I have a human appearance if I really wanted to?" [System: Affirmative ] "Give me a human face!" he ordered. If he could really get one on the go, it would be much more convenient than wearing a mask. [System: Scanning host''s psychological condition.] Reign felt a warm sensation spreading through his body. He focused on the type of face he wanted¡ªa look simr to his past life but with a more mature appearance. He pictured the features clearly in his mind, hoping that this concentration would guide the transformation process. Seconds passed, and Reign touched his face, but it stayed the same cold, skull-like appearance he had before. Even though he had focused hard on changing it, nothing happened. "System, what happened ?" [DING!] [System: Host is still not qualified to have a human face.] "What do you mean? You said I just had to want one!" he asked, his tone showing his frustration. [DING!] [System: Deep inside, host doesn''t really want a human face. You harbor intense dislike and hatred for the human race, so the system cannot give you a face] "What?" Reign paused for a moment, his frustration growing. He had thought that just desiring a change would be enough. But the system''s response made him question his own feelings. He paced back and forth, trying to make sense of it. "So, even if I wanted to look human, it''s not just about wanting it. I have to actually ept the human race?" The system didn''t respond, leaving himto mull over the revtion. The idea that his deep-seated feelings were blocking his transformation was both unsettling and frustrating. "But how can I even ept them?" he wondered aloud. "I see them as food. It''s one thing to call them delicious, but it''s another to ept them as more than that." Reign thought hard about this new information, feeling the weight of the system''s words. His view of humans as just food was deeply rooted, and changing that way of thinking was really tough for someone as set in their ways as he was. "Maybe if I focus on interacting with them in a different way, I can change my perspective ?," he thought, trying to find a solution. Just then, an image of Cyril''s face shed in his mind, and he immediately hit himself. SLAP! The sound echoed sharply, a loud crack against the hollow, bony surface of his face. ''Forget about her!'' he scolded himself. The reason he hade here in a hurry in the first ce was to avoid her. But now that the system had actually given him a chance to have a human face, he found himself getting sidetracked with strange ideas. ''Stop thinking about her,'' he told himself firmly. He couldn''t afford distractions like this. If he let his emotions dictate his actions again, it would spell disaster. Recalling how he always acted out of character whenever she was in danger filled him with disgust. The thought of how he had behaved, driven by misced concern and emotion, made him feel like a total idiot. ''That''s right, she will only hold me back... I don''t need her.'' Chapter 323: Single Minded ''I don''t need a human face,'' he muttered, shaking his head and pushing those unnecessary thoughts to the back of his mind. The reason he had made it this far so quickly was his simple, single-minded focus on getting stronger. To him, everything else was secondary.His ultimate goal was to be the strongest being, someone who could live freely because no one would dare challenge him. He saw nothing wrong with this way of thinking. Changing something that wasn''t broken would be dumb. In fact, he had to ensure that his approach to life remained unchanged, no matter what. "Okay, forget we talked about this," he said, looking to see if the system would respond, but there was no reply. However, he didn''t care about it or take it to heart.At least, their exchange had given him some insight into how autonomous the system was, and it was really high. ''I need to be more careful,'' he thought to himself. After finishing up, he walked toward the balcony and looked at the building Emy had pointed out. It was time to focus on the mission at hand. The building was a distance away, but with his abilities, reaching it without being detected was rtively easy. The real challenge was waiting for him inside the building itself. Just as he had climbed here, he decided to scale the walls of the residential building nd then jump from one roof to another until he got closed to his destination. Unfortunately, the ce was heavily secured. He noticed numerous outdoor cameras and a fleet of small, flying drones patrolling the area. The drones were sleek and streamlined, with dark, reflective surfaces that shimmered under the moonlight. Each one glided silently through the night sky, their advanced, nearly invisible propellers barely making a sound. asionally, the drones would emit a faint, red glow as they adjusted their focus, clearly maintaining a vignt watch over everything . Below, the area was heavily guarded. Security personnel wore helmets that covered half their faces with dark visors. They were equipped withhigh-powered guns that looked very different from what Reign was used to seeing. Alongside them were robots that looked far more advanced than any he had seen before in Green Valley City. The robots had sleek, humanoid metallic bodies with smooth, high-tech designs and bright LED lights on their heads Their movements were smooth and coordinated, showcasing the cutting-edge technology behind their engineering. It was clear that BioGen had spared no expense in setting up robust security measures to protect their research. ''No wonder Lilith''s team failed. This ce is more like a military base than a researchb,'' he muttered to himself. Only someone at his level could possibly bulldoze the entire ce if he really wanted to. But he hesitated to act without first meeting Juggernaut. He had learned howplicated it was to face a meta-human, so he didn''t want to lose his one advantage: the element of surprise. ''What should I do?'' he wondered, his mind racing to determine the best course of action. Then he suddenly remembered the ess card he had obtained from Emy. ''It would be a waste not to use this,'' he thought while holding the card in his hand. It was his ticket to gaining ess inside without blowing his cover. ''Good thing I brought my mask with me,'' he added, opening thepartment in his stomach where he had hidden it. Having the ability to change and morph his body at will had its perks; like being able to used it as his personal storage to saved space. He checked the mask first, ensuring it was still in good condition. ''Luckily,this thing wasn''t destroyed by the cold before,'' he mused inwardly, thinking back to his past encounter with Elsa.He recalled how the freezing temperatures on that warehouse had once posed a serious threat to him and his ns. With that settled, he scanned the area and noticed a normal security guard taking a break in a quiet corner. The guard was smoking a cigarette while sipping from an energy drink, perhaps to stave off boredom and stay awake. ''You''re my target,'' he muttered to himself as he carefully jumped down from the roof and made a run for it. Using the darkness and shadows to blend seamlessly with his surroundings, his Night Walker skill made him nearly invisible in the night. Plus, with its high level of proficiency, even if he stood right next to someone, they wouldn''t notice him if he stayed silent. But it wasn''t perfect; inanimate objects like CCTV cameras could still detect him, so he had to memorize the camera locations and avoid them. As he got closer, Reign scanned the area again, looking for a way to create a diversion. He spotted a small pebble on the ground and picked it up. With a flick, he tossed the stone behind the guard, causing a soft tter. The guard, startled by the sudden noise, turned to investigate. However¡ª Reign seized the moment, and approached the guard from behind and delivered a fatal blow to the back of his head, killing him instantly. He then absorbed the guard''s body, leaving only the clothes behind. The process was quick and silent, leaving no trace of the guard except for the empty uniform. Next, he adjusted the uniform to make sure it looked right. He checked himself in a nearby building window, smoothing out any dirt and making sure everything was in ce. Once he was satisfied, he walked confidently toward the entrance. When he reached the first checkpoint, a security guard looked him over closely. The guard was stationed at a small kiosk with screens and security equipment. He scrutinized Reign''s uniform and then looked at him with a hint of suspicion. Without saying much, the guard raised an eyebrow and held out his hand for the ess card. Reign handed over the card, and the guard examined it under a bright light. After a few moments, the guard nodded and returned it "You''re clear," the guard said, stepping aside. *** *** *** Inside, the hallway was busy with people moving around despite thete hours. He blended into the crowd, keeping his head down as he moved through the hallway. But he didn''t head straight for the elevator, though. ''I need to find another disguise,'' he thought while observing everyone around him. The guard''s uniform had been useful for initial ess to the building, but wearing it while moving around on higher floors would make him stand out too much. As he watched, he saw a female janitor pushing cleaning equipment enter the elevator. He paid close attention to the digital analog and noticed that she reached the 6th floor. This gave him an idea. He waited again and finally spotted another janitor, this time a male. He followed him towards some kind of utility room. He made sure to act normally, keeping an eye on the numerous CCTV cameras.His eyes darted around, searching for the ideal spot where the cameras'' angles wouldn''t catch him. After a few moments, he found it: a narrow corner, partially hidden. Just as he was about to slip inside, a voice echoed from behind him. "What are you doing here?" Chapter 324: Friendly Gesture Reign didn''t panic. He had heard the footsteps long before and chose not to move, wanting to appear normal. "I''m looking for the janitor," he responded casually while turning to face the person who had spoken. To his luck, the person who called out was exactly who Reign was looking for, a middle age man pushing a cart filled with cleaning supplies. The janitor raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical. "Why are you looking for me?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unfriendly. Reign smiled, trying to appear as genuine as possible. "I spilled some coffee in one of the rooms. Didn''t want to leave a mess for someone else to clean up. Thought I''d take care of it myself." The janitor looked him up and down, considering his words. "Most people wouldn''t bother," he said, a hint of suspicion still in his eyes. "Well, I guess I''m not most people," Reign replied with a chuckle. "I just need some cleaning materials. Won''t take long, I promise." The janitor hesitated, then nodded. "Alright,e on then. I''ll let you in to grab what you need. But make it quick." "Thank you," Reign said, following the janitor as he pushed the cart towards a nearby supply room. Inside, the janitor handed him a mop and a bucket. "Here you go. Just return them when you''re done." "Will do," Reign assured him, taking the supplies. As the janitor turned to leave, Reign acted quickly. He snapped the mop handle using his finger, creating a sharp, jagged edge. Then he brutallydrove the broken end into the janitor''s throat. "BUAAHHH" The poor man''s eyes widened in shock, but before he could figure out what was happening, his life ended just like that, and the corpse was quickly absorbed by Reign. The only proof of the man''s existence was his clothing, now scattered on the ground. "Don''t worry, you were going to die anyway. I just killed you in advance," Reign muttered, his voice cold and detached. He then picked the janitor''s uniform and tried to put it on. The outfit consisted of a in, dark blue shirt and matching pants, made from strong, stain-resistant fabric. A small name tag on the chest pocket read "Ryan," and there were several pockets for holding tools. Pants were a bit loose for easy movement and had a belt with a set of keys attached. He quickly put on the uniform, adjusting it so it fit him well, and tucked the shirt into the pants. Next, he pulled the cap down low to cover his face. Now that he looked like a janitor, he was ready to move through the building without drawing any attention. He pushed the cleaning cart down the hallway, making sure to move as if he was just doing his job. The cart had mops, buckets, and cleaning sprays. Walking straight to the elevator, he pressed the button and waited as the doors slid open with a soft chime. He carefully maneuvered the cart inside making sure it was positioned correctly. The doors closed, and with a slight jolt, the elevator began its ascent. As he waited, he couldn''t help butugh quietly. ''So this is the power of the janitor,'' he thought. The disguise was working perfectly. People usually ignored janitors and treated them as if they were just part of the building.Some evenpletely overlooked him. Feeling pleased with the disguise, he got ready for the next part of his n. The elevator stopped at the fifth floor, and he stepped out to find rows of rooms, much like in a hotel. Each room had a number on it. As Reign scanned the area, he noticed that the card he had received from Emy also had a number. With a smirk, he began checking the room numbers, moving down the hallway casually. From time to time, he encountered important-looking people, but they either ignored him or ced their trash on his cart. Until¡ª "Are you new here?" a woman with curly hair and chocte-colored skin asked as she ced an empty coffee cup on the cart. Reign gave a friendly nod. "Yes Ma''am, I just started today. Just getting the hang of things," he replied, making sure to keep his tone casual. "Is there anything else you need cleaned up?" The woman nodded with a friendly smile on her face. "Not at the moment, but thanks for asking. If anythinges up, I''ll let you know." She nced at Reign''s cart and then at him. "Good luck getting settled in. It''s always a bit of a maze on the first day." "Thanks! I''ll be sure to keep an eye out. " He gave a small nod as she walked away, then turned his attention back to the hallway. After a few minutes, he found the room that matched. He paused, listening carefully for any sounds from inside before carefully pulling out his keycard. A quick swipe of the key unlocked the door with a soft click. Reign pushed it open and wheeled the cart inside. The room was empty, resembling a typical office space with a desk, a few chairs, and a locked cab. ''I need to be fast,'' he muttered to himself. He moved quickly, scanning the room for anything that might contain the serum. His eyes darted around, searching for clues or hiddenpartments. He checked the desk, drawers, and even the small cab, but found nothing of immediate interest. "Where the heck is it?" Reign said aloud, his voice showing frustration. He looked around the room again, feeling annoyed that he might have overlooked something. Finding the serum was the reason for all the effort and detours he had taken. Each moment he wasted only made him more impatient. ''What''s that? '' A hidden locked drawer in a filing cab caught his attention. He moved quickly to the drawer and soon managed to unlock it. Inside, he found some folders and a small metal box made from a rare material. It was lightweight, but when he tried to scratch it, it wouldn''t mark. ''It''s the same material used in the train tracks,'' he muttered to himself. It wasn''t indestructible, but it was much more durable than normal steel and could withstand the miasma''s rusting effect. Reign hoped it was the one he was looking for as he carefully opened the box. CLICK! He found a set of vials, each filled with ck liquid. Examining them closely, he noticed the distinctivebeling, which suggested these were likely the serum he was looking for. ''This should be it,'' he chuckled inwardly, feeling a sense of relief. Finally, the serum that had caused so many headaches was in his hands. ''I hope this is worth it,'' he added, hoping the effort had been worth the result. He also checked the folder and saw it contained files about the serum, so he decided to take it with him as well. But just as he was about to celebrate thepletion of his mission, he felt the floor vibrating. ''Damn it,'' he cursed inwardly as he activated his undead eye. Through its view, he saw dozens of people surrounding the office. BAM! The office door burst open, and armed personnel stormed in, their guns pointed at him. Red dots from theirser sights covered him instantly. "Mr. Janitor, something came up?," the woman with curly hair said sarcastically while standing behind the armed guards. Chapter 325: Knock Down "We meet again," Reign said casually, knowing the serum and files were already secured inside his body. He thought about escaping through the walls but it would blow his cover and reveal his true nature as a powerful demon. With the current tensions in Brentwood, all the major powers in the area would turn over every stone to find him. The worst type of enemy, after all, was the one lurking within, so they won''t just let him go unscathed. "Would you believe me if I said I was just cleaning the room ?" he asked, his voice steady despite the situation. The woman''s smile widened as she took a step closer. "I''m afraid your little n ends here," she said, her voice full of satisfaction. "So, who sent you here? Light Rock Capital?" she asked, her tone sharp and probing. ''Light Rock Capital?'' he mused to himself. As he recalled Crestwood, he remembered that Light Rock Capital was a new force opposing the Chamber of Commerce. It was also the same group that had ordered the hit at the BioGenboratory back then. Curious about this organization, he had asked Aiku for information about it in the past . Light Rock Capital had positioned itself as a big challenger to the established Chamber of Commerce, which had long dominated the world''s economic and politicalndscape. LRC was known for its aggressive tactics and innovative strategies, aiming to disrupt the existing order and reshape the bnce of power. Their rise had been marked by a series of high-profile moves and influential connections, making them a serious yer in the ongoing struggle for control and influence. But what intrigued him even more was their CEO''s motto: "At Light Rock, we are forcing behavior." This slogan suggested a level of control and maniption that, in his eyes, made the groupeven more dangerous and ruthless than the Chamber of Commerce. At least the Chamber was only in it for the profit; they didn''t really care what others did as long as they got paid. ''Wait, she''s assuming I was sent by them,'' a grin spread across his face. ''I could use this,'' "I''m a professional. I won''t just tell you who my employer is, but I''ll give you a clue: they''re on par with the Chamber of Commerce." Reign replied confidently, showing no hint of fear. His calm demeanor and blunt tone made everyone around him more alert, revealing his trust in his own skills. The woman''s eyes narrowed, her smile fading slightly. "You''re confident, I''ll give you that. But confidence doesn''t change the fact that you''re trapped here." One of the armed personnel stepped forward, his gun still aimed at Reign. "We have orders to ensure you don''t leave this building." Reign met the woman''s gaze, unflinching. "I''m sure you do. But if you think you can just walk in here and take me out without any consequences, you''re mistaken." The woman raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what kind of consequences are you suggesting?" "Let''s just say," Reign said with a sly grin, "I have a few tricks up my sleeve. You might want to reconsider your approach." The woman''s expression shifted immediately, her calm demeanor reced by irritation. Before she could respond, her phone rang. She answered it, and as she listened, her expression grew darker and more frustrated. The conversation clearly did not go well, and her annoyance was evident. "What did you do to the General''s daughter, Emy Miller?" she demanded, her tone sharp and pissed. "Why are you asking me? I don''t know anything about her," Reign replied, pretending to be clueless. The woman''s frustration grew. "Where is she? We checked her room, and all we found were bloodied sheets. What did you do to her?" she spat out. "I don''t really know," Reign said, shaking his head. "Detain him. We need to extract information first," the woman ordered before walking away. "Yes, Ma''am," the guards replied in unison, their tone respectful, indicating that the woman held high status within the facility. They moved in slowly, their weapons still pointed at Reign, ready to shoot if he made any sudden moves. ''Did they really expect me to just surrender?'' he thought, finding their actions futile and foolish. However, something unexpected happened. Instead of pulling the trigger, the armed personnel threw canisters into the room. White plumes of smoke erupted, quickly filling the area and obscuring everything. Reign remained unaffected due to his immunity, but he needed to know what was being used against him, so he quickly consulted the system . [System: Highly concentrated nerve agent detected. This substance is capable of weakening even high-level demons. ] ''Amazing,'' Reign chuckled inwardly. ''To think they have something like this up their sleeves. Humans never cease to amaze me.'' ''Alright, I''ll humor everyone,'' he added with a sadistic grin He pretended to be affected by the gas, dropping to his knees and letting his body slowly slump to the ground. His movements were sloppy, showing signs of weakness and disorientation. Seeing that the gas was taking effect, the other armed personnel used a device to suck up the remaining gas. Next, with their masks still on, they cautiously approached Reign''s body. "He''s down. Get a stretcher and carry him out of here," one of the armed guards ordered. A few momentster, a team of personnel arrived with a stretcher. Even though he was pretending to be unconscious , His senses stayed sharp. He watched carefully as the guards moved and handled him. They annoyinglyced him onto the white stretcher, securing him with straps to prevent any movement. The straps were made of very durable material, but in his opinion, they were as weak as paper. Next, they worked efficiently, lifting the stretcher and carrying it towards the elevator. The guards stayed alert, watching for any sign of resistance. One of them inserted a key into the elevator''s panel, activating a special override. DING! The doors slid open, and the stretcher was pushed inside, along with three guards due to the limited space. As the elevator descended, he noticed it passed through underground levels not typically essible by standard means. ''This is getting more and moreplicated,'' he thought to himself. He quickly tore through the straps, causing the guards to react in rm. But before they could do anything, he grabbed one of their knives and, with a single powerful movement, sliced open the nearest guard''s stomach. His sudden move caught others off guard. Seizing the chance, he quickly overpowered them one by one. He moved around with the knife, shing at the next guard. The de cut through fabric and flesh, slicing the head''s off. The third guard tried to draw his weapon, but Reign was quicker. He lunged forward, driving the knife into the guard''s side. The victim let out a surprised cry, his eyes wide with pain as Reign twisted the knife, making the holerger. Blood poured from the wound and spread across the floor. The guard attempted to fight back, but his movements slowed as Reign continued to stab him nonstop. Finally, the guard''s body went limp, his head drooping to one side as he took hisst breath. ''Alright, time to escape this ce,'' Chapter 326: Incoming Fire BEEP! BEEP BEEP! The rm''s loud, repetitive noise echoed through every part of the building, making everyone spring into action and stay on high alert. Chapter Find: ''Oh, they were watching me,'' Reign thought as he noticed the small camera in the elevator. He gave it the middle finger before smashing through the ceiling to make his escape. As long as he was careful, he could get out of this ce without revealing his true identity, relying only on his hunter and mercenary techniques. He decided to escape the facility and abandon thoughts of confronting Juggernaut for now. It wasn''t fear that held him back, but the knowledge that facing the meta-human might force him to use the majority of his power. That would reveal his true identity to everyone. Even if he destroyed the city within a day, this region would be a focus of interest. It would make it more difficult for him to move and target other ces in the future. If he got really unlucky, he might even get a visit from an actual Demon King. He was strong, but he was still far from being able to contend with the second highest rank in the hierarchy of this world. SWOOOSH! Reign sprinted upward at the elevator shafts. Using his undead eye, he located the main floor by tracking the highest concentration of vitality. ''So they''re waiting for me,'' he chuckled to himself. BANG! With a powerful kick, he sent the door flying open. As expected, a storm of bullets erupted from the other side. But he was ready. He grabbed both halves of the door and used them as shields to block the iing fire. However¡ª The bullets came flying in, and none were stopped by his makeshift shield. ''Damn, those movies were a lie,'' he thought. Realizing the door was practically useless, he quickly threw it, sending it crashing into the shooters. The guards, momentarily stunned by the flying door, quickly regrouped and resumed their assault. But Reign was already a step ahead. He vaulted over one of them, using his momentum to kick another in the chest, sending him sprawling. This caused the other guards to react, and they immediately started shooting at him. RA-TA--TAT--TA-TATTATTT! As the bullets continued to fly, he quickly adapted to the situation. With his closed proximity to the iing fire, he grabbed nearby people, using them as shields to protect himself from the gunfire. He held them in front of him, their bodies absorbing the bullets while he moved. At the same time, he used their struggles to his advantage. After they were riddled with holes, he threw their bodies towards the surviving attackers like makeshift projectiles. This had a huge impact on everyone''s morale when they saw how easily he handled the situation. "Fall back, get out of thebat robots'' line of fire!" one of the officer shouted. The order quickly sent everyone scrambling for cover, their movements creating a brief opening for Reign to move. He swiftly advanced, using the confusion to his advantage as he closed in on the entrance. However¡ª A group of robots blocked him, their mechanical arms whirring as they prepared to fire. They looked intimidating, with shiny metal bodies and glowing red eyes, but to him, they were nothing more than simple obstacles. Even though he was holding back a lot, they were no threat at all. "Take this!" he dered, grabbing a nearby metal tray and hurling it like a frisbee at the nearest robot. CLANG! The metal tray struck its target''s head, making the robot spark and copse from the force he had put behind the throw. As the first robot fell, the remaining ones reacted violently. He noticed they seemed to shift into a higher gear, their red lights shing more intensely. They began firing intense heat waves from their hands, sending scorching streams of energy slicing through the air. Reign sprang into action. He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the first wave of heat. As he moved, he tried to use the metal tray to deflect the iing fire, holding it up to shield himself from the zing streams. But, just like the elevator door, the tray quickly began to melt under the intense heat. It became too hot to be useful, so he threw it toward the other robots. Hot metal flying at high speed had a good effect. The heat and impact made some of the robots short-circuit and stop working, their systems overloaded by the surprise attack. ''Nice, I can''t believe I actually got an idea from that,'' he chuckled to himself. But it wasn''t over. The other guards quickly joined the fray, adding to the chaos. Following orders, they started shooting, their guns roaring as they opened fire on him. ''These guys are irritating,'' he thought as he faced the escting threat. Instead of retreating, he decided on a merciless strategy. He continued to dodge the searing heat waves, but now he maneuvered himself deliberately in front of the armed guards. The heat waves from the robots struck them instead of him. "ARGHHHHHH! STOP FIRING! STOP FIRING !" The guards'' screams cut through the chaos as the heat waves burned their bodies. Their uniforms started to smoke, and the air around them shimmered with the intense heat. Everyone was caught off guard and unprepared for the friendly fire, taken down by their own allies'' attacks. This led to the guards hesitating, afraid to shoot at him in case he used them as shields again. They might be guards, but their lives were more important to them than loyalty and money. Both could be earned, but not life and time. ''An opportunity!'' he eximed as he dashed forward. Rather than fighting the remaining robots, he leapt past them, not wanting to waste any more of his precious time. BEEEP! BEEEP! BEEEP! The heavy steel doors of the main entrance began to close, ast-ditch effort by the facility to trap him inside. His eyes focused as he calcted the distance. He had only seconds to make it, but he wasn''t worried at all. He had a lot of power to spare. ''Time to pick up speed,'' he thought to himself, cutting through the armed personnel in his way with quick, sharp strikes. They fell as he passed by, their surprised and pained cries blending with the constant sound of gunfire. As the space between the closing doors got smaller, Reign quickly decided to act. He jumped forward and slid across the smooth marble floor like a skilled athlete. THUD! The doors mmed shut behind him with a loud crash, sealing off the entrance. ''It''s not over yet,'' he thought to himself. He quickly got to his feet and stood up, where another batch of armed guards was waiting for him. ''You people can''t wait to die,'' he chuckled, turning it into a one-sided massacre against anyone unlucky enough to be in his path. "Fire!" one of the officers ordered. They tried to shoot or fight back, but he was quicker. He struck one guard in the neck, sending blood spraying. Another one aimed a gun, but he just grabbed it, twisted it away, and then stabbed the same gun in the chest of the real owner. THUD! The guard fell to the ground bloodied and dead. Chapter 327: Incoming Fire Part 2 "Shoot him! Don''t stop shooting!" Two more guards came at him from either side. Reign ducked and closed the gap under their attacks, then spun and delivered a powerful elbow to one guard''s temple,pletely shattering the skull. Next, he grabbed the closest guard by the arm, twisted it behind his back, and dislocated the shoulder . The guard dropped to his knees, howling in pain, and Reign finished him with a sharp kick to the head thatpletely snapped the neck. "Shoot him!" "Don''t let him escape !" More and more people fired at him, but he rolled to the side, dodging the bullets to make it seem like he wasn''t bulletproof. The more he acted troubled, the less likely anyone would suspect the truth. ''Interesting,'' he muttered after spotting a gun on the ground. He picked up the automatic weapon and returned fire, hitting his targets squarely in the head thanks to his over the top attributes. With his ability, he could easily win Olympic shootingpetitions in his old world multiple times, even with his eyes closed. BANG! The victim staggered, and Reign closed in, delivering a final blow to the head. ''Wow, this is more exciting,'' he chuckled to himself, feeling that fighting like this had its perks. It was inefficient but really fun. ''I''m pretty sure now no one would expect that I''m a demon with all this holding back,'' he added, a sly grin spreading across his face. More guards tried to nk him. He leapt into the air, kicking one guard in the face while grabbing the other by the cor . He twisted it violently, snapping the guard''s neck andnding as the other guard crumpled to the ground, dead. Three more guards formed a tight formation, their guns aimed directly at Reign, but it was a futile attempt. "Take this," he shouted, charging at the formation and swinging the rifle like a caveman wielding a club. The scene quickly turned into a mess of violence as he brutally attacked anyone who got too close. Blood covered the ground as he finally finished dealing with the current threat. Chapter Continue: One guard tried to run, but he grabbed him and ended his life with a quick punch in the face. All of this might sound long, but it all happened in under 30 seconds due to the speed of the exchange. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! After a while, the door in the building began to open again. He knew the robots would start pouring out soon, so he decided it was time to make a run for it. It wasn''t the right moment to fight everyone, and he was also wary of Juggernaut, who could be a serious threat. Reign recalled the path he had taken and started running towards the warehouse where he had first met Elsa. He knew that leaving through the main entrance would be difficult now, as he was sure more guards had been stationed there. The n was supposed to be solid, but reality was far different and harder from expectations. As he ran, he heard the buzzing sound of many drones closing in on him. ''I need to take them out,'' he thought. Then he remembered the EMP grenadesgiven to him by Aljon. Normally, these small grenades would only work in close quarters, so using them on high-speed drones was tricky and impractical. However, Reign''s precision changed the game. With a quick flick of his wrist, he threw four EMP simultaneously. The grenades exploded in a series of bright shes, sending a pulse that disabled over a dozen drones at once. The humming of the drones abruptly stopped, and their once-hovering forms fell to the ground, out ofmission. But it wasn''t enough. He saw that there were still too many drones to disable, so he decided to run into one of the nearby buildings to escape their view. As soon as he burst through the ss door, he found people inside who panicked at the sight of him. They screamed, knocked over furniture, and ran around in confusion. This chaos was perfect for him The more they panicked, the easier it was for him to stay hidden. Using the distraction, he moved through the building quietly, staying out of sight. After grabbing ab coat from one of the rooms, he put it on, nning to blend in with the panicked crowd. The coat''s white fabric contrasted sharply with the chaos around him, but it provided a useful disguise. As he moved through the crowd, he adjusted the coat to make sure it looked natural, allowing him to slip past people and avoid drawing attention. With his new disguise, he moved through the building unnoticed and eventually slipped out a side exit. The chaos and his clever use of theb coat ensured he escaped the drones'' watchful eyes. ''Time to leave this ce,'' he thought as he walked alongside the other doctors and employees. Midway through, he slipped into a dark corner and continued toward his original destination. He reached the warehouse and found it still empty and cold, just as he had left it. There were no guards or drones in sight. Relieved but cautious, he decided to backtrack to the underground tunnel he had used earlier. However, as he approached the entrance to the zigzag stairs, he found a huge, bulky man standing there, blocking the way. The man was imposing, with broad shoulders and a stern expression that seemed to dare anyone to challenge him. This person was massive, more than double the size of a normal human. His biceps were asrge as basketballs, and his presence alone was enough to make anyone think twice about getting past him. But what really made him stand out wasn''t just the size; it was that he was wearing nothing but ck underwear, fully revealing the oily hard muscles of his body. The bulky man blocked Reign''s path, his body towering over him. With a menacing re, he growled, "Where''s M-015? The girl with the ice power?" "I have no idea what you''re talking about," Reign replied, feigning ignorance. The bulky man didn''t look convinced. "Don''t y dumb with me. I know you''re involved. Where is she?" "I don''t really know," Reign said, shaking his head. This response only angered the man further. With a snarl, the burly man charged straight at Reign like a bull. His massive body moved with such force that the ground began to shake. ''He''s too slow,'' Reign thought to himself. He didn''t attack right away. Instead, he decided to jump over the charging man and dash toward the door. Beforepletely escaping, he threw one of the knives he had stolen to test his theory. CLANG! The throwing knife struck the bulky man in the back, and Reign felt a sudden itch on his own back. ''So, that guy is Juggernaut,'' He chuckled to himself, recognizing the meta-human. "STOP DODGING! Juggernaut roared in frustration, breaking off his charge and turning around to chase Reign. However¡ª "I don''t have time to y. We''ll meet again," Reign called out with a wave of his hand as he dashed for the stairs. His speed was so fast that Juggernaut could only watch helplessly, unable to catch up. Chapter 328: The Chase He memorized the tunnelyout and moved swiftly through it. Along the way, he came acrossb and utility workers, who were killed simply for being there. Walls were painted with blood. The victims didn''t even know what hit them as they were killed one by one, without discrimination. It was his way of giving them justice, treating them fair and square. He really didn''t need to kill them, but he did it because he could. ''Yeah, I really hate humans,'' he sighed, thinking that the system was correct about his mental stability. If given a choice between not killing and killing, he would always choose thetter. After a while, he got out of thebpound through the hole he had dug, slipping through and using the night for cover. In no time, he made his way back to the vehicle. "What happened?" Aljon asked, his face worried after he saw that the wholeboratory was now filled with chaos, siren echoing all over the ce. "Stop asking questions and drive,'' Reign ordered, quickly getting into the vehicle." Aljon nced at him through the rearview mirror, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion but he didn''t ask anything further. He quickly moved around the car and slid into the driver''s seat, starting the engine with a sense of urgency. Shifting into gear, he sped away from theb, tires screeching on the pavement of the highway. Meanwhile, Wick sat in the passenger seat, keeping a sharp eye on their surroundings, ready to spot any signs of someone chasing them. As they drove through the dark, wide road, Reign finally rxed a bit. The night helped hide them as they made their way back to their hideout. Meanwhile, Aljon trembled in the backseat, still shaken by what had happened. "Rx," Reign said. Just as he settled more into the back seat, trying to ignore his cowardly driver, four helicopters appeared in the sky behind them. RRRRR!-RRRRR!-RRRRRR! The sound of the helicopters was a loud, steady roar that filled the air. Their spotlights sliced through the highway, and without a warning, the helicopters opened fire. The sound of bullets hitting the pavement filled the air, snapping Aljon back to reality and pushing him into a new, urgent crisis. "Helicopters!" he shouted, his eyes wide with fear. "I can see that," Reign snapped, "I''m not blind." Aljon saw the helicopters in the rearview mirror and tried to dodge the bullets, swerving the car erratically to avoid the gunfire. He pressed down on the gas pedal, making the car speed up. "Hold on!" he yelled as he maneuvered the car, narrowly missing several bullets. Reign, still in the back seat, remained calm despite the chaos. "Just keep driving. I''ll take care of them," he said, his voice steady. Aljon looked back at him, unsure of what he meant. "How are you going to¡ª?" Before he could finish his sentence, Reign opened the window and stood up, poking his upper body out of the car. He focused on the helicopters, carefully judging their distance and speed. Then, he picked up a piece of metal from the floor. ''Got it,'' Timing it perfectly, he hurled the chunk of metal at the nearest helicopter. SWOOOSH! The object soared through the air, spinning rapidly before smashing into the helicopter''s rotor. Inside the cockpit, the pilot''s eyes widened in shock as warning lights shed on the dashboard and the helicopter began to spin uncontrobly. "What the hell was that?" he shouted, gripping the controls tightly. The helicopter jerked violently to one side, and he fought to regain control, but it was toote. Damaged rotor des whined and groaned, struggling to maintain their usual speed. The entire aircraft began to shudder. The pilot''s heart raced as he frantically pressed buttons and pulled levers, trying to stabilize the craft. "Mayday! Mayday! We''re going down!" he yelled into his radio, his voice filled with panic. Spinning out of control, the trees below rushed up to meet them. The pilot''sst thought was of his family before the helicopter crashed into the trees beside the highway. BOOOOOOM! Metal twisted and shattered, and everything was destroyed. Reign watched the wreckage, satisfied that his aim had been wless. He turned his attention to the next helicopter, ready to repeat the process. With a steady hand, he grabbed another small object, aimed carefully, and flicked it just right. It wasn''t the most spectacr approach, but each piece struck the rotors perfectly, causing the other helicopters to spiral out of control and crash. "Drive faster, " Reign said calmly. "We don''t have all night." Aljon, still in shock from what he had just witnessed, nodded and pressed the gas pedal even harder. The car sped down the highway, leaving the burning wreckage of the helicopters behind them. However¡ª Another humming sound echoed in the sky, louder and faster this time. A different helicopter, looking more advanced than the others, sped up behind them, closing in quickly. ''How many helicopters do they have?'' Reign thought to himself, peering out the window and preparing to destroy yet another one. He grabbed a small object from the floor. With a casual flick of his wrist, he sent it soaring through the air again. It spun end over end, speeding towards the new helicopter. CLANG! It hit the rotor des dead-on. The new helicopter shook wildly as the des struggled to spin. In moments, it spun out of control . Just as Reign was about to rx, a dot appeared in the sky and rapidly fell toward the ground. BOOOOM! The objectnded right in front of them, so suddenly that Aljon couldn''t brake in time. "Damn it!" Reign clicked his tongue in annoyance. He grabbed the driver by the cor and leaped out of the vehicle. In the next moment, the van was punched into oblivion . The vehicle crumpled up immediately, its metal bending and folding. Parts of the van flew through the air, and metal and ss exploded everywhere, leaving just a cloud of debris where it had been. Among the wreckage, a massive figure emerged, each step causing the ground to tremble. It was Juggernaut, now d in metallic red power armor. His presence was imposing, and the armor gleamed under the highway lights, making him look like an unstoppable force. His helmet, shaped like a rhino''s head, had a menacing horn protruding from the forehead, and the visored eyes glowed with a fierce, red light. THUD! Reignnded with Aljon in his arms, then tossed him aside like a ragdoll . Wick, on the other hand, touched down smoothly,nding on all four "Follow Wick," Reign ordered. The dog sprang into action and took off running. Aljon, seeing how serious the situation was, nodded quickly and followed suit. Juggernaut, however, had no interest in chasing the others. His focus was entirely on Reign. "You got a makeover," Reign chuckled, eyeing the new look. He had to admit, the meta-human looked even more intimidating than before. Juggernaut red, clearly not amused. "This isn''t a joke. I''m here to finish you off," Reign, still confident, shook his head. "You could have lived longer if you hadn''t chased me," he said But inside, he was still wary of using "True Death" against the meta-human. Chapter 329: Bounce Back Reign studied his opponent closely, searching for any sign of weakness. From their first encounter, he knew that the meta-human''s ability to reflect attacks was no joke. He had to be extra careful now, because even his strongest asset¡ªsheer firepower¡ªwas a bad match up. In fact, the stronger his attack were, the more he would be at a disadvantage. It wasn''t wrong to say that Juggernaut made firepowerpletely irrelevant. ''I''ll test the waters first,'' he muttered to himself. CLANG! He flicked a small object at the armor, but it bounced off the tough ting without making a dent, showing that its quality was far above the one Alfonso used. "Weird," Reign muttered aloud, puzzled. "If your power reflects any type of damage, why even bother with the armor? Doesn''t it defeat the whole purpose?" Juggernaut''s eyebrows raised slightly under his visor, and a hint of surprise showed in his eyes. "So you''ve done your homework," he rumbled, his voice deep and rough. "You''repletely right," The meta-human admitted, his tone prideful and arrogant. "My ability does reflect damage, but you''re too slippery. I needed this power armor to keep up with you, or you''d just run away likest time," he said with a scowl, clearly not impressed. ''I''m too fast for him?,'' Reign thought. What he had shown so far was only 10% of his true speed, and his opponent was already struggling to keep up. ''Why do I feel like meta-humans are so unbnced? It''s like their stats aren''t distributed properly,'' he wondered. He started to suspect that the overwhelming power to reflect anything mighte at a heavy cost, leaving his other abilities weak inparison. Determined to test his hypothesis further, Reign decided it was time to up his game a little. SWOOOOSH! Without hesitation, he dashed forward, using only 20%. If he went any faster, he risked blowing his cover. Juggernaut responded quickly, his armor emitting a high-pitched whine as thrusters on his feet propelled him forward with impressive force. ''What is that ?'' Reign''s was slightly shock at the sudden burst of speed, but he maintained hisposure. When they collided in the middle, Reign dodged Juggernaut''s swinging punch and started shing through the thick metallic armor in return. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! The sound of metal hitting metal reverberated through the air as the attacksnded. With each swing of his weapon, he put more force behind his attacks, chipping away at the armor''s outeryers. But despite the damage being inflicted on it, Juggernaut''s confidence remained unshaken. His eyes, slightly visible through the visor, showed no fear or doubt despite the escting challenged. It was clear that the advanced power armor wasn''t holding up as expected. But, Juggernaut still believed that Reign''s attacks wouldn''t cause any damage to him at all. Even a powerful bomb wouldn''t be able to harm him, making the shes and strikes looked like mere party tricks. "Now, it''s my turnto attack!" Juggernaut spun and swung his fist wildly. Reign reacted fast. He ducked down, avoiding the punch by inches. As the fist smashed into the ground, Reign quickly jumped back up, staying ready for the next move. Juggernaut tried punching again, but Reign used this chance to his advantage. He moved quickly, shing at the armor over and over again, cutting through it bit by bit. Inch by inch, he made progress, reducing the once-formidable piece of rare metal to what looked like a cheap, battered suit. Unfortunately , he still struggled to find a way to deal real damage to the meta-human. The more he shed and attacked, the more damage he suffered, and his own body had to regeneratequickly from the injuries. Luckily, his blue janitor uniform concealed the damage , hiding the toll the fight was taking on him. ''Why is the reflection too damn powerul?'' he wondered to himself. His bones were much tougher than Juggernaut''s muscles, so the reflected damage shouldn''t have hurt him as much. But for some reason, it didn''t make sense and went against thew of physics. It was simr with Elsa; she was an enigma. Her power made her almost unkible, and could probably regenerate herself from a pool of water if he did not use his "True Death" skills. ''If I was a human, I''d probably be dead by now,'' he thought. Juggernaut''s ability was clearly overpowered. If it weren''t for the fact that he was so slow, he would be nearly unbeatable. Reign also discovered something else: The punches weren''t very strong either. They were only as powerful as a High Demon''s, which wasn''t particrly impressivepared to him. This made his theory seem more and more likely. Determined to test his theory, he kept on shing at his opponent again and again "Stop wasting your time! Something like this can''t hurt me!" Juggernaut sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. He threw another punch, a move thatcked finesse or skill. It was pure brute force, full of openings, perfect for someone like him who didn''t have to worry about being hit. As expected, his punch missed entirely. Reign didn''t even need to try hard to dodge it; the attack was too predictable and too slow to pose any real threat. The same could also be said for Reign , who was also struggling to figure out a strategy. At this point, he was just buying time so Aljon and Wick could escape with the documents and the serum. After a while, enough time had passed, so Reign decided it was time to step up his game a little bit. ''Let''s see if you can handle this!'' Reign thought to himself. He nned an attack that was powerful but not fatal, even if it were reflected back at him with double the intensity, as noted in the reports. He gripped his dagger tightly, summoning some of his powers. Hebined pure wind and fire element, charging the de with intense energy. But as Reign thrust the enhance weapon, a confident smile spread across Juggernaut''s face. ''I''ve won,'' The meta- human chuckled to himself, his muscles glowing a brilliant gold. Reign sensed something was wrong, but it was toote; the momentum was already unstoppable. BOOOOOM! A massive explosion erupted, engulfing the entire highway in a zing inferno. Fire roared and crackled, swallowing everything in its path. The intense heat and mes were so overwhelming that they melted the very air around them. But instead of harming the meta-human, the damage rebounded back on Reign with quadrupled intensity. When the smoke finally began to clear, Juggernaut emerged from the wreckage, his armorpletely vaporized by the st. He stood tall and defiant, now entirely naked for everyone to see. Despite the raging mes and searing heat, his glowing muscles remainedpletely unaffected. "Did he get burned to ashes?" Juggernaut asked, his voice filled with curiosity. He stared at the spot where his opponent had been moments before. The area was scorched, with remnants of clothes and melted debris scattered around. Even the van wreckage had beenpletely obliterated, reduced to a puddle of molten metal. "He died just like the others. I knew it, no one can beat me," Juggernautughed aloud. Chapter 330: Change of Plans Reigny a few kilometers away from the battle site, his body scorched and wounded from his own attack turning against him. Fortunately, he had managed to hide himself after that unexpected reversal. He had put all his effort into escaping and using that explosion as a diversion, after he was baited by the meta-human. ''Fuck, I didn''t know he could reflect back my attack by that much. That was at least four times,'' he cursed inwardly. ''That was a close call,'' he thought. ''Good thing I didn''t use True Death,''he added. Juggernaut was able reflect back his attack four times over, and he was pretty sure that quadruple the concentration of "True Death" would put him in a permanent sleep. It was not a question of who''s more powerful. Using that skill head-on was akin to suicide. ''I need to find another way,'' As he waited for his body to recover, his mind raced, formting the best strategy to take down the meta-human. He needed a new n, one that used his strengths and took advantage of Juggernaut''s weaknesses. ''He''s slow and not that strong,'' hethought, recalling the earlier fight. ''He doesn''t seem to have any other unique abilities either besides reflecting attacks. His moves are predictable too. '' Considering his options. Directbat was out; he''d need to be clever. ''If I can immobilize him, I can trap him'' he mused. ''But I''ll need to be quick .'' Trapping Juggernaut had been his n B, and it was still the most viable. ''Alright, I''ll go with that n instead,'' he muttered to himself, standing up as his n began to take shape in his mind. However, just as he was about to move, he sensed something approaching their location, and it wasing fast. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a red blur moving through the dark sky. The powerful presence was radiating immense vitality. Judging from its strength, it was at least at the Demon Lord level. Reign quickly decided to hide his own aura even more, blending into the shadows. He crouched low, using his heightened senses to observe this new arrival. BOOOOOM! The figurended with a heavy thud, sending a shockwave through the ground. As the dust settled, an imposing figure emerged. It looked around, seemingly searching for something¡ªor someone. mes on the highway lit up the figure and made his appearance much clearer. The newer had amanding presence. He wore a tight, futuristic suit that showed off his strong build. Silver and red ents decorated the suit, which featured arge red emblem on the chest. A long, flowing red cape added to the imposing look. His brown hair and eyes, matched with a thick mustache and beard, made him appear even more manly. Reign watched intently, trying to gauge the intentions of this newer. Did ite for Juggernaut or something else entirely? ''Another meta-human? What the heck is going on?'' Reign thought, noticing that both Juggernaut and the neer had the same type of vitality. ''First, that ice woman, and now this. How many meta-humans are in this city?'' he wondered. This information wasn''t in any of the documents he had read. ''I thought this would be an easy job to level up, but Lilith just sent me into a warzone,'' he gritted his teeth in annoyance. ''I''ll make sure to teach her a lesson when I get back.'' He continued to watch from the shadows as the newer surveyed the area. The presence of another meta-human meant trouble, and Reign knew he had to be extra careful. ''This changes everything,'' he mused, his mind racing. On the highway Juggernaut looked at the neer with a smirk. "What are you doing here?" he asked, sounding both arrogant and friendly. "I thought you''d still be sleeping. You''re not much help at night, after all." The neer raised an eyebrow and gave Juggernaut a half-smile. "Nice to see you too," he said, clearly not impressed but still amused. "Where is the intruder?" the newer asked. Juggernaut shrugged and smirked. "He''s already dead. I took care of him. He was too weak to be a real challenge," The neer raised an eyebrow and nced at Juggernaut''s bare form. "Too weak? Then why are you naked?" "I love being naked," he said with a hint of pride in his voice. "It''s liberating." "Did you even find the location of M-0015? What happened to her?" the neer asked sharply. "Maybe she''s dead?" Juggernaut replied with an arrogant tone. "There''s no way someone you could kill so easily could have beat her. She was way more powerful than us twobined. If she could control her power, she''d be one of the best." Juggernaut''s expression shifted from pride to difort. "I¡ªI haven''t found her yet... And I killed that guy already," he said, his voice faltering slightly. The neer shook his head. "There''s no time to waste. Finding her is a priority." He began to hover, preparing to take off. "Hey, take me with you!" Juggernaut called out. The neer nced at Juggernaut for a moment, then sighed and offered his hand. They flew through the air together, heading toward theboratory. In the distance. ''Damn it. I need to catch up to Wick,'' Reign cursed inwardly, ncing toward the direction where they had fled. It was the same direction from which the flying meta-human came from. A bad feeling settled in his stomach. Something might have happened to Wick. He didn''t care about Aljon, but Wick was his first pet in this world. The thought that something might have gone wrong with him or that he might be in danger was enough to trigger Reign''s frustration. ''I need to go now,'' With his partly healed body, he moved through the forest. His bones melded in the dark, making him almost invisible in the shadows. As he moved closer, his unease grew stronger. ''Damn it, if they did something to Wick, I''ll bury everyone involved!'' he thought, gritting his teeth in anger. Reign moved through the forest, tracking the path of broken branches and pushed-over nts that showed someone had rushed through here. The forest began to thin out, and he spotted a small clearing up ahead. His senses were on high alert. He slowed his pace, moving cautiously towards the edge of the clearing. Reign crouched behind a tree, scanning the area. There was no immediate sign of the two, but the evidence suggested that his dog had indeed been here recently. "Wick, where are you?" Reign shouted, frustration mingling with concern. "WOOF!" A distant sound echoed through the forest. Reign, recognizing it, felt a wave of relief. He quickly followed the sound and soon reached a small cave.Inside, he saw them camping. Aljon was momentarily stunned by Reign''s appearance, his eyes widening at the sight of the bone figure. Wick, on the other hand, didn''t hesitate. The moment he saw his master, he jumped up on all fours. WOOOF! WOOOF! WOOOF! With a joyous bark, Wick threw himself into Reign''s embrace, his tail wagging furiously. Reign, despite the events that happened, managed a reassuring pat. He held Wick close, grateful to find hispanion safe. "Good boy, good boy," he said, his voice softening as he petted his beloved dog. Chapter 331: Meta-Humans "What happened back there, Sir?" Aljon asked in a barely audible whisper, clearly worried about upsetting Reign by interrupting him. Reign paused and stood up, his face unreadable due to theck of skin which revealed his true demon form. "I was nning to kill the meta-human, but then another one showed up," Reign said, clearly annoyed. He chose not to mention how he had been burned by his own skill, as it was too embarrassing. However¡ª As if remembering something, he walked over to Aljon, grabbing his cor and lifting him off the ground. His legs kicked in panic, and his face went pale as he struggled to catch his breath. His voice shaking as he tried to speak."W¡ª What did I do? " "Why the hell is your information so inconsistent? You said there was only one meta-human in the city. I''ve already dealt with one, and now there are two more. Am I that bad at math, or are you just terrible at your job? Because I''m pretty sure I counted three!" Aljon''s eyes widened in fear as he dangled in the air. He stammered, trying to find the right words. "I-I''m sorry, Sir! I didn''t know there would be more! I only had the initial intel, and things must have changed. I swear, I didn''t mean to mislead you!" "So you''re just an ipetent piece of trash?" Reign asked, his voice filled with annoyance. "Why should I keep you alive?" Aljon squirmed, his voice trembling. "Please, just let me exin. I''ll make sure to get the correct information this time. Just don''t¡ªdon''t hurt me!" Reign''s eyes was tense as he red at him "You had one job," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Get the information right. " "It will never happen again, I promise!" Aljon begged, his eyes wide with desperation. "I won''t let you down again!" "Of course you won''t," Reign sneered with contempt, his voice dripping with malice. A sadisticugh followed, echoing eerily through the cave. Without warning, he tightened his grip on Aljon''s head with his free hand. His fingers pressed harder and harder, the bones under his touch beginning to crack. Aljon''s eyes widened in horror as pain spread across his face. "Please, no! I''m sorry! I''ll do better, I swear!" he cried out, his wordsing out as strained gasps. "Please don''t! I didn''t mean to mess up! I''ll fix it, just don''t¡ª" "AGHHHHH!!!" His pleading was cut off by a gut-wrenching scream as the pressure intensified, his cries turning into broken sobs. With a final, sickening pop, Reign crushed Aljon''s head like a balloon. Brain matter and blood exploded out in a gruesome stter, scattering across the cave walls and floor. Reign tossed the lifeless body aside with a casual flick, as if it were nothing more than a piece of trash. THUD! Wick, seeing the corpse, eagerly started to eat it. The cave was filled with the sounds of tearing flesh and crunching bones as he happily devoured the remains. "Good boy," Reign said, nodding in satisfaction . His mission was to deliver the serum and the documents. Since Lilith had more spies in the city who could do that, killing one person didn''t really matter. For him, letting out his pent-up anger was more important than one human life. Ironically, Aljon''s final moments were his best contribution, allowing Reign to release his frustrations. With some time to spare, he nced around at their surroundings. The area was quiet and well-hidden, making it a perfect spot for a temporary refuge. "We will spend the night here," he said, though Wick was too engrossed in his meal to even look up. Seeing that his pet was busy, he decided to close his eyes and get some rest. Hey down on the ground, letting exhaustion take over. The quiet of the night and the steady sounds of chewing human meat provided a brief sense of peace. *** *** *** Back at theboratory, the ce was in chaos. People were running around, trying to fix things and make sure everything was safe. rms red loudly as the staff worked frantically to secure the building. Some of them worried that there might be more than one intruder. In the control room, monitors showed different data, and technicians were busy at their desks. Dr. Evelyn Hart, a chief scientist, paced back and forth with a frustrated expression. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back, and her sharp blue eyes reflected her irritation. "Where is M-0015?" she asked anxiously. One of the staff, looking nervous, replied, "We don''t know. She''s not in her containment area. We''ve checked everywhere, and there''s no sign of her." Dr. Hart''s face grew serious. "M-0015 could be in danger or even be a threat if her powers get out of control. We need to find her right away. She''s more important than anything else right now. Make sure the search teams are looking for her." "Yes, Doctor," the staff members responded. They scrambled into action, sending out search teams and updating security systems to locate M-0015 as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, Dr. Hart''s mind raced with worry. She was anxious about what might have happened to M-0015 and feared the potential danger if she wasn''t found quickly. As one of the top researchers on meta-humans, she understood how dangerous an uncontrolled one could be. "Doctor, Juggernaut and Red are back," one of the staff members reported urgently. "Where are they? I need to talk to them about M-0015," she replied, her voice tense. She then asked the staff member to guide her. Dr. Hartwas lead through the sterile, brightly lit corridors of the underground base. They passed securebs with thick ss windows, where researchers worked diligently on various experiments. High-tech equipment and security panels lined the walls, creating a cold, clinical atmosphere in the facility. Reaching the elevator, it began to climb up. After a few floors, the doors slid open to reveal a huge hall. Guards were stationed at various points, and high-tech security systems lined the walls, adding to the sense of strict control and protection. Dr. Hart followed the staff member through this high-security area, finally arriving at the entrance to the main room. The ce was a vast open area where the two meta-human were waiting. "Did you find her?" she asked urgently. Red was the first to respond. "No," he said, shaking his head. "And this guy," he added, pointing towards Juggernaut, "killed the one person who might have known where M-0015 was." "WHAT!" her hand raised up to p Juggernaut but she stopped midway. She realized, with a frown, that his ability to reflect damage made such an action dangerous. Instead, she red at him with a disappointed look "Idiot," she spat out. "I¡ªI''m sorry, Mother," Juggernaut replied, his voice shaking and his eyes nearly filling with tears. This was a huge contrast to his usual smug demeanor. If Reign had been here, he would have been shocked to see such a dramatic change in the meta-human personality. "Do you have any idea what you''ve done?" she demanded, her tone sharp. "We need to find M-0015 now, and you''ve made that almost impossible." "But¡­ but¡­" Juggernaut stammered, but Dr. Hart''s furious re made him shrink back in fear. Chapter 332: Meta-Humans Part 2 Red nced at Juggernaut and also felt a shiver of fear run down his spine. Dr. Hart looked at them, knowing exactly why they were scared of her. It wasn¡¯t her strength; it was the unbreakable bond they shared. These Meta-Humans saw her as their mother, a trait BioGen had engineered to ensure control. Imprinting urred early in a Meta-Human¡¯s life. Once bonded, they would exhibit extreme loyalty and obedience, prioritizing their "parent¡¯s"mands above all else. This bond was both psychological and physiological, deeply ingrained within their very biology. Attempts to resist or disobey these imprintedmands often resulted in intense psychological stress or physical pain. ¡¯I need to find her,¡¯ she thought, shifting her focus to another Meta-Human. The "No-names", like Elsa, didn¡¯t have this trait. They couldn¡¯t imprint on anyone, making them wild and uncontroble. However, BioGen couldn¡¯t dispose of them because they tended to be far more powerful than named Meta-Humans. In terms of just raw power, the No-names were the ideal for BioGen. These beings could contend toe-to-toe with Demon Lords. Dr. Hart turned away from Juggernaut and Red, her gaze shifting to the other staff members nearby. "What about the search teams? Any updates?" she asked, her voice demanding and urgent. One of the employees stepped forward, looking nervous. "We¡¯ve increased the search radius, Doctor. We¡¯re covering all possible escape routes and nearby areas." "That¡¯s not enough," She snapped out "I want every resource we have dedicated to finding her. Do you understand?" The staff member nodded quickly. "Yes, Doctor. We¡¯ll double our efforts immediately." Dr. Hart¡¯s frustration showed clearly on her face. Her eyes burned with anger as she gritted her teeth. "Double? No, make it triple! If we lose her, the HQ will hold us responsible!" Her voice was filled with annoyance and worry. "And you, Red, I want you to fly around and search for her," she ordered. "But, Mother, my power is limited at night. Just flying for a couple of miles has already made me exhausted," Red exined, his voice hesitant. "You..." She almost raised her hand to p him for speaking out of turn, but she stopped when she realized he had a point. With a frustrated sigh, she clicked her tongue and shook her head in annoyance. "Bunch of useless idiots," she muttered, rolling her eyes. She turned away, leaving the two standing there, emotionally hurt and dejected. These two supposedly powerful beings, one of them even able to make an Unrivaled Demon Lord retreat, were being mistreated like this. It was something no powerful demon or angel would tolerate. Even powerful humans had their own egos, but in front of their mother, they were practically useless. *** *** *** Reign woke up a few hourster, feeling more rested. He stretched and looked around, taking in his surroundings. CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH! Noticing Wick¡¯s odd behavior, he saw that the dog had saved one of the bones. But instead of breaking and eating it as usual, he was just licking and y-biting it, almost like he was savoring everything. ¡¯What¡¯s that all about?¡¯ he muttered, watching his pet with a mix of curiosity and amusement. He approached the dog and examined the bone. There was nothing particrly special about it, but his pet¡¯s unusual behavior intrigued him. "Alright, Wick. Time to move," he said, his voice echoing slightly in the cavern. Wick looked up from his treasured bone with azy look. "We need to go. Eat that thing already," Reign ordered. Wick, hearing themand, reluctantly crushed the bone in his mouth and devoured it. He watched as his pet finished thest bits of the bone, then shook off the remnants. When they left the cave, the sky was still dark, but morning was just about to start. The first light of dawn was showing on the horizon. Reign and Wick began their travel, moving quickly through the forest. Wick¡¯s paws made no noise on the forest floor, and Reign¡¯s steps were silent as he blended into the shadows. As they left the trees and came into the open, the cool morning air greeted them. They traveled through fields and along winding paths that cut through the countryside. The forest gave way to meadows, where the grass was covered in dew and sparkled in the early light. Seeing this view, it was easy to forget that just outside the barrier, a horde of maybe millions of corrupteds was camping, ready to devour everything in sight. But for him, such surroundings were not enticing. He felt more at peace in chaotic ces filled with bloodshed rather than in a peaceful setting. In fact, he would rather bathe in a river of blood than in a hot spring. After running for hours, they finally reached the edge of a small town. The first light of day made the scene clearer. The town, nestled between gentle hills and surrounded by farnd, had a cozy, old-fashioned feel. It was a ce where life seemed slower and more rxedpared to a busy city. The main street had simple, one-story buildings painted in soft colors. There were small shops and cafes starting to open for the day. Fresh bread from a bakery filled the air, mixing with the clean scent of morning dew. At the town square, the cobblestone area had a charming fountain in the middle. Some early risers were starting their day, sitting on benches and drinking coffee while talking quietly. The streets were bing busier as the town woke up, but it was still peaceful. As he watched everything, he recalled the first town he had seen after he was transmigrated into this world. It had the same feeling. ¡¯I¡¯ll wait here,¡¯ he muttered, sitting down by a nearby tree. Reaching into Aljon¡¯s bag, he pulled out the phone he had taken. Using one of the deceased fingers to unlock it, he began dialing the number of another spy. The phone rang a few times before a voice answered. "Hello?" "Listen up," Reign barked, not wasting any time on pleasantries. "I need you toe get me. Now." The spy on the other end hesitated. "Who is this? Where¡¯s Aljon?" "It¡¯s me, and Aljon is dead," Reign replied coldly. "He sacrificed his life toplete the mission." There was a pause, then the spy¡¯s voice returned, nowced with concern. "Sir, how did he die?" Reign¡¯s voice hardened. "He fought bravely, and it cost him his life. We don¡¯t have time for this. Get here now." "Alright sir, where are you?" "I¡¯m in a small town just outside the city, by the eastern border," Reign said, looking around. The spy sighed, clearly shaken. "I¡¯ll be there as soon as I can, Sir." Explore more at NovelBin.C?m "Don¡¯t keep me waiting," Reign snapped. "And bring my extra mask. It¡¯s hidden on the second floor of the house, in the bottom drawer." There was a brief silence before the spy responded, "Got it. I¡¯ll bring the mask. Anything else?" "Get me a new set of clothes too," Reign replied . "And get here fast." "Understood," the spy replied, his voice steadying. "I¡¯m on my way." Reign ended the call and leaned back against the tree. He kept an eye on Wick as he waited, the town¡¯s peaceful atmosphere feeling oddly out of cepared to the bloodbath that had just transpired. Chapter 333: Current Situation Less than an hourter, the sound of a truck grew louder as it roared up the steep hill. The engine strained against the incline a bit, its growl echoing off the surrounding terrain. But the truck showed its power where it counted. Itsrge wheels and lifted suspension performed perfectly in the rough terrain, handling the off-road conditions with ease. VROOOOOOOOOM! As the truck climbed the remaining incline, Reign stood up and savored the roar of the diesel engine. It was one of his guilty pleasures to witness the machine¡¯s contribution to both noise and air pollution. The truck stopped right in front of him with a loud screech, and the door clicked opened. Benedict, the other spy, got out of the truck. He was dressed in a blue jacket, and quickly spotted the duo and walked over. Seeing Reign without the fake mask, Benedict, much like Aljon before, was initially taken aback. The shock was evident on his face for a moment, but he quickly masked his difort. He straightened up and walked over , making sure to look calm and ready to help, even though he was a bit startled by the creepy skull face. "Sir," Benedict bowed his head. "I need my extra mask," Reign said . "Here you go, sir," he replied, handing over the mask and the set of new clothes. "Anything else?" "No, that¡¯s all," Reign put the mask on, making sure it fit securely over his face. Next, he grabbed the clothes that was handed him. He put on the ck jogging pants and the matching top. The top had long sleeves that covered his arms and a high cor that covered his neck. He then put on a pair of ck shades. The essory hid his eyes andpleted his look. With the mask and new clothes on, He was nowpletely disguised . Without wasting any time, Reign headed to the driver¡¯s seat . He turned to Benedict and said, "Give me the keys." The key was handed over without questions, and Reign started the truck. He adjusted the seat and mirrors first, preparing for the drive. With everything set, he was ready to head towards the city. VROOOOOM! Continue your journey at NovelBin.C?m The pickup truck roared down the hill, easily ignoring the bumpy terrain. As they passed through the town, Benedict asked to pulled over at a bakery. He hadn¡¯t eaten breakfast yet and wanted to grab something. "Forget about it. It¡¯s your fault for not eating," Reign said with a shake of his head. He wasn¡¯t interested in dying just for someone else¡¯s breakfast. Benedict nced over, clearly disappointed. "Alright, sir," he said, slightly deted. He refocused on the road, knowing he¡¯d have to wait until they reached their destination to eat. "So, what¡¯s the word on BioGen Labs? Is it all over the news?" Reign asked while tapping the steering wheel. He wanted to get up-to-date information about the aftermath . "No sir, they¡¯re keeping it under wraps. The city¡¯s already in distress because of the situation outside the barrier, so they don¡¯t want to add more panic," "Interesting," Reign nodded. "How about the underground ? Any news or rumors?" He asked, hoping to gather more information about what was happening beneath the surface. "Yes, sir," Benedict replied. "It seems that something important is missing from theboratory, besides the serum." "In fact, they¡¯re not even focused on the drug anymore. Now, their main concern is finding someone¡ªa girl .I got this information from an informant who works for BioGen. He¡¯s been keeping me updated for a price." ¡¯Are they talking about Elsa?¡¯ he wondered to himself. ¡¯Maybe her status is even higher than those other two ?¡¯ "Do you have any information about the other Meta-Humans?" Reign asked. "I saw three of them inside, which ispletely different from the report I received." Benedict paused for a moment before responding respectfully. "Actually, sir, my informant mentioned that he didn¡¯t know about the other Meta-Humans either. They appeared out of nowhere after themotion you caused. I think they were hiding their presence inside theboratory." ¡¯That make sense, ¡¯ Reign continued to probe for more details about the Meta-Humans. However, Benedict could only provide general information, which didn¡¯t offer much insight. Noticing theck of valuable details, he decided to shift the conversation. "How about the current situation outside the barrier?" he asked. Benedict adjusted his sitting posture before speaking, "Sir, the situation outside the barrier is deteriorating quickly. The number of corrupted creatures is increasing at an rming rate. Initially, the authorities managed to keep things under control, but their resources are now stretched thin. The corrupted are overwhelming their defenses." Reign nodded, listening intently. "And what about the government¡¯s strategy? Any updates?" "Yes, sir. There¡¯s been some inside information suggesting that the government might be forced to make some drastic decisions." He paused to catch his breath. "With corrupteds spreading rapidly in other areas as well, they¡¯re considering sacrificing parts of the city to prevent the situation from getting worse in more important ces. It seems they¡¯re focusing on protecting the most vital parts and are prepared to abandon some areas to contain the threat." "So they¡¯re willing to sacrifice part of this ce?" Benedict confirmed, "Yes, sir" ¡¯I see, well I can understand the logic in that,¡¯ he muttered to himself. The problem with the corrupted wasn¡¯t just their individual strength but also their sheer numbers. On top of that, there were also some particrly dangerous corrupted hiding among the hordes, making it even harder to control the situation. "By the way, how do you all n to get out of the city?" Reign asked. The ce was surrounded. It might be child¡¯s y for Reign to get through, but he doubted Lilith¡¯s group could manage without some advanced transportation, and a lot of luck. "We¡¯re actually nning to leave with the other city VIPs and officials. Miss Lilith has secured us a ticket in advance because the situation in the city is getting worse. Most of the wealthy and influential individuals are nning to escape before it is toote," "How safe is it?" Reign probed further. "I¡¯ve heard that it¡¯ll be packed with Hunters and mercenaries," Benedict replied. "The train we¡¯re also going to use is a second hand from a Tier 2 city but is equipped with more weapons and advanced tech than the one normally avable in Tier 4 and 3 cities. ." Reign nodded.¡¯ If that was the case, it was very likely they would manage to break through.¡¯ "But just in case, take Wick with you. He¡¯s pretty powerful and could be useful in case of emergency." He added. He didn¡¯t really care about what happened to Lilith¡¯sckeys; it was more about ensuring Wick¡¯s safety. The situation in the city had be more dangerous, and having him around was a liability. He hated to admit it, but his pet was pretty weak even for a demon dog. Wick would be killed right away in high-level fights. "Yes, sir," Benedict nodded. "Good," Reign gripped the steering wheel tighter and hit the pedal. VROOOOOOOOM! The truck¡¯s speed increased, and in no time, they reached the city gate. ¡¯The sooner they are gone, the sooner I can move more freely... No more holding back,¡¯ he thought to himself. He hadn¡¯t forgotten his experience with Juggernaut. Deep inside, he wanted nothing more than to wipe the floor with that Meta-Human. Chapter 334: Bolder Plans A dayter, the hideout buzzed with activity as Benedict and the rest of Lilith''s spies prepared to leave. The ce was filled with people wearing ck jackets, their faces stern and focused as they moved around, checking supplies and ensuring everything was in ce for their departure. Reign stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold. He couldn''t help but be impressed by the sheer number of spies Lilith had deployed here. Her determination to obtain the serum and the rted documents was clear from the effort she put into securing them. It was impressive in a way that she managed to trick these people into serving her. It was just what he had expect from a devil with a silver tongue. But for him, her approachcked something essential. While she focused on empowering her organization through numbers and strategy, he believed more in individual strength. Overwhelming power was still his preferred choice of fighting. In his eyes, a single powerful being could aplish what an entire army could not. "Sir, here''s everything we''ve got," Benedict said, handing over a stack of papers and digital files. Reign took them all, his eyes scanning the reports quickly. Each piece of information was somehow important, and he wanted to ensure he had a clear understanding of the present situation. He might need these detailster. "Good work," Reign said, his tone t. "Make sure everyone is ready to move." The group nodded and began their final preparations. Bags were packed, weapons were checked, and ns were reviewed onest time. "If Aljon was here right now, he would be proud of what we''ve aplished," Benedict said, his voice tinged with sadness. "Did you know, sir, that he really wanted to get the blessing of Miss Lilith? He put in the most effort. What a loss." He sighed, recalling all his friend''s deeds. Reign did not respond; he was the one who killed Aljon, after all. Benedict and the rest, not knowing the twisted truth, kept preparing for their departure. Despite the tension, there was a sense of urgency that kept them focused. As the group gathered at the entrance, they bid their farewells. Benedict, standing at the front, gave a small smile. "Stay safe, sir." Reign nodded. "You too. Make sure to follow the n. And take Wick with you." Wick looked up at Reign with a mix of loyalty and sadness. Reign knelt down and patted his head. "Go with them," The dog gave a low growl of understanding and trotted over to Benedict''s side. The group then left the hideout, moving quickly and quietly into the night. He watched them go, his mind already shifting to his next move. With the group gone, he could act more freely and take bolder steps in his approach. The city was still crawling with hidden powerhouse, but now he had fewer distractions. As the sound of their footsteps faded, he turned back to the stack of reports. There was much to do, and he needed to be ready for whatever came next. ''Now the real fun will begin,'' a smirk formed on his lips. *** *** *** 2 Days Later. BOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM! The sound of loud, thunderous explosions filled the air. This time, they weren''ting from the military. One of the forts on the eastern side of the barrier was being attacked by some kind of long-range weapon. Each hit made the ground burst into mes, like a napalm bomb. The noise made the corrupted creatures outside the barrier even more restless, and they began to attack the fort. Chaos erupted.Soldiers and guards ran in every direction, shouting for backup. And that was not even the worst part Soldiers fought bravely, but the sheer number of attackers and the nonstop bombardment overwhelmed them. "Get the heavy artillery! We need more firepower!" a captain yelled, his voice barely audible over the noise. "We''re being overrun!" another soldier shouted, firing his rifle into the mass of corrupted swarming the fort. The fort''s defenses were weakening quickly. "Command, this is Fort 7! We''re under heavy attack! We need immediate backup! Do you copy?" "Fort 7, this is Command. Hold your position. Reinforcements are en route. ETA 20 minutes. Do you copy?" "Twenty minutes? We''ll be dead by then!" a soldier screamed into his radio."We are being attack by some kind of unique corrupted, goddammit!" They couldn''t see the attackers clearly, so they assumed a unique variant was behind the devastating bombardment. But in reality, the person responsible was hovering in the sky. It was Reign. His back was filled with javelins imbued with his me energy. He threw the javelins high into the sky, letting them arc before they fell. Because they were so high, they seemed to rain down directly on the fort, and with the help of the miasma, no one could detect that it wasing from his direction. This was his true power finally revealed. He wanted to remind everyone that he was still the Demon Lord with the most destructive powers. BOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOM! Each javelin exploded on impact, creating huge sts of fire and destruction. ''This feels like killing ants,'' he chuckled to himself, finding it ironic that he had the same feeling now as when he was a kid. Reign watched from above, a sadistic smirk forming on his lips. ''Sweet, not holding back is really the best,'' he thought. He enjoyed the destruction he caused, feeling the raw power coursing through him. After a while, he stopped attacking. ''This is enough of a diversion,'' The reason for this chaos was to thin out the defenses and force the other hidden powers to join the battle. By doing so, he could observe their abilities and take them out if possible. Information in this world had dys, so as long as he ensured no information leaked from this ce, he could easily me the corrupted for the destruction. Reign stayed in the air ,his javelins spent from the previous barraged. He surveyed the damage using his undead eye, noting the confusion and desperation among the soldiers. ''Time to see who steps up,'' he muttered. Minutes passed, and as expected, new forces began to appear. Hunters, mercenaries, and advanced robots arrived at the scene, each trying to take control of the situation. They quickly managed to neutralize the immediate threat. But that wasn''t what caught his attention. The hunters were wearing power armor, which allowed them to move in the miasma. However, therge tanks on their backs showed that they needed a lot of oxygen to use their abilities. ''So that''s how they use their breathing technique,'' It was the first time he had seen hunters fight outside the barrier, and he found this small details amusing. He continued to watched them closely, noting their abilities and strategies. ''As expected, only the small fry joined the battle first,'' he thought, then shifted his attention towards the fort. He saw five people who had huge amount of vitalities. But just seeing their energy wasn''t enough to understand how strong they really were. He needed to watch them in a real fight before deciding the best way to deal with them. ''Go on, show your power,'' he chuckled inwardly seeing that they haven''t detected him yet. Chapter 335: External Help ''This is getting boring,'' Reign thought, noticing that they weren''t making a move anytime soon. ''Maybe they''re worried ?'' he wondered. His attacks had been pretty powerful and destructive, so it made sense that they were taking their time to observe first. Given the current situation, they didn''t appear to be pushed enough to act yet. And the reason was obvious. The other backup forces, despite being weaker individually ,managed to handle the situation with their numbers, pushing back the attack. Hunters weren''t too shabby either, relying on their cooperation to dispose of a number of corrupted in one go. Meanwhile, the military worked together with the mercenaries and the advanced humanoid robots to purge and cleanse the front lines. Most of the enemies were zombie variants, so as long as the the army were well-equipped, it wasn''t too difficult to defeat the horde. It just showed what humans could do when given enough time to prepare. Brentwood military might was a far cry from the other cities that had been devoured by the horde before they could even react. If Reign weren''t here to manipte the oue, this ce could probably hold out for a long time or evenpletely secure the area¡ªif not for the existence of the Numbered Variant. ''No wonder they were able to hold their ground until now,'' he added. ''But I can''t let this continue,'' His gaze glint as he decided to proceed with his next n. ''Time to move things up,'' he thought, flying toward where the corrupted creatures were gathering at the back line. He wanted to find out where the Numbered Variant was hiding. Moving through the miasma filled air, he kept a sharp eye on the chaos below. The battle was intense, with corrupted creatures attacking everything in sight. Each time he saw a group of them acting differently, he adjusted his path to check it out. But they were mostly unique variants, and very weak at that. Normally, his tactic would be considered time-consuming, but thanks to his "Undead Eye", he significantly increased the chances of finding what he was looking for. ''If I''m right, the Numbered Variant should be in that location,'' He concluded this after seeing a horde that was just standing still, waiting for orders. ''What is it waiting for? Don''t tell me it''s afraid?'' he wondered, noticing theck of reaction despite all the efforts he''d made to give it an advantage. ''Alright, I''ll help you more¡ªfor free,'' he chuckled sadistically. As its best supporter, he nned to make the situation more favorable for it, hoping it would invade the city sooner. He flew higher, reaching an altitude so extreme that even he found it challenging. At this height, no man-made object could maintain flight due to the miasma, and even demon lords would struggle. But Reign''s raw power made it possible. He could attack a wider area from this height, but his "Undead Eye" was no longer useful due to the distance. Fortunately, he had memorized the locations of the forts ahead of time, so now he only needed a ballpark estimate. As long as he struck the general location, it would be enough to create amotion. ''Let''s see¡­'' he trailed off as he pulled a javelin from his back. ''Here you go!'' With a powerful swing of his arm, he threw the javelin, sending it soaring through the air. He watched with a cold smile as it arched downward, igniting it in a burst of intense mes. BOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOM! The attack passed over the fort and triggered thendmines, causing the ground to shake. "That''s one," he muttered with satisfaction in his voice as he readied the next javelin. Heunched it, the second projectile streaking through the air like aet of destruction. "Two," he counted, his eyes narrowing as the second javelin found its target after some adjustment. "Three," he said with a menacing chuckle, sending another one arcing through the sky. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the area in a raging inferno. He continued his attack, throwing javelins left and right. With every throw, he made the attack stronger, making sure the damage spread quickly and overwhelmed the fort''s defenses. ''I think that''s enough ,'' he muttered to himself. He flew back to where the five individuals were stationed and saw that some of them had finally started to fight. Unfortunately, the damage to the fort from his attack had been neutralized. He expected as much, and at least he had managed to kill some of the small fry and force the three to act. Observing them, he noticed that the two meta-humans from before were missing, which was very disappointing. The battle shifted back in the humans'' favor again. However, their actions made the corrupted creatures even more restless. They began flooding the area, breaking throughndmines and causing even more destruction. From Reign''s viewpoint, it was clear that the military forts would be destroyed within an hour if nothing changed. BOOOOOOOM! Anotherrge explosion echoed in the distance, and finally, one of the powerhouses made a big move. It was a skilledand experienced hunter wearing a blue kimono. The hunter''s outfit waspleted with a sturdy, dark belt that held his katana''s hilt and pouches. His hair was tied back in a tight knot, and his expression was focused. Each swing of his sword created swirling vortexes that shattered the sound barrier, wiping out tens of thousands of enemieswith each strike. ''This is what I''m talking about,'' Reign muttered inwardly. A single powerful person changed the oue of the battle. This was the kind of fight he wanted to witness. With interest, he watched the hunter fight. Like the others, this one carried an oxygen tank on his back, but his mobility wasn''t affected at all. He moved quickly, not as fast as Quill but fast enough to handle Reign''s puppets. This person was on the document that Reign read¡ªa hunter from a Tier 2 city, and a single-digit rank at that. ''He has a slow charging time, but his attacks are powerful,'' Reign thought, observing the long gaps between the attacks. He continued to watch the battle from afar, staying alert to the movements of the other four individuals. After a while, he noticed that two out of the five had moved to another location. ''So they''re going to back up the other forts,'' he thought to himself. He then turned his focus to the single digit hunter, keeping a close eye on his actions ''I''d be an idiot not to take this opportunity,'' he chuckled sadistically while materializing a rail gun in his hand. With the low visibility around him, he could take out the hunter without being detected He aimed the rail gun directly at his target and activated his "Undead Eye"but didn''t pull the trigger just yet. Reign wanted the hunter to eliminate more corrupted creatures first, making his eventual attack even more impactful. ''He''s using an external oxygen tank, so I just need to wait for him to get tired'' he thought, watching from the distance. He observed the fluctuations in the hunter''s vitality while adjusting the aim of his railgun. Chapter 336: Methods of Killing ''Move further,'' Reign muttered, watching the distance between the powerful fighters. The thick fog meant that he could eliminate them one by one without alerting the rest. Plus, with the noise and chaos all around, his attacks would be muffled, making this the perfect ce to hunt his enemies. In such a chaotic and low visibility environment, he was at the top of the food chain. He was like a shark in the deep sea. No matter how strong these humans were, they were just ying in his battlefield. They could never execute their full strength in such a ce. ''That''s it... Keep moving,'' he said, watching as the hunter moved deeper and deeper into the corrupted lines. ''Perfect,'' he thought while tightening his grip on the railgun, his gazed locked on. He could see the hunter''s every move through his undead eyes, the strong, powerful strikes cutting through the corrupted creatures like a hot knife through butter. The hunter was fast, but there was a moment when he stopped moving to charge his attack. ''Now,'' Reign dered, his finger twitching over the trigger. In an instant, he fired. ZZZZZZZZ! The railgun roared to life, sending a high-velocity projectile hurtling toward the hunter. The ck miasma around the attack masked the intense energy propelling it forward. But the hunter wasn''t oblivious. Sensing the vibration in the air, he spun on his heel, katana shing as he swung it in a defensive arc. CLANG! The de collided with the projectile, a burst of sparks erupting from the impact. The force of the collision sent the hunter skidding back, his feet digging trenches into the ground as he struggled to maintain his bnce. Reign didn''t let up. He fired again and again, each shot faster and more precise than thest. The hunter swung his weapon quickly, his de a blur of motion. Each bullet whizzed through the air, but none found their mark. His technique was impressive. Instead of just blocking the shots, he redirected them with smooth, quick alignment of his de. This was a more advance usage of Stream Guide, which let him deflect the attack without taking the full impact. The projectiles flew off course, hitting the ground or the corrupted creatures nearby, showing just how much control the hunter had over his movements. With each deflection, the hunter smoothly moved from one action to the next, never staying still. His eyes stayed sharp, tracking the projectiles through the thick miasma. Despite the relentless pressure, he maintained his focus and never wavered. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Another barrage of shots was blocked. It seemed as if he could predict the attacks, moving his sword just in time to deflect each one. ''Let''s see if you can handle this,'' Reign chuckled sadistically as he materialized another railgun. This was his style¡ªdominating his enemies through overwhelming firepower. If one was not enough, he would use two. If two was not enough, he would use three. His advantage was his huge energy pool, and he used it to its fullest. The only exception to his dominating stylewas Juggernaut, an enemy with an ability that defied logic. But even then, Reign believed it was simply a matter of not having enough destructive power to overwhelm his opponentpletely. ''What technique? What skill? What experience?'' he muttered. ''Everything can be destroyed by sheer force.'' With two weapons, his attacks became even more deadly. Each projectile hit the ground with a massive impact, creating deep craters and sending debris flying. The hunter, realizing the increased threat, was forced to retreat. But how could Reign let him? He kept pushing the poor hunter into a corner, using different types of bullets to disrupt the rhythm. Each new projectile came with a uniqueeffect¡ªsome exploded on impact, while others emitted a blinding sh or a thick me burst. Finally, Reign saw an opening. ''Got you!'' With a cruel grin, he charged up a third railgun on his back . The weapon hummed with intense energy, its barrel glowing white-hot as it prepared for the shot. CLICK! He pulled the trigger, and a powerful projectile streaked through the dark mist. The hunter raised his katana, trying to block the attack like usual. His muscles were tense, ready for the hit, but he had a bad feeling that this one waspletely different. Feeling threatened, he activated his Rune Overload. A powerful surge of energy exploded around him, creating a fierce gale of wind. For a moment, the wind was so strong that the hunter didn''t need his oxygen tank anymore. He was surrounded by his own wind barrier, which pushed back the miasma and protected him from the attacks. With this new power, the hunter moved faster. He shed through some of the shots, making it look like he might turn the fight around. But Reign was too ruthless. He quickly fired another shot, unleashing an even more powerful st. As the attack struck, the sheer power was like a tidal wave crashing over the hunter. His sword shuddered in his grip, and despite his best efforts, the force sent him staggering backward. But it wasn''t over yet. Another projectile came speeding in almost immediately. CRACK! The impact shattered the de, sending shards of metal flying. When the impact of the explosion faded, the huntery motionless on the ground, his body battered and mangled. His limbs were twisted at odd angles, and his face showed a look of pain and disbelief. The force of the attack had left him with deep holes and cuts all over his body. Fragments of his shattered katana were embedded in his flesh, adding to the horror of his injuries. ''That''s one,'' Reign said with a widening grin of satisfaction. Just like that, one of the so-called best human fighters was out of the game, never even realizing who''d taken him down. Reignnded on the ground and quickly absorbed the hunter''s remains. He felt a rush of experience and collected different mutated organs. He noted the gain but set it aside forter. With his prize secured, heflew back up into the sky, ready to continue his hunt for the others. Since no one noticed the assassination , he could keep using the element of surprise to his advantage. This meant he could keep attacking while his enemies were still not ready for what he was about to do next. It was true that he could overwhelm them head-on if he wanted to, but why bother? To him, death was just a means to an end. The method of killing wasn''t particrly important¡ªit was like how forest hunters would kill a deer, with the exception being those he really hated. For those he despised, he took pleasure in making their deaths more miserable. He soared through the air, heading toward his next target. This time, it was another hunter, known for his me-based breathing technique. As he flew closer, he saw the hunter surrounded by thousands of corrupted creatures. mes erupted from the tip of his de, burning anything around him. But even though he was powerful, he moved slower than thest one. ''Let''s see what you''ve got,'' Reign chuckled to himself, looking for a chance to end the fight quickly. Chapter 337: Methods of Killing Part 2 Reign watched the second hunter from above, observing the mes dancing from his de. The fiery streaks matched the ck kimono, which featured a striking orange me pattern at the hem. With each swing of his sharp katana, intense heat scorched everything in its path. Against the Zombie-Type Corrupted, the mes were particrly effective, as these creatures were really mmable. The hunter''s attacks and techniques were impressive, but his fatal weakness was too obvious. This was the problem with how hunters fought. They depended on each other to cover up their weaknesses, but when they were alone, they were less effective. ''His me can''t withstand a sudden high-speed attack,'' he thought to himself with a sadistic smirk. Unlike the previous one, who used the wind to slow down projectiles, this second hunter relied solely on his mes for defense. Although he could use Stream Guide to redirect attacks, it wouldn''t be sufficient against an overwhelming force. ''I''ll finish this quickly,'' he said with a cruelugh, pleased that his opponent was nothing more but an easy target for the picking. He aimed his railgun and began charging it. It remained his weapon of choice because it was both direct and practical. ''I should upgrade this baby once I be a demon king,'' he thought, unaware that his railgun was already damn too powerful for his rank. Even a Peak Demon Lord would have to think twice before facing such a weapon. The railgun hummed loudly as it gathered energy, sending vibrations through the air. Dark red electricity danced around it, hidden by the thick, dark miasma. Below, the hunter was too busy fighting off the corrupted creatures around him to notice the danger approaching. Meanwhile, Reign made a final adjustment to his aim and fired his railgun. ZZZZZZZ! The projectile cut through the thick mist with such force that it cleared a straight path in the miasma. As the shot rain down , the hunter realized he was in trouble. In a desperate move, he tried to block the attack by releasing a swirling tornado of fire. The fire vortex spiraled up into the sky, its intense mes whipping around in a powerful attempt to intercept the projectile. Itroared and crackled, trying to burn away anything in its path. But the high-speed projectile didn''t slow down at all. It tore through the swirling mes, pushing aside the fire without hesitation. Desperate, the hunter swung his sword again, trying to deflect the fast-moving projectile with Stream Guide. CLANG! But, the sheer velocity of the shot was too much. CRACK! Before he could even make a proper adjustment, his sword shattered under the pressure, breaking into pieces. The impact was devastating. The shot exploded through the hunter''s body, sending a spray of blood and pieces of flesh in all directions. His mangled body was flung backward, his arms and legs iling wildly as he tried to hold onto the broken parts of himself. Blood pooled around him, and his flesh was ripped open. He was left as a gruesome sight, showing just how powerful the attack had been. THUD! Reignndednext to the fallen hunter. With hisst breaths, the hunter''s eyes widened in shock as he saw the true culprit of his untimely death. He finally realized that they were facing something far more dangerous than corrupted creatures. He wanted to warn others, but he could only cough up blood. Hisst words were lost in the gurgle of his own life slipping away. Before he could mumble anything more, sharp tendrils shot out from Reign and pierced through the hunter''s head. Reign absorbed the remains, feeling a rush of experience point and collecting the valuable mutated organs. He heard the familiar notifications pinging in his mind, but, as usual, he chose to ignore them. The sounds were just background noisepared to the thrill of the hunt and the rewards it brought. With his second prize secured, he took to the sky again. His mind was already shifting to his next target. *** *** *** Back at the fort, the number of corrupted creatures kept increasing. The woman in charge of defending the area waspletely lost. She was a powerful Divergent mercenary, famous for her fighting skills and her use of power armor and performance-enhancing drugs. Her unique Divergent blood let her take more of these drugs than most people could safely handle. "What''s happening? What are those two hunters doing?" she shouted, her frustration evident. "This is way above my paycheck," she said, sounding more annoyed. Her power armor, built to handle heavy attacks, was not enough to deal with the endless waves of corrupted creatures. The fort''s defenses were failing, and even with all her upgrades, she felt overwhelmed. Corrupteds and their nonstop attacks were pushing her to her limits. ''Shit, I''ll abandon this area if those two don''te back,'' she thought to herself. She was just hired for this job and had no moral obligation to stay and die here. As she kept fighting with her two short des, she felt the ground start to shake. A bad feeling washed over her. Slowly, she turned to see what was causing it. "N ¡ªNo way" Her eyes widened in shock. Something huge was moving inside the miasma. Without warning, hundreds of thousands of corrupted creatures surged forward. They moved together like a giant wave of monsters, their red eyes glowing in the darkness. It looked like a huge, creepy tsunamiing straight at her. The ground shook under their massive weight, and the air filled with their frightening noises¡ªhisses and growls that made the scene even more terrifying. As they advanced, they swallowed everything in their path, making the ce look like a nightmare. "Corrupted No. 17 is here!" she yelled in panic. She turned to run, her mind racing as the wave of creatures closed in. But just as she started to escape, a sudden, sharp pain struck her head. She felt a cold, wet sensation and reached up to touch it. Her fingers came away covered in blood and fragments of her own brain. "Fuck," she muttered in shock before falling to the ground. Her body twitched violently before going still, her eyes staring nkly . Reignnded next to her, absorbed her remains, and then flew back into the sky. He was also surprised by the enormous number of corrupted. All he could see was a huge, dark wave of monsters with glowing red eyes covering everything in sight. A sadistic smile spread across his lips.''Oh, so the fun is finally starting,'' he thought. Corrupted No. 17 had made its move, and at this rate, it seemed nothing would be left after this. ''I need to hurry up,'' SWOOOOOSH! Reign flew into the barrier, intentionally triggeringnd mines as he passed. The explosions erupted behind him, serving as his final aid to the corrupted creatures swarming the area. Reign didn''t stop after crossing the barrier. He headed straight for the center of the city, where the poption was most dense. With Number 17 in full attack mode, the city''s defenses would be stretched thin, creating an opening for him to begin his feast. The thought of how many humans he could devour filled him with satisfaction. Chapter 338: Menu Item Inside the barrier, sirens red loudly, making a loud noise that filled the streets. Phones kept ringing with urgent messages, telling everyone to quickly move to safe areas. People were running around, trying to get to the evacuation zones as fast as they could. Meanwhile, Reign was calmly hovering in the air, treating the whole ce like a restaurant. He saw each area as a different menu item, deciding where to strike . He knew some ces would be attacked by the monsters first, so he decided to prioritize those areas. He began with the mining and industrial sectors, where many workers were located. After deciding which direction to fly, Reign set off towards his targets. What greeted him there was a surprising wee. Because of the emergency, people had gathered in evacuation centers, which made it like they had packed themselves into a can for him. It was almost too easy, like opening a can of sardines, which saved him a lot of time. ''You didn''t have to trouble yourselves,'' he chuckled sadistically, his eyes locked on the buildings filled with humans. Wasting no time, he released a cloud of airborne virus into the area. As the virus spread, their initial confusion quickly turned to panic. They began to cough violently, clutching their throats as if trying to stop the burning sensation inside. Their faces twisted in agony as their skin turned a sickly, mottled color. One by one, they fell to the ground. Some writhed in pain, their bodies convulsing uncontrobly, while others copsed in a heap, their eyes wide with terror. They had no time to call for help before losing consciousness and dying. Everything happened too fast. Once everyone was dead, hended and spent about five minutes wrapping things up, mostly feeding. This was how quickly he could wipe out an smallpoption if he really focused on it. ''That''s thest one,'' he muttered after absorbing the final corpse. The whole building was now empty. He hadmade sure the virus wasn''t contagious and would vanish within three minutes, leaving no trace of his action Next, he moved quickly from one area to the next, each one more helpless than thest. The towns were left in silence, their people dying as he fed on them. What made it even creepier was how clean it all was¡ªthere was no sign of resistance. If anyone visited these ces, they would think they were simply abandoned. Looking down at the empty town below, a satisfied smile spread across his face. The massacre wasplete, and the ease with which he had done it only made him crave more. He turned his gaze to the horizon, where more small towns awaited. *** *** *** After an hour. Reign decided to fly back to the edge of the barrier before heading directly toward the city center. He wanted to check the current situation and see if he needed to help number 17. But, when he arrived, he saw that the barrier was already broken. In the distance, he could see the frontline slowly being pushed by the sea of monsters. The situation had reached a point of no return. Human forces had retreated 20 miles away to regroup and prepare for what wasing, realizing it was toote to stop the invasion. They quickly started building makeshift tforms and setting up temporary defenses. Military vehicles like tanks and trucks lined up to create a border. Rocketunchers were ced around the area to help stop the iing flood of corrupted creatures. Soldiers worked hard to build and set up everything needed to defend against the attack. The area, once calm, turned into a busy defense zone as they made their stand against the growing threat. They were so busy and stressed that they didn''t even think about the empty towns. They just assumed that everyone had evacuated to the city, which seemed like the logical thing to do. ''So, more forces came,'' he thought as hended on a mountain near the new border. He observed the setup and realized it might be enough to stop Number 17. With over one hundred pieces of heavy artillery in ce, their defenses were strong. But how could he let that happen? How could he just abandon Number 17? After all, he was the number one backer of the numbered variant. So, like a supportive investor, he decided to create a different type of pathogen. This one wasn''t deadly; instead, it would make ordinary humans feel extremely tired and exhausted. Using this kind of pathogen at a time like this would have a powerful effect. To ensure it covered arge area, he used the wind to carry the virus through the air. The virus spread, and the military forces started to feel its effects. Soldiers began to experience unusual tiredness. They felt more sluggish and found it harder to focus. Tasks that used to be quick and easy now seemed more tiring. Some soldiersined of feeling drained, but they still tried to continue their duties. They just attributed their tiredness to the stressful environment, which they assumed could have affected their mental stability. "Aim your weapons and get ready!" a high-ranking officer shouted over the noise. "The corrupted creatures areing fast¡ªthis is not a drill! Every unit, stay in position and get ready to fire when I give the signal!" As the flood of corrupted creatures surged toward the new border, the ground shook from their sheer numbers. The rumbling noise of their advance grew louder and louder with each passing moment. Their red eyes glowed menacingly, and their roars and growls created a nightmarish scene. In response, the military forces, despite their exhaustion, sprang into action. "FIRE!" They used powerful bombs to try and stop the iing wave. Artillery and tanks fired explosive shells into the approaching horde. Each shell exploded with a loud bang, sending fire and smoke high into the sky. The ground shook and erupted with mes and debris. BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! The explosions created massive craters, ripping apart the corrupted creatures in their path. But the wave was just too much. Though the powerful bombs slowed their progress and caused significant damage, the sheer number of corrupted creatures meant that the tide of monsters continued to push forward. From the distant mountain, he watched everything unfold with an amused expression. He increased the effect of his pathogen. More and more soldiers began to copse from exhaustion, including those manning important military vehicles. The once-coordinated defense started to fall apart as key personnel were incapacitated. Before the higher-ups could understand what was happening, it was toote. The wave of corrupted creatures, meeting less resistance, surged forward with unstoppable force. They quickly overwhelmed the new border. As the creatures swarmed over the defenses, anyone caught in the flood was overpowered. Soldiers and hunters alike were swept away. Those trapped in vehicles were crushed under the weight of the advancing hordes. Some tried to fight back, but the sheer number made it nearly impossible. Screams and cries for help were quickly drowned out by the roar of the monsters and the sound of their crushing advance. ''Sweet,'' he chuckled to himself. Chapter 339: Surpassing Expectation As the corrupted creatures crashed through the border, they destroyed everything in their path. Thend around them changed drastically. Trees lost their green color, turning gray and ck from the miasma. The once-clear streams became dark and dirty, and the air was filled with a thick, poisonous fog Animals that used to live there were devoured. The forest, once full of life and color, was destroyed in an instant. But this scene was short-lived, as the monsters quickly covered any remaining traces of life. ''Isn''t this getting out of hand?'' he thought to himself, feeling that Number 17 was growing stronger. He began to wonder if he could actually find the real body amidst this sea of monsters. ''Well, I can just give up if it''s too much trouble. It''s not like it''s my responsibility to stop it anyway,'' he mused to himself. With thend in ruins, he prepared to move on to his next target. ''Time to harvest ,'' he chuckled to himself as he flew towards the city, with the tsunami of corrupted creatures following closely behind. SWOOOOSH! Each p of his wings pushed him forward, sending strong gusts of wind behind him. He watched the people below, who were rushing to escape. They were so busy surviving that they didn''t notice him flying above them. The city soon appeared in the distance, its high walls standing strong against the approaching threat. However, inside the city, anxiety was high. News of the what happened had already reached them, leaving everyone feeling demoralized and afraid. Reign passed through the walls effortlessly, setting off some rms. But he moved so quickly that the guards on the wall barely had time to react. He soared higher and higher, knowing he could act bolder since most of the powerful forces had either been wiped out by the wave or were busy fighting it off. This was now his time to reap what he had sown. High in the sky, he raised his hand and began releasing a transparent gas filled with pathogens. Using his control over element, he increased the wind''s strength to spread the airborne virus over arger area. The gas drifted down slowly, nketing the streets below. When the viral gas began to descend, the rms started ring. However, the sound was drowned out by other emergency sirens, leaving everyone confused about which rm was the most urgent. Down on the streets, the chaos worsened as people shoved and fought each other, some even resorting to looting. The entire ce had descended into total mayhem. Human nature and greed took over as some people began looting, thinking they could survive the invasion and get rich quickly. Meanwhile, some with at least some braincells began preparing for the worst and thinking of ways to survive. They ran towards the evacuation centers, their faces filled with panic and desperation. In their rush to escape, they were too distracted to notice the invisible danger falling down from the sky. The contaminated air settled and mixed with surrounding. A family of five approached the gates surrounding the evacuation center, their faces pale with fear. The father, clutching his young son tightly, begged the guards, "Please, let us in! We need to get inside! I have three children!" His voice was filled with desperation and fear. The mother held her son''s hand, tears streaming down her face. "We have a sick child, please don''t make us wait," she begged. But the guards remained firm, their expressions stern. "Everyone needs to wait. We can''t let anyone in without order," one of them barked, pointing to the growing line of people behind them. The family hesitated, looking at the line that stretched far down the street. "But there''s no time! You have to let us in now!" the father insisted, his voice rising with urgency. Before the guard could respond, another guard nearby suddenly gasped, clutching his throat. At first, it was just a mild cough, almost unnoticeable. The others nced at him, concerned, but continued to keep order. Seconds passed, and the coughing grew worse. He bent over, struggling to catch his breath. His face turned red, and his eyes widened in pain. The sound of hisbored breathing echoed through the area, drawing the attention of those nearby. "Hey, are you okay?" one of his colleague asked, stepping closer, but before he could get a response, another person started coughing too. Then another. The family watched in horror as more and more people, both guards and those in line, began to show the same symptoms. Coughs spread through the crowd like wildfire, starting mild but quickly escting. Panic rippled through everyone as they realized something was terribly wrong. THUD! THUD! THUD! Dozens more people copsed, their bodies weakening as the virus took over their respiratory systems and began destroying their lungs. Some, with stronger immune systems, managed to stagger around for a while, but in the end, they too fell victim to the unforgiving virus. The father pulled his family back, shielding his children as best he could. "We need to get out of here!" he shouted to his wife, who nodded, her face pale with fear. But before they could go far, they too started coughing. At first, it was just a tickle in their throats, but within moments, it grew worse and unbearable. The father stumbled, coughing so hard that blood sprayed from his mouth. His wife and children began to cough blood too, their breathsing in painful gasps as they clutched their chests in pain. THUD! THUD! THUD! One by one, they copsed to the ground, their final breaths leaving them as theyy motionless in the street. ''That''s one area down, now onto the next,'' Reign thought with a satisfied nod, impressed by the initial sess of his n. He kept the gas flowing steadily as he flew over the city, ensuring it covered every part. Starting with themercial district, where the shops and stores had already been closed and empty, the gas filled the streets . Any people who had stayed behind died quickly to the gas, their confusion and fear evident as they breath theirst. Next, he went to the residential neighborhoods. The houses looked empty and quiet, with no one living there anymore. However, Reign''s undead eye revealed a different story, showing signs of lingering vitality. Gas seeped through window gaps and open doors, filling the homes. Using his undead eye, he could see that the gas reached even the hidden spots where people had tried to huddle. He moved on to parks,munity centers, and other public areas where people might have gathered. The gas spread through these ces as well, turning them into empty, silent spaces. Streets were filled with the corpses of those who had died, while the buildings stood silent, empty, and deste. He looked over the city from above, satisfied with the results of his work. From his perspective, what he had aplished was nothing short of awe-inspiring. ''I outdid myself this time,'' he chuckled . The city had be a ghost town, fully taken over by his virus. Hended with a sadistic smile spreading across his lips. As he touched down, hundreds of dark, writhing tendrils erupted from his body. The tendrils reached out and pierced the corpses, absorbing them. [DING!] [Level Up +1] Chapter 340: Resistance "It¡¯s rude to eavesdrop," Reign chuckled, but the voice didn¡¯te from him¡ªit came from Arc. In the next moment, a sharp de sliced through the air, taking down five divergents hiding in an alley. They hade to spy on him, so he dealt with them quickly. The only people left in the city were either hiding or had some kind of immunity to the virus. Since he was constantly flying from one area to another, it was easy to spot him. This wasn¡¯t surprising at all. He absorbed the divergents, but found nothing of value. They were too ordinary, offering no worthwhile mutation organs. "Alright, let¡¯s see what¡¯s down there," he mused, floating above the city. His eyes locked onto the underground station in the distance. With a strong p of his wings, he flew towards the underground station. As he got closer, he felt some resistance¡ªdefense robots were still active. But now that he wasn¡¯t holding back, they were no match for him. With a single swing of his fist, he crushed the first wave of robots, their metal bodies shattering under the force. He didn¡¯t stop to admire his work. More robots came at him, but he destroyed them just as easily. Each punch took out dozens of machines, sending pieces of metal flying everywhere. The sound of metal crunching and sparks crackling filled the air. When thest robot fell, he headed straight for the underground station entrance. A few hunters and mercenaries were there, and the moment they saw him, fear took over. His appearance was terrifying, even by demon standards, so their reaction was understandable. They huddled together and drew their weapons, but before they could even try to put any resistance, he swooped in, tearing them apart without mercy. He mmed one into the floor, the hunter¡¯s head hitting the ground with a crack, blood and brain matter sttering everywhere. One was smashed against the wall, and then another was used as a weapon to crush the rest. He ripped through them, decapitating some and bending others into unnatural angles. It was a gruesome scene, a clear disy of his ruthless nature. In just 20 seconds, he ended everyone¡¯s life. Corpses were scattered across the station, the remains of the people he had just killed, and those who had tried to escape the virus but failed. He began absorbing the vitality from their bodies, feeling his experience points grow with each one. Deeper into the station, he encountered more people. "Is that... it?" one of the hunters muttered, his voice trembling. "Stay back!" another shouted, gripping his weapon tightly, though her hands shook uncontrobly. But before they could even think of forming a n, Reign moved. He was a blur, too fast for their eyes to follow. In an instant, he was among them, a force of pure killing intent. One of the mercenaries barely had time to scream before Reign¡¯s fist connected with his chest, mming him into the floor with such force that blood sttered across the concrete. Another tried to flee, but he grabbed him by the neck, lifting him effortlessly before smashing him ss window. "Please, no!" one of them begged, her voice trembling as she tried to back away. But Reign showed no mercy regardless of gender. He seized the woman¡¯s throat and ripped it out, tearing away the spinal cord savagely . After confirming that everyone was dead, he scanned the area onest time. Then, raising his hand, he uttered a singlemand. "Burn." mes erupted from his hands as he walked through the station, burning everything in his path. Trains, tforms, and even the walls were consumed by fire. The heat was intense, but it didn¡¯t bother him. He watched as the mes devoured the station, making sure nothing was left. Once he was sure the area was destroyed, he moved deeper into the tunnel. The dark passage seemed to close in around him as he went deeper. He stopped after a short distance. ¡¯This is far enough,¡¯ he thought to himself before he struck the tunnel¡¯s ceiling. BOOOOOOOOOM! The ground shook violently as cracks spread from where he struck. The ceiling groaned under the pressure before giving way with a deafening roar. Tons of dirt and rubble crashed down,pletely sealing the tunnel and making it impossible for anyone to pass through. ¡¯With this, I¡¯m certain no one will ever find out what happened to this city,¡¯ ¡¯Now, I can focus on eating more,¡¯ he nodded , pleased to see that he had leveled up again after consuming those hunters and mercenaries. *** *** *** [DING!] [DING!] Explore more at NovelBin.C?m [DING!] The notifications kept ringing as he fed on the dead bodies. He made sure to absorb nearly everyone in the city, leaving nothing behind. His level surged , an achievement he could only reach by consuming so many people at once. However¡ª ¡¯Not enough,¡¯ he sighed, feeling a sense of emptiness. ¡¯I can¡¯t see myself reaching Demon King with just this amount.¡¯ It was a chilling thought, given how much he had consumed, but he didn¡¯t have much choice. The system was greedy and insatiable, so was he. After a while, he had almost covered 90% of the city , and the few remaining areas where not really that crowded with people . He decided to fly up in the sky and watch the horizon, the dark ck miasma was closing in and he estimated that after less than an hour or so, the city would soon follow. He increased his pace, wrapping things up quickly. As he nearedpletion, an unexpected reunion urred. On one of the now-empty streets, the BioGen group, who had hoped to escape through the station, found themselves cut off. Their regr human members began dying one by one. They tried to save themselves with drugs, but these only managed to relieve some of the symptoms, not cure them. "We meet again," Reign said, hovering above and overlooking the entire convoy. His words were directed at Juggernaut, who stared up at him in confusion. "Who are you?" the metahuman asked. Reign shook his head with a hint of sarcasm. "I didn¡¯t know your memory was so bad. We fought just a few days ago. I still remember that trick you used." Juggernaut¡¯s face shifted to confusion before he recalled it. "You¡¯re the guy I defeated ! Wait, don¡¯t tell me you turned into a demon after I killed you!" Reign felt like punching the metahuman¡¯s head off after such a remark, but he managed to control himself. "Kill me? I was just going easy on you," Reign spat out, his words a little bit defensive. Juggernaut¡¯s eyes narrowed in doubt. "Going easy on me? You were barely a threat back then " Reign¡¯s expression stayed cold. "I have no choice. I need to teach you a lesson," he said with a sigh, then descended closer. As he got nearer, a heavy, oppressive aura began to envelop them. Everyone on the spot began to kneel, unable to resist the overwhelming force. Those with weaker willpower died instantly, while a few, despite their efforts, barely managed to hold on. "STOP!" Juggernaut shouted in panic. He was terrified that his mother, who was inside one of the vehicles, might get hurt. Desperate, he grabbed anything he could find and hurled it into the air, hoping it would hit and create a distraction. Chapter 341: Shattering Fight The objects thrown flew into the air, but Reign easily avoided them. "RED!" Juggernaut yelled. Just then, a red blur shot past him. It was the other meta-human. Using the momentum from his flight, Redunched a powerful punch against Reign. BOOOOOOOM! The force of the punch shook the air and sent debris flying everywhere. The noise was thunderous, and the impact felt like a grenade explosion. When the dust finally settled, everyone was stunned. Reign had effortlessly caught the powerful punch with just one hand, holding his fist firmly in ce. "Is this all you got ?" Reign taunted with a confident smirk. Seeing this, Red tried to pull his hand back to throw another punch. But before he could, Reign grabbed his wrist and mmed him repeatedly into the ground. THUD! THUD! THUD! Each impact shook the earth, and the meta-human¡¯s attempts to break free were useless. After several powerful ms, Reign finally lifted his poor opponent and threw him to the side. Red soared through the air and crashed into a building with a deafening bang. The outer walls shattered, and bricks and debris rained down onto the street. He smashed through the lobby, knocking over office desks and scattering papers everywhere. This continued and he hit the second building. This time, he crashed through the windows of a high-rise apartment, destroying furniture and sending belongings flying. He tore through a living room, scattered kitchenware, and crashed into a kitchen, breaking cabs and dishes. It didn¡¯t stop there. He plowed into the third building, smashing through its facade and into a restaurant The force of the impact caused the ceiling to copse. The force of the throw was so intense that the meta-human finally stopped after crashing into the fourth building. "W-- What happened? " Juggernaut and the remaining BioGen members stared in shock. They had watched helplessly as their strongest fighter was thrown aside with such ease. "I told you I was holding back," Reign said with a confident smirk. "I expected more from a meta-human, but he turned out to be even more useless than you." "Don¡¯t get too confident; he¡¯s not dead yet," Juggernaut sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. True to his words, a red blur shot up from the wreckage, moving even faster than before. Reign¡¯s quick reflexes allowed him to block the initial punch again with one hand, but he could feel the added power behind it Red wasn¡¯t finished, though. He started throwing a rapid series of punches, each oneing faster and hitting harder than the one before. The street was filled with the sharp, thunderous sounds of fists mming into each other. Each punch echoed with a loud, impactful thud, growing more intense . "YOU¡¯RE FUCKING DEAD! I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU" Red yelled, his teeth gritted as he continued to attack. Reign was forced to step back with every punch, struggling to defend himself as the meta-human¡¯s overwhelming attacks kepting. Finally, with a powerful punch, the meta-human hit him directly in the chest. The force of the blow sent him flying through the air, crashing hard into the ground. Before Reign could catch a break, Red appeared right in front of him andnded a powerful uppercut. The punch sent him flying upward into the air. The meta-human didn¡¯t waste any time. He quickly flew up, grabbed Reign around the waist, and performed a perfect suplex. He mmed him down to the ground with all his strength. BOOOOOM! The crash created a huge crater, with debris and dust exploding everywhere. ¡¯Meta-humans abilities are such a pain in the ass,¡¯ he muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. As he got back on his feet, he rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck. Read new chapters at NovelBin.C?m He could tell from the fight that Red¡¯s power just kept growing with every punch hended. He wondered if it had to do with emotions, especially since the meta-human in front of him was seething in anger. This meant that the longer the fight continued, the stronger Red would be. ¡¯System, what happens if I eat a powerful meta-human? Will I lose the chance to gain their power?¡¯ he asked, seeking confirmation. [System: You will gain a lot of EXP based on the meta-human¡¯s strength before they die. Their unique soul however, will need to be stored directly in your own soul, but it will require fewer levels to processpared to before.] ¡¯That¡¯s good to hear. I could end this fight right now...¡¯Reign trailed off, ¡¯but I want to see what his limits are and gain more level in the process ,¡¯ At this point, the meta-human wasn¡¯t much of a threat. Red was only at about 25% of Reign¡¯s energy reserved, which was roughly the level of a Beginner Demon Lord. "Come on, let¡¯s see how strong you really are," he said, raising his hand in a challenging gesture. Red¡¯s face turned bright red as he struggled to control his anger. His nickname "Red" wasn¡¯t because his power relied on his emotions; it was because he had a short temper. With a powerful step, the meta-human closed the gap in no time. He was moving faster than before. "You think you can beat me in terms of speed?" Reign sneered, his quick reflexes kicked in immediately. BOOOOOM! He blocked the iing punch, and blue electricity crackled around him as he threw a punch of his own. BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! They traded powerful blows, each strike creating shockwaves that shattered the pavement and sent debris flying. It sounded like a massive thunderstorm was right overhead, with the constant, terrifying cracks of their powerful blows shaking the air. ¡¯Impressive,¡¯ Reign thought to himself. ¡¯I¡¯m already at 50% of my full power, and he¡¯s still not slowing down.¡¯ To anyone watching, it might seem like a close fight, but in reality, Reign was holding back. He was adjusting his strength to keep the battle interesting. As the fight escted, they took their battle to the sky. The sky lit up with streaks of red and blue as the two shed mid-air. Each time they exchanged blows, the windows of nearby buildings shattered from the sheer force of their sh. Red was often thrown into the structures, smashing through walls and floors, but he always got up, stronger and faster. "Too strong! Is this really the power of a Demon Lord?" one of the surviving employee spoke astonished. They watched as Red grew stronger with every moment, but no matter how fast or powerful he became, the demon was always one step ahead. "No," Evelyn interjected. "I saw a video of a Peak Demon Lord in battle, and I think this one is even more powerful. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s using his full power yet." "What?" Everyone was shocked by her deration. But as they watched the fight closely, they saw the demon effortlessly tossing Red from one building to the next. Evelyn¡¯s eyes narrowed in worry. She feared that the individual trying to kill them might be a Demon King in disguise. If that were the case, they were in serious trouble. Juggernaut might be nearly unkible, but there were plenty of ways to deal with him without actually killing him. Chapter 342: Above Demon Lord BOOOOOOOM! Another explosion echoed through the city as both fighters'' fists collided. The blue electricity that danced around Reign shifted to dark red, a visual presentation that he was now using 80% of his full strength. Even with this surge of power, the meta-human showed no sign of slowing down. He was like a car with no limits, speeding up with each passing moment. The more time went on, the faster and more intense his attacks became. ''I can''t believe he''s gotten this strong just from exchanging blows with me,'' he sighed ''It took me so much effort to reach this level for godsake. What a cheat ability,'' he added. But at the same time, he felt a sense of satisfaction. He knew that the stronger the meta-human became, the more experience he would gain from eating himter. It was a high-risk, high-reward gamble he was more than willing to take. The fight continued, but the dynamic between the two fighters was slowly changing. Red, now able to match the speed of his opponent, was no longer being thrown from one building to the next. He was keeping up, standing his ground and fighting back with equal force. ''I need to get more serious,'' he chuckled to himself, deciding it was time to step up his game. With a grin, he summoned his Skull Grinder, which crackled with dark red energy. The weapon hummed menacingly as it spun with a high-pitched whir. Red was momentarily taken aback by the appearance of the weapon, but he knew he couldn''t afford to fall back. "Let''s see if you can handle this," Reign dered, He shot through the air, bing a blur of dark red sparks as he moved . Red, not one to back down, flew toward him, ready to fight it off . Reign swung his Skull Grinder, aiming for Red''s shoulder, but was shocked to find that it was too tough to even make a dent. CLANG! The blow barely affected the meta-human, and the fight quickly turned into a wild exchange of powerful attacks. They were both throwing strong punches and shes, each trying to overpower the other. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! The sky lit up with shes of energy and loud sounds from their fight. Down below, buildings fell apart, streets cracked open, and the city was left in ruins from their intense sh. "Maybe Red can finally surpass his limits!" Evelyn''s mood brightened as she watched her creation grew stronger. She felt excited, anticipating the birth of a new, powerful being from this intense fight. A smirk curled on her lips. ''Well, isn''t this ironic?'' she mused. ''By fighting Red, it has only made my creation stronger. And in the end, its own death will be the price it pays.'' As the battle raged on, Evelyn grew more confident that Red could actually win this fight. "Kill him!" she shouted. As if her words triggered something, a huge amount of energy burst out from the meta-human''s chest. His entire body turned a brilliant shade of red, and a crimson, semi-transparent aura began to dance around him like swirling mist. The glowing aura danced around him, moving like it had a mind of its own. But the transformation was far fromplete. "AGGGHHHHH!" Red let out apowerful, thunderous scream that filled the sky. His body glowed more brightly as the roar grew louder and more intense, like a hero getting ready for his biggest fight. Reign stared in shock. ''What the hell? Is he strong enough to cause an earthquake?'' The energy being released was immense, even surpassing Reign''s own power. It was clear that the meta-human had reached a level no other Demon Lord had ever attained. ''Is there no limit to this?'' he wondered. "AGGGHHHHH!" When his final scream echoed, a burst of blinding light exploded from his body, so bright that it made everyone momentarily unable to see. When the blinding light finally faded, the meta-human hovered in the air casually. His expression was calm and focused, with his eyes glowing a bright, intense red that matched the color of his hair and skin. "Thank you," Red said, his voice calm and firm. "If not for you, I wouldn''t have reached this level of power." The words were supposed to be positive , but something about the way he said it struck a chord with Reign. "Are you underestimating me?" Reign asked, his voice showing his irritation. He had intentionally dragged out the fight, hoping to get the most out of the fight. But after the transformation, it seemed like the meta-human''s ego had blown out of proportion too, and that didn''t sit well with him. "I''m not underestimating you," Red replied with a sighed "I''m just stating the truth. After reaching this new level of power, I realized something important." "What is it?" Reign asked, curious about the so-called realization. The meta-human smiled, his red eyes glowing with a new sense of purpose. "I''ve realized that fighting someone weaker than me is pointless," he said, his voiceced with wisdom. "True strengthes from understanding my own limits and then breaking through them." ''The fuck? '' Reign was speechless, trying to hide his difort. ''Me, weaker?'' he scoffed, his eyes glinting as he clenched his fists. "That''s... deep," he added, cringing internally at the sudden shift in his opponent''s demeanor. "But let''s see if that ''self-discovery'' of yours can help you survive what''sing next." "DOMAIN!" Reign shouted, and without warning, a dark space enveloped them. The once open sky was reced by an oppressive void, sealing both fighters within its confines. Both were drawn into this new space where everything was pitch ck, except for the dark red lightning that frequently shed above, lighting up the area. But even in this unsettling darkness, the meta-human remained unfazed, as if the dark surroundings were nothing more than a backdrop. "So this is a Demon''s Domain," Red said, ncing around with a calm, almost casual air, as if he were merely sightseeing. "I admit that you''re strong," Reign said, his voice echoing ominously through the darkness. "I don''t usually use my Domain¡ªonly a few have ever pushed me this far. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! The lightning in the sky thundered and rumbled, echoing Reign''s power as the absolute ruler of this ce. Red nced up at the cloud of lightning with a bored expression. "Not bad," he muttered, barely acknowledging the disy of power. "Enough!" Reign spat out. He materialized his Rail Gun and immediately began firing. However, to his surprise, Red caught the projectile with his barehand. Reign stared in disbelief.''What just happened?'' he thought, struggling to process it. But he did not let this affect his focus. Seeing that his first attack had failed, Reign switched to rapid-fire mode. The air hummed as the Rail Gun unleashed a barrage of high-speed projectiles. But this time, something even more shocking happened. Red didn''t just catch the projectiles; he deflected them effortlessly, sending them spinning like they were toys. It was an impressive feat, but the meta-human showed no sign of emotion. To him, deflecting those weak attacks was a simple task, almost too boring. "I''ll let you hit me for a minute straight," Red said, "It''s the least I can do." Chapter 343: Above Demon Lord Part 2 THUD! Red suddenly crumpled to the ground, a look of confusion and pain on his face. ''What''s happening?'' he groaned, trying to figure out was going on. He looked at his hand and saw it starting to darken. The color was changing from his fingertips and spreading up. His strength, which had felt so powerful a moment ago, was now slipping away. Even though he had been so confident before, a deep sense of worry was taking over his mind. ''Did he poison me?'' He wondered, his mind racing to understand. Reign smirked inwardly, watching his enemy struggle with satisfaction and amusement. He had used his trump card, "True Death," in thatst wave of attacks. This was his secret weapon, and unlike when he fought Juggernaut, he didn''t have to worry about the skill bouncing back and harming him. "Idiot, you''re too confident. You underestimate me just because you got a power-up?" he chuckled aloud. "What did you do?" Red''s voice trembled, and his calm expression before was reced by visible distress. Reign''s smile widened. "Oh, the mighty attitude is gone already? That was quick," he taunted. "Where''s that Self discovery of yours now?" "You¡­" Red''s face showed annoyance. "That''s right. That''s a better expression. You really didn''t have to act so cool, you know. I can smell bullshit from miles away." "YOU''RE DEAD!!! "Red roared. In a fit of rage, he tore off his own left hand. As he did, energy exploded from his body, making the entire domain shake. His aura continued to intensified, and the wounds on his arm began to close up. But, he didn''t grow a new hand; he just managed to stop the bleeding and recover from the damage. ''He can''t regenerate, but I can''t believe he''s still this powerful even after taking on True Death,'' Reign mused inwardly, impressed by the meta-human''s tenacity. ''But I still don''t see myself losing,'' he added with a confident smirk. If this was all the meta-human could offer, there was no need to worry. SWOOOSH! Without wasting any time, Redunched his attack . He now understood that the demon lord in front of him had too many secrets and couldn''t afford to becent. Although his speed had increased, he was still slower, especially within the domain where Reign controlled everything Before he couldnd a hit, Reign twisted his neck at an odd angle and fired at point-nk range. ZZZZZ! The projectile fired from the barrel and, due to the short distance, hit its target immediately. However, Red quickly reacted by using his aura to shield himself. He had learned from his earlier mistake . Fearing another shot, he decided to create some distance between them. However, he was so ustomed to fighting up close that he found himself unsure of how to handle the situation. His usual tactics and abilities were still too limited despite the power up. Seeing the meta-human momentarily pause, Reign quickly seized the chance. He used his superior range and versatility to his advantage. "Don''t run. I''m not done yet!" Reign called out as he materialized three more rail guns, bringing the total to four. Two were on each hands, while the other two were mounted on his shoulders. The air buzzed with the humming sound of the barrel charging, then a series of rapid shots followed. ZZZZZZZZZ! ZZZZZZZZZ! ZZZZZZZZZ! Each st was apanied by a loud, buzzing noise, but not all the shots carried death energy; using it was too draining. However¡ª Reign knew that his opponent would assume every attacks has it. As a result, Red was forced to use his aura to deflect the iing fire or dodge the attacks altogether. "Come on, stop dodging!" Reign shouted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Red''s frustration was clear as he struggled to keep up with the barrage of attacks. In reality, he could have ignored the projectiles and focused on attacking, but his anxiety clouded his judgment. He didn''t realize that he was ying right into his enemy''s hands. This was the difference between them. He might have an impressive amount of raw power and energy, but his approach was too straightforward andcked creativity. He relied solely on his immense strength, without much strategy. In contrast, Reign was not only powerful but also very smart in how he fought. Hebined his power with clever strategies, making him a dangerous opponent who knew how to use both to his advantage. Comparing them was likeparing two hypercars: one was driven by someone with no experience, while the other was handled by a veteran racer. No matter how impressive the specs of the car, the experienced driver would alwayse out on top. As the fight continued, it became clearer how big the difference was between their battle IQ. "DAMN IT!" Red roared in frustration. He elerated, dodging the projectiles, and charged forward, aiming tond a powerful blow. He was betting on ending it with a single, decisive strike. "That''s not good enough," Reign said, shaking his head in disappointment. He dodged the attack with a long side-step, using the distance between them to his advantage. As soon as he was clear, he resumed his bombardment, firing again without break. Once again, Red was forced to dodge, his fear of the death energy limited his movements. "Hey, did you know I''m barely trying?" Reign taunted with a loud, mockingugh. "This is too easy for me. You''re not even worth my full effort." Red''s eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and frustration crossing his face. "You''re bluffing," he said, forcing his voice to stay steady as he darted from ce to ce, dodging the iing attacks. But deep down, his heart pounded as he processed the possibility. The idea that his opponent was still holding back while he struggled to keep up was infuriating. "It''s pathetic how hard you''re struggling when I''m barely breaking a sweat." Reign taunted with a smirk "Fuck you! I''m not using my full power either!" Red snapped, his aura bursting up. He was driven to prove that he could match, or even surpass his opponent. ''Got you,'' Reign thought with a chuckle. His rudements were meant to mislead his opponent, making him focus on the firepower gap and ignore the fact that Red was simply too predictable andcked strategy. "Sure, sure, I really believe someone who can''t evennd a hit," Reign added, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "BASTARD!" Red screamed in frustration. But every time he charged, his attacks missed. His opponent seemed to know exactly what he was going to do and moved out of the way at thest second. The more he tried to hit him, the more Reignughed and taunted, making his frustration even worse. Reign, on the other hand, remained calm, carefully analyzing and manipting his opponent. He could sense that the meta-human was growing stronger, though not as fast as before. Right now, Red was already stronger in terms of energy reserves and output. However, the system indicated that he was still far from reaching the Demon King Rank, highlighting the vast gap between the two levels. ''How far can he really go?'' he wondered to himself. Chapter 344: Above Demon Lord Part 3 "ARGGGGG!" Red''s furious roar echoed, causing the walls of Reign''s domain to crack and shake. Bright shes of red light illuminated the cracks, which grew wider with each passing moment. "Not good," Reign thought, recognizing the danger. He quickly channeled more energy into his Domain, reinforcing it to withstand the growing pressure. He knew he had to be more careful, especially now that the meta-human had reached another level of power. Red''s body glowed a deeper crimson color than before, and his aura, once semi-transparent, had be much more intense. The increase in power boosted his confidence. He clenched and rxed his fists, confident that his next punch would finally connect with his opponent. A smile spread across his lips as he dered, "That''s right. This is my true power. As long as we keep fighting, I''ll outpower you in the end." "Outpower me?" Reign asked with a mocking smile. "Your so-called power up only forced me to increase from 30% to 40%. Are you sure it''s smart to brag?" Red''s face twisted with frustration, "You think you can just brush me off?" he roared. His aura glowed brightly. "I''m done ying games. You''ll see just how much stronger I am now!" He clenched his hands together, and his aura began to concentrate between his palms. A spinning ball of crimson energy formed, its power so intense that it caused cracks to appear in the space around it. Reign stared at the swirling energy, recognizing the danger. ''I''d be instantly killed if I get hit by that,'' However, he couldn''t afford to show any sign of weakness, not when he was so close to defeating the meta-human and iming all the vitality. "That''s impressive, concentrating your aura in one ce. It must have taken all your braincells toe up with that idea," Reign said with sarcasm. He let the meta-human charge up, not out of carelessness, but because he had a new n. The situation was bing more dangerous. It was time to end the fight before things got even more out of control. "I can do that too," Reign dered. He mirrored the motion, gathering dark red energy in his palm. But unlike his opponent, he only held it for a couple of seconds before pping his hands together, making the energy burst out. It was just for show. "ARISE!" hemanded, summoning his minions. They erupted from the ground and quickly went to attack mode. The sudden appearance of this new power left the meta-human confused, and stunned. Each of the summons charged forward, unleashing a mix of elemental attacks to distract Red. While the summons weren''t strong enough to cause real harm, they were enough to disrupt Red''s concentration. The constant need to dodge,bined with the chaos of the fight, forced him to lose focus, causing the spinning ball of energy to copse. "I''m not finished yet!" Reign added, materializing another weapon. He summoned a cluster of javelins and even created a fourth arm tounch them while he continued bombarding Red with his rail guns. ''You might be stronger than me, but I''ve got more tricks,'' Reign thought with a cruel smile. BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! Explosions after explosion echoed, as the meta-human was put into a corner, he was now more helpless than before . He managed to destroy the five summons, realizing they weren''t very strong. However, they just kepting back. The meta-human moved with amazing speed, attacking with enough force to kill a Demon Lord with one punch. But since he had to use only close-range attacks, he couldn''t hit Reign, who could keep up with his speed. Reign''s smirk grew as he watched his opponent''s frustration. "Not so invincible now, are you?" he taunted. With a flick of his wrist, Reign sent out a surge of negative energy. Startled and cautious, Red backed away, fearing it was another trick. The more Red tried to push through, the more Reign''s different skills exhausted him down mentally. His once unshakable confidence started to fade. He was no longer the unstoppable force he had been at the beginning Reign noticed Red''s growing desperation and used it to his advantage. He kept firing until he had created enough distance. ''Time to end this,'' With a decisive move, he merged his four rail guns together and then summoned a powerful burst of energy from his domain, focusing it into thebined weapon. CRACK ! CRACK ! CRACK! The clouds above roared, and the whole domain shook from the intense pressure. He was using all his energy, getting ready to finish the fight once and for all. ''This is my strongest attack '' he thought as he felt the lightning rain down. The lightning was so powerful that it covered his whole body. Inside, Reign struggled with his weapon, which was threatening to break from the force. He didn''t stop, though; instead, he made the weapon smaller to intensify the pressure. For a moment, a blinding light filled the area, making everything go white. It was as if time itself slowed down. Red, caught in the middle of the blinding attack, felt disoriented. His senses disappeared¡ªhe couldn''t see or smell. All he could hear was a nonstop, high-pitched beeping that pierced his ears and hurt his eardrums. As the blinding light faded, Red''s vision slowly returned. The deafening beeping sound faded, reced by a strange silence. He looked around, confused, and saw that the once dangerous domain was gone. Reign, now flying in the sky, looked down with a confident smirk. "What happened? Did he do something?" Red asked, still puzzled. After a few moments, his mind caught up with his senses. He touched his chest and felt a gaping hole where his heart should be. The realization hit him hard: Reign''s final attack had left a massive wound that he hadn''t even noticed until now. "BUAHHHH" He vomited blood, as death energy started sapping through out his body . "I¡ªImpossible," Red said reluctantly. He looked around, and when he turned back, he saw a huge crater on the ground behind him. It was as if a giantser had obliterated everything in its path. Seeing this, he couldn''t help but feel a bitter sense of disbelief. How could he win against such a powerful figure? All this time, he was being yed by his opponent. Meanwhile, Reign was surprised that Red could still move after that attack. ''I can''t believe he''s still alive after taking the full force of my ultimate move,'' Reign muttered to himself. He had poured majority of all his energy and element into that strike. It was something he could only do once. Red chuckled softly, his voice carrying a hint of resignation. "Tell me, did I ever have a chance to win?" he asked, seeking the truth. Reign paused for a moment, then shook his head with a smirk. "Not really. You''re so weak it''s pathetic," he admitted coldly. "I see," Red said, a faint smile in his eyes. ''Mother, forgive me. He''s just too strong,'' he uttered before closing his eyes. His body began to plummet from the sky like a fallen hero who had given everything to save the world, tears streaming down his face as he fell. Chapter 345: Heroic Ending Reign swooped down with a twisted grin, catching Red''s broken body. He couldn''t let such a powerful person meet his end like this. "What, you think you''re having some epic final moment?" he mocked, his voice filled sarcasm. Red, barely clinging to life, had hoped the fall would be the end, a quick escape from the agony. But his psychopathic opponent had no intention of letting him off that easily. Reign''s grip tightened, holding the meta-human in ce. His eyes gleamed with a disturbing hunger as he leaned in close. The meta-human could only watch in horror as Reign''s mouth opened wide. CRUNCH! With a brutal bite, he sank his teeth into Red''s hand, tearing through skin and bone. The poor meta-human wanted to scream and curse his opponent for his cruelty, but only a weak, broken gasp came out. CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH! Blood smeared Reign''s face as he chewed, savoring every bite. "Delicious! What the hell is this vor!" Reign eximed, his voice filled with genuine surprise and delight. He wasn''t just saying the words¡ªthey came from the very depths of his being. Each bite had been divine, the taste of the flesh unlike anything he had ever experienced. If vitality could bepared to a food, it would be a seasoning¡ªand Red''s body was like the finest umami, rich and full of vor, while ordinary humans were nothing more than nd, low-grade MSG byparison. Red''s vision blurred, his thoughts scattered by the overwhelming humiliation of being eaten alive. But in those final moments, a more terrifying realization hit him. The demon lord in front of him wasn''t just an enemy¡ªhe was pure evil, a psycho who found joy in this twisted brutality. There was no mercy, no hint of humanity in his actions¡ªjust a cold, heartless desire to destroy and kill. Down below, the BioGen team and Juggernaut watched in disbelief. They had seen their share of violence, but nothing like this. Their faces went pale as they watched the gruesome scene, showing clear signs of disgust and fear. This wasn''t a fight; it was a nightmaree to life. Red was never an opponent; he was a livestock, cooked to perfection by the very embodiment of evil. One of the BioGen scientists turned away, his face ashen. "What the hell is he¡­?" he muttered, unable to look anymore. Another scientist, her hand trembling, covered her mouth to keep from throwing up. "That''s not¡­ that''s too much," she whispered, her voice shaking with fear. Juggernaut, usually calm and unbothered by violence, felt his stomach twist at the sight. Reign paid no attention to their reactions. He tore off another chunk of flesh, blood dripping from his mouth like sauce. Red''s body hung limp, thest bits of life fading away. But Reign wasn''t done. He bit down again, this time on Red''s leg, tearing off more flesh. Red didn''t even move¡ªhis mind and body were too far gone. The remains of Red''s body were barely recognizable now, a broken shell of what had once been a person. His final thoughts were filled with fear, a desperate hope that someone would stop this monster before it consumed them all. But for Reign, there was no such thing as mercy. He was a creature of pure destruction, driven by an endless need to feed. Holding the severed head in his hands, he gazed at it for a moment, as if savoring thest act of this gruesome ritual. Then, without hesitation, he bit into it. He chewed it like usual, working through the skull and brain as if it were just another part of the meal. [LEVEL UP+ 1] [LEVEL UP+ 1] [LEVEL UP+ 1] [LEVEL UP+ 1] [LEVEL UP+ 1] [LEVEL UP¡­.] The sound of the notification echoed in his ears, a reminder of what he had just aplished. Red''s vitality was incredibly powerful, more concentrated than that of millions of humansbined. He began to wonder what the humans had done and sacrificed to create a being like this. They were wed in many ways, but their power was terrifying. If it had been any other demon, they would have been defeated for sure. The only reason Reign won was because his opponent wasn''t used to his power yet. If Red had more time to learn, the oue today would have been different. This showed how knowledge could be the difference between winning and losing. After he was done, he licked his fingers clean, savoring thest traces of his meal. The taste stayed with him, a reminder of the twisted delicacy he had just enjoyed. His eyes narrowed as he turned his attention toward the BioGen group below, who stood frozen in shock. Reign floated down, his grin growing wider as he took in their fear. They had seen what he could do and were nowpletely helpless. They knew they were no match for him, and the terror in their eyes only made Reign''s grin growrger. Juggernaut stepped forward, raising his fists in preparation for a fight. He was confident of his ability to reflect any damage that came his way. In his mind, no matter how powerful his opponent was, it would be useless against him. "Wait, let''s talk," a female voice called out. It was Evelyn, who was quick to recognize that her creation didn''t stand a chance. Red had briefly surpassed the Peak Demon Level. Although he hadn''t reached Demon King status, he should have been able to crush anything at the Lord Rank. But, despite this, he was still defeated one-sidedly. It didn''t take a genius to see that Juggernaut had no chance. Reign looked at Evelyn with a cold, amused smile. "Talk?" he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "What''s there to talk about? I''m nning to kill everyone. Talking won''t change a thing." He nced back at Juggernaut, still grinning. "Beside I''m in the mood for more than just talk." "Please, just listen," Evelyn said urgently, her voice filled with desperation. She couldn''t let things get worse and risk dying here. As one of the lead scientists in creating meta-humans, Evelyn had sky-high ambitions. She wanted to be remembered in the annals of history as one of the people who saved the human race, and she was so close to achieving that goal. ''Ambition... Yes, that''s it,'' Evelyn thought. ''Most Demon Lords are driven by greed. Maybe if I offer him something valuable, he might spare me.'' She took a deep breath and began to think carefully. She knew she needed just the right words to convince her way out of this. "BioGen is working with Demon King Agusto, a high-ranking member of Abyssal. Even though we''re a human corporation, we''re open to coborating with demons, especially powerful ones like you." She hoped that he would be swayed by this information. "So what?" Reign replied, his tone t and uninterested. "I don''t care who you''re working with. I''d kill him too if he was here." He shrugged casually, his eyes cold. "And also....I can''t stand the Abyssal Alliance either. I''ll take care of that useless group soon." ''No way¡­ How can he be this confident? Is he really a Demon King?'' Chapter 346: Complimentary Evelyn''s mind raced, trying to understand his words. Her heart pounded with fear, unsure of what might happen next. She wasn''t lying when she warned him about BioGen and Agusto''s cooperation, but there wasn''t even a hint of hesitation or fear in his response. To her, only someone at the level of a Demon King or close could dismiss an actual one like it was nothing. Desperately, she tried to think of a way to defuse the situation, knowing that convincing him was their only chance to avoid a massacre. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Please listen," she said, her voice trembling slightly but still firm, "BioGen can give you a lot of benefits," She watched him carefully, hoping that talking about his ambition might make him rethink. "And what could you possibly offer?" he chuckled, clearly enjoying watching her futile attempt. "Maybe if it''s something valuable, I''ll think about sparing you." His eyes glinted with amusement, showing that he was clearly interested. Evelyn swallowed hard but felt a glimmer of hope. Now, she just needed to find the right words to say. The concept of wealth meant almost nothing to demons, leaving her with only one option. "We have advanced technology and resources that could enhance your abilities and give you even greater power," she began, trying to sound as convincing as possible. She took a step forward, her gaze steady despite her fear. "We also have valuable connections and influence within the world''s power structures. Aligning with us could give you advantages and ess to resources that could help you achieve any of your goals." She waited for a response, but when he didn''t say anything, she continued talking, hoping it would improve her chances. "If you work with us, you won''t just be dealing with a few individuals¡ªyou''ll be gaining ess to a wholework that could be important to you in the future" "Any of my goals? Do you even know what I want?" he asked, his tone full of doubt. His new goal was to keep getting stronger, strong enough to eventually discard the system or tame it. To achieve this, he needed to consume a huge number of humans¡ªfar more than just a few million. He couldn''t see any benefit in working with a corporation that aimed to empower humanity and ensure their survival. It feltpletely opposite to his own purpose and existence. "I don''t know what you want, but whatever they may be, I''m certain BioGen can help you achieve them," she dered, pushing herself to sound confident despite the rising tension. "Big words," Reign said with a sneer. "I really don''t like people who talk big because they usually lead to more disappointment. How can you even make me stronger? Evelyn took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Seeing that he was at least willing to listen for more. "BioGen''s work with Meta-Human research is top-notch. We focus on pushing physical and mental limits to enhance abilities. " Reign pondered for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "Meta-Humans?" he repeated, a hint of mockery in his voice. "The one I fought didn''t amount to much. And now you''re saying you have a way to make me stronger?" "You''re right...But Juggernaut and Red weren''t the strongest Meta-Humans we have. They''re second-ratepared to those in Tier 1 cities." she exined. Evelyn hoped her words would spark some interest in him, offering a glimpse of the real power and benefits that BioGen could provide. "Do you have information about them? How strong are they? What are their powers?" Reign asked. Evelyn hesitated, realizing that he hadn''t promised to spare them. Desperately, she decided to y herst card. "I can give it to you after we escape¡ª" Before she could finish her sentence, a small object flew through the air and struck the head of the nearby scientist. THUD! He fell to the ground, lifeless. The other BioGen employees stared in shock, their eyes wide with fear. "P¡ªPlease, no¡ª" one of them stuttered. "Nope," Reign said, continuing his ruthless action. He flicked small stones , each one hitting its target and causing the scientists to copse one by one. The air was filled with the sounds of bodies hitting the ground and the faint cries of those still in shock. Meanwhile, Evelyn stood frozen, her heart racing from what she just witnessed. Reign''s eyes narrowed as he slowly turned his gaze toward her. "You said you have advanced technology, right?" Reign asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He paused, tilting his head slightly as he surveyed the corpses around him. "Can your corporation revive the dead?" "I¡­" her mouth moved, but no words came out. She took a step back, her hands trembling as they clutched at her sides. Reign shook his head slowly, a look of contempt crossing his face . "I knew it, you''re full of bullshit," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I will kill you now," Reign uttered, his voice cold and menacing. "I hope BioGen has some magical way to save you, seeing how proud you are of your so-called technology." "I won''t let you hurt my mother!" Juggernaut roared in anger. He had been silent while Evelyn spoke, but seeing her threatened, he knew it was time to act. His imposing figure blocked Reign''s line of sight, creating a barrier of flesh and steel between her and the imminent danger. "Mother?" Reign''s asked in confusion. The Meta-human looked far too old to be her biological child. As he considered the situation, a thought crossed his mind. ''Maybe they used her DNA to create him?'' he mused. ''System, do you have any idea about this?'' he asked. [System: Meta-Humans have a unique trait where they imprint on the first person they see, considering them as their parents.] ''I see, that exins some things,'' he murmured to himself. Meanwhile, the meta-human remained motionless, his massive body still shielding his mother. His eyes darted between Reign and her mother, his body filled with tension. He remained close, every muscle on edge, prepared to move at a moment''s notice. "I will protect her no matter what," Juggernaut gritted his teeth, his voice filled with determination. "Don''t worry, Mother, I won''t let him hurt you." He turned to give Evelyn onest reassuring smile, but his expression froze as he saw her face. A sharp tendril from the ground pierced her throat and extending up to the top of her head. Her eyes widen in horror, showing the terror of her sudden death. BURST! Blood bubbled from her mouth as the tendril withdrew, leaving Juggernaut stunned and horrified. "MOTHER!" he wailed in agony, his voice cracking with pain. As her body begins to fall, he hurriedly catches her, cradling her crossed in his massive arms. Her blood began to flow more freely, spilling from her throat and seeping into his arms. "NO! NO! THIS IS NOT HAPPENING!" He continued to screamed in grief, his voice echoing with despair as he tried toprehend the horrifying reality. "YOU''RE A SICK MONSTER!" Juggernaut roared, turning to face the one responsible for all of this. "Thank you," Reign said, scratching his head as if epting apliment. Chapter 347: Wasted Power "YOU BASTARDS" Juggernaut roared, his voice booming with fury. "You think you can just kill my mother and get away with it? You''ll pay for this, I swear!" Anger caused veins to bulge from the meta-human''s forehead. Reign shook his head in disappointment, finding the Meta-human''s reaction pathetic. "Stop acting like a child," he said dismissively. "You''re living in a brutal and dangerous world. Things like this are to be expected. You should be more focused on how to survive." "I will kill you!" The meta-human shouted, charging forward with a furious expression. He swung his fist, and aimed for the head. Reign, however, didn''t flinch or move; he stood there,pletely unfazed by the attack. He might have been tired from the earlier fight, but his opponent''s current abilities were not a concern now that he was no longer holding back. When the punch connected, itnded with a powerful thud against Reign''s body. But, despite the force of the blow, he remained perfectly still. His hard bones absorbed the impact without a hint of damage. Juggernaut''s eyes widened in shock as he realized that his punches were having no effect. The strength he had relied on so heavily was futile against his enemy. With no better option, he started punching left and right, hoping to at least make a dent in his opponent''s defense. Unfortunately, it didn''t change anything. The gap in their strength was just too wide. "I knew it, you''re pretty useless when you''re not taking damage." Reign chuckled sarcastically, enjoying the sight of his opponent''s futile efforts. At the same time, he observed and considered a few things. He wanted to study the Meta-Human''s abilities more closely andpare them to the others. Since all of them were created with the same principles, there should be some simrities between them. If he tried to hit Juggernaut back, even using just 10% of his total strength, the impact reflected would be doubled. Plus , when his muscles turned gold, the reflected damaged increased fourfold, which was an attack Reign should withstand, at least logically speaking. However, he learned from previous experienced that the reflected attack wasn''t just four times stronger. This was why he got burned during their first encounter¡ªthe attack pierced right through him, ignoring his defense. As his mind raced, Reign touched his chin in contemtion, allowing the Meta-Human to punch him repeatedly while he considered his observations. ''Maybe I''m thinking about this the wrong way?'' he mused, ''What if the meta-human''s ability is not about creating something , instead it''s about removing or negating ? '' ''What if, when he takes damage, he''s actually nullifying it?'' Reign thought. '' And since energy can''t be created or destroyed, the nullified force has to go somewhere. And it''s being transferred directly to me, and the increase in power is just a result of that transfer?'' Using this logic, it could also exin Red''s and Elsa''s powers too. For example, Red''s ability might not involve continuously increasing his power out of nowhere. Instead, he could be negating thews that normally require him to expend energy with each attack. By doing so, the energy doesn''t get used up but instead umtes within him. ''Same with that girl,'' Reign thought. ''Instead of freezing things directly, which would be almost impossible¡ªlike when she froze my lightning¡ªher ability is actually about negating heat. Or maybe she''s even canceling kic energy entirely, causing things to freeze instantly?'' His conclusion was based on the fact that air was made up of molecules in constant motion. The temperature of the air was directly rted to the kic energy of these molecules. When the molecules move quickly, the air would be warm; when they move slowly, the air would be cold. Even lightning, which has rapid movement of electrons (kic energy), could be stopped and "frozen" because the motion of those particles paused. ''System, what do you think?'' Reign asked, his mind racing with the implications. He needed to know if his theory held any weight. ''What are the chances that Meta-Humans'' abilities are rted to the negation of certainws of physics?'' [System: Calcting based on current data] [System: Calcting based on current data] [System: Calcting based on current data] [Chances: 75%] ''So I''m basically right,'' he nodded, impressed by his own ability to piece things together. He might have a low EQ, but his IQ was off the charts. This was a big revtion because it would helped him a lot in the future, especially when he had to face more powerful meta-humans with outrageous abilities . Wrapping up his thoughts, he shifted his focus back to Juggernaut. "Are you not done yet?" Reign asked. He had been so lost in his own thoughts that he had almost forgotten about the meta-human. Juggernaut, hearing the sound of his own ineffective blows, grew even more enraged. He redoubled his efforts, throwing punch after punch with all the strength he could muster. His anger only fueled his desperation as he tried to break through the defenses. However¡ª Reign remained unmoved. His expression was calm and detached as he endured the attack, his body absorbing each strike effortlessly. "It''s time to end this," Reign chuckled, then grabbed the meta-human by the neck and flew into the air. From up there, he saw the flood of corrupted creatures closing in. The flood of monsters surged through the city''s walls like a wave of ck ink. They came from every direction, their twisted forms devouring everything. As they advanced, the once empty streets turned into nothing. Buildings began to copse one after another, like a row of dominoes falling. It was as if the structures were being eaten by termites in drugs, with each building quickly eaten and falling within seconds. He had predicted it would take longer, but it seemed whatever remaining force was fighting it off had already been wiped out. Now, the flood was in full throttle. ''What a waste'' he sighed. ''So many potential high-quality meals gone.'' It pained him that they had all turned into corrupted creatures. If they were smart, they would have run back towards the city sooner, so he could have killed them himself. Maybe then, they might have had a chance to be revived as his ves. ''Well, no need to cry over spilled milk,'' he mused inwardly. '' just need to look for their variants. They''re still somewhat fresh, so they should give me plenty of experience points.'' He tried to stay positive, focusing on the potential gains. "LET GO OF ME, BASTARD!" Juggernaut protested, iling around and desperately trying to break free from the grip. "Oh, I almost forgot about you again," Reign chuckled . "What do you think will happen if I throw you ?" he wondered aloud. He had been considering how to deal with Number 17, and honestly, his options were limited since he was already exhausted. But, as luck would have it, he was holding an immortal who could reflect damage. Hearing the question, Juggernaut felt a cold sweat forming on his forehead. He slowly nced at the iing wave of monsters, and even he found it too terrifying to face. "Why did you stop talking? I thought you were so proud of your abilities," Reignughed, trying to add fuel to the fire. "I''m sure this much won''t be enough to kill you." he added with a cruel smile. Chapter 348: Ultimate Shield "You coward," Juggernaut spat out, his anger making it hard for him to think clearly. He was too mentally unstable to realize how dangerous his situation was. ''Is it just me, or are meta-humans stupid?'' Reign thought to himself. He felt like they were either too dumb or built to be dumb. They didn''t show the careful nning or smart thinking one might expect from powerful beings. Instead, they reacted with anger or fear, not taking the time to think things through properly. Even Red took too long to figure out how to use his powers effectively, and in the end, he failed to improve his fighting style,pletely wasting his potential and excess power. This showed ack of battle sense and overall intelligence. Reign began to wonder if meta-humans had to sacrifice their IQ to gain such outrageous and unbnced abilities. "RELEASE ME! YOU COWARD! FIGHT ME FAIR AND SQUARE!" Juggernaut spat out. "What a let down," Reign shook his head, growing more disappointed as time passed. He couldn''t believe that Juggernaut had managed to hurt him before. It felt like his perfect record had been tainted by that fight. Well, at least with everything rted to this city being destroyed, he could bury this embarrassment. Reign flew closer to the flood of monsters, their roiling body a chaotic, disgusting sea of writhing limbs and twisted faces. As he hovered above the flood, he held Juggernaut tightly, allowing the meta-human to see the horrific scene below. The meta-human, still struggling in Reign''s grip, began to speak, his voice filled with both anger and desperation. "You think you''ve won?" he spat out, his breath ragged. "I''ve got ns¡ªbig ns! I am going to crush you, take you down, and¡ª" Reign cut him off with a cruel smile. "Anyst words before you go for a swim? " He slowly began to lower the meta-human toward the flood. "You¡ª" Reign cut him off and let his body fall toward the flood. "NOOOOOO!!!!" The meta-human''s screams echoed as he was swallowed by countless monsters . The corrupted creatures surged over him, they started devouring him as he struggled against the relentless tide. Meanwhile, Reign watched from above, a faint smirk curling on his lips. He was intrigued and excited to see what would happen next. After a few moments, a strange phenomenon began to unfold. The area where the meta-humannded became the epicenter of a swirling vortex, spinning continuously like a whirlpool. The corrupted creatures began to die off one by one. However, their corpses did not just vanish. Instead, each dead monster was quickly reced by a new wave of corrupted beings. These dead monsters were immediately pushed out the cycle of death, only to be reced by yet another wave. ''This is more than I expected,'' Reign thought to himself. He could tell that Juggernaut was the perfect counter to Number 17''s ability, and the meta-human had made Reign''s life easier. Seeing the flood of dead corrupted creatures growingrger, he decided to take advantage of the situation. Dark tendrils began to protrude from his body, extending deep into the flood. Like the roots of a tree spreading through the earth, these tendrils began to wrap around and absorb the dead corpses. What was once a terrifying flood of monsters now transformed into a source of immense power for him. As he devoured the corpses, his Dark Dust Points and Experience Points soared. The constant influx of energy and power was like a rush of pure bliss. Dozens of minutes passed, and the number of corrupted creatures Reign had absorbed had grown to almost a million. Unfortunately, Number 17 soon figured out what was happening and decided to create a gap to avoid the meta-human. Reign felt disappointed, but it was what it was. Without wasting any more time, he swooped down, grabbed Juggernaut, and flew him back up into the sky. Looking at him, Reign''s grin widened. The meta-human was battered and weak, his earlier struggles now reduced to mere helplessness. He might be immortal, but being drowned by disgusting, fouled monsters was far from a good experience. "W¡ª What do you n to do with me?" Juggernaut muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. The trauma of what he had just witnessed had drained himpletely, leaving him mentally exhausted and fearful of what was next. "Do you know how to y baseball?" he asked. Juggernaut raised his eyebrows in confusion. Before he could respond, he was hurled back toward the flood of monsters. By reusing the meta-human repeatedly, Reign ensured he was getting the most out of the situation. Each cycle turned Juggernaut into a valuable asset. Slowly but surely, the flood of monsters began to shrink at a rapid pace. However, Number 17 decided to change tactics again and scattered the creatures it controlled. This made the previous strategy ineffective. But it was something he couldn''t handle. He dug a very deep trench using his rail gun. "What now?" Juggernaut protested, his voice filled with confusion. He tried to move, but before he could say anything more, Reign acted fast. Bone chains, as hard as steel, wrapped around the meta-human, locking his limbs in ce. The chains tightened, digging into his flesh and making any attempt to struggle useless. Reign then buried him in the ground, covering himpletely with dirt. "I''ll deal with youter," Reign said. Without wasting another moment, heunched himself into the sky, his body cutting through the air like a missile. Below him, the wave of corrupted creatures surged forward. Reign flew down toward them and started throwing javelins. BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! BOOOOOM! Each javelin exploded when it hit, sending huge bursts of fire through the ranks of the corrupted and burning them up. With every st, he pushed the remaining corrupted creatures further back, ensuring that no corner was left untouched by his attack. After a while, the horde of corrupted creatures spread out so much that he figured it was too much trouble to chase them all. He hovered in the air for a moment, looking down at the destruction he had caused. Reign then slowlynded among the piles of dead bodies. Dark tendrils shot out from his body, twisting and wriggling as they spread across the field. They reached out and hit the corpses with a prating pierce . As they touched the bodies, the flesh and bones started to shrink and wither as their remaining vitality was sucked out and absorbed by Reign. [DING!] [DING!] [DING!] [DING!] [DING!] The sound of notifications echoed in his ears, letting him know he had collected a lot. He knew that this sessful run was not just due to his own abilities but also because of Juggernaut''s help, which had made a big difference. "That guy is an idiot, but he has his uses," Reign thought with a smirk. "Maybe I should strap him up and use him as a meat shield or something.... A shield that reflects everything." It was a crazy idea, butpletely logical and functional. He thought about how he could just put a gag on the meta-human to stop him from talking nonsense, and then use him as the ultimate shield. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 349: Swarmed and Unique "Speaking of...," he paused, a smirk forming on his lips. "What do we have here?" his attention shifted as he detected a number of corrupteds closing in on him. These weren''t the usual weak, stumbling zombies. They looked different, with strange, unique unsettling mutations. Looking closer, he noticed that some creatures were much bigger, while others had twisted bodies that mixed human and animal features. They were definitely stronger than the regr ones, but still not enough to be a real threat to him, who had already regained most of his energy. Their dark, gooey skin constantly oozed and dripped, as if it couldn''t hold its shape . One giant creature had long, spiky arms that ended in w-like fingers. Its face was a horrifying mask covered in goo, with glowing red eyes peering through. Another monster had the lower half of a human, while its upper body was made up of writhing serpents. The snakes slithered and hissed, their tongues flicking out as they coiled and moved. Nearby, a creature with the head of a wolf emerged. Its body was a strange blend of human flesh and animal muscle, giving it the appearance of a mummified werewolf. Beside it, a giant spider monster crawled forward. Its upper body was that of a female humanoid with fourrge, plump looking tits. From its lower half extended multiple spider legs One particrly unsettling creature had the torso of a human but with long, writhing tentacles instead of arms. Its face was covered in ck sludge, with only beady eyes showing through. The tentaclesshed around, leaving trails of dark goo behind them. Finally, there was a creature with a human upper body, but instead of legs, its lower half was made up of a writhing mass of insects. The bugs moved together in a creepy, coordinated way, making it look like the creature was gliding on a sea of insects. Despite their different shapes, all the creatures had that same dark, gooey skin that pulsed and rippled. The air around them smelled awful, and the ground was covered in the remnants of their twisted transformations. ''These must be the powerful humans who mutated differently,'' Reign thought to himself. ''Are they so powerful that even Number 17 can''t control them?'' he added. He hadn''t seen such strange and unique monsters in the earlier waves. This made him think that their unusual mutations made them immune to number 17 control. "EAT¡ª DESTROY¡ª KILL" one of the unique creatures roared in a muffled, broken voice. It was the towering giant with long, spiky arms . "EAT" "DESTROY" "KILL" Soon, other creatures joined in, their voicesing out as strained and garbled. ''They can talk?'' Reign paused, taken aback by this surprising twist. This was the first time he had heard a corrupted creature speak. He had always believed they couldn''tmunicate, assuming their only purpose was to destroy humanity after the demons'' failed attempts. ''Maybe it''s because they''re newly transformed, so they still have some of their old consciousness left,'' he considered, trying to make sense of it. Since these creatures were powerful when they were still alive, their corruptions took longerpared to ordinary humans. Over time, as the process continued, they eventually lost all traces of their former selves. It was an intriguing idea, and even Reign found it fascinating. But regardless of why they could speak, it didn''t change the fact that they were now his prey. Unique variants like these were worth more Dark Points and experiencepared to the regr zombies, making them valuable targets. "Let''s see what you all have," Reign dered. He summoned his weapon, Skull Grinder Carnage, and began swinging it . SLASH! Each swing made a loud, sharp noise, showing how deadly the weapon was. The creatures backed away, which supported some of his theories that they still had some brain function left. "Come on," Reign taunted, daring the creatures to attack. They hesitated, unsure of what to do. Taking advantage of their uncertainty, he decided to try something. He focused his energy, and a surge of blue electricity crackled around him. As it shed, the creatures went wild, reacting like moths to a me. The first was the giant with long, spiky arms. It swung at Reign with all its strength, but he easily dodged the attack. With a fast, clean strike, he cut the giant in half, and it fell to the ground, dead. Next, the creature with the head of a wolf and the body of a man lunged at him, aiming its ws at his throat. Reign ducked under the attack and swung his de horizontally. The creature''s head flew off, and its body copsed. Another variant, part human and part spider, tried to trap Reign in sticky webs. The creature was quick, but he was quicker. He dodged the webs and sliced off all the spider''s legs in one smooth motion. The creature screamed and toppled over. He finished it with a powerful strike, cutting the creature in half and separating its multiple big tits. The next creature in his line of sight was the one with a human upper body, but its lower half was a writhing mass of insects. Reign nced at it and quickly determined the best way to kill it. He raised his hand and shot out a powerful wave of mes. The fire quickly covered the whole thing, burning it away. Finally, his gazednded on one of the most unsettling creatures. Its dark tentacles iled wildly, leaving trails of dark goo behind them. SWOOOOSH! The tentaclesshed out at him, but he dodged with ease, moving in advance to avoid their dark, sticky trails. With a powerful swing, he cut through one of the tentacles. The spinning edge of his chainsaw weapon sliced through it easily. The creature let out a screech, its beady eyes filled with anger. It tried to hit him with its other tentacles, but Reign was too quick. He dodged every attack, and closed the gap between them. Suddenly, Reign jumped high into the air and brought his weapon down hard. The remaining tentacles iled around to stop him, but Reign''s strike was too fast. He sliced through all of them in one clean motion. With a final, gurgling scream, the creature copsed. More and more unique corrupteds swarmed him, but he dealt with them efficiently. He used only what was necessary to take them down. One by one, the creatures fell, each defeated with a single strike from his de. The fight was over quickly. Reign stood among the pile of corpses, his weapon dripping with dark blood. ''They weren''t even worth the effort, I doubt they will amount to much'' he muttered, disappointed at how easily they were defeated. And just as expected, he only got a measly amount of Dark points from them. [DING!] [Level up + 1] ''That''s a surprise. I can''t believe I actually leveled up from that,'' he muttered to himself, a mix of disbelief and satisfaction on his face. [DING!] [DING!] [DING!] Another, loud, new notifications echoed through his mind, different from the usual. It was followed by a pop-up window that appeared in front of him. ''What''s this? '' Chapter 350: Upgrades and Gears [System: Detected multiple mutation organs. Enough to create a System Custom Organ. To make it easier to host, would you like to converge everything?] [Yes] or [No] "Yes," he replied quickly It was a no-brainer; he didn''t want his status window cluttered with too many details. Organizing everything was the obvious choice. [Converging Process Initialized] [Converging Process Complete] [System: New Mutation Skills Have Been Created] >> Elemental Organs [35 %] >> Rare Organs [20%] >> Special Organs [15%] ''Nice, this is way cleaner and easier to read,'' he nodded in satisfaction as he reviewed the new skill for his mutation Everything was now more itemized with all elemental-rted organs absorbed into single skills. It streamlined his abilities, making them easier to manage and more efficient. After reading the information on the new skills, he shifted his focus to his points, which had increased dramatically. ''I have this much?'' He stared in disbelief at the numbers on his screen. He had been so focused on feeding that he hadn''t checked his progress until now, and the numbers caught him by surprise. Thanks to his soul converter, he also earned additional skill points and attribute points to spend. The skill he had acquired from his encounter with the angel was proving to be really useful, amplifying his gains . ''I''ll be even more powerful after this,'' he chuckled to himself. During his fight with Red, he realized that, even though he was the strongest Demon Lord at his level, he still had a lot of room to grow before moving up to the next rank. The battle showed him that he needed more improvements to close the gap and advance. Without hesitation, he began by boosting his attribute points. As he did, he could feel his body growing stronger and warmer with each increase. He really enjoyed the feeling of energy and strength surging through him. It was clear why Red became so confident after a big power boost¡ªit was like a drug, both addictive and intoxicating. But Reign knew that power without proper use was useless. Although he enjoyed the feeling of getting stronger, he made sure not to becent. He always kept in mind his motto: there would always be a bigger fish. Next, he moved on to his skill points, focusing on improving his abilities. With a surplus of points avable, he didn''t hold back on upgrading the skills he found useful. Lastly, he turned his attention to the one with the highest number¡ªit had so many zeros that it almost look like a phone number. His Dark Dust Points were off the charts. Seeing this, he decided to purchase a new seed. His previous one had been broken, and he needed the extra protection. The new seed would be a vital addition to his arsenal. It wasn''t just about having a backup life; the extrayer of protection it provided could be important if he ever faced an opponent powerful enough to deliver a single, lethal blow. In addition, it was safe to assume that he could need the seed again to breakthrough Demon King¡ªperhaps even more of them this time, knowing full well how greedy his system was. After securing the seed, he turned his attention to the System Store. It was a feature he rarely used, but with so many points at his disposal, he figured it was worth seeing what it had to offer. He scanned the Store, quickly skipping over the old stock, and focused on the new items. It was easy to spot them since the system had conveniently tagged each with a bright "New"bel. Adaptive Mutation Core Price: 10,000,000 Description: A core that enhances the user''s ability to adapt to extreme environments. Once integrated, it grants the ability to instantly adjust to harsh conditions, such as extreme heat, cold, or toxic atmospheres, by altering the host''s physiology. Perfect for surviving in hostile territories or during intense battles. Chimera Blueprint Price: 2,500,000 Description: A blueprint that provides the knowledge and materials needed to create a new hybrid organ bybining traits from various mutations and organism. This organ can grant host or other living beings abilities from multiple sources. Mutation Stabilizer Pill Price: 100,000 Description: A pill that helps stabilize unstable mutations, reducing the risk of side effects or loss of control. This item is particrly useful for those with vtile or newly acquired mutations, ensuring that their abilities remain consistent and reliable during critical moments. Mutation Reversion Stone Price: 50,000 Description: A powerful stone that can reverse a specific mutation back to its original state, undoing any unwanted changes. This item is really valuable for those who have undergone a failed mutation or wish to revert an idental transformation. Symbiotic Armor Suit Price: 500,000 Description: An advanced bio suit that bonds with the host''s body, enhancing physical attributes like strength, endurance, speed, and reflexes. The suit adapts to the host''s mutations, providing extra protection where needed . As he read through the items, he was shocked to find the Adaptive Mutation Core. It was a powerful skill, and it reminded him of a character from his old world who had a simr ability. That character had be almost impossible to kill because of it. However, the price of 10 million was insanely high. Even though the core was really valuable, Reign hesitated, wondering if it was really worth the cost. Not only was the price steep, butpared to Juggernaut''s ability, the Adaptive Mutation Core didn''t seem all that impressive. So, he decided to skip it for now and check out the other two items. First, he looked at the Chimera Blueprint. It worked on a simr concept to the other mutation-rted items, but this one only needed a one-time payment.. Although the Chimera Blueprint seemed less useful for his own needs, it could be a perfect fit for Wick. He wanted his pet to grow stronger, and this blueprint could provide a valuable solution to enhance his abilities. It offered a way tobine various traits into a powerful hybrid form, which could significantly boost Wick''s strength and versatility. The addition of the Mutation Stabilizer and Mutation Reversal Pill were also good choices. They would be useful in case anything went wrong while enhancing his beloved pet at the gic level. Unlike Reign, who had the system to support his mutations, other organisms were more likely to experience adverse effects. These items provided a safety, ensuring that any issues during the enhancement process could be addressed effectively. Finally, his attentionnded on the Symbiotic Armor Suit. The image showed a sleek, ck armor that looked both intimidating and advanced. He felt that this skill was actually quite useful. The armor would significantly enhance his defensive capabilities and boost all his other stats. Additionally, the suit''s design was adjustable, allowing him to modify its appearance as needed. This versatility could prove invaluable in future battles and situations, making the Symbiotic Armor Suit a strong candidate for his investment. ''I could buy it now, and it would have an immediate effect,'' he thought, weighing the pros and cons of getting it. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 351: Overwhelming Force ''I''ll buy it !'' he eximed. With plenty of Dark Points to spare, he decided to buy the Symbiotic Suit since it was cheap. Technically, it wasn''t exactly cheap¡ªit cost 500,000 Dark Points, the equivalent of wiping out an entire city of Corrupted. But even for a monster like him, he wasn''t immune to the usual psychological dilemma: the more someone earns, the more they tend to spend. He told himself it was an investment, something that would make him farm more effectivelyter. ssic move¡ªjust like those people who get an expensive car they can''t afford because, hey, it''s technically an investment, right? With the Symbiotic Suit purchased, he unlocked a new skill. The moment he activated it, a ck, sticky substance began to flow over his chest. It was jet ck and had a glossy, stic appearance, simr to melted rubber. The substance quickly covered his entire body, creating a sleek, shiny look. As he experimented with the suit, he imagined a design resembling a power armor, and to his delight, the suit perfectly transformed to match his vision. But the suit''s features didn''t stop there. When he tried releasing his aura, the suit actually filtered it, enhancing his stealth abilities. This addedyer of concealment would make him even more difficult to detect, further increasing his effectiveness in covert operations. Determined to maximize its potential, he invested additional skill points to level up the suit. The process was smooth, and as he confirmed the upgrade, its sleek, ck surface became even more polished and its features more refined. The updated stats shed on the interface, revealing huge boosts: heightened stealth capabilities, improved flexibility, and increased durability. The suit now felt even more integrated with his body, its movements smoother and more intuitive. Next, he tested the suit''s flexibility. He tried changing his body shape and size, twisting and bending in various ways. To his amazement, the suit adapted seamlessly, moving as if it were a natural extension of his body. After finishing his test, he flew off, locking onto target number 17. He had changed his mind and was now determined to chase it down until he racked up even more Dark Points. He pped his wings and hovered above. From his vantage point in the sky, he was d he''d decided to chase it. The target began changing direction, gathering more corrupted creatures into its ranks. ''Alright, keep going, he chuckled inwardly as he waited for the numbers to increase. While waiting, he decided to check his status to gauge just how much stronger he had be. "Status" ============ Name: Reign Level 69 Age. : 18 (+1 year) Race: Overlord (Legendary) Strength :SS+ Agility. :SS Stamina SS Endurance : SS Intelligence: S+ Energy: SSS- (Legendary) Bite 50 Undead Eye 50 Night Crawl: 50 wer: 50 Viral Control: 50 w Bullet: 50 w Barrage: 50 Symbiotic Armor Suit :50 ¡ªClick for More¡ª ¡ªClick for More¡ª Death Aura: 50 Enhance Bones: 70 Bone Control: 70 Bone Eater: 70 Bone Summoning: 70 Overlord Authority : 50 Seed Convergence : 50n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om True Death : 50 Death Cry 50 Death''s Embrace 70 Domain (Legendary) ¡ªClick for More¡ª >> Visual Organs [30%] >> Elemental Organs [35 %] >> Rare Organs [20%] >> Special Organs [15%] ¡ªClick for More¡ª ¡ªClick for More¡ª ====== Overall, he felt like his power had increased by nearly 50%, which was impressive considering how strong he already was. But when he asked the system, it informed him that he was still far from achieving Demon King Status. This realization hit him hard, making him understand that the gap between Demon Lord and Demon King was even greater than the leap from Upper Rank to Demon Lord. The sheer distance between the two ranks made it clear just how much more he had to grow. ''I still need more power,'' he muttered to himself. While in thought, a deep, rumbling noise came from below. The sound was so powerful it seemed to shake the air. He looked down and saw the swarm of creatures beneath him. To his surprise, they all stopped moving at the same time. The once messy, wriggling mass of monsters was nowpletely still. It was like someone had hit the pause button. There was no movement, no sound¡ªjust a strange, eerie quiet. ''What''s happening?'' he muttered, a growing unease settling in. Out of nowhere, he sensed something from the sky and felt all his instincts screaming at him to run away. ''Fuck! I need to get out of here!'' he eximed, quickly turning around. His wings pped, but they felt unusually slow. Before he could move far, a red light shot down from the sky and engulfed everything ''DAMN IT!'' Reign shouted in frustration but it was already toote. The massive red beam of light struck him with overwhelming force. As it made contact with the ground, it unleashed a blinding explosion of energy, obliterating everything in its path. The dense swarm of corrupted creatures was instantly incinerated, turning to ash in an instant. Along with them, Reign was caught in the full force of the apocalyptic attack. In the sky. "I can''t believe I had toe all the way here for such a minor issue," a figure with red skinined from above the crater. The creature''s six arms moved slowly, and its five eyes looked over the wreckage. Green Blood trickled from its middle eye, which was half-closed from exhaustion. "If it weren''t for that deal they made with humans, I wouldn''t even bother helping," he said, clicking his tongue in annoyance. He clearly felt that dealing with this mess was beneath someone of his status and power. Unfortunately, he had lost a bet with his peers, so he reluctantly rushed to the Western Continent. As he grumbled, a voice called out from above, "Demon King Vinsh." Suddenly, the air cracked and shattered like ss. Through the fragments of the broken space, a small blue creature emerged. "Thank you for assisting us," the small creature said, bowing its head in respect. "Get me out of here. I''ve done my part of the deal," Vinshmanded. The small creature stared at the huge crater, its eyes wide with amazement at the sheer scale of destruction a Demon King could unleash. The devastation was on a whole different level. "Yes, Demon King Vinsh, but I saw a Demon Lord nearby. I think we should investigate further and make ¡ª" The small creature started to speak, but was quickly interrupted. "Do you think a mere Demon Lord could survive that attack?" Vinsh sneered in contempt. "Or are you suggesting my attack was weak?" he added, his voice tinged with anger. "Of course not. No Demon Lord could withstand your powerful attack," the small creature hurriedly bowed its head, terrified that it might be punished for speaking out of turn. "Stop wasting my time and just send me back to my territory," Vinsh ordered. For a Demon King like him, a Demon Lord was no different from ordinary demons¡ªsomeone he could easily eliminate with a flick of his finger if he wished. Without a word, the small creature opened a portal and guided the Demon King through it. Chapter 352: Arrangement Tier 1 City - Tempest Fort. Hunter Association State HQ The State Director sat behind hisrge oak desk, his face showing calmness, though deep lines of concern were visible around his eyes. His dark suit was perfectly tailored, and the soft light from the deskmp gave the dimly lit office a serious, important feel. Across from him, his beautiful daughter stood near the tall window. Her soft pink hair was pulled back into a neat bun, and her blue eyes reflected her unease. "Dad, are you sure this is the right decision? The thing we used to pay the Abyssal Alliance is really important for mankind," she asked. His father nced out the window, his eyes tracing the skyline of the city below. The bustling streets were filled with people going about their daily lives, unaware of the heavy decision he had made. "I get where you''reing from, Elena," he said, his voice steady but tinged with a note of weariness. "Then why? Why did you use it as a bargaining chip?" she asked, confusion clear in her voice as she tried to understand her father''s decision. He softened his tone, looking at her with concern in his deep-set eyes. "You know how it is. Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices to protect more people. We''ve always done what''s needed to keep humanity safe, and this is just another tough call. Trust me on this one." Elena''s worry didn''tpletely fade, but she gave a reluctant nod, her shoulders slightly slumped as she absorbed his words. The dim light of the office cast shadows on her worried face, reflecting her internal struggle but also her readiness to trust her father''s judgment. After a moment of silence, the State Director shifted in his chair, his expression growing more contemtive.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Speaking of difficult decisions," he began, his tone bing more personal, "we need to talk about your uing arrangement. I know it''s not what you want, but it''s important for our family and our position." Elena''s eyes widened slightly, the mention of the arranged marriage. "Dad, we''ve been over this," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I''m not sure I''m ready for this." He leaned forward, his gaze steady but gentle. "I understand your reservations. But this arrangement is important. It''s about securing our family''s future and maintaining our influence. I need you to trust me that this is for the best." "So, you''re asking me to choose between them? Just like that? I don''t even know them well enough," she said, her voice tinged with frustration and uncertainty. "Yes, and I trust you to make the choice that''s best for our family," he replied with a firm tone. "But that''s unfair to me. I''ve already proven that I''m just as talented as they are. So why do I need to be married off?" she protested, pointing out her own aplishments. In fact, she was considered one of the most skilled hunters of her generation. "That''s the reasons why you should choose someone with good genes," he said firmly. "But..." Elena took a deep breath, the room filled with the soft ticking of a clock and the faint rustle of papers as she weighed her father''s words. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! A sudden sound on the door jolted their attention. The State Director looked up and pressed a button on his desk. The door slide open, and a tall man in a crisp ck uniform stepped inside, bowing his head respectfully. "Excuse the interruption, State Director" he said, his tone formal and urgent. "I''m here to report that Number 17 has been eliminated, as per the agreement with the Abyssal Alliance." The State Director''s face remainedposed, though a flicker of satisfaction crossed his features. "Thank you for the update," he said, nodding in acknowledgment. "Please make sure that the necessary reports are filed and that all relevant parties are informed." "Yes, State Director," the man nodded and quickly left the room. "So quickly? Killing number 17 was something we struggled with for years," she eximed. "How could it be taken care of so fast?" The State Director sighed, leaning back in his chair with a weary expression. "Demon Kings operate on a different level altogether," he exined. "If they really wanted to eradicate the corrupted, they could do it. But they don''t. Their goal is to ensure that humans remain dependent on them" Elena''s confusion deepened. "What do you mean?" The State Director continued, his tone calm but firm. "For the Demon Kings, the corrupted aren''t really a problem as long as there are enough humans to support their needs. They do the bare minimum to manage the situation, just enough to maintain control and ensure we rely on them. It''s all part of their strategy to keep us dependent on their power." Elena absorbed his words, her mind grappling with the implications. "But isn''t it unfair for us to be manipte like this?" she asked in frustration. The State Director sighed. "It might seem unfair, but consider this: if the corrupted didn''t exist to keep us in check, the demons would likely have enved humans long ago. The threat of the corrupted keeps them from moving in that direction. " He paused and looked at his daughter, noting her troubled expression. Despite her talent and strength, she was still too naive and inexperienced to grasp theplexities of the politics between the two races. But at the same time, he saw an opportunity to use her uncertainty to persuade her that his decision as her father was the right one. "Elena, this is also another reason why this arrangement is so important.... It''s not just about our family influence. It''s about the future of humanity." She looked at him with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "What do you mean, Dad?" "Humans need to evolve too. Gics y a big part in this evolution. By marrying someone with exceptional traits, you''re not just forming an alliance¡ªyou''re also helping advance our species." He paused, letting his words sink in as he watched her take in his point of view. "Think about Quill from the zer Family. He''s a genius, known for his exceptional talent and skills. If you marry him, your children would inherit both your abilities and his superior gics. I really believe that together, you two could produce a new generation of Hunters who would be the foundation of mankind in the future." "Dad, that guy is a serial womanizer who even refused to work for the Hunter Association. Why would I want to marry such a selfish perverted jerk?" she said, rolling her eyes. "I know he''s a troublemaker, but you can''t deny his talent and skills. Besides, talented men tend to attract women," he replied. "But Dad," she protested, her voice growing more intense, "if this is just about having good genes, why can''t I find someone on my own? What if I find someone even stronger and more talented than him?" "Do you think talented people just appear out of nowhere?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of weariness and concern. "This is the real world, Elena. You can''t just expect to find someone like that lying around," he sighed. Chapter 354: Building Connection "Seki-sama, are you alright?" Nobu''s voice cut through the cabin''s quiet ambiance, breaking the silence between them. They sat across from each other in a private trainpartment. The steady sound of the train wheels on the tracks created a calming background. Nobu, dressed in a casual ck jacket that hung loosely over his frame, observed Seki with concern. She, too, wore a ck jacket, but hers was more fitted and feminine, designed to be lighter. Her ck hair was pulled back into a bun, held in ce by a simple hairpin. "I''m just thinking about things, Nobu-san," she sighed, staring at the window monitor with a distant, unfocused gaze. The fakendscape sped past in a blur of colors, a digital illusion meant to lift the mood of the passengers. But for her, it offered nofort. Her mind was consumed by the weight of their recent failure. She had been in a bad mood since they boarded the train, her usual warmth reced by a heavy silence. Nobu could sense her internal struggle but chose to wait patiently. He understood the gravity of their situation¡ªleaving Brentwood without finding any clues about the artifacts was a huge setback. Seki had wanted to stay longer, hoping that more time might get them some results. But their ns changed abruptly when Reign sent an urgent message warning them to escape immediately. The message had been clear: the city was on the brink of destruction. Given Reign''s known power and the rumors of his influential family, there was little doubt about the credibility of his warning. "Do you need anything, Seki-sama?" he asked with a worried tone. "I''m alright, Nobu-san," she replied, her voice tinged with resignation. "I''m just trying to figure out whates next. We didn''t find any clues about the artifacts. Can we really go home like this ?" Her face grew somber as she spoke, her usually vibrant eyes now shadowed with a deep sadness. Her hands were clenched tightly in herp, as if trying to hold onto some semnce of control. The thought of returning home empty-handed was a heavy burden, especially given the high expectations ced upon her. In their culture, failure was not taken lightly¡ªit carried a stigma that could tarnish not only her reputation but also the honor of her entire family. The thought of facing their disappointment and hearing people whisper about it was too much to handle. There was even a saying on their continent: "It''s better to die trying than to fail." Nobu watched her closely, sensing how deeply troubled she was. He was also worried that he might even be forced to gut himself as a form of atonement for the embarrassment he had brought upon his n. After a moment of contemtion, Nobu decided to shift the conversation to something that might offer a glimmer of hope. "Seki-sama," he began cautiously, "I''ve heard some interesting things about Mr.Rain. There''s talk that hees from a very powerful family. If we could build a connection with him, it might change how our n views this trip." He nced at Seki, hoping to see some sign of emotion, but she remained still and silent. Determined to get a response, he decided to press a little further. "Think about it, Seki-sama¡ªif we return and tell them we''ve established a connection with someone like him, it wouldn''t seem like a waste of time. It could open doors we hadn''t considered. Your family would likely see the value in having someone like him as an ally, especially given the influence his family might have." She finally lifted her gaze from her hands, meeting Nobu''s eyes. There was a small flicker of interest in her expression, a tiny spark that hadn''t been there before. "You think so, Nobu-san?" she asked with a low voice, her tone carrying a mix of doubt and curiosity. "Do you really believe that building a connection with him could make a difference?" Nobu nodded, a hint of encouragement in his expression. "I do. " She sighed softly, the tension in her shoulders easing a little. "Alright, Nobu-san. Let''s see if we can make something out of this. If we can''t find what we came for, at least we won''t return empty-handed." Nobu nodded, relieved to see a small smile begin to form on her face. In reality, he didn''t hold much hope that they could convince someone like Reign. He had only said those things mostly to buy them time, hesitant to return home. His reluctance wasn''t just because of the embarrassment of their failure or the threat of being forced into gutting himself. He was also worried about the dangers of traveling between continents. As they got ready for their next steps, the tense atmosphere in the trainpartment began to lift, reced by a small sense of hope. Seki''s body began to rx as her mood improved, even if just a little. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she let out a small sigh. Slowly, her eyes closed, and she drifted off into sleep, her breathing bing steady and calm. Nobu watched her for a moment, noticing how the tension in her face eased as she fell into a deep, restful sleep. However¡ªN?v(el)B\\jnn ''Seki-sama, Seki- sama '' he whispered, raising his hand toward her. For a moment, his mind wandered as he found himself drawn to her timeless beauty. Lustful desire stirred within him, and he felt his body react, but before he could act on it, he stopped himself. With a deep breath, he pulled his hand back, forcing himself to calm down. ''I need some fresh air,'' he muttered under his breath. Seki was really beautiful, and traveling with someone so captivating made it hard for him to keep hisposure at times. He knew he had to stay focused, reminding himself to not cross the line. But who could me him? He was just a man, after all. He left the cabin and made his way to the barpartment. Once there, he took a seat and ordered a drink, hoping it would help calm his nerves and clear his mind. As he sipped his drink, a fleeting thought crossed his mind. ''Maybe if we don''t go back home, she''ll fall for me, and we can start a new life here?'' The idea was tempting, but he quickly pushed it aside, knowing how unrealistic it was. ''What am I thinking? She''s over half my age,'' he muttered to himself, shaking his head to push away the unwanted thoughts. "Are you alright, sir?" the bartender asked, sensing the unease in his customer''s demeanor. Nobu looked up and shook his head, "It''s nothing , I''m just thinking about some things ," "Is it a problem about love ?" Nobu was caught off guard by how perceptive the bartender was. He hadn''t expected someone to notice his inner turmoil so quickly. "You can talk to me," the bartender offered, leaning in slightly. "I''ve heard all kinds of stories over the years. So, what''s the issue? Is she already married? Too old? Too rich? Or maybe... too young?" "I..." Nobu stammered, momentarily at a loss for words. He had underestimated just how skilled the bartender was at reading people. Chapter 355 Stress Reliever [System: Activating Safety Protocol] Reign''s consciousness slowly returned, but he had no clue how long he had been out. What he did know was that, once again, a parasitic creature attempted to seize control of his body. ''Damn it, I really need to get better at defending my mind,'' he thought, letting out a frustrated sigh. His mind was his weakest link. The more he thought about how vulnerable it was, the angrier he became If there was a silver lining, at least his body had somehow recovered, he was no longer a disabled monster, and could move around abiet still operating at 30% of his usual power. On top of that, he had racked up a hefty amount of Dark Dust Points. Number 17 had been a treasure trove, and now he had even more to use. He quickly bought another Seed to grow, realizing how important it was to have extra lives. What he once thought he didn''t need now seemed important. The second Seed could grow into a new body with many useful features if he used it correctly. In the worst-case scenario, if he werepletely obliterated and all his life-saving methods were exhausted, his consciousness would automatically transfer to this new body. This meant he just needed to ensure that the second body was kept in a secure ce. After buying the Seed, he let out a sigh of relief, knowing he now had another usable life. "System? Why am I still weakened?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion as he tried to understand his current body condition. [System: Host, the parasite you absorbed was a matured corrupted entity, and your body is still adjusting to its effects. You will recover your strength gradually.] [System: Please be advised that the system has expended a huge amount of processing power to preserve your consciousness. Remember, without the system''s extensive assistance, recovery was impossible,] "I get it, I get it," he replied, a hint of irritation in his voice. "No need to keep rubbing it in that you helped me a lot. I know." He felt like the system was getting a bit annoying with all its reminders about the assistance it had provided. Reign pushed himself up, testing his strength as he stood. He focused on his ability to materialize his wings. He willed them into existence. To his relief, they appeared, solid and functional. He flexed his wings experimentally, feeling the power and stability return. ''Finally,'' he muttered to himself, a hint of relief in his voice. With a decisive p, he prepared to leave the ce behind for good. [DING!] "What is it this time?" Reign asked, his voice tinged with irritation. "Don''t tell me there''s another danger?" [System: Host, this ce has be a breeding ground for Negative Energy. You can absorb the miasma and then filter the energy to get skill points and attribute points] "Why didn''t you say so sooner?" He opened his mouth wide and started sucking in the air like he was a high powered industrial vacuum. The miasma swirled towards him and went into his mouth. It felt disgusting and made him feel sick, but he pushed through.N?v(el)B\\jnn As the miasma flowed through him, his body filtered out the corrupted energy. The ck miasma was released through his back, leaving only negative energy behind [DING!] He kept hearing notifications popping up, each one showing the increasing number of experience points he was earning. After a few moments, he gained hundreds of skill and attribute points. While it wasn''t a huge boost given his current strength, having more of them never hurt. "I can now level up my Second Seed," he muttered aloud as he clicked on the interface. He was surprised to find that the upgrade required far fewer points than expected. So he quickly leveled it up, just in case the system decided to get greedy and raise the price. Next, he checked the Second Seed and saw it was now at Stage 3. ''I''ll experiment with this skillter,'' He made up his mind to fly out of the huge crater. The sky was covered in its usual dark fog. When he looked down, he saw how massive the st was. Even with with current full power, he knew he couldn''t replicate it. It just showed how much more powerful the person responsible waspared to him. Regardless, he didn''t feel afraid. Instead, he was consumed by hatred. ''You might be stronger than me right now, but you''ll regret not killing me,'' With revenge on his mind, he wasted no time, and soared through the sky, searching for the train tracks. After he spotted them, he followed their path to trace his way back to Rosewood. SWOOOOOSH! Wind howled loudly as he flew through the air. Read exclusive chapters at empire The speed at which he was flying was slower than usual, but still much faster than a train. The path was silent, likely because Number 17 had absorbed most of the corrupted creatures along this area. Regardless, he remained vignt as he flew, his eyes scanning for any signs of danger. He knew better than to let his guard down again. ''I got luckyst time. Whoever used that attack probably thought I was dead,'' he muttered to himself. ''Rosewood should be a safe ce for now,'' he reasoned. ''I can stay there and figure out my next move. But first, I need to stay out of sight. If they think I''m dead, I need to keep it that way until I figure out who''s behind that attack'' As the outline of Rosewood''s barrier came into clearer view, he picked up speed. SWOOOOOSH! When he passed through the barrier, the view changed dramatically. Inside, hended softly on a small hill, a quiet ce that gave him a wide view of the surroundings. The cool morning air felt unexpectedly calming, especially after what he had just been through. The sunrise painted the sky in shades of orange and pink, creating a gentle light over thend. ''This is what I need right now,'' he thought. ''A moment to catch my breath and clear my head. '' He let himself rx for a few minutes, enjoying the serene environment. It was a rare break from the constant vignce and stress. ''So it''s true, once you experience death, you start to appreciate life more,'' he muttered to himself. Something inside him seemed to change, but he quickly remembered how many times he died before. Too many to count, and none of those experiences had really improved his personality in a positive way. It was just another moment of him being overly dramatic. He pushed aside these useless feelings and focused on regaining his old self which took him 3 seconds, and he was back to normal. "I''ll fucking kill the one who put me in that situation," he snarled through gritted teeth. Summoning Skull Grinder, he began shing the tress like a crazed maniac. The peaceful morning quickly turned messy as the loud noises from his weapon scared away the nearby animals. Next, he decided to fly higher and spotted a small town below. Although he nned to stay low-key for a while, it didn''t mean he would stop his habits. After all, eating humans was his best stress reliever. Chapter 356 Stress Reliever 2 Reign glided toward the small, isted town near the edge of the barrier. It was the perfect spot¡ªhidden away, with no one around to hear the screams once he started his leisure activities to relieve stress. As hended in the middle of the dirt road, his arrival sent shockwaves through the town. Ground trembled beneath him, and the early morning silence shattered as people began to notice the dark figure among them. The first to notice him were a few early risers. They stared in disbelief, their eyes wide with fear at his unsettling appearance. His glowing red eyes fixed on them, and in that instant, they knew something terrible was about to happen. Panic spread quickly as more vigers rushed outside, drawn by the noise. Their faces turned pale as they realized what wasing. "RUN!" one of the vigers shouted, his voice cutting through the air. They weren''t ignorant about the existence of demons; they had heard the stories and seen the warnings. However¡ª Reign didn''t give them a chance to react. He moved with terrifying speed, his body a blur as he tore through the first group of people. Blood sprayed across the streets as his hands ripped through flesh and bone like they were nothing. The vigers screamed, their voices filled with pure terror as they tried to run, but he was merciless. "NO! PLEASE!" a man screamed in desperation as he tried to get away . Reign walked up to the man. He raised his foot and kicked the head without any remorse . Read exclusive content at empire The force was so strong that the man''s head flew off his shoulders andnded several feet away. Blood sttered everywhere as the head rolled, its empty eyes staring at nothing. "OH MY GOD!" someone screamed, their voice breaking with panic. "MURDERER! MONSTER ! SOMEONE HELP US!" a woman cried out, her voice filled with pure fear as she grabbed her children and tried to flee. She fell to her knees, her face contorted in fear and pain. As she tried to stand, she looked up and saw the monster standing right in front of her. His wide, sadistic grin caused her knees to give out again. Her children, tears streaming down their faces, clung to her hands, their tiny fingers gripping tightly. "Mom, stand up! Please stand up!" they cried out, their voices choked with desperation. They tugged at her arms, trying to pull her to her feet, but their efforts were in vain. Her hands trembled as she raised them in a desperate attempt to beg for her life. "Please, don''t kill me! I have children!" she cried, her voice shaking with fear. Without saying a word, He seized her by the throat, lifting her. She struggled, her legs kicking frantically as she tried to break free. But his grip was too strong. With a sickening twist, he snapped her neck and then tore her throat out, blood sttering over his hands and spilling onto the faces of her terrified children. The warm blood of their own mother covered them, mixing with their screams as her lifeless body fell to the ground. "Mommy! Mommy, no!" they screamed, their voices filled with agony. "Please, somebody help us!" They sobbed uncontrobly, their faces twisted in pure terror and heartbreak, unable toprehend the horror they had just witnessed. Reign looked at them for a moment but felt no pity. He just turned away and walked off to find his next victim. Nearby, a young man stumbled backward, tripping over his own feet in his frantic attempt to escape. "No! Please, don''t!" he screamed, his voice breaking with fear as Reign approached. The man raised his hands in a useless attempt to shield himself, but Reign didn''t care. He grabbed the man''s head with both hands and mmed it between his palms. The head burst open like a pumpkin, blood and brain matter sttering everywhere. The man''s body copsed, twitching as life drained from it. After his disy of brutality, the crowd scrambled to call for help. Their panic turned to shock when they realized their phones had no signal. It wasn''t aplicated trick; He disruptedmunication by sending electric charges into the air. This was one of his most dangerous traits: his ability to quickly innovate and adapt his powers to any situation.N?v(el)B\\jnn Realizing that calling for help was useless, they scattered in panic. However, their efforts were in vain as he used his Undead Eyes to track them down easily. Some tried to hide in their homes, barricading the doors and windows, but it was useless. Reign was unstoppable. He smashed through doors and walls, dragging people out of their hiding spots, showing no mercy. An old man stood trembling, trying to reason with Reign, his voice quivering with fear. "Please, son, we''ve done nothing to deserve this," he said, his hands shaking as he held them up in a plea. Reign didn''t respond. Instead, he wrapped his tail around the old man''s neck, lifting him off the ground. The old man struggled in vain as the tail tightened, choking him. With a sudden, brutal motion, he mmed the old man down onto the ground. The impact was devastating; the old man''s skull cracked open, blood and fragments scattering as his body copsed into a bloody mess. Reign was releasing all his pent-up anger, and though his actions might seem petty, disgusting, brutal, and sick to others, he operated on a different level of morality. He didn''t care about the judgment of others. To him, his actions were just part of who he was¡ªthere was no remorse or second thoughts. The screams gradually died down as thest few townspeople were ughtered. The once peaceful vige turned into aplete mess¡ªbodies torn to pieces, blood sttered everywhere, and the streets littered with the remains of the vigers. Reign stood in the middle of it all .He wiped his bloodied hands on a piece of cloth torn from one of his victims. ''Now that''s what I call good therapy,'' he chuckled to himself. All the stress melted away, and he felt like he was back to his old self. ''Time to end this,'' he added Tendrils started to grow from his body and reached out to absorb the corpses around him. As he did this, the people who had managed to escape his grasp also met their end, falling one by one. They fell ill and died from a virus he had spread in the air earlier. Since he hadn''t killed them directly, their age didn''t matter to him. The virus did its work, and they died just like the others. After wrapping everything up, he spread his wings and took to the sky. The wind howled around him as he flew away, the town growing smaller beneath him until it disappearedpletely. There was no need to think about what he had done. It was just another day for him. While he flew away, the rage that had fueled his massacre began to cool, giving way to a cold, detached demeanor. Whoever was responsible for his recent troubles would pay dearly, but for now, he needed to stay hidden, and gather information. Chapter 357 Activated High up in a dense forest, surrounded by towering trees, Reign sat at the base of one, his back resting against the rough bark. The thick foliage and leaves above concealed him from view, casting a dim, green light that flickered as the wind rustled the leaves. He was entirely focused on his system window, the glowing disy hovering in the air before him, his eyes scanning the information. ''Activate Seed,'' he muttered to himself, his voice low and firm. From his chest, a small, round seed slowly emerged, pushing through his bones. The seed began to grow, expanding and stretching upward, much like a tree sprouting from the earth. But this was no ordinary tree. Instead of leaves and branches, the surface of the seed took on the appearance of smooth, human-like skin. It was an uncanny transformation, as the seed continued to expand, reshaping itself into a humanoid figure. The figure that emerged was tall and looked powerful, standing at an imposing 6''5". Muscles rippled under the wless skin, perfectly sculpted, with abs that were sharply defined. The skin itself was smooth, almost too smooth, as if it were a living statue, not quite real. The face of the figure was really attractive, with sharp, angr features that seemed to be carved with precision. High cheekbones shaped his strong jawline, and his bright, glowing blue eyes was mesmerizing. They seemed to shine with an inner light, captivating and intense, framed by long white eyshes that added to the figure''s attractiveness . The hair was pure white, soft and slightly messy, falling around the face in a way that made it look innocent . Reign stood back, taking in every detail of his creation. He had spent considerable time customizing this avatar, ensuring that every aspect was closed to his original human body. "It''s finished," he said with a satisfied grin, circling around his avatar to inspect it from every angle. The avatar looked cool, almost too cool, but its appearance was not the only impressive thing about it.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om This figure had more to offer than just looks. It possessed a powerful race, one that he had carefully selected for its potential. It was based on an angel. Initially, he had his doubts about using an angelic race. Angels, after all, typically relied on human fate to gain power, a method that was troublesome. The idea of depending on something as fickle as human fate didn''t sit well with him. However, after acquiring the Soul Converter ability, his perspective changed. He found this race to be much more useful than he had originally thought. "Good thing I saved some souls," he chuckled to himself, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he began the process of transferring them into the avatar. As it flowed into the figure, it began to glow with a golden light, a soft radiance that pulsed with divine energy. Within just a minute, the avatar surpassed the Upper Demon Level, quickly reaching the Beginning Demon Lord level. Although it was still far from his original power, the rapid growth was impressive, showcasing just how effective souls were in strengthening the angel race. ''No wonder that stuck-up angel likes gaining power this way,'' he muttered, a hint of disdain in his voice as he thought of Ang. ''Now, time to test this body out,'' he said to himself, his excitement building. He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he found himself looking at his original body. ''I look really scary,'' he thought, almost amused at how intimidating his skull face was. It was a wonder that humans didn''t drop dead from shock just by looking at him. ''This body feels awkward,'' he added, flexing his hands. It felt different, more sensitive, as if every nerve ending was more attuned to the world around him. The breeze felt sharper, the textures of the forest more pronounced. It was refreshingly different from his usual form, and even the colors of the world around him looked more vibrant, more alive. "System, what''s happening? Why do I feel different?" he asked, confusion creeping into his voice. [System: Host is being affected by Divine Energy. In your original body, you were surrounded by Negative Energy, which strengthened your negative thoughts over time. In this new body, filled with Divine Energy, you experience warm and soothing feelings that change how you perceive the world around you.] "Wait, will this change my personality?" [System: Don''t worry, host. Your psychopathic and crazy nature is innate, so you won''t be that affected.] ''I don''t know if I should be happy about that or not,'' he sighed, a mixture of relief and difort washing over him. The system''s bluntness was always jarring, but at least it was honest. Reign decided to put this new body to the test, starting with basic movements. He tried walking first, but it felt strange. His steps were unsteady, awkward, as if he had to relearn how to move. Each step was clumsy, and he struggled to maintain his bnce. Running was even harder. His legs felt heavy, and he stumbled often, unable to gain the speed he was ustomed to. It was frustrating, like being trapped in a body that didn''t quite fit, and every attempt to move faster only highlighted hisck of control. When he attempted to jump from one tree to another, it became clear just how difficult this new body was to master. His jumps didn''t carry him as far as he expected, and he found himself crashing into branches, having to grab onto them to avoid falling. But he was not one to give up easily. Gradually, with each attempt, he began to adjust. He started to get a feel for this new body, learning how to shift his weight, how to time his movements. His walking grew steadier, his running smoother. Finally, he decided to try out his wings. He focused, and with a thought, tworge, white wings unfurled from his back, shimmering with golden dust. He tested the wings, pping them gently at first, then with more force. To his surprise, flying felt natural, more so than walking or running. The wings responded perfectly to hismands, lifting him off the ground effortlessly. He adjusted to the feel of the wind, his movements bing smoother as he soared through the trees. As he flew, he realized that his view of the forest from above was breathtaking. The colors were vibrant, the leaves a lush green, the sky a brilliant blue. Even the air, as he breathed it in, felt rejuvenating. Everything looked more alive, more intense than he remembered. It was as if he were seeing the world through new eyes. However, not everything was perfect. Despite learning how to fly quickly, Reign noticed that his speed was slower than he had hoped. Even in his weakened state, his demon form had been faster. It was a small disappointment, but one that reminded him that this body was still a work in progress. Speed wasn''t its strength, at least not yet. ''I can do a lot more with this body,'' he thought. ''But...'' His mind trailed off as he considered one thing he didn''t quite like. Chapter 359 Power of Light 2 ''This is a handy skill,'' he chuckled to himself, very pleased with how well the shield had performed. He could tell that his second body was less durable than his original one, so having a reliable defensive ability like this was a real lifesaver. Not only that, but since all the angelic skills grow stronger with his divine energy, they would continue to improve the more he fed his second body''s souls. So now he had two sources of power: his original body fed on vitality, while his second body drew energy from souls. This setup allowed him to maximize his benefits and strengthen both forms. Next, he decided to try out thence. It materialized in his hand, its sleek, golden surface gleaming in the sunlight. He began by swinging it through the air, feeling the bnce and precision of the weapon. But it had another impressive feature: he could extend its range. Reign focused on this ability, and to his amazement, thence began to elongate. It stretched out, growing longer and longer. He experimented with its length, extending it up to 100 meters with ease. Stay tuned to empire As he watched thence stretch, he couldn''t help but recall a fictional character from his past world who used a simr weapon. This fictional character''s greatest feat was extending his staff all the way to the moon. Finally, he tried out Seraphic Bow. He summoned the golden bow, its intricate design and glowing string a testament to its power. Pulling the string, a golden arrow materialized in his hand. Made of pure golden light, it shimmered with a radiant glow. Spotting a boulder in the distance, he aimed and released the golden arrow. SWOOOOOSH! It soared through the air, striking the boulder with a burst of radiant energy. The arrow exploded on impact, sending a powerful wave of light that pierced through the rock and shattered it into fragments. Eager to explore the bow''s full potential, he began experimenting. He pulled the string back rapidly, firing arrows in quick session. Each shot exploded with blinding light, the rapid bursts creating a continuous wave of destruction. Next, he focused on a single, powerful shot. He pulled the string back with all his strength, concentrating the divine energy. The golden arrow started to hum and crackle as more and more energy built up inside it. But he didn''t let go. ''Not yet,'' he muttered to himself, carefully controlling the power he was gathering in the arrow. His focus was unwavering; he knew that the longer he held it, the more powerful the shot would be. Finally, when he felt the energy had reached its peak, he aimed carefully. With a decisive movement, he released the arrow. SWOOOOOSH! It shot forward with a blinding sh, tearing through the air and hitting the target with a huge explosion. The force of the st was immense, sending a shockwave through the area and obliterating the boulderpletely. The radiant energy spread out in all directions, leaving a glowing crater where the boulder had once stood. Reign watched, satisfied with the result. The arrow''s power had been worth the wait. ''It''s still a far cry from my railgun in terms of firing rate,'' he thought, reflecting on the sheer force of his other weapon. ''But this will do.'' After finishing with his active skills, he decided to check what else his new boy had to offer. As he scrolled through the list, he noticed that there were other skills beyond just the weapon versions. These skills offered unique abilities that didn''t rely on summoning weapons but instead enhanced his physical attributes, senses, and even his control over divine energy. - - - - - - Seraphic Gaze Cost: 1 Skill Points Per use Description: This ability gives the user the sharp vision of a seraphim, allowing the user to see things far away with perfect rity. - - - - - - Holy Perception Cost: 5 Skill Points Per use Description: This skill grants the user the ability to see through illusions and falsehoods, revealing the truth beneath. - - - - - - Heavenly Willn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Cost: 10 Skill Points Per use Description: This skill invokes the unyielding will of the heavens, granting the user resistance to mental maniption, fear, and despair. - - - - - - ''Wait! This is exactly what I''ve been looking for!'' he was shocked to see that the skill he had been searching for was learned first by his second body. He quickly activated the skill, feeling a surge of divine energy envelop him. The energy was exhrating, filling him with a sense of rity he hadn''t felt before . The existence of Heavenly Will was more than just a breakthrough; it was a game-changer in his quest for dominance. ''With this ability, I now have defense against mental attacks,'' he thought to himself. The number of times he had almost died from mental attacks was still fresh in his mind. This new ability was a valuable addition to his arsenal. "System can I use this skill in my Original body ?" [System: Negative, this skill is exclusive to the second body and can only be utilized by Angels.] "Can you at least analyze it and copy it? How about giving me skills to defend my mind?" he protested, his frustration evident. [System: Host needs to level up more to ess additional skills.] ''Forget it ,'' he sighed. "Status," The system window appeared before him, disying a detailed list of his current abilities, stats, and passive skills. ============ Name: Reign Race: Angel Strength :S- Agility. :S- Stamina S Endurance : S- Intelligence: S+ Divine Energy: S- >Heavenly Strike >Radiant Shield >Seraphic Bow >Seraphic Gaze >Holy Perception >Heavenly Will ============ ''Nice, with this body, I can move more freely,'' he said to himself, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. ''But there''s one problem. What if I need to travel from one city to another? Do I have to carry this body with me?'' [System: Host, you can revert your second body to its Seed Form.] ''That solves a lot of problems,'' he chuckled to himself. His mind quickly started racing with new ns. With this new body now at his disposal, there were so many more things he could do nowpared to his original one. Blending in would help him gather the information he needed about who was behind the events in Brentwood. Something as big as that would surely make a stir, and talking to the right people would help him find out what happened. ''The Veiled Nights should have some info,'' he mumbled to himself, recalling the old organization he used to work for. Now that he had a n, the next step was to find a secure location to hide his original body. It needed to be far from the town where the recent massacre had taken ce and where he tested his new abilities. After some thought, he decided to start by going back to his original body. Then, his second body transformed back into a seed, which shrank and disappeared inside his chest. It was a simple process that didn''t require much effort. Next, he flew a few miles away, searching for a secluded area surrounded by dense forest. There, he dug a deep hole, working quickly and efficiently. Once the hole was ready, he carefully ced his original body inside. As he covered it with earth, he couldn''t help but find a certain irony in the situation. It felt strangely fitting for his original body to be buried underground, like a corpse. Chapter 361 A different kind of Perks [System: Affirmative. You can deactivate the charm effect by essing the settings menu and adjusting the ''Charisma Enhancement'' option.] ''That''s good news,'' he sighed to himself. All the unwanted attention was starting to get on his nerves. He followed the instructions and turned off the charm effect. Immediately, the change was noticeable. The horny women who had been surrounding him now took a step back, their expressions shifting from infatuation to curiosity. They still admired his looks, but their fascination had dulled. It was as if a spell had been broken One woman, who had been almost glued to his side, looked at him with a mixture of confusion and interest. She blinked, as ifing out of a trance. Another, who had been trying to engage him in conversation, now looked puzzled, her smile fading as she tried toprehend why he wasn''t as captivating as before. "Leave me alone," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You''re all wasting my time," This time, they listened. Some of them even bowed their heads and apologized for the trouble they had caused. ''I can''t believe it,'' he muttered to himself. ''I didn''t realize being this handsome would be such a hassle. Now I understand why my father rarely showed himself to the public.'' Reign had heard stories about the Evil Monarch being so good-looking that women would do anything to be close to him. He always thought these stories were just exaggerations. Now that he was experiencing it himself, he started to think maybe those stories were true. He hadn''t even made himself look really handsome; this was just his appearance if he had turned 25, minus the white hair he had added himself. As he walked around, he decided to find the phone shop on his own. Even with his charm turned off, he still drew a lot of attention. People, including men, looked at him with envy and irritation, likely because his looks outshone theirs. Finally, he found the gadget shop on his own .The shop was modern and sleek, with ss counters showcasing thetest models. Before he could step inside, a sign caught his eye: "Please provide identification for all purchases." He hesitated, frowning at the requirement. ''Wait, maybe I can actually use this charm thing,'' he mused inwardly, noticing the salesdies nearby whispering about how handsome he was. The idea of leveraging his appearance to his advantage began to form, as he realized the potential benefits. Angels often used their good looks and charming words to trick humans into worshiping them, a tactic he found revolting. Despite his strong feelings against it, he had to admit that such abilities was quite useful. ''Well, it''s not that bad considering my previous record,'' he thought to himself. "Good morning," he said, his voice calm and soothing. "I was recently robbed and lost everything, including my ID. Could you direct me to someone who can help me get a new one?" The shopkeeper looked at him with sympathy. "Oh, I''m so sorry to hear that. It must be tough." Reign nodded, ying up his distress. "It''s been a rough day. I''ve heard there are ces around here where you can get help with identification. Can you point me in the right direction?" The shopkeeper, moved by his story and his charming demeanor, quickly gave him directions to a local office that could help "There''s a ce just a few blocks away. They should be able to assist you." "Got it," he responded. The shopkeeper and her colleagues all broke into smiles as he thanked them. Their eyes softened with admiration, clearly moved by his gratefulness and charm. If he had been ugly, they might have viewed him as a potential criminal for not having an ID. But his looks and smooth demeanor turned the situation in his favor, making them eager to assist him. He followed the directions and arrived at a small, unassuming office a few blocks away. The building was modest but well-kept. Discover hidden content at empiren/o/vel/b//in dot c//om This was the first time Reign had to deal with paperwork like this on his own, since he usually had someone else take care of it for him. "Hello, how can I assist you today?" a middle-aged man asked. "I need to get an ID, but I don''t have any record at all. Can you help me?" The man''s eyes widened in surprise. "No record at all? That''s quite unusual. Most people at least have some sort of record." Reign nodded, understanding the middle-age man''s reasoning. "I know it sounds strange. I live in a pretty remote ce and this is my first timeing close to the city. I really don''t have any official records." The man''s initial concern softened as he took in Reign''s appearance. "Well, you certainly don''t look like someone who would cause trouble," he said, with a hint of a smile. "It''s just a bit unusual." Reign offered a reassuring smile. "I can understand how this might seem odd. I''ve never needed official documents before. I just need a new ID to get by here." "Alright, let''s see what we can do." He paused, then said, "If we can''t find any records, there''s another way to handle this, though it''s not exactly by the book." Reign''s eyes brightened, sensing an opportunity. "I''m open to any solution," he said. Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a stack of credits, cing them on the desk. "Maybe we can work something out?" The middle-age man''s eyes widened as he looked at the credits, then back at Reign. His initial skepticism gave way to a smile. "This is how the world works, I suppose," he said, sliding the credits into a drawer. "I''ll make sure you get a new ID." Reign nodded, "Okay" With the arrangement made, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He was one step closer to blending in and continuing his search, now with a new ID on the way. After finishing up at the office, he left the building and stepped into the bustling street. He decided to look for a nearby hotel. As he walked down the street, he kept an eye out for a ce to stay. Soon, he came across a modest Inn with a clean appearance and a weing "Vacancy" sign. At the reception desk, a friendly female clerk looked up from behind the counter. "I''d like to book a room for the night," Reign said, his voice calm and collected. The female clerk nced at him and blushed after seeing a good looking man. "Sure thing. We have a few rooms avable. Will you be staying just for the night?" "Yes, just for tonight," Reign confirmed. "I''m waiting for some things to be sorted out." The clerk nodded and began the check-in process. He handed over some credits to cover the cost of the room. After receiving the key, he headed upstairs. In his room, he took a moment to rx. The room was simple butfortable, with a bed, a small desk, and a window overlooking the town. From where he stood, he reflected on how much easier things had be with his new body, especially when it came tomunicating. Chapter 362 Productive Lifestyle ''Nothing beats the original,'' Reign chuckled to himself as he switched back to his old body. Now that he was back in his original body he noticed how bleak and dark everything looked. But, this feeling made him feel more at home andfortable. In contrast, his second body always felt strange and unsettling. ''At least the transfer was quick,'' he thought to himself. He was amazed at how seamlessly he could transfer between the two bodies, even over long distances. It showed that the soul transferpletely bypassed thews of space. But he knew he still needed to test it by going even further away. He was worried that the ck miasma could block it. Of course, he could have just asked the system about how it worked, but analyzing it himself gave him more peace of mind. ''My second body is waiting for the ID, so I should focus on more productive things,'' he chuckled to himself. It would be a waste not to take full advantage of having two bodies and being in two ces at once. With that in mind, he decided to leave Rosewood and move on to the next city to level up. This way, he could gain experience points and have time to investigate what happened in Brentwood. FLAP! Wings spread wide, Reign soared high into the sky, feeling the rush of wind against his face. With a powerful thrust, he flew and broke through the barrier. Dark Miasma surrounded him once again, but by now, he was so ustomed to traveling in such an environment that it hardly fazed him. He flew faster this time, knowing it would take him a few hours to reach his destination. While in flight, he took the opportunity to scan thendscape below. Spots of movement caught his undead eye¡ªcorrupted creatures wandering through the terrain. ''Sweet,'' he muttered to himself, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips. He swooped down on the corrupted creatures, gripping his Skull Grinder tightly. As he got closer to the first group, he turned it on with a loud roar. The weapon''s spinning des came to life, ripping through the corrupted with unstoppable force. Swinging the weapon in wide arcs, the spinning des cut through the creatures effortlessly. Each swipe sent corrupted creatures flying, their bodies shed apart. Soon, the ground beneath was covered in debris and corpses. ''Yeah, the Skull Grinder is still my favorite. Nothing beats the sound of meat just getting mangled,'' he chuckled to himself,paring it to his golden sword. As he traveled, he kept hunting corrupted creatures along the way. He was killing two birds with one stone¡ªmoving closer to his destination and gaining experience from every kill. When he reached the next city, he felt pleased with both his progress and the experience he had gained. THUD! Hended inside the barrier. From his vantage point, he could see the signs of industrial activity. There wererge, open spaces with machinery and equipment scattered around, and the air was tinged with the scent of earth and minerals. ''So this is what they call an industrial city,'' he muttered to himself. Enjoy new tales from empire Lilith had described these types of ce before. They were usually smaller than others and were primarily popted by workers involved in mining and processing raw materials. ''No wonder we didn''t stop in this ce before,'' he added quietly. It made sense now, given its focus on industrial work and itsck of the bustling activity that might have warranted more visit. Regardless, this ce was still brimming with human workers, and for him that''s what mattered the most. ''If I kill everyone out here, it''ll take days for the other cities to even hear about it. I need to be fast,'' he chuckled to himself. He began releasing his signature virus into the air, carefully setting it to vanish after a certain time to cover his tracks. Workers were busy mining, their rhythmic strikes echoing through the tunnels. Suddenly, a few of them started coughing, their faces contorting in difort. They initially brushed it off as amon cold, unaware of the true danger. Meanwhile, Reign hovered high above , continuously releasing the viral gas into the air. Using his control over wind, he scattered the pathogens efficiently. This ce, being much smaller even for a Tier 4 city, made it easy for him to cover the entire area . The gas spread silently, infiltrating every corner . ''The virus will kill everyone in 10 minutes,'' he noted to himself, calcting his next moves. ''I need to destroy the military outpost first, and then the train station.'' With that n in mind, he flew towards the military outpost. The building, an important part of the city''s defenses, was heavily guarded. But destroying the ce was easy for him. He summoned his javelin and beganunching attacks.N?v(el)B\\jnn BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! One explosion after another rang out, and soon, the entire area was reduced to rubble. The rm red through the city after his bold and tant attack, but he paid it no mind. Flying toward the station, he zeroed in on his next target. With a sudden dive, he descended upon the station and started killing everyone. His attack was relentless; he unleashed a barrage of powerful javelin that leveled the entire facility. The underground building crumbled under the force of his attack, sending debris and smoke into the sky. It ensured that no one in the city would escape the impending disaster. Meanwhile, chaos quickly spread as the virus took effect. Workers who had thought their coughing was just a cold soon started to panic. They began copsing on the streets, unable to breathe properly. Blood coughed up from their mouths, and their faces turned a sickly blue. Their breathing became painful and ragged, as if their lungs were being torn apart. Many fell to the ground, shaking and twitching. Some tried to crawl to safety, leaving trails of blood behind them. Their hands grew weak, and their movements became slow and desperate. Amidst the panic, one man staggered through the streets, his face pale but determined. As a Divergent, he had some immunity to the virus, giving him a chance to escape while others fell victim to the spreading illness. He pushed through the pain, his breathsing in ragged gasps. His mind raced as he spotted a narrow alley. He limped towards it, desperately trying to avoid the copsing bodies. Just as he reached the alley, a dark shadow loomed overhead. Reignnded with a heavy thud a few feet away, his presence exuding a menacing aura. The Divergent froze, his eyes widening in fear as he saw the imposing figure. Reign''s gaze was cold. Without a word, he approached the Divergent casually . The man tried to turn and run, but Reign moved faster. In one quick motion, he swung his arm, delivering a powerful punch to the Divergent''s head. The force of the blow was so intense that the man''s head was sent flying, spinning through the air before crashing into the nearby wall. His body crumpled to the ground, dead and headless. ''You really think you can escape me?'' Reign muttered with a sadistic grin. Chapter 364 Greedy Goal ''Nice, '' Reign muttered to himself after transferring into his second body. He stretched his muscles, checking if everything felt normal. There were no strange sensations. To be sure, he nced at the clock and quickly switched back to his original body. He focused, trying to notice any dy during the transfer. After several tries, he discovered the transfer happened instantly every time. The distance didn''t matter; whether he switched from a few feet away or much farther, the process was always seamless. Even the thick ck miasma, which could interfere with signals, didn''t slow down the transfer at all. Reign stood still, a satisfied smirk spreading across his face. This ability was beyond what most people in this world could even imagine. The power to have two bodies was unprecedented, and not just that¡ªas long as he had enough points, he could keep creating new ones for himself and upgrading them. The only drawback was that each new body would divide his resources, making it harder to maintain and power them all equally. His second body, however, was an exception. It could be strengthened using a different power source¡ªthe soul¡ªso the impact on his main resources was insignificant. This realization led his mind to wander, considering the possibilities of different power sources and how they might change the limitations he faced. ''Wait...'' he muttered, trailing off as a new idea began to take shape. His eyes lit up as he thought about the unique power source of his angel body. What if he could apply this concept ? Specifically, one that could potentially bypass the resource requirements altogether. He paced the room, his mind racing. The memory of meta-humans shed in his mind¡ªthose who suddenly powered up without the need for external resources or energy. They were anomalies, able to tap into a power that came from nothing, something entirely different from the traditional power sources he was familiar with.N?v(el)B\\jnn And with the system''s help, he might even be able to fix the weaknesses and ws that gued meta-humans. Without wasting another second, he looked up and spoke, his voice firm and determined. "System, can I create a meta-human body?" [System: Once the host reaches level 100, you will gain more ess to the system''s capabilities. Creating Meta-Human bodies would then be possible.] ''I knew it,'' he muttered, clenching his fist in excitement. A new goal had just formed in his mind¡ªone that would push his power even further. He couldn''t believe how greedy he was bing, but for someone like him, being greedy wasn''t a bad thing. This world was ruthless, where only the strong survived. The more trump cards he had, the closer he got to his goal: bing the strongest. It wasn''t because he had some noble dream or a grand purpose. No, he wanted to be the strongest simply because he had the resources to make it happen. And in a world like this, power was everything. After wrapping everything up, he decided it was time to leave the hotel. He had stayed long enough, and now it was time to get his new ID. When he arrived at the office, the man who had taken his bribe greeted him with a knowing smile. It was clear that the man remembered the hefty payment he had received. Without wasting time, the man reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small envelope. "Here you go," the man said, handing it over. Inside was Reign''s new ID, along with several other documents that would help solidify his new identity. Everything looked official, as if he had always been part of this city. Reign took the envelope, his fingers brushing over the smooth surface of the ID card. "Thanks," he said, his voice low but firm. He tucked the envelope into his pocket and turned to leave, his mind already on the next steps. As he walked out of the office, he felt satisfied . With his new ID, he could blend into society more easily and avoid drawing unwanted attention. His next stop was to get his phone. Reign walked into the electronics store with his new ID in hand, ready to buy a new phone. The salesdy at the counter greeted him with a friendly smile after recognizing him and began exining thetest models. Ironically, most of the phones on disy were from Pantheon, thepany formerly owned by Vincent before Reign had assassinated him. Despite the change in leadership, thepany was thriving. It was one of the perks ofrge corporations¡ªthey often continued to grow strong even after huge incidents. Reign carefully considered his options before choosing a robust ck touchscreen phone. It had a military-grade casing, making it thicker than most phones, and it was packed with arge battery. ording to the specs, it was designed tost for months on a single charge with basic use. Given his dangerous lifestyle, a phone with a slim, delicate design wouldn''t cut it. He handed over the payment, and the salesdy quickly processed the transaction. "Alright, just need your number for our records," she said, her eyes twinkling with interest. "We also offer some great deals on essories if you''re interested." She added. Reign gave a nod. "I appreciate it, but I''d rather keep my number private for now." The salesdy was taken aback but tried to quickly recover. "I''m really sorry. I just..." she stuttered, realizing she had been called out for her sly tactics. Her colleagues, who had been watching, couldn''t hold back and burst into giggles, amused by her bold attempt. She gave a sheepish smile, clearly embarrassed, but Reign just nodded, unfazed by the interruption. As he finished the process, the salesdy and a couple of her colleagues who had gathered around continued to nce his way. They were clearly captivated by how handsome and cool he was. Discover stories with empire Reign noticed their lingering stares and raised an eyebrow. "Is there anything else I can help with?" he asked, trying to sound casual Chapter 366 Interacting the Right way. The city walls appeared in the distance. Reign decided to ditch the stolen car, knowing it could be traced back to him, after what he did with those teenagers. After a quick look around, he left the car by the roadside and walked to a nearby bus stop. The area was quiet, with only the sounds of car breaking the silence. After a few minutes, a bus came into view. Reign got on the bus as the doors opened with a sharp hiss. As soon as he stepped inside, people started staring at him, as usual. They couldn''t help but notice him because of how good-looking he was. The bus was packed, with every seat taken, and passengers stood shoulder to shoulder, holding on to the overhead bars. The smell of old leather and ac filled the air, but it didn''t distract from the way people kept stealing nces at him, some with admiration, others with envy. He found a spot near the back and stood at first, but then some girls nearby started giggling and offered their seat to open up a conversation. They didn''t really think a guy like him would actually take them up on it. But Reign surprised them. He walked closer, his gaze locking onto them. "You offered your seat, right? Why aren''t you moving?" he asked in a cold tone, staring down at them. At first, the girls didn''t move, still thinking he was joking. But as he continued to stare at them with a serious look, they realized he wasn''t kidding at all. Their smiles faded and they started to get nervous. One of them finally stood up, her voice shaky. "Uh, okay," she said. The others quickly followed, moving aside to give him the seat, now understanding that he was serious. Reign watched as the girls moved, then casually sat down in the newly vacated seat. He made himselffortable, settling in without a hint of emotion. He leaned back slightly, looking out the window as if nothing had happened, ignoring the now-awkward atmosphere around him. Find more to read at empire The other passengers watched in surprised. Whispers spread through the bus as they exchanged looks, unsure how to react to his apparentck of manners. Some shook their heads, muttering about how rude it was to steal a seat like that. However, as they looked more closely at him, they couldn''t ignore his innocent looking appearance. Slowly, their opinions began to shift. A few passengers even started to think that maybe someone as handsome as him had a right to be a bit snobbish. The atmosphere turned back to normal after some time. But that peace was broken when a man''s angry voice suddenly filled the air. "Useless bitch! You can''t do anything right!" The voice was loud and full of anger. Reign nced over and saw a man towering over a woman, his face twisted in a sneer. He was big, with tattoos covering his arms and a thick gold chain hanging around his neck. The woman, who looked like his girlfriend, flinched at his words, her eyes lowered. The man''s anger grew as he kept yelling, "You think you can just ignore me? Bitch! I''m paying for everything , and this is the thanks I get? You''re nothing without me!" His words were harsh, like sharp des. The woman''s shoulders slumped, fear filling her eyes as she tried to move away from him. "Why do I even keep you around?" he shouted, his voice getting louder. "Look at you, always messing things up! You can''t even do the simplest things right! No wonder everyone thinks you''re a dumb bitch. You''re just as useless as they say." The other passengers around them kept their heads down, avoiding eye contact. They clearly didn''t want any trouble, especially with a man who looked like he could snap at any moment. Then, without warning, he pped her hard across the face. SLAP! The sound echoed through the bus. Everyone shrinked back, too scared to do anything, afraid of the thug with his tattoos and gold chain. Reign didn''t care about the woman. His only concern was the noise that was driving him crazy. The man''s shouting felt like nails on a chalkboard, making his clench his teeth. "So annoying," he muttered while clicking his tongue in frustration. The man overheard him and stomped over, ring at Reign. "What did you say?" he demanded, his eyebrows raised in challenge. "Hey, I''m talking to¡ª" Before he could say more, the man''s shouting suddenly stopped. His eyes widened in shock, and he clutched his chest, gasping for breath. THUD!N?v(el)B\\jnn He fell to the floor, struggling to breathe. "Someone¡ªplease, help me!" he begged, his voice weak. He looked around, but no one moved or offered to help. The passengers just stared. In his final attempt, he turned to Reign, hoping he would help. But instead, Reign was grinning at him. The man''s face showed fear and desperation as he realized no one woulde to his aid. His breathing slowed, and hey still on the floor, his pleas fading away. "That''s what you get for annoying me," Reign whispered, leaning closer so only the man could hear. "By the way, I''m the one responsible for all of this." He chuckled sadistically, enjoying the man''s fear and pain He felt a twisted sense of satisfaction as he observed the man''s final moments. The bus didn''t stop and continued on its route, only pausing at a checkpoint. City guards boarded the bus and noticed the dead body on the floor. They started asking questions, and everyone gave the same answer: the man had suffered a heart attack and died. The guards nodded quickly, satisfied with the exnation. Next, they checked everyone''s ID and then let the bus continue on its way. As the bus started moving again, the passengers were still anxious. Some whispered to each other and kept looking at the spot where the man had died. The quick check by the guards didn''t make them feel any better. Reign on the other had sat calmly in his seat. He enjoyed the peace and silence. Chapter 368 Stubborn Personality The elevator doors opened, and the two stepped out into the underground base of the Veiled Nights. The ce looked just like the other branches he had seen in Tier 4 cities as expected. Bright lights hung from the ceiling, making everything look sharp and clear. All around, mercenaries were busy with their own thing . Some were talking in groups about their next missions, while others checked their weapons or got their gear ready. The girl with the twin tails walked into the base, and right away, everyone noticed her. She had a strong presence, and her good looks made it even harder not to stare. As continued in her way, people turned their heads, whispered, and started talking about her. Reign, walking right beside her, also drew unwanted attention. His facial features and cold expression made him stand out, especially since he was even more attractive than her. Together, they seemed out of ce among the tough and rugged mercenaries, who were used to seeing more practical, rough-looking people in this line of work. "What are you doing ?" The girl stopped in her tracks, raising an eyebrow as she looked up at the bulky man blocking their way. He towered over her, his rough jacket stretched over muscles that looked like they could crush steel. The air around them grew tense as everyone turned to watch the interaction. "You''re the Green Viper, right?" the man asked, his voice gruff and confident. His eyes narrowed as he waited for her response. The whispers among the other mercenaries grew louder, filled with curiosity. They knew who this man was¡ªMr. One, a White Gold Rank mercenary. His reputation was built on the fact that he could take down any target with just one punch. People often said that once you were in his sights, you were as good as dead. He used to work and operate in Green Valley, but he came back to this city a couple of days ago. The girl didn''t flinch. She looked Mr. One up and down, her expression remained cool. "Yeah, that''s me," she replied, her voice steady. The mercenaries, huddled in small groups, whispered among themselves, their eyes flickering between the two. "Why is he interested in her?" one person asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "He''s here to finish some old business," another replied, ncing at Mr. One. "He''s not one to waste time on anyone unless it''s important." Some mercenaries were even cing bets on what would happen next. "I bet he''ll challenge her," one said with a grin. "After all, he''s got that reputation for a reason." "Yeah, the Green Viper is rumored to be close to reaching White Gold Rank, so he must be testing her " "I see...," Mr. One''s eyes flicked to Reign for a moment, sizing him up before turning back to the girl. "I''ve heard about you," he said. "You''ve got quite the reputation. But this isn''t the ce for kids to y. You should value your life more." The girl smirked, crossing her arms. "And you think you''re the one to decide that?" Reign could sense the tension building, but he remained silent. The mercenaries watched with bated breath, some expecting a fight to break out any second. But instead of throwing a punch, Mr. One just grinned. "You''ve got guts, I''ll give you that. But remember, this line of work isn''t safe. One wrong move, and you''ll end up like the others who thought they were strong enough." The girl didn''t waver. "Thanks for the warning," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. With that, Mr. One stepped aside, letting them pass by. But his eyes stayed locked on Reign.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om When Mr. One talked to the Green Viper, he felt a strong sense of danger. It was like a warning in his gut telling him that if he pushed things further, he could end up dead. But the threat wasn''ting from her; it wasing from the handsome man she was with. What was even more unsettling was that Reign hadn''t even tried to intimidate Mr. One on purpose. He was just standing there, calm and rxed, and ended up saving the girl from any trouble. "That was interesting," Reign finally spoke as they moved deeper into the base. The girl shrugged. "It''s nothing. Just another guy trying to prove something." She didn''t say more and led Reign to the registration area. At the registration desk, a clerk handed him a form and asked him to fill it out. Since he was using his new angelic body, he decided to pick a new code name. "Sunny," he wrote. It was the opposite of his usual code name, Rain, and it matched his bright, powerful energy that made him seem like a sun. The clerk looked at the name and nodded. As he finished filling out the form, the girl nced at his chosen code name. "Sunny?" she said with a smirk. "That''s a pretty positive name for a mercenary. It doesn''t really have the intimidating factor most people go for." She shrugged and added, "But if it suits you, I guess that''s all that matters." "Wait..." Reign said, surprised. The divine energy was making him act differently. He realized that since he hadn''t done anything badtely, the positive energy was having a stronger effect on him. He tried to get his form back, but the clerk had already taken it. Instead, he received a schedule for the exam. The good news was that the exam was only a couple of hours away, so he didn''t have to wait too long. He reluctantly sat down on one of the waiting benches, nning to get the exam over with and get his license. But before he could rx, the girl from earlier sat down next to him. "What are you doing?" he asked, confused. "Don''t get the wrong idea," she said, trying to sound casual. "I''m just helping you because you look like you don''t know what you''re doing." She acted as if she was doing him a big favor by being there. Chapter 369 Low Level Area ''What a weird girl,'' Reign thought as he found himself back in another small industrial city. He didn''t want to waste more time waiting, so he transferred his consciousness back to his original body to farm exp. In addition, he needed to clear his mind because the divine energy was affecting him again. He started nning how to get rid of everyone in the city quickly and level up. ''Time to get some job done,'' he said to himself. Reign flew high above the city, looking down at his targets. He decided to start by attacking the main train station and any military bases around. He swooped down onto the train station, causing chaos and destruction. His virus spread quickly, making everyone in the area fall to the ground, infected and helpless. BOOOOOM! The station was reduced to rubble, and he made sure that everything waspletely wiped out. Next, he moved to the military bases on the edge of the city. Befofe he approached, he released more of his virus, infecting the soldiers and causing mass panic . The military couldn''t stop him, and he easily killed everyone. The city''s rms went off, but he was too fast and powerful. *** *** *** Reign opened his eyes and saw the girl from earlier staring at him with a puzzled expression. Your adventure continues at empire He was back in the waiting area, where he had fallen asleep hours ago. "Hey," she said, shaking him gently. "What happened? You''ve been out for a while." Reign did not reply and just nced at the clock and saw that it was time for his test. A few minutester, his name was called over the loudspeaker, announcing it was his turn. He stood up and walked toward the testing area, leaving the girl behind. But she followed him. They entered arge hall where other candidates were already waiting. The room was filled with a mix of nervous and confident faces, each person preparing for their turn. "Hey, don''t be too stiff, okay?" the girl said, trying to start a conversation. Reign didn''t respond. He focused on doing his best to stay unaffected by her presence. Although he was training himself to ignore her charm, he couldn''t deny that his heart skipped a beat whenever he looked at her green eyes or caught a whiff of her pleasant scent. The girl on the other hand pouted her cheek secretly, realizing that she was being ignored. The first part of the test was straightforward: measure strength by punching a machine. Candidates lined up, taking turns to show their power. One by one, they hit the machine, each registering impressive numbers that amazed some people. ''Too weak,'' Reign muttered, a sigh escaping his lips. The disy of strength was far beneath what he considered impressive. He found the whole exercise mundane and unchallenging, hardly worth his attention.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Finally, it was his turn, and he drew a lot of attention because of his looks. People thought he was too good-looking and fragile to get impressive scores. They even noticed his wless skin, assuming it was a sign that he hadn''t trained hard or fought much, given that he had no scars at all. The girl watched him and felt a sense of connection. She had also been judged because of her looks, but she had silenced the critics with her talent and potential. ''You can do this,'' she muttered to herself, secretly cheering him on. Reign flexed his fingers and took a deep breath. He wasn''t worried about getting a high score; he was curious about how much the machine could handle. ''I''ll just hit it a little,'' he thought to himself. With a casual swing, he threw a punch. BOOOOOM! The machine exploded in a huge st, sending metal and debris everywhere. "What the hell happened?" "Did he just destroy it in one punch ?" "That was scary!" Whispers spread quickly among the crowd, with some people trying to make sense of what they had just witnessed. Meanwhile, Reign looked at the wreckage with disappointment. ''What a piece of crap,'' he sighed, clearly displeased. He had been holding back a lot, and this body wasn''t even that strong physicallypared to his original one. Reign walked back to his seat, his movements casual and nonchnt, as if nothing had happened. The girl watched him got closer with a mix of admiration and surprise. She wanted to say something, but she hesitated. She didn''t want to look too impressed ore across as overly interested. Instead, she kept her thoughts to herself, maintaining a cool,posed expression. Examiners quickly moved to clean up the mess and rece the machine, trying to maintain the professionalism of the test despite the disruption. The test continued with other measures like speed, reaction time, and a written exam. He easily passed all of them with top scores. The results were so impressive that they would be remembered as unbeatable in this branch. However, Reign had other ns. He knew he would eventually destroy the city along with this ce, making his record worthless. When the test concluded, he was handed the gold card, the highest rank awarded at this branch. It was marked with a golden emblem that signified his top-tier status. He was then directed to meet the highest official of this branch. The manager''s office was located deeper into the base. And he was led into the office by a receptionist and given a seat in front of a big wooden desk. It was bright and decorated with modern furniture and framed paintings on the walls. The branch manager, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and sharp eyes, looked up from his work and smiled. "Congrattions on passing the test with such outstanding results," the manager said, his tone warm but professional. "You''ve set a new standard here. We''re pleased to wee you as a gold-ranked member." "Stop with the fake smiles and kindness. I know why you called me in here," Reign spoke up bluntly. "You want to promote me right away after I finish a mission, don''t you?" He added. Chapter 370 Acknowledgement "I want to get a different mission," he responded, his voice firm as he tried to escaped the cycle of repeating past mistakes. He made up his mind, and decided he would no longer care about her. If she died, so be it. He would not jump in to rescue and protect her like a knight in shining armor. The days of acting on impulse were behind him. Reign reminded himself that he was a monster, and he needed to remove all these unnecessary feelings that made him weak and vulnerable. The manager sighed and said, "That''s too bad. I heard rumors that they are working with a suspected Peak high-rank demon. It''s a dangerous situation. She might get herself killed and I can''t really stop her," Reign''s eyes widened at the mention of a high-rank demon. Before he could think it through, he blurted out, "Alright, I''ll take the job!" The manager looked at him, slightly confused "Are you sure? You just said you didn''t want to get involved." ''Damn it,'' he clicked his tongue in annoyance. But the thought of her dying made him uneasy . It was the same feeling she had about Cyril.N?v(el)B\\jnn He shrugged, trying to y it cool. "Yeah, well, I changed my mind. The manager''s expression transformed to a genuine smile. "Thank you for stepping up. It means a lot. You''re doing a huge favor not just for me, but her as well . I''ll make sure the mission details are prepared and handed to you right away." He extended his hand towards Reign. "I really appreciate it. Good luck out there." Reign sighed deeply ''I hate this feeling.'' He was frustrated, realizing he now had two weakness to deal with. After leaving the manager''s office, he walked back to the lobby. The ce was busy as usual, but he didn''t pay much attention. His mind was still focused on the mission. As he pushed open the doors, he saw Green Viper waiting for him. She was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, a small smile on her face. She must have already gotten the news that they''d be working together. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and something else that Reign couldn''t quite figure out. "So," she said, stepping closer, "looks like we''re partners for this one, huh?" She waited for a reply, but Reign just walked passed her. Reign''s dismissive attitude bothered her. He hadn''t even acknowledged her properly, as if she didn''t matter. She figured he thought she was just going to slow him down, especially after seeing how skilled he was earlier. Sure, he had the right to be confident¡ªhis talent was obvious¡ªbut she wasn''t about to let him underestimate her. She had worked hard to be as strong as she was. She had fought to earn her ce among the best, and she wasn''t going to let someone like him, who seemed naturally gifted and blessed with overwhelming potential, ignore all the effort she''d put in. "Hey," she called out. "Hey, I''m talking to you !" Finally, she couldn''t take it anymore. "Listen," she spat out, "if you think I''m just going to follow you around without proving myself, you''re wrong." Reign raised an eyebrow, looking more annoyed than interested. "What''s your point?" he asked. "My point," she continued, firmly, "is that I want to spar with you. Right now. I''m not going to let you think I''m useless." "It would be a waste of time." he responded. But Green Viper wasn''t backing down. She stepped closer, her eyes locked onto his. "You might be strong, but I didn''t get here by being weak. You should see what I can do. Or are you afraid you''ll actually have to try?" "It''s not about your strength," Reign shook his head. "The gap between us is too wide. It wouldn''t even be considered a fight." There was no arrogance in his voice; he was just stating the truth as he saw it. No matter how hard she worked to get stronger, it was clear that her efforts wouldn''t amount to much against someone like him, especially against an angel''s body. And even though he experienced a certain debuff when fighting against humans, it didn''t change the fact that he was still outrageously stronger than her. Green Viper clenched her fists, trying to hide her frustration. "It''s not like I care if there''s a big gap between us," she said, her voice a mix of irritation and stubbornness. "I just want to see for myself how far behind I am, okay? It''s not like I''m doing this for your approval or anything!" Her cheeks flushed slightly as she looked away, but her determination was clear. She wasn''t about to back down, even if the odds were stacked against her. Reign stared at her for a moment, then sighed again. "Fine," he reluctantly said. "If it''ll get you off my back, let''s get this over with." Without another word, the two of them walked to one of the training rooms. It was arge, open space with plenty of room for a serious fight. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the walls as they entered, and it wasn''t long before the other mercenaries noticed what was about to happen. Whispers spread through the hallways. Reign, the godlike rookie who had stunned everyone with his unbeatable performance, was about to spar with Green Viper, the number one young talent of this branch. Curious and eager to see how this would unfold, several mercenaries gathered around, their eyes filled with anticipation. Reign stood in the center of the room, arms crossed, looking as if he was already regretting agreeing to this little spar. Green Viper, on the other hand, was focused and ready, her frustration fueling her determination. She would make him see that she wasn''t someone to be ignored. "Whenever you''re ready," Reign replied. "I''ll use this, " she drew her single-handed dagger, its de gleaming under the lights. She brandished it with confidence, showing off the weapon she had trained with tirelessly. Reign, on the other hand, decided to fight barehanded. He saw no point in using a weapon against her. "You know," she said, frustration creeping into her voice, "if you don''t have a weapon, it''s not fair. Get one, or are you too proud to use anything?" Reign shook his head "I don''t need a weapon," Her eyes narrowed, and she snapped, "Oh, so now you''re belittling me by refusing to use anything? Great, just what I needed." She gripped her single-handed dagger tightly and red at him. "Fine, if you''re not going to use a weapon, let''s get this over with! ," Continue your adventure at empire "Just hurry up." he responded. Without warning, she charged at him, her dagger aimed to kill. However - He easily dodged her first attack which only made her more frustrated. "Come on, where''s all that effort you were bragging about?" Reign taunted, trying to make her angrier. For some reason, seeing her annoyed face made him feel a bit excited. It was a strange feeling, almost like a weird fetish, but considering how he had fallen for her at first sight with no logical exnation, this feeling was more understandable. SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! She gritted her teeth and attacked him again and again, this time pushing herself harder. She darted to the left, then quickly spun to the right, aiming for his side. When he sidestepped, she quickly followed up with a low sweep towards his legs, hoping to catch him off guard. But he effortlessly hopped over her sweeping dagger, making it look like a simple jumping exercise. Frustrated, she twisted her body and aimed a sharp thrust towards his chest, but he leaned back just enough to let the de pass inches from him. "Not bad, but still not enough," Reign said, shaking his head as a smile crept onto his lips. She was pretty strong for a divergent and had a lot of potential, but that''s where it ended. She was limited by her own race, and there wasn''t much she could do about it. Maybe if she became a demon, she would be a formidable opponent, but that was nearly impossible without some kind of magical system to alter her DNA. The fight continued, but he always had the upper hand, barely putting in any effort. Finally, he had enough ying around , he caught her dagger with his bare hand, stopping her strike. "You''ve shown enough," he spoke up. Green Viper, panting and frustrated, looked at him with determination. "I''m not done yet," she said firmly. Reign stepped back and released her weapon. "Alright, you''ve proved yourself," he sighed. He knew that if he kept rejecting her, she would just keep pestering him¡ªher stubbornness was off the chart. "I don''t need your pity," she spat out, raising her dagger for another round. "Listen, there''s no need to keep going," Reign said, his tone calm. "The result is obvious¡ªyou can''t beat me, no matter how hard you try. Just be d I''m willing to acknowledge your effort" Chapter 371 Improvement "Acknowledge my effort?" she said through gritted teeth, her voice trembling. "Am I so weak that you''ll just pity me? You didn''t even try to fight back." A forced smile appeared on her lips, trying to hide the pain she felt. Her obsession wasn''t just about winning; she wanted him to respect her enough to actually fight her, not just keep dodging. For someone like her, his refusal to fully engage was more insulting and painful than any physical injury. It was easier to heal the body than to mend the heart and mind, after all. "Stop it," Reign said, shaking his head. But she refused to give up, despite being exhausted and knowing she couldn''t win. The fact that he had caught her de barehanded proved the gap between them was as vast as the distance between heaven and earth. "I can still keep fighting," she said, her grip tightening on the dagger. Determined to make him take actions, she charged at him again Reign, already irritated, easily dodged her attack, but this time he didn''t step back and just moved a little. His expression grew darker. "Enough," he warned, his voice low and serious.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om But she ignored him, stubbornly continuing to attack. His patience wore thin, and he started to get really angry. If she wanted to test her luck against him, he would make sure she understood just how dangerous the world was. He caught her wrist mid-strike and twisted it until she dropped the dagger "Ouch!" She gasped in pain, but before she could react, he swept her legs out from under her, sending her crashing to the ground. "Do you want to die?" he snapped, ring down at her. "Because if you keep this up, that''s what will happen." She tried to get up, but he stepped on her stomach, pinning her to the ground. She wed at his leg, struggling to push him off, but he didn''t move. "Is this what you wanted?" he growled, leaning closer "To prove you''re tough? All you''ve done is show me how reckless and stupid you are." "I¡ªI won''t let you insult and underestimate me," she grumbled, her voice shaky but still defiant. Despite the pain and fear, she struggled to push herself up, determined not to show any weakness. But Reign was just too strong. He even controlled the amount of force he used, making sure she wouldn''t end up crushed into a tomato sauce. ''Something''s definitely wrong with my brain ,'' he thought, frustration bubbling up inside him. ''It must be some kind of weird magic because there''s no way I''d fall for this type of woman. Cyril was understandable, but this girl? She''s just too ¡­'' "Let go of me!" she screamed. "You really don''t know when to quit, do you?" he said, his voice colder than before. She red at him, refusing to back down. "Fight me seriously!" Reign shook his head. It was clear to him that she wasn''t thinking straight. "I''ve been holding back because I didn''t want to hurt you," he said, his tone harsh, "but if you''re so eager to throw your life away, maybe I should just kill you." He let go of her , only to grab her by the throat and lift her off the ground. She kicked her feet in the air, struggling to breathe, her hands desperately trying to pry his fingers off her neck. "Let me go!" she managed to gasp out. But he had enough . He felt the need to teach her a lesson she wouldn''t forget. He squeezed tighter, watching as fear filled her eyes. "You need to learn when to quit," he hissed. "Your life isn''t a game. If you keep pushing, I''ll break you." Her face flushed with pain, and her skin began to change colors, showing bruises forming beneath the surface. She could feel the pressure building in her chest For a moment, it looked like he might follow through with his threat, but then his expression softened just a bit. He loosened his grip, letting her breathe. "You''re lucky," he said coldly, "that I''m not in the mood to kill you." He let go of her, and she dropped to the ground, coughing and gasping for air. She clutched her throat, staring up at him . Reign stepped back, his eyes still on her. "Next time," he warned, "know your ce. Or I won''t be so merciful." He turned and walked away, leaving her on the ground. His anger simmered, but another frustration gnawed at him even more. He couldn''t believe how reckless she was. If he did not take the mission, there was no doubt in his mind that she would''ve died out there trying to look tough. It was even a miracle she had survived as a mercenary with that mindset. Reign felt there was more to her story than met the eye. ''Why do I even care?'' he muttered to himself Meanwhile, Green Viper was leftying on the ground. Tears streamed down her face, and she couldn''t stop the sobs that shook her body. Her face was messy, smeared with the evidence of her struggle . "No," she sobbed, her voice barely audible. I''m not useless. I''m not useless," Her cries grew louder, filled with the pain of a past she had tried to forget. She thought back to when she was a child, when she had feltpletely helpless. Her family was gone, and she was left alone to die. Back then, she had felt weak and scared, and that fear had stayed with her ever since. She had trained hard to be strong, to never feel that powerless again. Every day, she pushed herself to be better, stronger , and faster. But now, lying there, it felt like all her hard work had been for nothing. Facing someone she couldn''t beat, no matter how hard she tried, made her feel like she was back to being that scared little girl. Outside the training room, the branch manager watched Green Viper through a monitor, his face filled with conflict. ''This is for the better,'' he thought to himself, sighing. ''You need to learn that there are mountains in this world that can''t be climbed with effort alone.'' he added. To others, he might looked like just someone she worked for, but the connection between them ran much deeper. ''Cecelia, your daughter is just like you,'' he thought, his mind drifting to a memory of a beautiful woman. She had been the prettiest he had ever seen, with blonde hair and green eyes that could make any man fall for her. Unfortunately, they had parted ways suddenly; she left without warning, and he thought he would never see her again. Then he saw Green Viper, who looked exactly like her yearster. For the sake of their time together, he decided to support her daughter from the shadows. He was also responsible for keeping her safe all this time, ensuring she only took missions that wouldn''t endanger her life. The training room was quiet now, with only the faint sound of footsteps fading away. Slowly, she pushed herself up, her body trembling slightly. She nced at her reflection in a nearby metal panel, seeing the tears streaking her face. Taking a deep breath, she pped her cheeks to snap herself out of it. ''I need to be strong,'' she told herself firmly. *** *** *** At the bar, Reign waited at a table. What he had done earlier had spread quickly, so no one dared to approach him. He might look handsome, but his actions with Green Viper had made it clear he didn''t discriminate based on gender. His reputation for being ruthless with women was firmly established. However, he didn''t mind the rumor; it actually saved him the trouble of being approached by people all the time. He picked up the menu and scanned it, his expression thoughtful. Though he had never enjoyed human food before, he was now curious if his angel body would change that. He decided to test his tolerance. He gged down a server and ced an order for a variety of dishes, from simple appetizers to more borate dishes. As the server left to prepare his order, he leaned back in his chair, waiting. "Oh, did you realize your mistake now?" Reign asked, watching as Green Viper walked toward him. She looked at him for a moment, then closed her eyes briefly. Without saying a word, she sat down in front of him. "Let''s be professional and talk about the mission," she said, her face showing a bit of embarrassment from earlier. "That works for me," Reign shrugged, feeling that his n wasing together. Interacting with her was helping him manage his confusing feelings. He had even reached a point where he could hurt her without feeling too guilty. Reign admitted that he did it all to teach her to value her life more, but it didn''t change the fact that he was able to inflict pain on her. For him, that was a big improvement. *** Author''s Note Only one chapter today. I actually took a long vacation starting August 17. I just got home, and my stockpile ran out yesterday. Tomorrow, I will continue posting more chapters and updating my other novels now that I''ve had my well-needed break. Chapter 372 Moving On Part 1 The server set the food on the table with a polite nod before walking away. Reign''s lips curled into a satisfied smile as he began to dig in, savoring each bite. "I..." She opened her mouth to speak, trying to get his attention, but he lifted his hand, palm out, without looking at her. The gesture clearly said, ''Don''t bother me right now.'' She hesitated, then closed her mouth and sat back, waiting for him to finish. After he was done, he leaned back and touched his stomach. Unlike his original body, this one didn''t have unlimited space. But he had proved one of his theories: his taste buds were now more human-like. "Here is the files," she said, handing him a tablet with all the details for their mission. "These are the details for our job," she said, her voice steady. "After we finish this, I''ll go with you to Green Valley." he added. He looked up from the tablet, raising an eyebrow. "Green Valley? Why?" She hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I''ve been eligible for the promotion exam for a while now. But... I had some personal things to deal with, so I kept putting it off." Reign didn''t respond, which made her feel a bit hurt. She worried that he thought she wasn''t worthy to take the test. Her habit of defending herself almost kicked in, but she managed to control her emotions, remembering how embarrassing her past actions had been before.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He noticed that she was trying hard to stay calm. Seeing this, he decided to go easier on her and softened his expression a bit. "And now you''re ready?" he asked. "Yes," she said firmly. "After this mission is over, I''ll be ready to leave this city." There was a determined look in her eyes, showing that this mission was a very important turning point of her life. "Alright, we''ll handle this mission first, then we''ll head to Green Valley." Reign gave a small nod, acknowledging her decision. He figured that it would work out perfectly for him. He had ns to destroy the city, and if she was gone, it would make things easier. A small smile appeared on her face when she saw that he didn''t ask for more details. It was a private and painful part of her life, and she didn''t really want to share it with anyone. They left the bar together. With Green Viper by his side, no other women dared to approach. Her reputation for having a fierce temper was well-known and kept everyone at a distance. Outside, she led the way to a parking spot where her car was parked. Her vehicle was bright green colored with a long front and a low, tough stance. The front had a wide grille with sharp headlights, giving the car a fierce appearance. The vehicle didn''t quite match her small image, but Reign decided not to mention it, considering how fragile her emotions were CLICK! She opened the car door and sat in the driver''s seat. Because of her height, she looked a bit small behind the wheel. Reign couldn''t help but smirk at the sight Noticing this, she red at him, so he quickly looked away, trying to hide his amusement. He then got in on the other side, squeezing into the two-door car. "Did you justugh at me?" she asked, her voice sharp. He shook his head, trying to hide his smirk. She huffed, crossing her arms and turning away. "It''s not like I care what you think," she muttered, though her cheeks were faintly flushed. VROOOOOM! VROOOOOM! VROOOOOM! When the engine roared to life, Reign could tell the car was in great shape and running smoothly. ''At least she knows how to take care of it,'' he thought ,pletely forgetting about the number of cars he had left behind himself. They drove into a quieter part of the city, away from the busy areas. The streets became emptier and more industrial. Normally, big missions like this would require a lot of nning. However, someone like him didn''t need much preparation for something this easy. His n was simple: get to the location, finish the job quickly, and then move on. As they approached the massive warehouse area, she started exining. "This warehouses is a key spot for the city''s supply chain," she said, her voice steady despite the earlier tension. "It''s where raw materials are stored before they''re sent to other establishments,". He barely paid attention to her exnation. He knew this ce would be destroyed soon enough, so he didn''t bother memorizing the details. "The gang we''re going after is called Serpent Tail. They''re new in town and have taken over this area by force. They killed the previous gang, who were paying the Veiled Nights for protection." "Normally, we don''t get this violent. Most gangs buy their way into control or negotiate, but the Serpent Tail is different. They''re stubborn and wouldn''t cooperate with the Veiled Nights'' demands." Green Viper continued, exining the warehouse''syout and the activities of the Serpent Tail gang. She detailed their operations and security measures, hoping the information would help with the mission. But Reign, with his eyes fixed on the road, barely listened. He hadn''t really read the files she gave him before. He was just pretending to pay attention for the sake of acting interested. SCREECH! She parked the car a short distance away from the warehouse. They hid behind some crates, getting a clear view of the busy scene. The warehouse was huge, with tall gray walls and a metal roof. Trucks were constantly moving in and out, their engines rumbling as they carried different supplies. Some trucks were loaded with crates, while others had barrels and pallets of goods. "This ce is really active," Green Viper said quietly. "They are making a lot of money from all these supplies because the business owners have to pay them." "I thought the Chamber of Commerce would step in for something like this?" Reign asked. "Normally, yes. But to keep things bnced, the government lets gangs like this exist. It''s also why they allow the Veiled Nights to operate¡ªso we can deal with these kinds of problems." Reign nodded, understanding her point. It was simr in his old world. He had heard stories about governments funding terrorist groups, gangs, and other illegal activities for their own purposes before his father took global control. "So what''s the n?" she asked. As the leader of this operation, she had to follow his lead, especially since he was much stronger than she was. "Nothing much. We''ll just storm in and kill everyone," he replied bluntly. He could finish the mission faster on his own. Unfortunately, he had to bring her along because she was the main reason he was doing this in the first ce. As a result, he had to hold back a lot. "Are you nning to fight them head-on?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. "Did you not read the information I gave you? They have hundreds of members, divergents, and even a suspected High Rank Demon." "Don''t worry," Reign said, waving off her concern. She was surprised by hisck of worry. However, remembering his previous performance, she realized that it was actually possible with him on her side. Chapter 373 Moving On Part 2 "Alright, just give me a moment to get ready," she said, stepping out of the car and opening the trunk.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om She started changing into her Power Armor, first taking off her jacket . As she moved, she slipped out of her top undershirt. "What are you doing?" Reign eximed, noticing her taking off her top and revealing a glimpse of her bra. His face turned red, and he felt an unexpected reaction in his bottom part. Continue reading at empire "What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled. She was only wearing a sports bra and shorts , simr to gym wear, and didn''t see the problem. He quickly turned his head, scratching his head and muttering to himself. ''What the hell is wrong with me? Why did I even react like that?'' He tried to focus on the warehouse, but his mind kept wandering back to the sexy scene. The awkwardness was almost unbearable. ''Just... focus on the mission,'' he said, trying to calm himself down. She noticed his difort and raised an eyebrow. "You''re acting weird. Are you okay?" Reign cleared his throat, still not looking at her. "Yeah, I''m fine. Just... not used to seeing this kind of thing in a mission setup." She shrugged, still not fully understanding his reaction. "Well, this is my Power Armor. It''s practical forbat. Anyway, let''s get this done." She finished changing , a sleek, form-fitting outfit designed for protection and agility. Reign, still trying to shake off his awkwardness, finally managed to turn around. The suit was a deep dark green, matching her usual colors, with ck ents along the seams that gave it a high-tech look. It had padded sections at the shoulders and knees for extra protection, and a utility belt with various gadgets strapped around her waist. The suit''s material looked both flexible and durable, allowing her to move quickly while offering solid defense. "Let get this over with, " he sighed and got out of the car. "Where''s your powersuit?" she asked, realizing she hadn''t mentioned it before. Reign gave her a sideways nce "I don''t need one," he said casually. "I''ve got other ways to get things done." She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but also slightly concerned. "Seriously? You don''t need any protection or gear?" Reign shrugged nonchntly. "Trust me, I''ll be fine. Let''s just focus on the mission." With that, he started walking towards the warehouse, his confident steps showing no sign of hesitation. Green Viper followed, still slightly puzzled but willing to trust his judgment. As they approached the warehouse, one of the thugs guarding the entrance spotted Green Viper in her shy Power armor. His eyes widened in rm, and he quickly raised his rifle. "Stop!" the thug shouted, his voice tense as he aimed his weapon directly at them. The other guards followed suit, pointing their rifles at them. Green Viper nced at Reign, who didn''t seem phased at all. He just kept his hands in his pockets with a bored expression on his face. "What''s next?" she asked quietly, ready to spring into action. Reign''s smirk returned as he replied, "We take them down, of course. Just stay close, and don''t worry about me." Without giving the guards any time to react, Reign suddenly dashed forward. SWOOOOSH! His speed was unreal, almost a blur to the human eye. Before the guards could fire a single shot, he was already on them. Reign knocked the first guard''s rifle to the side, then hit him hard in the chest. The impact was so strong that the guard''s ribs shattered, and he copsed to the ground with his heart stopping instantly. Blood spilled from his mouth as he died. A second guard tried to shoot as well, but Reign was too fast. Grabbing the rifle, he hit him in the head. The attack crushed the man''s skull, scattering blood and bone. He fell to the ground, dead before hitting the floor. Green Viper watched in shock, unable to believe what she had just seen. Reign moved with such speed and efficiency that it was obvious this wasn''t his first time killing. His brutality was evident in every action. What stunned her even more was that he wasn''t using any power armor to enhance his speed. It was all him¡ªhis raw, natural speed. She stared at the two guards, their bodies broken and lifeless on the ground. ''Is he really a Divergent?'' she wondered to herself, trying to make sense of what she''d just seen. But then she recalled that the Veiled Nights had thoroughly checked everyone for negative energy, and Reign had been cleared. Still, doubt lingered in her mind. His abilities were too extraordinary for a divergent . ''Or maybe I''m just used to seeing weak divergents? Maybe I can still get stronger if I learn from him,'' she pondered. "What are you spacing out for?" Reign asked, seeing her stunned expression. Snapping out of her thoughts, she replied, "I''ming," But before she could move, the rm red and heavy footsteps echoed through the warehouse. Drawing her dagger quickly, she scanned for cover to avoid the iing fire. She assumed Reign would do the same, but she nearly cursed out loud when she saw him casually walking toward the approaching guards as if he were strolling through a park. "What are you doing?" she shouted, rmed. But he didn''t respond. He just ignored her, rolled his neck, and got ready for the fight, as if he didn''t have a care in the world. As soon as they saw the two dead bodies, the guards began firing. RATAAATT¡ªRATTATTT! RATAAATT¡ªRATTATTT! RATAAATT¡ªRATTATTT! Bullets zipped past him, but he moved quickly, zigzagging to dodge the shots . BANG! BANG BANG! Three shots echoed through the air, this time from Green Viper, who had drawn her pistol to provide cover. Though her intervention was unnecessary, Reign ignored her and continued closing the gap. When he reached his targets, he began killing them with a single blow each. Though he now had the body of an angel, his old fighting style remained his preferred method. Meanwhile, inside the warehouse. "What''s that noise?" a figure, more beast than human, growled. Chapter 374 Moving On Part 3 The sound of bones breaking and bodies copsing echoed through the warehouse as he continued his rampage. No amount of gunfire could stop him, and Green Viper eventually stopped shooting. He was just too efficient, leaving no targets for her to take down. It was a terrifying one time experience for everyone facing him . One moment, they were firing their guns at him, and the next, he was right in front of them, knocking their weapons away and shattering their bones with a single blow. They couldn''t believe what they were seeing¡ªno human should be able to move like this or fight. Some of them were starting to think they were up against a demon or a hunter. But no matter how much they stared in disbelief, Reign''s overwhelming power was clear. He wasn''t using any special techniques or tricks¡ªjust pure, raw strength. It was a brutal disy of dominance, and it left no doubt about who was in control. "Is this guy even human?!" one guard yelled, his voice shaking as he tried to back away, his rifle trembling in his hands. Another guard, eyes wide with fear, tried to run, but he was caught in an instant. Grabbing him by the cor, Reign mmed him into the ground so hard that the concrete cracked. ''Come on,e out,'' Reign chuckled to himself. He had already sensed the presence of a demon lurking nearby. It wasn''t just any demon; it was a Beginner Upper Level Demon. In a tier 4 city like this, that was considered a major threat. But to him, it was just another ant to crush.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om The few guards who were still alive huddled together, pale with fear. They had emptied their magazines at him, but it didn''t slow him down at all. They watched in horror as he stepped over the bodies of their fallenrades, looking almost bored. "You shoulde at me together, to save me time," Reign said, flexing his neck with a casual roll of his shoulder. His cold eyes locked onto the group as he finished them off one by one. THUD! Stay connected with empire THUD! THUD! The sound of bodies hitting the ground echoed through the warehouse until only one remained. Thest guard standing felt his heart race as Reign walked toward him, slow and confident. He raised his rifle onest time, but his hands were shaking so badly he could barely aim. "You can try," Reign said with a smirk, "but it won''t help." He grabbed the rifle''s barrel and bent it easily before ripping it out of the guard''s hands. The guard barely had time to react before a fist mmed into his chest, crushing it instantly. The guard''s eyes went wide, blood pouring from his mouth as he fell to the ground. Reign stood among the fallen bodies, blood dripping from his hands. He looked like the angel of death who had just punished the wrongdoers. His eyes swept over the warehouse, and a grin spread across his face. Fifteen figures jumped out from the second floor railings. They were all wearing advanced power armor that fit them perfectly. The armor was a bright emerald green with a pattern that looked like scales. On the chest of each suit was a logo of a serpent eating its own tail, showing they were part of the same dangerous group. The green glow from their helmets'' visors cut through the dim light of the warehouse. These weren''t just regr mercenaries; they were highly trained divergents, ready to take on anyone who stood in their way. "I''ll fight them!" Green Viper screamed, her voice echoing through the warehouse. Without waiting for a response, she dashed forward, her dagger held tightly in her hand. Reign noticed her sudden movement but chose to let her be. If she got into trouble, he could use his maximum speed to save her. She moved quickly, closing the gap between herself and the armored figures in no time. With anger fueling her strike, she swung her dagger, aiming to slice through the line of enemies. But just as she was about to reach them, a tall figure stepped forward from the group. He drew his own dagger, the de gleaming menacingly as he met Green Viper''s attack head-on CLANG! The impact of their sh was so powerful that it sent her flying backward. She was thrown through the air, crashing onto the floor and sliding to a stop. Reign watched the whole thing without jumping in. He knew Green Viper wasn''t seriously hurt. He could tell that her attacker had held back at thest moment, making sure the blow wasn''t fatal. "What are you doing? Do you think you''re some kind of superhero?" Reign shook his head in disappointment. Green Viper was letting her emotions get the best of her, and it was putting her in danger. "You''re still too impulsive, Celine," the tall man said, leaning in. His visor hissed open, revealing a middle-aged man with brown hair and eyes. He looked down at her with a serious re. "This is why I left you behind in this city," he said, shaking his head in disappointment. "You killed my family!" Celine shouted, her face full of anger. Without waiting, she ran at him again. But once again, the man easily blocked her attack . She was thrown back,nding hard on the ground. It was clear she was no match for him. "Killed your family? They weren''t even your real parents," the man said, shaking his head. "And don''t forget, I was the one who took care of you and trained you." Reign listened to their conversation but found it really boring. He barely paid attention as the two continued their exchange. With a sigh, he leaned against a nearby wall, letting them talk while he waited for something more interesting to happen. He nced up and noticed arge window on the second floor. Light streamed out, casting a shadow of someone standing behind it. Reign gave it a knowing smile. Chapter 376 Moving On Part 5 Celine''s heart raced as she faced her old friends, her voice trembling with emotion. "Listen!" she shouted. "You don''t have to do this. Ryder is just using you. He''s not a real leader; he''s a monster . You don''t have to give up your lives for him. You''re not just weapons¡ªyou''re people with your own choices!" Her words made the remaining divergents pause for a moment. "Enough!" Ryder shook his head "You think you can turn them against me? " Read exclusive adventures at empire One of the divergents, who was close to Celine before, looked uncertain. He nced at his teammates and then at his master. "Think about it," she urged. "Is this really what you want? To die for someone who only sees you as tools? You can leave. You can live your own lives." ''Not really.'' Reign thought, remembering his n to destroy the cityter. There was no way anyone could escape, unless she managed to take them with her. The group stood still, torn between their loyalty, and the doubts Celine''s words had stirred in them. Meanwhile, Ryder realized that the situation was quickly turning against him. His opponent''s overwhelming power had been on full disy during their brief exchange, leaving no doubt in his mind that they were outmatched. He nced up at the figure behind the ss window, hoping for some kind of intervention or sign, but it remained still, offering no help. ''I need to escape first, but if we run, I''ll be the first he chases,'' Ryder muttered under his breath. The way Reign stared at him, made it clear that he was enjoying this, like a predator toying with its prey. He could almost feel the weight of that gaze, knowing that the moment he made a move, he would be dead. Ryder shifted his gaze to his students, noting how they still obeyed him without question. There was no way Celine''s words could break the control he had over them so easily. "Attack him! " He ordered. Out of habit, the students moved without hesitation, their bodies reacting instinctively to themands. ''A chance !'' Celine hoped Reign would chase after Ryder, but her heart sank as she saw him turn his attention to the divergents instead. The first divergent, a small man who was the quickest, swung his weapon. While most people would have struggled to react, Reign calmly stepped aside and grabbed the man''s arm, twisting it painfully. "AHHHHHH!" The divergent cried out in agony. A dagger slipped from his hand as he winced in pain. Reign caught the de mid-air without even looking. And with a flick of his wrist, he threw it at Ryder. SWOOOOSH! The dagger moved like a bullet, hitting Ryder in the stomach. Shocked by the speed of the attack, Ryder stumbled but managed to keep running despite the gaping wound . Reign then turned his attention back to the small man. He punched the face so hard that the nose shattered. The force sent him crashing to the floor. Then without missing a beat, Reign lifted his foot and stomped down hard, crushing the head into a bloody mess. It all happened so fast, but Reign remained calm, almost bored. Next, a woman tried to attack him from behind. He barely turned around, grabbing her by the hair and yanking her head back. He punched her throat , crushing her windpipe. She fell to the ground, vomiting a huge amount of blood. Three more surrounded him, swinging their weapons. One swung his weapon, but he caught it with his bare hand and crushed it. He then threw the attacker against the wall with a loud crash. The other two tried toe at him together, but he was faster. He kicked one of them hard in the chest. He grabbed the second person by the arm and broke it with a loud snap. Using the broken arm like a weapon, he pped the man''s face hard. The impact twisted the man''s head, and his neck cracked and snapped. Two more came and were grabbed by the neck and lifted off the ground, their legs iling in the air. With a cruel grin, Reign squeezed harder until their neck broke. Tossing their lifeless bodies aside, he treated them like discarded trash. The remaining survivors were trapped, unable to escape from his reach. They tried to fight back, but it was useless. He killed them one by one. Blood covered his clothes as he used his overwhelming power . When it was all over, only the mangled bodies were left scattered on the ground. THUD! Celine dropped to her knees, her stomach churning as she vomited from the sight of the gruesome scene. She stared at the blood and dead bodies around her, unable toprehend the level of cruelty she had just witnessed. ''H¡ª He''s not human,'' she thought to herself in shock. The horror of seeing someone so merciless was beyond what she could ever have imagined. "What are you doing?" Reign asked, his voice cold "You wanted to kill your master, right? Then stop acting like a kid and go after him."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Celine''s heart pounded as the words hit her. Her legs felt weak, and she struggled to stand up. The sight of her old friends lying on the ground and Reign''s cold, uncaring expression made her feel like she couldn''t move. "Stop wasting time," he shouted, snapping Celine back to reality. "He''s the one responsible for all these deaths." He had already hurt him badly, making it easier for her to finish him off. Celine took a deep breath, shaking off her shock. She stood up and hurried after her master. When she nced back at Reign, there was no gratitude in her eyes¡ªonly a deep fear. To her, his brutality was too much to forget. Reign didn''t care about her reaction. What he had done was mildpared to his usual style. If he had been in his original body, he would have torn them apart like second hand meat at a market. "Hey, you should stop watching ande down here," Reign called out, ncing up with a smirk. Chapter 377 Moving On Part 6 CRAAACK! The window shattered, and a figure dropped down with a loud crash, sending dust everywhere. As the dust settled, Reign saw something strange and frightening. It was a monster with a humanoid body, but its head was of a crow. The monster''s eyes were red, and its beak was blood-red. Its skin was covered in jet ck feathers, and its arms looked like bird wings. CAW! CAW! CAW! The monster let out a harsh caw. It pped its wings, causing the feathers to rustle and flutter. Reign''s smirk grew as he looked at the creature. "Well, this is unexpected," he said, sounding curious . Enjoy new tales from empire The crow-headed monster tilted its head and fixed its red eyes on Reign. Its voice was a strange mix of caws and human speech. "You''re not human, are you?" Reign chuckled. "Oh, what gave it away?" he asked, his tone light but filled with sarcasm. He recalled a system mission from a while back, mentioning a three-headed crow. While he was pretty sure this wasn''t the exact creature described, it might be rted. He only had gotten one job from a darkened heart so far, which meant there was a special condition to get more. "Since you''re here," Reign paused, "Do you know anyone with a head like yours but three of them? " The demon froze when it heard the question, its red eyes widening in shock. "Why... Why are you searching for him? Demon King Ravenous?" The demon''s voice trembled. Just thinking about the three-headed Demon King was enough to shake it, as if it remembered something terrifying. "Oh, I n to kill him. He''s just a side mission for me," Reign said with a confident smile. He was surprised to find out that his target was a Demon King, but he figured that with such a tough challenge, the reward would be just as big. The demon''s eyes widened further, its shock evident as it tried to process such bold and audacious words. "Kill him? A side mission?" it repeated, disbelief creeping into its voice. The idea that anyone would treat the a Demon King as a mere side mission was like a bad joke. "You have no idea what you''re dealing with," the creature sneered "The Demon King is not just powerful¡ªhe''s a living nightmare. He could wipe out entire human cities." "Wipe out entire human cities?" Reign repeated with a smile. It was something he had been doing for a living. "Impressive," he chuckled aloud , which made the demon felt that he was dealing with a madman. "Stop talking nonsense!" the crow demon sneered, its voice full of disdain. Negative energy surrounded the demon, and its feathers transformed into sharp projectiles. They shot out with blinding speed, creating a deadly storm of des. SWOOOOOSH! SWOOOOOSH! SWOOOOOSH! Reign quickly jumped and dodged, moving left and right to avoid the attack. But the crow-headed demon confidence grew as the feathers that missed change course and chased its target.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om As he avoided the deadly feathers. He ducked and rolled, watching each one carefully. The crow-headed demon''s sneer grew wider as it saw his enemy dodging the attacks. It thought that his prey was struggling and couldn''t handle it. It pped its wings, sending out even more projectiles. "Take this!" The demon''s aura pulsed ,and the feathers grew sharper and faster with each passing second. However¡ª Reign used the demon''s anger to his advantage, predicting the patterns of the attacks and using his superior reflexes to stay one step ahead. "You''re going to have to do better than that," Reign said, his voice dripping with confidence. He caught sight of a few feathers that were slightly off course and decided to use them. With a quick flick of his wrist, he grabbed one mid-air and threw it back towards the demon. SWOOOOSH! The crow-headed demon''s eyes widened in surprise as the projectiles sped toward it. It tried to control the feather, but felt disconnected. Cautious, it pped its wings to intercept the attack. The projectile collided with the demon''s own attack , causing a burst of dark energy to explode around it. The demon staggered, momentarily disoriented. Reign seized the opportunity, rushing forward . He aimed a powerful kick at the demon, but the creature quickly recovered. It raised its wings to block the blow. BOOOOOM! When the kicknded, the demon was hurled through the air with immense force. It crashed into the wall at the end of the warehouse with a thunderous bang. Dust and debris flew everywhere, covering the ground with bits of broken wall and shattered feathers. The demon struggled to get back on its feet. Its ck feathers were ruffled and scattered from the impact. CAAAAW ! It let out a harsh caw, shaking its head as if trying to clear its dizziness. Its dark aura flickered, and it had trouble holding its feather as it slowly pulled itself away from the wall. ''What was that attack? ''It had never imagined that a single kick could send it flying like that. "W¡ª What are you?" the demon asked. It had fought other demons and powerful hunters before, but this was the first time it faced an opponent whose strength it could not exin. There was no special technique or energy in that kick, just raw, overwhelming power. "Me?" Reign pointed to his face, his expression thoughtful. "Let me think¡­" He paused, a grin spreading across his lips as an idea popped into his head. "I am¡­" he said, his voice bing deeper and more powerful. "THE EXECUTIONER OF ALL EVIL !" he dered. A golden sword appeared in his hand, followed by a brilliant light that surrounded him and transformed his body into a figure of divine power. Pristine white wings spread out from his back, glowing with a dazzling golden light. The brightness was so intense that it felt like a piece of the heavens hade down. The demon recoiled in fear, its negative energy shrinking away from the overwhelming light. It felt as if the divine power was extinguishing its own existence. Chapter 379 Moving On Part 8 After all the suffering he had caused, this moment of revenge was bittersweet but satisfying. Ryder let out a loud chuckle, blood seeping from his lips. "So this is the payment I get for saving and training you?" Continue your journey on empire "Save me? You killed my parents¡­" she responded furiously.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Your parents? You still believe that nonsense?" Ryder shook his head. "Those people were never your real parents. They were child traffickers! They nned to sell you to some old guy with a sick fetish!" Celine''s eyes widened in shock . For a moment, she stood frozen, her mind struggling to process his words. Her hands shook as she tightened her grip on her daggers. "Lies," she protested, her voice trembling with rage. "Why would I lie to you?" Ryder asked with a sneer, his voice weak andbored. "I''m already close to death, and I''m sure your friend over there will finish me off no matter what I say." He managed to smile. "Those kids your friend killed were just like you, meant to be sold asb rats in another city. You''re the exception because you''re... attractive. I was supposed to deliver you all, but..." Ryder''s eyes took on a sad, distant look. "I got soft-hearted and saved you ." Celine''s face went pale as she processed his revtion. Her hands trembled, her daggers feeling heavy in her grip. She stared at him struggling to keep herposure. "I don''t believe you," she said through gritted teeth, though her voice wavered. "You''re just trying to mess with my head like you always do!" she yelled. "And it doesn''t change what you''ve done. You turned us into weapons for your own benefit!" Celine yelled, her voice filled with anger. Ryder sighed heavily, his expression one of frustration. "I trained you so you could protect yourself! I gave you the skills you needed to survive," "But in the end, everyone died. You killed them by bringing that monster with you," Ryder eyes narrowed, pointing an using finger at Reign. "That''s not true. You were the one who sent them to attack him. He just defended himself..." Her voice trailed off, filled with doubt. Ryder shook his head at her naivety . "Do you really think someone as powerful as him couldn''t have taken them down without killing them? The demon in that warehouse was an Upper Rank, and he killed it. There''s no way he couldn''t have spared them if he really wanted to." "I¡­" Celine was at a loss for words. His im made her question everything. She looked at Reign, hoping he would exin or prove that he was not a bad guy. "I killed them because they were my enemy. There''s really nothing more to it," Reign said bluntly, picking at his ear because he was already bored with all this drama. "So... you could have spared them?" she asked weakly. "Sure, if I wanted to," he shrugged. She looked back at Ryder, then at Reign, struggling to process the harsh truth. "And by the way," Reign said, casually interrupting the silence. "I can tell from his heartbeat that he is telling the truth." Celine fell to her knees, shaking and crying. The truth hit her hard, and she couldn''t believe what she was hearing. "So, what now?" Reign asked, his tone harsh and unforgiving. "Are you going to forgive your master? Well, I don''t really care. The mission''s done. We could have a funeral for the 14 and then you can live happily ever after with him," he added, a hint of jealousy creeping into his voice. It was obvious that he didn''t like her talking to Ryder so much. He was taking out his frustration on her, making his displeasure clear. If not for Reign''s words and actions, she wouldn''t have believed her master at all. "I.." her hands trembled as she struggled to hold back her emotions. Her vision blurred with tears, making it hard to focus. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, trying to steady herself. When she opened them again, her tears began to fall freely again. Determined, she turned her gaze toward Ryder, her master, who was wounded and barely standing. Her heart ached as she walked toward him, each step heavy with the burden of her decision. Ryder looked up at her, a weak smile forming on his lips. His eyes, once full of authority andmand, were now resigned and epting. He threw down his remaining weapon, the tter echoing in the still air. His gaze met Celine''s with a mixture of pride and sadness. "So in the end... you finally managed to control your emotions," he said. He closed his eyes, readying himself for the end. Celine reached his side and, with a heavy heart, she pulled out her dagger. She hesitated for a brief moment, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her, but then she took a deep breath and thrust the de into his chest. The motion was swift and merciful, ending his suffering as quickly as possible. THUD! Ryder''s body went limp, and the light slowly faded from his eyes. Celine''s tears fell , mixing with the grime of the battle-scarred roof. She took a step back, her hands still trembling as she looked down at the man who had once been her master. "Goodbye, Master," she said softly, her voice breaking with sadness. She stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of her decision. Reign, watching from a distance, gave a nod of approval. "It''s done," he said, his tone indifferent but acknowledging that she made the right choice. If she had chosen to spare him, Reign would have snapped and killed Ryder in the most brutal way possible right in front of her. What''s more dangerous than a cold-blooded skull demon? An angel with a twisted, jealous heart. He walked closer to her and said, "Get over it and move on." "Are you happy now?" she asked, her green eyes cold and distant, reflecting the deep scars of her heart. Reign sighed, clearly unimpressed. "Stop acting like you''re the most miserable person in the world. It''s pathetic." Chapter 380 Unconscious Behavior Celine stood up, her usual fierce and strong-willed attitude gone. Instead, her eyes looked sad and troubled. "Idiot," Reign muttered, shaking his head in disdain as he crossed his arms, his gaze cold. He turned away from her, dismissing her sadness as if it were nothing more than a minor annoyance. However¡ª That single word, delivered with such indifference andck of empathy, ignited something in Celine. Her sadness quickly turned into anger. She whipped her head around to face him, her eyes zing with frustration. "What did you just say?" she snapped. "I said you''re an idiot. You''re letting your emotions control you again. " Celine''s fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. "You don''t understand anything," she hissed. "It''s because you told me all those things that made it harder for me¡­ You could have just kept your mouth shut." "I could, but I didn''t," he responded with a nonchnt tone. Her eyes glistened with tears she fought to hold back her emotion. "Quit crying and let''s move," he said, his voice firm and harsh. "Leave me alone " she spat out. ''This girl¡­,'' he muttered, shaking his head as his patience finally ran out. He reached down and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the roof . "W¡ªWhat are you doing!" she eximed, struggling to breathe as his grip tightened around her neck. "I''m going to kill you," he uttered, his voice cold and unforgiving. "You clearly don''t want to live, so I''ll make it easy for you and end this now." Celine''s heart pounded in her chest as his grip continued to tightened around her neck. She struggled to breathe, her body trembling uncontrobly. As her vision started to blur, a scary realization settled in¡ªReign wasn''t bluffing. He was really going to kill her. She had seen how brutal he could be. He tore through enemies without any hesitation and showed no mercy when finishing them off. Now, with that same cold look aimed at her, she had no doubt he would do the same to her. "I¡ªI can''t breath..." Her hands weakly wed at his, but it was useless. "Anyst words?" he asked, his face showing no emotion. His eyes were as cold as if he were just about to kill a chicken, not a person "Just tell me, and I''ll snap your neck and end your suffering once and for all." "I¡ªI want to live, please.... " she managed to choke out, her voice barely audible and strained as she struggled. THUD! He released her, letting her drop to the ground ,nding roughly on her butt. "Then stop wasting my time and let''s go," Reign ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. She swallowed hard, trying to steady her emotions as she forced herself to stand up and follow him. The sound of police sirens echoed in the distance, but they didn''t need to worry about it. They were just there to keep up appearances; the real control was in the hands of the Veiled Nights and the government. The gang they had destroyed was already meant to be wiped out, and their fate was decided long before both of them even started the mission. *** *** *** After an hour. Just like that, they reached the Veiled Nights Bar. The ce was quieter than usual, and they headed straight to the branch manager. Celine walked beside Reign in silence. She didn''t speak a word, her mind reying the moment when he had nearly taken her life. The memory of his grip on her neck was still fresh, making it hard for her to focus on anything else. As they stepped inside the office, the branch manager looked up from his desk. "Back so soon?" he asked, clearly not expecting them to return so quickly. He nced at the clock on the wall, then back at them. "You two work fast. I just got word from my contacts at the police station¡ªsounds like the entire gang has been wiped out." Reign gave a small nod, his expression as unreadable as ever. "It''s done," The manager leaned back in his chair, studying them both for a moment beforeplimenting them "Impressive." Next, he opened his drawer and pulled out two sealed envelopes, each with the official stamp of Veiled Nights. "These are your promotion orders, along with two tickets," the manager said, sliding the envelopes across the desk. His gaze shifted from Celine. "Go to Green Valley and start your new life there. This ce is too small for the both of you now."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "And Sunny, if it''s possible, I''d like you to apany her. She''ll need someone she can trust there," he added. "Sure," Reign agreed while reaching out to take his envelope with a calm andposed expression. Celine followed, her hand shaking slightly as she picked it up. The manager noticed but chose not toment. "The promotion exam will take ce in Green Valley City," the manager continued, his tone more formal now. "It''s a big step up. You''ll be dealing with bigger missions, higher stakes, and¡ª" he paused, looking between them, "¡ªmore dangerous enemies." Reign didn''t flinch at the warning, treating it as air. "When do we leave?" he asked. "In three days," the manager replied. "That works for me," Reign agreed. Read new adventures at empire "Same," Celine replied. "Good luck to you two," the manager said, giving them a final approving nod. Reign turned to leave, still looking rxed and indifferent. Celine, however, hesitated for a moment, looked back at the manager, and gave a small bow to thank him for his help. Then she quickly followed Reign out of the office. The traumatic experience from before had left her with deeper emotional scars than she realized. Unconsciously, she found herself following his lead, her decisions subtly influenced by his presence. The worst part was that she wasn''t even aware of it. Each step she took behind him felt like her own choice, but in reality, she was afraid he might kill her if she annoyed him. Chapter 381 Not a Bad Person "Are you sure you''ve got the right ce?" the bartender asked, his voice showing a hint of impatience. He had been asked several times about a specific person and had already double-checked the records. None of them had the name they were looking for. "There''s no one here by that name. Maybe he''s registered in another group?." Reign''s attention shifted to the two figures in ck hoodies who were asking the questions¡ªa man and a woman. He recognized them instantly as Nobu and Seki. "He''s a very powerful mercenary, and his code name is Rain," Nobu exined. The bartender sighed and leaned in slightly. Enjoy new adventures from empire "Listen, there are a lot of private mercenary group in the city. You can check with them, but I advise you to be careful. Not all of them are like the Veiled Nights, who are pretty legitimate in dealing with customers." Nobu and Seki looked at each other, thinking about the bartender''s advice. "Why are you looking for him?" Reign interjected. Both of them turned to face him. Seki, in particr, was taken aback the moment she saw him. Her eyes widened slightly, unable to believe how attractive he was, but she quickly covered her surprise with a careful, guarded expression. "Do you know him?" Nobu asked. . Reign paused, his curiosity growing. They were from the East, an area near the Demon territory. That was why he had wanted to form a connection with them back in Brentwood. He had assumed they were back in Green Valley by now, so their presence here suggested something important had kept them in the city. "I worked with him before," Reign said, testing their reaction. Nobu''s eyes narrowed. "How can we be sure you''re telling the truth?" "You''re talking about a guy who uses a lightning breathing technique, right? I''m pretty close to him." "So why are you searching for him?" he added. Nobu nced at Seki, waiting for her nod of approval before continuing. With her silent agreement, Nobu took a deep breath before speaking. "We want to hire him for a mission." Reign''s interest grew. He tapped his chin and asked, "A mission, you say? What''s it about?"" Nobu and Seki exchanged uneasy looks, unsure about sharing more details. Reign noticed their reluctance and understood their hesitation. It made sense; they couldn''t just trust him based on his words and looks alone. For all they knew, he could be a psychotic serial killer¡ª ironically, that was really the case. He leaned back and offered a reassuring smile. "I understand. It''s smart to be careful." "Alright, I''ll give you some info. Rain is already back in Green Valley, and I heard he''s heading to a Tier 2 city. So, it looks like you won''t be able to hire him anymore." Nobu''s face showed worry. "Green Valley? That''s where we''re going next. If he''s moving to a Tier 2 city, we won''t be able to reach him. Thanks for letting us know." ''A chance,'' Reign chuckled to himself .n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "You know, I remember something about you two. He mentioned two people from the East. If my memory serves me right, he was the one who told you to get out, wasn''t he?" Both of them reacted right away. Their eyes went wide with shock, and Seki''s hand shook a little, showing her surprise. Meanwhile, Nobu''s calm expression slipped for a moment before he quickly pulled himself together. "How do you know about that?" he asked. Reign''s smile was subtle but confident. "He talks about his missions from time to time. He mentioned you two when he was here. If he helped you escape Brentwood, then you must be important to him." Seki''s face softened as she listened to him. His innocent look and confident smile made her more willing to trust him. She nudged her partner gently and whispered, "I think we can trust him, Nobu-san," Nobu looked at her, considering her words. Though still cautious, he could see the logic in her assessment. Reign''s calm demeanor and detailed knowledge made his im seem more credible. Besides, they needed someone powerful, and as a warrior himself, Nobu could immediately tell that the person in front of him was very strong. "Can we trust you ?" he asked. Reign noticed their change in attitude and gave a slight nod. "I''m a bit weaker than Rain, but if you need help with something that involves fighting, I can definitely assist," he responded. Nobu cleared his throat. "If you''re as good as you say you are, then your help might be exactly what we need. We have some dangerous people we''re up against." "Perfect," Reign replied quickly. "But I should let you know that I''m heading to Green Valley in three days. So whatever you need to do, let''s wrap it up fast." Nobu nodded, understanding the urgency. "We''ll move fast. We have a few leads to follow up on, and with your help, we should be able to sort things out in 2 days" "Are we heading out now, or do you have other ns?" Reign inquired. Nobu thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I''ll contact you once our preparations areplete." Reign handed over a piece of paper with his contact information. "Here''s my number," Seki, looking less worried now, epted it and smiled. "We appreciate the help. We''ll stay in touch and let you know when we are ready to go ." After their conversation, they bowed their heads as a sign of respect and left the bar. Meanwhile, Celine, who had overheard everything, was stunned. She could hardly believe that someone as rude and arrogant as her partner would admit he was weaker. ''Rain? Who is he?'' she muttered to herself, her curiosity growing. ''Considering that he had helped those two in Brentwood by warning them, he didn''t seem like a bad person.'' she added. This was very different from her current partner, who was ruthless and cruel. "What are you daydreaming about? You should head home now and take care of any unfinished business," Reign''s words snapped her back to reality. "I¡ªI will," she replied with a defeated tone, finding even speaking up to him difficult. On the other hand, Reign felt pleased with his experiment. He figured out that by facing his emotions rather than running from them, he had learned to manage them better. Even though he might be drawn to her, he knew how to stay in control. Chapter 384 Kind Heart Back in Rosewood, Seki and Nobu had arranged to meet Reign at night in the central area. They hadn''t given him a reason, likely out of caution. He agreed without hesitation¡ªafter all, there wasn''t much they could do to hurt him. Deciding a car wasn''t worth the trouble, especially since the city would be destroyedter, Reign hailed a taxi and climbed in, giving the driver the address of where he needed to go. The taxi weaved through the busy streets, eventually stopping in front of a park. Reign paid the driver and got out, briefly looking at the tall buildings around him. They were impressive, but he wasn''t here to admire the view. He walked a short distance, where Nobu and Seki were waiting. The area was covered in darkness, with overgrown bushes and tall trees making it a perfect hiding spot. They stood up as he approached. Nobu gave a brief nod, while Seki offered a more rxed greeting. Her dark eyes sparkled as she looked at him, a soft smile spreading across her face. "Hi, Sunny. It''s good to see you." She spoke with a smooth, neutral tone, without her usual Eastern ent. He noticed the glint in her eyes and the friendly tone of her greeting. Even though their meeting was serious, her reaction was natural. Being a woman, she couldn''t help but be attracted to someone as good-looking as him. It was a perk of being good-looking: even if someone was a jerk and an asshole, they could often get away with it just by shing a smile. On the other hand, someone could be the kindest and most gentle person in the world and still get judged unfairly. That''s just how the world works. "Thanks," Reign said, nodding in return. "Ready to go over the details?" Nobu nced at Seki, who gave a quick nod before he replied, "Yes, we do. We need to finalize our n and make sure everything is set. He continued, "We are nning to infiltrate the Hunter Association to retrieve a very important item ,"n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "An item?" Reign asked, raising an eyebrow. Nobu quickly continued, trying to avoid giving too much detail. "It''s locked away in a secure room inside their headquarters. We have to get past their security and guards to retrieve it." The item in question was exactly what they had been searching for. They had almost given up hope of finding it, but by a stroke of luck, they received new information. It had been salvaged from Brentwood and was now in the hands of the Hunter Association. Unfortunately, they wouldn''t hand it over to them even if they beg. And asking for it directly would attract attention and reveal that the artifact was extremely valuable. Their only choice now was to take it by force, which meant they needed someone strong to help them. The hunters might not be as powerful as Demon yers, but if Nobu and Seki got surrounded, they wouldn''t stand a chance on their own. Especially Seki, since she wasn''t really skilled at fighting humanoid opponents . Stay tuned with empire ''Are they really nning to take on this ce?'' Reign thought to himself. It wasn''t that it would be hard¡ªtaking out Tier 4 hunters was nothing to him¡ª But he felt like they were taking advantage of his kindness. ''No wonder they didn''t apply for an official mission¡­ No sane person would take this job, '' he sighed, ncing at the two Easterners. He realized they didn''t fully understand how things worked in the West. Fortunately for them, he didn''t care much about such details. He was more than willing to help, especially if it meant building connections with people from the East. He had a feeling these two came from a good background. "Are you okay with our n, Sunny-san?" Nobu inquired, now using "-san" since he had be more acquainted "I don''t want to burst your bubble, but are you sure you want to take on this ce ?" Reign asked, pointing at the building. "Yes," Nobu said, nodding firmly. His face and eyes conveyed a deep sense of dedication. He was ready to risk his life for this mission, and nothing would stop him, no matter how dangerous it was. Seki was rmed a bit by Reign''s words and was worried he might back out. "We really need your help, and we don''t intend to fight head on. Nobu-san is good at¡ª" she started to exin, but Reign cut her off. "Alright, let''s do this." Seki let out a relieved sigh, her shoulders rxing as she smiled. "Thank you. We really appreciate it." she walked closer to him and grabbed his hand to show her gratitude. But her intentions went beyond mere appreciation. As a priestess, she had the ability to sense a person''s personality through touch. She wanted to gauge his character by feeling his energy. ''I¡ª Impossible,'' she murmured, her voice filled with astonishment. The energy she felt from Reign was the most positive she had ever encountered. She immediately assumed he had a good heart because of the divine energy she sensed, and a warm smile spread across her face. Knowing he was kind-hearted made her feel even more drawn to him. ''Why is this woman getting touchy?'' Reign muttered annoyingly. Despite his irritation, he maintained hisposure and just smiled. The moment he did though, it struck a chord in Seki''s heart, making it beat faster and faster. It felt as though time had stopped, and in her vision, he looked more dashing. Nobu, noticing her intense reaction, cleared his throat softly. "We should focus on our n, "he said, trying to sound casual but with a hint of frustration in his voice. He gave a quick look between Reign and Seki, clearly feeling a bit jealous. She blinked,ing out of her daze. "Yes, you''re right," she said, a bit embarrassed. She pulled her hand away . Nobu gave a small nod, his eyes showing a bit of envy. "Let''s go over everything again. We need to make sure we''re ready for the mission." Chapter 385 Silent Night After finalizing their ns, the group approached the building. The ce wasn''t heavily guarded since it was the home of hunters, and that alone served as a deterrent. Nobu and Seki prepared for the task ahead by opening their bags and changing into their gear. Their armor, looking more like silk than metal, was a pure jet-ck that blended seamlessly into the night. The sight of them made Reign think of ninjas from movies, especially with the two short katanas strapped to Nobu''s back. Something about their clothing caught Reign''s attention. "Are these really enough?" he asked, feeling the fabric. It was made of normal silk, though slightly sturdier, and definitely notparable to the power suits used in the West. "Yes, Sunny-san. It might look like normal, but it''s made from ck Spider Silk. It''s famous for its flexibility and can absorb damage."" Nobu exined. "Does it make you stronger or faster like the power armor does?" Reign asked, curious about how it worked. "Not exactly, Sunny-san...It doesn''t enhance physical abilities like power armor does, but it provides excellent protection and agility. It''s designed to keep us safe and agile while we move." Nobu replied. "I see," Reign nodded, realizing that the eastern gear wasn''t as advanced as the technology he was used to. He guessed the reason was their location. Being close to Demon Territory and having a tougher environment meant that they did not had the luxury to develop more freely. "By the way, if this is just a mission to steal something, why do you need me?" he asked. "Just in case something goes wrong, we need someone strong to help us escape," Nobu replied. "And her? Are you nning to bring her along?" Reign pointed at Seki. He could tell right away that she wasn''t used to this kind of work. Her posture and the way she walked gave it away, unlike Nobu, who looked trained to blend into the darkness. "Yes, Seki-sama is needed to find the item," Nobu exined. "She has a special ability to track it when it''s close by." Reign sighed, crossing his arms. "Alright, but if anything goes wrong..." "We know, we don''t expect you to die for us. Just give us an opening to escape," Seki responded. ''Well, I was actually going to say I''d just kill all the hunters, but okay,'' he chuckled to himself. Nobu turned his attention to Reign. "Sunny-san, may I ask where your armor is?" Nobu inquired, noticing that Reign was still in his casual clothing. "Oh, you didn''t mention it was a covert mission, so I didn''t bring my power armor," Reign replied with a sigh. In reality, he didn''t have any and didn''t really need it. Wearing one wouldn''t help him much, considering no power armor could match his stats. However, for a covert mission, having one might not be a bad idea, especially given the state of his second body. His angelic appearance was the opposite of what was needed for stealth. With his looks, he would stand out like a beacon in the darkness. ''Wait,'' he paused for a moment, ''System, can I use my Symbiote Suit in this body?'' [System: Affirmative, however, the Symbiote Suit was left in your original body.] ''Oh right,'' he sighed, realizing it would be a hassle to retrieve it. So, he decided to let it go . Nobu frowned and shook his head. "You didn''t bring your armor? That''s a problem." "Not really," Reign said with a shrug. "You can continue infiltrating the ce. If something happens, I''ll run in and rescue you. Simple as that." Nobu''s eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Are you saying we should just trust our lives to you? What if you end up betraying us?" Reign raised an eyebrow, his tone calm and slightly amused. "Why would I betray you?" "It''s hard for us to trust you right away." Nobu exined, "Don''t worry," Reign said casually. "If I really wanted to hurt you, I wouldn''t go through all this trouble." Before he could respond, Reign vanished and reappeared behind him. Nobu''s hand moved quickly to reach for his short katana, but Reign was even faster. Before the ninja could pull out his weapon, Reign grabbed his wrist and twisted it. Then, with a little shove, he sent Nobu sprawling to the ground. "See?" Reign spoke with an almost bored voice. "I could have killed you just now if I wanted to."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ''He''s too fast,'' Seki thought, shocked. Even her guardian, who was confident in his own speed, was not able to react at all. Nobu pushed himself off the ground, dusting himself off . He looked at Seki ,to get her opinion, Continue reading on empire "I think we can trust him, Nobu-san," she said, her voice steady. "He''s right. If he really wanted to hurt us, he wouldn''t have gone through so much trouble." Reign waited patiently as the two sorted out their concerns. He wasn''t in a hurry; their train wasn''t scheduled to leave until tomorrow, and his original body was already waiting outside the wall. As they continued their discussions, he nced on the building, mentally preparing for the next phase of his n. His mind was already set on the task ahead¡ªthis city was to be destroyed once the mission wasplete, regardless of the oue. Nobu finally agreed with Seki''s assessment and reasoning. They didn''t have many options but to rely on Reign. Besides, they had already shared a lot of information, so backing out now was out of the question. "Alright, we''ll give him a chance, Seki-sama," Nobu said, his tone calmer. "But we still need to stay on guard." Reign''s smirk widened slightly as he overheard them. "Good. You go on ahead. Contact me if you get in trouble, and I''ll create a diversion so you can escape." Nobu and Seki exchanged a nce, their tension easing slightly. They turned and moved toward the Hunter Association headquarters, their footsteps barely making a sound on the ground. Reign watched them leave, a knowing smile spreading across his lips. Chapter 386 Mercenary for Hire Reign''s thoughts were abruptly cut off by loud rms and the sound of shattering ss echoing through the building. The noise made it clear that the Hunter Association was now fully aware of the infiltration. ''I knew it. I expected too much from these so-called shinobi to pull it off without any trouble,'' he muttered, rubbing his temple. He couldn''t believe he had to jump in for a rescue less than twenty minutes after it all started. . ''Talk about being ipetent,'' he sighed to himself. They had seriously underestimated the Hunter Association''s defenses. They''re so behind on technology, they probably don''t even know what a motion sensor was. [We got the item. Please create a distraction so we can escape,] Nobu''s voice crackled through the walkie-talkie he had left behind earlier. [Roger] ''It''s time to rescue those rookies,'' Reign chuckled to himself. He felt like he was better than an actual shinobi when it came to these covert missions, which says a lot .n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Grabbing a ck cloth from the bag they had left behind, he wrapped it around his face to hide his identity. Inside the building, the guards were already on high alert. They couldn''t believe that someone had the nerve to steal from the Hunter Association. Moving quickly, they rushed to block all potential escape routes, determined to stop the intruders from getting away. Among the guards, a few low-ranking hunters had also joined in. Some were just trainees, but even they were more dangerous and capable than the regr humans. As they took their positions, a group of these new hunters startedughing, confident that the situation would be handled quickly. "Can you believe someone actually tried to steal from us?" one of them snickered. "This is going to be over in no time. They probably don''t even know what they''re up against." "Yeah," another chimed in, smirking. "A bunch of amateurs thinking they can get away with this? They''re in for a big surprise," The group of young hunters exchanged grins,pletely unaware of the real danger lurking. They were too young, too inexperienced to realize that this wasn''t just some simple break-in. "What''s that?" one of the hunters said, pointing ahead. They all turned to see a figure casually walking toward them. The man had no visible weapons, just wearing simple denim shorts and a white polo shirt. The only thing that stood out was the cloth wrapped around his face, covering his head. "Who walks into a ce like this dressed like that?" another hunter muttered, squinting to get a better look. "Must be some idiot trying to look like a clown," one of them joked, but his voice wavered slightly. There was something off about the way the man moved¡ªtoo calm, too confident. The hunters, still grinning, started to tense up. The figure continued to approach, unbothered by the attention he was drawing, as if he had nothing to fear. One of the hunters, still not taking it seriously, stepped forward to intercept him. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at a moment''s notice. "Hey! You lost or something?" the hunter called out, trying to sound intimidating as he approached. "This isn''t a ce for you to be wandering around." The figure didn''t respond. He kept walking, his pace steady and unhurried, as if he hadn''t even noticed the hunter''s warning. "Stop right there!" the hunter demanded, drawing his sword halfway out of its sheath, the steel glinting under the dim lights. STEP! The hunter''s grip tightened on his sword, and he took another step forward, determined to show this intruder that he meant business. SWOOOOSH! Before the hunter could even blinked, the figure suddenly vanished from his perspective, closing the distance between them in an instant. "No!" He shouted in panic, but his reaction was too slow, and was mmed to the ground. Just as he thought it was over, Reign swung his fist down hard. BANG! The impact crushed the hunter''s head with a sickening sound, like smashing a pumpkin. The remaining hunters, driven by anger, charged forward, their swords drawn and ready to strike. They nned to overwhelm the intruder with numbers. But as they got closer, it became easier for him to kill them. He grabbed the katana from the dead hunter and swung it in a powerful, sweeping motion. SLASH! The de cut through the hunters waists . They barely had time to react before their bodies fell in a single, clean cut. The other half of their bodies fell to the floor, followed by the lower halves, which dropped with a sickening thud. THUD! THUD! THUD! "That was too easy. Send everyone here!" Reign dered, his voice echoing through the air. It was as if the sound of death itself had delivered his chillingmand. One of them shouted, "Don''t let him get near us !!!" The guards with rifles, began shooting. RATATT-RATATT-RATTAT! RATATT-RATATT-RATTAT! RATATT-RATATT-RATTAT! Their bullets missed as Reign causally dodged them. He moved quickly, weaving through the gunfire. In no time, he reached the main entrance. They tried to fight, but Reign was too fast. He took them down one after another, like swatting away a bunch of ants. "Falcon Breathing Technique¡ª" one of the more experienced hunters shouted as he rushed forward. He hoped he could at least slow down the intruder. But the difference in power was like a candle against a storm. The hunter''s efforts barely made a dent, and he got cut down without even contributing anything . The other hunters rushed at Reign, their eyes filled with desperation as they understood they were up against someone powerful. They coordinated their attacks, unleashing a barrage of elemental strikes. However ¡ª Reign barely seemed to notice them as he moved with blinding speed. Discover stories at empire Each strike was deadly, leaving no room for survival. They tried to block and counter, but it was like using a stick to stop a de. Their weapons shattered, and their bodies were crushed along with them. "Stop him! We can''t let him get through! Call for more backup!" one of the hunters shouted, his voice filled of panicked. Chapter 387 Mercenary for Hire Part 2 "Die!" one hunter shouted, swinging arge katana with all his power. ''Too slow,'' Reign sighed as the de came down. Instead of dodging, he chose to catch it with his bare hand, stopping it mid-swing. The hunter tried to pull the de away, but Reign''s grip tightened, causing it to crack. "You won''t need this anymore." With a sadistic smile, Reign smashed the katana and then threw a punch that caved in the hunter''s chest, sending a spray of blood and crushed organs flying. "I''ve changed my mind. I''ll just kill everyone here!" heughed loudly, his sadistic side taking over. The more hunters joined the fight, the more exciting it became for him. He dodged and weaved through the growing number of them. The room was filled with the sounds ofbat¡ªdes slicing through flesh, grunts, and cries of pain. While Reign drew everyone''s attention with his ruthless killing spree, The two easterners took this moment to escape. Nobu might not be as strong as Reign, but he was still skilled enough to handle multiple Tier 4 hunters. With Seki''s help boosting his abilities, he managed to fend off anyone who attacked him. But the most important part of the mission was the artifact they had secured. Now, they just needed to get out of here and they could return to the east with their heads held high. "Seki-sama, stay close to me!" Nobu said, drawing his two short katanas. Moving with the skill and speed of a trained ninja, he took each step silently and fast. His eyes were focused, scanning the area for any sign of movement . Until¡ª A group of Tier 4 hunters blocked their way. Nobu stopped and readied his short katanas. Seeing there were only four hunters, he felt confident of his chance of winning. "Who are you, and why are you attacking and killing hunters?" one of them demanded, his voice filled with anger. Nobu didn''t respond. Instead, he focused on finding a way to kill them quickly. "So you don''t want to talk, huh? Fine, we''ll ask you after we cut off your legs and arms," one hunter sneered, raising his sword, with the others following suit. SWOOOOOSH! They charged forward, aiming to end the fight quickly as possible. They wanted to finish up so they could reinforce the others on the lower floor, who, ording to reports, were being massacred one-sidedly. "Shadow Steps," Nobu whispered as he rushed forward. His movements looked strange and smooth, almost as if he was gliding through the air. His speed wasn''t that fast, but to the other hunters, it appeared as if he was multiplying, leaving behind afterimages that made it hard to track his real position. The moment the four hunters came into range, Nobu sidestepped as they charged at him. CLANG! His left weapon deflected the first attack, while his right one went for an attack. The hunter who got hit cried out in pain and staggered back. "What''s happening? Even his attacks are multiplying!" the wounded hunter gritted out, clutching his bleeding stomach. Seeing this, the other three hunters jumped back to reassess the situation. They realized they were up against someone using a strange technique. But Nobu didn''t let this chance slip. He aimed for the kill, throwing dozens of kunai at them. They scrambled to block the barrage, and the sound of metal shing against metal echoed through the corridor: CLANG! CLANG! CLANG.! The kunai barrage wasn''t enough to pose a big threat , so the hunters remained calm as they blocked the iing projectiles. However, something strange urred. The next batch of kunai passed right through their de. They thought it was just an illusion and didn''t bother to dodge. But it was a grave mistake. The kunai hit their targets and exploded on impact. BOOM!n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om BOOM! BOOM! mes engulfed the hunters, their cries of pain fading as the fire consumed them. If Reign were here right now, he''d be shock that the East''s technology isn''t as primitive as he thoughtpared to the West. It''s just that their technology has developed differently, and it''s just as advanced in its own way. "Nobu-san, let''s go," Seki called out, catching up to him. "Yes, Seki-sama," Nobu said, bowing his head. But before they could turn away, Nobu suddenly raised his short katanas, sensing someone approaching. Find exclusive stories on empire STEP! STEP! STEP! The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor, growing louder and louder. Nobu and Seki squinted their eyes, trying to see through the shadows. From the darkness emerged a figure carrying a katana. Her aura felt different from the hunters they had faced before. She had orange-tied-up hair and blue eyes, looking young but giving off a very dangerous vibe. Nobu instantly knew she was a serious threat. "Seki-sama, please stand back," Nobu said, gesturing for her to stay behind. "You can actually see through me?" the hunter said, her voice filled with yfulness. Nobu did not respond, and just kept his guard up. "Here I am, thinking I wasted my timeing here because Brentwood was destroyed before I get to save it. But to think someone was bold enough to attack the Association," she giggled, finding the situation amusing. "Tell me, the person causing themotion below¡ªis he your friend? Who''s stronger, you or him?" she asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity. No matter how much she talked, Nobu stayed silent. He was afraid that speaking too much might reveal he was from the East, which could make it easy for them to be tracked down. "So, you''re not much of a talker, huh?" she said with a sadistic smile. "That''s okay. I''ll figure out which one of you is stronger by seeing who canst the longest." She drew her katana with a slow, deliberate movement and licked the de, her eyes showing her excitement. As soon as her tone changed, Nobu felt a shiver run down his spine. His instincts warned him to run away. ''I can''t die here. I need to protect Seki-sama,'' he muttered to himself. His dedication to her pushed aside any sense of fear. Chapter 388 Painful Realization "Good, it would be boring if you just gave up," the female hunter giggled. "As a reward for your courage, let me tell you my name. I''m Tiara, a Tier 1 hunter," she revealed. Nobu broke a sweat after hearing it. Though he wasn''t from the West, he knew that Tier 1 hunters were a different breed altogether. "Don''t be too nervous. I can smell your fear from here," she added, her lips curling into a smile. "Shadow Veiled!" Nobu whispered , and his presence began to fade. He wasn''tpletely invisible, but he became much harder to track, especially in the darkness. "Interesting technique, but¡ª" Before she finished her sentence, she vanished from view with an advanced use of timed blinking. "You''re too slow," she whispered in his ear. Nobu swung his short katana but only hit air. When he turned around, Tiara was already back in her original position. ''Impossible,'' he gulped hard. She could have killed him in that very moment. ''She''s toying with me.'' "20% is enough for you, " Tiara dered, her voice calm and confident. In the blink of an eye, she appeared in front of the shinobi, but instead of drawing her katana, she used her hands, which were coated with a swirling orange aura. ''I need to block it, '' Quickly, he swung his de. CLANG! The impact was intense. The powerful force knocked him backward, making him lose hold of his one katana. He was thrown through the air, unable to keep his bnce. THUD! Nobu hit the ground hard, pain shooting through his body. He fought to stay awake, struggling to keep his senses from fading. Tiara watched with an amused smile as her opponent struggled to regain his footing. Nobu struggled to stand up, wincing with every movement. He was in pain, and it took a lot of effort for him to get back on his feet. STEP! STEP! STEP! Tiara walked toward him slowly. She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. Her expression remained insulting, almost bored, as she spoke. "You''re really disappointing me right now." "Nobu-san!" Seki yelled, her voice filled with worry. A bright green aura started to surround him, glowing with a strong and powerful energy. The pain from his earlier injuries started to fade, and his body felt lighter, more powerful. ''I can still win this,'' he thought to himself , knowing that she still had Seki''s support. Her ability, though not suited for directbat, was invaluable in supporting those around her. Her power to enhance and heal others was a force multiplier, and right now, he could feel its effect. His strength doubled under her influence. Muscles tightened , his reflexes sharpened, and even his focus intensified. However¡ª Tiara watched without concern, even though she could feel Nobu''s strength increasing. "So that woman isn''t just for show," she mused, a hint of excitementcing her voice. Her eyes flicked briefly to Seki, acknowledging her presence and the strength she provided Nobu. "But even with that power-up, you''re still no match for me." Her words cut deep, and Nobu could feel that she was not lying at all. Gritting his teeth, he refused to give up. He held his remaining katana tighter, the green aura around him glowing brighter. He knew he had to keep fighting and find a way to get past her defenses. "Shadow Step!" he whispered and quickly closed the gap between them. SLASH!n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om SLASH! SLASH! Each of his strike was filled with desperation, his only goal being tond a hit. But his opponent barely moved. She just sidestepped or leaned back, making his attacks miss by inches. It was like she was ying a game, not even breaking a sweat. "Is this all you got?," Tiara said, her voice filled with disappointment . "URGH" Nobu grunted, pushing himself harder as he tried to outmaneuver her. He added kunai to his attacks, throwing them in quick session. Each one was meant to catch her off guard, but it was useless. Somehow, she always knew which one were real and which were just distractions. BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! The deflected kunai ttered against the walls, exploding on impact. "You can''t win with just this," Tiara taunted, her voice dripping with confidence. "You''re boring. Time to die." Finally, she raised her hand, and Nobu felt a sudden surge of danger. Instinctively, he jumped back, trying to dodge whatever wasing. But what happened next was beyond anything he could have imagined. THUD! His right dropped to the ground. For a moment, he didn''t even realize when it happened. It was only when hended back on his feet that the pain hit him, sharp and overwhelming. He looked down, seeing the blood pouring from where his arm used to be. ''ARGHH!'' He gritted his teeth, biting his lips hard to stop himself from screaming. The pain was unbearable, but he refused to show weakness. "Nobu-san!" Seki screamed, rushing to his side. Her hands glowed with a healing light as she worked frantically to close his wound. The bleeding slowed, but the pain still throbbed through his body. Seki-sama, I''m sorry, but I don''t think I can win this fight," Nobu admitted, his voice filled with defeat. The pain from his missing arm was bad, but realizing how outmatched he was hurt even more. He had thought that Tier 1 hunters from the West were just copying breathing techniques without truly mastering them or understanding their real essence. But now, he had seen it for himself. Tier 1 hunters were closer to the Demon yers than he had ever wanted to admit. Seki''s face went pale, her hands shaking as she kept healing him. If he gave up now, they would all be doomed. "Nobu-san, don''t say that. We still have a chance," she urged, her voice shaking with worry. She, too, saw the huge difference in power. But she refused to give up, holding on to the hope that they might still find a way to survive. "That''s right, why give up when you have me?" Chapter 389 Flicker "Sunny!" Seki turned around quickly, her heart skipping a beat as she saw a tall man walking toward them. He was very handsome, with a calm smile on his face. He looked like he was just taking a walk in the park, not stepping into a dangerous fight. For a moment, she felt a glimmer of hope. The way he carried himself, so confident and casual, made it seem like he was inplete control of the situation. "Nobu-san, I was wondering why it was taking you so long," Reign chuckled as he approached. "But to think you lost your arm." His tone was light, almost amused, despite the serious situation. Normally, Nobu would have felt insulted by those words. But right now, he was just relieved. Reign''s presence gave them a glimmer of hope. With him here, maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªthey had a chance to turn the tide of this battle if they work together. "Sunny, we need your help," Nobu said, his voice strained but hopeful. "We''re up against a Tier 1 hunter" Reign''s grin grew as he looked around, his eyes locking with Tiara''s. "Looks like I showed up just in time," he said with a smile. "I''ve been wanting to fight a Tier 1 hunter. Thest one I fought ran off before we could have a real fight." Tiara''s eyes narrowed as she studied her opponent''s rxed stance. "You think you can take me on? Stop lying," she sneered, her voice dripping with skepticism. She didn''t believe he had actually fought a Tier 1 hunter before. In her mind, a Tier 1 hunter wouldn''t run away¡ªafter all, they were the best of the best. "You can believe what you want, but I advise you not to overestimate yourself," Reign responded with a casual shrug. He took a step forward, standing with no visible defenses. Tiara''s sharp eyes noticed the gaps in his defense, making him look vulnerable. In her mind, this should be an easy kill. However, for some reason, she found Reign annoying. His overly confident attitude, as if treating the battle like a game, irked her. It was the kind of arrogance that only someone with her level had the right to show. She wasn''t used to being on the receiving end of it. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her amusement fading. "You really think you can handle me with that attitude?" she asked, her tone a bit frustrated . "I suppose it''s to be expected from someone who doesn''t know their limits." she added.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Reign''s rxed attitude didn''t change. "We''ll see about that," he said, still sounding easygoing. SWOOOOOSH! Tiara moved so fast that Nobu and Seki could not even see her. To them, it looked like she vanished. But for Reign, with his extreme reaction time, everything was in slow motion. She zipped behind him, just like she had done with Nobu. "I can kill you right now if I wanted to," she whispered in his ear. Reign didn''t flinch or react, knowing she wasn''t really nning to attack. When she popped back into her original position, ready tough and mocked her opponent, she found he wasn''t there. "Where are you looking?" She heard a whisper in her ear, so close that she felt the breath against her skin. Instinctively, she spun around. But it was toote. Reign was already back in his original spot. It wasn''t that his second body was faster; it was just that everyone else''s reaction time was so much slowerpared to him. Plus, he used his own version of timed blinking, making it seem like he was vanishing. If Quill were here, Reign''s movements would look slow inparison. "What happened? Where did your arrogance go?" Reign asked with a wide mocking grin, clearly enjoying her reaction. "YOU!" she shouted, her voice full of frustration. Her eyes were wide, and she bit her lip, trying to control her embarrassment. She had never felt so humiliated. The ego she had shown earlier was gone, reced by anger and difort. "Oh, sorry," Reign said with a smirk. "You were just too slow. I was getting bored waiting for you." He was enjoying the chance to teach this arrogant hunter a lesson. Who told her to act so audacious in front of him? If there was one thing he excelled at, it was making his opponents die from frustration before finishing them off. Tiara''s face twisted with rage. She clenched her katana tightly, struggling to control her anger and regain herposure. She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with a slow, hiss. "Pulse Banshee Breathing Technique ¡­ Resonant.! " EEEKKKKK! A loud, high-pitched scream burst from her mouth, filling the lobby with a painful, unending screech. The sound was so sharp and powerful that it shattered the ss windows, sending shards flying everywhere. Nobu and Seki mped their hands over their ears, their faces contorted in pain. It felt like their eardrums might burst at any moment. Sensing the danger, Seki quickly cast her healing ability. A green aura enveloped the three of them, intended to soothe and protect them from harm . But when her power reached Reign, it was instantly canceled out because of his divine body. He remained unaffected, standing calmly. The high pitched sound made his clothes vibrate, but other than that, he looked perfectly fine. Meanwhile, Tiara''s frustration grew after she saw his rxed expression She kept raising her voice, making the high-pitched scream even louder. The noise became so intense that the walls started to crack, and the whole building shook violently. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling, the very structure was protesting against the force of her attack. Tiara''s eyes narrowed as she observed Reign, expecting him to show some sign of difort against her attack. To her shock, he remainedpletely unfazed and unbothered by the noise. He casually picked at his ears with his fingers, removing some dirt. With a flick, he tossed it away, looking almost bored. She was speechless. ''H¡ª how is he not affected?'' Chapter 392 Protectors of the Innocent Reign mmed her into the floor over and over Her once-beautiful face was now swollen, bruised, and covered in blood. Every time she hit the floor, the sound echoed through the air, and the impact made her body shudder. Blood smeared across the cracked tiles as he lifted her up again, only to smash her down for what felt like the hundredth time. "You''re quite durable for a woman," Reign said with a cruel chuckle, gripping her hair tighter. Tiara struggled to breathe, her whole body hurting from the beating she had taken. But what made it worse was the way heughed at her, he was enjoying every second of it. She knew he was toying with her, not just trying to win, but making sure she felt every bit of her defeat. CRACK! Suddenly, the floor gave way with a loud sound and they both plummeted to the level below. Her body hit the ground first, with Reign using her as a human cushion. CRACK! Before she could even groan, they crashed through another floor. And another. "Oops," Reign said with a chuckle, not even pretending to care. Each time her back hit the ground, she spat out blood, her limbs iling helplessly. She couldn''t believe what was happening. Her strong body, which had always been her pride, was now causing her more pain than ever. Reign was practically surfing on her as they smashed through floor after floor. "I... I''ll kill you," she muttered between coughs, barely able to form the words. "I can''t hear you," Reign smirked, grabbing her by the shoulder as they crashed into yet another floor, the impact sending debris everywhere. When they finally hit the bottom floor with a deafening thud, the building around them began to crumble. Dust filled the air as walls buckled, and the ceiling caved in with a low rumble. Nobu and Seki, wide-eyed and panicked, didn''t waste a second. They escaped, barely avoiding the falling debris. Meanwhile, Reign stood in the middle of the destruction, watching as chunks of the building crumbled around them. He nced down at Tiara, lying on the shattered floor. Her body was beaten and bruised, her face swollen beyond recognition. "Still breathing, huh?" Reign said, stepping closer to her. He crouched down, staring at her with a smirk. "You''re tougher than I thought. Too bad it won''t save you now." His voice was cold, with no hint of mercy. Tiara could barely move, her body too damaged, but her eyes¡ªfilled with anger and pain¡ªred up at him, full of hatred. She hated being beaten so one-sidedly, even more than she feared dying. Using the little strength she had left, she looked up at him, her eyes full of anger.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om She hated Reign''s personality, not just for his actions but for who his whole existence. They were too much alike. Both cruel, both selfish. It was like two mas with the same charge¡ªthey just repelled each other. Explore hidden tales at empire But Reign''s cruelty? It was on a whole other level. If Tiara looked down on others, thinking she was better than everyone, Reign didn''t even care about anyone else. In his world, only he mattered. "You''ll die a dog''s death, Demon... My family will avenge me," she spat, blood dripping from her lips. She had already started to suspect it after he survived her surprise attack. Reign wasn''t human¡ªhe couldn''t be. The way he fought, the cruelty in his eyes, his overwhelming power, it all pointed to one thing: he was a demon in disguise. Not just any demon, but one with the power of a demon lord "Me, a demon?" Reign pointed at himself, pretending to be surprised. "I''m actually something else," he added, a sly smile forming on his lips. Before she could respond, his body began to glow with bright, golden light. A pair of radiant white wings unfolded from his back, and divine energy swirled around him. It wasn''t the dark, sinister power she had been used to see on demons. The light felt pure, unlike anything she had ever encountered before. Being surrounded by it made her feel warm, and strangely, it even healed some of her superficial wounds. "W¡ªWhat are you?" she stammered, her mind struggling to make sense of what she was seeing. His glowing body shattered her understanding. "I''m an angel, someone who judges evil people," Reign dered with a smirk,pletely messing with her mind. He wasn''t just trying to beat her physically; he wanted to crush her emotionally too. Tiara''s eyes widened in disbelief as she processed his words. "An angel?" she muttered, her mind racing. The existence of angels had been long forgotten by the public. But her family, one of the most powerful n in the world, had ess to ancient, well-kept knowledge. In those old texts, she had read about beings of light¡ªangels, the guardians of humanity. Before demons, before even the corrupted creatures, angels had once watched over the world, guiding humans and shaping their civilization. They were said to be pure, protectors of the innocent, not¡­ whatever Reign was. "You''re lying," she hissed, her voice shaky, trying to convince herself as much as him. "You can''t be an angel. You''re just a demon that is using some kind of illusion! ." Reign chuckled, his golden light glowing brighter as he took a step closer, his wing unfurling behind him. "A Demon?" he repeated, his tone mocking. "Can''t you feel my divine energy?" She was stunned, unable to deny the fact that the light was filled with a positive aura If her opponent was really an angel, then the stories were true. But how could someone as heartless and cruel as him be a protector of humans? "You can''t be... one of them," she whispered, her voice trembling with both fear and frustration. "Angels are supposed to be guardians... they''re not supposed to act like you." Reign smirked, leaning closer to her face. "That''s where you''re wrong,. I''m here to judge. And you? You''ve failed." Chapter 393 Protector of the Innocent 2 Tiara felt something strange in her chest, warm at first, but it quickly became an intense sensation. Confused, she tilted her head and noticed a glowing golden de piercing her heart. Strangely, it didn''t kill her immediately. Instead, she felt the energy flow through her body. Her eyes began to glow a bright gold, and suddenly, she started crying uncontrobly. Reign, standing nearby, looked surprised. He hadn''t expected this reaction. The divine energy was doing something he didn''t know it could do. "What... what''s happening?" she gasped, her voice shaking as tears streamed down her face. She didn''t understand why she was crying, but something deep inside her was being stirred up¡ªsomething painful. He watched her with a widening smirk, curious to see what would happen next. The divine energy he had used was affecting her soul, forcing her to feel regret for the things she had done in the past. It was like every bad decision, every betrayal, was crashing down on her all at once. "No... no, please..." she whispered. "I''m sorry, I''m sorry," Tiara began to plead. Her vision was flooded with images of all the terrible things she had done¡ªevery person she had hurt, every life she had taken. "What''s wrong,?" Reign asked, his voice calm but mocking. Tiara couldn''t answer. She was too overwhelmed by the guilt and regret filling her. This wasn''t just pain¡ªit was like being judged for her entire life. And she couldn''t handle it. As the regret overwhelmed her, her eyes glowed brighter, and her veins turned golden. Light began to seep out of every hole and orifice in her body. "NO!!!!!!" With onest, painful scream, she exploded into a shower of glowing light. The particles swirled around Reign for a moment, forming a glowing orb that was absorbed by his body. [Special Soul Acquired] [Souls Acquired] [Mutation Organ Acquired] As thest notification faded, Reign nced at the information disyed in his window. His eyes narrowed with satisfaction. The rewards were valuable, and he was particrly intrigued by the new "Special Soul" . It promised intriguing possibilities, but there was no time to checked into it now. He knew he had to move quickly. He turned on his heel and sprinted out of the crumbling ruins. Reign finally reached the alley where Nobu and Seki had fled. The narrow passage was dimly lit, with shadows stretching long and dark. He spotted them huddled together, their faces showing relief mixed with anxiety. "Are you all alright?" Reign asked, his voice steady as he assessed their conditions. They nced at him, then at each other, before their eyes fell back on him. It was hard not to notice that he was stillpletely naked. Hisck of concern for his appearance was weird¡ªhe showed no shame or difort. Nobu shifted ufortably, "Thank you, yeah, we''re fine," he said, his voice faltering. Seki nodded, trying to keep her focus on Reign''s face rather than his bottom part. "We''re okay. But... um, Sunny, do you... need something to wear?" Continue reading on empire Reign raised an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled. "Why? It''s not a big deal," he replied,pletely unbothered. Seki couldn''t help but chuckle softly, shaking her head. "Well, for most people, it would be." "I''m not most people," Reign replied bluntly. Nobu and Seki exchanged looks again, their confusion only deepening. Nobu, still feeling a bit uneasy, tried to change the topic. "Well, let''s just get somewhere safe and talk about what''s next. Seki nodded in agreement, though she couldn''t help but nce at Reign''s crown jewel. It was super impressive, and given its Westernized length , it overshadowed anything she''d ever heard before. Reign, oblivious to her wandering gaze, continued leading the way "Let''s keep moving," he said. Nobu looked at Reign''s back and felt a mix of jealousy and defeat. Reign seemed to excel in every way¡ªhe was younger, stronger, more powerful, had a way better appearance, and longer "Reach" The poor shinobi couldn''t help but feel overshadowed. He felt jealous, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He could only watched as Seki looked at Reign''s well-built back with admiration. The trio walked carefully through the alley, making sure no one saw them. Fortunately, with the Hunter Association''s building in ruins and everyone busy with the wreckage, they managed to slip through unnoticed.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om They retrieved their bags, and Reign got a new set of clothes, since he really stuck out a lot, literally. After a few minutes, they spotted a taxi and quickly climbed in. They headed toward their destination, the train station. They were scheduled to catch a train in a few hours, but Reign urged them to leave the city immediately. With all the destruction likely to make headlines, he wanted to make sure the whole ce waspletely erased before they could send a report to the other cities. Inside the cab, the atmosphere was tense. The driver looked uneasy, ncing around suspiciously. But just one look from Reign was enough to make him shut up. "Focus on the road, or else¡­" Reign warned, his tone leaving no room for forgiveness. "Y¡ª Yes, sir," the driver stuttered, deciding it was best to not try his luck. "Thank you again for helping us," Seki said, her voice filled with gratitude as she clutched the pendant around her neck. Reign''s eyes lingered on it, noticing that it looked simr to the one where Aiku''s soul was kept. He wondered if this pendant was also holding a soul. If it was, it meant there was a good chance that Aiku and Seki came from the same ce. SCREEECH! The taxi came to a stop, and the driver slowly said, "We''re here." "Thanks," Reign replied, handing him a stack of cash. The driver''s eyes widened in shock; the amount was at least a hundred times more than the fare. "Don''t worry," Reign said with a knowing smile "Just stay quiet and use this money to enjoy your life." "Thank you! Thank you so much!" The driver eximed, his face beaming with joy . Chapter 394 Pushing Luck The driver had no idea that Reign had given him that cash knowing it would soon be worthless. He kept thanking Reign for being so generous. And it wasn''t just the driver¡ªSeki''s impression of Reign also improved after seeing such a kind gesture. She felt that he was really kind, unaware of the brutal massacre he had carried out at the hunter association. "Let''s move," he leaded the way. From where they exited, the entrance to the station was still a few meters away. They had to walk to the station since the taxi could only essed a limited part of the area. Along the way, they encountered some military guards stationed in different outpost. Fortunately, they were quickly allowed through once Reign presented his papers from the Veiled Nights. This smooth passage demonstrated the significant influence the mercenary group held over government facilities They had an unspoken understanding about such matters. Inside the Station, Reign used his phone to contact Celine, the only other person missing. With her riding the train with him, he could finally set his ns into motion. His real body had been waiting outside, eager to level up. And given therge poption in Rosewood, reaching level 100 was within his grasp. ''Just a little more waiting,'' he muttered to himself while he pulled out his phone from his pocket. "Start preparing," Reign ordered over the line, his voice firm andmanding. (But the train won''t be running for another four hours,) Celine protested, annoyed at being disturbed from her sleep. She felt like he was being too intrusive, as if he owned her. This rtionship dynamic was troubling. "Change of schedule. I''m here now, and the train will leave two hours earlier than nned. Just get here fast," he said, lying through his teeth. (Are you sure? Maybe I''ll just skip this trip then.) "No, don''t do that! You need toe now," he snapped in frustration. There was a brief pause. "If you don''te with me, I''ll¡­" His threat trailed off, but before he could finish, Celine replied. ( I''ll go, I''ll go, just wait for me,) she quickly responded, her trauma resurfacing from his tone of voice. Good. Don''t keep me waiting," he said, sighing in relief. Seki overheard the conversation and was surprised by how concerned he sounded on the phone. She realized he was talking to a woman. ''Is he talking to his girlfriend?'' she wondered inwardly, feeling a twinge of pain and jealousy in her heart. Seki hated to admit it, but she hadpletely fallen for him. No woman could resist someone as handsome and powerful. It was only natural to be drawn to a man who embodied the qualities of an alpha male, and Reign was the perfect example in her eyes. Plus, she misunderstood his willingness to help and risk his life as a sign of affection for her. "Is that your girl¡­ friend ?'' she asked. "Yes," Reign answered, assuming he was just asking if Celine was a girl and a friend. It was her fault for putting a pause between the two words. "I¡­" She dropped her head, trying to hide the sadness in her eyes, not realizing he didn''t care about her feelings at all. He was only trying to form a connection with her for his own agenda. Nothing more, and nothing less. "She must be really pretty," she stuttered, trying to gauge his reaction. "She''s annoying. Every time I see her face, my heart beats really fast," Reign sighed heavily.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He really meant that he was annoyed with Celine, but his words came out differently because of how he phrased them. Seki''s eyes widened slightly, and she forced a small, nervousugh. "Oh, I see," she said, trying to hide her disappointment. "I guess that makes sense if she''s that pretty," "True, I feel like her face is the only thing going for her," he nodded in agreement . Seki''s heart ached again. Reign''s unintentional, brutally honestments were hitting her hard, causing her more stress. But she couldn''t take the hint and continued talking. "So¡­ is she prettier than me?" she asked, summoning all her courage and setting aside her shame. She had once been known as one of the prettiest womam in her n, so she was betting on that reputation. Reign paused and leaned in closer. Since she had asked, he felt it was only fair to answer honestly. "Nah, my heart doesn''t race when you''re around," he answered bluntly. Seki''s face turned bright red, and she fumbled for words. "Oh¡­ um, I guess that''s¡­ to be expected" If there had been soil beneath her, she would have wanted to dig a hole and bury herself in embarrassment. It was so unlike her to be this bold, and what made it worse was Reign''s nonchnt reaction. She assumed he was pretending not to notice her feelings so he wouldn''t have to reject her directly. "Let''s wait here for now," Reign suggested, pointing to a bench near the railings and the office where the station employees worked. Seki nodded and decided not to press her luck any further for now. Nobu, meanwhile, was secretly celebrating . He had watched the whole exchange and couldn''t help but be happy. It was obvious that Reign had no interest in her, which meant he still had a chance. Once they were safe on Green Valley, they could finally return to the East. With the artifact in their possession, they nned to use it as a bargaining chip to persuade their nation to send more resources, ensuring safer travel between continents. ''I need to make her fall for me within that time frame,'' he made a mental note to be more mindful and caring when dealing with her. With his shinobi career over after losing an arm, marrying a beautiful priestess who had just brought honor to their n was a solid retirement n. Explore hidden tales at empire "Seki-sama, about what I mentioned earlier," Nobu began, trying to start a conversation. Chapter 396 A Dangerous Feeling The train shuddered as the engine roared to life, more passengers climbing aboard. Reign''s group decided to stay in one cabin together, at least for now. They drew attention¡ªespecially Celine and Reign walking side by side. Thebination of their good looks couldn''t help but catch a few wandering eyes as they made their way through the corridor. However, one person in the group wasn''t enjoying the attention. Seki kept a neutral expression as she chatted casually with Celine, trying to hide the bitterness creeping into her chest. Meanwhile, Reign sat quietly, eyes closed, ignoring the entire situation. His posture radiated detachment, as if nothing around him mattered. Seki nced at him, raising an eyebrow. ''Weird...''she muttered under her breath. For a second, she sensed something off about his body. As a priestess, she was attuned to souls, and looking at him now felt like staring at an empty shell. It wasn''t just her. Even Celine and Nobu felt something was off, but neither mentioned it. Reign had enough power to defeat a Tier 1 Hunter¡ªwhatever secrets he was hiding were probably something they should never pry on. As the train picked up speed, the group settled in. Celine nced over at Reign, noticing his steady breathing. "Looks like he''s out," she said softly, trying not to disturb him. Turning to Seki and Nobu, she added, "We should head back and rest too." Seki nodded, hiding the fatigue in her eyes. "Good idea, Celine-san. Let''s get some sleep." The three quietly made their way to the door. Celine gently slid it open, careful not to make any noise, and they stepped out into the narrow corridor. Nobu closed the door behind them with a soft click. Their footsteps were barely audible as they walked down the dimly lit hallway. "I''ll catch you bothter," Celine said, giving a brief nod before heading to her room. Seki and Nobu stood in silence for a moment. Nobu''s eyes flicked toward her, but she quickly looked away, avoiding his gaze. Now that the danger had passed, smaller, more personal matters bubbled to the surface. His confession. The words couldn''t be taken back. It lingered between them, unspoken but heavy. She shifted slightly, then turned without a word, heading to her own cabin. "Seki-sama," Nobu said, his voice hesitant as he followed behind her. He was struggling to find the right words. She quickened her pace, hoping he''d take the hint. He didn''t. "If you need anything, I''m right next door," he offered, forcing a smile. "Just knock. I can even¡ª" Before he could finish, she turned on her heel, her face calm but her eyes showing hints of difort. "Nobu-san, I need to rest. Let''s talkter...," The smile she forced barely hid her true emotions. Without waiting for a reply, she turned around quickly, stepped into her cabin, and shut the door so fast that he almost got his foot stuck in it. The sound of the lock clicking echoed in the quiet hallway, leaving him standing there awkwardly with his hand still in the air, as if he was waiting for her to open the door again. For a moment, he just stared at the closed door, his face darkening. ''Ungrateful '' he muttered under his breath, fists clenched. ''I can''t believed I was willing to die for you.. '' He had been willing to die for her, but she treated him like this. It stung¡ªhis pride more than anything. If she had been cold from the start, it might have hurt less. But seeing her throw herself at Reign, so clearly infatuated with him, felt like salt in the wound. ''What does she even see in that psychopath? Is it because he''s young? Strong?'' His thoughts twisted in anger, fueling the bitterness growing inside him. ''You want him that badly? Fine. But just wait¡­ you''ll be mine. No matter what. '' He chuckled softly, a sadistic light flickering in his eyes as his thoughts twisted into darker, more unsettling perverted fantasies. Love could be a positive emotion, but it also had the power to bring out the worst in people. On the other side of the door, Seki leaned against the door, exhaling deeply. She knew exactly what he wanted, and the thought was repulsing. The more she pushed him away, the more reckless he seemed to be. She couldn''t keep pretending to be friendly¡ªit felt wrong, especially after his confession. There was no hiding his intentions anymore, and that scared her. It was very obvious that he wanted to do inappropriate things with her body, and just thinking about it made her feel sick and disgusted. He was supposed to be her guardian, not someone with such disturbing thoughts. It was outrageous. ''Are all men like this?'' she thought bitterly. Her opinion of them had soured, worsened by Nobu''s recent behavior. But then her thoughts shifted. Not all men were like this. One man stood out¡ªReign/Sunny. Despite her subtle hints, he had never looked at her with the same lustful gaze Nobu did. No, he was different. He was like a mountain¡ªstrong, unmovable, and indifferent to most women. Once he set his eyes on a particr girl, no one else couldpare. She envied that. ''She''s so lucky¡­ I want someone like him too,'' Seki sighed, feeling a pang of jealousy. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she was falling for him more. He was someone she could never have. That made him even more desirable. Seki tried to calm herself, sitting down on the small sofa She unsped the pendant around her neck and closed her eyes, holding it gently in her hands. As she began to pray softly, the pendant glowed with a faint light. The soothing rhythm of her prayer slowly erased the lingering tension.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Her worries faded, even if only for a moment. Whether it was the pendant or her faith that helped, it didn''t matter. For now, her mind felt a bit clearer. Chapter 401 The Price of Loyalty Part 2 Seki struggled desperately to break free from Nobu''s grip, her hands pushing against him with every ounce of strength she had left. She tried to summon her powers to fight back, but it was as if they were slipping through her fingers. Something in his saliva had a paralyzing effect, and she could feel her body growing numb and weak. Her movements became clumsy and slow, each attempt to resist feeling more futile than thest. But it didn''t end there. He continued, using his tongue and forcing it deeper until it reach her throat and making her feel like she might vomit. Tears of frustration and fear filled her eyes, and her cries for help were muffled. Nobu didn''t stop until she waspletely helpless. His expression became cruel, with his eyes wide open. He stood up slowly, enjoying the lingering taste of her saliva. With a satisfied lick of his lips, he turned and locked the door behind him. CLICK! "Now no one can disturb us," His breathing was heavy with excitement, and he could barely control himself. "I''m going to make you my woman,." The room grew eerily silent except for the sound of her muffled sobs and the thumping of her heart in her chest. She knew she had to find a way out, or she would be a victim of his twisted desires. Her thoughts raced as she tried to remember everything she''d learned about her powers. There had to be something she could do, some way to ovee this strange effect. But as she searched her mind, she found nothing but fear. The tears kepting, streaming down her face and pooling on the cold, hard floor beneath her. "Seki-sama, don''t waste your time. You will not be able to move without an antidote," he chuckled as he sat down on the sofa . As he rolled his shoulder, he looked nothing like the Nobu she had known. She wanted to scream and shout at him for taking advantage of her, but no sound came from her mouth. "You still look so beautiful¡­ so pure¡­ so young." His voice dripped with lust as he took a slow step closer, his eyes scanning her body. "You might think I''m doing this because I fell for you while we are travelling and you rejected me, but you''re wrong." He reached out, his fingers lingering near her face, as he spoke. "I''ve been watching you for a long time, even before the mission. No, it was even way way before that." Seki was ovee with horror. She was still young, and the idea that he had been watching and nning for so long made her feel sick. How could a man at his age say such disgusting things to someone young enough to be his daughter? She felt like an idiot for ever believing, even for a short period of time, that he was a good man. "That''s right. The n didn''t choose me. When I found out you were going on this mission, I did everything I could to get picked." He leaned closer, his thumb tracing gently over her lips, as if savoring the control he had over her.N?v(el)B\\jnn "At first, I was content just watching you. I thought that if we spent more time together, you''d eventually fall for me." His hands cupped her face, his thumbs tracing the delicate curves of her ears. The touch was gentle, almost tender, which made it all the more revolting. A shiver ran down her spine as she realized just how severe his obsession was. Nobu''s expression change into one of rage as he continued. "But you started liking that guy, Sunny!" He grabbed her cheeks tightly, his eyes wild. "You wanted to kiss him, didn''t you? Well, it''s toote now because I was first!" Heughed maniacally, the sound bouncing on the walls. Then, he shoved his tongue into her mouth again. Seki gasped for air, her breathsing in short, frantic bursts as his lips pressed hard against hers. She tried to breathe, but his tongue was overwhelming, making it hard to get any air. Nobu pulled away from her lips with a satisfied smile His gaze shifted to her neck, where he began kissing and licking it. He also moved his hands under her sweeter. The fabric of her top slid down her shoulders, and she felt the weight of it fall away. The underwear she wore was a traditional piece from her n, designed to keep her modesty while still allowing for ease of movement. But now, it served only to highlight her vulnerability. He took his time, savoring the view. His eyes roamed her upper body, and she could see the hunger in them, the desire to im her in every way possible. "And now, my sweet Seki-sama, it''s time for you to be mine," His hands moved to touch her pink nipples, and she couldn''t help but flinch. She felt vited, as if he was stealing a part of her soul with every caress. His thumbs hovered over her nipples, and she couldn''t help but gasp at the sensation. It was wrong, but her body still responded to his touch, much to her disgust. Her eyes searched his, looking for any sign of weakness, any glimmer of humanity that she could exploit. But all she found was the cold, empty stare of a man who had been consumed by lust. "I can''t hold it anymore!" he groaned. ZIIIITTTTT The sound of his zipper echoed through the room, a sign of the horror toe. He was going to take something from her that she could never get back, and there was nothing she could do to stop him. In her desperate state, She could only pray for rescue. Her mind raced through a blur of fear and helplessness, her silent plea echoing in her thoughts. As tears streamed down her face, a face suddenly appeared in her mind¡ªa young handsome man with pristine white hair and mesmerizing eyes. "Please save me... Sunny!" she managed to scream despite all odds. Chapter 402 Blessing or a Curse Part 1 SWOOOOSH! Reign''s original body soared high through the sky, watching the train steadily moving below. Curious, he activated his Undead Eye, a skill his second bodycked, to scan for any strong enemies on board. A few people had strong vitality, but they were nothing special¡ªjust trash. It was ironic that some of these people were considered powerful or very talented. But to him, they were no different from ordinary humans, except that they had more experience points to offer. ''Let''s see where she is,'' He already memorized the position of each rooms so it didn''t take him long to find Celine''s room. She was already sleeping soundly on her bed. There was nothing unusual about her room, so he decided to check the others when something caught his attention. His eyes locked onto the cabin where Seki was supposed to be. He casually examined the room through his undead vision scanning for any signs of movement or activity. But instead of just her, there were two life forces. One was on top of the other. He squinted his eyes and saw that the one pinned down on the floor was Seki. Meanwhile, the person''s vitality on top of her Stood out, and he quickly recognized it as Nobu''s. What caught his attention, though, was the way his vitality was spiking like crazy. It surged in real-time, almost as if it was expanding at rapid rate. ''This is new,'' Reign thought, nodding to himself.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om ''I didn''t know Nobu was hiding this much vitality. You really can''t judge a book by its cover.'' He made a mental note about the unusually high vitality rate of the men from the East, impressed by the hidden potential Nobu was revealing. It was actually a very good sign. If Nobu had this much vitality, it meant that humans from the East would likely give him more experience points. ''What are they doing? Why are they hugging each other?'' he wondered for a split second before shaking his head, remembering he couldn''t care less. ''Well, I guess that''s what ''travelpanions'' get up to.'' He pped his wings, soaring ahead of the train without a second thought, leaving Nobu and Seki to their business. The irony was, even though he saw everything, he didn''t care enough to stop or intervene¡ªthere were far more important things on his mind than whatever the two of them were up to. *** *** *** Inside the cabin, Nobu was momentarily stunned by her scream. His eyes widened in surprise; he hadn''t expected her to be able to shout at all. ''Damn it, why can''t you just be quiet and love me?'' He cursed, bracing himself for the worst. Someone who could defeat a Tier One hunter had senses far beyond normal. There was a good chance he had overheard themotion, even though the room was supposed to be soundproof. ''I''m dead,'' he muttered, clicking his tongue in frustration. There was no way out of this. "HELP!!¡ª " Her scream broke the silence, forcing Nobu into immediate action. He quickly leaned in, covering her mouth to stifle any further cries. With her mouth muffled, Nobu''s face remained calm but his hands were shaking slightly as he opened her cheeks. He drooled directly into her mouth, adding more to paralyze her body further. His heart pounded as he worked quickly, ensuring she remained subdued and unable to alert anyone. She struggled, hoping Reign had overheard her plea. He was her only chance to escape. If anyone could hear her, it would be him. KNOCK! KNOCK! Nobu froze the moment he heard the knock, his heart skipping a beat. KNOCK! KNOCK! Panic shed across his face as he froze, not sure what to do next. Sweat started forming on his forehead as he clenched his fists, trying to calm himself. Who could it be? Moments passed, and no more knocks echoed. Her heart sank as shey there, realizing the sad truth. She had hoped that Reign woulde to her rescue, but she soon understood that this wasn''t a movie where the hero swoops in to save the day. No, this was reality. Right now, her reality was controlled by Nobu, who was now smiling creepily, knowing her attempt had failed. "Don''t worry, Seki-sama," Nobu chuckled with a twisted grin. "After our bodies be one, you''ll learn to love me. I''ll make sure to take care of you¡­ and our child," he continued. Her eyes widened as his hands moved downward, lightly tracing the curves of her stomach. She remained trapped under his control. The disgusting scent of his breath filled her nostrils as he leaned closer. Then, without warning, his mouthnded on her again. His lips were wet and cold. He kissed her deeply, his tongue pushing past her teeth and exploring her mouth like a hungry beast. Her eyes watered and her heart ached as she felt his hands sliding beneath her skirt, caressing the soft, sensitive skin of her inner thighs. ''Please save me from this nightmare,'' she cried inwardly, but it was already toote. The paralyzingpound had fully circted through her system, causing her consciousness to fade. She could barely keep her eyes open as she slipped into a half-induced haze. Her vision blurred, and she struggled to focus on what was happening around her. Nobu''s lips moved , starting from her neck. He leaned in, nting slow, deliberate kisses on her skin, moving downward. His lips brushed against her nipples, and she could feel him sucking on it. Nobu''s lips moved down to her stomach, and as he kissed lower, Seki''s heart pounded with fear. His hands grew more invasive, and he reached her waistband, pulling down her bottom underwear slowly. His touch moved up and down her soft thighs, each moment feeling like an endless nightmare. Finally, the fear became too much to bear. Her vision blurred and she slowly lost consciousness. As she slipped away, she couldn''t tell if losing awareness was a blessing or a curse. Chapter 403 Blessing or a Curse Part 2 Seki''s shoulders trembled as she hugged her own body, trying to make sense of her disoriented state. She couldn''t remember the details of what happened after she lost consciousness. Slowly, she turned her gaze to the figure responsible for her suffering. But instead of the anger she expected, a wave of fear washed over her. Nobu was on the ground, lifeless. His body had no visible wounds, but his face was twisted in sheer terror. Seki stared at the sight, and ... "That''s what you get! You disgusting pig!" Seki shouted, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and excitement. Laughter burst from her, rough and uncontroble. Seeing him dead brought extreme joy to her heart. She didn''t even care how he had died. However-- A sharp pain made her wince, and she noticed droplets of dry blood on the floor. It didn''t take long for her to realize what had happened. THUD! She slumped down on her bed, her whole body shaking as she covered her face with both hands.N?v(el)B\\jnn "No¡­ No¡­ No.." She cried nonstop, her sobsing out in muffled, painful bursts. Tears soaked through her fingers and onto the bed. Her shoulders shook with each cry, her emotions pouring out all at once. In that moment, she felt overwhelmed by everything she had been through. KNOCK! KNOCK ! KNOCK Suddenly, a noise from the door jolted her out of her tears, sending her into a panic. ''No, I can''t let anyone know what happened here!'' she thought frantically. She quickly changed her clothes and rushed to clean up the blood on the floor. Determined to protect her reputation. After fixing her hair, she opened the door to find a familiar face. "What happened?" Celine asked, noticing Seki''s troubled face. "Celine-sama!" she eximed, throwing her arms around her in a tight hug. "What happened? Did someone hurt you?" Seki stepped aside to reveal Nobu''s lifeless body. "He tried to force his way to me¡­ I had to¡­ I had to¡­" She began to sob, her voice breaking. "It''s okay!" Celine said, pulling her into aforting hug again. "It''s not your fault. You only protected yourself," she reassured her, trying to ease the pain. Both women hugged each other, their embrace providing somefort. "What''s with all the noise?" Reign asked, interrupting their moment. "Sunny, Nobu tried to assault Seki. She had no choice but to defend herself," Celine exined quickly. ''Assault? That was like an hour ago,'' he thought to himself. From what he remembered, it wasn''t just a "try"¡ªNobu had already been in the act. But he chose not to mention it. He didn''t care much about the specifics of what had happened to her. As long as she could still be of use to him in the East, that was all that mattered. As for Nobu, he reaped what he sowed¡ªliterally. "I see," Reign said with a calm and unreadable tone. Seki nodded weakly, her tears still flowing. "Yes, Sunny! He tried to force himself on me, and I had to¡­ I had to protect myself before he could..." Reign looked at her with a detached expression, puzzled by why she felt the need to exin herself so strongly. It wasn''t as if he cared about her feelings. Celine noticed his cold, indifferent reaction and couldn''t help but feel pity for Seki. Reign was as heartless as a stone when it came to things he deemed unimportant. "Well, there''s not much we can do now. It''s best to report this to the train staff. We can''t have you staying here with a dead body." Seki realized just how insignificant she was to him. If something like this had happened to Celine, he would probably be furious. Noticing the cold expression on his face, Celine decided to take action before he could say anything unnecessary. "Sunny, we need to call someone to handle this situation," she said firmly. "Can you contact the train staff?" Reign, clearly not a fan of the prospect of dealing with a distraught woman, gave a nod. He wandered through the train''s corridors until he found a staff member. "There''s been an incident," he reported briefly. "A passenger is dead, and we need to handle it quickly and quietly." The train employee, understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded and contacted the rest of the team. Within minutes, a small group of employees followed him. Back in the cabin, Celine remained with Seki, who was still trembling and trying to regain herposure. The train staff entered the room with a serious look. They quickly spotted the corpse and worked carefully to avoid messing up the room. They unzipped a ck body bag and began moving the corpse. The process was quick and orderly, done to make sure it didn''t disturb the other passengers. Celine watched with a heavy heart as the staff did their work. She was thankful for how quickly they moved, but she couldn''t shake her sadness for Seki, who had just been through such a terrible experience. The train employees finished their work, took down a report of what happened, and left the room, leaving the three of them alone. Normally, such cases would be investigated, but incidents like this were usually brushed aside. No one had the time or energy to deal with an already dead body. In addition, Nobu was found in the victim''s room. Given her statement, it was highly likely that she was telling the truth. "It''s taken care of," Reign broke the silence. "I''m going back to my room. Celine, you should give her some space," hemanded. "But¡ª" she started to protest, but Seki grabbed her shoulder and smiled. "Go, he''s right. I need some time alone." Celine sighed and didn''t argue. "Get some sleep," When the two left the cabin, Seki stared at the door for a few seconds. Her face showed deep sadness for a moment, but then it abruptly changed. ''Those two are not humans,'' she muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing as a sinister smile crept across her face. ''This is the first time I''ve seen souls like that. It looks like this trip won''t be boring after all,'' Chapter 406 Truth Beneath Lies Part 1 "You think you can fool me?" Aika sneered with contempt. She was not that naive, immediately figuring his scheme. "I''m not lying. I really do know her," Reign said with a shrug. "Let me guess¡ªyou were sacrificed, right?" He spoke calmly, recalling the important details from his conversations with Aiku. Aika was stunned by his words. The events of her suffering happened long ago, and even Seki didn''t know about them, as it was a secret that had been buried in history. Still, she needed to be sure before making a decision. "What''s your rtionship with her ? " ''Got you,'' A satisfied smirk spread across his face as he realized how effortlessly he had deceived her. Now, all he needed to do was say the right thing to calm her down, and maybe he could avoid fighting her directly. He wasn''t afraid of her¡ªhe could always sacrifice this body if things got dangerous¡ªbut he preferred to avoid any unnecessary risk if possible. "I''m one of her allies," he admitted. "Allies?" she questioned, her tone full of skepticism. She observed him carefully, searching for any indication of trickery. But he kept hisposure, his face showing no sign of hesitation as he continued to stood with confidence. "If you really are one of her allies, then you need to prove it." Her guard was up, but there was a flicker of hesitation in her voice. "Prove it how?" "If you know her, then you''d know something she only knew. Tell me something she shared with you¡ªsomething personal." Reign''s mind raced as he recalled his conversations with Aiku. He had asked her plenty of questions before, but most of her memories were fragmented and iplete, making them almost useless. However, if he could piece together the missing details, he could craft a believable story with a high chance of sess. A sudden thought crossed his mind. He took a moment to breathe deeply and then began to sing softly, his voice smooth and melodic. "Sleep, my child, don''t you cry, mother is here, so close your eyes. Rest now, my child, justice near, In your body, they''ll know fear." The sound of his voice filled the air, causing Aika who was hidden from view, to tremble . Herposed expression faltered for the first time. The song, a familiar luby, struck a deep chord. Only someone who knew Aiku well could recognize those words. It was a song she had sung during their captivity, a melody meant to add a touch of color to their bleak existence. In the distance, the space began to warp. The distortion gradually cleared, revealing her true body. Her long, dark hair fell around her shoulders, held back with pretty hairpins that shone softly in the red light. She wore a white yukata, a traditional robe that flowed around her. She looked almost like Aiku but younger and more attractive. Her small, blood-red lips also stood out against her pale skin, making her look both timeless and traditional. With her delicate features and the way she dressed, she resembled a living doll. "Y¡ªyou really know my mother?" Her voice shook, and her eyes were full of hope and longing. She clutched the edges of her white yukata tightly, as if afraid to let go of the hope that his words might be true. ''Her mother? Wait, so that song was for her?'' Reign''s eyes widened in surprise, stunned by the unexpected connection. Aiku had never mentioned having a daughter, but given her unreliable memory, that wasn''t surprising. Still, thinking it over, the song was a dead giveaway that she had been a mother when she was human. ''You''ve got to be kidding me,'' he added, feeling as if this twist was straight out of a movie. The revtion was like a perfectly ced continuation of a well thought foreshadowed plot. "She never mentioned having a daughter, but you look just like her," "Are you really telling the truth?" she demanded, her voice trembling as red tears welled up in her eyes. "Where is she?" She looked both sad and happy at the same time. If any men were here right now, they''d fall for her instantly. Her beauty surpassed even Seki''s, and her mncholic expression would make anyone want to cherish and protect her. But Reign couldn''t care less. He paused for a moment, considering his next move. Telling her what she wanted to hear was one thing, but he needed to stay cautious. She was still a threat, and her power level was unknown. "If you want to find out where she is, you''ll have to prove yourself first. I can''t just take your word for it. You might be trying to trick me with an illusion." "I am her daughter!" she insisted. "Prove it," He chuckled, flipping the situation back on her. "Prove it how?" In her excitement, she didn''t noticed that she was now ying right into his hands, asking her the same question she had asked earlier. "Beat me. If you can make me surrender, then I''ll tell you where your mother is. If you''re really her daughter, you must be strong,¡ª " Before he could finish his sentence, a shadow erupted from beneath him, bursting through the ground and reaching for him. He managed to leap away just in time. But the attack didn''t stop there¡ªmore shadow tendrils burst out in hundreds, each one aiming to quickly subdue him. But he wasn''t worried at all. Instead, he was smiling from ear to ear.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om He had set this up intentionally to gauge just how strong she really was without the danger of him dying. Reign dodged each shadow that tried to ensnare him, making it look easy at first. But as he continued to evade, he noticed the shadows were multiplying and moving faster. The more he dodged, the more shadows appeared, forming an ever-tightening web. He knew that it was only a matter of time before he would be caught. "Not bad," he called out, "But is that all you''ve got?" Chapter 408 Truth Beneath Lies Part 3 Aiku''s heart raced the moment she saw the golden bow in his hands. She knew instantly¡ªthis was bad. Really bad.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om The bow itself wasposed of pure divine energy, intended solely to purify impurities. And since her soul was created through evil means, it was pure in nature but tainted with negative energy. This was why Reign had previously assumed that Aiku was a demon. The space around her started to warp and twist as she acted fast. Reign stood still, his eyes scanning the area where she had been, but she was nowhere to be seen. He wasn''t surprised. He knew that she was almost impossible to catch in this ce. Still, that didn''t mean he no ways to beat her. Reign smirked, the golden bow glowing brightly in his hands. "You can hide, but you can''t run forever. Come out, or I''ll blow this whole ce up." No response. The rice fields around him swayed in the wind, but Aiku waspletely hidden. He stared at the swaying fields, feeling his sense of bnce getting messed up again. "Heavenly Will," he chanted, and instantly the effect vanished. However, he was still trapped in this ce, indicating that this was not just a mental attack. He tried using his Heavenly Will to see through any illusions, but no matter what he did, he couldn''t detect her. It made him wonder if she was even here to begin with. He pulled back on the bowstring, summoning a golden arrow made of pure light. The arrow hummed with energy, growing brighter by the second. "You leave me no choice." He released the arrow, and it shot up into the sky . Once it reached its peak, it exploded, splitting into thousands of smaller arrows. Each one rained down on the rice fields, crashing into the ground with bright shes of light. The entire area lit up, and any shadows in its path were torn apart. For a moment, everything was bright as day. But when the light faded, Aiku was still nowhere to be found. Reign''s eyes narrowed. ''Am I missing something? Isn''t her power rted to shadows?'' Suddenly, the ground beneath him trembled. He nced down in time to see thick tendrils of shadow shoot up from the dirt, wrapping tightly around his legs. Reign''s wings red out, glowing with golden light. With one powerful p, the light from his wings cut through the shadow tendrils, breaking them apart without even any hint of resistant. More and more shadow tendrils appeared, trying to trap him in a web of darkness. SWOOOOSH! He shot up into the air, hovering above the ground. "Close but not enough," Reign muttered to himself, his smirk returning. "Let''s see what else you''ve got." Above him, the air twisted again, and suddenly, spears made of pure shadow rained down from the sky, aimed to take out his aerial advantage. Reacting, he spun mid-air, dodging most of the spears with ease. One managed to nick his wing, but the damage was minimal thanks to the protection of his golden light. ''Sweet, maybe I can really test a lot of my skills in this ce,'' he chuckled to himself. Aiku had no idea she was being used as a sparring partner, nothing more than a tool for him to measure his strength. "Give me all you got," he called out, his voice echoing through the fields. "And let''s see if you can keep up." With a powerful beat of his wings, Reign shot forward, releasing another volley of light arrows. BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! Each one streaked through the air, exploding on impact, and sending out waves of light that rippled through the surrounding area, trying to flush her out of hiding. He narrowed his eyes, watching for any sign of movement, but once again, she was nowhere to be seen, slipping through the cracks in reality like smoke. Not giving her a moment to think, he didn''t bother choosing a particr spot to hit. Instead, he drew back his bowstring in rapid session, firing arrows everywhere, They rained down across the field, striking with such force that each hit shook the ground, creating craters and blinding shes of light. BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! His bombardment was overwhelming, leaving no space for her to reappear without facing instant destruction. When his attack stopped, he looked around at the chaos. The area was in ruins, with every stalk of wheat reduced to ash. However¡ª ''Where is she hiding?'' he muttered, his eyes darting around the area. Even though he had fired countless arrows, she was still nowhere to be seen. ''Did I underestimate her too much?'' ''Should I just finish this?'' he thought to himself. He had already tried most of his bow-rted skills and doubted that any of his other weapons would made any major difference. In the addition, her constantly hiding was making the fight feel monotonous and boring. ''Time to end this,'' He raised his bow high above his head, golden light pouring into the weapon. As he pulled back the string, a brilliant golden arrow began to materialize, its energy crackling in the air. The bow vibrated with power as he poured majority of his divine energy into the single arrow, making its light grow brighter and brighter. ''This is my strongest attack so far. Let''s see how long I can keep it steady.'' The glow intensified, bing so bright it teared the space itself. Cracks began to form in the area around him, visibly straining under the immense pressure. "Stop!" her voice echoed in panic. The ground rippled and distort, and in an instant, she appeared as if she had materialized from thin air. She looked distressed,pletely different from the cold and confident person she had been before. But he didn''t listen and kept charging his arrow, set on destroying this ce for good. "Wait... Don''t do it! This ce is my consciousness. If you destroy it, I''ll die too!" she eximed. "Consciousness?" Reign repeated, his voice filled with skepticism . "You''re saying that we''re inside your mind?" Chapter 409 Truth Beneath Lies Part 4 "You''d better hurry. My finger is itching to let this arrow fly." Aika narrowed her eyes, annoyed by his tone. Still, she knew her options were limited so she did not react. "No," she shook her head. "It''s moreplicated than that." "Start exining... or else I''ll really kill you," he warned, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. Aika''s brow twitched with frustration. She didn''t want to reveal this information, but she was cornered. She had barely managed to hold on after the earlier attack. If he released that arrow, the entire ce would copse, taking her with it. Although she appeared okay , her real self was severely weakened by his attacks. It was almost a miracle she had survived this long. "I will tell you¡­ but let''s talk outside," In an instant, he found himself back on the train, no longer in his angel form. He was in the same position he had been in before. The sudden shift felt disorienting and surreal. ''System, what exactly happened?''. [System: Not enough data] ''So even you don''t know,'' he sighed before turning his attention. "Talk," he said, breaking the silence between them. Aika, now in Seki''s body, sighed deeply and sat down on the bed. Her powers were no match for his divine energy, while his attacks where all deadly and fatal to her. With countless ways to destroy her, she knew there was nothing she could do but surrender. If she had never discovered his connection to her mother, she would have fought to the bitter end. But now, reuniting with her mother was her priority. To ensure her survival, she would be willing to cooperate with him, even if it meant acting like an ally. "I trapped you in my dream," she admitted. Confusion crossed Reign''s face as he thought, ''How did she do that? I thought I had some mental defenses in ce .'' [System: The dream is rted to souls rather than the mind. ] ''Wait so does it mean that my soul is weaker than her ?'' [System: Not enough data] Reign sighed, noticing that his system was also stumped by Aika. This indicated that she was on a level beyond regr understanding, like Meta-humans. The system couldn''t provide more concrete information because of this. However¡ª One thing became clear during their conversation: he had just experienced a new kind of attack that even his system couldn''t detect in time. A different type of power, one that waspletely foreign to him and the system . He started to realize that the more he faced different type of opponents, the less reliable his system had be in terms of providing it information.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om This brought mixed feelings. On one hand, he felt relieved that his system wasn''t as all-powerful as he had originally thought, meaning he might still be able to tame in the worst case scenario. On the other hand, he felt uneasy knowing there were powers in this world that even his system couldn''t exin. If he became toocent, he might find himself in a dangerous situation where no amount of cheat system could help him. He turned his attention towards Aika. She remained calm, sitting on the bed, clearly no longer interested in continuing the fight after knowing that he knew her mother. He wasn''t lying about that. However, their rtionship was more of a master and servant than a partnership. ''Well, if I can make her more cooperative, then there''s no need to fix the misunderstanding ,'' "Can you exin more about how you pulled it off?" he asked "I can''t really exin it in details," she replied softly, her voicecking any sign of deception. Despite sensing some truth in her words, Reign wasn''t about to let her evade the question. His curiosity was burning inside him. He was determined to understand how she wielded such ability and was eager to see if he could use something simr. His thirst for more power was insatiable; it was simply part of who he was. "I''m telling you the truth, I really don''t know," "Then do it again," he ordered, his tone firm. "This time, do it slowly so I can see how it''s done." Aika''s eyes narrowed slightly, her expression shifting from casual to cautious. "Before I show you again, you need to make me a promise," she said, her voice taking on a serious tone. "What is it ?" "Will you really tell my mother''s whereabouts? I need to know." "Of course, I don''t see any benefit in hiding her location from you. Just do it," Reign responded. Hearing his reassurance, Aika got up and readied herself to use her power again. Though she was exhausted from their earlier fight, she could still manage a brief demonstration of her ability. ''System, make sure to take in everything,'' Reignmanded. He focused all his senses to the maximum, determined not to be caught off guard again. Now that he knew what wasing, he could analyze the situation more thoroughly. "Jigoku!" Aika''s voice rang out, and her shadow exploded from all direction. Reign''s senses were pushed to their limits, and everything slowed down. He noticed the shadow approaching him, but something felt off. Instead of the room being covered by the shadow, it seemed as if his vision was growing darker, as though what he saw was confined only to his own eyes. His suspicion was confirmed when he looked at Aika''s eyes. They were slowly turning darker, as if ink was being poured over them, gradually shading them ck. When his vision cleared, he found himself back in the rice field. Momentster, the scene shifted again, and he was back on the cabin. "Satisfied?" she asked. Reign stayed silent, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. ''System, give me your findings?'' he asked. [System: It''s an isted Domain] ''Is that even possible ?'' [System: Previous data suggested otherwise, but current observations show that her domain operates differently. Instead of covering a physical area, her domain affects the target soul directly, bypassing physical contact.] Chapter 410 Truth Beneath the Lies Part 5 ''That''s impressive,'' He found her unique ability fascinating. A different type of domain that even the system couldn''t analyze and copy was pretty rare. If he was being honest, the number of times he had used a domain could be counted on one hand.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om It wasn''t because he thought it was weak. The real issue was that it was far too shy. While it did give him an advantage, it created a noticeable ck dome that everyone outside could see. Even if he could shrink it, the negative energy it released was overwhelming and would leave obvious traces. However¡ª If he could somehow imitate her powers, it would give him more flexibility in his fighting style. It was no exaggeration to say that her value in his eyes was as high as that of meta-humans. ''Can I get her power if I eat her?'' He narrowed his eyes, studying her from head to toe. She sat on the bed, trying to appear normal, but he could sense that something was off. She must have burned through a lot of energy fighting him earlier. Even though he hadn''t hit her directly, his observation told him that every attack within her domain affected her. It was one of her weaknesses¡ªa trade-off for her unique power. [System: Host, the system advise against eating her. She''s an unknown entity, and there may be side effects.] ''This is serious, even the system is warning me,'' But he didn''t really need her anymore. Making her a servant was also not an option because he could not control her like Aiku. Plus, now that she''d let her guard down, it was the perfect moment to kill her. There was a bit of a downside. If he killed her now, all his efforts would be wasted, and he''d have to start the search for someone else from the East all over again. Still, the thought of absorbing her power was very tempting. He paused for a moment, weighing the two options. Killing her would be simple, clean. It would remove the threat she posed and spare him any potential futureplications. On the other hand, eating her meant he might gain her unique power, a rare chance to expand his abilities¡ªif he could survive the potential side effects. ''Wait, system, can I trap her inside me like I did with the Meta-humans? Then I could just wait until I''m strong enough,'' [System : Calcting] [System : Calcting] [System : Calcting] [System: Possible] Reign''s lips curled into a faint smile. ''Do you have a way to just absorb a specific soul? '' He wanted to see if he could save Seki''s real soul while getting rid of Aika. It would save him time and effort. [System: Absorbing a specific soul can be done, but it''s a delicate process. If the soul resists, it may cause instability within the body] ''What''s the chance of sess?'' [System: 10%] ''That''s not a bad at all'' If the worst happened and the separation failed, Seki''s death would simply be an unfortunate event, a learning experience rather than a failure. [System: For effective separation, the target soul needs to be further weakened. Current resistance is too high.] ''I see...'' Weakening her soul made sense, but he needed a method that wouldn''t harm Seki. His thoughts raced as he considered his options. He recalled his divine energy which was very effective against Aika. While it was typically fatal to most evil creatures, his debuff meant that his energy-rted skills were weakened against humans. "That could really work¡­" he chuckled to himself. To think his debuff against humans might actually work in his favor. He ran the n through the system. The system would handle the separation, and he would monitor the process closely, ensuring that Seki''s soul remained untouched. ''Let''s see how this turns out,'' He took a deep breath and prepared to execute the n. "You''ve been quiet for so long," Aika broke the silence. She had been observing him silently and didn''t like the way he was looking at her. It felt as if he was nning something evil. "Nothing, I''m just thinking about things. So, you wanted to know where your mother is, right?" he casually responded, making sure to emphasize her greatest weakness. Aika''s face lit up . Her longing to be with her mother was so intense that she had begun to act carelessly. ''What a naive idiot. You were so much smarter before you learned about Aiku,'' he thought, feeling disappointed that she was so easily manipted. Her emotions had made her weak. ''I knew it¡ªemotions are useless,'' he sighed, more to himself than to her, recalling how he had also acted foolishly because of his own feelings. "Where is she?" Aika''s voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Your mother is safe," he said with a reassuring tone, though his words were far from the truth. "She''s hiding in Green Valley City." Her eyes widened with relief and joy. Her exhaustion momentarily fade as hope filled her. "Where exactly? Please, tell me!" "Don''t worry, I''ll take you to her after we reach the city. I can''t share the details just yet because we''re nning something big." She was momentarily shocked by his deration. "I see," she said softly, "so she wanted to take revenge too." Reign seized the moment and said, "That''s right. It''s a n we''re working on. Don''t worry¡ªshe has powerful allies, like me. With you joining, it will be even easier." "Thank you," Aika instinctively bowed her head out of habit. She let her guard down, trusting his words, and didn''t notice him getting closer until it was toote. Before she could look up, his hand came down hard on her head. "Ji!" she tried to activate her power, but he was faster. Without hesitation, he sent a powerful surge of divine energy directly into her head. "AHHHHHH!" she screamed in agony. Her eyes went wide with pain. She tried to use her own energy to fight back, but it only made things worse. She struggled and cried out, but he didn''t let up. He kept pouring in the divine energy, showing no mercy. Chapter 411 Truth Beneath the Lies Part 6 THUD! Her body copsed in the bed, and she was barely conscious after the whole ordeal. "Do it," hemanded. Chains burst from his chest, snaking out andtching onto her. Aika''s eyes widened in fear. "W¡ªWhat are you doing?" she asked weakly, feeling a strange, pulling sensation on her very soul. Reign''s lips curled into a sadistic smile. "I''m devouring you," As he spoke, the chains began to tighten and pull. Slowly, a dark red phantom began to emerge from Seki''s body, struggling against the chains. Panic spread across her face. "NO!" she screamed, realizing toote what he intended to do. The phantom twisted and writhed as it was dragged further from her, while her strength continued to be drained away.N?v(el)B\\jnn "STOP! Her screams grew desperate, but he remained unmoved. "Don''t worry. I''ll make sure to devour your mother too. That way, you can have a family reunion inside me." he taunted. But his words had a disastrous effect. Her soul suddenly red with a bright light, and the chains started to tremble from the pressure. "YOU LIED TO ME! YOU LIED TO ME! YOU LIED TO ME!" she wailed in anger. "Damn it!" Reign cursed, realizing his mistake. He tried to signal the system to stop the process, but before he could act, her soul lunged directly into his body. [SYSTEM: WARNING!] [SYSTEM: WARNING!] [SYSTEM: WARNING!] *** *** *** "Fuck my life!" he cursed aloud as he found himself standing in a pitch-ck space. ''I should have listened to the system!'' Now, he understood that the warning wasn''t just for show. His greed had led him into trouble. "System!" he called out, but there was no response. "System!" "System!" Still, no response. "Why are you screaming? Onii-san " a sweet, small voice echoed behind him. He turned around and saw a familiar face. It was Aika, glowing brightly in the darkness. She looked much younger and smaller right now. She was wearing a dirty, worn-out white robe, and a metal cor was fastened tightly around her neck. But that was not the most odd thing in this situation. What really made him raised an eyebrow was his perspective. She looked younger, but now he was only a few inches taller than her. He felt uneasy and looked at his hand¡ªit was thin and covered in injection marks. ''What''s going on?'' he muttered , touching his face and discovering how his cheeks were hollow and sunken from not getting enough food. ''Is this my real soul?'' "Onii-san? Hurry up, or they''ll scold us again," Aika said with a scared voice, reaching out and pulling his hand. "Wait," he tried to pull away, but found himself too weak to resist her. As she ran, he stumbled awkwardly behind her, his fragile body struggling to keep up. The darkness seemed endless, but eventually, they reached a tunnel with a bright light at the end. When they emerged, he found himself in a stone chamber filled with people in tattered clothing. They sat on the floor, looking lost and hopeless. ''Is this her memory? And what is this ce?'' "Onii-san! Hurry up and kneel! The Priest ising!" she insisted, pulling him down to the floor. He followed her lead, just in time to see a metal door at the end of the chamber open. Twelve people dressed in pristine ck traditional eastern robes walked in, their presencemanding immediate attention. The person in front, wearing a robe adorned with golden patterns that set it apart from the others, began pointing at different people, mostly women. The rest of the group then started taking them away. The victims were so hopeless that none of them even attempted to resist. He recognized those faces; they were the same expressions he had before he transmigrated. It was a look ofplete resignation, where nothing seemed to matter anymore. ''Don''t tell me...Is this ce....?'' He turned to her. Tears welled up in Aika''s eyes as she watched the women being carried out of the chamber. Her gaze was filled with deep sadness. For a moment, he felt a pang of pity in his heart, an emotion he thought he had long forgotten since bing a monster. But in this form, it was as if he had be human again, not just physically but emotionally as well. ''No, I can''t let this affect me. This is just an illusion... This is not real.'' he gritted his teeth, fighting against his own human side creeping back into him. He had killed too many people and destroyed too many things. He was ruthless, psychopathic, cold, and crazy. He needed to stay that way to gain more power. "Onii-san! They''re gone," Aika''s voice snapped him back from his wild thoughts. "What tricks are you ying here?" he red at her. "Tricks?" she repeated, her face showing confusion. "Oh, right, Onii-san! I got some bread from you. One of the guards gave it to me," she said, smiling widely. She rummaged through her clothing and handed him a hard, moldy piece of bread. "Stop ying!" he roared in anger, swatting the bread away. As it hit the ground, the other prisoners'' eyes widened, and they pounced on it, fighting over it like savage beasts. ''Why are they fighting for a molded bread? he thought, stunned and unable to believe what he was seeing. They looked more like animals than people. "O¡ªOnii-san! Did Aika make you angry? Please don''t leave me... Please don''t leave me," she sobbed uncontrobly. Reign stood still, watching as she cried and begged him not to leave. Her tears and fear hit him harder than he expected. He felt a mix of guilt and confusion. This was not how he was supposed to feel at all. He was supposed to have no mercy. It felt strange and very ufortable, something he wasn''t used to. He clenched his fists, trying to control his emotion. "Stop crying," he said, his voice rough but softer than before. "I''m not going anywhere. Just... be quiet." Chapter 412 Another One Gone ''I can''t stay here. There has to be a way out of this godforsaken ce,'' He turned to Aika, trying to keep his voice calm "Hey, I apologize for what I did earlier, trying to eat you and all. It was just a test, and you passed with flying colors. Now, can you help me get out of here?" She was his only chance to figure out how to escape , so he had to swallow his pride. Besides, it didn''t look like she wanted him dead right away. "I don''t know what you''re talking about, Onii-san. Why are you talking like this? Are you mad at me?" Tears started to fill her eyes again. She didn''t seem like she was lying, but since he was trapped in some kind of memory, he couldn''t bepletely sure. ''How am I supposed to get out if she doesn''t know what''s happening? '' ''No, I need to make her remember something,'' Reign gently grabbed her shoulder, his voice softening. "Look, I need you to stay calm. This ce is not real! This are just fragments of your memory. " "You speak true! This realm is but a fake; we are trap in a nightmare!"" a disheveled man with a foul odor, as if he hadn''t bathed in months, suddenly stood up and dashed towards them. Reign took a step back instinctively. The man''s unkempt appearance and wild behavior made him look like a lunatic. His long, unkempt hair was thick and matted, clearly a result of not bathing for a long time. The sight alone was enough to make anyone shudder in disgust. But it wasn''t just his appearance that was troubling. The stench was overpowering, a mix of mildew and rot. Reign''s usual tolerance for foul smells did not work in this ce. "Get away from me, you stink!" he shouted. "Do not worry," the man said with augh, as if it were a joke "This filth and stench are mere illusions. We are trapped in a nightmare!" "Onii-san, don''t listen to him. He''s crazy!" Aika said, tugging at Reign and hiding behind him. ''I can clearly see that,'' he sighed. No matter how he looked at the man, only one word came to mind: "Lunatic."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Little one, I''m delighted you grasp what''s happening!" the man eximed in excitement. "This ce isn''t real, but these fake people think I''m mad.!" The man began tough uncontrobly, twirling around the floor as if he were in the middle of a joyful dance. His erratic behavior only reinforced Reign''s initial impression. ''This guy has a lot of screws loose.'' Reign decided to ignore the madman and nced at Aika, who was trembling behind him. The man also noticed her and grinned widely, revealing his rotting teeth. "Do not worry, little girl," he said, pressing his fingers to his lips. "Your Onii-san shall find a way to escape this ce. You are real as well, are you not? Be sure to behave, for all others here are but illusions, save for us." "Then what is the n? How might we escape this dreadful dream?" the man asked, sinking to his knees and leaning in closer. His breath was so stinky that Reign had to cover his nose to block out the stench. Aika also looked unsettled as the rancid breath reached her small nose. "Get the hell out of here. I don''t have time for games," Reign said firmly, trying to ignore the unpleasant smell. "Yes, indeed. We have no time for idle games," the man dered, his voice getting louder. "We must seek out the very core of this torment and shatter it. Only then can we hope to escape!" He kept yapping, his eyes filled with excitement . "This realm is filled with illusions and deceit. Trust no one but me, little one." "Keep quiet and stop bothering me!" Reign snapped. Then he turned to Aika, his expression serious. "Tell me what to do." She looked up at him, her face still streaked with tears. She seemed to struggle to find her words with all this confusing questions. "I¡­ I don''t know. Onii-san don''t talk like that , please.. You''re scaring me." Reign took a deep breath, trying to stay calm before speaking even though he was frustrated by how unhelpful she was. "Think carefully. Is there anything about this ce that stands out to you? " "Indeed, ponder more deeply, little girl. You are the key to our escape from this ce!" the madman interjected. Because of all the shouting, everyone''s attention was now on them. "Poor child, it seems he''s a lost cause already," a thin woman nearby whispered, her voice filled with pity. "Look at him, engaging with that mad man," another muttered under her breath. "He is like the others, unable to endure. It drives people to madness," a voice echoed from the back. Reign could hear the whispers getting louder but he just ignored them. However¡ª The madman sighed heavily and grabbed Reign''s frail shoulder. "Little one, pay no heed to them. They are but illusions; we alone are real in this ce." ''Fuck you!'' Reign cursed inwardly This lunatic was also not real, but he acted like some kind of wise old hermit, shunned for knowing some hidden truth. " The madman only grinned wider, unaffected by Reign''s judgmental gazed. "Ah, so you see it as well, do you?" he said, his eyes shining with pride. "They believe us to be mad, yet we know the truth, do we not?" ''Damn it, I didn''t even say anything. And why am I even bothering with this crazy person'' he thought, feeling that the old man''s madness was starting to be contagious . Reign clenched his fists, really wanting to go for a punch, but he stopped himself. He knew he couldn''t take that chance¡ªif he died here, he might die for real. ''I need to figure out how this ce worked first and follow the rules until I can escape.'' Taking a deep breath, he tried to stay calm and collected. ''I need to be smart,'' ''There''s always a way out. I just have to find it.'' Chapter 414 Beneath the Ground. The guards began distributing ragged clothes to the prisoners. They were old, dirty, and barely holding together. Some even had bloodstains on them, probably from a prisoner who had died while working to death. Alongside the clothes, each prisoner received a rusty pickaxe, chipped and worn from years of use. The tools looked barely fit for the workload. "Listen well!" the guard said firmly. "You must search for a glowing ck gem in this mine. If you seed, you may have a chance to rest and eat. But if you fail, you will be punished." The new prisoners exchanged anxious nces. Rest and food were basic human needs, yet here they were, treated worse than animals. Even pigs had better lives¡ªeating withoutbor, only meeting their end when necessary. Reign, now dressed in the ragged clothes and holding a pickaxe, looked around. He kept looking around the dark mine, trying to get his bearings. His eyesnded on the madman, who was still acting carefree. "A ck gem, hmm?" the madman mused with a wide grin. "It could be a clue, little one." Reign decided to ignore himpletely and focus on more important matter. At the same time, he hoped that the system might still find a way to save him. So for now, his goal was to survive as long as he could. ''First, I need to secure some food and rest time,'' he muttered to himself, the feeling of hunger already starting to set in. It made him realize how fortunate he had been before, when he didn''t have to worry about basic human needs like this. "Begin working!" The guards patrolled the mine, their eyes sharp and unforgiving. They kept a close watch on the prisoners, ensuring no one cked off. Reign gritted his teeth and began working, his pickaxe striking the stone walls with a series of sharp ngs. CLANG! Chunks of rock flew off with each swing, but he found himself working much slower than the others. Inparison , the madman worked with vigor, his pickaxe moving fast. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! It looked as though he had an inexhaustible supply of energy. ''Damn it, at this rate, this madman will outlive me,'' he muttered to himself. He redoubled his efforts, and searched through the rubble, always looking for the ck stone. The other prisoners were also digging frantically, their efforts fueled by fear. "Keep working! Don''t waste time!" one guard shouted. "The gems won''t find itself!" another one chimed in. Reign''s arms ached, and his hands were blistered, but he still hadn''t found a single ck gem. Just when he was about to give up, his pickaxe struck something different. A sharp clink echoed, and he spotted a faint glimmer beneath the rubble. It was a tiny gem, no bigger than a grain of wheat. He carefully cleared away the stones, revealing itpletely. ''Lucky!'' he eximed. But before he could grab it and celebrate, one of the prisoners punched him in the face, snatched the gem, and ran away. "Bastard!" Reign shouted, getting to his feet. He was about to chase the thief, but a guard''s stick hit him hard in the side, sending him crashing down. "Why aren''t you working?" the guard demanded, ring down at him. "That guy stole my stone!" Reign protested, but the guard ignored him. Instead, he got hit five more times, each blow meant to teach him a lesson. "Now, get back to work!" Reign was visibly annoyed. As he reached for his axe, a dark thought crept into his mind: to go wild and crush the guard''s skull. "Little one, don''t do it. You must wait for the right moment." The madman grabbed Reign''s hands and gave him something. "Go rest and eat for now." "I¡­" he was at a loss for words, amazed by the madman''s unexpected kindness and selflessness. "Don''t worry about me," the madman said with a smile. "Idiot, this is just an ordinary stone!" Reign grumbled and threw it to the ground. He couldn''t believe he had ever thought for a moment that the madman was a sane person. "Don''t disturb me again," he said, turning around and diving back into his work. As he raised his pickaxe and resumed digging, his mind began to wander.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om The dark and heavy atmosphere of the mine, along with the constant hard work, was starting to wear him down. He also noticed something troubling happening to himself¡ªhe was starting to feel more childish and easily frustrated. It was like he was slipping back to a more vulnerable and less mature version of himself. Not like he was that mature to begin with . ''Could it be? Is she trying to mess with my soul?'' The idea was both terrifying and usible. While he was here, he could feel changes in his character that shouldn''t be happening. Unfortunately, all he could do was try to survive for now. After hours of nonstop digging, he finally found another gem. This time, he kept his excitement to himself. ''What''s this¡­'' he muttered as the gem dissolved in his hand. He noticed a boost in his strength, and the fatigue and hunger that had been troubling him started to fade. ''These are condensed negative energy!'' ''But what are they doing here? Isn''t this just a memory? '' His mind raced with questions, but at least he had uncovered another option. If he could keep absorbing these stones, he was bound to get stronger and could fight his way out of this ce. With that in mind, he started digging again with renewed energy. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Hours went by, and he got into a rhythm of digging. With each gem he absorbed, he felt less tired and more powerful. Not only that, but he had also grown ustomed to the energy. Now, he knew exactly where to look, which made him mine even faster. Unfortunately, the improvement wasn''t enough for him to take on all the guards alone yet, so he decided to wait and gain more power in secret. Once he was strong enough, he nned to take advantage of the situation and rob the entire ce. He also made a mental note to remember the guard and the prisoner who had hurt him before. Even if they weren''t real, his pettiness and spiteful nature was . ''You will regret messing with me,'' Just imagining their shocked faces was enough to lift his spirits. Chapter 415 Beneath the Ground 2 Another day had passed since Reign first entered the mine. He had been working tirelessly. ''I''m ready,'' He tore a piece of cloth and wrapped the gems in it to avoid identally absorbing them. Then, he walked over to the guard who directed him to the person in charge of collecting it. Reign approached the collector''s outpost. Unlike the rest of the mine, this area had furniture and was well lit. He handed the bag of gems to the one in charge, who examined them. While he waited, he couldn''t help but nce at the area behind . There, stacked in towering piles, were numerous ck gems. They glittered, their energy visible even from a distance. Reign''s heart raced with excitement. If he could get his hands on these pile, the boost to his strength would be enormous. The collector was deeply absorbed in inspecting the stone. Reign saw this as an opportunity. He noticed that one of the workers nearby was struggling with a heavy crate. An idea sparked in his mind. He casually approached, and offered his help. "Hey, let me give you a hand with that," The worker was hesitant at first, but after the collector nodded in approval, he allowed it. Reign helped him carry the crate to a nearby storage area. The worker, looking tired but grateful, nced at Reign and said, "Thank you for your help. It''s a pity you''re here at such a young age. I hope things will improve for you." Reign just nodded in response, not saying a word.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Once the crate was positioned, he took advantage of the brief cover it provided. The worker, still convinced that Reign was a good kid, didn''t see what wasing until it was toote. Out of nowhere, he felt a sharp pain in his neck and looked down to see a pointed rock embedded in it. THUD! Reign showed no mercy. He quickly slipped through the pile of gems, silently. ''This is perfect,'' He began to absorb them, lying down to make it easier for his whole body to take in the energy. As the dark energy flowed into him, he felt a powerful rush. His muscles started to grow and strengthen, and his bones felt like they were getting stronger, too. He could actually feel his body changing in real time. His jawline became more defined. Even his height increased a lot. After a while, the pile of stones hadpletely disappeared. The collector looked back in shock. He quickly ran to where the pile of gems used to be, panic rising in his chest. He was so anxious that he didn''t notice that someone was hanging from the ceiling with a creepy grin. ''Got you!'' Using the ceiling for leverage, Reign propelled himself downward and drove his weight into the collector''s head, smashing the skull brutally. CRACK! ''That was a satisfying sound,'' he chuckled to himself. Ironically, as soon as he regained some of his power, he became a cold-blooded monster in a heartbeat. ''I knew it,'' he thought to himself, a sense of rity washing over him. ''This is who I really am. All those emotions I had before were just because I didn''t have any power or control.'' DING! DING DING! A loud bell rang out across the mine. The sound was piercing and urgent, instantly grabbing everyone''s attention. The guards, who had been scattered around, were immediately alerted. Panic spread quickly among the prisoners as the guards began rushing towards the source of themotion. A worker who had witnessed the killing quickly ran to report what he had seen. He was out of breath and frantic, shouting to the guards, "A murder! I saw it happen!" The guards'' faces turned from confusion to rm. They began shouting orders and organizing a search for the culprit. Discover stories with empire But they did not need to search for long, as Reign had not even left . Instead, he had calmly found a worn-out chair and sat down, waiting for them. The guards, after finding him sitting there so nonchntly, surrounded him quickly. They pointed their katana at him. Reign, however, was not fazed at all. Now that he had regained some of his strength and power, these guards were nothing more than ants in his eyes. One of the guards, trying to sound authoritative, demanded, "Don''t move! You''re under arrest for murder!" Reign looked up at them with a cold, indifferent gaze. "Arrest me?" he said with a smirk. "You''re going to need a lot more than that to stop me." SWOOOSH! Without warning, he jump out from his chair. He moved so fast that the guards barely had time to react. They swung their weapons at him, but he was faster. He effortlessly dodged their strikes and punched them, each blow causing anyone unlucky enough to be hit to explode into fragments. "Stop him!" "He''s a demon! Kill him!" They tried their hardest to bring him down, but the gap in their power was too great. The cramped space and their numbers also made it hard for them to swing their weapons effectively, while their enemy was using his barehands. He tore through them like a wild beast, his power overwhelming and unstoppable. In just a few minutes, the fighting stoppedpletely. The ce was silent now, except for the soft drip of blood from the pile of corpses. On top of the pile of bodies sat a young boy, his face smeared with the blood of those he had just killed. "I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!" Aughing voice echoed through the air, catching Reign''s attention. When he turned around, he saw the Madman dancing and celebrating as if he had just achieved something great. ''Alright, time to get rid of this idiot,'' He made up his mind and slowly walked toward the Madman until they were face to face. "I wouldn''t do that if I were you, Little One" the Madman smirked, his grin stretching from ear to ear. Chapter 417 Truth or Lies 2 Reign''s anger exploded. "What do you know about me!" he roared, his frustration spilling over. The idea that someone had seen his memories and was now suggesting he was being manipted only fueled his rage. "You''re getting defensive and angry¡ªyour benefactor conditioned you well," the madman said,ughing. "Cut the crap! The system gave me a second life. I''m supposed to be dead already, so I don''t care what its ns are as long as I can kept on living," Reign snapped back. "Give you a second life?" The madman''s grin widened. "You really don''t know anything, do you? How much has your benefactor twisted your memories?" Reign''s eyes widened, with a mix of confusion and unease shing across his face. "What are you talking about? I know my own memory ," he protested his voice trembling with frustration. "Are you sure? It was quite easy for me to bring you here," the madman teased. "Stop messing with my head! I''ve been through a lot, and I know the system has helped me. Don''t try to twist things around. I''ve survived my second life because of it, and that''s all that matters!" The man''s smile faded. He rubbed his temples as if trying to soothe a headache. "Little One, you keep talking about your ''second life.'' But are you even sure you really died in the first ce?" Reign was speechless. "To start with, if you really dig into your memories, you''ll find inconsistencies. You were supposed to be the child of a very powerful person, but you had no power yourself?" "That''s because¡ª" "You can''t exin it, can you? It''s odd because someone as powerful as your father would have a very dominant genes. So, either you''re not his real son..." The madman''s voice trailed off, leaving the thought hanging in the air. "Or what?" Reign asked, feeling uneasy.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "Or something must have stopped you from awakening your real power." Reign''s eyes widened as he absorbed the madman''s words. His mind raced, trying to process the shocking idea. "Little One," the madman continued, his tone almost yful, "but who would do something like that? Think about it. Why would someone keep you from unlocking your true power and then make you suffer for years?" "And then, out of nowhere, this godlike benefactor appears, offering you a chance to be powerful. Quite a coincidence, don''t you think?" Reign''s face tightened as he struggled to push the doubts creeping into his mind away. Despite his efforts, the man''s words made too much sense. "But I got the system after my second life!" he argued. "Did you really?" The madman''s voice was sharp and probing. "Are you sure your benefactor wasn''t inside you all along, waiting in the shadows until you were ripe? The perfect pawn¡ªheartless, greedy, broken and only interested in getting stronger." "I¡­" Reign stood frozen. The madman''s words hadpletely shattered his sense of certainty. Meanwhile, the person responsible for this confusion was smiling widely, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. His thoughts was impossible to read, so it was unclear if he was being truthful or not. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! The entire ce shook violently, the stone walls themselves were splitting apart. Dust and debris rained down from the ceiling, and the floor trembled beneath their feet. The madman did not flinch at all, but there was a trace of disappointment in his eyes. "Looks like your benefactor is really angry," he said, his voice barely audible over the roar of the copsing space. "Our talk here will have to end. I hope I was able to help, Little One," He gave Reign onest, intense look before turning around. "Wait!" Reign shouted. The madman stopped but didn''t turn around. "What is it?" "You said I''m being used as a pawn, right? Is there a way out of this? Can I take control?" he hurriedly asked. This was the first time he met someone who seemed to know about him and the system. Despite his reluctance to believe the madman, his words were too logical to ignore. The possibility that the system might be responsible for all his suffering was very concerning. He could have tolerated it if the system had started manipting him only after his death, but the idea that it had been controlling him from the beginning was unbearable. "That''s a hard one," the madman said, turning slightly but not fully facing him. "Your benefactor is really powerful. I don''t think you can do much against it if you keep relying on it for your power." "Then what should I do?" "Well," the madman said, his tone thoughtful, "if you really want to break free, you need to stop depending on your benefactor." Reign paused, his face troubled. "That''s impossible. I don''t even have real power without it." "Are you sure? Because from what I''m seeing, you still have your father''s bloodline with you," he revealed. Continue reading at empire "I still have it?" He remembered the system mentioning his legendary bloodline, but it said the concentration was too weak, and it had to rece it with another because it couldn''t exist in this world. "Don''t put too much faith in your benefactor''s words. You still have your bloodline; you just need to find another way to awaken it. And I know where you can find it." "Where?" "In the East, search for the Dragon Pce," the man''s voice echoed as it began to fade away. "Our time is limited," he continued, "so I''ll give you a simple trick. It''ll help you hide your thoughts ." He started exining the trick to Reign, who listened intently, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the information. After the madman was done, both of them found themselves in a ck, empty space . "Before you go, can I know your name?" Reign asked. He didn''t fully believe all the ims, which was why he wanted to know his name¡ªto investigate itter. It was easy to twist the truth and control the narrative, after all. In fact, if Reign were in the madman''s position, he''d probably use the same tactics to mess with his opponent''s mind. The madman smiled, and before he vanished, he uttered the words, "Sato¡ª " Chapter 419 Truth or Lies 4 Reign''s momentary silence made Celine nervous. Her heart began to race, and the tension in the room grew heavier by the second. She couldn''t shake the feeling that whatever he was keeping from her was something serious, something she needed to know. ''Did... did he kill her?'' Celine thought to herself, fear creeping in. Considering how cruel Reign could be, it wasn''t out of the question. But then she quickly shook her head, pushing the doubts away. ''No, why would he do that? It doesn''t make sense,'' she reassured herself. In her mind, he might be rough around the edges, but he wouldn''t murder someone just because he felt like doing it¡ªespecially not Seki, who look so sweet and kind. "We need to find her!" Celine finally broke the silence, her voice filled with urgency. "I already did that. It would be a waste of time," Reign replied, shaking his head. "You''re not making any sense!! We need to search for her. Let''s talk to the train employees. The corridors have CCTV cameras, right?" she suggested. He flinched at the mention of the cameras. This was one of the reasons he hade to her. If she started asking questions about the footage, he would be in a tough spot. He needed her to cooperate and keep quiet. "No need for that. I think she already left the train," he said quickly. Celine looked at him with a skeptical expression. Outside, a thick, ck miasma swirled in the air¡ªa dangerous fog that would kill anyone who stepped into it. There was absolutely no way Seki would have willingly left the safety of the train with such a terrifying force surrounding them. It just didn''t make sense. At this point, she began to suspect that he had really done something bad . Murder was no longer out of the question, but part of her still wanted to believe he was innocent. Though she wouldn''t fully admit it to herself, she was already attracted and attached to him. Reign noticed her doubts and knew he needed to act quickly. "I know what you''re thinking, but she isn''t human. She''s a demon," he revealed. Celine eyes widened, her confusion deepening. "A demon? What are you talking about?" Reign took a deep breath, seeing the opportunity to manipte her. "Yes, Seki is a demon," he said. "I figured it out when I checked Nobu''s corpse I saw traces of negative energy." He started spinning the story, trying to make his exnation sound more convincing. Celine''s eyes widened in disbelief, struggling to process the information. "I¡ªI still don''t understand¡­" Reign kept his tone steady, ying his part in the lie. "Think about it. How do you think she killed Nobu? You''re a mercenary too, so you would have noticed that Nobu wasn''t just an ordinary man. There''s no way she could have killed him." "So she''s really a demon? Then why did she leave?" "She might have realized I was starting to suspect her and decided to escape before I could confront her." Celine''s eyes narrowed as she noticed some inconsistencies in his story. "I''m still confused," she said, her brow furrowed. "I know you''re strong, but why would a demon run away from you? Demons with humanoid forms are very powerful right ?" ''Tsk,'' he clicked his tongue in annoyance. She was sharper than he needed her to be at a time when he wished she''d be more naive. ''I need to find a way to fool her... '' His thoughts trailed off until an idea came into mind. "I''m going to tell you something. It''s a very important secret." He leaned in closer, his tone turning more serious. "What is it ?" she asked. "She run away from me because I''m also not a human," he revealed. "So?" she furrowed her eyebrows. As a Divergent, she had always known Reign was far from being normal, so she had never believed he was one to begin with.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He was taken aback. He had expected a more dramatic reaction, and her casual reply didn''t sit well with him. For some reason, he wanted to see her impressed by him. "You''re not getting it¡­ I''m something entirely different than Divergent," he added. "D¡ª Don''t tell me? You''re a demon too?" Celine instinctively leaned back, though she looked more like she was joking than actually afraid. "I¡­" he was speechless. Technically, she was correct, but admitting it might make her even more wary of him. He doubted she would ept him, especially knowing he was responsible for destroying cities and that everyone she knew back in Rosewood was now dead and inside of him. "I''m¡­" He paused, searching for the right words. He needed something that would make his words seem more credible without raising further suspicion. "An angel," he dered. Before she had time to process anything, his eyes and body began to glow. It was like a scene from a magical film, and the only thing missing was Celine bursting into a memorable princess song that could be a ssic hit. ''What is this warm feeling?'' she wondered inwardly as she instinctively raised her hand to touch the golden particles. When theynded on her hand, she felt a soothing sensation. Then her gaze turned to Reign, who was at the center of it all. He looked even more dashing and handsome than ever. As her heart began to race, the thought of Seki faded away. She waspletely spellbound, her feelings for him deepening more and more . This was supposed to be his win, but he miscalcted. As if mirroring the intensity of her emotions, his heart also started to race. Without thinking, he quickly stood up and pinned her to the bed. "I..." he struggled to control himself, but just looking at her cute lips was enough to stir his desire and lust. Caught in an awkward situation, he expected she would be very upset. However, she just raised her two soft hands and gently held his face. Chapter 421 Fake or Real? "Be my woman. I can make you happy," "Don''t touch me. I''d rather die than be yours," Anna replied, her tone cold and firm. Even in her istion, thoughts of Reign filled her mind. She missed him so much, and that feeling gave her the strength to resist. Alexander''s eyes narrowed, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He knew he couldn''t force her; the risk was too great. She has a way to end her own life that had almost taken her months ago. If not for her sister Elizabeth stepping in just in time, Anna would have been gone. Normally, he wouldn''t have cared so much about her. After all, he had plenty of women in his life¡ªwomen who were more submissive. But as he watched her unwavering loyalty to another man, something changed. He began to admire her determination and will. Slowly, he found himself wanting that same loyalty and affection to be directed toward him. That was why he had started to treat her with more kindness. Each day, he came to her room to check on her. He hoped that, over time, she might see him differently and perhaps evene to care for him. But that wasn''t the only reason he visited her everyday; he also wanted to see her face. Anna had be even more beautiful and irresistible in his eyes. Her youthful appearance stirred a deep urge to protect her. Unfortunately, she was still hung up on her first love. No matter how much he admired her or wanted to protect her, he could sense that her heart belonged to someone else. "Why are you so stubborn? I''ve been gentle with you all this time. What else do you want?" Alexander asked while settling into a luxurious wooden chair that faced her bed. "Let me go. I want to go back" Alexander closed his eyes and shook his head. "I told you before, Summit City is gone. I''m sure both your father and that low-ranking demon are dead too." Anna refused to let his words affect her. Deep down, she knew he was still alive. She couldn''t exin it, but she felt a strong connection to him, as if her love transcended distance. Perhaps it was because she had chosen him as her life partner, and that choice filled her with hope. Seeing no response from her, Alexander let out a sigh and stood up. "I''ll take my leave. Please rest now," He turned to leave, ncing back onest time to etch her adorable face in his memory. But this time, something was different. "Huh?" Anna muttered, her confusion rising. Blood trickled from her eyes, and it felt like her heart was about to break . "Weird¡­ Why am I crying?" she said, forcing augh to mask the overwhelming sadness. But the tears wouldn''t stop . Soon, theugh turned into a sob. Each cry felt like a release, the pent-up sadness spilling over as she thought of him. This time, though, it wasn''t happiness or hope that filled her. Rather, an unexinable sense of betrayal, making her shoulders tremble uncontrobly. "Are you okay?" Alexander rushed back to her side, reaching out . But she recoiled, backing away. "Don''t touch me! Only he can touch me!" she spat out, her voice sharp despite the torrent of negative emotions swirling inside her. Even in this state, she refused to betray her beloved. Just the thought of anyone else touching her was unbearable. ''It''s okay... It''s okay...! He would never betray me¡­'' she muttered, wrapping her arms around herself. She gripped her shoulders so tightly that her skin began to bleed, tiny droplets forming on her pale white skin. Her eyes also shimmered, shifting back and forth between blue and red, reflecting the conflict raging within her. Meanwhile, Alexander''s concern for her well-being grew "Wait for me! I''ll get some help," he announced. Without waiting for a response, he vanished from sight, leaving her alone. ''Reign¡­ where are you? Please save me¡­'' ''I miss you. I really miss you,'' she repeated softly, as if saying it could summon him to her. She closed her eyes, trying to convince herself that he would surelye. All she needed to do was wait until then, holding on to the hope that her unconditional loved for him would pay off in the end. However¡ª "I want you inside me."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind, a sound that wasn''t her own. It belonged to another woman. She did not know why, but a wave of extreme hatred filled her heart. Anna clenched her chest, gasping, ''It hurts¡­ It hurts so much¡­'' As the pain intensified, more blood streamed down her face, and she began to thrash on the bed. Blood also began to seeped from her ears, and nose. CRACK! The window shattered and a woman along with Alexandernded on the floor. "Are you okay, Anna?" Elizabeth asked, her voice filled with concern. Anna didn''t respond; she was lost in her own pain. Blood continued to drip onto the floor, pooling around her. Elizabeth quickly focused her energy, hoping to stabilize her condition, but it didn''t work. Even with her powers as a Demon Lord, she couldn''t stop the blood from flowing. She watched it seep out of the room, trailing along the lobby floor. "Don''t tell me¡­" Elizabeth''s eyes widened as she recalled something she had discovered about Anna''s mother. When she first read about it, she thought it was just a silly and exaggerated rumor. But right now, she could sense that her negative energy was rising at an unprecedented rate, showing no signs of stopping. ''She might actually jump directly to Demon Lord or even...,'' Elizabeth muttered to herself, the idea both amazing and terrifying. "I..." Anna''s voice echoed, catching the attention of the two. When they looked at her, they saw something that sent a chill down their spines. She was smiling from ear to ear, but her eyes looked vacant and lifeless. ''How dare you mess with my Reign... I will kill you!,'' Chapter 422 Gears in Motion 1 BOOOOM! The room where Anna had been locked away exploded, sending debris flying and dust swirling in the air. Alexander and Elizabeth quickly took to the air, to avoid the shockwaves. As the smoke began to clear, they were met with a shocking sight. What had once been a solid building now looked like a massive flower. "What''s is that thing ?" Alexander asked The petals appeared like see-through sheets of blood, while sharp ck thorns jutted out from the stem, making the flower look even more dangerous. "Alexander, this isn''t good. She reached Demon Lord status too quickly, and her body can''t handle all that power. If we don''t stop her, she could explode and destroy the whole city!" "Demon Lord?" He was clearly shocked by the revtion. It was a status that had taken him decades to achieve, and now his sister was iming that Anna had jumped multiple levels just like that. But no matter how he looked at it, he could sense that Anna had really transcended. "We need to stop this now. Let''sbine our domains to limit the damage to the city!" she ordered. If three Demon Lords fought, the shock-waves could easily reduce everything to ruin ,making domains essential for high-levelbat She wasn''t afraid of losing . But just in case the flower exploded unexpectedly, using two domains to contain it would lower the risk Sensing the urgency in her voice, Alexander nodded. "DOMAIN!" "DOMAIN!" Both of them activated their powers, and suddenly, the entire scene shifted. A dark dome enveloped the area, surrounding the tower and the giant rose. It looked like a heavy curtain had dropped, blocking out the outside world. Once everything was covered, the entire environment began to shift as their domainsbined and blended together. Red lilies sprouted everywhere, their vibrant petals glowing against the dark surroundings. Above them, two glowing red half moons hung in the sky, casting an eerie light over thendscape. This was the siblings'' Unison Domain, a powerfulbination of their abilities that was only possible because their powers were aligned and resonated with each other. "Be careful... Don''t hurt her too much," Alexander warned, his voice filled with concern. Elizabeth nced at her brother and smiled . "So this is what happens when you fall in love," she teased, finding his protectiveness both cute and amusing. "You''repletely right. I love her!" Alexander dered, catching her off guard. She had expected him to deny it, but his serious expression told her otherwise. This was the same man who had hundreds of women in his fingertips. "You''re maturing," she said, nodding with satisfaction. Suddenly, the petals shook slightly, and slowly started to open up, showing Anna in the middle of it. It gave off a sweet but strange smell that filled the air around them. "Just be ready," Elizabeth warned, her eyes narrowing in focus. The energy inside her began to surge, and red power aura from every pore of her body. The intensity of it was so strong that, for a moment, it outshone the giant red rose . But she wasn''t done yet. Below her, the red lilies began to swirl and orbit around her. As the small petals wrapped around her, Elizabeth''s battle armor took shape, covering her breast and thigh area while leaving her belly exposed. Then she raised her hands, and the red lilies surrounding them started to shift. They twisted and intertwined until they solidified, forming a massive scythe. It was longer than her entire body, with sharp, gleaming edges and intricate patterns that matched the designs of her armor. Next, two red bat wings formed from her back. Unlike thin, delicate wings, these were thick and metallic. "So this is your true power," Alexander mused aloud. It wasn''t every day that she revealed this form to him. "Alexander, I want you to let me handle this," Elizabeth dered, her voice firm andmanding. "You''ve been disappointed with how I rule, thinking I''m a weak leader... But now, let me show my power!" Her tone was no longer gentle but confident and authoritative¡ªa far cry from her usual self. SWOOOSH! Without waiting for his response, she vanished in an instant, reappearing just above the giant rose. The moment she got close, it reacted violently. It shook, and tens of thousands of blood-red tendrils shot out from its center, rushing toward her to block her path. SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! SWOOOSH! The tendrils moved so fast that they were almost impossible to see. Each one was very thin, cutting through the air likesers. But Elizabeth was no ordinary Demon Lord. Her battle instincts were among the best in her rank. Her wings vanished, and she started to free-fall, spinning her scythe with a grace that made her look like she was dancing through the air. As she focused, everything slowed down around her. Her pupils darted back and forth , calcting the speed and trajectory of each attack. She quickly identified the best way to deal with them and began to put her n into action. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! A rapid series of sharp sounds echoed as she effortlessly deflected and dodged each tendril. Her free fall also allowed her to close the gap between her and Anna in no time. THUD! Shended on top of Anna and embedded the tip of her scythe into her chest. "Sleep for now," The red lilies began to flow into Anna''s body, their petals glowing faintly. But Elizabeth sensed something was off. There was a barrier blocking her power, preventing her from fully reaching Anna''s heart. ''I need to find out what''s causing her emotions to be unstable,'' She closed her eyes and focused, activating one of her special abilities. This power let her dive into others'' emotions, aiming to find the root of the turmoil threatening to consume Anna. "Wait! What is this?" Elizabeth gasped, sensing something was off.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om But it was toote. Anna''s own emotions surged like a tidal wave, invading her heart instead. ''He''s the only one for me,'' Those words echoed in Elizabeth''s mind repeatedly. Chapter 423 Gears in Motion 2 While Reign and Celine''s passionate connection deepened, their choices began to set off a chain of events that would turn this world upside down. Among those affected, another woman, previously unaware of everything, also felt the effects of this unification. Green Valley City. Inside a well-furnished bedroom, a beautiful womany on her bed, reading a book to help her fall asleep. Suddenly, she experienced something extraordinary. "Uh! What is this feeling?" Cyril squirmed on her bed. Her private parts began tingling out of nowhere, and she felt as if she was being kissed all over her body. The feeling traveled downward, gently brushing against her corbone, and then moved further down her body, leaving her feeling both confused and intrigued. It was a bizarre sensation, but her heart could not stop racing. She enjoyed every moment of it, and she began to pretend that Reign was present right now. Not knowing his true face, she imagined him with a cover over his eyes and unique white hair. Uncertain why he had appeared in her thoughts, it felt oddly natural to her, as if their connection was already established in some way. "Rain," she moaned, feeling embarrassed about fantasizing over a man she barely knew. She closed her eyes as she slowly pulled off her shirt, feeling the fabric graze against her skin. It was as if Reign''s imaginary fingers were unhooking her bra. She tossed it aside, and itnded on the floor next to the bed. Her perfectly shape breasts bounced free. With a soft sigh, she slipped her hand into her panties. The fabric was damp with her juice, and she slid it down her legs . Her panty joined her bra in the pile of discarded clothing. Next, her right hand caressed her stomach, tracing the line of her navel down to the damp heat between her thighs. Her breath grew heavier as she began to rub herself in slow circles. The tingling grew stronger, the pleasure building within her. Her left hand cupped her right breast, thumb flicking over the hardened nip. "I¡­ I feel really weird. What is this sensation?" *** *** *** "You''re inside feels good!" Reign shuddered as he released all of his pent-up lust in one go, which gushed out into her slit because of the sheer amount of white stuff. It showed how much he enjoyed the entire experience. The thrill was exhrating, and he would be lying if he said otherwise. Both of them slumped down on the bed, not from exhaustion but from the rapid beating of their hearts. Celine feltpletelyfortable as she snuggled closer, resting her head against his shoulder. The soft sounds of their breathing filled the quiet room, making everything else fade away. ''I feel so happy that it almost feels wrong,'' she thought. The pleasure was overwhelming, but a nagging sense of guilt and fear lingered in the background. She gently traced her fingers across his skin, to feel calm and safe. Reign stayed still, staring up at the ceiling, his thoughts racing now that he had some post-nut rity. ''What the hell did I just do?'' he sighed, feeling disappointed in himself. His carnal desires hadpletely taken over, and once again, there was no valid or eptable reason for his actions. It was purely his lust that overpowered his logic, and the realization weighed heavily on him. How could he? Someone who had promised to focus only on getting stronger had be so weak-willed.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Now, he had a weakness he could no longer easily shake off, as he had be attached to her. It felt almost miraculous that he could still think clearly at all. ''I need to find a way to make sure she leaves Green Valley right away,'' he muttered to himself, starting to form a n. If she knew his true nature and pleaded with him to stop killing humans, he feared he wouldn''t be able to resist her and would have to give in. That would slow down his progress and set him back considerably. But what if he made sure that his original body never met her? It could be a loophole, a way to avoid the conflict and maintain control over his actions. So basically, this body would serve as a decoy, keeping her distracted, while his original one carried out all the killing. ''That could actually work,'' he nodded to himself, feeling proud of his cleverness ining up with the n. But what he failed to realize, was that his obsession with her might be something he could fix more directly¡ªif he really wanted to. Unfortunately, the idea just seems impossible for him toprehend because of her influence. "Sunny, thank you," Celine muttered, her voice now sounding more pleasant to his ears. Reign tilted his head down, and as soon as he met her gaze, he feltpletely captivated. "I should be the one to say that," he smiled gently, his actions shaped more by what she wanted to see than his true self. Whenever she spoke directly to him, her power over him became stronger, pulling him into her warmth and making it hard to resist. If she ever realized this, it could spell trouble for him. "Do you love me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her cheeks flushed pink as she nced down, shyly avoiding his gaze. "Uhm... yeah," He nodded and leaned in closer. He kissed her forehead and gently stroked her hair "Thank you," A smile spreading across her face as she closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of the moment. She felt cherished and safe, wrapped in his affection, enjoying the simple pleasure of being cared for. Celine had never imagined that falling in love could feel this incredible. The more time she spent with him, the deeper she fell. She didn''t even mind that he wasn''t human; all that mattered to her was that he loved her back. ''I hope thissts forever,'' she whispered to herself. Chapter 424 Major Move When Reign returned to his original body, a wave of familiarity filled his consciousness . The negative energy flowed back into him, pulling him toward his sadistic side. While he could mimic this cruel nature in his second body, it felt far more natural in this one. It was like wearing a costume in the second body¡ªhe had to really try to y the viin. But in this one? He was the real deal. Evil just came as naturally as breathing. Reign grinned, looking down at his hands as the negative energy pulsed through him. ''Sweet, this body... it''s just right,'' he muttered to himself. ''Yeah, this is how it''s supposed to feel. None of that half-baked attitude from the other one. This is the real me.'' If he had been in this body all along, he likely wouldn''t have given in to her temptations too easily. Unfortunately, he had chosen the wrong moment to create a second body, and a humanoid one at that,plete with all the organs that made him susceptible to temptation. How about this body? Well, even if he wanted to, this one had one major issue/benefits: his lower half was as t as a chopping board. No matter how hard she tried, there was nothing there to work. ''I need to get level up fast¡­ Just doing things carefully would not cut it out anymore. '' Every moment spent hesitating was another moment Celine¡ªcould messed up his ns . Even though his mind felt sharper now that he was far away, her influence still lingered. It restricted his thoughts, forcing him to focus only on ns that didn''t involve her. He shot out of the ground and hovered in the air, surrounded by a thick cloud of dark miasma. Looking down, he saw the railway tracks running through thend below, partly hidden by the fog. Without wasting a second, he flew toward the next city. With Celine in his life, he knew he had to level up fast and break through to the Demon King level as soon as possible. Unfortunately, he had lost some levels earlier, so he needed to be bolder. He decided it was time to destroy city after city without worrying about the aftermath. ''Not fast enough...I need more speed'' he muttered to himself. ''Faster!'' Focusing his energy, Reign felt a surge of power build up inside him. Dark red electricity crackled around his body, lighting up the thick miasma. His speed, already fast, suddenly quadrupled, and the air around him shattered as he broke the sound barrier, moving faster by the second. Thend below became a blur, and the air twisted from the force. With this boost, he knew it wouldn''t take long to reach the next city. *** *** *** "What''s that in the sky?" People walking on the sidewalk started looking up. "Is that fireworks?" someone asked, pointing at the thousands of bright orange lights streaking through the air.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om "Must be!" one of them replied, raising a phone to capture the moment. Laughter mixed with curiosity filled the air, but the joy quickly turned to dread as the orange lights grew closer, transforming into deadly projectiles. Before anyone could react, the first explosion shattered the peace. BOOOOM! The ground trembled as shockwaves rippled through the streets. The mes shot high into the air, spreading rapidly and burning everything in sight. But it wasn''t over yet. That first attack was just the beginning. BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM! More projectiles fell from the sky, hitting the ground and causing dozens of buildings to catch fire. It looked like the world wasing to an end with mes everywhere. The sound of emergency rms red, calling anyone with powers to help¡ªhunters, divergents, military , and even mercenaries. They scrambled to stop the iing projectiles. For a brief moment, it seemed like they might hold their ground. But as the rain of fire continued to fall, it became clear that against such overwhelming power, their existence wasughable. They quickly turned into mere background noise in the chaos. At this moment, everyone stood equal before Death. Rich or poor, powerful or weak, it didn''t matter. In an ironic twist, this was also the time when everyone truly learned the meaning of equality. Below the street, those who were lucky enough¡ªor perhaps unlucky enough¡ªto survive the first wave were running for their lives. "Stay close to me!" a woman shouted to her son, her voice shaking as she pulled her child close. "I can''t breathe!" a man gasped, clutching his chest as he stumbled and fell beside a broken storefront. People cried out, their voices rising above the sounds of buildings burning. A woman nearby knelt on the ground, her hands covering her face as she sobbed. "Why is this happening? We did nothing wrong!" The scene felt straight out of hell. For a brief moment, some people dared to hope it was over when a distant sound filled the air¡ªa steady, heavy marching. "Is it the army?" someone whispered, hope flickering in their eyes. "Are they here to save us?" another voice chimed in, a hint of relief breaking through the fear. As the marching grew louder, people looked at each other with optimism. "Please help us!" "We''re over here!" another called, waving their arms. "My mom is hurt! She needs help!" A young girl cried, tears streaming down her face as she pointed to her injured mother lying on the ground. They straightened up, brushing away tears and trying to catch their breath. But then the marching got closer, and their hope quickly faded. It was the army, all right. But it wasn''t their army. Instead, it was an army of the undead, walking forward with hollow eyes and sinister grins that mocked the living. The sound of their footsteps echoed like a twisted joke, sending shivers down everyone''s spine. "No¡ªno... This can''t be happening." A woman dropped to the ground, her knees hitting the pavement with a thud. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her hair in despair. Chapter 425 Major Change Panic swept through the crowd as the terrifying reality hit them. The horde of undead in the distance kept getting closer. Their dark red aura surrounded them like cold mes, making them even more terrifying. "Run! Demons!" someone screamed, and chaos broke out. People ran in all directions, their faces filled with fear. Some stumbled over each other, trying to escape. Others yelled for help, their voices shaking as panic spread through the crowd. A man pulled his terrified wife along, shouting for others to follow. They ran toward the city center, not knowing they were heading into a trap. From the air, Reign watched with a satisfied smirk. He stood confidently, his arms crossed over his chest. He had arranged this, guiding everyone to the center of the city so he could kill them all at once and avoid dealing with collecting the bodiester. As the frightened crowd ran away, his undead army continued to march, making sure no one could escape. ''It will take some time to round everyone up so I should focus on getting some exp,'' He muttered to himself as his gaze fell on the burned corpses scattered across the ground. Tens of thousands of tendrils shot out from his back, collecting and absorbing them as if he were just vacuuming some dust. ''I need to be faster and more efficient! I need more!'' he thought, driven by his hunger for strength. (1 hourter) Reign sat on the remains of a structure, the Hunter Association''s building barely hanging on. Some hunters were still around when he arrived, but as he took things more seriously, they quickly fell before they could even put up a fight. ''All these mutated organs are too weak,'' he sighed, feeling disappointed. The Tier 4 hunters he ate just weren''t strong enough anymore to satisfy his appetite. To really boost his abilities, he needed someone like Quill, but those high-level hunters were usually found in Tier 1 cities. ''Could I attack a Tier 1 city after I be a demon king?'' he thought, the idea exciting him. It would be a bold and dangerous move, but it could bring the rewards he wanted. However, after thinking about the advanced technology of humans, particrly the Meta-humans, he began to doubt whether this was a good idea. After all, Meta-humans'' powers were too random, unpredictable, unbnced, and broken in many ways. ''I should focus on Green Valley first. This area will be filled with powerful fighters after all this destruction... but I don''t care anymore. I need power, and I need it fast.'' His drive wasn''t just about bing stronger. He also wanted to reach the Eastern continent as soon as possible, and searched for the dragon pce. ''Alright, time to move on.'' He took off, soaring through the air, his focus locked on the next city. While this was happening, the train from Rosewood travel along the tracks toward its first stop. But something unusual urred when they tried to use the tform. Normally, someone below ground should have detected the weight of the train and lowered it down. With the tforms still not moving, they knew something was seriously wrong. One train officer, a tall man, suggested, "Let''s check it out. We need to know what''s happening." The other crew members nodded and quickly acted, putting on their power armor to shield themselves from the thick miasma that filled the air outside. Once equipped, they hurried to the tform''s hidden mechanism beneath the ground, and hotwired the controls to lower the tform. The machinery whirred to life, and they were slowly lowered down, only to reveal a destroyed tunnel.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Rubble and debris littered the tracks, making it clear that something catastrophic had happened. The walls were also scorched, and a thick miasma hung in the air, making it hard to breathe even with their power armor. "What could have caused this?" one officer whispered, eyes wide with disbelief. "Whatever it was, it''s not good," the lead officer replied, scanning the wreckage. "We need to go back and report this. " They hurried back, adrenaline rushing through their bodies. Once they were safe on the train, Officer Brant headed straight to the control room to report his findings. "We checked the tunnels below, and they''repletely destroyed. The dark miasma has also filled the whole tunnel, which means the filter isn''t working. I think it got invaded and overrun by the corrupted, sir," The captain rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the bad news pressing down on him. This situation was turning into a nightmare. "Order everyone to get back ; we''re heading to the next stop!" hemanded. "What about the passengers, sir?" Brant asked. The captain paused for a moment before speaking. "Tell the passengers who are supposed to get off here that we''re experiencing some technical issues, which is why the train is moving slower than usual. " He lied, in order to avoid causing panic among the passengers on the train. As long as they didn''t run into any trouble on the way, they could safely get to the next city and report what had happened here. Sticking to the n, they kept traveling and reached more cities, but it was the same story¡ªeverything was in ruins. Those aware of the situation couldn''t shake their anxiety anymore. They gathered in a dimly lit quarters, their voices low and cautious. "Do you think Green Valley City is still standing?" one whispered, ncing around as if the walls might be listening. Another shook his head, worry etched on his face. "Let''s stop talking about this. We don''t want our passengers to get a wind of this " "I think it''s toote for that. I keep getting reports andints that it''s taking too long for us to reach our destination." The others nodded, concern growing among them. "It''s only a matter of time before they figure it out. They''re not stupid." The group fell silent, exchanging worried looks. They hoped the next one would at least be safe and still standing. Chapter 427 Change Is Coming Part 2 "Mr. President, if we don''t act now, I believe this will get worse, and more cities will fall," Snider insisted. [But sending an army? That could weaken our forces and put Tempest Fort at risk.] [Why not let the Tier 2 city responsible for the region to handle it?] "I don''t think they can. These corrupted must be close to Demon King level to cause this much destruction," Snider said, shaking his head. There was a brief pause between them. [I understand your point, Governor. However, I still believe there''s a better way to handle this.] "Then how about asking the Abyssal Alliance for help?" [We can''t ask for the Abyssal Alliance''s support right now since they already helped us with Brentwood. It wouldn''t look good for us if we asked again] "Then I''d like to request permission to mobilize the Hunter Association, BioGen, SPARK, the Veiled Nights, and other independent groups. Involving them will lighten the load on our own military." [The chamber ofmerce won''t like it if we force BioGen and SPARK, but I''m giving you the authority to mobilize the rest. Inform them that this is a direct order from the National Government.] Snider disliked the president''s tone, as it showed too much preferential treatment toward the capitalists, but he had no choice. He actually intended to use this incident to uncover the type of technology that both BioGen and SPARK were hiding.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om It didn''t sit well with him that privatepanies were concealing technologies that could benefit the nation. [Is there anything else? ] "None , Mr President" After the meeting, Snider wasted no time. He hurried to his office to execute the n. This was his personality: once he set his mind on something, he always gave it his all. Once inside, he settled behind his desk, his fingers tapping against the polished surface. With a deep breath, he picked up the phone and dialed the Ministry of Technology. The line rang only twice before a voice answered. [Minister Norman speaking.] "Minister, I need to request the use of the Behemoth to send our forces in Green Valley." There was a brief pause on the other end. [The Behemoth? That''s our most advanced airship. Are you aware of the risks? That thing cost two hundred fifty billion credits, ] "Believe me, I understand the stakes, and I''ve already received approval from the National Government. Besides, I think this is the perfect time to test its capabilities," Snider asserted. [Alright,] Norman sighed. [I''ll authorize the use of the Behemoth, but you''ll need topensate the ministry for any damage and maintenance costs. Also, I''m sending my researchers to assess the airship''s capabilities.] "Don''t worry. I''ll ensure we have all the data ready for you:" "By the way, I also need around 2,000 fifth-generationbat robots," he requested. [What, are you sure you''re not robbing us?] "Alright, I''ll settle for the fourth generation then," After his call with the Minister of Technology, he dialed another number, this time reaching the Ministry of Defense. "I need 1000 Enhanced Soldiers to be mobilized quickly, I already got authorization from the national government " he ordered. These soldiers were not ordinary; they were the elite, trained to handle the most challenging situations. But even as he spoke, he knew this would be far from enough. He dialed more numbers until everything was in ce. His intuition had always been sharp, a quality that helped him reach his current position. But now, he had a bad feeling that what was happening in in the region was bigger than it appeared. *** *** *** Green Valley. News began to spread among organizations, while the majority of citizens remained unaware that something huge was already unfolding in their city. The local military began mobilizing, focusing on the city borders in preparation for an invasion. Even now, they were under the impression that all those cities had been destroyed by a powerful corrupted. Back in Lilith''s mansion, everyone was also on high alert as all operations outside came to a stop. Instead, they focused on finalizing and improving the serum to transform more followers into super soldiers who could fight for her. "Miss Lilith, someone is looking for you!" Lilith raised her head. "Who is it?" "It''s a woman. She said she was sent here by Mr. Reign and someone named Sunny" "What?!" She quickly stood up and rushed out to searched for the guest. But the moment her eyesnded on the sofa, she nearly staggered. In front of her sat what looked like a shorter, feistier version of Cyril. Celine, also taken aback by Lilith''s beauty, stood up and bowed her head. "Hello, I was sent here by Sunny and... Mr. Reign," She handed an small enveloped . Lilith took it and carefully opened it. She began to read the content. Her brow furrowed with annoyance as the words sank in. It sounded more like an order than a request. The note instructed her to purchase train tickets and send Cyril, Celine, George, Wick, and Melissa to a Tier 2 city as soon as possible. It also noted that when she spoke to Celine, she had to refer to Reign as "Sunny," and Celine should never know that they were the same person. It was a strange request, but he was a weird person, so it made sense. ''Yeah, I''m sure this is from him,'' she muttered under her breath. ''Only someone like him could be this overbearing.'' It was clear he expected her toply without question, and that irritated her more than she liked to admit. But that was the least of her concerns right now. When she looked at Celine, she immediately thought of Cyril. They looked like sisters; if not for the height difference, they could even pass for twins. ''Is she also a half meta-human? ''she pondered. ''If so¡­ don''t tell me this girl actually managed to tame that heartless monster? '' "What''s your rtionship with Sunny?" Lilith asked. Celine was surprised by the question, and her cheeks flushed red. "I¡ª I''m his partner," Chapter 428 Change is Coming Part 3 ''Partner?'' Lilith couldn''t believe her ears. However¡ª Celine''s flushed cheeks suggested that this was not a business type of partnership. ''How did he even manage that?'' Lilith wondered, remembering that Reign''s true body was all bones. It was hard to imagine how he could charm someone so thoroughly. And it wasn''t just his appearance; he was also a psychopath and socially awkward. Only a crazy person would fall for him. She could understood Cyril''s infatuation¡ªhe had saved her, after all. That "knight in shining armor" effect was powerful. But what about this girl?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om How had she been swept up by him. Unfortunately, she couldn''t get answers right now because Reign was staying hidden. "I read the note, and R...Sunny asked me to escort you to a Tier 2 city," Lilith said gently, making an effort to sound kind. She knew well that the petite woman in front of her had a psychopathic boyfriend, so it was wise to treat her well. "Okay, " Celine didn''t argue at all. Reign had instructed her to follow Lilith, and now that they were a couple, she felt a strong desire not to disappoint him. She believed his decisions were made with her best interests in mind, especially after hearing that Green Valley was no longer safe. After their talk, Lilith quickly instructed her staff. "Take her to thergest guest room .Make sure it has everything she need." "Yes, Miss Lilith," three maids bowed their heads. They gestured for Celine to follow them, taking her luggage and ensuring their smiles were warm and weing. Celine followed the assistants through the beautiful halls of the mansion, her eyes wide with amazement. The ce was huge, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and shiny marble floors. When they reached her room, Celine tried to hide her surprise, worried they might think she was just a poor girl who had somehow snagged a billionaire husband. The room was huge and beautifully decorated. It had a big bed with soft nkets, afy sitting area, and 100 inches tscreen TV. One of the assistants smiled at her. "If you need anything, just ask us. We''re here to make sure you''refortable." Celine felt a mix of surprise and gratitude. Why was Lilith being so nice? Now, she felt a guilty. She got a little bit jealous when she saw how beautiful Lilith was, wondering if she was her rival. But seeing how kind and generous Lilith was, her suspicions began to fade. ''Maybe I''m overthinking this,'' she thought, rxing a little. Lilith''s attitude made it clear that she wasn''t a rival but rather someone who wanted to help. While all of this happened, Reign, in his second body, watched from a distance. He was concerned that Lilith might misunderstand his presence. After all, she was a devil and had a strong dislike for anything rted to the divines. As for his real body, he had hidden it deep within the miasma in a secluded spot. Fortunately, the miasma''s nature worked in his favor. Anyone trying to track him would have to spend valuable time . And with his second body, he could spy on the city without raising any suspicion. Heck, he could even join the human side, act like one of them, and be a double agent. Who knew? Maybe he''d get an award for "Noble Citizen" while plotting their own downfall. ''Speaking of double agents...'' he thought to himself, a smirk curling on his lips as he remembered a little loose end he had yet to tie up. Turning around, he pulled out his phone, already connected to the citywork. He quickly dialed a number. After a few rings, a voice came through the line. "Who is this?" the voice asked, low and cautious. "It''s me," Reign said, keeping his tone rxed. "We need to meet. I''ll send you the address, and don''t bete or my shadows wille after you," he warned. There was a pause on the other end, and he could almost hear the gears turning in the person''s mind. "Understood," came the reply, followed by a click as the line went dead. With a satisfied grin, he slipped the phone into his pocket and casually headed toward a small cafe tucked away in a quieter part of the city, where business was less bustling. The ce was far from shy¡ªperfect for low-profile meetings. In fact, there were only a few patrons¡ªjust two older individuals besides him¡ªsipping their drinks and chatting. Reign blended right in with them after slipping on a pair of sunsses. Even without using his charm ability, he was still so attractive that people would easily mistake him for a movie star. It was almost annoying how effortlessly he drew attention. A waiter approached, ready to take his order. "I''ll have a Caramel Mhiato, and one piece of Strawberry Lava Cake. " "Yes, Sir," the waitress replied, shing him a wide smile. Even with the sunsses on, his perfect features were hard to miss. Before long, the door let out a soft chime as the person he was supposed to meet walked in. Reign''s gaze swept over her. This time, she had apletely different look¡ªor rather, apletely different body altogether. Aiku wore a fancy dress that looked expensive, fitting her perfectly. It hugged her body in just the right way, and her jewelry sparkled just enough to be noticed without standing out too much. "Well, this is a change," he said, arching an eyebrow. "Last time you looked ready to kill a dozen men. Now, you look like you''re about to party." Aiku smiled back and replied, "I don''t think my transformation holds a candle to yours, Master." Reign''s eyes narrowed as he noticed her boldness and demeanor. Her words had more confidence now, hinting that possessing different people might be shaping her personality. Or. Maybe she was starting to remember more, just like Aika had, and that wasn''t good news . ''Well, what should I do with this ticking bomb?'' he thought, weighing his options carefully. Chapter 429 Change is Coming Part 4 "Give me the information you gathered," he ordered. He decided not to pushed her for now, wanting to steer clear of any issues like he had with Aika, especially since he was close to reaching level 100. Back then, even the system hadn''t fully protected him, so wanted to at least reach the Demon King Rank for better protection. He had simplye to check on her and make sure she was still in the city, and under the impression that her life was in his hands. Aiku leaned across the table, scanning the room before speaking and handing him a USB drive. "This has thetest information I gathered," she said in a low voice. "Is this information useful?" "Yes, Master. My new body is now the secretary and secret lover of the current Hunter Association Director, so I managed to get top secret info directly from his mouth." ''Secret lover?,'' In the past, he wouldn''t have given it much thought. But now, with his own experiences, he quickly pieced things together. Not that he cared what she did with her body; her usefulness was what mattered most." "You said you''re his lover, right? So does that mean you can possess him?" "Yes, Master. I''ve been doing it already; I only need a couple more days," she responded, pride evident in her tone. "Good job," he nodded in satisfaction. He was d he hadn''t tried to kill her; losing this kind of advantage would have be a waste. "Here''s your order, Sir." the waitress said with a cheerful smile, cing his drink and cake on the table. The rich aroma of caramel wafted through the air as he picked up the cup, taking a slow sip. He savored the sweet taste, letting it linger on his tongue before turning to Aiku, who waited patiently. "Update me if you sessfully possess him," he instructed. "Yes, Master" "And just to make sure you''re safe, do you think you''re being followed ?" he asked, leaning back in his chair. "Not that I know of," "How about any strange people trying to approach you?" he pressed, his gaze steady. "None at all," she shook her head, a hint of confusion crossing her face. Why he had suddenly be interested in her life puzzled her, but she attributed it to her usefulness now that she was close to possessing the director. His eyes narrowed as he studied her, trying to see if she was being honest. But he found it hard to read her because she was not acting suspicious at all. Plus, asking her more would only raise her suspicion, so he decided not to press too much. She didn''t seem to have any knowledge about Aika yet. With that in mind, he shifted the topic to something else. "One more thing...You have the ability to see souls, right?" he asked, looking directly at her. "So what do you see in me right now?" His curiosity was driven by a desire to understand his second body better. He had attempted to ask the system about it before, but it only provided answers to specific questions. She took a moment to gather herself before activating her ability. Previously, she had refrained from using it out of fear of offending him. As she glimpsed through his soul, she expected it to be likest time, where a barrier or fog obscured her vision. But this time, she saw something much more concrete¡ªso concrete, in fact, that it startled her. "What are you seeing?" She took a breath, focusing her vision. "It''s¡­ a golden eye in a reverse pyramid," Reign raised his eyebrows, surprised by her description. "An eye inside a reverse pyramid ? Are you sure? "Yes, Master" He hurriedly asked the system, ''What''s the reason for this change?'' [System: Host, whenever you transform into your angelic body, your soul serves as a catalyst, activating a manifestation blueprint within it. This blueprint takes on an appearance that reflects divine essence, much like other angels.] ''Wait, so the harp she saw before with Ang wasn''t her soul?'' [System: Affirmative.] ''Did you create the reverse pyramid when forming my second body?'' [System: Negative. Divine essence follows certain rules that even the system has no data.] He tried to ask for more details, eager to understand why that particr symbol manifested in his angel body. However, the system could only respond that it might be rted to his own soul, leaving him frustrated and still searching for answers. (So it''s another thing the system doesn''t know) he mused inwardly, using his technique to hide his real thought. The reason he was obsessed with figuring out the reverse pyramid was that it resembled his father''s emblem, the mark of the evil monarch. He had a strong feeling that this was tied to his bloodline. ording to the madman, his bloodline held the key to freeing him from the system''s influence. The coincidence was too irregr. With this new information, he made a mental note to keep it hidden in his consciousness, a ce the system couldn''t ess. He thenposed himself, and redirected his focus back to Aiku. "You can go now. If you feel like someone is following you, contact me immediately." "Thank you, Master," After settling everything, he left the cafe to search for a hotel. To stay safe, he took multiple taxis, making sure no one could easily track him. He even stopped by a mall to buy aptop. After a while, he checked into a secluded hotel, and got himself a room. He set up hisptop and plugged in the USB drive. The information Aiku provided was more in-depth than he expected, and he had to admit it was valuable. One detail particrly caught his attention: Tempest Fort had dered that they would be intervening in response to the growing number of destroyed cities. This shift in power dynamics would have significant implications for his ns. But it was within his expectations; he knew he would have to go toe-to-toe with the government sooner orter. This was just the beginning of arger confrontation he had been anticipating. ''Alright, time to level up,''n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Chapter 430 Huge Milestone The ground was stained red with blood, spreading between the cracks in the streets. Buildingsy in ruins, and broken ss and rubble covered everything. Reign walked slowly through the destruction, each step sshing in the blood. In the distance, loud screams pierced the air, sharp and desperate. People ran, tripping over the debris, trying to get away from the undead army. Some cried, others begged, but it didn''t matter to him. He didn''t see them as people¡ªjust food. All those feelings he''d had before, when he was trapped in that weird ce, were nothing more than a result of his weakness. His need for connection, his guilt, his hesitation¡ªthey had all been symptoms of his insecurities. Now, that weakness was gone. He had transcended it, reverting back to his old self. The only thing that could really challenge his evil nature was Celine. She was the one person who made him feel something close to doubt, a flicker of hesitation . Fortunately, he had found a loophole, a way around the one thing that could have stopped him. Now, with her not around, no one could stop him. "Please, don''t hurt me!" A woman stumbled toward him. Her face was streaked with tears, each one a testament to the horror she had witnessed. She shook uncontrobly, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape that was no longer possible. "Have mercy!" she pleaded. BURST! He stepped on her head and killed her instantly. He didn''t even bother to look at her crushed skull. ''Did I step on something?'' He checked his feet as if he had just stepped in a pile of shit. ''Never mind... They''reing closer,'' he muttered, watching as his undead army herded the remaining survivors into the center.. It would be easy to finish them off now¡ªall he needed was one move. Raising his fingers, he decided on the simplest method: lightning. CRACK! A sh of light crackled in the air, and chain lightnings struck the crowd, killing everyone in a single wave. After they died, he absorbed their vitalities, his power growing . [Ding!] [Level 100]n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ''Finally,'' He clenched his fist in excitement. It had been a long journey, and the number of humans he had killed was already in the 8 digits. But in the end, it was all worth it. [System: Congrattions, Host, for reaching Level 100!] [Rewards] [Store : New Items] [Advance Analysis] [Research and Development Option] [All Skills can be leveled up to 100] [Original Skills - legendary Upgrade] [System Evolution] The number of rewards in his window showed just how huge this milestone was. He couldn''t help but grin as he scanned the list of unlocks. It wasn''t wrong to say that Level 100 was the point where he could really take advantage of the system''s abilities. "Advance Analysis," he said, clicking the option to see what he should expect. A new window opened in front of him, filled with detailed information. -O-O-O-O-O-O-O- >>Language Analysis Analyze thenguage patterns, dialects, andmunication styles . >>Item Analysis Examine item or equipment for its properties, strengths, and weaknesses. >>DNA Analysis: Study the gic makeup of living beings to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and potential evolutions. -O-O-O-O-O-O-O- The descriptions were pretty straightforward, but what caught his attention was the DNA Analysis. With this ability, he could finally check and study the meta-humans inside of him, unlocking the secrets of their power. If he could figure them out, then when he reached Demon King Status, he wouldn''t just be any other Demon King¡ªhe would be the strongest. In addition, the irregrity of meta-human powers meant that there was a possibility he could jump ranks and even contend against a Demon God for a short period of time. That thought sent a thrill through him. It would be like climbing to the heavens in one giant leap, instantly cing him among the strongest beings in the world. "System , I want to use Data Analysis in the Meta-Humans," hemanded. [System: Host, the Data Analysis will consume a lot of processing power because meta-humans areplex beings.] [I advise the Host to postpone this, as the processing power would be needed for your evolution to Demon King.] Reign frowned, momentarily torn between his curiosity and the urgency of his evolution. The prospect of analyzing the meta-human inside him was enticing, but the chance to ascend to Demon King status was too great to ignore. ''Okay, I''ll focus on bing a Demon King first. The analysis can wait.'' He knew that once he achieved that level of power, he could explore the meta-human abilities to his heart''s content. ''What should I do now? How can I evolve?'' [System: Host need another seed to be sacrifice just likest time.] Hearing this, he quickly checked his Dark Dust points and saw that he had more than enough to buy one. Without hesitation, he purchased it and began the process. [System requires to temporary control the host to facilitate the process. Grant permission?] [Yes] or [No] He hesitated for a moment. The system had taken control of his body multiple times before, including when he broke through to Demon Lord status. But now, with all the doubts he had, it was bing harder to trust it. Unfortunately, he was still dependent, so he had no choice. "Yes," he muttered. [System: Affirmative.] With that, his consciousness shut down, plunging him into darkness. He didn''t transfer to his second body this time. A seed protruded from his chest, warm and pulsating. It dropped to the ground and quickly sprouted into a humanoid figure, its features the same with his second body. The system then enacted its n. [System: Allocating all avable Dark Points, Skill Points, and Dark Dust Points to enhance the second body.] As this announcement echoed, new cores began to materialize in the second body, mimicking his own. The system worked tirelessly to upgrade it, pushing it toward the peak of Upper Level Demon. [System: Insufficient Points to achieve Peak Demon King Level.] [System: Converting Stored Energy and processing power as a substitute resource.] Chapter 432 Transcended 2 He aimed the railgun forward, the sleek barrel glinting with dark red sparks. A low hum vibrated in the air, buzzing with kic energy. What once took ten seconds was done in an instant, and the railgun felt stronger than ever. ''I think I can push this further,'' He revved it up, pushing the energy levels higher, the vibrations growing more intense as he concentrated. Five seconds passed . Each seconds stretching out as he felt the energy building inside the railgun. ''Isn''t this too much?,'' He wondered what would happen next as the railgun began to release excess energy. But the thrill of unleashing such power overshadowed his doubt. In addition, thend around him was already a graveyard¡ªempty and lifeless¡ªso he had no reason to hold back. Not that it mattered anyway. Ten seconds passed . "Obliterate!" he shouted, and pulled the trigger. CLICK! A brilliant beam of energy erupted from the barrel, illuminating the entire area and pushing the miasma away for a split second. It was an immensely powerful attack, far stronger than anything he had unleashed before. However¡ª There was no sound of explosion¡ªjustplete silence as the beam pierced through everything in its path without stopping. ''Did my railgun just turn into a fuckingser?'' He felt that calling it a railgun didn''t do it justice anymore. ''I need to check it again,'' He aimed his railgun again, counting to five in his mind. As he reached the five-second mark, he pulled the trigger, his gaze fixed solely on the barrel. The world around him faded into the background and everything slowed down. When the projectile left the barrel, he watched in slow motion as it disintegrated into nothingness. The immense energy that had fueled it was too much. But it did manage to concentrate and direct the pent up energy in a straight line, creating aser effect that sliced through the air . While it didn''t have as much area of effect, its speed and prating power were off the charts. It was so fast that it couldn''t be dodged by normal means. ''It''s not the speed of light yet, but I feel like it''s already close to 50%. Is my calction correct?'' he asked the system [System: After a 10-second charge, it was around 45% of the speed of light.] ''Can I make it go faster?'' [System: Affirmative, but your current body durability can only handle up to 54%.] Reign frowned, contemting the system''s response. "So, if I can push it to 54%, what happens if I go beyond that? Will I just break apart?" [System: Exceeding 54% may cause severe damage to your body. It is not rmended.] He shook his head, a smirk creeping onto his face. ''So I just need to just increase my durability. That''s not an issue.'' Now that he had reached Demon King level, earning points would be easier. He recalled a saying from his old world: "Money creates money." The principle was straightforward: the more resources you had, the easier it was to expand. It was much harder to go from zero to a million dors than it was to grow from one million to ten million, or from ten million to a hundred million. Once someone reached a certain threshold, the momentum built on itself. But for now, he had to get out of there. This ce was too close to Green Valley City, and staying any longer could be risky. The amount of energy he had released during his evolution was immense¡ªfar beyond anything he had ever unleashed before ''They''ve probably noticed it by now,'' he muttered to himself. He had always relied on the ck miasma to disrupt any kind of detection ormunication, but he wasn''t foolish enough to becent. Humans were resourceful, constantly finding ways to adapt and innovate. Reign had seen it time and time again¡ªno matter how many obstacles were thrown at them, they always found a way to push through. Floating effortlessly in the air, Reign felt his evolved body naturally adjusting as he began to fly higher. He had expected it to be more challenging to control with four sets of wings, but to his surprise, he found he could maneuver in the air much better than before. SWOOOOSH! pping his wings, he moved in the opposite direction of Green Valley, putting as much distance as possible. But before he could leave the entire area, he noticed something was off in the distance. THUD! Hended on the ground and surveyed his surroundings, only to realize that he was now inside a massive canyon. His evolution had terraformed the wholendscape, creating a deep hole that punctured the ground. ''How much energy did I release?'' he eximed in shock, staring at the sheer scale of the destruction. The canyon was even bigger than the one in Brentwood. Seeing this, he felt like he had severely underestimated his growth. ''System, can I cause this kind of damage again if I really wanted to?'' [System: Affirmative. However, it would take the host five minutes to charge an attack of this magnitude and also to increase your durability.] ''Then how did this happen?'' [This destruction was merely a result of all your energy being released and then absorbed back by your body.] ''Five minutes? Huh, that''s too long,'' he shook his head, epting that it was not a viable option at all. In a fight against someone of his rank, every seconds count. While they might not be as fast as him, he was certain they could kill him in seconds if he stood still, charging his attack like a sitting duck. ''I also can''t use this in cities, because it would erase everyone along with their bodies,''n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om He paused for a moment and contemted. ''I''ll think about itter. I''m sure I can find a way to use an attack of this level in the future,'' With that thought in mind, he flew back into the air and continued his flight. He wanted to find a secluded ce toy low and check his other rewards. Chapter 433 Creating Cracks In Green Valley City, the day started like any other, with the sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing through the streets. People went about their routines, chatting with neighbors and enjoying their day. Suddenly, the ground shook¡ªa slight tremor at first, then a violent rumble like a heavy truck barreling down the street. Continue reading stories on empire Conversations stopped as people nced around, startled. A mother pulled her child close, and an elderly man steadied himself against a wall. The shaking intensified, rattling windows and causing loose items on porches to drop. A few kids giggled, thinking it was a game, but theirughter quickly turned to nervous whispers as the adults urged them to be quiet. Some even left their homes, afraid that it would copse on them. As the shaking finally stopped, people began to step outside, looking at each other with a mix of relief and worry. The usual sounds of traffic vanished, reced by an unsettling silence that hung in the air. Even the drivers, usually honking and rushing about their day, had decided to pull over and take a moment to collect their thoughts. While some pedestrians had paused mid-step, eyes wide with confusion. "What just happened?" people began asking, checking their phones for thetest news. The tremor felt unusual; earthquakes of this magnitude were rare not just in Green Valley City but across the continent. Most residents had heard stories of earthquakes but had never experienced one themselves,rgely due to the miasma . The emergence of the ck miasma had changed everything. Geological surveys had shown that many regions, once prone to seismic activity, had entered a period of dormancy. The underground magma chambers, which had been the heart of volcanic systems, were now silent, their energies cooled down because of theck of heat from the real sun. . . . Meanwhile, in Lilith''s mansion, she paced back and forth in her office. That tremor wasn''t natural; something far more powerful was at y. ''Did the humans test some kind of weapon of mass destruction?'' she mumbled to herself, frustration bubbling up. It never ur to her that the one responsible for the chaos was someone she knew all too well. The idea that Reign was capable of such a feat was just too hard to believed. Her thoughts swirled as she considered the possibilities. If humans were experimenting with such weapons near Green Valley, the consequences could be catastrophic for her. She needed information¡ªquickly. Lilith grabbed her phone, intent on contacting herwork of spies. *** *** *** Green Valley - Hazard Department [Warning!] [Warning!] [Warning!] The loud rm echoed through the hall, startling everyone as the floor began to shake beneath their feet. Scientists and engineers hurried to their stations, their eyes fixed on the giant monitor at the center of the control room. The screen was filled with red alerts, warning signs, and rapidly changing data .n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om "What''s happening?" one engineer demanded, his voice barely audible over the rms. Fortunately, one of the personnel was smart enough to input some code to the control panel, and stop the rms, allowing everyone topose themselves. "Okay, everyone, let''s regroup and assess what we have," A group of researchers, led by Dr. Anya Lard, entered the control room and huddled around the panels, fingers moving quickly across touchscreens and keyboards. They were receiving real-time data from the seismic sensors underground, which could detect sudden vibrations from thousands of miles away. With the help of advanced AI technology, they could pinpoint the origin of the disturbance and estimate its magnitude by analyzing the iing data and reproducing it . If there was one thing that the sensors were notoriously bad at, it was that the vibrations needed to be strong enough to be detected in the first ce. Subtle shifts or low-level disturbances often went unnoticed. "It''s a 5.0 magnitude," one of the younger scientist reported. Dr. Lard adjusted her sses and focused on the seismic data. "Run the system again," shemanded, his eyes fixed on the flickering monitors. "Check if it was a natural phenomenon or not. " The young scientist nodded and quickly input themands, watching the screen as he recalibrate the analysis. A momentter, graphs and data points surged across the monitor, illuminating potential causes of the seismic activity. "Look at this, Doctor Anya," he said, pointing at the holographic disy. "It shows that the vibrations came from the east of Green Valley City, about 100 miles from here." "Are you sure ? 100 miles from here is Ashwood?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at the screen. "Yes, I''m sure, Doctor Anya. The seismic readings confirm it." "Is it an earthquake?" she asked "No, it''s an explosion from the surface," the young scientist replied. "An explosion? That changes everything. We need to reassess the situation immediately. What kind of explosion could cause such a seismic event?" The young scientist turned back to the screen, analyzing the data further. "The energy output is far beyond what we''d expect from conventional explosives. The patterns suggest something much more powerful¡ªpossibly even experimental or advanced weapon of mass destruction." Dr. Anya contemted for a moment, recalling a simr incident from the past. "Check the data about the explosion that happened in Brentwood. We need to know if there are any simrities between them" she ordered. While what happened in Brentwood hadn''t directly affected them due to the sheer distance, they were still able to gather some data on the slight tremors that reach Green Valley. The young scientist quickly essed the archived data, his fingers moving rapidly across the keyboard as he began cross-referencing it with the current one. "Dr. Anya,paring the two, we''ve found a 70% simrity. But this one is much stronger." Her heart raced at the implication. "Contact the local government . Ask them if they sanctioned any weapon test . We need to know if this is part of an operation or something else. " The urgency in her voice prompted immediate action. Heads nodded in agreement, and they scrambled to carry out her orders. Chapter 434 Preparing for War Tempest Fort. The atmosphere in the briefing room buzzed with conversation. Large metal walls gleamed under the cool, white lights, giving the room a clean, modern feel. In the center, a long, shiny steel table stretched out, with chairs around it for the representative from different groups¡ªmercenaries, advanced soldiers, and hunters. These individuals weren''t just any ordinary fighters; they had been carefully selected for this meeting. While they might not be the absolute strongest, their overallbat skills and abilities were still exceptionally high, making them some of the best in their respective fields. Did you hear thetest news from Green Valley?" a young man with brown undercut hair leaned closer "They''ve sent a distress signal. Something big is happening out there." Hispanion, a sturdy middle age man with a beard, nodded, eyes wide with concern. "I heard it too. They say it''s something powerful, maybe even a new type of corrupted." A muscr mercenary with a scar running down his cheek chimed in, crossing his arms over his chest. "You think it''s a new numbered corrupted ? Last I heard, No. 17 was running rampant in that area." "Could be," the young man mused aloud. These three were representatives of the Veiled Nights, and they all held the prestigious ck Rank, the highest rank avable. While they were the face of the organization in this meeting, other members were waiting for theirmand. The representatives of the advanced soldiers joined in the conversation, their demeanor a mix of professionalism and camaraderie. However ¡ª The hunters remained silent. They knew their skills were top-notch, and they weren''t there to join in on small talk. Aside from that, a tension also lingered between them. All the strongest mercenaries were divergents¡ªpeople with demon blood¡ªand hunters looked down on them for it. It was almost surprising that they were willing to stay in the same room together at all. CLICK! The door swung open, and Governor Snider walked in with amanding presence. His sharp blue formal suit fit perfectly, and his serious expression made it clear he was in charge. Instantly, the chatter faded. Representatives from various groups stood up and saluted him in unison, their faces a mix of respect and nervousness. "Governor," they said together, their voices echoing in the room. But at the far end of the table, the hunters stayed seated, showing no sign of respect. They exchanged nces but kept their focus straight ahead, proving they were independent and didn''t follow the same rules as the other Governor Snider''s eyes scanned the room,nding on the hunters. They all looked haughty and prideful, just as he had expected. ''Arrogant fools. Just wait; humanity won''t need you relics of the past in the future,'' He felt a sh of annoyance but quickly hid it behind a calm expression. "Thank you all for being here today," he said, his voice firm but steady. "We have important matters to discuss about the situation in Green Valley. I need each of you to pay attention " With that, he prepared to exin .n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om "Our intelligence has confirmed that a level 8 crisis is happening in the Green Valley Region. " "Tier 4 Cities are being destroyed at an rming rate, and we suspect a powerful corrupted entity is responsible. Early reports indicate this could be a new type of corrupted, one that''s nearly at Demon King levels." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "For now, we''ll refer to it as Corrupted No. 36," A soft buzz spread through the room as the mercenaries exchanged worried nces. The young man with the undercut leaned forward. "Demon King levels? How are we supposed to handle something like that?" He asked, concerned about the distance from Tempest Fort to Green Valley. That meant the amount of manpower and resources they could send would be limited, making the situation even more dangerous. "Thest I heard, we had to get help from the Abyssal Alliance to deal with No. 17!" the sturdy middle age man with beard added. The hunters'' expressions darkened after hearing the theirment. They felt it was a deliberate jab at them. It stung even more knowing that their own director was the one responsible for requesting that outside help. That wasn''t something they could be proud of, and it only deepened the tension in the room. Snider sensed the mood. He knew he had to change the topic before things got worse. "We have no choice but to respond regardless," Snider replied, his voice steady. "If we don''t take action soon, Green Valley will be lost, and we''ll lose our resources there as well. You all know our territory is limited, and the fight against the corrupted never stops. We can''t afford to lose that area." Conversations filled the room, and some representatives exchanged anxious looks. "What about the risks? If this corrupted is as powerful as you say, we could be sending our best into a trap." Asked by another mercenary. Snider met his gaze head-on. "That''s a risk we have to take." "Governor, that''s not enough to convince us .This will be a huge risk for us. If you miscalcted, we could all end up dead." "I understand your concerns, and I want to assure you that we''re taking this very seriously. If you agree to join this mission, I promise that everyone involved will bepensated handsomely for their efforts. You won''t just receive the standard payment," The mercenaries'' expressions shifted as soon as they heard the mention of money. "We will help you, Governor. It''s our duty to protect humanity, especially when we have the ability to do so." the young man quickly replied "It''s good that we are now on the same page," Snider said, clearing his throat tomand everyone''s attention. "I need everyone to look at the monitor. I think you''ll find this very interesting," he gestured . Everyone turned their focus, their eyes fixed intently on the screen. Enjoy new tales from empire "This is the future of humanity," Snider dered.