《Reborn With the Infinite Gods System》


 Chapter 1: 1: Reborn

    Being an overworked office worker isn''t just a job¡ªit''s a modern form of very. Day after day, I serve money while the wealthy make it serve them. It''s been nine hundred and twenty-eight days of working almost twenty hours daily in the same sterile office, clicking and tapping away at my keyboard. I have no life, no wife, no children. I''m still a virgin. All I do is work, as they expect me to.


    I''ve tried to smile, but even my body rebels now. Sometimes, I wonder if anyone notices the dark circles under my eyes or the gauntness of my body. But when people see me, they just look away. Humans are truly despicable when something doesn''t concern them.


    Not long ago, I considered quitting, but the thought of my tiny,fortless apartment held me back. I''m promoted, paid well, yet I live like a pauper. Is it the taxes, the cost of living, or sending money to my parents? Or maybe it''s the endless cycle of getting drunk every night. I''m trapped in this life, but not for much longer. Today, I''ll quit.


    ---


    With that resolve, Harry left the office and the building without a word. As he passed by colleagues and security guards, he ignored their questions. He walked into the night, the cold air biting at his skin. The streetlights were dim, barely illuminating the deserted streets.


    He suddenly remembered he''d left his sses in the office. It didn''t matter now; he could hardly see anything in the weak light anyway. As he crossed the road, his mind wandered. ''Tonight, I''ll feast. Tomorrow, I''ll dip into my savings and see the world. Maybe visit the beach and meet someone nice.'' For the first time in years, he felt a flicker of hope and freedom.


    But that feeling was short-lived.


    With a swift motion, Harry''s foot slipped, and he plummeted into an open manhole he hadn''t seen. The darkness swallowed him, and hended hard. The impact shattered his jaw and snapped his neck. His body struck a pile of metal scraps, piercing his flesh.


    "Uhk! Uhk... Zuhk!" He tried to scream, but all that came out were choked gurgles. Pain engulfed him, both physical and emotional. His consciousness began to fade, and hisst thoughts were curses directed at whoever left the manhole uncovered.


    As his life slipped away, hemented, ''Just when I nned to live... I die for it.'' His regrets echoed in his mind: no vacations, never tasted a burrito, never learned to ride a bike, never yed football. ''Can I even be considered human with this much left on my bucket list?''


    And then, darkness.


    ---


    m! The sharp sting of a p brought him back. He cried out in shock and confusion, only to realize he was a newborn in a midwife''s arms. The woman spoke in anguage he didn''t understand, but the reality of his situation hit him hard.


    ''The mighty business geek, now a baby? What happened to the afterlife? Is this some kind of joke?''


    The midwife ced him in the arms of a woman who felt like his mother. She kissed his forehead tenderly. His father, a joyful man, danced around, eximing about how handsome he was.


    "He''s got all my wonderful features!" the manughed, his joy infectious.


    The woman smiled down at him. "We''ll call you Axel, which means ''elves'' pride.''"


    Lying there, Harry¡ªor rather, Axel¡ªfelt a surreal mix of disbelief and wonder. ''This is like something out of the manga and novels I used to read. I''ve transmigrated into another world.''


    And thus, a new life began.

 Chapter 2: 2: New World

    ''In this new world I''ve been reincarnated into, it''s unlike the Earth I used to know, but with significant changes that make it feel as though it isn''t,'' Axel Teras mused, taking in the strange yet familiarndscape around him.


    Three hundred years ago, a cataclysmic event reshaped the destiny of humankind. A dangerous alien species descended from space with a singr purpose: to turn humans into food, or so some imed. Others believed they intended to seize the for themselves. Regardless of their intentions, humanity faced an existential threat.


    But in humanity''s darkest hour, a miraculous phenomenon urred. Every human above the age of ten began to awaken with mysterious powers. This phenomenon became a rite of passage, transforming ordinary children into potential warriors.


    The process was simple yet profound. On the day a child turned ten, they would enter a mysterious space filled with countless statues. ording to those who had experienced it, each child had to choose one statue. The chosen statue would bestow upon them an innate ability, which they would then nurture and train throughout their lives.


    These newfound abilities allowed humans to repel the alien invaders, at least partially. The aliens, too, adapted and evolved, but humanity now had a fighting chance, a leverage they hadn''t possessed before.


    ''I, Harry... no, I am Axel Teras now. Today, I will finally awaken,'' Axel thought, slipping his hands into his pockets and surveying his surroundings. The anticipation was palpable. He was ten atst and on the verge of graduating alongside his ss of sixteen students. The graduation ceremony hinged on their ability to awaken an innate power, and today was the day it would happen.


    ''It might sound hard to believe that everyone turns ten on the same day, but in this modern Earth, to avoid chaos, every child is born on the same day¡ªMarch 20th,'' Axel reflected, a small smile ying on his lips at the thought of the coordinated birthdates.


    The headmaster, an imposing figure with a short white beard and a regal bearing, scanned the group of students. His eyes lingered on the promising ones, a mixture of hope and expectation in his gaze. He stroked his beard thoughtfully, tapping his ornate walking stick on the ground.


    "Let me go over what you must do when you enter the Realm of Awakening, onest time," the headmaster announced, checking his pocket watch. "It''s just a few minutes until noon, so we have very little time left before you all be proper Awakened ones, ready to contribute to the war effort."


    He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "Once you enter that realm, time flows differently. An hour there is a minute here, a day is an hour. It''s a strange system, but that''s how it works. In that realm, you''ll see a number of statues. The number you see corrtes with the potential of your awakening.


    Three statues suggest an average awakening, while the highest number recorded is twenty. Choosing a statue should not be overly challenging, but remember, once you''ve made your choice, it''s final. You''ll return to your body here, and we''ll conduct tests to determine your rank and type of ability. Reflect on this carefully."


    With a final, reassuring nod, the headmaster walked away to confer with the professors. The weight of his words hung in the air, a palpable tension settling over the students.


    Axel stood confidently amidst his ssmates, many of whom fidgeted nervously. The stakes were high; a low-ranked power meant a lifetime of struggle and being treated as lesser. In this world, strength was everything, and the weak were often left behind, or worse, exploited.


    A beefy, muscr boy approached Axel, his expression a mix of excitement and anxiety. "Man, Axel, I''m on edge," he confessed, running a hand through his short-cropped hair.


    Axel nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. He was certain he would awaken a powerful ability. After all, he was the academy''s prodigy, excelling in both mana practicals and written assessments. ''Being a top graduate won''t go to waste,'' he thought, a flicker of pride in his eyes.


    "I''m sure Axel will awaken some kind of elemental SS-Rank ability," chimed in Sarah, a girl with a radiant whiteplexion, vibrant orange hair, and glowing irises. She was strikingly beautiful, with an air of quiet strength.


    "I''m sure you''ll do great too, Sarah," Axel replied, winking at her with a more-than-friendly gesture.


    Sarahughed, nudging him yfully. "Of course we will! Right, Williams? The genius aura of Axel rubs off on us, doesn''t it?" she joked, ncing at a boy with a perpetually serious expression.


    Williams grinned, his eyes fixed on his watch. He had set a timer for midnight, keenly monitoring the countdown. The seconds were ticking away, and soon, they would enter the Realm of Awakening.


    As the final seconds approached, a hush fell over the room. The headmaster and professors watched with bated breath, their eyes flicking between the students and therge clock on the wall.


    ''Three...''


    Axel braced himself, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation churning in his stomach.


    ''Two...''


    The world seemed to hold its breath, the air thick with the weight of the moment.


    ''One...''


    At that precise moment, a strange sensation washed over Axel. The world around him blurred and twisted, as if reality itself was being unraveled. He felt a tug, pulling him away from his physical form and into the unknown.

 Chapter 3: 3: These Statues Look Familiar

    Axel''s eyes adjusted to the strange light of the world he had just entered. A second ago, he had been counting down to zero, and now he found himself in some kind of astral realm. The atmosphere around him shimmered with a bizarre luminescence, making everything appear surreal and otherworldly. The sky above was a vast expanse of stars, shining with an intensity he had never seen before.


    Strange, swirling patterns of light danced among the stars, and a weird mane-like aura enveloped the sky, overwhelming his senses.


    He moved, feeling the air around him. It was as if he was moving through water, yet he could breathe without difficulty. There was a sense of weightlessness, but no buoyant force pushing him up, a sensationpletely unlike anything he had experienced before. "Wow, it feels so surreal," he whispered to himself. "So this is the realm of awakening."


    Remembering his purpose, Axel realized he needed to select his statue of awakening. He nced around and his jaw dropped. Statues, hundreds, no, thousands of them, filled the space. Each statue was intricately carved, standing on its own stone podium. His heart raced as he tried to grasp the sheer number. "How are there so many?" he gasped, cing his hands on his head.


    The daunting task of choosing one statue among thousands loomed over him, each choice possibly altering his destiny.


    Without wasting any more time, Axel hurried toward the statues, eager to find the one that resonated with him. He recalled his training: *Which one looks powerful? Look at the scribbling on the statue that describes what it is.* He approached the first statue, a wave of familiarity washing over him. As he got closer, he could read the inscription on the podium: *The Emperor of Chaos, Chronos*.


    Axel''s eyes widened in recognition. "This statue is from a god of my time before reincarnation," he muttered, the revtion sending a chill down his spine.


    He continued exploring, spotting statues of Eros, Boreas, the North Wind God, Hermes, and Artemis. Each statue depicted a deity from Greek mythology, gods he knew well from his previous life. It was as if he had stepped into a museum of ancient history, one where the exhibits were the very gods of legend. Axel''s excitement grew with each discovery.


    "If that''s the case, then my choice won''t be as hard as I thought," he mused, a smile spreading across his face. He could almost see his future as the top student at the academy, armed with a power that stemmed from the mythology he loved as a child.


    His father had bought him CDs of mythology stories, a cherished memory that now seemed prophetic. Those stories were about to be the foundation of his strength in this new world.


    After what felt like an eternity, Axel finally found what he was searching for. Three statues stood in a straight line, each spaced three feet apart. They were unlike the others; instead of stone, these statues were made of gold, shimmering with a divine aura. Axel''s breath hitched as he recognized them: *Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades*. The three most powerful gods of Greek mythology.


    Axel grinned widely, his gaze shifting between the statues. The golden sheen made them stand out, their divine presence palpable. He approached them, feeling a mixture of awe and apprehension. This was it; his decision was imminent. "Poseidon," he muttered, "that one is scratched off the board. But Zeus and Hades?" He sighed, contemting the choice before him.


    Zeus, the king of the gods, was the obvious choice. Known for his power, leadership, and numerous exploits, he seemed the safest bet. An average person would have chosen Zeus without hesitation. But Axel wasn''t looking for the obvious. He was drawn to Hades, the god who ruled the underworld, shrouded in mystery and rarely interfering with the affairs of the other gods.


    Hades had always intrigued Axel, not because of his power but because of his enigmatic nature. He barely got into conflicts, and little was recorded about him, likely due to his introverted lifestyle and deep, contemtive nature.


    Axel pondered this, weighing the pros and cons. Hades'' obscurity made him unpredictable, potentially powerful in ways others couldn''t foresee. "To me, Hades is the only god buried within his own world," Axel thought, "barely involved in the surface''s affairs. He''s an underdog, and that''s why I believe he''s the strongest."


    After a moment''s hesitation, Axel made his choice. He reached out and ced his hand on the statue of Hades. As he did, a notification screen materialized before him, startling him.


    **[Special message]**


    **[The Gold Statue of Hades can be tricky at times. Binding to this statue might mean the risk of receiving a useless skill from him or gaining everything.]**


    Axel''s breath hitched. The risk was immense. A single useless skill could ruin his entire career, just as it could with Zeus. But the potential reward was equally great. This was a gamble, and Axel knew it. He clenched his fist, steeling himself.


    "I just have to take this leap," he whispered, nodding with resolve. "Yes."


    **[Synchronization has begun]**


    There was no turning back now. As the synchronization process started, Axel felt a surge of energy coursing through him, a connection forming between him and the god of the underworld. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for whatever came next.


    **[Done]**


    **[Your statue binding has beenpleted. You can now leave.]**


    Axel opened his eyes, a sense of calm washing over him. This was it¡ªthe beginning of his journey to bing the strongest. He had chosen the path less traveled, and now, he was ready to face whatever challengesy ahead. As he stepped away from the statue, he couldn''t help but feel a thrill of anticipation.


    "This marks my journey to bing the strongest," he murmured, a determined smile on his face.

 Chapter 4: 4: Ranking Test

    Axel''s body sprang back to life, his eyes fluttering open. He found himself lying silently on the cold floor. He quickly stood, trying to assess the situation. The room was filled with the low murmur of voices; everyone else was already awake, watching him.


    They must have had fewer statues to choose from, unlike him, who had to search endlessly to find the right one. But it wasn''t time wasted; he was sure he had bonded with an awakened ability that would guarantee him an SS Rank.


    "What took you so long, Prodigy?" Sarah teased, cing her hand on her hip and raising an eyebrow in a yful gesture.


    Axel smiled, shaking off the lingering disorientation. "I bet he found a really powerful statue to bind with," William chimed in, shrugging with a hint of unease. "I''m not really sure about my choice, though."


    Axel nced at his friends, seeing the mix of anxiety and anticipation in their faces. "Don''t worry," he said reassuringly, extending his pinky finger. "Anyone who gets the best Awakening will take care of the others. Let''s promise ourselves that." The others mirrored his gesture, linking pinkies with gratified smiles.


    The headmaster''s authoritative voice cut through the murmur. "Now that you have all received your awakened abilities, it''s time to determine your ranks and ability types." His wordsmanded attention, and the room fell silent. With a wave of his hand, he gestured for the newly awakened students to follow him. "This will determine your future," he continued as they walked.


    "Whether you be a highly ranked awakened who brings change or a failure with no purpose, I expect greatness from all of you. Inspire a new era of Awakened."


    *Easier said than done,* Axel thought, clenching his fists. *The least expected rank is a C, but for prodigies like us, nothing less than A-Rank will suffice.* He adjusted the sleeves of his well-fitted shirt, trying to steady his nerves as they approached arge, arched wooden door.


    The headmaster pushed the door open, revealing a vast stadium filled with underssmen who had gathered to witness their seniors'' triumphs or failures. Axel felt the weight of their stares, the expectant buzz in the air. The headmaster led them to a tall, crystal pir in the center of the tform. This crystal would reveal their ranks and awakened abilities with a simple touch.


    *ording to the textbooks, the crystal was originally created by aliens to test human abilities at the dawn of awakening. They used it to identify and consume the strongest among us, cultivating their own strength. Now, it''s a tool for us, and we''ve managed to secure a few of these before retaliating against the alien race. There are only a few in every country, and this is ours.*


    "Step forward as I call your name!" the headmaster announced, unfurling a scroll from his pocket. He scanned the list briefly before beginning. "Rita, step forward to get tested."


    Rita visibly shrank at hearing her name, her fear palpable. She walked towards the crystal with faltering steps, her heels clicking loudly in the hushed hall. Reaching the crystal, she ced a trembling hand on it. The crystal glowed white.


    "Rita, B-Rank Awakened, Type: Body," the headmaster read aloud.


    Rita''s face lit up with relief and joy. A B-Rank was a respectable achievement, guaranteeing her a well-paid job and a measure of respect. She jumped up, cheering with delight.


    "Whoa! That hot senior got a B-Rank!"


    "I didn''t expect that; she seemed so nervous."


    "Lucky her, she''snded on the soft side of life."


    As Rita returned to the crowd, her peers made way for her, their gazes filled with newfound respect. Axel watched her, feeling a surge of anticipation. *An S-Rank wouldmand even more respect.* He couldn''t wait for his turn, though he reminded himself that the greatest alwaysest.


    The headmaster continued calling names, and the students stepped forward one by one. Most awakened with C-Rank talents, a few with A-Rank, and fewer still with B-Rank. Only two students received D-Rank, one of whom retreated to a corner, while the other stood defiantly in the crowd, a woman with an inscrutable expression.


    Sarah awakened with an A-Rank, Elemental type, while William received a B-Rank, Body type. And then, finally, it was Axel''s turn.


    The headmaster called his name with a note of profound respect, expecting greatness. Perhaps even a rank beyond S. Axel felt a rush of pride and determination. He wasn''t nning to disappoint. He approached the crystal confidently, with a calm that belied the excitement bubbling inside him.


    *Body type, Elemental type, and Abnormal type are the three ssifications of awakened abilities,* Axel mused as he ced his hand on the crystal. *Hades should be more of an Abnormal type, known for their vast range of unique skills that can rival both Body and Elemental types.*


    As his hand touched the crystal, it began to glow, revealing his information.


    "What the hell..."


    "A prodigy is truly a prodigy!"


    "Look at that rank! I thought he might get a bad one, but this guy is unbelievable!"


    The headmaster adjusted his sses, staring in awe at the crystal''s disy. The room buzzed with disbelief and admiration. He read aloud, his voice filled with wonder, "Axel Teras, SS-Rank talent, Type: Abnormal."


    A self-assured grin spread across Axel''s face. He had done it; he was the best student in his ss. He nced over at Sarah, seeing her beaming with pride. This achievement solidified their future ns together. They could marry, start a good life, and thrive alongside their best friend, William.


    *Unlike myst life, I''ve made decisive choices. I''ll marry Sarah and build a good life, with William by our side...*


    The room''s atmosphere suddenly shifted.


    "What!"


    "Holy shit, this is messed up!"


    "Is that what I think it is?"


    "I knew it! Things never go well for his type. Too proud, too heartless."


    "Oh my God!" The headmaster''s exmation was the most rming.


    Axel''s heart pounded in his chest. The energy in the room was palpable, a mix of shock and horror. He turned to look at the crystal, his eyes scanning the words that had caused such a reaction. His breath caught in his throat as he read:


    **Name: Axel Teras


    Rank: SS-Rank


    Ability Type: Deceased**


    "W-what! W...what does that mean?" Axel''s voice trembled, his eyes darting around in confusion and fear. The crowd erupted into a frenzy, shouting insults and curses at him. His heart sank, a cold dread washing over him.


    The headmaster''s face twisted in pain. "Axel Teras, I''m afraid you have be the greatest shame to this academy, a husk with nothing but a void of darkness. Your ability has died."


    Axel''s world shattered. He stood there, numb, as the crowd''s jeers echoed in his ears. His vision blurred, and a crushing weight settled on his chest. He had achieved the highest rank, but it was meaningless. His awakened ability was gone, dead before it even began.


    The future he had envisioned with Sarah, the life he had nned to build, the respect he had hoped to earn¡ªall of it crumbled in an instant. He was not just a failure; he was a void, an empty vessel with no potential. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut, leaving him gasping for air.


    Axel stared nkly at the crystal, his thoughts spiraling into despair. *Why? Why did this happen?* His mind raced, searching for answers, for a way out of this nightmare. But there was none. The world had turned its back on him, and he was left alone in the darkness, with nothing but the echo of his shattered dreams.

 Chapter 5: 5: Whats left? Home

    ### Chapter 5: What''s Left? Home


    "What! How is that possible?!" Axel shouted, his voice echoing through the silent room. The Headmaster stood unmoved, turning away from Axel with a look of disgust, his lips pressed into a thin line. Axel felt his heart race, pounding painfully against his chest. The familiar faces of his ssmates, once filled with admiration and praise, were now twisted with aversion and disdain.


    ''This familiar feeling... No!'' Axel''s thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and denial. Refusing to ept the harsh reality, he hurried down from the Crystal tform, desperate to find sce in his friends, Williams and Sarah.


    As he strode through the crowd, students parted as though he were carrying a contagious disease, their faces masks of repulsion. Each sidestep felt like a dagger to Axel''s heart, a silent confirmation of his newfound pariah status. But he held onto a sliver of hope, believing that his friends would be different.


    Axel forced a grin, stretching his hand towards Williams, expecting a reassuring grasp. Instead, Williams recoiled, pping Axel''s hand away with a sneer. The force of the rejection caused Axel to stumble backward, struggling to maintain his bnce.


    "Don''t touch me, you fool!" Williams spat, his voice dripping with contempt. The harshness of his tone struck Axel like a physical blow, leaving him momentarily speechless.


    "Williams, it''s me, your best friend, Axel," Axel pleaded, his voice breaking. He knew how pathetic he sounded, but desperation wed at his insides.


    Williams avoided Axel''s eyes, his expression conflicted but resolute. "I know... But I have a good thing going now. I can''t be seen with the likes of you," he said, attempting to soften the blow. However, his words were still harsh, slicing through Axel''sst shreds of hope. "So don''t bother me again."


    Axel''s world spun. He turned to Sarah, hisst lifeline, his eyes wide and pleading. "S-Sarah... Babe, I''m sorry..." he began, but his words were cut short as Sarah''s hand met his face with a resounding p.


    "How dare you call me your girlfriend!" Sarah hissed, her eyes zing with fury and disgust. "You should be ashamed! You should be a ve from the gutters to me. How could you think someone like me would be with a man without a future?"


    The words stung, each syble a blow to his already battered spirit. Axel''s eyes widened, and his breath hitched as the realization dawned. "You... you used me? Everything we had was never real?"


    Sarah''s lips curled into a cruel smile. "You''re right, Axel. The only reason we were with you was because you showed promise. But now? Now you''re nothing but trash." Her voice was cold, dripping with disdain. "There is nothing real in a rtionship without gain.


    To me, you are simply dust now... just blow away."


    Axel felt his knees weaken, his mind racing with a torrent of emotions. ''I was used... They exploited me... Just like back then, when I was overworked and undervalued. This is the same feeling!'' The realization hit him hard, and his chest tightened painfully. ''I''ve be trash again.''


    ...


    With his confidence shattered, Axel trudged home, keeping his head down to avoid meeting anyone''s eyes. The once familiar path to his house felt like a walk of shame. He reached the door of hisrge, well-furnished home¡ªa symbol of his family''s status. The metallic rys and holographic tech disy showed the message, "Tax Paid!


    Non-Debtor," a government measure to ensure transparency in financial dealings.


    Axel couldn''t bring himself to care about the message or the house''s imposing presence. He hesitated, wrapping his right hand around the cold, smooth doorknob. With a timid twist, he pushed the door open, hoping to slip inside unnoticed.


    "Happy Graduation Day, Axel!"


    Axel was greeted by the sight of his father, mother, and little sister, Annie. The room was decorated with balloons and streamers, arge cake in the center¡ªa celebration of what should have been his awakening. His family''s faces were lit with joy and anticipation, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside him.


    The cheerful scene shattered Axel''s fragileposure. He copsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "I-I''m sorr... sorry," he choked out, unable to meet their eyes.


    His parents'' expressions shifted instantly. His father, who had been beaming with pride, dropped to the ground, overwhelmed with despair. Axel''s failure was a heavy blow, not just to him, but to his entire family, especially his father, an S-Rank hunter who had once believed in his son''s potential.


    "Don''t cry, Axel!" His mother, the only one managing to hold herself together, rushed to his side. She knelt beside him, pulling him into a warm embrace. "It''s going to be alright," she whispered, her voice soothing.


    Axel felt the soft wool of his mother''s clothing against his skin, but the warmth did little to thaw the cold, frosty feeling in his heart. This was a feeling he knew all too well¡ªthe feeling of bing a nobody, a failure, just as he had in his past life. He could see the same future unfolding before him.


    From a distance, Annie, his little sister, watched with confusion. She folded her arms, tears welling in her eyes as she tried to understand the situation. "Big brother, why are we crying?"


    Seeing Annie''s innocent face made Axel''s heart ache even more. The thought of being the senior meant to inspire and protect her, now reduced to a disgrace, weighed heavily on him. He felt like he had failed her, failed his family, and failed himself.


    ''I''m sorry, Annie, but I don''t deserve that title... I am only a failure,'' Axel thought, burying his face in his hands. The room''s decorations, the cake, and the smiles that had greeted him felt like a cruel mockery of what could have been. The warmth of his mother''s embrace couldn''t chase away the cold reality that had settled in his soul.

 Chapter 6: 6: First Raid

    The air was electric with anticipation as the members of the energetic Red Tigers guild gathered in front of therge, deserted mall. Their light-hearted banter contrasted sharply with the gravity of the situation. The Hunter Association had called them in for a mission involving a C-Rank gate that had opened at the mall.


    The normally bustling area was eerily empty, save for the guild members and the Monitor team tasked with overseeing the operation.


    Axel stood apart from his guildmates, scrolling through his phone to avoid conversation. Though a member of the guild, he felt like an outsider. It had been eight long years since his disappointing awakening, and the pain of that day had only deepened over time. His father had left shortly after Axel''s awakening, never to return, leaving a void that neither he nor his sister Annie could fill.


    At eleven, Axel was sent to military school, where he endured four grueling years. Though he graduated with good grades, his poor awakening rank haunted him. Struggling to find a job, he eventually joined a small Hunter Association, earning barely enough to survive.


    When his mother''s health declined, likely due to the stress of supporting the family alone, Axel pushed himself to join a C-Rank guild, despite being an E-Rank hunter. The experience left him with scars, both physical and emotional, but he persevered for the sake of his family.


    As he sat on the cold metal railing, Axel gripped the hilt of his dagger, a relic from his father. Though he resented the man, the dagger was a poignant reminder of better times. His thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling his name.


    "Hey, Mr. Teras!" A young woman approached him. She had long orange hair, a lightplexion, and striking blue eyes. Her attire, a rich outfit apanied by a mage''s cloak, and arge staff in hand, marked her as Veka, the guild''s healer mage. Despite being an A-Rank, herck ofbat prowess relegated her to C-Rank missions.


    "Can I sit beside you?" Veka asked, her tone timid.


    Axel nodded, not trusting himself to speak. She sat down, ufortably close. He could sense her trying to bridge the gap he had created between himself and the rest of the guild.


    "What do you want?" Axel finally broke the silence, his voice t.


    "You always seem so distant," Veka began, rubbing her hands together nervously. "I''ve been with you for over a year, and you still treat me like a stranger."


    Axel shrugged. "You''ve known everyone here longer than me. I barely even speak."


    Veka shook her head. "Not at all. You get the most injuries, so I''m always nearby, healing you."


    Axel smiled bitterly. ''You make me feel like some kind of crash test dummy.'' He looked away, the weight of her words pressing on him.


    "So, Mr. Teras, do you have any ns after this raid?" Veka asked, twirling a strand of her hair.


    Axel met her gaze, noticing the hopeful look in her eyes. ''What is she trying to do? Make me her friend?'' He sighed inwardly. ''Friends only exploit you, like petroleum diggers.'' "I have ns," he replied coldly. "But I''ll consider your offer if you''re paying." His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn''t eaten in over a day.


    Veka giggled, seemingly charmed by his bluntness. "Okay, I''ll make sure to feed you. Money isn''t an issue for me."


    ''Lucky you,'' Axel thought, feeling the familiar sting of poverty''s grip.


    Their conversation was cut short by amanding voice. "Hey, get ready!" It was Guild Leader Kart, a tall, muscr man with short ck hair. He wore a chest te and gauntlets, a shield and scabbard strapped to his back. His presencemanded respect and attention.


    "The Monitor team says the portal will open any moment now. Regroup with the others," Kart instructed. Veka quickly obeyed, rushing to join the rest of the guild, while Axel moved slowly, his body weighted with fatigue.


    "Watch yourself, Mr. Teras, and don''t hesitate to ask for help," Kart advised, his tone softer.


    "I don''t need your sympathy," Axel retorted, the sharpness in his voice masking the vulnerability he felt.


    Before joining the group, Axel nced at the Monitor team. These specialists were crucial in predicting the location, timing, and nature of portal appearances. They could also determine the strength of a portal by analyzing its characteristics.


    Portals were a rtively recent phenomenon, a response from alien invaders after humanity''s fierce resistance. Initially, the aliens had tried direct attacks with spaceships, but Earth''s defenses were too strong. The aliens then adapted, using portals to send their forces through before countermeasures could be deployed.


    This tactic had devastated many areas before the Hunter Association developed the means to anticipate and counter these incursions. Yet, the war with the aliens was growing more catastrophic, with each side constantly evolving its strategies and technologies.


    Axel took his ce at the back of the group, watching the scene unfold. The wind picked up, howling ominously as a small purple light began to form before the mall. The light expanded, swirling with a dark, liquid-like substance, until it was the size of a truck. This was the portal gate.


    "Red Tigers guild, move out!" Guild Leader Kart''s voice rang out, rallying the group. His followers responded with a cheer, their collective energy palpable as they approached the portal.


    Axel''s grip tightened on his father''s dagger. ''Another alien hunt begins,'' he thought, steeling himself for the challenges ahead. The sight of the portal filled him with a mix of dread and determination. This raid, like all the others, was a necessary battle in a war that seemed endless, a war where humanity fought not just for survival, but for a future free from fear and exploitation.

 Chapter 7: 7: Hearing Nightmares

    The guild members entered the portal silently, each of them raising their guard as they stepped into enemy territory. Axel was among thest to cross, gripping his dagger with both hands as he scanned their surroundings. The ce they emerged into was a red tform, seemingly made out of some kind of metal. Red pirs surrounded them, and the inside of the ship was both spacious and dimly lit.


    He turned around, watching the portal swirl behind them before it closed, sealing them off from the outside world.


    ''ssic alien ship for you, just that we should be expecting an attack by now...''


    "Stay close!" Guild Leader Kart shouted to his team, jolting them into a defensive stance.


    Right on time, a group of aliens rushed into the room, heavily armed withrge ster-like guns and metallic clubs.


    These aliens resembled ants standing on two legs, with bulky bodies encased in red armor. Hundreds of tiny eyeballs covered their faces, and horns jutted from their heads like those of a buffalo.


    These were the Fetak race.


    The guild master and three others charged at the aliens, their weapons at the ready. The Fetak with guns responded with a rapid barrage of boiling-hotsers from their rifles.


    Luckily, the guild members had specially crafted shields, which they used to deflect the searing beams.


    ''Just like the aliens have advanced technology, we also have our infused weapons to match theirs.''


    Axel watched from a distance as the guild master and the others overpowered the aliens one by one, easily tearing through most of them with their weapons.


    But they couldn''t cover every single alien...


    Five of the aliens broke past their defense. Three had clubs in hand, while the other two raised their sters, wasting no time in firing at them.


    Axel stood close to their healer, Veka, feeling obligated to protect her as thest six closebatants raced at the aliens to fend them off.


    ''Damn, I would have gone along with them, but I know how useless I am in battles like this. I can barely take down one alien, as I don''t have any innate skill that improves my physicality, unlike them who receive special treatment...''


    Axel edged closer to Veka.


    ''I''ll do what I can for now...''


    A sharp pain in his gut snapped him out of his thoughts.


    A Fetak alien had appeared out of nowhere, shing its sword at Axel''s abdomen. Fortunately, Veka pulled him by the hood just in time, but the de still cut deeply into his side.


    "Tsk! Veka, run!" Axel screamed, pushing her away with all his might as the Fetak alien raised its club high overhead to strike down at his skull.


    He swiftly raised his dagger to block, but as the weapon neared, it morphed into a club, and the impact was far deadlier than expected.


    The strength and weight of the club knocked Axel''s dagger from his grasp, tearing through his gloves and wounding his palms in the process.


    "Kahhk!" Axel grunted, now defenseless against any further attack.


    ''I need to attack it before it attacks me next!''


    Axel shifted his weight to the right and threw a punch at the Fetak alien''s jaw.


    His fist did no damage, merely skidding off the slippery, rock-hard surface and infuriating the beast.


    ''shit! I''m too...''


    The Fetak alien made its move, delivering a powerful kick to Axel''s chest. The force was incredible, sending him flying across the room. He collided back-first into a wall, then crumpled to the floor, writhing in pain.


    "AHHHKK!" He gasped, clutching his chest. The impact felt like a bomb had gone off inside him, shaking his ribs to the core.


    ''I don''t know how it got behind me, but at this rate, I will die unless... I make do with what I have.''


    Axel struggled to rise, his body trembling beneath him, every fiber of his being screaming for rest. As he did, the Fetak alien approached, its club already morphing back into a de for the final strike.


    "You picked the wrong person to mess with!" Axel shouted, tearing off his gloves and pointing his palms at the alien.


    At first, nothing happened. But as the alien drew closer, it suddenly stopped, its eyes darting around in agitation.


    "Shhdkandnfineksidhdjkdmd!" Axel began to hear, as memories flooded his mind, memories that were terrifying beyondprehension.


    They were the memories of the alien standing before him... Nightmares that, even to his human senses, made every cell in his body tremble in fear.


    Even the alien was affected, its body shaking uncontrobly. It dropped its weapon, clutching its head and screaming in a high-pitched tone.


    ''I can''t take it any longer... I''m experiencing these nightmares...''


    Axel began to walk shakily toward the disoriented Fetak alien.


    ''A little more... Get a bit closer...''


    He forced himself forward, but the nightmares roared in his ears, causing him to lose control. He nearly fell on his face before regaining his bnce. His vision blurred, and suddenly, he would see a six-headed monster, only to be jolted back to reality by another terrifying sh.


    This was why he hated his powers... All he gained from his awakening was...


    ''I can hear nightmares and...''


    As Axel drew near the Fetak alien, he ced his bare hands on its armor. In an instant, a decay effect began to spread, consuming the alien as it turned to dust.


    The decay spread from its chest, to its hands, and across its entire body, until nothing remained but ashes.


    "AHH-hkkk!" Axel cried out, even though the enemy was dead. The pain didn''t stop. He copsed, sitting heavily on the floor, holding his head as a piercing headache tore through his skull.


    This was another reason he despised his abilities. He had no control over them. The decay effect was worse than hearing nightmares¡ªby decaying his enemies, he absorbed every single nightmare they had ever dreamt, and those images were now vividly burned into his mind.


    ''I have a curse...''


    Another sharp pain jolted him, this time from behind. Axel quickly turned around.


    A Fetak alien appeared just like thest one, emerging from the wall as if it had phased through solid matter.


    But that wasn''t the most pressing concern¡ªthe alien was raising its club high above Axel''s head, ready to strike.


    ''Shit! I can''t stop it, my weapon is too far away¡ª''


    With no way to stop the club, Axel could only watch as it descended, hoping against hope for survival.

 Chapter 8: 8: Ambushed from the Walls

    Instinctively, Axel raised his left arm high overhead to block the iing hit. The force of the club shattered through his arm with brutal efficiency, causing the blow to miss his head by mere inches.


    "Ahhhhh!" Axel shrieked, his voice tearing through the chaotic battlefield as he clutched his shattered arm, desperately trying to flee from the relentless Fatek alien.


    But his attempt was futile. The Fatek alien grabbed him by the neck, its iron grip lifting him off the ground. Axel felt his breath being squeezed out of him, panic surging through his veins.


    ''Shit! It''s squeezing the life out of me! At this rate, I won''t be able to dodge anymore... I can''t even muster the Mana for my ability...''


    Axel''s vision blurred as he watched the Fatek alien pull back its hand, preparing to deliver a deadly swing aimed directly at his face. This was the end...


    **SPLOOOSH!**


    A spray of blood followed the brutal attack, and the Fatek alien let out a piercing scream. Its arm, the one holding the club, had been torn off at the shoulder. Axel''s mind raced, struggling toprehend who could have executed such a swift and precise attack.


    Guild Leader Kart stood over the Fatek alien, his bloodied battle axe still humming with the aftermath of his powerful strike. With a grim determination, Kart swung the axe again, this time at the alien''s throat, beheading it in one clean motion. The alien''s grip on Axel''s neck loosened, and its massive body crumpled to the floor with a resounding thud.


    "ARRCCHHKK!" Axel fell to his knees, gasping for breath, his hand instinctively reaching to soothe his bruised neck. He was sure that another second in that alien''s grasp would have resulted in his neck being shatteredpletely. ''He saved me... He killed that Fatek alien in less than a minute without breaking a sweat... As expected of the Guild Leader.''


    Kart approached Axel, stretching out a hand to pull him up.


    "Don''t die on me yet, Mr. Teras," Kart said, his voice firm but carrying an undercurrent of concern.


    Axel forced a weak smile, gripping Kart''s strong hand as he was pulled back to his feet. As he steadied himself, he took in the battlefield around them. The scene was far worse than he had anticipated.


    "I''ve never seen Fateke from walls before," Axel admitted, a gnawing dread settling in his gut. The Fatek were supposed to be predictable, but this... this was something else entirely.


    "Neither have I," Kart replied, his tone heavy with worry. "This is new territory for us. The aliens must be upgrading themselves again. This is another edge they have against us in this war."


    The weight of Kart''s words pressed down on Axel. He knew what it meant¡ªthings were bad, very bad. ''The war hasn''t been going well for humans these days... If only I could be someone good enough to assist... Instead, I''m nothing.''


    "Axel!..."


    Axel felt a sharp yank on his shirt, and before he could react, Kart flung him into the air with ease. Axel''s mind spun, trying to grasp why the Guild Leader would do such a thing. Then he saw it¡ªa red, searing beam ofva-like energy shot across the ground, burning through Kart''s legs from the ankles down.


    Kart''s agonized scream echoed through the chamber as he copsed onto his back, his hands grasping at the charred remains of his legs. The pain was unbearable, evident in the tortured look on his face. ''I could have blocked it if I didn''t save Teras,'' Kart thought bitterly.


    Axel, still reeling from being thrown, crashed onto his side. But there was no time to rest; he immediately sat up, searching for Kart amidst the chaos.


    The sight that met Axel''s eyes almost made him vomit. The once-mighty Guild Leader Karty broken and bloodied, with a massive, armorless Fatek alien towering over him. The beast had stomped on Kart repeatedly, crushing him beyond recognition.


    ''Come on, Axel... Help him!'' Axel''s thoughts screamed at him to move, but his body refused to obey. He was paralyzed, gripped by the overwhelming fear and emotions that weren''t his own.


    "Damn it! Not now, I can''t be experiencing the bacsh now... It''s just my first time, I still have two more to go." Axel cursed under his breath. Typically, he could use his abilities on three people before the bacsh hit, but this time it hade early, and it was crippling.


    "Run¡ªAxel," Kart''s voice, weak and strained, was thest sound he made before the Fatek alien delivered a final, devastating stomp to his head, reducing it to a mess of blood and bone.


    "Ca-captain?" Axel''s voice trembled as he whispered, his mind struggling to ept what had just happened. Kart was dead, and with him, thest hope of turning the tide in this battle. Axel could feel hisposure slipping away, his thoughts spiraling into despair.


    The Fatek alien boss, still towering over Kart''s lifeless body, turned its gaze toward Axel. Its eyes were filled with a cold, murderous intent.


    "Human! D... Human must die!" it muttered, its voice a guttural snarl as it began to approach Axel with thunderous, earth-shaking steps.


    Each step drove Axel deeper into terror. He was still paralyzed, his body refusing to move even as death loomed closer. He could see the beast''s fangs, sharp and ready to tear him apart, but he couldn''t force his limbs to respond. ''Anyone... Please help¡ª''


    Desperation flooded his veins as he scanned the battlefield. Everywhere he looked, the scene was the same¡ªFatek aliens emerging from the walls, ughtering the remaining guild members in a relentless, one-sided massacre. What was supposed to be a simple grade C raid had turned into a bloodbath, a nightmare beyond anything they had ever imagined.


    Realizing that no help wasing, Axel''s eyes darted to his dagger, lying just a few meters away. ''There''s no helping! I have to reach it first!'' Axel willed himself to move, crawling toward the dagger with every ounce of strength he could muster.


    "Axel! Help!" A voice pierced through the chaos, freezing Axel in ce. He turned around to see the source of the desperate cry.


    It was the Fatek alien boss again, but this time, it was holding a bloodied woman in its grip. Her eyes were wide with terror, tears streaming down her face as she clutched a broken staff in her trembling hands.


    Axel''s heart dropped. He recognized her instantly. "Veka!"


    She was covered in her own blood, her face contorted with pain and fear. The same look of helplessness that Axel had worn just moments ago was now etched across her features. She was begging for help, just as he had.


    "Don''t do it, don''t hurt her!" Axel screamed, leaping to his feet and running toward them, his hand outstretched in a futile attempt to reach her.


    The Fatek alien bossughed, a deep, mocking sound that reverberated through the chamber. "Human weak, puny," it sneered, tightening its grip on Veka.


    Tears streamed down Axel''s face as he pushed himself harder, stretching out his hand to cover thest distance between him and Veka. ''Again, I''m toote... I''m always toote or too weak to make a difference... All my life, I''ve always been less privileged to save anyone! Why is it always this way?''


    Axel''s voice broke as he screamed, pouring every ounce of his will into thatst desperate lunge, when¡ª


    **SPLAT!**


    Veka''s head exploded under the Fatek alien boss''s grip, her lifeless body crumpling to the ground. The sight of her brutal death sent a wave of cold, paralyzing shock through Axel''s system.


    "You bastard!" Axel roared, his voice thick with rage and grief. He threw himself at the Fatek alien boss, flinging his fist at its gut. But his attack was useless, his fist skidding off the alien''s rock-hard flesh like it was striking a concrete wall.


    "Meat!" The Fatek alien boss sneered, grabbing Axel by the throat and lifting him off the ground with a single hand. The crushing pressure on his neck sent shockwaves of pain through his body, snapping bones in the process.


    "hk!" Axel choked out, his scream muffled as his airways were constricted. Everything was happening so fast that he wasn''t sure if he was already dead or not.


    His blood rushed to his brain, and his vision turned red. His entire body was battered, broken, and beyond repair. ''Damn! Is this how useless I am? I''ve always been a disgrace to my family. Maybe it would be better if it ended here...


    But...''


    ''I don''t want to give up just yet! I want to be stronger, I want to be a great hunter, I want to catch up to those who have left me behind! I want to make not just my parents proud... But myself.''


    Axel''s eyes widened in terror as the Fatek alien boss opened its massive jaws, revealing rows of sharp, gleaming fangs. The beast was preparing to devour him, to rip his head from his body and plunge him into eternal darkness.


    ''This is it... In both worlds, the strong devour the weak. But I also want to live... Shouldn''t the weak have a choice?''


    With that final thought, the Fatek alien boss plunged Axel''s head in, and a feint scream echoed afterwards...

 Chapter 9: 9: Hunters Association News

    **Back on Earth**


    "The Tiger''s Monitor Guild raid camera feed is ranking number one, sir!"


    The excitement in the young reporter''s voice was almost tangible as he delivered the news, but his superior''s response was tinged with an unease that hadn''t been there in years. The old man, seated at his cluttered desk, lifted his weary eyes from the paperwork in front of him, a frown creasing his forehead.


    "Number one? That''s the first time since¡­ then," he murmured, his voice trailing off as memories of past horrors surfaced.


    Without another word, the manager of the Country Hunter''s TV rose from his seat, his joints creaking in protest. He needed to see for himself what was causing such a stir. Pushing through the crowded newsroom, he made his way toward therge t-screen TV mounted on the far wall. Reporters were clustered around it, their faces reflecting a mixture of disbelief and horror.


    As he finally caught sight of the screen, his blood ran cold.


    "Oh, shit! What the hell is happening... Are they all dying?" His hand instinctively flew to his mouth as the gruesome scene yed out before him. A young woman''s skull was crushed like a fragile egg under the monstrous fist of a towering Fatek, her lifeless body crumpling to the ground in a pool of blood.


    It wasn''t just her. All around her, hunters were falling like flies, their bodies torn apart by the Fateks that seemed to emerge from the very walls.


    ''This is insane. No wonder it''s ranking number one,'' the manager thought, his heart pounding in his chest. The whole world was watching this massacre unfold in real-time, unable to tear their eyes away from the carnage.


    For years, cameras had been imnted into the gear of hunters entering alien portals, broadcasting their battles to the world. It had started as a way to raise awareness, to rally support for the hunters risking their lives. But now, it felt like something much darker¡ªan unintentional snuff film that everyone was glued to, horrified but unable to look away.


    "Dear God," someone whispered, echoing the manager''s thoughts.


    ***


    Annie Teras felt like she was in a nightmare she couldn''t wake up from.


    She had been in her college dorm, hanging out with friends, when the emergency broadcast had interrupted their evening. Her heart had skipped a beat when she saw the Tiger''s Monitor Guild''s raid ranking number one¡ªher brother Axel''s guild.


    At first, she had felt a surge of pride. But that feeling was short-lived, reced by icy dread as the images on the screen became clearer.


    "No, no, no!" She had bolted from the dorm, her friends calling after her, but she ignored them, her only thought to reach her brother. She barely noticed the men in ck suits who intercepted her outside the building, their faces emotionless behind dark sunsses.


    "Let me go!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face as she fought against their grip. Her struggles were useless¡ªthey were trained professionals, and she was just a terrified girl.


    "Ma''am, please calm down," one of them said, his voice t and devoid of sympathy.


    "There''s nothing you can do!"


    But Annie wasn''t listening. Her eyes were glued to the massive outdoor screen broadcasting the Hunter''s TV news. The image of Axel, her big brother, was frozen in her mind as she saw the Fatek mp its massive jaws around his head.


    "No¡­ no¡­ Axel!" Her scream echoed in the courtyard as she watched in horror, the Fatek''s teeth sinking into Axel''s skull, crunching through bone and brain matter as it tore his head from his body. The creature''s maw moved slowly, almost savoring the moment, before it swallowed.


    "Delicious," the Fatek growled, its voice a twisted mockery of humanity.


    Annie''s entire world shattered. Her knees gave out, and she would have copsed if not for the men holding her up. But she didn''t feel their arms around her; she didn''t feel anything at all. The world around her faded to ck, leaving only the image of her brother''s lifeless body, and the monstrous grin of the Fatek that had taken everything from her.


    "Axel¡­ you promised me¡­ you said you wouldn''t leave me, like Dad did," she whispered, her voice broken and hollow. Her screams had been reced by a dull, lifeless tone, as if all the fight had left her.


    But in her mind, the terror and pain roared like an inferno, consuming her from the inside out.


    ***


    The nurse''s hands trembled as she clutched her phone, the broadcast cutting to a stark white screen. She had been watching the same feed, unable to look away, even as her stomach churned with nausea.


    "They all died¡­ I knew that guy¡­ he was just herest week," she whispered, her voice cracking as she thought of Axel. She had only met him a few times, but that was enough to make his death feel personal.


    How could this happen? How could someone so young, so full of life, be snuffed out like that? She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.


    ''His sister... oh God, how is she going to handle this? And his mother¡­ what about her? Her hospital bills are already overdue¡­ without him¡­ they''re both going to suffer, aren''t they?''


    The nurse wiped her eyes quickly, trying to push those thoughts aside as she headed down the hall. She had to check on Axel''s mother, the frail old woman who had been fighting for her life just as her son had been doing on that alien warship. The thought made her heart twist painfully.


    When she entered the room, she was relieved to see that the old woman was sleeping peacefully. The tray beside her bed was empty for the first time in days. Maybe things were looking up for her, the nurse thought, forcing a smile.


    ''She must be getting better. Maybe she won''t need those ten years the doctor mentioned after all.''


    The nurse moved quietly, not wanting to disturb the patient. But as she turned to leave, something caught her eye. The television mounted on the wall¡ªshe was sure she hadn''t left it on.


    ''What the¡­?''


    Her blood ran cold as she read the words on the screen:


    **Hunter''s TV viewers discretion¡­ Please read the news via paper.**


    The tray slipped from her fingers, ttering loudly to the floor. The nurse''s breath caught in her throat as she turned slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.


    "No¡­ please, no," she whispered, stepping closer to the bed. Her eyes locked onto the heart monitor, the steady beeps that had been her reassurance now eerily silent.


    The monitor tlined, a long, piercing tone echoing in the room.


    The nurse''s legs gave out, and she copsed beside the bed, her hands trembling as she reached for the woman''s cold, lifeless hand.


    "D-Doctor!" she screamed, her voice filled with a despair that echoed through the empty corridors of the hospital.


    Axel''s mother was dead, and the nurse knew that it wasn''t just her body that had given out. She had died of a broken heart, the moment her son''s life had been taken so cruelly.


    In that cold, sterile room, the world felt like it had stopped, leaving nothing but the echoes of lives shattered by tragedy.

 Chapter 10: 10: Bizarre Notification (A Quest)

    **[Death?]**


    **[Quest 1?]**


    **[Wee to the Underworld]**


    Axel''s eyes snapped open, the cold, unyielding text of the notification searing into his brain. ''The underworld? How the hell is that possible?''


    He shot to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest as he checked his body for injuries. To his astonishment, every wound from the battle was gone, not even a scar remained. His muscles felt strong, his senses sharp. He was... healed?


    ''I thought I died. I did die. So why am I still here?'' Panic surged through him as he scanned the dark, enclosed space for clues about his location. But there was nothing, no sign of life, no way out. He was trapped in some kind of cave, the faint, eerie light barely illuminating the jagged rocks around him.


    And then there were the notifications, hovering in his vision, impossible to ignore.


    **[Quest: Kill the Boss of the Entrance]**


    **[You have received a weapon. Would you like to view it?]**


    Axel''s mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. The words floating before him were alien, yet somehow familiar. It was too much to process, too surreal to ept¡ªbut what choice did he have? He had to survive, no matter how bizarre this was.


    "Uh... Can you disy my weapon?" Axel asked hesitantly, his voice echoing in the dark cavern.


    The response was immediate.


    **[Weapon: War-Damaged Dagger (User has been proficient with daggers for years ording to bio. This is the best weapon that suits you.)]**


    ''At least the system seems to know me,'' Axel thought, though it did little to ease his nerves. But where was the weapon?


    His question was answered as the dagger materialized before him, hovering in midair. Axel grabbed it instinctively as it dropped, the cold steel sending a shiver up his spine. The de was worn and rusted, its edge jagged and scarred from countless battles¡ªbut it was still sharp. Deadly sharp.


    ''A brown hilt and a tough de... this could fetch some decent cash back on Earth,'' Axel mused, weighing the dagger in his hand with a merchant''s instinct. But his thoughts were interrupted by a low, guttural growl that sent a chill down his spine.


    A few yards away, a beast emerged from the shadows. It was like nothing Axel had ever seen¡ªa monstrous, dog-like creature with enormous fangs dripping with saliva, its bulky frame covered in thick, spiked armor. Its eyes gleamed with a primal hunger, and its breath came in ragged, menacing huffs.


    ''What the hell is this thing?'' Axel''s hands trembled as he gripped the dagger tighter, his legs shaking uncontrobly. The beast was unlike any alien or monster he had ever encountered. It was something far worse.


    **[Hellish Hound: Easy-Grade Beast]**


    "Easy?!" Axel spat out incredulously, but there was no time to question the absurdity of it.


    The Hellish Hound roared,unching itself at Axel with terrifying speed, its jaws wide open, aiming straight for his throat.


    "Damn it!" Axel cursed, barely managing to sidestep the beast''s lunge. The hound missed him by inches, its razor-sharp fangs tearing through his clothing, leaving a shallow gash on his side.


    He winced, blood trickling down his side, but there was no time to recover. The Hellish Hound was on him again in an instant, its ws shing through the air.


    Axel raised his dagger in a desperate attempt to block the attack. The de met the hound''s ws with a resounding sh, sending a shower of sparks into the darkness. The force of the blow nearly knocked Axel off his feet, and he staggered back, struggling to keep his bnce.


    Breathing heavily, Axel stared at the beast, his eyes wide with fear. ''I''m already out of breath... I''m not going to survive this...'' The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, his mind shing back to every moment of failure, every time he had relied on someone else to save him.


    He barely managed to parry another attack, the force of it driving him to his knees. ''Why am I so weak?'' His thoughts spiraled into despair, every ounce of confidence slipping away. ''It''s happening again... I''m always relying on others... I''m always looking for someone''s help... But no...


    Not this time...''


    "ARRGGGGHHHHHHHH!" Axel roared, the sound echoing off the cavern walls as he pushed himself to his feet, his fear burning away in the fire of his determination. This time, he wouldn''t run. This time, he would fight.


    The Hellish Hound lunged at him again, its eyes glowing with murderous intent, but Axel was ready. He dodged the beast''s charge, the movement instinctive, and before it could recover, he surged forward, his dagger gripped tightly in both hands.


    With a primal scream, Axel plunged the dagger into the Hellish Hound''s skull, the de cutting through bone with a sickening crunch. The beast let out a final, anguished howl before copsing to the ground, dead.


    "I... I did it," Axel gasped, his body trembling with exhaustion and adrenaline. He shoved the hound''s corpse off his dagger, the blood dripping from the de pooling at his feet. He had survived. Somehow, against all odds, he had survived.


    **[You have killed a Hellish Hound]**


    **[5 EXP gained]**


    **[5/5 EXP]**


    **[You have leveled up]**


    **[Would you like to see your stats?]**


    Axel''s eyes widened as the notifications appeared. ''Leveled up? Is this some kind of RPG?'' The absurdity of it all almost made himugh, but there was no denying the reality of the blood on his hands, the dead beast at his feet.


    "Disy my stats," he whispered, needing to understand just what had happened to him.


    ---


    **//Stats//**


    **Name: Axel Teras**


    **EXP: 0/50**


    **Level: 1**


    **Job ss: None**


    **<Attributes>**


    **Strength: 2**


    **Agility: 2**


    **Senses: 2**


    **Mana: 2**


    **Health: 10**


    **No stat points avable now. All attributes have been given a bonus of two stat points.**


    ---


    ''Just like I thought... It''s a system, like in an RPG,'' Axel thought, staring at the stats in disbelief. But this wasn''t some game. The blood under his shoes, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins¡ªthis was real. All too real.


    **[Congrattions on healing your traumatic experience of reliance. A gift will be awarded after this quest.]**


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat at the promise of a reward. But before he could even begin to wonder what it might be, a chorus of growls rose from the darkness.


    Dozens of Hellish Hounds emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing with malice, their fangs bared, and their ws ready to tear him apart.


    Axel tightened his grip on the dagger, his heart racing as the beasts closed in on him from all sides. There was no escape. There was no help. This was it.


    "From the looks of things," he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and determination, "I''ve got my hands full."

 Chapter 11: 11: King of the Undead 1

    Axel Teras stood amidst a sea of corpses, his breathing in ragged gasps as he dislodged his dagger from the throat of thest Hellish Hound. The beast''s body slumped lifelessly onto the pile of its fallen brethren, the ground slick with their dark blood.


    He wiped the sweat from his brow, a fierce sense of pride swelling in his chest. The battle had been brutal, each hound relentless in its attack, but he had emerged victorious. The harsh reality of the world around him made each victory feel like a lifeline, a brief reprieve from the ever-present threat of death.


    A series of notifications shed before his eyes, the system''s cold, mechanical voice cutting through the silence:


    **[You have leveled up]**


    **[You have leveled up]**


    He couldn''t help but smile as he surveyed the battlefield. Dozens of houndsy dead, their once vicious eyes now dull and empty. The rocky tform had be a graveyard, but it was his victory that mattered most. He had fought against the odds, against the overwhelming numbers, and he had won.


    His muscles ached, his body felt heavy with fatigue, but the sight of those notifications brought a rush of adrenaline through his veins.


    Opening his status screen, Axel marveled at the numbers before him:


    **//Stats//**


    **Name:** Axel Teras


    **Exp:** 0/50


    **Level:** 3


    **Job ss:** None


    **<Attributes>**


    **Strength:** 4


    **Agility:** 3


    **Senses:** 3


    **Mana:** 10


    **Health:** 3/10


    **Stat points:** 6


    He could feel the changes within himself¡ªhis movements felt lighter, more fluid, and he knew he had grown stronger. A thought struck him as he continued to study his profile, a n forming in his mind. "What would be the most favorable investment?" he mused aloud. Each level-up granted him three free stat points to allocate as he wished, and the potential to shape his abilities was intoxicating.


    *Maybe I should put two into health since I''m¡­*


    **[Only Mana potions and leveling up can increase health status. Please select another stat to invest in.]**


    Axel frowned. *So I can''t increase my health directly?* It was a blow to his n, but not an insurmountable one. He had hoped to shore up his defenses after such a brutal fight, but it seemed he would need to find another way.


    He pondered his remaining options. "Strength, Agility, Mana, and Senses¡­ What to choose?" Mana seemed useless at his current level, and senses, though valuable, didn''t appeal to his immediate needs. It boiled down to Strength and Agility, the core of any warrior''s capabilities.


    *Agility would make me faster, give me better reaction time and maneuverability¡­* The thought was appealing. Speed had always been a valuable asset, allowing him to outmaneuver his foes and strike where they were weakest. But there was a w in that logic. If he couldn''t strike with enough force to make his blows count, all the agility in the world wouldn''t save him.


    Strength, on the other hand, was what hecked most. He had always been able to strike quickly, but his attacks oftencked the power to finish the job. How many times had his de barely cut into the flesh of his enemies, leaving him exposed and vulnerable to their counterattacks?


    *With more strength, I could end fights faster¡­ and that might just save my life one day.* His decision made, Axel allocated his points with a sense of purpose:


    **<Attributes>**


    **Strength:** 8 (added +4)


    **Agility:** 5 (added +2)


    **Senses:** 3


    **Mana:** 10


    **Health:** 3/10


    **Stat points:** 0


    As soon as the points were invested, Axel felt a surge of energy course through his body. His muscles tightened, his grip on his weapon felt more secure, and he knew he had be stronger in a very real, tangible way. But the lingering issue of his health nagged at the back of his mind.


    His wounds were severe, and in this hostile environment, being at anything less than full strength was a death sentence.


    Then, as if answering his thoughts, the system chimed in once more:


    **[Store]**


    Axel''s eyes lit up at the notification. *Just as I thought¡­ this really is like a game.* With eager anticipation, he opened the store, and a new set of options flooded his vision.


    **[You have gained 50 free points]**


    He scanned the items avable, his gaze settling on a low-grade potion worth ten points. *This should do the trick.* Without hesitation, he made the purchase. In an instant, a small, purple vial materialized in his hand, the liquid inside glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.


    He hesitated for just a moment, marveling at the magic that had brought it to him, before uncorking the vial and downing its contents.


    **[Low-grade replenishment potion]**


    **[5 has been added to health]**


    **[Health: 8/10]**


    The effects were immediate. Axel felt the wounds on his body begin to knit together, the pain subsiding to a dull ache. It wasn''t perfect, but it was enough to keep him going. He could feel his strength returning, and for the first time since the battle had begun, he allowed himself to rx. *At least I''m not on the brink of death anymore¡­*


    His eyes drifted back to the store, curiosity piqued. *I saw a weapons section¡­ maybe I can rece this rusty dagger.* He raised the de to eye level, inspecting the numerous chips and cracks along its edge. It had served him well against the hounds, but he knew it wouldn''tst much longer. Against stronger foes, it might even be the difference between life and death.


    Axel tapped on the weapons section, his eyes widening at the options that appeared. The first item on the list caught his attention, but his excitement was quickly dashed when he saw the price.


    "What the¡ª? A hundred points for the lowest grade weapon?!" His heart sank. *How the hell am I supposed to gain that many points?*


    Just as despair began to settle in, the system interrupted his thoughts:


    **[Would you like to absorb the souls of the hounds you have killed?]**


    Axel blinked, momentarily stunned. *Soul absorption? What does that have to do with my current poverty?* He let out a bitterugh.


    **[Soul absorption can also be converted to points for store use. The system will reward points based on user''s activities.]**


    The revtion was a game-changer. "Absorb the souls," hemanded, eager to see what would happen.


    As soon as the words left his mouth, dark red wisps of smoke began to rise from the hounds'' corpses. The wisps floated through the air, twisting and swirling as they converged on Axel, sinking into his body like tendrils of smoke. The sensation was strange, but not unpleasant¡ªmore like a rush of power than anything sinister.


    **[You have absorbed hounds'' souls]**


    **[18/30]**


    A new notification appeared:


    **[86 store points gained]**


    Axel''s heart raced as he quickly returned to the store, adding up his total. *126 points¡­ that''s more like it.* He browsed the weapons again, this time focusing on the cheapest dagger. It wasn''t much, but it was a definite improvement over what he had now. Without further hesitation, he made the purchase.


    As the old, condemned dagger ttered to the ground, Axel held the new weapon in his hand. The difference was immediately apparent. The de was sharp, well-bnced, and felt much more reliable than thest.


    **[nk Dagger: A training instrument with no addition whatsoever]**


    The description was underwhelming, but Axel wasn''t concerned. What mattered was that this dagger wouldst longer and cut deeper. With a newfound sense of confidence, he sheathed the weapon, ready for whatever came next.


    "Now that I''m better prepared," Axel muttered to himself, "it''s time to explore deeper into these caves."


    As he ventured forward, a thrill of anticipation and danger coursed through him. The caves were dark, twisting, and full of unknown threats. But Axel Teras was ready. Whatever awaited him in the shadows, he would face it head-on, carving out his destiny one battle at a time.

 Chapter 12: 12: Boss Battle

    Axel sidestepped just as a panther-like creature dropped from the cave ceiling, its razor-sharp fangs snapping at the air where his throat had been mere moments ago. His reflexes, now heightened beyond human capabilities, allowed him to dodge the lethal strike with ease. Without missing a beat, he regained hisposure and plunged his dagger deep into the creature''s throat.


    A gurgling roar echoed through the tunnel as blood sprayed across Axel''s face. Before he could wipe it away, his instincts screamed a warning.


    "Another one!" Axel spun on his heel, catching sight of another panther racing toward him, its eyes gleaming with predatory intent. He raised his dagger, his body moving almost on its own, and struck first. The de sliced clean through the beast''s neck, severing its head from its body in one fluid motion.


    But Axel wasn''t done. Far from it. He felt a surge of energy flood his veins, erasing any lingering weakness from his body. He was faster, stronger¡ªunstoppable.


    With a feral grin, Axelunched himself at the next panther. His dagger shed, cutting through the air and burying itself in the beast''s gut. The creature barely had time to whimper before copsing in a heap at his feet.


    The next panther lunged at him, its jaws wide open, fangs ready to tear into his flesh. But Axel stood his ground, his stance firm. As the creature closed in, he drove his elbow into its gut with a force that surprised even him. The panther flew back across the tunnel, smashing into the cave wall with a sickening crunch. Its head separated from its body in the impact, blood pooling beneath it.


    Axel blinked, momentarily stunned by the sheer power he''d just unleashed. His speed and strength had surpassed that of any normal human, granting him a significant advantage over the panther beasts that filled this cavern. He narrowed his eyes, watching as their movements slowed in his perception. It was as if the entire world had been put under a slow-motion spell¡ªeveryone but him.


    Testing the lethality of his hits, Axel struck the skull of a nearby panther with his bare fist. The impact shattered the creature''s head like ss, its body crumpling to the ground.


    "I''m getting stronger with every kill," Axel muttered to himself, the realization dawning on him.


    [You have absorbed the soul of a panther.]


    [You have absorbed a soul.]


    [You have absorbed a soul.]


    As time went on, the only thing left standing besides Axel was a single panther. The beast trembled, its eyes wide with fear. For the first time, Axel found himself not shaking in the face of a predator. The feeling was almost nostalgic, a reminder of how far he''de.


    "In that case¡­ let me put you out of your misery," Axel whispered, his voice tinged with cold resolve.


    He pounced on thest panther, moving faster than the creature could blink. His dagger found its mark in the beast''s neck, and a horrible scream tore from its throat as it gurgled on its own blood before copsing, lifeless, to the ground.


    "Another sessful clear," Axel muttered, wiping the blood from his dagger. He focused inward, mentally summoning his system stats. When the familiar screen appeared before him, he smirked, eager to confirm his theory.


    ''Yes, I was right.''


    **//Stats//**


    **Name:** Axel Teras


    **Exp:** 26/50


    **Level:** 5


    **Job ss:** None


    **<Attributes>**


    *Strength: 15*


    *Agility: 8*


    *Senses: 5*


    *Mana: 12*


    *Health: 9/10*


    *Stat Points: 0*


    As Axel suspected, killing the creatures in this section of the cave yielded diminishing returns. This was the third day he''d spent in this ce, wherever it was. ording to what he''d learned, the monsters respawned twelve hours after being killed, their difficulty increasing the deeper he ventured into the cave.


    But now, the experience gains were minimal. Clearing paths that once helped him level up were no longer effective. He only gained a single experience point from each kill.


    ''If I continue this way, it''ll take me four years just to reach level ten,'' Axel thought bitterly, frustration gnawing at him. He turned to gaze deeper into the tunnels. The path ahead ended in a solid wall, and before ity a burrowed hole,rge enough to swallow a human whole.


    He''d tried entering the hole earlier, but the moment he approached it, a wave of dark energy had made his entire being tremble. It was ill Mana, a force so malevolent it had driven him back to safer paths.


    "Show me the notification again," Axelmanded, his voice steady.


    [Quest: Kill the Boss of the Entrance]


    **<Details>**


    *The Boss is of Hard difficultypared to the entrance monsters.*


    *Clearing the Boss Monster will reward you with the main quest reward.*


    *By clearing the quest, you will be able to respawn where you left off.*


    Axel studied the notification, his mind racing with questions. Why had he been given this system? Was he still alive? And most importantly¡­


    "Is this a gift from the Hades statue I chose all those years ago?"


    [All questions will be answered after the Boss battle.]


    The system''s response was as curt as ever, only fueling Axel''s determination. He had to defeat the Boss, no matter the cost.


    ''But will level five be enough to defeat a Boss I know nothing about?'' Axel wondered, his doubt creeping in. If he was wrong¡­ it could mean his death.


    He let out a brief sigh, steeling himself. There was only one way to find out. His gaze fixed on therge gorge in the ground ahead, a deep darkness swallowing everything beyond its edge.


    ''If I''m right¡­ I''ming back home, Mum¡ªSis.''


    With that final thought, Axel stepped forward into the abyss.


    [User Axel Teras has entered the route to the Boss Monster.]

 Chapter 13: 13: King of the Undead 3: Duel for Power

    Axel took a cautious step down the gorge, skidding slightly before stabilizing himself by crouching. His mind was consumed with thoughts of whaty ahead and the strange sensation of being reborn through death. Though he had only limited information about the system guiding him, his confidence was unwavering.


    ''With the System on my side, I will win this,'' Axel reassured himself as he ventured deeper into the shadowy tunnel. The anticipation grew with each step as he approached the source of the light that flickered ahead.


    The light became clearer, revealing a mix of torch mes and a mysterious blue glow. Axel''s suspicions deepened¡ªtorches suggested intelligent beings, likely humans or simr entities. Despite the hope that he might encounter someone with answers, an uneasy feeling gnawed at him.


    As he neared the tunnel''s end, Axel was abruptly halted. His footing slipped on the inclined ne of the tform, forcing him to skid to a stop. A figure materialized from thin air, blocking his path.


    The figure was ancient and ominous, cloaked in dark, tattered garments. A scythe was gripped tightly in its skeletal hand¡ªa bone hand, to be precise. The figure''s presence evoked a grim reaper-like aura.


    ''Is this my final opponent? The boss?'' Axel pondered as the eerie gurgling of the reaper''s breath grew more pronounced.


    "I am not the boss, young Lord," the figure rasped, its voice carrying an unsettling gurgle.


    Axel gasped, realizing the figure could read his thoughts. ''This is disturbing. Does it know everything I''m thinking, even my private thoughts?'' Axel thought, a bitter smile forming on his lips.


    "I am Velerium, guardian of the souls who enter hell. I will be your guide during these trials," the reaper continued, its voice crackling with age.


    Axel absorbed the information, connecting it with the statue he had chosen years ago. ''So, this is the manifestation of that choice. It''s ruined my life in many ways, but now it''s taking shape. Why is it manifesting now, and why this way?''


    "There''s only so much I can reveal now, young Lord," Velerium intoned with a deep, crackling voice. "This ability is unparalleled. You will only grasp its full potential once you be stronger. However, I can assure you this: if you ept all its demands, you will be a being of immense power."


    Axel struggled to understand Velerium''s cryptic message. ''I barely grasp what it''s saying. But¡­''


    "If I survive this, will I be able to return home? Will I see my mother and little sister again?!" Axel''s voice trembled with desperation.


    Velerium took a moment to consider the question before nodding in a wordless reply.


    The answer filled Axel with renewed determination. His heart raced with adrenaline as he tightened his grip and prepared to advance.


    "Then I must defeat the boss of hell!" Axel dered with fierce resolve, pushing past Velerium. The reaper''s sly smirk was thest thing Axel saw before the figure vanished as quickly as it had appeared.


    As Axel stepped into the light, he was greeted by an unexpected sight. He found himself in a grand throne room adorned with towering pirs, flickering torches, and a well-tiled tform.


    ''This looks like¡­''


    [Wee to the Throne Room of Doom]


    [Throne Master Doom has his sights on you]


    The notification shed before Axel''s eyes, and he quickly scanned his surroundings. What he saw next was both shocking and overwhelming.


    "Kaiju¡ª"


    KRAAACCCCKK!!!


    An explosion of dust erupted as a pir copsed from the force of a tremendous impact. Axel''s legs and hands went numb, especially his hands, which had turned red from blocking the powerful blow.


    In a split second, the boss¡ªThrone Master Doom¡ªhad leaped from his throne with the force of a rocket, delivering a crushing punch that Axel barely managed to block with both hands. The blow sent him crashing into a pir, destroying it in the process.


    ''Compared to me, this creature is at least twice as strong. Is this going to be tougher than I expected?'' Axel thought as he assessed the Kaiju before him.


    Doom was a monstrous hybrid of lizard and human, with a rocky, spiked body and fiery red eyes. A massive club was attached to its tail,pleting its fearsome appearance.


    "This is basically an apex monster, but¡­" Axel thought as he manifested his dagger, gripping it tightly. "I don''t care how strong you are. I''m going to kill you!"


    [Doom has recognized you as his opponent]


    [Battle of life and death has begun]


    *REWARDS TYPE: Ultimate*


    With the battle officially underway, Axel steeled himself for the fight of his life. The fate of his journey, and perhaps his return home, rested on his ability to ovee this formidable foe.

 Chapter 14: 14: Kaiju Attack? Oh, Who Takes the Throne

    Axel shifted his gaze to the entrance he had used to enter the throne room. Now, there was nothing left of it but thin air, as though it had disappeared after leading him there. The once solid doorway was gone, leaving behind an eerie void. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks¡ªthere was no escape. Whoever orchestrated these trials had sealed his fate.


    ''That''s fine. It''s not like I was nning to run anyway.''


    The low rumble of Doom''s growl reverberated through the chamber, his fangs gleaming with malevolence as the dim light caught them. The colossal Kaiju spread its arms wide, muscles bulging grotesquely, and sprang forward with terrifying speed. The ground cracked beneath the immense weight of the beast as it lunged at Axel with a predatory gleam in its eyes.


    But this time, Axel was ready. He tightened his grip on the hilt of his dagger, determination burning in his chest. He decided to take the initiative and attack Doom, hoping to force the monstrous creature into a retreat.


    With a swift motion, Axel sliced the air, aiming for Doom''s cranium, but the Kaiju was faster than he anticipated. Doom stopped abruptly, its massive frame shifting with unnerving agility, and stepped out of the way, leaving Axel''s strike to cut through empty space. The sudden evasion left Axel overextended, an opening that Doom did not hesitate to exploit.


    With a roar that shook the walls, Doom swung its massive fist, driving it into Axel''s side with bone-crushing force. Axel was thrown across the room like a ragdoll, his body mming into the stone floor with a sickening thud. Pain exploded in his ribs, and for a moment, his vision blurred from the impact.


    Gritting his teeth, Axel grasped the point of impact, feeling the sharp sting of broken ribs. "No! Not yet!" he growled through clenched teeth. The pain was excruciating, but he refused to be defeated.


    Axel forced himself to stand, his legs wobbling beneath him. The room seemed to spin as he struggled to find his bnce, but he couldn''t afford to show weakness. Not now. Not when his life depended on it.


    **[Hp 6/10]**


    The Kaiju let out an ear-piercing shriek that reverberated through the chamber, causing the very air to tremble. Its muscles bulged even more violently, veins pulsating with raw power as it prepared tounch another attack.


    ''Study its weak spots¡­ just like humans. The joints¡ªattack the space between its joints.''


    Axel''s mind raced as he made a small yet crucial realization. Doom''s thick armor was nearly imprable, but where the armor tes met, there were gaps¡ªsmall but exploitable. Seizing this newfound strategy, Axel decided to go on the offensive.


    With a burst of adrenaline, Axel charged forward, determination zing in his eyes. Doom''s head jerked angrily, its eyes narrowing as it saw Axeling. The Kaiju roared, its breath hot and foul as it swung a mighty punch downward, aiming to crush Axel''s skull with a single blow.


    But Axel was quicker. He ducked under the Kaiju''s arm, the massive fist barely missing him, and with precision born of desperation, he drove his dagger into Doom''s armpit. The de pierced through the gap in the armor, sinking deep into the creature''s flesh.


    Doom shrieked in agony, the sound so loud it felt like it could shatter the very walls around them. Dark, viscous blood gushed from the wound, and Axel''s heart pounded with grim satisfaction. He had found the Kaiju''s weakness¡ªthe gaps in its armor were its Achilles'' heel.


    Doom reeled back, its massive hand iling as it tried to dislodge Axel''s dagger. The creature''s blood spattered across the stone floor, hissing as it burned through the rock. But Axel wasn''t done yet.


    ''I''m not done yet!''


    Summoning all his strength, Axel twisted the de deeper into Doom''s flesh, determined to inflict as much damage as possible. But Doom''s survival instincts kicked in. The Kaiju roared in fury and swung its massive elbow down at Axel, aiming to crush him into the ground.


    Axel sidestepped quickly, barely avoiding the crushing blow. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the floor, cracking the stone beneath it. Axel''s heart raced as he realized how close he hade to being pulverized.


    Axel nted his feet firmly on the ground, his muscles tense with anticipation. He knew he couldn''t afford to let up now. He had to end this fight before Doom could recover. With both hands gripping his dagger, he lunged at Doom''s face, aiming for the creature''s eye socket¡ªa direct, lethal strike.


    But Doom''s reflexes were sharp. The Kaiju jerked its head back just in time, and Axel''s dagger barely grazed the thick skin, sending sparks flying as the de skidded off the armor-like hide. The Kaiju''s armor was too tough for a direct assault¡ªAxel needed to find another weak spot.


    ''I need to attack another of its weak spots!''


    Axel''s mind raced as he recalibrated his strategy. He had to think fast. Doom was already recovering, and Axel knew he wouldn''t get another chance if he failed now.


    Gathering his resolve, Axel pulled back his hand and thrust his dagger at Doom''s face once more. But this time, Doom was ready. The Kaiju''s massive hand shot out, catching the dagger mid-thrust. Axel''s eyes widened in shock as Doom''s grip tightened, the immense pressure causing the dagger''s de to crack and shatter.


    **[Doom''s Rage has Evolved]**


    A horrifying transformation began to take ce. Doom''s throat started to sizzle, a red-hot fume rising from deep within its gaping maw. The beast''s throat turned a vivid blue, pulsating with a menacing energy. Axel''s heart pounded as he realized what wasing.


    Doom''s jaw unhinged, and with a roar that split the air, a searing beam of blue energy shot forth, incinerating everything in its path. Axel barely managed to dive to the side, the intense heat singeing his skin even from a distance. The beam scorched the ground where he had been standing moments before, leaving nothing but molten rock in its wake.


    ''Shit¡­ If I was hit by that, it would be the end of me. I have to end this¡ªnow.''


    **[Your dagger has been destroyed by the Torch of Dominance]**


    "Shit!" Axel cursed as he struggled to his feet. The loss of his weapon was a devastating blow, but he couldn''t afford to dwell on it. Not now. Not with Doom still looming over him, its eyes burning with murderous intent.


    Before Axel could fully recover, Doom''s fist came crashing down again, mming into his skull with a force that nearly knocked him unconscious. Axel''s body hit the ground hard, pain radiating through his entire being. He groaned in agony, blood trickling from his mouth, but there was no time to give in to the pain.


    ''Damnit¡­ I can''t¡­ let it end like this!''


    Axel tried to push himself up, but Doom was relentless. The Kaiju''s massive foot mmed down on his back, pinning him to the ground with crushing force. Axel gasped, the air driven from his lungs as the weight pressed him into the cold stone.


    ''I''m not¡­ done yet!''


    With sheer force of will, Axel pushed against the weight, his muscles trembling under the strain. He managed to roll out of the way just as Doom''s foot came down again, narrowly avoiding being crushed. The ground where he had been moments before cracked under the impact, the stone splintering like ss.


    **[Hp 3/10]**


    Axel staggered to his feet, his vision swimming from the pain and exhaustion. He was weaponless, nearly broken, but not defeated. Summoning every ounce of strength left in him, he let out a roar of defiance.


    "I won''t lose to you, bastard!" Axel bellowed, adrenaline surging through his veins as he charged at Doom once more. The Kaiju''s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden resurgence of energy, but it quickly reacted, swinging a massive fist toward Axel''s head.


    Axel ducked under the blow, weaving around the Kaiju''s attacks with newfound agility. He knew he couldn''t keep this up for long, but he had no choice. He had to find a way to bring the beast down.


    As Axel closed in on Doom, he leaped forward, tackling the Kaiju with all his remaining strength. His arms wrapped around the beast''s thick neck, his hands mping down like a vice. Doom let out a roar of rage, thrashing violently as Axel squeezed tighter, cutting off its air supply.


    "AHHHHHH-KAAAJAA!" Doom''s roars turned to strangled gasps as Axel''s grip tightened. The Kaiju''s massive hands iled, trying to grab Axel, but the angle was wrong¡ªDoom couldn''t reach him. The more it struggled, the harder Axel squeezed, pouring every ounce of his remaining strength into the chokehold.


    But Doom wasn''t done yet. In a desperate move, the Kaiju swung its clubbed tail, the thick appendage smashing into Axel''s back with a sickening crack. Axel screamed in agony, the force of the blow nearly snapping his spine.


    Axel''s vision was fading, every breath a struggle as Doom''s monstrous weight bore down on him. His hands were trembling, barely maintaining their grip around the Kaiju''s thick, muscr neck. The impact against the wall had shattered it, and Axel could feel his consciousness slipping away. His HP had hit zero, and he was running on nothing but sheer determination.


    ''This can''t be how it ends,'' Axel thought, fighting the darkness creeping in at the edges of his vision. Just then, as if summoned by the depths of his despair, images of his family shed before his eyes¡ªtheir faces, their smiles, the moments that mattered most. The thought of never seeing them again ignited something deep within him.


    "Not yet, you bastard!" Axel roared, his voice hoarse but filled with defiance. Doom''s eyes widened in shock, his massive body frozen for just a moment as the human beneath him found an impossible reserve of strength. Axel''s grip tightened, his muscles screaming in agony, but he refused to let go. Doom had thought he had already won, that this final crushing blow would end Axel''s life.


    But he was wrong.


    "I won''t die! Not here, not now, not by your hand!" Axel''s shout echoed through the ruined throne room as he pulled with everything he had left. His fingers dug deeper into Doom''s thick neck, and suddenly, with a sickening crack, something gave way.


    "Ugh?" Doom''s face twisted in confusion as the strength drained from his body. His massive form slumped, his limbs going limp as the life faded from his eyes. Axel gasped for air, his hands finally releasing the Kaiju''s neck as Doom''s corpse toppled to the ground with a thunderous crash.


    ''I¡­ I won¡­'' The realization hit Axel like a wave, and he stumbled back, nearly falling to his knees. The battle was over. He had survived.


    "I WON THE BATTLE, YOU ASSHOLE!" Axel shouted with all the strength he had left, his voice raw with emotion. The system notifications flooded his vision, but for the first time, they brought him a sense of relief rather than dread:


    [You have killed the boss of your first trial]


    [You have leveled up]


    [You have leveled up]


    [You have leveled up]


    [Your HP has been replenished for Quest achievement]


    [You Have gained one Pass to go back Home at the time you choose]


    Axel''s heart raced as he read the final notification. ''I''m finally¡­ I''m finally free.'' The realization that he had not only survived but gained a way home nearly brought him to tears. He had fought through impossible odds, faced death itself, and now, he had a chance to return to his family. Axel exhaled shakily, his hands still trembling as the adrenaline began to wear off.


    The pain in his body was intense, but it was nothingpared to the satisfaction of knowing he had won. With one final deep breath, Axel allowed himself a small, victorious smile.

 Chapter 15: 15: Satisfying REWARDS

    ---


    [**You have pending rewards for aplishing Tasks. Would you like to view them before returning?**]


    Axel hesitated for a moment, considering the notification. He knew that once he returned to Earth, more urgent matters would take precedence. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but something told him that checking these rewards now might be more beneficial in the long run. With a determined nod, he epted the prompt.


    [**Rewards**]


    The first reward appeared before his eyes.


    [**Full ess to the Supreme God''s System**]


    The name alone carried immense weight, and Axel couldn''t help but feel a surge of power just reading it. A system with such a grand title had to be extraordinary. The possibilities raced through his mind, the potential to grow stronger and to harness abilities beyond his wildest imagination. But he quickly pushed aside his excitement, knowing there were more rewards to review.


    The next reward popped up.


    [**Deceased Touch**]


    [**Touch can deteriorate all living things.**]


    Axel furrowed his brow in confusion. The ability was unlike anything he had encountered before. It was cryptic, its potential still unclear. He made a mental note to experiment with this one once he returned to Earth. The idea of wielding such a power was both thrilling and terrifying.


    The third and final reward appeared.


    [**King of the Dead**]


    [**Command those that are dead.**]


    Axel''s initial reaction was one of skepticism. Command the dead? He couldn''t quite wrap his head around how such a skill would be useful. The image of decaying corpses, rotting flesh, and the stench of death filled his mind, making the ability seem more like a curse than a gift. Still, he understood that not every reward was a game-changer; some would be situational at best.


    Shrugging it off, he focused on the positive¡ªhe now had the Supreme God''s System, and that alone was a significant victory.


    "Take me back," Axel instructed, ready to return to his world.


    [**Returning to home**]


    ---


    Axel''s vision blurred as his surroundings shifted. When his sight cleared, he found himself standing in the middle of a familiar street, right in front of the mall where the portal had first appeared. The night sky above was dark, and the street was quiet, almost eerily so. He breathed a sigh of relief, d that his sudden reappearance hadn''t caused a scene.


    He quickly mingled with the sparse crowd, pulling his hood over his head to avoid drawing attention.


    As he walked, his thoughts returned to the Fatek aliens who had killed him. He had expected to return to their ship, forced to fight his way out, stranded in the cold vacuum of space. But instead, he was here, safe on Earth. His mind raced with questions. What had happened to the Fatek? Had they broken through the portal and wreaked havoc on his city?


    The peaceful streets around him suggested otherwise. It seemed that whatever threat they posed had been neutralized before it could escte. Reinforcements, perhaps? He could only hope that someone had taken care of them before the situation got out of hand.


    A pang of guilt hit Axel as he thought about his family. His mother, who would be heartbroken if she knew what had happened to him. His sister, Annie, who had always been so strong despite everything they''d been through. He had to find them, reassure them that he was alive and well. But first, he needed to clean up, blend in.


    His clothes were torn and bloodied from the battle on the Fatek ship, making him look more like a vagrant than the warrior he had be.


    ''I need a change of clothes,'' he thought, making his way down the familiar streets on foot. Without any money and looking as disheveled as he did, he couldn''t just walk into a store. And so, he headed towards his family home, a ce he hadn''t visited in what felt like an eternity.


    As he approached therge, well-kept house, memories of his childhood flooded back. This was the home he had grown up in, a ce filled withughter, love, and the asional argument. The wooden door, polished to a shine, stood as a testament to his family''s wealth¡ªa stark contrast to the wreck he had be.


    He paused at the doorstep, reaching for the hidden key that was always kept in the small flower vase beside the door. To his relief, it was still there.


    ''Some things never change,'' Axel mused as he unlocked the door and stepped inside.


    The house was quiet, eerily so. The air was filled with the faint scent ofvender, and everything was impably clean. It was obvious that no one had been here for a while. His sister was likely still at college, and his mother was probably in the hospital, leaving him alone in the house. Axel made his way up the stairs, heading straight for his old room.


    It was just as he had left it¡ªwalls stered with posters of musicians, models, and gaming tech scattered across the room.


    Axel wasted no time stripping off his ruined clothes and stepping into the bathroom. The hot water was a weefort, washing away the grime and blood that had clung to him. As he looked down at his body, he noticed something strange¡ªhis physique had changed. Where once there had been softness, there was now muscle, lean and defined.


    It was a stark reminder of how far he hade, how much he had changed.


    After his shower, Axel dressed in a dark, long-sleeved turtleneck and a pair of ck jeans. The clothes fit perfectly, hugging his new form in all the right ces. He frowned at the jeans, which were ufortably tight in certain areas, but shrugged it off. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, and he knew he needed to eat.


    "A man without food is like a gamer without a controller," Axel muttered to himself as he made his way back downstairs.


    [**I thought no food meant death.**]


    Axel rolled his eyes at the notification, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. Just as he reached the kitchen, a familiar voice called out to him.


    "Axel?"


    He froze, his heart skipping a beat. Turning slowly, he saw her¡ªAnnie, his little sister, standing in the doorway with tears streaming down her face. She looked as if she had seen a ghost, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    "Annie!" Axel''s voice cracked with emotion as he rushed towards her. She ran to him, throwing herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrobly. He held her tight, feeling her small frame shake with the force of her emotions.


    "Big brother... I-I thought you were dead! I saw you die!" Annie''s voice was choked with tears, her hands clutching his shirt as if afraid he might disappear again.


    Axel''s heart broke at her words, the pain she must have endured weighing heavily on his conscience. He stroked her hair, trying to soothe her, even as his own tears threatened to spill over. "I''m here now, Annie. I''m not going anywhere."


    Annie continued to cry, her tears soaking into his shirt. Axel felt a surge of guilt for putting her through so much pain. He wished he could take it all back, erase the memories of his death from her mind. But he couldn''t. All he could do was be there for her now, to reassure her that he was alive, that everything would be alright.


    "I''m sorry," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I''m so sorry for making you suffer."


    Annie didn''t say anything, her sobs gradually subsiding as she clung to him. Axel held her close, vowing silently to protect her, no matter what.

 Chapter 16: 16: Other Problems

    Axel sat by therge square table, shoveling mouthfuls of food as if it were thest meal he''d ever have. Each bite was savored, a reminder of what he''d been missing. His sister, Annie, sat across from him, quietly watching as he devoured the feast she''d painstakingly prepared. It had taken over an hour, but she wanted everything to be perfect for his return.


    He could barely remember thest time he had a proper meal. The taste of her cooking was nostalgic, bringing back memories of better times¡ªbefore everything went wrong.


    Annie had told him that he''d been gone for over a month. To him, it had felt like only a few days. The realization was unsettling.


    ''A whole month¡­ How did she manage to survive? Working, studying, and paying for Mum''s hospital bills¡­ It''s impossible.''


    Axel''s chewing slowed, the food turning to ash in his mouth. He swallowed hard, the question burning in his throat.


    "How did you manage everything while I was gone?" His voice was timid, almost afraid of the answer.


    Annie''s expression darkened, just as Axel had feared. Something was wrong¡ªterribly wrong.


    The silence stretched between them, a heavy weight that threatened to crush him. He wanted to push her for an answer, but he couldn''t bring himself to do it. Not when she looked so fragile, like a porcin doll about to shatter.


    Finally, she spoke, her voice trembling. "I''m sorry, Axel." Tears welled up in her eyes, guilt etched deep into her features. "I tried, but¡­ the bills kepting, and I couldn''t handle them anymore. I had to drop out of college¡­"


    Axel''s fist mmed onto the table, rattling the dishes. The sudden sound made Annie flinch, but he was too consumed by his own thoughts to notice.


    "Why?" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. "Why would you do that? I had savings. I left enough for Mum''s bills for at least a month. It shouldn''t have been this bad unless¡­"


    His heart sank as realization dawned on him. His face drained of color, leaving him pale and cold.


    "She¡­ she went into a Grade Ninea after you disappeared," Annie stammered, her voice barely audible.


    A Grade Ninea. The words hit Axel like a sledgehammer. It was a disease that had emerged after abilities began to surface in the world. There was no known cure, and the cost to keep a person alive was astronomical. He had left Annie to deal with this nightmare alone.


    "Damn it!" Axel cursed, his voice breaking. He sprang to his feet and grabbed his sister''s wrist, pulling her towards the door. "I have to see Mum. Now."


    Annie resisted, shaking her head vehemently.


    Axel froze, staring at her in disbelief. She had visited their mother countless times while he was gone. The thought of seeing their mother''s condition again must have been too much for her to bear.


    "I''m not forcing you," Axel whispered, letting go of her wrist. "But¡­ I''m scared to go alone. Please, Annie, I need you."


    Annie remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor. Axel couldn''t wait any longer. He turned and bolted out the door, sprinting down the street as fast as his legs could carry him.


    As he ran, his vision blurred with tears. It was his fault. All of it.


    If only he had been stronger, he wouldn''t have died in that battle. His mother wouldn''t be lying in a hospital bed, clinging to life by a thread.


    If only he had been stronger, he could have paid for her treatment in full. She wouldn''t have had to suffer so much.


    If only he had been stronger, his father wouldn''t have left them. His family wouldn''t be in ruins.


    If only¡­ if only he had been stronger, he would have found the courage to quit his job earlier. He never would have ended up in this mess, never would have died and left his family to suffer.


    "It''s all because I was too weak," Axel muttered through gritted teeth.


    He reached the hospital in a matter of minutes, barging through the entrance without a second thought. The bright fluorescent lights overhead did nothing to ease his anxiety. Each step he took felt heavier than thest, his legs threatening to give out beneath him.


    When he finally arrived at his mother''s room, he couldn''t bring himself to go inside. He stopped at the thick ss window, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked inside.


    His mothery motionless in the bed, surrounded by a web of tubes and wires connected to various machines. The life support system was the only thing keeping her alive.


    Axel''s legs gave out, and he copsed to the floor, his body wracked with sobs. "Mum¡­ Mummy!" His voice cracked, the sound echoing down the empty corridor.


    He had failed her. He had failed them all.


    For over two hours, Axely there, unable to move. His tears had long since dried, but the pain in his chest remained, a constant reminder of his failure.


    Then, a voice broke through his haze of despair.


    "Teras Axel?"


    Axel''s head snapped up, his bloodshot eyes locking onto the three men standing in front of him. They were dressed in long coats, their expressions grim and unyielding.


    One of them was the leader of the association Axel had been a part of before his death. The other two were unfamiliar, but their presence was ominous.


    "We are military ops," one of the men growled, his voice coarse and grating. "And we need to take you in for questioning. You cane willingly, or we can use force. Your choice."


    The guild association leader stepped forward, his voice softer, but no less insistent. "Please, Axel. We understand what you''re going through, but this is important. You need toe with us."


    Axel''s mind raced, piecing together the implications. He had been dered dead. Now, here he was, alive and walking around. It was only natural that they would want answers.


    But right now, all Axel could think about was his mother, lying helpless in that hospital bed.


    "Where will you be taking me?" Axel asked, his voice devoid of emotion.


    The military man leaned in close, his breath hot against Axel''s face. "Somewhere so deep underground that no one will hear you scream for mercy when we''re through with you."


    Axel stared back at him, unflinching. He knew this was only the beginning of his problems, but he didn''t care. As long as his family was safe, he was willing to face whatever came next.


    Even if it meant descending into the darkest depths to find the answers he needed.

 Chapter 17: 17: The Raid

    "Teras, is that your first name or your surname?" the military agent began, his tone deceptively casual.


    Axel leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as he stared at the man. "Check the documents, and tell me what you see, idiot."


    The agent''s smirk tightened into a thin line, but he kept hisposure. "You think you can provoke me, kid? You''re at our mercy right now." He reclined in his chair, confidence radiating from his posture. Axel could feel the weight of the room''s tension pressing down on him, the eyes of the other two men boring into him.


    "I''m Kurtly West, General of this country''s S.A.A.F.," the man continued, puffing out his chest as if his title alone would intimidate Axel.


    ''Top brass,'' Axel thought, ''no wonder he''s got such a big mouth.''


    S.A.A.F. was officially known as the Safety Association Against Alien Fateks. But among the rank-and-file, it was a joke: Stupid Association for All Fucking idiots.


    The second man in the room, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "I''m his assistant, and I''m not allowed to disclose my name."


    Thest man, seated at the far end of the table, finally introduced himself. "Seo Jinhyuk, President of the Void Tiger Association."


    Axel said nothing. His mind raced as he evaluated the situation. He was well aware that the longer he remained silent, the more suspicious he would seem, but he also knew that giving too much away could seal his fate. He had been through military school, after all. He knew every lesson about torture, and he was acutely aware of how ugly this could get.


    "You were confirmed dead a month and two weeks ago, at 11:24 PM, after a Fatek bit off your head. Is that correct?" Kurtly leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he sought a reaction.


    Axel gave a single nod, keeping his face nk.


    "Now here you are, iming to be Axel Teras, alive and well, with your head miraculously intact. How is that possible?"


    Axel had anticipated this question. "It''s an ability," he began, choosing his words carefully. "I used to be able to attack people or Fateks with nightmares, but somehow I came back, thanks to my ability. Even I don''t fully understand it."


    Kurtly snorted, his skepticism evident. "We buried your body months ago. It should be impossible for you toe back without tearing through a coffin and digging your way through six feet of solid ground. With your current status as a hunter, you don''t seem up to that standard. So, that means you''re lying."


    Axel felt his heart rate spike. ''There are too many loopholes, and I can''t find a way out of them.''


    "And whye back to life now, of all times?" Kurtly''s assistant added, deepening the hole Axel found himself in.


    He had no answer. He could only remain silent, knowing that every second he hesitated was another nail in his coffin.


    "Mr. Teras, we suspect you might be a Fatek in disguise," Seo Jinhyuk said, his voice calm but deadly serious. "Possibly new technology to shapeshift. And whether you know it or not, we''re going to make sure you understand that the military is nning to make you their personalb rat."


    The threat hung in the air like a dark cloud. Axel''s mind raced. He couldn''t let them turn him into a test subject. At this pace, he knew that was exactly what would happen. ''Damn, what should I do?''


    "So what do you have to say to that, Teras?" Kurtly asked, clearly relishing the power he held over Axel.


    Axel took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I can''t exin all these phenomena to you, as I''m also not sure what happened. But if possible, I''d like you to test me. If I fail, I''ll be anything you want, but if I pass, you''ll grant me two wishes."


    The room fell silent. Axel''s fingers twitched nervously at his sides, his breathing rapid but controlled. He knew it was a long shot. He was betting everything on this one gamble.


    The three men exchanged looks. Kurtly''s smirk returned, but it was tempered with doubt. They could take the easy way out, subjecting Axel to endless tests, or they could humor him. The decision wasn''t as clear-cut as Axel had hoped.


    "Fine," Seo Jinhyuk said finally, his voice steady. "I''ll run a field test for you. If you''re telling the truth, you''ll pass. But if you''re lying¡­" He let the threat hang in the air.


    "Nonsense," Kurtly spat. "This bastard should be killed and his body experimented on for the good of humanity."


    "You''re bent on taking the life of someone you swore to protect?" Seo Jinhyuk shot back, his tone sharp. "We don''t know what he is, but killing a human is murder. Follow my method, Kurtly. If I''m wrong, then you can do whatever you want."


    Kurtly grumbled but finally relented. "Fine. Have it your way."


    Seo Jinhyuk turned back to Axel, his expression unreadable. "Now, I''ll set the conditions for this test. I won''t take your rank into consideration. I''ll be sending you on a raiding mission."


    Axel''s stomach dropped. "Raid? I thought we would be testing¡ª"


    "Machines can lie, but experience will always tell the truth," Seo Jinhyuk interrupted sharply. "Now, prepare yourself for the worst part of your life. I''ll be sending you with a guild into a B-rank portal."


    Axel''s mouth went dry. ''A B-rank portal¡­ Fuck! What was the death rate of B-rank gates again?''


    Death rates were a crucial factor hunters considered before a raid. The higher the death rate, the more dangerous the portal. Last time Axel had checked, B-rank portals were rated *Dark.*


    The ratings were as follows:


    - **Bothering** (10 deaths per week)


    - **Worse** (20 deaths per week)


    - **Dark** (50 deaths per week)


    - **Brutal** (100 deaths per week)


    - **The End** (Wiped out)


    Even a *Worse* rating was enough to deter most hunters, but¡­


    "The rating for B-rank has risen to *Brutal,*" Seo Jinhyuk said, his voice as cold as steel.


    Axel felt his mind spiral. ''I should be worried about dying, but with the system¡­ all I can think about is how this is going to be¡ª''


    *Exhrating.*

 Chapter 18: 18: C-Rank Guild?

    The small, abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city stood silent, its once-bustling machinery long forgotten. Vines had begun to reim the crumbling walls, and the air around it was thick with an uneasy stillness. But now, something new had manifested before it¡ªa portal, its swirling energies pulsing with a strange, malevolent light.


    This was no ordinary portal; its size and the dark aura it exuded marked it as a C-Rank portal, the kind meant for seasoned hunters to clear. Yet, as Axel¡ªnow known only as *Nameless*¡ªstood before it, he couldn''t shake the feeling that this was more than just another mission.


    The portal, though ssified as C-Rank, felt wrong. It hummed with an energy that made his skin crawl, and he could feel the eyes of the B-Rank hunters around him, sizing him up, each one trying to decipher the enigma behind the ck mask he wore. The mask concealed his face, his identity, his humanity¡ªif he could still be called that.


    This mission wasn''t meant for public eyes; it wouldn''t be streamed online like the others. No, this was a test¡ªa test to see if he was still human, or something else entirely. And it wasn''t just the party members he had to worry about. He could sense them¡ªthe military, lurking among the hunters, their presence subtle but unmistakable. They were here for him.


    *Nameless*, the alias given to him by President Seo Jinhyuk, was a shield as much as it was a shackle. The world believed Axel to be dead, and it was better that way. Even now, with a pitch-ck mask hiding his face, he could feel the weight of his identity pressing down on him. He was a ghost among the living, a shadow among hunters.


    He sat apart from the group, his back against a rusted metal beam, eyes closed in silent contemtion. The portal wasn''t ready yet, and until it was, he had to bide his time. The thought of whaty beyond it gnawed at him, but so did the knowledge that his every move was being scrutinized.


    *Till they''re sure, I better prepare myself,* he thought, but his musings were interrupted.


    "Hey, I''m Hera. Nice to meet you in person," a voice broke through his solitude. He opened his eyes to find a young woman standing before him, hand outstretched in greeting. Her smile was warm, but there was something in her eyes¡ªcuriosity, maybe a hint of apprehension.


    *Nameless* took her hand, shaking it with a timidity that belied his strength. "Nameless," he replied, his voice distorted by the mask, giving it an eerie, otherworldly tone.


    "Nameless," she repeated, trying to suppress a shiver as she pulled her hand back. "Okay, Mr. Nameless."


    Another hunter, a boy who bore a striking resemnce to Hera, stepped forward, his excitement palpable. "I''m Loki," he eximed, his grin wide and unguarded.


    *Nameless* simply nodded. "Nameless," he said again, his voice a monotone.


    The twins exchanged a nce, a silent conversation passing between them. Loki''s grin didn''t waver, but Hera''s brow furrowed slightly, as if trying to puzzle out the man behind the mask.


    "It''s really nice to meet you," Loki continued, undeterred. "I hope you''ll protect us during this mission because we aren''t that experienced, and you seem like the strongest guy here."


    A coarse, violent sigh escaped *Nameless*, the sound making Hera flinch ever so slightly.


    "So, what''s your ability, Senior Nameless?" Hera asked, her arms folding across her chest as she studied him with that same mysterious look.


    "Nameless," came the reply, unchanging and unyielding.


    Loki chuckled, but there was an edge to it, a nervousness he couldn''t quite hide. "You must really like that word. Is that all you can say?"


    "Or is it because we were ordered to watch your every move that you''re being so distant?" Hera mused, her tone more serious now.


    She wasn''t wrong, but there was more to it. *Nameless* had always kept to himself, a habit formed long before the mask, before the missions, before the world turned upside down.


    "Don''t bother Nameless too much," another voice chimed in. A man stepped forward, older and more experienced, his presencemanding respect. He had the look of a seasoned B-Rank hunter¡ªarge sword strapped to his back, modern armor fitted snugly around his muscr frame. "He might not seem like it, but I know he has a big heart."


    Loki and Hera turned their attention to the neer, their earlier excitement tempered by awe.


    "I''m Captain Rowin," the man introduced himself, his eyes locking onto *Nameless* with a gaze that was both scrutinizing and sympathetic.


    "Nameless," *Nameless* replied, his tone t.


    "Loki, Hera, give me a moment with Nameless here," Rowin said, his voice gentle yet firm. The twins hesitated, but a slight nod from Rowin sent them on their way, leaving the two men alone.


    Once they were out of earshot, Rowin''s expression darkened. "I''ve heard your story, and I feel for you. I hope you''ve noticed¡ª"


    "Military are among us," *Nameless* interrupted, his voice low and wary as he scanned the other hunters, his senses heightened. He could feel it, the subtle tension in the air, the way some of them moved, too stiff, too precise.


    Rowin nodded grimly. "Yeah, but if anything goes wrong in there, there''s a big chance none of us will make it out alive."


    The unspoken truth hung heavy between them. This was a raid with no witnesses, no livestreams, no ountability. If things went south, they''d be left to rot in the portal, their fates sealed.


    *Nameless* met Rowin''s gaze, his resolve hardening. "Another reason to be careful. It''s not just my fate on the line now but everyone''s here."


    Rowin''s eyes widened slightly, surprised by the intensity in *Nameless''* voice. "I''ll keep that in mind. You too, Nameless. Look after yourself, especially if you''ve got someone waiting for you on the other side of this."


    Rowin''s words struck a chord, and *Nameless* rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving the captain''s. "I advise you to do the same, Captain."


    Before Rowin could respond, a shout came from the monitoring team stationed at the sidelines. "Captain! The portal is stable! You''re clear to enter!"


    Rowin turned, a mask of determination slipping over his features. He took a deep breath, then yelled out to the party, "Let''s move, team!"


    He was the first to step into the portal, his form swallowed by the swirling energies. One by one, the others followed, disappearing into the unknown.


    *Nameless* lingered for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he noticed one of the hunters hanging back, speaking into a phone. The man''s expression was tense, his words too quiet to hear, but the fact that he was on a call just before a raid set off rm bells in *Nameless''* mind.


    *Who takes a phone call just before a raid?*


    His instincts screamed at him, warning him that something was wrong, but there was no time to act. The portal called to him, and he had to go.


    Memorizing the man''s face, *Nameless* stepped into the portal, the energy enveloping him in a sh of light.


    ---


    Meanwhile, outside the portal:


    "You hear me, Hegan?" A voice crackled over the phone, low and authoritative.


    The man¡ªHegan¡ªgripped the phone tighter, a grim smile spreading across his lips. "Loud and clear, boss."


    "Make sure that masked man doesn''t make it out alive," the voice ordered, cold and final.


    Hegan''s smile widened. "And the others?"


    There was a pause, then the voice replied, its tone icy, "Kill them all."


    Hegan''s eyes gleamed with a deadly intent as he ended the call, the words echoing in his mind as he too stepped into the portal, the darkness swallowing him whole.


    ---


    Inside the portal, *Nameless* felt the oppressive energy pressing in on him. Thendscape was alien, twisted, as if the very air pulsed with malevolence. But it wasn''t just the portal''s atmosphere that set him on edge. He could feel eyes on him, a cold, calcting gaze that promised violence.


    The raid had only just begun, but the real danger had already made its move. *Nameless* clenched his fists, the weight of his situation settling in.


    In this portal, surrounded by enemies both known and hidden, survival was no longer just a mission¡ªit was a battle against the unseen, and the stakes were life or death.

 Chapter 19: 19: Encounter

    Nameless stepped through the portal, his senses heightened to their limit. The moment he materialized, his eyes caught a vivid, gruesome sight¡ªa searing beam of light sliced through a man''s gut, splitting him in half with surgical precision. The remnants of the man''s body fell to the ground, lifeless, as the same deadly beam shot towards Nameless, moving with terrifying speed.


    His reflexes, honed by countless battles, kicked in. With a swift motion, he summoned his dagger and intercepted the beam just in time, the impact sending a shudder through his entire body.


    He darted to the nearest pir, where other humans were taking cover, panting as adrenaline coursed through his veins.


    *What the heck is going on?* he thought, eyes wide, trying to piece together the chaotic scene around him.


    *No, this should be normal... the Fatek nned an ambush from the start. They just caught me off guard. This is the result of being out of the loop for so long. Lucky I was sharp enough to block that...*


    Peeking around the pir, Nameless quickly analyzed the situation. Dozens of Fatek warriors were spread out across the battlefield, their sters firing lethal energy bolts in every direction. Some were already engaged in closebat, including the captain, Hera, and Loki, their movements swift and precise as they fought to keep the Fatek at bay.


    *Come to think of it, these guys I''m beside are long-rangebatants,* Nameless realized, reddening with shame at his initial panic.


    With renewed resolve, he gripped the hilt of his dagger, feeling the cool metal steady his nerves. Without a second thought, he dashed out from behind the pir, charging headlong into the fray. His mind raced, recalling every encounter he''d had with the Fatek, the scars they had left on his body and soul.


    *For years, I''ve faced the Fatek, struggling to kill even one. I''ve suffered countless scars. Even now, with this incredible speed, I still feel uncertain...*


    His grip tightened as he neared the first Fatek, his heart pounding in his chest.


    *Power doesn''t change mentality... unless I force it to.*


    He slowed his pace, the world around him seeming to decelerate as he focused on his target. The Fatek raised its massive gun, aiming directly at him. Nameless watched the beam form, its light intensifying before it shot towards him. He dodged, shifting his body weight to the left, the beam whizzing past him harmlessly.


    In one fluid motion, he lunged forward, plunging his dagger deep into the Fatek''s throat. The de sliced through flesh and bone with ease, the creature copsing to the ground, lifeless.


    *It''s working...* he thought, a surge of confidence electrifying his veins. Without hesitation, he moved towards another Fatek, this one far more imposing.


    The creature stood with four muscr arms, each gripping a massive club that dripped with human blood. Its body was a bulk of pure muscle, but that didn''t hinder its speed. With a monstrous roar, it swung one of its clubs down towards Nameless, aiming to crush his skull.


    Nameless leapt back, the club smashing into the ground where he had stood a split second before. The force of the impact shook the earth, sending debris flying in all directions.


    *Too close¡ª*


    He barely had time to blink before a wave of blue energy exploded from the club like a nuclear bomb. The shockwave struck him with full force, sending him hurtling through the air, his body twisting in mid-flight as he struggled to regain control.


    "Arrgh!" Nameless growled, maneuvering himself tond on his feet. He skidded back several feet, his knees nearly buckling from the impact.


    *This is insane...*


    He watched the Fatek warily, his earlier burst of confidence now tempered with caution. He studied the creature''s weapon, noting the faint blue glow that still clung to the club.


    *It''s enhanced...* he realized. *The club releases stored energy on impact, doubling the force. It doesn''t affect the user, but it has a range of...*


    He struggled to recall the exact details of the attack, piecing together the fragments of his memory.


    *Three meters. That''s the range.*


    The Fatek charged at him, moving with a speed that belied its bulk. It was eager to finish the job, to crush Nameless and return to help its brethren. Nameless knew he couldn''t allow that to happen.


    *All I have to do is attack from a distance,* he thought, nting his foot firmly on the ground. Wrapping his right hand tightly around the hilt of his dagger, he hurled it with all his might at the advancing Fatek.


    The dagger sliced through the air like a bolt of lightning, a mere blur as it closed the distance between them. The de struck the Fatek''s skull with a sickening thud, embedding itself deeply. But it wasn''t enough. The Fatek roared in fury, the dagger only partially prating its thick cranium.


    *Damn...* Nameless cursed inwardly. *I should''ve gotten a sword instead.*


    The Fatek''s enraged roar filled the air as it swung its club with all four arms, aiming directly at Nameless. The impact sent him flying once again, the blue energy wave mming into him before he even hit the ground. He crashed into the walls of the spaceship with bone-shattering force, the metal groaning under the impact.


    "KAYAAAHHHHK!" Nameless cried out, falling to his knees as blood filled his mouth, seeping through his mask. His vision blurred, but he forced himself to focus on the Fatek, which was already closing in on him.


    *I should''ve gotten arge sword...* he thought bitterly.


    There was no time to buy a healing potion, no time to even consider escape. The Fatek was relentless, its clubs swinging with lethal precision. Nameless prepared to dodge, his body screaming in protest as he tried to move. But the Fatek was faster, its clubs already descending with a force that would pulverize him.


    At thest moment, there was a thunderous explosion. The Fatek''s arms exploded in a shower of blood and bone, the shockwave reverberating through the ship.


    *What...?*


    Nameless blinked, struggling to understand what had just happened. His eyes darted to the figure standing behind the Fatek¡ªLoki.


    *Is that even possible?* Nameless wondered. *An ability that unusual... Could he really be rted to mythology as I suspected?*


    But there was no time for spection. The Fatek was already recovering, its body regenerating at an rming rate. Nameless knew he had to act fast.


    With a surge of determination, he leapt into the air, his body twisting as he reached for his dagger. He dislodged the de in a single, fluid motion and plunged it deep into the Fatek''s throat. Blood sprayed from the wound, but the creature refused to die.


    The Fatek gurgled, dropping one of its clubs as it grabbed Nameless with its remaining hands. The pressure was unbearable, the creature squeezing the life out of him, his bones creaking under the strain.


    *B-Bloody... Hu-man!* the Fatek muttered, its voice a guttural rasp as it tightened its grip.


    Nameless could feel his bones snapping, the pain excruciating. He screamed, his vision darkening as he struggled to breathe. Desperation wed at his mind, his thoughts racing for a solution.


    *No! No more begging for help!* he thought, his determination burning brighter than ever. *I must win on my own.*


    [You havee close to death.]


    [One has been added to all Stats.]


    [You havee close to death.]


    [One has been added to all Stats.]


    But even with the increase in stats, it wasn''t enough. The Fatek''s grip was unyielding, the creature''s strength overwhelming. Nameless knew he had only seconds before he was crushedpletely.


    *Think!*


    His mind raced through countless possibilities, searching for something¡ªanything¡ªthat could save him. His left hand, still free, rose instinctively. With a primal roar, he mmed it down onto the Fatek''s arm, his glove dissolving like ice under the sun.


    The Fatek shrieked in agony as its flesh began to decay, the rot spreading rapidly across its body. Nameless fell to the ground, gasping for breath as he watched the Fatek disintegrate before his eyes, its body reduced to nothing but steam and a foul stench.


    [Deceased Touch skill in use.]


    *Thankfully, it was better than what I thought...* Nameless mused, struggling to his feet. *I thought it would just infect him, but it decayed him until he was nothing but air...*


    [You have leveled up.]


    [Leveled up.]


    Nameless felt a brief moment of relief, his body trembling from the exertion.


    [You have sessfully enved the soul.]


    [Souls enved 2/15.]


    *Enved...?* he thought, confusion clouding his mind. *Is this something rted to¡ª*


    "NAMELESS! RUN, YOU IDIOT!"


    Loki''s voice shattered his thoughts, the urgency in his tone unmistakable. Nameless'' eyes widened as he saw Loki racing towards him, his face a mask of panic.


    *Behind...* Nameless thought, turning quickly, ready to face whatever new threat had emerged.


    What he saw made his blood run cold.


    A massive creature loomed before him, far more terrifying than any Fatek. It stood on all fours and resembled...


    ''Impossible, an¡ª''


    Alien Bison.

 Chapter 20: 20: Literal Ambush

    "The humans keep underestimating us," the Fatek general muttered, hovering in mid-air as if seated on an invisible throne. His crimson skin gleamed under the cold, artificial light of the control room, where his three subordinates were focused on their digital consoles. His third eye, perched in the center of his forehead, stared unblinking at the vast emptiness of space through the tempered ss.


    The silence was broken only by the asional beep from the consoles, signaling activity within the ship.


    "What I don''t understand," he continued, his voice a low growl, "is why one of their own is killing his kind..." His gaze shifted to a surveince feed where a lone hunter was stealthily eliminating other hunters. The general''s lips curled into a twisted smile.


    ''Interesting.''


    ***


    [Deceased Touch]


    Nameless watched as the Alien Bison''s face dissolved into steam and dust, vanishing as if it had never been there.


    ''That was too close.''


    He pushed himself to his feet, retreating a few meters from the wall to avoid any further surprise attacks. But they came nheless¡ªdozens of Alien Bisons stampeding toward him with relentless speed.


    ''My dagger¡­ It''s not here. Damn! I''ll have to rely on Deceased Touch, even though I''m not fully healed yet.''


    He threw out his hand toward another charging Bison, aiming to activate Deceased Touch. But this one was faster, sidestepping his attack and mming its horn into his side. The impact sent Nameless flying like a ragdoll, crashing to the ground with a bone-jarring thud.


    "Gah!" he groaned, the pain radiating through his body. ''I should''ve known they''d be smarter than Earth''s stupid Bisons!''


    Nameless nced at the herd of Alien Bisons. They seemed to lose interest in him, focusing instead on the other hunters. This gave him a brief moment to ess the ship''s status window, where he quickly purchased five HP potions and downed them in quick session.


    [HP 8/20]


    [HP 15/20]


    [HP 20/20]


    As his health bar filled up, a surge of strength and vitality washed over him, numbing the pain.


    "Perfect," Nameless muttered, a maniacal grin creeping onto his face. He rose to his feet, and with a flick of his wrist, summoned a mystical sword into his hand.


    [You have purchased a special weapon with all remaining points]


    [Fang of Kaijus]


    <Abilities>


    *Torch of Dominance


    *Increases user''s stats by one every thirty seconds temporarily for ten minutes


    Nameless''s grin turned into a cackle as he read the weapon''s abilities. "This is messed up!" His cackle caught the attention of the Alien Bisons, who halted their charge, wary of his newfound confidence.


    All at once, they charged at him again, horns first.


    "Let''s see how much I can level up here." Nameless lunged forward, instantly feeling faster and stronger than before. He met the first Bison with a swift slice through its cranium, blood sttering everywhere.


    Another Bison came at him from behind, its horns aiming to impale him. Nameless sidestepped the attack with ease.


    ''They''ve slowed down... No, I''ve gotten faster. My stats must have increased not just from the sword, but from leveling up too.''


    With a swift motion, he brought his sword down on the Bison''s neck, beheading it in a single stroke.


    ''Apart from their brute strength, dangerous speed, and cunning... These things are just distractions, or worse, ways to thin our numbers and weaken our defenses. It works in the Fatek''s favor either way.''


    Nameless''s pace quickened. He grabbed another Bison by its horn and, with a tremendous effort, lifted it off the ground, hurling it into two more Bisons, knocking them all down. As he did, others attacked from his blind spot, but his enhanced speed allowed him to dodge in time.


    Nameless continued to slice through the Bisons with brutal efficiency, the satisfying chimes of his level-ups spurring him on.


    [You have leveled up]


    [Leveled up]


    [Leveled up]


    ***


    Captain Rowin yanked his sword out of the skull of an Alien Bison, wiping the sweat from his brow. He scanned the battlefield, noting that most of his team had finished off thest of the Bisons. But the sight of fallenrades, crushed by hooves or torn apart by the Fateks, darkened his expression.


    ''These creatures... How the hell did the Fateks manage to raise animals like this?'' He examined the Bisons again. ''They don''t look entirely alien. Could they be Earth animals the Fateks somehow acquired? No... This seems recent.


    The information''s too scarce to draw conclusions.''


    "Hey, Cap! That guy we were supposed to watch¡ªis he dead? I don''t see him anywhere!" a hunter shouted, snapping Rowin out of his thoughts.


    ''Come to think of it...'' Rowin looked around, searching for Nameless among the bodies. But he saw nothing.


    "Did he¡ª"


    "Holy shit! Did he take down that many?!"


    "All on his own? This guy''s insane!"


    "I think they made a mistake when they said we should be the ones watching him. He should be watching us!"


    Rowin narrowed his eyes at the source of themotion. The hunters'' exmations drew his attention to a pile of Alien Bison corpses. And there, standing amidst the carnage, was Nameless, covered in blood but very much alive.


    He had taken down nearly fifty of the beasts by himself, far more than Rowin''s entire teambined.


    ''Unbelievable.''


    Nameless let out a sigh of relief as the final chime announced histest level-up.


    [Level: 10]


    He allowed himself a brief smile, savoring the aplishment.


    Meanwhile, on the sidelines, a man watched with a predatory gleam in his eyes. His weapon, slick with human blood, hung loosely at his side, his lips curling into a twisted smile.


    "Interesting," he murmured.


    ***


    Back in the control room, the Fatek general leaned closer to the surveince screen, his three eyes narrowing in on Nameless. He could sense the raw potential in this human, but more than that, something darker, something primal, was stirring.


    The general''s lips curled into a malevolent grin.


    ''This one... is different.''


    ***Author''s note***


    Thanks for reading this chapter... Please i need your support in powerstones and tickets or even a c would do. Please support me and leave a review if possible orment. If you are a reader that uses fast pass at timesment to make the work interactive, there''s no crime in using fast pass

 Chapter 21: 21: Splitting Mindset

    The group moved silently through the hall, the walls made of a shimmering crimson metal. The floors,posed of the same material, felt oddly squishy beneath their feet, while the ceiling above was luminous, casting a strange golden glow.


    As they walked, their heads constantly on a swivel to avoid being caught off guard by a Fatek ambush, Nameless found himself distracted. His gaze was fixed on the wide screen before him, his chin resting on his hand as he contemted a bright idea. The ambush they had just survived had significantly thinned out the ship''s forces.


    Yet, a nagging feeling gnawed at him about the absence of further Fatek attacks.


    Normally, after the initial assault, at least three more Fatek would have been waiting. But none were present. This ship was considerablyrger than the usual C-Rank vessels. Still, Nameless chose not to dwell on this, focusing instead on more pressing matters.


    **//Stats//**


    Name: Axel Teras


    Exp: 8/100


    Level: 17


    Job ss: None


    <Attributes>


    *Strength: 29


    *Agility: 20


    *Senses: 6


    *Mana: 19


    *Health: 20/20


    *Stat points: 12


    Nameless nodded as he noticed something new about the system. After leaving the trial, leveling up only added one point to some stats, while others varied in a way he couldn''t quite grasp, unlike the more predictable system during the trial. He was nearing level twenty, and it struck him how much harder it would be to level up.


    ''It won''t be easy forever. Maybe at level twenty or so, it''ll take more time to level up, just like during the trial. I''ll need to figure out how to improve my skills more topensate for that.''


    The only skill that still troubled him was *KING OF THE UNDEAD*. Unlike *DECEASED TOUCH*, which had kicked in instinctively when he was on the brink of death, he wasn''t sure the same would happen with this one.


    ''I''m curious, but I''ll leave it until I get out of this kill zone. I should at least invest my points and prepare for the next wave.''


    Nameless, with his newfound wisdom, decided not to dump all his points into Strength. Instead, he bnced it out by investing in Agility this time.


    <Attributes>


    *Strength: 30


    *Agility: 29


    *Senses: 8


    *Mana: 19


    *Health: 20/20


    *Stat points: 0


    ''I figure there''s a bnce to all these things. Too much Strength would decrease my Agility despite what the system shows, and too much Agility means weaker attacks. That also means I''ll have to bnce even my Senses¡ª''


    Before Nameless could take another step forward, an elbow jabbed at his... palm. He had caught it instinctively.


    He was so mesmerized by how quickly he had reacted that he didn''t immediately question why someone had tried to strike him.


    "Stop daydreaming, you blind fool! Are your eyes bleeding shit?" a rude, raspy voice jolted him back to reality, where he met the irritated gaze of the person who had attacked him.


    Nameless shook his head, stepping back slightly and turning his attention to the problem at hand.


    It wasn''t an attack but a mind-boggling dilemma.


    Up ahead, the crimson path split into two separate tunnels, one on the left and the other on the right. Both reeked of Fatek, a vile smell that Nameless could sense from this distance even without awakening his powers.


    Captain Rowin stood there, arguing with a few others over the situation.


    Who wouldn''t?


    Nameless scanned the nearly identical paths, trying to find a solid reason behind this setup.


    He could only fathom this as a trap. Theck of attacks up to this point was likely a ploy to lure them into splitting their forces across two tunnels, forcing them to choose one. With the reduced numbers on their side, splitting up was the worst possible idea.


    If they entered a tunnel as a group, the Fatek from the other two tunnels would escape and, in an instant,unch a two-pronged attack on them. Not to mention, the Fatek could now move through walls.


    Nameless knew that any decision they made here would put them at a disadvantage. This wasn''t their territory, and they weren''t fighting on their terms. A battleship thisrge was bound to result in heavy casualties, and if they weren''t careful, this mission could turn into a one-sided massacre.


    "Hey, Nameless, what do you think about this?"


    Nameless turned to see Loki, whose face was filled with more amusement than fear at the situation. His sister stood beside him, her dangerous green irises matching her dark green hair.


    They looked untrustworthy, to say the least.


    ''For now, I''ll y along until I can figure these two out.''


    Nameless made sure to nod first before speaking in a low, gurgling voice muffled by his mask. "It''s obviously a trap."


    Loki burst into a low cackle before pouting his lips in a mischievous manner. "That''s pretty obvious, but what I wanted to ask is your opinion because you are one of them, right?"


    Nameless barely flinched at the usation. This made him question how much information had been shared with the party about him, and what their goal was in apanying him. What were the red lines not to be crossed during their watch?


    "If I were one of them, would I really be standing here instead of being in a hurry to lead you all into a trap? Or would I have helped you y my brothers? You already know that and are just trying to test my intelligence and see through my hidden identity, aren''t you?" Nameless shook his head, having a good grasp of the situation.


    "Loki could testify to me not being one of them, especially after he saved me from the near-death experience with that fat-ass Fatek. So this justifies my theory of how much you know about me and how much you don''t."


    Loki''s expression faltered slightly at Nameless'' statement. ''He''s quite good, smarter than I expected him to be. He could decode that entire situation just from a few mistakes I made.''


    "That''s some great detective work; it proves you''re human," Loki apuded slowly, with an encouraging smile that was clearly fake.


    "I''m not sure how you''re so good at fighting, but I''d like to go up against you after all this," Hera frowned deeply, stretching a hand out to Nameless for a handshake.


    Too bad Nameless wasn''t kind enough to take it. He saw it as a trap, a pile of shit extended for him to bite on.


    "My ability is to create mystical weapons from my body," Hera added, trying to earn Nameless'' trust after he left her hand hanging.


    After she said this, there was a subtle shift in the atmosphere around Nameless.


    ''Do you take me for a fool? The moment I shake your hand, your gloves, which have been soaked in that stupid truth serum, will activate. You know I have no gloves on my left hand, which is why you offered to shake that way. You want to know my ability and get closer to me. Why?''


    Hera''s cheeks reddened as she bit her lips and murmured, "I''m sorry. I just wanted to know you a bit more. I''m ashamed to say this, but I have barely anyone but my brother to talk to or make friends with... It''s embarrassing, but I''d like to be your friend, even if it means forcing myself on you."


    The story was so authentic...


    ''Bullcrap! What kind of two-year-old TV show are you trying to imitate? I''ll go with it for now and¡ª''


    "We''vee to a decision!" Captain Rowin''s words broke the murmuring of the group.


    "We''ll be splitting up into teams. Since there are thirteen of us left, we''ll operate like this:


    I''ll lead a team of four: Gomez, Klystron, Gabe, Emma, and Paul. You''ll take the tunnel on the far end.


    Richard, Braun, you and you will take the one on the right.


    I''ll go with Hera, Loki, and Nameless through the middle." Captain Rowin ordered. The group immediately gathered with their assigned team members, awaiting further instructions.


    "Now, make sure to clear your end. Once you''re done, meet back at this point. If you spot the leader of this ship, do not engage. Hide until help arrives..."


    Nameless couldn''t help but admire Rowin''s leadership skills. It wasn''t the safest option, but it was certainly the best under the circumstances. Now, the only issue...


    {Axel, do you feel that bloodlust?}


    Axel turned his gaze around slightly, careful not to alert any suspicion, to see the familiar face of Velerium manifesting beside him.


    Strangely, he didn''t panic and ignored the fact that Velerium had appeared in an instant.


    ''From what I see, there''s no one who can see you but me.''


    {Yes...}


    {You must sense it too, don''t you?}


    {That bloodlust... they exhibit...}


    ''They...?''

 Chapter 22: 22: The Goal... Allegiance? Or What?

    The group of four moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridors of the alien ship. Each step echoed in the silence, the sound of their footsteps swallowed by the oppressive atmosphere. The silence was unnerving, especially since they had been expecting more resistance. None of them spoke, all focused on the mission at hand. Yet, each was keenly aware that their objectives might not align perfectly.


    Nameless, or Axel Teras as he was known outside the mask, was troubled. His mind raced with thoughts, questions he dared not voice. *Why has it been so easy? This ce should be crawling with aliens. Is this really an ambush?* He nced at hispanions. The tension was palpable.


    Each one of them was on edge, hands resting lightly on their weapons, ready to strike at the first sign of trouble.


    *Maybe something changed during my disappearance,* Axel mused, though he knew that was unlikely.


    "Captain, what''s wrong with this ship? I mean, why isn''t there any alien present apart from those we fought in the portal room?" Axel''s voice was steady, but the question wasced with suspicion. He needed answers.


    Captain Rowin turned to him, his expression unreadable at first. After a moment, he spoke. "I''m not sure what''s going on. ording to some recent records, this is how empty their ships have be. But... the rest of the information was ssified, even for me."


    Loki, ever the joker, whistled softly. "Everyone knows it''s strange as hell, but what can we do? We''re just pawns in this game."


    *Games?* Axel pondered, narrowing his eyes at Loki. *What does he mean by games?* The mention of games made Axel wary. If Loki was hinting at something more, something grander in scale, it could mean the aliens were nning something massive. Something they weren''t prepared for.


    A sharp intake of breath from Hera, who was leading the group, drew their attention to arge, metal wall ahead. The intricate carvings on the door told them all they needed to know.


    It was the boss room.


    *ording to what we''ve managed to decipher of theirnguage, this symbol means we''re about to face their leader,* Axel thought, ncing at the others. They were all tense, ready for the fight ahead.


    Captain Rowin hesitated, as if weighing his options. Should they wait for the rest of the team? Or go in now and risk everything?


    "Let''s go in, Cap!" Hera''s voice cut through the tension, and Loki nodded in agreement. The decision was made.


    Axel noticed Captain Rowin''s gaze shift to him. There was an unspoken message in that look. Axel had been right¡ªthese three had known each other for a long time. They must have had ess to exclusive information, perhaps through some high-ranking family. But the real question nagged at him: *Why did they bring me along?*


    "In any case, you all n to clear the general''s room. Why pick me, the most untrustworthy of the bunch, toe along with you?" Axel asked bluntly, not bothering to hide his suspicion.


    Loki burst into a loud cackle. "Hahaha! Axel, do you think we don''t know everything about you? You can take off that mask here with us. You''re the most trustworthy¡ª"


    "Because for all we know, there''s a murderer in the group, and it could be anyone," Captain Rowin finished, his voice low and dangerous.


    The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Axel felt the weight of their scrutiny. Slowly, he reached up and removed his mask, letting it hang down his back by its brace.


    *So, they know about my abilities, and at this rate, I''m the target... or the best fit,* Axel thought, his mind working fast.


    "It''s good to see I''m not among idiots," Axel muttered, stepping forward. He ced his hand on the door and pushed it open abruptly, ready for whatever awaited them inside.


    The sight that greeted them was gruesome. A Fatek Alien sat on arge throne, its feet submerged in a pool of blood and the flesh of its own kind. It gnawed on a chunk of meat, its beady eyes locked onto the intruders.


    "Your own kind? How disgusting," Loki sneered, drawing two daggers from his scabbards.


    The Fatek General rose to its feet, towering over them, its metallic skin gleaming ominously. "Fools," it growled. "You have made a grave mistakeing here alone, without the help of your wholepany!"


    m!


    The doors behind them mmed shut with a deafening crash, sealing them inside the room. There was no escape. The only way out now was through the alien general.


    "Get ready, everyone!" Captain Rowin barked, raising his shield defensively, his sword poised to strike.


    Axel watched from the sidelines, his eyes fixed on the alien general. The sight of it crunching down on its own kind triggered something deep within him, a memory he had tried to bury¡ªthe memory of being devoured himself. But more than that, it was the notification that appeared before him that caught his attention.


    [Kill the Fatek General and gain rewards.]


    *This will be worth it,* Axel thought, a dangerous glint in his eyes.


    "You fools!" The Fatek General roared, its voice reverberating through the chamber. "Compared to your abilities, I am a god!"


    A smirk tugged at the corner of Axel''s lips. *Let''s see who the greater god is.*


    ---


    Made a mistake I this chapter... Corrected it sorry to all those who read it before correction.


    I was lucky to have typed this thanks to no papers today. Enjoy andment.... Pleasement and this is for WPC I am falling behind in the contest and I really want to win. Any gift is good fr me, but I want a magic castle so I can catch up to the other books.


    At least help my dream and I''ll mass release at least 15 in return. Help me to rank.


    This is a sincere plea from the author

 Chapter 23: 23: Fatek General

    Axel adjusted his sword, bringing it up to his face just in time to block the heavy fist that hurled him across the room. He crashed back-first into the wall, the impact sending shockwaves of pain through his body. Gasping for air, he dropped to his knees, struggling to catch his breath. His vision blurred, and he felt the sharp sting of adrenaline coursing through his veins.


    ''This guy is something else,'' Axel thought, his mind racing as he surveyed the scene. The Fatek General towered above them, a monstrous figure exuding raw power. Axel turned his gaze to his teammates¡ªRowin, Hera, and Loki¡ªeach fighting valiantly but struggling to withstand the alien''s relentless assault. Rowin was already out of the fight, his body limp on the ground.


    It was just Axel and the other two now, and the odds were grim.


    ''Think, Axel,'' he urged himself, trying to calm his frantic thoughts. ''The only problem is his armor and offense. If I can find a way around those, I can win...''


    After a moment of contemtion, Axel made his decision. He pushed himself to his feet, muscles protesting, and raced toward the Fatek General with all the speed he could muster. Reaching the towering alien, he catapulted himself into the air, his sword aimed for a devastating strike.


    But before his de could make contact, it was repelled by an invisible force, sending it flying backward as if it had struck an imprable barrier.


    Still airborne, Axel felt a crushing force strike him in the gut, a sensation like being hit by a speeding truck. "Kayak!" he gasped, coughing up a mouthful of blood as he clutched his abdomen. Hended heavily on his feet, his body trembling under the strain.


    ''Bloody cheating... This bastard can control the gravity of this room,'' Axel realized, his mind reeling from the discovery. ''That''s why I can''tnd a fatal attack on him.''


    "Hera! Loki! Keep him upied!" Axel shouted, desperate for a reprieve to gather his strength. He watched as his teammates hesitated for a split second beforeunching themselves at the Fatek General with renewed vigor.


    Hera was the first to act, her body radiating a scorching red energy that she channeled into beams, firing them directly at the alien. The beams cut through the gravity shield like it was nothing, striking the Fatek General''s face with precision. The alien let out a shriek of rage, his beady eyes narrowing as he focused on Hera.


    In response, Hera didn''t back down. She fired another beam at him, simultaneously drawing her sword from its scabbard. The Fatek General dodged the beam with surprising agility for his size, closing the distance between them in an instant. He brought his massive hand down on her, intending to crush her skull, but as his hand made contact, Hera''s form dissipated into a mirage, vanishing into thin air.


    ''What is this magic? She can''t possibly be that fas¡ª'' The Fatek General''s thoughts were cut short by a sudden wave of agony as one of his eyes turned dark. Pain exploded from the injured socket, the sensation like moltenva pouring into his brain. "AHHHHHHHH!!! KUEEEKKKK!" he shrieked, clutching his face as he staggered back, noticing the sword embedded in his eye.


    The pain was unbearable,pounded by a venomous corruption spreading across his face like wildfire.


    "Damned brats!" the Fatek General roared, his remaining eye locking onto Loki and Hera with murderous intent. Loki and Hera exchanged a tense nce, their expressions tight with fear and determination.


    ''Even after my distraction and that amount of poison I put into the attack, this bastard is still standing,'' Hera thought, folding her arms as she readied herself for the next strike. "We''ve done our part. Now it''s up to that guy," she muttered, her voice grim.


    Axel, watching from a distance, felt a surge of pride. His teammates had bought him the time he needed. Now that his preparations wereplete, he was ready to end the battle.


    [Torch of Dominance is at full strength]


    During the distraction, Axel had separated himself, focusing all his energy on charging his sword with enough mana to finish the fight in one decisive blow. Now, with his weapon at its peak, he dashed forward, reaching the Fatek General''s towering form in an instant. With a powerful swing, he aimed for the back of the alien''s knee.


    His sword, now charged with a sizzling blue energy, sliced through the invisible barrier like a hot knife through butter and bit deeply into the Fatek General''s knee, severing it cleanly. The alien let out another ear-splitting scream as he staggered back, struggling to stay upright on his remaining leg.


    ''It worked... Now for the final blow!'' Axel thought, spinning around to deliver the killing strike. But before he could act, the Fatek General extended his hand, and the gravity in the room multiplied tenfold. The floor groaned under the immense pressure, and everyone in the room, except the Fatek, was forced to their knees by the crushing force.


    Axel gritted his teeth, the pressure so intense it felt like his bones were being ground to dust. The sensation was unbearable, as if an elephant had been dropped on him, pinning him in ce. He could see the others struggling as well, their faces contorted in pain.


    "I took you all too lightly! You figured out the only things not bound by gravity are light and heat, and you used that to your advantage," the Fatek General sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. His confidence was clear¡ªhe believed the fight was over.


    But Axel wasn''t done yet. Despite the overwhelming pressure, a slow grin spread across his face. "You think I didn''t anticipate this?" he rasped, forcing himself to his feet, every movement a battle against the crushing force. "I''ve been heating up my blood and body temperature this whole time, so I can move in this gravity."


    The Fatek General''s expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained hisposure. "Even with that, you won''t be fast enough tond a hit," he scoffed. "You''re nothing but a snail."


    Axel''s grin widened as he rose, trembling but determined. "Who said I was going to fight you physically, you bastard?"


    [Torch of Dominance]


    The tip of Axel''s sword ignited with a searing blue beam that tore through the air, striking the Fatek General''s face with unerring uracy. The beam split the alien''s head apart, sending chunks of flesh and bone flying in all directions. Blood spattered across the room, staining the walls and floor.


    In that same instant, the oppressive gravity lifted, the room returning to normal. Axel felt a wave of relief wash over him, his body suddenly weightless as he stumbled back a few feet before copsing to his knees. The battle was over, but the exhaustion hit him like a freight train.


    [You have leveled up]


    [You have leveled up]


    [You have leveled up skill Torch of Dominance]


    Axel''s grin widened even further as the notifications shed before his eyes. ''Using my body as a hot air balloon worked perfectly,'' he thought.


    ''At least I achieved... Something I never dreamt of achieving... I defeated a boss of a spaceship... And I...''


    Levelled up...


    ***Author''s note***


    The same pleading as thest chapter.


    Please gift me magic castle or anything to boost this book before WPC ends. If you can support please do. I can''t afford to fail this WPC without giving it my all. I need your assistant all of you to win this, please don''t avoid assisting me

 Chapter 24: 24: Human Lusts... Killing?

    ---


    **//Stats//**


    **Name:** Axel Teras


    **Exp:** 8/100


    **Level:** 19


    **Job ss:** None


    **<Attributes>**


    *Strength: 32*


    *Agility: 31*


    *Senses: 10*


    *Mana: 21*


    *Health: 20/20*


    *Stat Points: 6*


    Leveling up added one to all stats now. Axel couldn''t wrap his mind around that fact. It seemed almost... unfair. He wanted more. He needed more.


    What interested him the most, though, was the tantalizing promise of reaching level twenty.


    *''What perks would I get? A new skill? Would I finally ascend to the rank of A or even higher?''*


    The system had opened Axel''s mind to possibilities he''d never dared to consider before. It was more than just a gift¡ªit was his lifeline, the pulse of his very existence.


    *''I can''t imagine life without the system anymore,''* Axel mused, his thoughts wandering as he nced at the newly improved *Touch of Dominance*. The notification had changed color, deepening to a crimson red that seemed to pulse with ominous energy.


    **[Touch of Dominance]**


    *Can now break stronger armor.*


    *Less charging up time.*


    A grin tugged at the corners of Axel''s mouth as he considered the enhancements to his de. *''If it had been a one-on-one fight, I might have been torn apart... but thankfully, I had good distractions.''*


    His gaze shifted to Rowin and Hera, both of whom were staring at him with expressions that bordered on bizarre.


    *''Did I stir up the wrong atmosphere?''* Axel wondered, his unease growing.


    Social interactions were never Axel''s strong suit. In his overworked past life and this rejected existence he now led, he had learned to keep people at arm''s length. He was more ustomed to solitude thanpanionship, and understanding the nuances of other people''s reactions often eluded him.


    *''What did I do wrong this time?''* he wondered, a slight frown creasing his brow.


    Loki cleared his throat first, breaking the awkward silence. "You didn''t do anything wrong, Axel. We''re just... testing a theory."


    "A theory?" Axel echoed, his guard rising despite the casual tone.


    Hera smiled, but there was something in her expression that made Axel''s gut clench. "We''re trying to understand what you really are, Axel. In the papers, it said your ability was connected to nightmares or something like that."


    *''So that''s what this is about. They''re trying to figure out what I can do.''* Axel''s thoughts spiraled as he ced a hand on his chin, pretending to mull it over. *''Come to think of it, I used more than one ability during the fight with the General. Heightened senses, a sword that could ignite with searing mes... How do I get out of this?''*


    As if summoned by his turmoil, Velerium materialized beside Axel, his skeletal face twisted into its usual eerie grin. "Why don''t you just kill them all? Then you won''t have to exin anything."


    Axel rolled his eyes. *''What kind of advice is that? You sound like you belong in an era where men wore skirts.''*


    "Hey, Axel!" Captain Rowin''s voice snapped Axel back to the present as he tapped him on the shoulder.


    "I... I''m sorry," Axel stammered, his voiceing out more timid than intended. "I can''t tell you my ability."


    The response left Rowin and Hera staring at him with a mixture of disappointment and resignation. Loki, however, seemed unfazed, as if he had expected this all along.


    "I owe you a favor," Loki continued, trying to salvage the situation. "When we get out of this ce, I''ll make sure to¡ª"


    The words died in his throat as the entire group froze, their senses suddenly on high alert. Something had caught their attention¡ªa presence in the darkness ahead of them, just beyond the reach of the dim light.


    A dark figure loomed, its thick red eyes glowing malevolently through the shadows, its fanged grin wide and mocking.


    "Axel! You''ve grown to be a pest since west saw each other," the figure sneered, its voice slithering into Axel''s ears like poison.


    Axel''s blood ran cold. That voice... It struck a chord deep within him, sending shivers down his spine. His body shook involuntarily, a reaction he couldn''t control.


    "Master, why do you tremble?" Velerium asked, his expression puzzled. Only Axel understood the terror that gripped him.


    The figure stepped into the light, revealing its grotesque form¡ªa tall, skeletal man with long, unkempt beards, hunched over with a reptilian tongue flicking through the air as if tasting it. He wore no shirt, only a pair of tattered trousers, and clutched a long scythe in his bony hands. He looked less human and more like a beast.


    "An Abnormal," Loki growled, raising his guard as the others followed suit.


    Abnormals were those who had awakened abilities, but at a terrible cost. The more they used their powers, the more deformed they became. It was a fate feared by many, a grotesque transformation that deterred all but the most desperate from bing hunters.


    Captain Rowin''s eyes narrowed as he scanned the man''s face, trying to recall where he had seen it before. He recognized the features but not the monstrous form that now stood before them. *''He wasn''t like this before... how did he hide it?''*


    "How did you conceal that you were an Abnormal?" Rowin demanded, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. "You must be working for the military."


    The Abnormal chuckled darkly, his grin widening as he stepped closer. "The others in this party were too easy to kill. I hope you''ll be more of a challenge."


    Loki nced at Axel, noticing the terror etched on his face. "Hah! Don''t tell me you''re scared, Nameless! Is this guy your childhood bully or something? Are you going to let things turn out the same way as back then?"


    Axel''s eyes widened at Loki''s words. *''How did he know?''*


    "Small Bro is right," Hera added, her voice steady as she summoned a blue sword from thin air. "We can take him down together."


    Her words brought some semnce of confidence back to Rowin. *''Just like we did with the General¡ª''*


    His thoughts were abruptly cut off as the Abnormal let out a maniacalugh. "I never said I came alone!"


    Two more figures materialized from the shadows, one cloaked in darkness with a face twisted in unnatural ways, and the other a hulking brute with a beetle-like shell covering his upper body. They, too, were Abnormals.


    Loki''s expression remained cool, though the odds were clearly against them now. "So it''s a full-fledged attack... our chances just got slimmer."


    Axel, however, couldn''t tear his gaze away from the first Abnormal. His entire body trembled, memories of past horrors flooding his mind.


    "And that''s not all, fools..." the Abnormal''s grin grew even more twisted, if that was possible. "Since the moment we met, I''ve been feeding you a poison that affects anyone who isn''t an Abnormal."


    A collective gasp escaped from the group as the Abnormal continued, savoring their horror. "Right now, your organs have begun to copse. You''ll all be dead soon enough."


    Axel''s heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing as the reality of the situation set in. There was no time to think¡ªonly to act. But what could he do when every option seemed to lead to death?


    *''I have to find a way out of this...''* Axel thought desperately, his grip tightening on his weapon as he prepared for the inevitable confrontation.


    ***Author''s note***


    Sorry for this. Writing exams is really pushing me to the limits of my mental capacity. I can barely think easily, bncing my author''s life with my normal life is very hard.


    Still I''ll continue to beg for a magic castle because I''m on WPC. I won''t give up on begging for it, just 13 days left and I am still far behind, I need your assistant.


    Mass release will follow the weeks end because I''ll be done with normal life stuff by then.

 Chapter 25: 25: Awakening

    "Master, wake up!"


    "Master!"


    "My Lord!"


    Axel''s eyes snapped open, the world around him slowlying back into focus. His head was pounding, and a wave of dizziness threatened to pull him back into the darkness. His body trembled, still reeling from whatever had just transpired. Yet, the scene before him quickly brought him to full awareness.


    Velerium, his loyal spirit, was frantically shouting at him, but Axel didn''t bother to register the words. His attention was riveted on the scene on the floor¡ªa gruesome tableau of Captain Rowin and the others writhing in agony. They were struggling to breathe, their faces contorted with pain as they fought to maintain their bnce.


    The poison was clearly working its way through their systems, its effects brutally apparent.


    A few feet away, three figures emerged from the shadows, their presence sending a cold shiver down Axel''s spine. His childhood bullies had found him once again.


    During his time at military school, these three had made his life a living hell. His gut clenched as Chad, the leader of the trio, reached him first. With a smug grin, Chad ced a hand on Axel''s shoulder, his voice dripping with venomous glee.


    "Well, well, well, look who we have here! Besty, it''s been too long!" Chad''s cackle echoed in Axel''s ears, every syble grating like nails on a chalkboard. "Remember what we talked aboutst time? Your sister¡ª"


    Axel was frozen in shock, unable to process what was happening. Fitz, cloaked in darkness, hissed in annoyance. "Seriously, Chad? Are you going to start this again?"


    "He''s right," Malin, the beetle-like one, rumbled in his monstrous voice. "Let''s just finish the mission. This guy''s ability is so weak, he''s not even worth the poison."


    But Chad ignored them, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "Not yet. It''s been too long since I had a little fun with this piece of junk. The military''s no fun without idiots like him to mess with!" Chad leaned in closer, his breath hot against Axel''s ear. "When I''m done here, I''ll pay a visit to your house. Your sister...


    Oh, she''s got curves to die for. Don''t worry, Besty, I''ll make sure she enjoys every moment before¡ª"


    "Shut up!"


    Chad''s voice faltered at Axel''s interruption. This wasn''t the reaction he was expecting. His grin faded as he met Axel''s eyes, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "What did you say?"


    The words were barely out of Chad''s mouth when Axel moved. In a sh, a sword materialized in his hand, and he drove it through Chad''s neck with a speed and precision that left no time for anyone to react. Blood sprayed, and Chad''s eyes widened in disbelief as he gurgled, trying to speak, but only choking on his own blood. A thud echoed as his body crumpled to the ground.


    A bizarre wind howled around Axel, making his red hair dance wildly. His crimson eyes burned with a cold fury, piercing through the souls of the remaining two bullies. The air around him thickened with a deadly aura, suffocating in its intensity. Axel sighed, his voice steady, but carrying a deadly edge.


    "My father always said, the most dangerous thing isn''t the hunter who''s killed a thousand aliens, nor the one who''s ughtered hundreds of men. It''s the one who''s been pushed to the brink, who''s driven to kill and doesn''t flinch."


    With a casual shove, Axel let Chad''s corpse slide off his shoulder and tumble to the blood-soaked floor. The other two bullies backed away instinctively, their confidence shattered, fear now evident in their eyes.


    "Take him down, Fitz!" Malin screamed, desperation cracking his voice as Fitz stretched out his hand.


    In an instant, the air in front of Axel exploded into a wall of me. Reflexively, Axel leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the searing heat. His senses had heightened; he could feel the attacksing before theynded, his agility and reaction speed honed to razor-sharp precision.


    As Axelnded, another explosion erupted behind him. He twisted his body, but this time the st caught his side, propelling him forward and leaving him staggered. The pain was sharp, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through it, determined to stay on his feet.


    Fitz seized the opportunity, lunging at Axel with his short sword aimed directly at his gut. The de came dangerously close, but Axel sidestepped at thest second, evading the strike by a hair''s breadth. The close call brought Axel within arm''s reach of Fitz, and he quickly raised his sword, ready to bring it down on his enemy''s head.


    But something made Axel hesitate. He leaped back several yards,nding in a crouched position, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.


    Velerium, who had been watching with tense focus, frowned in confusion. "Why did you retreat? You had him!"


    Axel''s gaze flicked to his spiritpanion, then back to Fitz and Malin. He reached for the mask hanging around his neck and pulled it off, weighing it in his hand for a moment before hurling it into the air toward Fitz.


    The mask hadn''t traveled more than a few yards when it was sliced into a dozen pieces by an invisible force. Velerium''s eyes widened in realization.


    "You sure know how to give shitty advice," Axel muttered under his breath, his mind racing. Fitz had the ability to createbustion in oxygen, but his explosions were weak¡ªbarely capable of causing first-degree burns. The real threat was Malin, whose webs were sharp enough to slice through metal.


    If Axel had continued his attack on Fitz, he would''ve been caught in Malin''s web, chopped to pieces before he could even blink.


    Axel''s eyes darted around the corridor, his mind mapping out the trap that Malin had likely set. The passageway was a web of invisible threads, a deadly trap that was impossible to avoid¡ªunless Axel could find a way out.


    He rose to his full height, his eyes locked onto the tense faces of his enemies. Fitz and Malin were frozen, their muscles coiled, ready to strike at any moment.


    "I wouldn''t move if I were you," Malin warned, his voiceced with malice. "I''ve set my trap everywhere. One wrong step, and you''ll be sliced into a hundred pieces."


    "Nice one, Malin!" Fitz sneered, stretching out his hands toward Axel, ready to unleash another attack. "Now it''s my turn!"


    Axel''s lips curled into a smirk. "You made one mistake..."


    With a swift motion, Axel flung his left hand into the air, deliberately tangling it in the web of threads. The sharp strings cut into his flesh, but instead of retreating, Axel activated one of his newly acquired abilities.


    [Deceased Touch Activated]


    A blood-curdling scream tore through the air as Malin''s hands ignited, burning up into vapor within seconds. The mes raced up his arms, consuming him entirely before he could react. In a matter of moments, Malin was gone¡ªreduced to ashes that scattered in the wind.


    Fitz stumbled backward, his eyes wide with horror. "No! This is impossible!"


    His voice shook as he turned to Axel, who was now standing just inches away, his sword poised at Fitz''s throat. Axel''s gaze was cold, devoid of any emotion, his aura deadly and consuming.


    "How useless you turned out to be," Axel said, his voice calm, yet carrying a lethal undertone. "Next time you insult someone''s sister, make sure you can defend yourself."


    "Wait! Please, Axel, I''ll give you anything¡ª"


    Fitz''s plea was cut short as Axel''s de sliced through his throat, nearly severing his head. Fitz crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from the wound as he convulsed, his life slowly draining away.


    [You Leveled Up]


    As the notification shed in his mind, Axel''s throat went dry. He had killed without hesitation, without remorse, and that unsettled him. It felt as though something had shifted within him¡ªsomething darker, more hellish in nature.


    ''Could this be an effect of the system?''


    The thought lingered in his mind as he looked down at the bodies of his former tormentors. There was no satisfaction, no sense of justice¡ªonly a hollow emptiness that gnawed at him.


    The darkness within him was growing, and Axel couldn''t help but wonder if he was losing more than just his enemies with each battle.


    ***Author''s note***


    Different chapter the same begging. I am still begging desperately for a magic castle from you guys or any support you can render.


    I need your help in reviews, powerstones and gifts especially Magic castle.

 Chapter 26: 26: Poverty

    After the ship was cleared, the monitoring team swiftly moved in to salvage any alien tech and prepare to close the portal permanently. This was a crucial step, one that the hunters could only watch from the sidelines. They were spent, their bodies still recovering from the ordeal, and the poison that had almost imed their lives.


    Axel stood silently, a severe expression etched on his face as he observed the proceedings. He felt a burning rage as he nced at Military Head Kurtly, the man who had interrogated him not too long ago, and at President Seo Jinhyuk, who stood beside him.


    Captain Rowin and the others, still weak from the poison, red at Kurtly with undisguised contempt. The effects of the toxin had begun to fade only after they exited the ship and breathed in the fresh air. If not for Axel, they might have never made it out alive.


    "Congrattions on proving yourself and clearing the ship," President Seo Jinhyuk praised, though his words were lost on Axel, who focused only on Kurtly, whose face reddened with rage.


    Axel wasn''t interested in waiting for Kurtly''s next move. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat, his voice low and threatening. "Next time you send people after me, I''ll make sure to send you to hell to apany them!"


    Kurtly didn''t flinch. A seasoned military head, he was used to threats, ustomed to enemies who wanted him dead. He simply scoffed, turned around, and walked away.


    "Next time, I won''t fail," Kurtly muttered under his breath, loud enough for Axel to hear. The tant dismissal stoked the fire within Axel, but he knew there was nothing he could do without evidence. Laws were still murky when it came to alien portals, and Kurtly''s actions would go unpunished.


    Axel seethed, his fists clenched. Watching Kurtly walk away without consequence was maddening.


    "Don''t focus too much on him," President Seo Jinhyuk''s voice broke through Axel''s fury. He sounded more amiable now, far different from the interrogator Axel had faced before. "You''ve earned your reward for clearing the portal."


    Axel turned to face him, trying to suppress his anger.


    "All of you will receive the standard payment, with an additional two hundred Kyotas, making it a total of three hundred thousand," the President continued. "But Axel, I believe you deserve more than just a small payment. I''m promoting you to B-Rank."


    Axel''s breath caught in his throat. B-Rank. That would change everything. No more scraping by with the meager earnings of an E-Rank Hunter. As a B-Rank, he could earn up to five hundred Kyotas per portal. The thought of it made his heart race.


    He could finally make a difference at home, finally give his mother and sister the life they deserved.


    "This... this is the best gift I''ve ever received," Axel managed to say, his voice filled with gratitude and disbelief.


    "An opportunity to get overworked and earn twice the amount of overwork... A dream from both life," Velerium appeared beside him, his expression one of mild disappointment. "You think so little, Master. You should be demanding more."


    Axel ignored Velerium''s advice, as he had grown ustomed to doing, and bowed respectfully to President Seo Jinhyuk. "Thank you for everything. But now, I''d like to be on my way. My sister must be waiting at home."


    Just as Axel turned to leave, he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. He spun around to find Loki, who handed him a small, white piece of paper. "It''s our contact line," Loki said. "If you ever need anything, we''ll be there. Consider it repayment for saving our lives."


    Axel epted the paper with a small smile, his mood lifting slightly. "Thank you," he said sincerely before continuing his walk, leaving the vicinity and the tense atmosphere behind.


    As Axel disappeared from view, President Seo Jinhyuk''s smile faded. His voice was cold when he spoke again. "I thought I told you to kill him in the portal?"


    Captain Rowin shook his head. "I know his existence could cause a pandemic of some sort, in ways I don''t fully understand. But I couldn''t do it. I had to let him live."


    "Interesting," the President replied, his tone contemtive. "I prefer him alive anyway." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Captain Rowin to ponder his cryptic words.


    ***


    Meanwhile, Axel sat on a public bus, his head resting against the window as the city streets blurred by. He felt lighter, more hopeful than he had in a long time. The promotion to B-Rank had changed everything. It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.


    Ping!


    His phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling him from his thoughts. A bank alert. Axel''s heart raced as he pulled out his phone, suddenly reminded that he hadn''t yet confirmed his payment. Would it reflect the new B-Rank status, or would it still be the old E-Rank amount? His mind raced as he opened the banking app and scrolled to his ount bnce.


    His jaw dropped when he saw the number.


    "What the hell... One million Kyotas!"


    Axel stared at the screen in disbelief. One million Kyotas. It was more money than he had ever seen in his life, more than he had ever thought possible. His hands trembled as he tried toprehend what this meant. The possibilities, the doors this could open¡ªit was overwhelming.


    As the bus continued down the road, Axel''s mind buzzed with thoughts of how much his newfound wealth would support his family''s needs. He had a ton of things he could already suggest were needed.


    But as thrilling as they were, for now, he allowed himself a moment of peace, a moment to savor the victory. Whatevery ahead, he would face it. He had to. There was no turning back now.


    ***Author''s note***


    Thanks you for purchasing privilege. I''ll be editing the other chapters sooner than you know it.


    The same begging for today too. Please I need your support for this novel, magic castle to boost the book if you believe it''s worth it. Thaks

 Chapter 27: 27: Bonus Chapter

    Captain Rowin groggily stepped out of the taxi, his feet sinking slightly into the whiteyered road beneath him. The city buzzed with life, a stark contrast to the dark cloud of dread that hovered over him. He was exhausted, the weight of the recent battle still pressing heavily on his shoulders, but there was something else, something far more insidious gnawing at his insides.


    His breath hitched as he nced around the busy street, his gaze locking on therge house just ahead.


    The house was an architectural marvel, standing tall amidst the ordinary buildings surrounding it. Its walls gleamed like ss but were opaque, a mystery even to the curious eyes that often passed by. Rowin approached with quick strides, his heart pounding against his ribs as if trying to escape the cage of his chest. He pulled out his phone, and as he did, it immediately disyed a notification.


    "Wee back, Master Rowin."


    The cold, emotionless voice from his phone sent a shiver down his spine. As the notification appeared, the massive front doors of the house swung open without a sound, inviting him in. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. This was a security measure, he reminded himself. In this era, losing one''s phone or getting hacked was almost impossible¡ªalmost.


    Rowin crossed the threshold and the doors closed behind him with a soft thud, sealing him inside. He wasted no time stripping off his clothes, leaving them in a careless heap on the living room floor. The tension in his muscles grew with each passing second, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn''t control.


    "Disy mirror!" hemanded, his voice hoarse.


    The floor beneath him shifted and parted, revealing arge man-sized mirror that slowly rose before him. It reflected back his naked body, every inch of him exposed to the harsh light of the room. But his eyes weren''t focused on his form; they were fixated on the base of his neck.


    His heart thudded painfully in his chest as he noticed the ck, pulsating mass just below his skin. It moved in sync with his heartbeat, a grotesque echo of his own life force. ''Just as I thought¡­ damn, what''s wrong?'' Rowin''s thoughts spiraled into panic as he reached up to touch the darkened skin, feeling the unnatural throb of something not his own.


    Memories of the battle against the Fatek flooded his mind. He recalled the moment it had grabbed him, its cold, mmy hand mping onto his neck before tossing him aside like a ragdoll. He had barely been able to stand after that, his strength drained by an invisible force. It was then he had realized something was wrong¡ªterribly wrong.


    The Fatek had dropped something on him, something that had burrowed into his flesh in seconds.


    He pressed his fingers against the ckened skin, trying to feel the creature that had invaded his body. ''With my ability, I managed to stop it this much, but¡­ I still need help!'' Rowin''s heart raced as fear wed at his mind. He couldn''t tell anyone¡ªnot the Military, not hisrades, not even Axel.


    The Military would turn him into an experiment, dissect him like ab rat, and if they found out, they''d kill him before he could even beg for mercy.


    "I have a wife¡­ I want to grow old¡­" Rowin''s voice trembled as he stared at his reflection, his eyes wide with terror. "Maybe I can hold this down, cure it myself," he tried to convince himself, his eyes still paralyzed with fear as he gingerly touched the dark, pulsing spot on his neck. Whatever this was, it was far beyond anything he had encountered before.


    But deep down, he knew the truth: this was no ordinary infection, no mere parasite. It was something far more sinister, something that could very well spell his doom.


    ***


    The night was dark and cold, the streets almost deserted save for the asional drunken straggler or the stray cat slinking through the shadows. A man with a big drum-like belly staggered through the lowly streets of the city, his entire body reeking of ale. His eyes rolled around in their sockets as if the world itself were spinning around him.


    His footsteps were heavy, his breathbored as he stumbled forward, barely able to keep himself upright.


    "Man, did I have a little too much to drink!" he slurred, his voice thick with intoxication.


    Beside him, a woman held him up, her arms wrapped around his waist as she tried to stabilize him every time he threatened to fall. Her steps were steady, her eyes sharp as she nced around the empty streets. ''Man, he''s a mess,'' she thought, her lips curling in distaste. ''Luckily it''s night time and there''s no one around to see us.''


    "Hey, bitch! Come on, aren''t we gonna do it, or do you like it open?" the tipsy man muttered, his words slurred as he leaned in close, his breath hot and foul against her skin. He tried to close the distance between their faces to kiss her, but thedy shoved him back, her expression one of barely concealed revulsion.


    "Alcohol is dangerous to my health," she replied, her voice smooth and entrancing, a seductive purr that sent shivers down the man''s spine instead of calming him. "Let''s keep the kissing till we get to my ce."


    The man grinned stupidly, his mind too foggy to notice the coldness in her eyes or the way her lips twitched with impatience. They continued through the dark alleys, the woman''s grip on the man''s arm tightening with every step. Finally, they reached the back of a shady building, its windows dark and its walls covered in grime.


    The woman let go of the man, allowing him to regain some of his footing as the alcohol began to wear off. She knocked on the door, strangely, ten times in quick session, then waited. The man blinked in confusion, his muddled brain struggling to process what was happening.


    "Why the hell are you knocking? Didn''t you say it was your house?" he slurred, his brow furrowed in puzzlement.


    The woman''s smile vanished, reced by a nasty frown. "Quiwikiqomiki rukiwirki!" she hissed, her voice low and menacing.


    The man blinked again, shaking his head as if to clear the fog from his mind. He was hearing things, he told himself, just the effects of the alcohol. But then he realized what she had said was unlike anything he''d ever heard. "What the fuck? Are you speaking alien?" His eyes widened as the woman''s face twisted further, the words making his blood run cold.


    Before he could react, the door swung open violently, crashing against the wall with a force that made him jump. A massive hand shot out of the darkness, grabbing him roughly by the shirt and yanking him inside.


    "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" The man''s screams echoed through the empty streets, his voice filled with terror before it was abruptly cut off. Inside the house, the sound of bones cracking and breaking filled the air, followed by sinister cackling and the sickening squelch of something wet and foul.


    The woman stood still, her face expressionless as she listened to the sounds of carnage from within. After a moment, arge Fatek with two heads stepped out of the shadows, its hulking form barely fitting through the doorway. It patted the woman on the head, a grotesque smile spreading across both of its faces.


    "Good work," it rumbled, its voice deep and gravelly. "I''ll be expecting more cattle tonight."


    The woman nodded silently, her eyes cold and unfeeling. The Fatek turned and disappeared back into the darkness of the house, the door creaking shut behind it. The woman stood there for a moment longer, her mind already calcting where she would find her next victim, before she turned and melted into the shadows, leaving the deste street behind.


    As the night grew colder, the city remained oblivious to the horrors that lurked within its darkest corners. The hunt was far from over, and the Fatek was far from satisfied.


    Don''t Unlock the next chapter till 4th of September 2024. I''m working on them

 Chapter 28: 28: Celebration and the Other Side

    Axel sat on the softened rubber-like chair of the restaurant, his mind wandering even as his body rested. The ce was bustling, as usual. People crowded the tables, paired off into groups of two or three,ughing and enjoying their meals. To everyone else, it was just another day, another meal. But for Axel, today was different. He wasn''t here for coffee like he usually was.


    Today, he hade to eat.


    His eyes scanned the menu out of habit, but his mind wasn''t really on the food. Every inch of the restaurant triggered a memory. **Mom**ughing at something **Dad** said, the warmth of family dinners, a time when life was simpler. His heart sank, his gaze slipping to the empty chairs around them. His parents were gone now, just like in his first life.


    The crushing realization settled heavily in his chest.


    ''I''m fighting the world head-on again,'' he thought. ''I can''t afford to stop getting stronger. I need to level up and reach S-rank as quickly as possible¡­''


    "Axel! Are you even listening to me?"


    His sister''s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Annie sat across from him, her expression a mix of annoyance and concern. How long had she been calling his name?


    "Sorry," Axel forced a smile, trying to ease her worry. "What''s up?"


    Annie rolled her eyes, but the tension on her face softened. "While you were off innd, I ordered your favorite. It''s getting cold, big bro."


    Axel nced down at the te before him¡ªa steaming bowl of noodles, packed with eggs and peppers, just the way he liked it. It was the same dish he always ordered when they used toe here as a family.


    "Uhm?" His eyes shifted to Annie''s meal, noticing her te was filled with an oversized omelette, far more than her usual order. "Since when did you start liking eggs? And that much of it? Shouldn''t that be too much for you?"


    Annie shrugged, her tone defensive. "Since when do you control what I eat? I could say the same to you, Mr. Half-te."


    Axel shook his head at her sarcastic jab and focused on his food. He managed a few bites before pushing the bowl away, his stomach already feeling too full.


    "Man, I''m stuffed," he sighed, leaning back and patting his stomach. "That was good."


    Annie shot him a disbelieving look. "You can barely finish half a bowl of your favorite meal anymore. No wonder you look so frail, even with all those muscles."


    Axel reddened at her teasing but before he could retort, a familiar presence materialized behind him. **Velerium**, the ancient voice that haunted his existence, whispered into his ear.


    "She''s right, Master. You eat like a ve. I suggest buying all the noodles in this tiny establishment and proving your dominance by consuming everyst drop." Velerium''s voice boomed, his advice carrying the weight of centuries of arrogance.


    ''This idiot,'' Axel groaned inwardly. ''I swear sometimes I forget bones don''t have brains.''


    Axel picked up his chopsticks again, trying to force himself to take another bite when a sudden notification shed before his eyes.


    **[You have received a new mission]**


    **[Time until expiration: 4 hours 30 minutes]**


    **[Penalty: Severe]**


    Axel''s brow furrowed, his appetitepletely vanishing. ''What is this, Velerium?''


    "It''s... another one of those," Velerium grumbled. "I suggest you take care of it immediately, Master. Find somewhere private. You don''t want to end up likest time."


    Axel felt a surge of frustration. He had just started to enjoy a moment away from the chaos, and now he was being dragged back into it. He couldn''t afford to ignore the mission, not with the looming penalty. But leaving now meant worrying Annie.


    He nced across the table at his sister. Annie had been quietly eating her meal, but her eyes flickered with the unease of someone who sensed something was wrong. Axel hated to worry her, but he had no choice.


    He stood abruptly, startling Annie. "What''s wrong, big bro?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.


    Axel smiled, trying to seem nonchnt as he patted her head. "Something came up. Don''t worry, I''ll be back soon. In the meantime, feel free to use my ount for whatever you want¡ªjust don''t throw a party and wreck the house, okay?"


    Before she could protest, Axel turned and walked out, ignoring the uneasy knot forming in his chest. It was easier this way.


    ---


    As Axel''s figure disappeared through the restaurant door, Annie''s expression shifted. Her face paled, and she hunched over her te, clutching her stomach. A wave of nausea hit her, and without warning, she vomited a portion of the omelette onto the table.


    "Dammit," she muttered under her breath, wiping her mouth with trembling hands. ''I can''t even keep food down anymore¡­ I have to hide this from Axel.''


    Her hands were shaking as she fumbled for her phone, her heart pounding in her chest. She opened the messaging app and scrolled through her recent texts. The tears that had been threatening to fall since Axel left finally spilled over.


    ---


    **Body Money Chat**


    Annie: *I''m sorry... you were myst customer. Can I talk to you for a second?*


    **BigThings**: *What the hell do you want, b*tch? We already had our fun. What''s up? Want round two?*


    Annie''s hands trembled as she typed her next message. She could barely see the screen through her tears.


    Annie: *Please... I told you to use protection, but you didn''t. It was a dangerous day for me, and I think...*


    **BigThings**: *You think what? Spit it out.*


    Annie: *I think I''m pregnant. And I can''t terminate it... it''s against my family''s honor.*


    **BigThings**: *You must be out of your mind! F*ck you and your ''family honor.'' Just because I paid your idiot mother''s hospital bills, you think you can trap me? If you contact me again, you''re dead.*


    Annie''s heart sank as she read the final message:


    **You have been blocked.**


    Her world copsed around her as she dropped her phone onto the table. Tears flowed freely now, her entire body shaking. She buried her head in her arms, sobbing quietly so no one in the restaurant would notice.


    "Mum... Axel... Dad... I''m sorry," she whispered between choked breaths. "What the hell do I do now?"


    Her entire body trembled with the weight of her secret, a burden she had carried alone for too long. The truth was, she didn''t know how much longer she could keep it hidden.


    ***Author''s note***


    I''m almost done with exam... I''m still begging for magic castle. The contest remains one more week and I am still far from being top twenty. I need your help. Though I''ll be on rising fiction next week it might not be enough of a boost to catch up, please assist me.

 Chapter 29: 29: A Mission? Ok, Thats What It Means

    The Kyota forest stretched out in serene tranquility, bathed in the soft light of the crescent moon. Tall, ancient trees towered overhead, their leaves rustling in the cool breeze, casting fleeting shadows across the dense undergrowth. The only sound was the gentle trickle of a stream, meandering its way through the forest floor.


    To any passerby, this ce was a haven¡ªa peaceful retreat from the chaos of Kyota. But to Axel, it was the perfect location for something far more sinister.


    He stood under arge wooden bridge that spanned the stream, his back pressed against one of the many boulders that lined the water''s edge. The faint sound of rushing water was oddly calming, despite the urgency he felt. The bridge offered shelter and concealment, ensuring no wandering eyes could spot him as he prepared for his mission.


    Axel''s sharp gaze darted to the glowing notification before him.


    **[1 hour 12 minutes left]**


    ''Took too long getting here. Typical,'' Axel thought with frustration. He shifted his stance on the boulder, ensuring he wouldn''t slip into the stream. The familiar tension of an impending battle settled in his muscles. ''Before I face whatever''sing, I need to be prepared. I can''t afford any mistakes likest time.''


    Recalling how unprepared he had been against the Kaiju King¡ªa battle he had survived only through luck¡ªAxel opened the system shop, scrolling through the items avable.


    **[You have 450 store points avable]**


    His eyes widened at the bnce. ''Guess I haven''t been paying attention. I haven''t even converted the souls from the spaceship raid yet.'' Axel quickly scrolled through the avable potions, seeking those that would give him the edge he needed.


    **[High-grade health replenishment pill¡ª50 coins each]**


    **Three purchased.**


    **[Evolution pill¡ª100 coins]**


    **Two purchased.**


    *The pill drastically increases all stats by ten percent or more for a few minutes. However, it has serious bacsh afterward.*


    Axel paused for a moment, considering the downside of the Evolution pill. The bacsh would be brutal, but with the advanced healing pills, he hoped it would be manageable. ''I can''t rely on luck anymore. Against the Kaiju King, I barely scraped by, and the Fatek General was even worse. If I keep relying on chance, I''ll never make it to S-rank.''


    He closed the shop and tapped the notification that had been nagging at him.


    **[Would you like to enter the quest?]**


    **[Yes?]**


    ---


    A blinkter, Axel was no longer in the forest. His surroundings shifted violently, and when his vision cleared, he found himself standing on a jagged rocky tform perched high on a mountainside. The sky was an eerie shade of orange, with a scorching sun hanging low, casting a harsh, oppressive light over the scene.


    Yet, despite the sun''s heat, the air was biting cold, a chill seeping into Axel''s bones.


    The tform beneath him felt unstable, the rocks shifting slightly under his boots as if they could give way at any moment. Directly ahead of him stood an imposing mountain wall, towering into the sky and partially obscured by thick clouds. A narrow, man-sized passageway cut through the base of the mountain, beckoning him forward.


    Behind him was nothing but endless sky, a sheer drop that promised certain death.


    Axel swallowed hard, his pulse quickening at the sight. ''This ce feels like something out of a manga,'' he thought, stepping closer to the passageway, his mind racing with anticipation.


    **[Wee to the Ind Above the Ground]**


    **[A ce hidden from sight, where life and death battles ur]**


    **[Mission: You have been challenged for the Gate of Hell, which you conquered from the Kaiju King. Defend your title and kill the enemy.]**


    **[Reward: High grade]**


    Axel processed the information quickly. ''So, this is about that gate... just like when I challenged the Kaiju, they want me to defend it now. But who''sing after it?'' He couldn''t shake the feeling that this challenger would be stronger than the Kaiju King.


    He gritted his teeth and moved toward the narrow tunnel, his sword materializing in his hand with a soft hiss of energy. His instincts screamed at him to be cautious, but Axel knew hesitation would only get him killed.


    As he entered the dim tunnel, the air grew damp, and the sound of dripping water echoed off the stone walls. The path was narrow, forcing him to duck slightly as he navigated through the darkness. Faint light flickered ahead, hinting at an exit not too far away. Despite the looming battle, Axel couldn''t help but feel a sliver of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this fight wouldn''t be as bad as thest ones.


    "Master of the first trial, we meet physically once more."


    Axel froze as **Velerium** materialized in front of him, the ancient bone figure clutching arge purple tome in his skeletal hand. His glowing purple eyes bore into Axel''s, and for the first time in a while, Axel felt a flicker of relief.


    "Got any advice?" Axel asked, his tone half-joking.


    Velerium growled softly, flipping open his tome. "Just try your best not to get stabbed."


    Axel blinked. "What kind of advice is that?" he muttered, shaking his head. "Whatever, I''ll take it."


    As he continued down the tunnel, leaving Velerium behind, the light at the end grew brighter. Axel emerged from the tunnel, squinting as the harsh sunlight assaulted his eyes. He blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness, and when his vision cleared, his surroundings sent a shiver down his spine.


    He stood in a vast circr arena carved into the mountainside, the walls towering high above him. The ground beneath him was rocky, uneven, and dusted with fine gravel. The arena was eerily quiet, save for the low hum of the wind whistling through the narrow cracks in the stone walls.


    And there, in the center of the arena, stood **Metal Jaw**.


    Axel''s breath caught in his throat. The creature was massive, standing twice the height of any man, its body encased in battle-scarred metal armor. Thick horns protruded from its helmet, curling upward like those of a demonic bull. ck smoke hissed from the gaps in its helmet, and its glowing eyes burned with malice. In its hands was a massive sword, the de slick with old blood.


    **[You have met with Metal Jaw.]**


    **[You have sessfully epted the battle.]**


    Axel widened his stance, gripping his sword tightly as it crackled with energy. **[Fang of Kaijus has been activated.]**


    Metal Jaw let out a monstrous exhale, the sound reverberating through the arena. He raised his sword overhead, his voice a deep, guttural growl. "It''s been quite a while since I had human flesh for dinner."


    **[Time limit has started.]**


    **[You both have ten minutes to kill each other. If not, both of you will die.]**


    Axel''s heart raced. There was no time to hesitate.


    "Let''s make this quick, Metal Jaw!"


    The towering figure didn''t reply, only advancing with heavy, thunderous steps. The battle had begun, and Axel knew he was in for the fight of his life.


    ***Author''s note***


    One magic castle and I''ll release ten chapters in a day... Plus seven extra

 Chapter 30: 30: Strong Jaw Challenge! Who Owns the Gate

    The timer in Axel''s head ticked louder with each passing second. *Ten minutes until one of us dies... or we both do.* The weight of those words clung to him like a noose. This wasn''t just a mission; it was a twisted game. There was no time for hesitation.


    Axel''s senses sharpened as the beastly figure of Metal Jaw charged toward him. His opponent''s movements were fluid yet devastating, his massive sword cutting through the air like a guillotine. Each step of Metal Jaw shook the ground beneath him, leaving deep cracks in the stone tform. His heavy breaths sounded like thunder, echoing in the space between them.


    The sword in Axel''s hand felt heavier than usual. *Stay focused, keep your head in the fight,* he reminded himself. Metal Jaw was fast¡ªfar too fast for someone of his size. The huffing beast blurred as he vanished from sight, reappearing a mere meter away. Axel barely had time to react as the crimson energy-infused de of his enemy descended toward him with deadly precision.


    *So fast!* Axel raised his own sword, gripping the hilt with both hands as Metal Jaw''s de shed against his. The impact rattled his bones, the force nearly ripping his weapon from his grip. Sparks flew from the point of contact, falling like burning embers, searing the air between them. Axel growled in frustration. *I can barely hold him off!*


    Before he could adjust, Metal Jaw disappeared again. *Where is he?* Axel''s heart pounded in his chest. Every nerve was on edge, every muscle tense. He strained his ears, trying to catch the faintest sound, the smallest clue.


    *Left? Right?* His instincts screamed at him, and just in time, he spun around, raising his sword to block. Metal Jaw had appeared behind him, swinging with enough force to cleave him in two. Axel caught the blow, but the force sent him flying. He tumbled across the tform, his body bouncing off the hard stone before he finally skidded to a halt.


    "Aargh!" Axel groaned, pain radiating through his limbs. His hands throbbed from the impact, trembling under the strain of the blows they had just blocked. *He''s strong. Too strong.*


    He forced himself to his feet, his vision blurred momentarily from the pain. Metal Jaw stood still, watching him with a monstrous grin. His eyes gleamed with amusement, as if Axel''s resistance was nothing but a fleeting distraction.


    *He thinks I''m weak...*


    Axel''s breathing steadied as he locked eyes with his opponent. His mind raced through potential strategies, his brain running multiple scenarios on how to turn the tide of battle. *He''s not invincible... there''s a way to beat him. I just have to find it.*


    Metal Jaw''sughter rumbled through the arena, a deep, mocking sound. "You are weak!" he bellowed. "Are you even a real candidate? You don''t deserve the power you''ve been given. I''ll do you a favor¡ªby carving it from your skull!"


    The hulking brute let out a disturbing gurgling sound, a twisted form of amusement.


    *He''s underestimating me...* Axel''s lips twitched into a smile, despite the pain coursing through his body. *I can use that.*


    Straightening his posture, Axel red at his opponent, his voice cold and steady. "I want you to answer a few questions for me before I decide how I''ll end your miserable life."


    Metal Jaw chuckled again, clearly amused by Axel''s bravado. "Questions? Fine. I''ll humor you. Ask away. It''ll be fun to see you squirm before I crush you."


    Axel raised a finger, keeping his voice measured. "Where are you from?"


    The question seemed to catch Metal Jaw off guard for a moment, but he answered quickly. "Somewhere far beyond your world. A ce you wouldn''t understand."


    "Another world?" Axel pressed. "Are you from a race like the Fatek, or something else?"


    Metal Jaw let out a long growl, the sound reverberating off the stone walls. "Let''s just say... it''s an alternate world to your own. But I''m done answering that. Two more questions."


    Axel absorbed the information carefully, his mind calcting. *So, he''s not from here. An alternate world, maybe something even the system didn''t anticipate.*


    "Alright," Axel continued, "how did you find me? As a challenger, I mean. Was it the system that brought you here, or did you select a statue of one of the Primordial Gods like I did?"


    Metal Jaw growled in frustration, his impatience growing. "I don''t know what nonsense you''re spouting about gods. I was given a test by a strange Grim Reaper¡ªa path to ultimate power. Since then, I''ve fought my way through caves, monsters, and enemies until I reached you... a pathetic excuse for a boss, really."


    Axel nodded slowly, piecing the details together. *So he''s been through a simr test. But his wasn''t tied to a Primordial God. This is valuable information.*


    "Alright,st question," Axel said, his eyes narrowing as his voice dropped to a dangerous tone. "In what way would you like to die?"


    The question hung in the air, and for a split second, Axel saw something flicker in Metal Jaw''s eyes¡ªsurprise, maybe even fear. But it was gone in an instant, reced by a snarl.


    "I''d prefer a painful death!" Metal Jaw sneered. "I thrive on pain."


    Axel smiled darkly. "Good. I''ll make sure to deliver exactly what you want."


    With that, Axel''s hand shot into his pocket, pulling out two small pills. He crushed them between his teeth without hesitation. A surge of energy burst through his body, every cell vibrating with newfound power.


    [Evolution Pill]


    <Increases all stats drastically by ten percent or more for a few minutes. Serious bacsh afterward.>


    *The price for victory... worth it.*


    Light purple and red energy began to swirl around him, crackling and oozing from his skin like a storm about to break. His body surged with power, his muscles expanding, and his senses sharpening to an unimaginable degree. Every sound, every shift in the air became crystal clear. He could feel the blood pumping through his veins, and he embraced it¡ªthe raw, violent energy flowing through him.


    "Now! I shall fulfill your wish and usher you to your demise."


    ***Author''s note***


    Still hoping for a magic castle, in return mass release. Please support the contest ends next week and I''m still far behind. I need you desperate support

 Chapter 31: 31: King of the undead

    Axel''s gaze remained locked on the notification floating before his eyes:


    **[Your Stats have skyrocketed]**


    **[Time left until burnout: 2:00]**


    A smirk curled at the corner of his lips. _"That''s enough time to finish this."_


    Metal Jaw, sensing the shift in Axel''s demeanor, grinned savagely. There was a gleam of excitement in his eyes¡ªhis bloodlust intensifying at Axel''s ominous words. He had wanted a real fight, and now it seemed he was finally getting one. Without warning, Metal Jaw vanished from where he stood, his form blurring as he reappeared behind Axel, swinging his massive sword with terrifying speed.


    The sword, now glowing with a powerful, electric hum, cut through the air with deadly precision as Metal Jaw bellowed, "I''ll give you everything I''ve got this time!"


    But before the de could make contact, Axel''s arm shot backward with unbelievable speed, catching the sword in mid-swing. The metal groaned under his grip, sparks flying as his fingers tightened around the de. Metal Jaw''s eyes widened, disbelief shing across his face. His sword was vibrating violently, its energy ring, but Axel held it still with ease.


    "Impossible..." Metal Jaw muttered under his breath. _He didn''t even look back._


    Axel''s cold, unyielding grip slowly began to crush the sword. Metal Jaw instinctively jerked it back to free it from Axel''s grasp, but the only sound that followed was a sickening crack. The de splintered like ss, shards scattering across the ground. Metal Jaw stumbled backward, his thoughts racing. _He didn''t even try to dodge... was he toying with me this whole time?_


    Axel didn''t let him process the situation for long. Without a moment''s hesitation, Axel spun around and drove his fist toward Metal Jaw''s torso. Desperately, Metal Jaw crossed both arms in front of him, bracing for the impact, but it was futile.


    Axel''s punch smashed through his defenses like brittle wood, shattering both of Metal Jaw''s forearms before mming into his chest with a force that sent a shockwave through the stadium.


    "KAAAAAGGH!" Metal Jaw spat blood as he was thrown backward, skidding across the ground like a ragdoll. He managed to stop himself by digging his knees into the dirt, gasping for breath as he struggled to stay conscious. His vision blurred, but the image of Axel¡ªstanding in the same ce, calm, collected¡ªburned into his mind. Metal Jaw''s entire body was trembling, but it wasn''t just from the pain.


    It was excitement, a raw, primal thrill he hadn''t felt in years. His grin widened despite his agony. _He''s not a warrior... he''s a monster._


    Axel''s eyes glimmered with an eerie intensity as he began to walk forward, his steps measured and deliberate. "You must think this is a battle of equals," Axel said, his voice chillingly calm, though his eyes zed with dark intent. "But it''s not."


    In a blur of motion, Axel vanished, reappearing directly in front of Metal Jaw, who barely had time to react. The sheer speed sent a gust of wind sting through the arena, stirring the dust and debris from their earlier shes.


    "I''m not your equal." Axel''s hand darted out and grasped Metal Jaw by the throat, lifting him off the ground effortlessly. Metal Jaw''s body convulsed in his grip, but Axel''s hold was firm, unyielding. His fingers pressed into Metal Jaw''s skin, suffocating the remnants of his strength.


    "I''m a godpared to you," Axel growled, his words dripping with finality.


    For a moment, Metal Jaw''s vision dimmed, the edges of consciousness slipping away as Axel''s grip tightened. His heartbeat, erratic and faint, pulsed painfully in his ears. But even as death loomed, Metal Jaw chuckled weakly, his lips pulling into a twisted smile. "So, this was never a battle of equals after all...


    I should''ve known." His voice cracked, strained under the pressure of his crushed windpipe.


    Axel''s grip loosened just enough for him to speak, his brows furrowing in mild confusion. "What are you talking about?"


    Metal Jaw''s grin widened through the pain. "You¡­ you have no idea, do you? The reward of the gods¡­ that''s why we''re all here."


    Axel''s eyes narrowed. "Reward of the gods?"


    Metal Jaw coughed violently, blood spraying from his mouth as he struggled to stay coherent. His body was failing, his regeneration too slow to counteract the damage Axel had inflicted. "Yeah¡­ you didn''t know¡­ The prize for killing me... for killing us..." His words slurred as the agony in his chest intensified. He could barely breathe now. "There are...


    others... more like me. More than you can imagine."


    Axel''s expression remained cold, though his mind was now racing. _Others? How many?_ He tightened his grip once more, knowing time was running out. "How many of you are there?"


    Metal Jaw''sughter was broken by fits of coughing, his voice trembling as the life drained from his body. "More than you can count¡­ and not just for the mantle of god you hold. For the others too..."


    Axel''s patience was thinning. He could see Metal Jaw''s skin paling, his body cold and unresponsive. "How did you get your powers?" Axel asked, urgency slipping into his voice. He had to get as much information as he could before Metal Jaw was gone.


    Metal Jaw''s head lolled back, his eyes dimming. "From¡­ birth," he whispered. And then, with a final shudder, Metal Jaw went limp.


    Axel frowned, still holding the lifeless body. His heightened senses confirmed it¡ªMetal Jaw''s heartbeat was barely detectable, but there was nothing more he could extract from him.


    **[Deceased Touch activated]**


    At the activation of his skill, Metal Jaw''s body began to rapidly deteriorate, turning into ckened ash in Axel''s grasp. The process was swift, leaving behind nothing but dust, which scattered into the wind.


    **[You have leveled up]**


    **[You have leveled up]**


    Axel sighed, his body aching from the strain of the battle. _I won¡­_


    **[HP: 5/30]**


    His muscles screamed in protest, his vision dimming slightly as his body threatened to give out. _I need to take my health pills before I copse..._ He forced himself to reach into his pouch, popping a few pills into his mouth. Instantly, his body felt a surge of relief as his HP bar ticked upward.


    ---


    Minutester, Axely on the cold floor of the stadium, staring up at the sky, multiple notifications flooding his vision. His body had recovered, but he was still weak, his limbs too heavy to move. The effects of the Evolution Pills still clung to him, rendering him immobile.


    **[You have unlocked the full extent of Level 1: King of the Dead]**


    **[Would you like to activate this skill?]**


    Axel''s mind swirled with the revtions of the battle. _Others like Metal Jaw¡­ born with abilities, chasing the power of the gods._ A world unlike his own, where powers weren''t chosen but inherited from birth. He would''ve thought Metal Jaw was part of the Fatek, but no¡ªtheir abilities were artificial, technological. This was something else entirely.


    And now, he had the mantle of Hades. But for how long? How many more challengers woulde for him?


    *Author''s note*


    I''ll be one rising fiction after today ording to webnovel time, I''ll need your support and a magic castle if possible since the contest ends this week Sunday. Please help me or my chances of winning might be slim, at least if you have been enjoying the story until now, support me

 Chapter 32: 32: Infinite Dead

    Another hour had passed, and finally, Axel Teras was able to move again. His body ached as if every muscle had been twisted and stretched, but atst, he was on his feet. His eyes were transfixed on the massive notification floating before him, a bold message glowing ominously:


    **[To summon your undead, please choose a name for them.]**


    "A name to summon my undead?" Axel muttered to himself, feeling the weight of the decision. It felt strange to think of names for creatures that had once been his enemies, beings he had fought tooth and nail against.


    **Does it have to be something I will remember? Or should I pick something cool?**


    He mulled it over for a moment, his mind flickering between different possibilities. Naming them felt strangely intimate, as if he was taking responsibility for something bigger than himself. He let out a long breath and made his choice.


    "Army of the Shadow."


    **[Name epted.]**


    **[Summons 3/10]**


    Axel barely had time to process the information before a dark red smoke began swirling around him, coiling up from the ground like tendrils of malevolent energy. It seeped into his skin, cold as ice, sending a chill down his spine that he couldn''t quite shake.


    **What is this?** Axel thought, his heart pounding in his chest. **I feel like... this energy is me.**


    The smoke thickened, wrapping around him tighter until, one by one, three shadowy figures rose from the swirling cloud. They took shape, solidifying into monstrous forms Axel knew all too well¡ªthe Fatek General, the Kaiju King, and Metal Jaw. Each of them knelt before him, heads bowed, their loyalty unmistakable.


    Axel''s breath caught in his throat as the realization hit him. **I''ve conquered them. Their souls are mine. This is necromancy... but different. These creatures were my greatest foes, and now they serve me.**


    Despite the surge of power, Axel couldn''t help but feel unsettled. He was no stranger to fighting, to death, but this was new territory. The power to summon the dead and bind them to his will¡ªit was intoxicating and terrifying all at once.


    But something nagged at him.


    "Why is it only these three?" Axel asked aloud, his brow furrowing.


    Another notification appeared, answering his question with cold precision.


    **[All opponents that give you a significant struggle will be saved automatically to the system. Others must be manually selected.]**


    **That exins it,** Axel thought. **Only the strongest remain.**


    Another prompt materialized.


    **[Name your three soldiers.]**


    Axel paused, realizing that this was more than just naming monsters. These were extensions of him now, his soldiers, and they deserved names that reflected their strength and the battles they had endured.


    Turning to the massive creature with steel-like jaws, he said, "I''ll name you Titan."


    A notification confirmed the name.


    Next, he faced the towering Kaiju King, its crimson eyes glowing with a familiar menace. "You''ll be Mane."


    Finally, Axel approached the Fatek General, whose formidable power he had barely managed to ovee in battle. "And you... you''ll be Tank."


    **[All names have been registered.]**


    The weight of responsibility settled over Axel, heavier than he expected. These creatures had been terrifying adversaries, and now they were his tomand. But as powerful as they were, he knew they weren''t invincible. He had seen them fall before, and it would be his job to ensure they didn''t fall again¡ªat least, not while under his control.


    Another notification appeared, this one offering him a choice.


    **[Would you like to view your reward before returning to your world?]**


    Axel nced at the floating text, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere. **I need to get back. I can''t keep Annie waiting any longer.**


    He dismissed the notification, feeling a familiar urgency. Annie. His sister, the only family he had left. She was waiting for him, and with each passing minute, he felt the distance between them growing. He had already been gone too long.


    ***


    Meanwhile, back in Kyota, the air inside General Kurtly''s office was thick with tension. The dimly lit room, always hostile, now felt like a powder keg waiting to explode. Shadows danced across the walls, casting eerie reflections on the general''s wide, twisted grin.


    He reclined in his chair, fingers drumming on the desk in front of him. The n was in motion, and everything was falling into ce.


    Five figures stood before him, silent and still as statues. They wore matching dark coats, hoods pulled low over their faces, hiding their identities. Four men and one woman. Their presence was enough to send chills through even the most hardened soldier.


    "So, you are the famous Hangi group?" General Kurtly''s voice dripped with excitement. He could barely contain his glee at having these notorious assassins in his office. Their reputation was legendary¡ªworld-ss criminals, wanted by nearly every major power on the.


    The team leader, a man with a calm, almost eerie demeanor, nodded once, his face shadowed beneath the hood. "I''m not going to ask why someone in your position would hire us. We''re your enemies, after all." His tone was cold, calcting. "But I will ask... what''s the catch?"


    General Kurtly chuckled darkly, pushing a thick file across the desk. "When amon enemy arises, all muste together to defeat it. Isn''t that the lesson of history?"


    The leader of the Hangi group eyed the file warily before picking it up. He flipped through the pages with practiced ease, his expression hardening as he reached the crux of the assignment.


    "You want us to target a man called Teras?" The leader''s voice tensed as he recognized the name. Axel Teras had be a figure of interest in recent times, rumors swirling about his mysterious abilities.


    "Not the father," Kurtly corrected with a smirk. "The son. Axel Teras. Everything you need to know is in that file. I expect results."


    The leader''s eyes narrowed. "You want us to kill him... and his family, too?" His tone wasced with suspicion, but there was a flicker of intrigue in his gaze.


    General Kurtly''s smile widened, his teeth shing in the dim light. "Exactly. But let''s start with his sister. She should be an easy target. A promiscuous woman... I''m sure she won''t be difficult to find."


    The leader of the Hangi group didn''t respond immediately. His gaze lingered on the photo of Axel, his mind racing. **This man... he died and came back to life. A resurrection?** The pieces began to fall into ce, and the leader''s interest deepened. **No wonder they want him so badly.**


    "Axel Teras," the leader mused silently, a dark thought creeping into his mind. **He might be the key to something far greater... the key to immortality.**


    The leader''s hand tightened around the file as a new hunger flickered in his eyes. This mission was about to be much more personal.

 Chapter 33: 33: Future Plans

    Axel stood frozen at the front of his house, his phone still in hand as his face twisted with confusion and disbelief. His shocked expression was caused by something as simple as the date on his screen. To him, he had only been gone for an hour or two, but ording to his phone, an entire day had passed.


    "How is that possible?" he muttered to himself, his mind racing. The system was clearly messing with his perception of time, and now he had to exin that to his sister. He could already imagine her reaction, and it wasn''t going to be pretty.


    Axel ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply. "How will Annie even react when I step in... Man, this system is crapping things up."


    He reached for his keys, intending to quietly let himself in, but then he heard a small tter from inside the house. His hand paused mid-air. Someone was definitely in there. He lowered his hand, deciding it was better not to sneak in. Instead, he knocked on the door and waited, his stomach knotting with the anticipation of the uing confrontation.


    The door swung open with a force that startled him, and there stood Annie, her face a storm of emotions. Her eyes met his, and in an instant, her expression morphed from relief to anger, her brows furrowing, her lips twisting into a scowl.


    "Where the hell did you disappear to again?" she yelled, her voice carrying a sharp edge. "I thought you ran away or something!"


    Axel opened his mouth to respond, but the words stuck in his throat. He could feel the heat of her anger, and no excuse he came up with was going to cool it down. Annie stepped back, leaving the door wide open as she stormed into the house. He followed her in, slowly shutting the door behind him, unsure of what to say.


    "I''m really sorry, Sis," he said quietly, his voice barely audible. "I had very urgent business to attend to, and if I didn''t... things would''ve gotten bad."


    Annie spun around to face him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "So disappearing for a month wasn''t enough for your ''business,'' huh? You asshole! You literally died that day, Axel! I saw you die on the news!" Her voice cracked with emotion as she emphasized thest word.


    Axel froze, guilt washing over him. His chest tightened painfully as he watched the tears welling up in his sister''s eyes. He had never meant to hurt her like this, and seeing the pain on her face made him feel as though he''d been punched in the gut.


    His mind screamed for him to tell her the truth, to let her in on what was really happening, but just as he opened his mouth, Velerium''s voice echoed in his head.


    "Don''t tell her the truth, Axel," the voice warned, its tonemanding.


    Axel hesitated, swallowing hard. He wanted to exin everything, but Velerium was right¡ªtelling Annie the truth would put her in even more danger. He had to protect her, even if it meant lying.


    "I''m sorry, Annie," Axel began, forcing himself to speak. "I''m really not supposed to tell you this, but the reason I''ve been gone is because... I was being tested."


    Annie''s expression shifted to confusion. "Tested? What the hell does that mean? You hate hospitals and needles. How am I supposed to believe that?"


    Axel''s heart raced. He needed to expand on the lie, fast. He straightened his posture and met her gaze directly, trying to project sincerity. This was a trick he had used often in his previous life¡ªestablish eye contact, show seriousness, and the other person would start doubting their own disbelief.


    "I didn''t want to worry you," Axel continued, his voice softening. "The ability to resurrect... it freaked out the Hunter''s Association. They thought it was dangerous, so they needed to run tests to make sure I wasn''t a threat to anyone around me. I didn''t want to put you in danger, which is why I kept it all to myself."


    The lie was almost painful to say, but heyered his words with as much fake sympathy as he could muster. He knew Annie had a soft heart, and if he yed the protective older brother card, she might let her guard down.


    Annie stared at him for a long moment, her anger fading into uncertainty. "I didn''t know," she said quietly, looking down at her feet. "I''m sorry, Big Bro... I didn''t know you were going through all that."


    Axel forced a small smile, feeling a pang of guilt for deceiving her. "It''s okay, Sis. I didn''t want you to worry. Everything''s fine now, though."


    "Will you be staying?" Annie asked, her voice sounding small. "Or do you have more tests?"


    "I''ll stay for now," Axel assured her, though the uncertainty of his own words gnawed at him. "And I''ll pay for you to get into college again. I might even go back to being a hunter."


    Annie''s eyes lit up with excitement. "That''s great! I''m d you''re finally getting back into it. But don''t you want to retake the test and increase your rank? You''d make more money and have fewer dangerous jobs."


    Axel shook his head. "No thanks. I''m not pushing my luck."


    "But it''s not like you can die," she teased, a yful smile creeping onto her face.


    "Yeah, but that doesn''t mean I don''t feel pain," Axel shot back, half-joking. "And I haven''t exactly tested how much I can withstand."


    Their lighthearted exchange was cut short by a sudden interruption. A voice, soft yetmanding, echoed from the kitchen.


    "Axel Teras, wasn''t it?"


    Axel''s blood ran cold. He immediately turned his gaze from Annie toward the kitchen, his muscles tensing as his instincts red. There, standing by the counter, was a stranger¡ªa woman, no taller than a child but with the hardened features of an adult. She was a dwarf, her fair skin contrasting with her long, green hair that fell in waves down her back.


    She wore a hooded jacket, dark trousers, and had the casual look of a college student, but Axel knew better.


    He stepped in front of Annie protectively, his hand inching toward his dagger. "Who are you?" Axel demanded, his voice low and dangerous.


    The dwarf woman tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "I''m not here to fight you, Axel. I''m here to deliver a message."


    Axel''s heart pounded in his chest. He had no idea how this woman had found him, but his instincts screamed that she was connected to the Fatek General or something even worse.


    "I''m asking you again," Axel growled, his body tensing. "Who the hell are you?"


    ***Author''s note***


    Still behind just give days left for the contest to end and I''m still in need of a castle

 Chapter 34: 34: Stake Some Goods (Part 1) More trouble arises

    Even after waiting a few moments, the intruder stood motionless, seemingly unbothered by the tense atmosphere. She stood still, as though daring Axel to attack her, like a statue baiting its predator. Her presence reeked of a trap, but Axel had to assess it carefully.


    Axel nted his first foot forward, steady and poised to catapult himself into action. His instincts screamed danger, but something about her unnerving stillness made him hesitate.


    "It''s okay big bro," Annie''s soft voice cut through the tension. "She''s from the Hunter''s Association. They sent her to keep an eye on you. Now that you''ve exined everything, it makes sense," she said, her tone much calmer than Axel expected.


    The exnation eased Axel just a little, but not entirely. Sure, she wasn''t some random threat, but she was still an intruder. Worse, she had overheard everything¡ªincluding the lie Axel had spun about the Hunter''s Association testing him.


    ''Shit,'' Axel cursed inwardly. ''I''m not out of the woods yet. If this woman rats me out for lying... Annie will know I''ve been faking, and the association will investigate me. If they find out about the system or my second awakening, I''ll be in deep trouble. This is bad...


    real bad... I can''t see much of a way out of this too.''


    His thoughts spiraled as his instincts red up, urging him to eliminate the threat before she could do any damage. But he couldn''t¡ªnot in front of Annie. He felt trapped, cornered between two impossible choices. Attack her and risk bing a monster in his sister''s eyes, or leave her alone and risk everything unraveling.


    ''Maybe she''ll keep quiet,'' he thought, grasping for hope. ''What are the odds, though? She''s probably an enemy... If ites to it, I''ll have no choice but to...''


    "How did the test go, Teras?" The dwarf spoke suddenly, his tone t and indifferent, yet carrying a subtle menace. "Hope the Association''s long needles hurt like hell?"


    Axel blinked, momentarily thrown off. The dwarf''s empty tone gnawed at his nerves, but he quickly masked his unease and forced a smile. "Yeah, the Association was nice enough to give me such short notice on my new bodyguards," he replied, running his hand through his hair casually, trying to sell the lie.


    ''Why the hell is this woman helping me?'' he thought, eyeing the intruder suspiciously. ''What''s her angle?''


    The woman''s expression remained unreadable. "Your apartment," she said abruptly, breaking the silence. "The Association left a package for you there."


    Axel tensed. ''A package? What kind of rotten lie is that?'' he wondered, narrowing his eyes. ''She''s trying to get rid of me, make me leave her alone with Annie. Damn it, she''s ying me like a puppet, but what choice do I have?''


    Reluctantly, Axel nodded and turned to Annie. "I''ll be back, sis. I need to check my apartment¡ªhaven''t been there in a while."


    Annie seemed unfazed, even excited by the prospect of him returningter. She beamed, rushing toward the kitchen. "Make sure toe home tonight! I''ll make your favorite meal," she called out, pulling Noel along to help with preparations.


    Noel''s eyes met Axel''s briefly as she followed Annie, her gaze sharp and calcting. There was something in that look¡ªsomething that made Axel''s chest tighten.


    ''She knows something... What is she nning?'' Axel thought, clenching his fists. ''From the look of things, she won''t report me yet. But I''ll have to get rid of her soon, before she changes her mind.''


    ***


    Axel walked through the crowded streets, the weight of his thoughts heavy on his shoulders. People brushed past him, unaware of the storm brewing inside him.


    ''For now, I need to focus on other things besides that spy,'' he thought, summoning the notifications with a flick of his wrist.


    [**de of the Jaw**]


    *The sword that belonged to Metal Jaw. Increases all stats by 10%.*


    [**Rune of Protection**]


    *Grants temporary armor, shielding you from light magical and physical attacks.*


    He studied the notifications briefly before dismissing them, his mind already racing with ns.


    "So, what are you nning, Master Axel?" Velerium''s voice echoed beside him as he materialized out of the shadows, his skeletal form brimming with curiosity.


    Axel smiled, a sharp edge to his grin. "You''re simple, Velerium. I''m going out to make connections. As a hunter, I need to grow stronger while keeping my abilities hidden from the world."


    "I see," Velerium mused, his voice gravelly. "But the abilities of a god should not be hidden for long."


    "That''s the problem," Axel sighed, his gaze darkening. "I need to nurture these powers until they''re god-like. Once I reach that level, I can reveal myself and be tested. Until then, I need to build a foundation¡ªa guild of trusted associates¡ªso I can grow in the shadows."


    The thought of building his own guild stirred something in Axel. When he had been a weak hunter, it was nothing more than a fantasy. But now... now it was within his reach.


    "So, who''s your target, Master?" Velerium asked, his hollow eyes gleaming with intrigue.


    "You''ll see soon enough," Axel said cryptically, his voice dropping as a shadow crossed his face. After a moment of silence, he added, "Velerium, why can''t I tell my sister about the system or what happened in that ce?"


    Velerium let out a low, hollow gurgle, the sound unsettling in the quiet air. "The closer they are to the truth, the more danger they face," he exined. "I know how much you care for your sister, but revealing the system''s secrets has consequences¡ªboth for you and for them. There are things even the system keeps dormant. And we don''t want to wake the worst of them."


    "The worst ones?" Axel echoed, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"


    Velerium remained silent for a moment, as though weighing his words carefully. "The system you possess is powerful, but it''s connected to forces beyond your understanding. Forces that sleep, waiting for someone foolish enough to disturb them. The more you reveal, the closer youe to awakening them."


    Axel''s heart raced as Velerium''s words sank in. ''Awakening them?'' His thoughts churned with unease. ''What kind of monsters are sleeping beneath the surface of this power?''


    Before Axel could probe further, a sudden chill ran down his spine. His instincts red up, warning him of an unseen presence watching him.


    Axel stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. The street was bustling with people, but something was off. He could feel it¡ªsomeone or something was keeping tabs on him.


    "Looks like we''re being followed," Axel muttered, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword.


    Velerium chuckled darkly. "Seems like you have some unwanted attention. Shall we... deal with them?"


    Axel''s grip tightened on his weapon as he assessed his options. ''If they''re from the Association, I can''t take them out without raising suspicions. But if they''re something else...''


    He smirked, his blood thrumming with anticipation. "Let theme."


    With that, Axel pressed forward, his steps deliberate and measured, ready to face whatever lurked in the shadows.


    It''s an author''s note you don not have to read... It''s just reflecting on our journey so far up to this moment...


    ***Author''s Note:**


    Hey everyone! I wanted to take a moment to reflect on Axel''s journey so far and give you a little insight into where things are headed. From the beginning, Axel has been thrown into a whirlwind of challenges¡ªfirst discovering his powers, then navigating the deadly world of hunters and the ominous systems that control it.


    He''s not just a young man trying to survive in a chaotic world; he''s growing into a force of his own, but at a steep cost. Every step he takes isced with lies and danger¡ªwhether it''s keeping secrets from his sister Annie or trying to manipte the hunters'' association.


    What''s really been fun to explore is Axel''s constant battle between trust and deception. He''s not just fighting physical enemies; he''s fighting against the shadows within himself. The introduction of Velerium, his mysterious and crypticpanion, has added anotheryer to the story.


    Velerium isn''t just a guide¡ªhe''s a reminder of the darker, more ominous forces that Axel still doesn''t fully understand. Every conversation between them peels back anotheryer of the secrets surrounding Axel''s second awakening and the system itself.


    What I love most about Axel''s story so far is how it''s a mix of tension, strategy, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. No one in Axel''s world can be fully trusted, and as his powers grow, so do the risks. We''ve only scratched the surface of what Axel is capable of, and with each chapter, he''s diving deeper into a world that may just consume him.


    I''m excited for what''s toe and can''t wait to hear your thoughts on Axel''s development so far! Stay tuned¡ªit only gets crazier from here!


    Also I''m still waiting on that magic castle...

 Chapter 35: Bonus 35: Package

    Bonus chapter 35: Package


    Axel paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the street ahead as he took in Velerium''s words. The specter''s gurgled voice still echoed in his head, stirring an unsettling chill down his spine.


    "The worst ones?" Axel muttered under his breath, furrowing his brow. "What exactly do you mean, Velerium? Are you saying that if I tell my sister about the system, there''s something... or someone out there that wille after her?"


    Velerium hovered close, his skeletal frame barely making a sound as he floated beside Axel. His hollow eye sockets seemed to narrow, giving the impression that he was choosing his words carefully.


    "Let''s just say... there are things even I fear, master Axel. Beings far older and far more dangerous than anything you''ve faced so far. The system itself is only a fragment of their power, and if they wake, not even your god-like abilities will be enough to stop them."


    Axel''s heart thudded in his chest. He''d grown stronger, yes¡ªmuch stronger than before. But to hear Velerium, a being of considerable power, express fear? That was a new level of terrifying. His mind raced with the possibilities of what those "worst ones" could be.


    "I see," Axel said slowly, his voice betraying the unease gnawing at him. "But what if they wake up anyway? What if my keeping this secret does nothing to stop it?"


    Velerium chuckled darkly, his voice a raspy whisper. "They sleep because they do not yet feel threatened. The more power you umte, the closer youe to them. But for now, your best course of action is to stay under their radar... for as long as you can."


    Axel swallowed hard. This wasn''t the first time he''d been warned about something bigger lurking in the shadows, but it felt more tangible now¡ªmore immediate. He straightened his posture, forcing the anxiety aside.


    "Alright," he said, his voice firm. "I won''t tell Annie anything. Not yet. I just have to make sure she stays safe, no matter what."


    Velerium''s skeletal grin widened, though itcked any warmth. "A wise decision, master Axel. Now, what''s our next move?"


    Axel''s gaze sharpened as he thought back to the dwarf woman who had intruded into his home. She had been sent by the Hunter''s Association¡ªor so she imed¡ªbut Axel knew better than to trust anyone so easily. He had a feeling she had her own agenda, and that made her dangerous.


    "She mentioned a package at my apartment," Axel murmured, his eyes narrowing. "It''s probably a trap, but I can''t ignore it. I need to see what''s going on."


    "And what if it is a trap?" Velerium asked, floating a little closer. "What''s your n then?"


    Axel smirked, his fingers flexing as he thought about the weapons at his disposal. "I''ve faced worse. If it''s a trap, I''ll turn it around on them. Besides, I''ve got a few tricks of my own now."


    The duo continued walking, Axel''s pace quick and deliberate. He couldn''t help but think of the package, wondering what it could be. His mind buzzed with questions. Why leave something at his apartment? What could they possibly want from him now, especially after that chaotic encounter with the Fatek General?


    The streets around him blurred as his thoughts spiraled, but Axel snapped back to reality when he reached his apartmentplex. He stood at the entrance for a moment, scanning his surroundings.


    Everything seemed normal. Too normal.


    "I don''t like this," Axel muttered. "It''s too quiet."


    Velerium let out a low hum of agreement. "Be on guard, master Axel. Something feels... off."


    Axel nodded, his body tensing as he approached his apartment door. He reached for the handle, hesitating for a fraction of a second before turning the knob. The door creaked open, revealing the dimly lit interior of his apartment.


    It looked exactly as he had left it¡ªcluttered with papers, books, and his hunter gear strewn about. But there, on the small coffee table in the center of the room, was a in brown package.


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat. He stepped inside cautiously, his eyes never leaving the package. He had expected something more borate¡ªsomething sinister. But this? A simple box? It didn''t sit right with him.


    "Careful," Velerium warned, his voice low and ominous. "This could beced with some sort of magic."


    Axel nodded, but instead of approaching the package directly, he circled around it, studying it from different angles. He activated his aura sight, scanning for any magical traps or hidden mechanisms.


    Nothing. The package appeared perfectly mundane.


    Axel frowned, his curiosity getting the better of him. With a deep breath, he crouched down and reached out, gingerly lifting the box. It was heavier than he expected. He set it on the floor in front of him and carefully peeled away the tape.


    Inside, nestled in a bed of straw-like material, was a small, ck cube. Its surface was smooth and reflective, almost like obsidian, but there was something about it that made Axel''s skin crawl.


    "What the hell is this?" he muttered.


    Velerium hovered closer, his bony fingers twitching as he inspected the cube. "It''s a sealed artifact. Very old, very dangerous. Whoever sent this to you is either trying to kill you... or test you."


    Axel clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "And how exactly do I use it?"


    "You don''t," Velerium hissed. "Not unless you want to unleash something far beyond your control. This is not a toy, master Axel. You''d be wise to leave it alone."


    Axel stood, the cube still clutched in his hand. His instincts screamed at him to destroy it, to rid himself of whatever cursed object this was. But something stopped him¡ªa strange pull, like the cube was calling to him, urging him to keep it.


    "I''ll hold onto it," Axel decided, his voice steady. "For now."


    Velerium''s hollow eyes red with disapproval. "You''re ying a dangerous game, master. One misstep, and you''ll regret it."


    Axel sighed, slipping the cube into his pocket. "I know. But I need to understand who sent this and why. I can''t just ignore it."


    He turned, casting onest nce at the package before leaving his apartment. His mind raced with possibilities, each one more disturbing than thest. Someone was watching him, testing him, and now they had given him this... thing.


    As Axel stepped back onto the street, the world seemed darker, more hostile. His every move felt scrutinized, like eyes were following him from the shadows.


    Whatever game he had been pulled into, it was only just beginning. And Axel knew that if he wanted to survive, he''d have to outsmart whoever¡ªor whatever¡ªwas behind it all.


    And the worst part? He wasn''t sure if he could.


    ''Now to catch the rat following me.''

 Chapter 36: 36: Stake Some Goods 2 Target

    Axel bent swiftly down another corner in an attempt to lose his pursuer or catch them off guard. His heartbeat quickened, the adrenaline in his veins keeping his senses heightened. Every shadow could be an enemy.


    He couldn''t head to sell his weapons without figuring out who was following him or knowing their motive¡ªwhether it was mere curiosity, hostility, or something far worse.


    Finally, he came upon an empty alley. No one in sight. It was perfect. Axel darted behind a rusted trash can, crouching low, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the alley entrance. The dim streetlights flickered ominously in the distance.


    ''Now, from this angle, I should be able to see who''s following me. I still have time to get to the auction house if I wait an hour,'' Axel assured himself, opening his hand and summoning his dagger. Its cold, sleek handle felt reassuring in his grip.


    ''I just have to wait for him toe here, then I attack. If he''s more powerful than I expect, I''ll use *Deceased Touch* on him,'' Axel thought, gripping the dagger tightly. He kept his eyes glued to the entrance, his muscles tense, ready for the moment his target would reveal themselves.


    But the minutes dragged on, and no one came.


    ''Where the hell is this guy? He should be close... or should have been here by now. Or... have I been hallucinating?''


    Doubt began to gnaw at the edges of Axel''s mind. He shifted ufortably but refused to leave his spot. Something in his gut told him to wait just a bit longer. This could be a game, a psychological tactic from his enemy to expose his impatience.


    In the distance, a faint breeze stirred the trash in the alley. The creaking of a distant door made his hand twitch. Still, no one appeared.


    Then, out of nowhere, Velerium appeared, his gurgling voice dripping with eerie calm. "Master, have you noticed the tail?"


    Axel''s frown deepened. "Would I be waiting here if I''d seen the idiot? What kind of questions do you ask?"


    "Have you noticed that the guy is behind yo¡ª"


    Before Velerium could finish, Axel lunged, twisting his body swiftly as his dagger shed forward, pinning the hooded figure to the wall with brutal force. The figure gasped, a sharp intake of air escaping as the back of their head mmed hard against the cold brick.


    "What the fuck?" the figure spat, coughing in pain.


    Axel didn''t waste time. He pressed the dagger closer to their throat, his eyes zing with fierce intent. "Better answer my questions, or I''ll slit your throat. And trust me, this cheap dagger won''t make clean cuts."


    The figure struggled but didn''t reply. Axel''s grip tightened, and he leaned in closer to catch a glimpse of their face. The hood slipped back to reveal¡ª


    "Noel?!" Axel''s eyes widened in surprise, but only for a moment. Her face was angrier than usual, her breathing in ragged gasps as Axel kept her pinned.


    "You came here to spy on me? How foolish," Axel growled, pushing the dagger ever so slightly closer to her neck. His mind raced. This was the perfect opportunity to get rid of a liability, to remove someone who could potentially be a threat. ''She''s staring at me like a te of cake¡­ who am I to refuse taking out a liability?''


    "I know you can''t kill me, Axel Teras," Noel''s voice, though strained, held confidence. "If not, why would I reveal my identity? After all, we are both Halflings¡ªwe should take care of each other."


    Her words didn''t amuse Axel in the slightest.


    "What does me being half-elf have to do with you being half-dwarf?" Axel hissed, pushing the dagger so close that a single twitch of his wrist could cut deep into her skin.


    "I was sent as a spy, but not in the way you think," Noel continued, unfazed by the dagger. "I''m your partner. A protector, sent by the Association Leader to assist you. Killing me would lead to all your secrets being exposed. I wouldply if I were you."


    Axel studied her eyes, weighing the truth in her words. For a moment, he hesitated, the tip of the dagger hovering at the breaking point. Then, with a low growl, he pulled the de back. His decision wasn''t because he trusted her¡ªbut because killing her mighte with unforeseen consequences.


    "I''m not short on help," Axel grumbled, releasing herpletely. Despite lowering his weapon, tension coiled within him. Her presence still felt like a liability.


    Noel shoved his hand away as she slid down the wall, finally standing on her feet. "That''s your problem, Axel. You don''t trust anyone. Not more than your family, at least. And you''re nning to build a guild with that kind of attitude?" she scoffed.


    "How the hell do you know about my ns for a guild?" Axel''s voice hardened.


    "I pieced it together after reading your file," Noel shrugged, wiping a trickle of blood from her lip.


    Axel clenched his fists. ''Whoever wrote those reports is too good.''


    "Master, do not heed her advice," Velerium''s voice echoed in his mind, as cold as ever. "A true god must stand above all."


    Axel smirked inwardly. ''If Velerium''s against it, then it must be the right option. Thanks, bone man.''


    "Fine. You cane along," Axel muttered, though his distrust was still palpable. His eyes betrayed his inner thoughts¡ªhe might tolerate her for now, but she was far from being in his good graces.


    Noel narrowed her eyes. "Where are we heading? More hunters to find?" she asked, her tone sharp.


    "Something like that. But first, we''re going to sell some artifacts. Make some sweet money," Axel dismissed his dagger, letting it fade into thin air.


    "An auction house, then," Noel muttered, reading between the lines.


    ''How is she so damn smart?'' Axel thought, suppressing a groan. His instincts screamed at him to stay cautious. ''I hope I''m not making a mistake here¡­''


    ---


    **ng!**


    Annie dropped the spat onto the kitchen floor, her face pale as she rushed to the sink. The retching came hard and fast, bile burning her throat as she vomited. After several agonizing minutes, she copsed against the counter, wiping sweat from her brow.


    ''Damn¡­ I really messed up. Mum¡­ Axel¡­'' Her hand instinctively rested on her stomach, her thoughts drifting to memories of when things were simple, back when their family was still together.


    ''I can''t trouble Axel with this pregnancy¡­ but I can''t¡­ I won''t terminate it¡­ I''d rather die¡­'' She washed her face, trying to steady her racing thoughts. But deep inside, she knew her mind was made up.


    ''I have no choice but to run away¡­ Maybe after the baby is born¡­ I''ll end it all¡­ If not, I''ll ruin everyone''s lives¡­''


    A sudden chime broke through her somber thoughts. She fumbled for her phone and nced at the screen.


    **Hot Chicks Only:** I heard you''re pregnant. What if I could help you with the baby? You don''t know me, but I could be of assistance.


    Her blood ran cold. The message was cryptic, but Annie couldn''t deny the desperation gnawing at her. Was this her way out? Should she even respond?


    **Annie:** What can you offer me? And why?


    There was a brief pause before the next message appeared.


    **Hot Chicks Only:** I was a friend of your brother Axel. We awakened the same year. To earn your trust, I''ll tell you my real name¡­


    **Annie:** ???


    **Hot Chicks Only:** I''m Williams. S-rank hunter.


    ---


    **Author''s note:**


    Williams from chapter 2 if you don''t recall.


    A friend or foe...


    Thanks for the castle really Thanks... Thank you... Thank you... I''ll be mass releasing soon because of you

 Chapter 37: 37: Auction House - Targets

    The auction picked for the asion was a grand spectacle¡ªan opulent suite filled with some of the most elite hunters from around the world. The ambiance was thick with tension and excitement, the atmosphere almost buzzing from the collective strength and power gathered in one ce.


    Each hunter came from a different country or association, their presence making this event a beacon for those seeking prestige or alliances. Nameless, however, had a different reason for being here. He wasn''t interested in bidding or showing off his wealth. No, his goal was far more personal, and far more dangerous.


    For security reasons, Axel attended as Nameless, not revealing his true identity. The mask he wore covered his face, and with it, the secrets he carried. Nameless scanned the room filled with top-tier hunters, each exuding an aura of power that made the air feel thick. His eyes moved over the crowd, sizing them up.


    "These guys are strong," he thought, eyes narrowing in appraisal. "I can''t believe I''m standing in the same room as them. I''ve only ever seen these hunters on TV or read about their exploits online. And yet, here I am. At my level, I can''t match a single one of them¡­ not yet, at least."


    His fingers twitched with anticipation as he scanned the room again, searching for his targets. Nameless wasn''t here to impress anyone or to bid for any items. His goal was to make contact with a few select hunters who had caught his interest. These were individuals he could potentially work with¡ªnot necessarily in his guild, but having them as allies would increase his credibility.


    "I don''t need them in my guild," Nameless mused to himself, "but having them by my side at times will raise my poprity. Real strong people will start to notice me, and soon enough, they''lle to me on their own. That''s my n."


    "Man, Nameless, this ce is filled with moneyunderers!" a voice chimed from beside him. Noel, who apanied him, was also wearing a mask simr to his, though hers was more mboyant, with glimmering details that caught the light as she spun around excitedly like a child.


    Nameless groaned inwardly. "What did you just call them?" he whispered through gritted teeth. "That''s a stupid name! And why are you wearing a mask like mine? This isn''t some dress-up party¡ª"


    "I, too, have an identity to protect," Noel retorted, puffing her chest out with a mock-serious expression. "Call me Nameful while we''re here," she added, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.


    "Nameful?" Nameless sighed, facepalming. "That''s not even a word. Just... stick to ''Name,'' okay? This is serious, and you''re acting like¡ª"


    "Nameless, sir, and little... uh,d," a bodyguard interrupted, holding up a name card and clearly struggling to read it. "Mrs. Name-something?"


    "It''s Nameful, you suit-for-brains!" Noel snapped, her rudeness catching the bodyguard off guard. He flinched, visibly nervous. "How hard is it to remember basic English?"


    Nameless shot her a re, but the bodyguard quickly recovered. "Apologies, ma''am. It''s almost time for you to showcase your product. Please, follow me."


    Finally, Nameless thought as they were led to the center stage. Showtime.


    ***


    The room quieted as Nameless prepared to unveil his item. A long, sleek swordy encased in a ss container for all to see. It had belonged to Metal Jaw, a feared S-rank hunter who had fallen in battle. The sword''s dark design and intricate markings told stories of countless battles, but it was more than just a relic.


    It was a weapon of raw power, infused with mystical energies that enhanced the wielder''s speed and strength.


    The host stepped forward and began the auction, his voice booming through the hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have here a weapon unlike any other! An antique sword, recovered by the infamous Nameless himself. This de is rumored to hold mystical powers, enhancing the physical abilities of any who wield it.


    Tested and verified, this sword can greatly improve your chances in portal clearing or any high-stakes battle. Let''s start the bidding at ten thousand Kyota!"


    Nameless clenched his jaw as the bidding started at such a low price. Ten thousand Kyota? For a weapon like this? He had hoped for more enthusiasm. His eyes roved across the room, checking on his targets again.


    "Eleven thousand!" a voice called.


    "Twelve thousand...?" the host continued.


    "Fifteen thousand!" another hunter raised his hand, pushing the price slightly higher.


    Nameless remained calm, but inside, frustration bubbled. The bids were too low, nowhere near what he had expected. However, his attention was divided. While his weapon was up for grabs, his eyes were locked on three individuals who had stood out to him from the moment he arrived.


    Target one: A woman with long, pink hair, her beauty and grace unmistakable. She wore a rich ensemble that screamed wealth and power. This was Trisha, an S-rank hunter known for her leadership in the Age Block raid. Her very presence demanded respect.


    Target two: A man with long, braided white hair, his monstrous gaze fixated on the sword. He wore a tight suit, every muscle bulging underneath, radiating pure power. This was Thor, an S-rank hunter who had be a legend after the infamous "All of Us Are Dead" raid. His reputation was as terrifying as his appearance.


    And finally, Target three: Nameless'' eyes froze as theynded on a figure in a luxurious red suit, sittingfortably in the back. The man''s face was one Nameless would never forget. He was bidding, smiling,pletely at ease. This was Williams. The sight of him sent a wave of anger crashing through Nameless.


    ''That bastard...'' Nameless thought bitterly. Just seeing him made Nameless want to tear him apart, but he held himself back. Not here. Not now.


    "Five hundred thousand Kyota!" Williams'' voice rang out, raising the bid with a smug grin. The auctioneer nearly gasped, caught off guard by the sudden jump in price. The room fell into stunned silence.


    Nameless'' heart pounded in his chest. Five hundred thousand Kyota? How was he supposed to stop Williams from getting his hands on the sword now?


    "Going once..." the auctioneer called, scanning the room.


    Nameless'' pulse quickened. ''Why isn''t anyone else bidding?'' He clenched his fists, veins bulging in frustration. If Williams got his hands on the sword, everything would fall apart. His n to meet the other powerful hunters in this room would crumble, and worse, the weapon would end up in Williams'' hands.


    "Going twice..." The auctioneer''s voice was dragging the words out now, his eyes scanning the crowd.


    Nameless gritted his teeth. ''No... I can''t let this happen. I have to do something!''


    The auctioneer raised his hammer, ready to bring it down.


    "SOLD!"

 Chapter 38: 38: Sold to Who Exactly?

    The item was sold?


    Someone bought it?


    No¡­ that wasn''t what happened.


    Just as the Auctioneer was about toplete his statement, the ss encasing the sword exploded under the immense force of Nameful''s fist. Shards of crystal scattered through the air like rain, sending gasps throughout the room.


    The Auctioneer flinched, along with the audience, stunned by the audacity of her actions. Why had she done that? The shock rippled through the crowd, halting everything. All eyes zeroed in on her, waiting for an exnation.


    ''Damn it! What is this girl thinking?'' Nameless''s mind raced, but his face, hidden behind his mask, betrayed nothing. ''Is she trying to get us banned? Or worse, bankrupt?'' Panic surged in him, though he maintained an outward calm. If things went south, he was prepared to sell Nameful to the house as a ve and cut his losses. His thoughts were cut off by her voice.


    "You all think this is just a simple weapon?" Nameful began, her voice sharp,manding attention. She strode forward, her hand gripping the sword''s hilt with rough authority. "A simple de forged by an ordinary cksmith?" Her gaze swept the crowd, now enthralled by her brazen confidence.


    The audience, including the Auctioneer, gradually regainedposure, but confusion lingered. What was she getting at?


    Nameless''s eyes narrowed beneath his mask. He began to understand what she was attempting, but the path she was treading was risky. Still, the strategy had potential.


    Nameful raised the sword, which towered over her by several feet. "This is not just a sword that shes and kills." She hoisted it into the air, her muscles straining slightly. A thin veil of sweat shimmered on her brow as she called upon her mana, letting it flood into the weapon.


    The room collectively held its breath as the sword began to emit green fumes, an eerie energy swirling from the de. The air around it thickened with power, and even from the back of the room, the audience could sense the raw, palpable mana pulsing from the weapon.


    Nameless smirked beneath his mask. ''So that''s her y... She''s giving them a taste of the sword''s true value. Clever. She''s raising the stakes¡ªforcing them to reconsider and driving the bid higher.''


    He shifted his gaze to the audience. Their eyes gleamed with hunger, hands itching to ce higher bids. Nameful had ensnared them with her performance, the once-quiet crowd now buzzing with renewed anticipation.


    "This is more than a de. It''s a relic of immense power, something any of you would be lucky to possess," Nameful dered boldly, her voice carrying across the room.


    "Two million!" A familiar voice shattered the tension. Of all people, it was Trisha who opened the bidding, her face alight with desperation.


    "Five million!" Williams followed, his voice thick with determination. He didn''t seem willing to back down, ring daggers at Nameful, the very person who had ignited this frenzy.


    "Fifteen million Kyota!" Another voice boomed from the rear, causing heads to turn.


    "Eighteen million Kyota!" Trisha chimed in again, her desperation visibly growing.


    The bids escted rapidly, twenty, thirty, and then fifty million Kyota. The room was a whirlwind of raised paddles and shouted numbers. The tension was palpable, with some bidders reluctantly stepping down, while others, like Trisha and Williams, pushed their limits.


    Nameless grinned beneath his mask. ''This is going better than expected. Soon they''ll be begging to buy from me directly.''


    "Two hundred million Kyota!" A deep voice echoed across the auction hall, drawing everyone''s gaze to the source.


    Thor, regal in his velvet chair, finally raised his paddle. His presence had been looming over the room all night, and now, he had made his move. The crowd collectively held its breath. Thor''s wealth and influence were legendary, and the air grew thick with awe and fear.


    "Three hundred million Kyota!" Williams'' voice trembled as he raised his paddle again. He was feeling the strain, pushing past his financial limits.


    "Five hundred million!" Trisha''s voice broke slightly as she upped the ante, the sheer desperation evident in her tone. She was burning through her reserves faster than anyone else.


    "Eight hundred million." Thor''s voice was as calm as ever, his paddle raised nonchntly, as if the price meant nothing to him. He hadn''t even broken a sweat, unlike the others who were visibly shaken. His wealth was as deep as his calm, a king in every sense, unbothered by the escting chaos around him.


    Nameless couldn''t hold back his joy any longer. ''Forget about the original n! Nameful just turned me into a rich man. This amount couldst me and my family for years.'' He could already feel the weight of wealth settling on his shoulders. Thor''s bid had crushed thepetition, but then¡­


    "One billion Kyota!" Williams, drenched in sweat, stood defiantly. His voice carried a weight of finality. He was not going to back down. Not this time.


    The entire room fell into a stunned silence. One billion Kyota. The sheer amount echoed in the minds of everyone present. Some began to recline in their chairs, while others stared nkly at their phones, unsure of how to react to the madness that had just unfolded.


    ''I just spent a fortune on this sword... But no matter, it will be worth it. I will prove my dominance, and this weapon will be the crown jewel in my collection.'' Williams smirked to himself, already imagining the prestige it would bring him. He nced around, hoping, deep down, that someone would challenge his bid, but no one did.


    "Going once."


    "Going twice¡­"


    "No! I''m not done!" Williams''s voice cracked, but no one else moved. The silence in the room felt heavy, like a final exhale.


    "Sold to the hunter in red!" The Auctioneer mmed his gavel, sealing the deal.


    Nameful gently ced the sword back on its pedestal, her expression unreadable as she returned to Nameless.


    "Sorry," she muttered under her breath, visibly annoyed. "That bastard still got the sword, and he spent a fortune on it."


    Nameless chuckled, low and sinister. His mask only added to the eerie sound of hisughter. "You''ve done well, Nameful. Thanks to you, I''ve killed two birds with one stone. These fools are now desperate. They''ll want my contact, hoping I have more weapons like this one.


    And on top of that... I''m rich now."


    Nameful stared at him, incredulous. "That''s what you''re happy about?"


    "Hehehe¡­ Velerium," Nameless addressed his familiar, still cackling. "Now, onto the next part of my n."


    "That''s it, Master," Velerium''s voice echoed from the shadows, joining in the sinisterughter. "Theughter of a true god."


    Nameless''s eyes gleamed. This was only the beginning.

 Chapter 39: 39: Sold... How Convenient

    "So, what''s the split?"


    Axel removed his mask, taking a deep breath now that they were finally alone in the room. The dim lighting of the backroom auction house cast long shadows across the floor, the heavy scent of leather and metal filling the air. He turned toward Nameful, who had just removed her own mask, her expression one of calm expectation.


    "The split?" Axel echoed, momentarily taken aback by her question. Was she seriously asking for a cut of the money? The thought irritated him. ''What else would I expect from a human?''


    "I mean the split between you and the Auction House. Do they take thirty percent? More?" She rified, her nonchnt demeanor grating on his nerves. ''He must think I want his small change... How pathetic.''


    Axel''s eyes narrowed, but he quickly regained hisposure, recognizing the trap. "It''s an auction to raise money for hunters. The house doesn''t take a cut when selling to other hunters. It''s like a free promotion. So, my billion Kyota is mine in full." He leaned back in the chair, pretending to be deep in thought. But in truth, his mind raced.


    The money was secured, but what was next? Power¡ªhe needed more power. His eyes flicked to the glowing interface of his system in the corner of his vision. There was still much to unravel, and he had questions that needed answers.


    Nameful¡ªor rather, *Noel*, as she was in this setting¡ªreclined in her seat, watching him with a sly grin. "I''ll be waiting for you to finish your stupid processing. Annie''s making food at home, by the way."


    Axel''s mind snapped back to reality. ''Wait a minute, I should probably ask her about that package she mentioned earlier. What was in it, and why was it left in my apartment?''


    "Uh, Noel, about the¡ª"


    Before he could finish, a sudden, sharp *beep* echoed through the room. It came from the entrance, pulling Axel''s attention away from his train of thought.


    ''A visitor? Now?'' Annoyed but curious, Axel stood and moved to the door, which hummed with the sound of its digital locks disengaging. His fingers tapped against the console, and within seconds, the door slid open.


    Standing before him was a tall, striking woman, her long, raven-ck hair flowing down her back, and her deep-set eyes locked onto his with an unnerving intensity. "Hi, I''m Trisha," she said smoothly. "You must be Nameless... I can tell from the smell, the aura you''re giving off. There''s no mistaking it."


    Axel raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding why other hunters kept their distance from her. Trisha had a reputation¡ªsharp instincts, keen senses, and an unpredictability that made her dangerous.


    "So," Axel said, his voice cold, "what do you want? My item''s already been sold. You''re toote."


    Her lips curled into a faint smile. "I was hoping you had more to offer," she said, stepping closer, her eyes never leaving his. "Not because I wanted the item itself. I don''t care about the sword. I was interested in *you*."


    Axel froze, hisposure cracking just slightly.


    She continued, her voice a low murmur. "I saw the look in your eyes when that idiot almost bought your sword. And even after it sold for a billion Kyota, that same look lingered. You weren''t relieved. You were still thinking about something, weren''t you?"


    This girl wasn''t just perceptive¡ªshe was *dangerous*. ''She''s awfully nice for someone who''s supposed to be ruthless,'' Axel thought, stretching his hand out toward her. "Let''s start over. I''m Axel."


    "Trisha," she said, shaking his hand, her grip firm. There was no warmth in her touch, only cool efficiency.


    "So, what can I do for you?" Axel asked, forcing a smile. "I don''t have anything like that sword on me right now, but we could exchange contacts. Maybe I''ll have something in the future. For now... let''s call it the start of a professional friendship."


    The words tasted foul in his mouth, but it was necessary. If he could gain her trust, or at least keep her close, he might be able to use herter. He couldn''t afford to show any weakness now.


    "I''ll see you around, Axel," Trisha said, her eyes shing with a hint of mischief. "Don''t die before then."


    She turned and walked away, vanishing from sight in seconds. Axel stood in the doorway for a moment, wrestling with the strange mix of relief and suspicion brewing in his chest.


    ''Fight all temptations, Axel. Everything''s an illusion, this girl is not to be fully trusted just yet, she has motives hiding behind her kindness,'' he reminded himself. mming the door behind him, he turned to face Noel, who was watching him with an amused expression.


    "So, what''s next in this grand n of yours?" she asked, one eyebrow arched, her tone teasing but her eyes sharp.


    Axel smiled, his confidence returning. "What''s next? Simple. We wait. And we leave this ce¡ªavoid more physical meetings with other hunters. Then, the real game begins."


    ---


    **Elsewhere¡­**


    "What the hell is this? *Help me!*" A man''s desperate screams echoed through the dark alley as a Fatek alien pulled him into the shadows. The sound of tearing flesh and the crunch of bones followed, each scream more pained and desperate than thest.


    The woman who had led the man here stood still, her eyes lifeless, as she watched the gruesome scene unfold before her. The Fatek finished its work, its alien form stepping into the dim light, its eyes glowing with a cruel satisfaction.


    "What are you waiting for?" the Fatek growled, his voice dripping with authority. "Get me more flesh. The masterpiece is nearlyplete."


    The woman flinched but remained frozen in ce, her hands trembling. "I''m tired of this... this back-and-forth," she muttered, her voice barely audible. "These men stink like¡ª"


    A low growl from the Fatek cut her off, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Do not test me," he said, his voice like venom. "I will wipe out you and your family from this miserable if you ever question my authority again."


    The threat struck her like a blow, her defiance crumbling instantly. "I... I''m sorry," she stammered, quickly turning and fleeing to fulfill her duty. The mention of her family had shattered herposure.


    The Fatek watched her go, his expression darkening as he turned and reentered the building, mming the door behind him. His footsteps echoed through the bloodstained hall, the scent of dried flesh and death thick in the air¡ªa scent that would turn the stomach of any human but smelled like *victory* to him.


    ''A year in human time,'' he thought, his lip curling into a sneer. ''That''s how long we''ve been working on this project. But no more.''


    He reached the end of the hall and stood before arge metallic door, its surface stained with bloody handprints. Grabbing the handle, he twisted it open, revealing a massive underground chamber.


    A gorge had been carved into the ground, a room sixty feet wide and forty feet long. Several Fateks worked inside, monitoringputers and strangeboratory instruments. At the center of the room was arge, man-sized cocoon, its surface pulsing with a sickly red glow.


    The pieces of human flesh the Fatek had just harvested were dropped before the cocoon, the blood seeping into the ground.


    "Hakakihsiskei!" one of the Fateks hissed, and in an instant, thin, rope-like tentacles emerged from the cocoon, slithering out to wrap around the flesh, dragging it toward the base.


    As soon as the flesh touched the cocoon, it was absorbed into it, disappearing in seconds. The tentacles retracted, and the cocoon glowed even brighter.


    The Fatek leader watched with satisfaction, his eyes gleaming. ''Yes... it''s almost ready. The new era of the Fateks. Combined with the flesh of the Awakened ones, we''ll harness the powers that those human bastards have been hiding from us for so long.''


    ''Just a few pieces left¡­ and then it''s game time.''


    ---


    Author''s note


    I want to express my deepest gratitude to you, Josh Senpai, for your unwavering support of this project. Your encouragement means the world to me, and it''s because of people like you that I even have a fighting chance in this contest. Your belief in my work has truly helped push me forward.


    As a token of appreciation, I''m excited to announce that I''ll be mass releasing new chapters very soon! Brace yourself for a whirlwind of content, as I n to release in quick session. The story is about to take off in a way that will keep you on the edge of your seat.


    Get ready for an adventure-packed week, where things will get even crazier than before. We''re about to embark on a rollercoaster of emotions, suspense, and action¡ªjust as you''vee to expect. And don''t forget, this is based on a true-life story, which only adds to the intensity of what''s toe! Thank you once again for your continued support. Stay tuned!

 Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Next Steps... Calling for a Raid

    The overwhelming stench of burnt flesh and blood saturated the air, choking him. Axel could barely breathe, let alone move. His clothes clung to his body, drenched in a cocktail of sweat and blood¡ªnot just his own but Noel''s too. He copsed onto the scorched ground, its heat biting through his skin.


    His vision blurred.


    ''What... just happened? My head... it feels like it''s splitting in two. I can''t... I can''t get up.


    No, I''m on the ground... again.'' Axel struggled to focus, his mind swimming in pain and confusion. His vision slowly adjusted, though the world around him still spun in disorienting circles.


    [HP 2/70]


    ''Damn it! I need... a potion!'' His thoughts were sluggish, his body even more so. He fumbled into the system menu, fingers trembling. His mind raced as he tried to remember how to navigate the familiar yet distant interface. Everything felt slower, like his body was stuck in msses.


    His shaking hand swiped at the health potion icon.


    *Tap.*


    He blinked.


    A sword materialized in his hand instead of the potion. He''d missed by a few inches.


    ''No... that''s not what I need!'' His heart raced with frustration, his body screaming for relief. He tapped the screen again, this time more carefully. Finally, the health potion appeared. Without wasting a second, he downed it in one gulp, the liquid surging down his throat like a cold wave washing over his aching body.


    [HP 50/70]


    The ear-piercing noise that had been ringing in his head for what felt like an eternity slowly receded, and the agonizing pain dulled to a tolerable throb. His vision cleared, revealing the charred remains of what had once been his home.


    mes licked the edges of the once-cozy structure, consuming it with a ravenous hunger. ck smoke billowed into the sky, tainting it with death.


    ''No... Annie!'' Panic shot through Axel as he scrambled to his feet, his legs weak and unsteady beneath him. He searched frantically through the chaos, his heart pounding in his chest like a war drum. His eyes scanned the surroundings, desperately looking for his sister.


    And then, he saw her.


    Noely motionless before him, her upper body intact but her legs... gone. Blood pooled beneath what was left of her, the ground soaked in a gruesome red. Her skin was pale, her face frozen in the grotesque stillness of death.


    His breath caught in his throat.


    She was dead.


    A cold shiver gripped his spine as he stared, unable to look away from the horrifying sight. "Arrggh!" Axel gasped, stepping back in horror. His legs nearly gave out beneath him. "Annie! Annie! Where are you?!"


    But his frantic calls fell silent in his throat as his gaze shifted.


    Further in the distance, through the swirling smoke, he saw her. Annie. His sister. Shey impaled on a broken metallic rod, the jagged end of it piercing through her chest, her blood staining the ground beneath her. The dress she wore was torn, soaked in crimson.


    "No... no, no, no..." His voice broke. He stumbled toward her, his feet barely carrying him as his mind went nk. ''This can''t be happening...''


    His thoughts spiraled out of control.


    ''My sister... she''s dead... they''re all dead... all of them... everyone I care about is going to die!''


    The weight of it crushed him, but he couldn''t stop moving, couldn''t stop reaching for her, as though there was still a chance, as though he could reverse time and stop all of this. But he was toote.


    ***


    **Earlier...**


    "So delicious!" Axel eximed, shoving another spoonful of pudding into his mouth. His grin stretched ear to ear as he devoured more and more of the sweet dessert.


    "Why wouldn''t it be? You''re eating all the pudding!" Annie snapped, reaching over and snatching therge bowl from him. Half of it was already gone, thanks to her gluttonous brother.


    "You told me to bulk up! To gain more muscle, remember?" Axel whined, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms in defeat. He could never win against Annie when it came to arguments. Girls were impossible to understand sometimes. One minute, she wanted him to get bigger, now she was upset that he was eating too much.


    "You''re already gaining too much weight. You''re eating like a child!" Annie red at him, but her lips curled into a small smile despite herself. She could never stay mad at him for long.


    Noel sat quietly across the table, observing the sibling bickering with a small, fond smile. The two of them looked so peaceful together. In this world of chaos and fighting, there was something pure about their interactions. She had never had moments like this¡ªmoments filled with warmth, family, and love.


    But now, seeing them, she couldn''t help but feel... something. A warmth she hadn''t felt in centuries.


    ''All my suffering, all those years... perhaps they were leading to this.'' Noel smirked, letting the thought linger for a moment before pushing it aside.


    Axel sighed, finally conceding the battle to his ferocious sister. "She''s right. I''m full anyway. Eating like this won''t get me anywhere," he muttered, reclining back and stretching his arms.


    He grabbed his phone from the table, scrolling through the dozens of messages he had received in just thest hour. He had gotten popr¡ªtoo popr¡ªsince selling that weapon at the Auction House.


    Most of the messages were from hunters, some even from powerful organizations, asking about new weapons or seeking alliances. His reputation was growing, and with it, the dangers that lurked around him.


    Axel scanned the messages, sifting through the spam until eight stood out. Among them was one that caught his attention more than the others.


    **Mighty Thor:** *Hi Nameless, I would like to invite you to my Hunter''s gym. Don''t worry, I''ll give you a free membership card. Lasts one month. Better show up.*


    Axel smirked. A free pass to train at an S-rank hunter''s gym was no small offer. But as tempting as it was, he couldn''t ept just yet.


    **Nameless:** *Thanks, but I won''t be avable this week. Let''s try next week, shall we?*


    **Mighty Thor:** *Ok. Just don''t disappoint.*


    ''That was quick,'' Axel thought. S-rank hunters usually didn''t have time to reply to messages so fast. ''This guy''s different.''


    He wished he could ept the invitation now. Being around powerful hunters would be an excellent way to grow stronger, to recruit allies. But he knew he wasn''t ready. Not yet.


    As he scrolled through more messages, his eyesnded on one from Williams. The name alone made his blood boil.


    **Williams:** *Hi, how would you like to sign a contract with me to earn a billion Kyota every month?*


    Without even reading the rest, Axel swiped the message away with a scowl. ''Fuck you, bastard! Sign your contract with your damn ego!''


    The next message made his heart skip a beat. It was from Trisha.


    **Trisha:** *How would you like to have lunch with me next Saturday?*


    Axel''s face flushed red. ''What the hell? She''s not serious, right? Must be trying to make a better deal than the weapons. She must think I''ve got something bigger up my sleeve.''


    **Nameless:** *Ok, as long as I don''t pay a dime, I''m free.*


    "Being cheap is a crime to bing a god," Velerium''s voice echoed mockingly in his mind.


    ''Being broke is a sin,'' Axel thought, shaking his head as he moved on to the next message. Several hunters were trying to recruit him¡ªguild offers, party invites, each more enticing than thest.


    But one stood out.


    **Loki:** *Let''s form a guild together. You''ve gotten really popr, you know.*


    Axel smiled at the message, admiring how well Loki could read him. It was as if the man had known Axel wanted to form his own guild from the moment they met.


    **Nameless:** *Bring Hera and Captain Rowin to Henzi Restaurant tomorrow. We''ll form the guild then. Don''t bete!*


    With that, Axel dropped his phone onto the table with a grin. ''It''s time to get stronger.''


    ***


    **Elsewhere...**


    "P¡ªpass me one... more bottle."


    The bartender stared down at the lone, disheveled man slumped over the counter, his head barely lifted off the surface. Empty beer bottles surrounded him, the stench of alcohol mixing with sweat and desperation. The man had downed six bottles already, but the moment he took a few gulps, he would vomit it all back up.


    The bartender sighed, wiping the counter. ''I should feel bad for him, but he''s a hunter. They do this sort of shit all the time. Not my problem, just more money for me.''


    Rowin raised his head from the counter, groaning as another wave of nausea hit him. The six empty bottles in front of him mocked his efforts to drown his pain. He cursed under his breath, his hand trembling as he reached for thest bottle, barely able to keep his grip. Each time he tried to drink, it came right back up.


    He was broken¡ªphysically, mentally, and whatever was festering inside him wasn''t helping.


    ''Why can''t I get drunk? Why can''t I even digest this damn ale? It''s like I''m cursed...'' Rowin mmed his fist onto the counter in frustration, knocking over one of the empty bottles. The bartender shot him a disapproving nce but said nothing.


    His thoughts raced as the dull ache in his side throbbed harder. The injury he''d sustained wasn''t healing¡ªno matter how much he slowed his body''s processes, it continued to rot from within. It wasn''t a normal infection. It was something far worse, something that even his powers couldn''t stave off. And he knew, deep down, that he was running out of time.


    ''At this rate, I''ll die¡­ or worse.'' The thought sent a shiver down his spine.


    Suddenly, a sultry voice broke through his brooding.


    "Hey, cutie, lost my ride. Mind helping me out?"


    Rowin groaned and turned his head sluggishly to see a woman leaning against the bar beside him. Her dress clung to her in ways that made it hard to look away, but her eyes... they held something far more dangerous than lust.


    "I don''t have a car," Rowin grunted, barely ncing at her before turning his head back to the counter. He didn''t have the energy for games right now, not when he could barely stay upright.


    She didn''t leave. Instead, she stepped closer, her hand brushing his shoulder, lingering for a moment longer than necessary. Her voice was a low, almost mocking purr.


    "I wasn''t talking about a car. I''m looking at my ride."


    Rowin stiffened, a sh of anger igniting within him. He shoved her hand off roughly, snarling, "Do I look like a car to you? Go ride a horse or something! Can''t you see I''m trying to get drunk here?"


    The woman let out a soft, amusedugh, the sound both irritating and unnerving. "Get drunk? You think you can still drink that vile liquid? You don''t even know who you are, do you?"


    Her words struck a nerve. His heart skipped a beat, and for the first time in the past few hours, he actually paid attention. He turned his head, eyes narrowing as he faced her fully.


    "What the hell are you talking about?" His voice was low,ced with the edge of desperation. Something in the way she spoke made his skin crawl. And yet, he couldn''t look away. "Who I am?"


    She smirked, leaning closer, her breath whispering against his ear. "Or more appropriately... what you are bing."


    A cold sweat broke out on his skin. The room seemed to tilt for a second, and he had to grab onto the bar to steady himself.


    She knew. She knew what was happening to him.


    Before he could say anything else, the woman patted his back like they were old friends, her touch sending an icy chill through him. Then, without another word, she started to walk away, her hips swaying as if this was just a casual encounter at the bar.


    But for Rowin, it was far from casual.


    Panic surged through him, and he shot up from his seat, nearly tripping over his own feet as he stumbled after her. "Wait!" His voice cracked. He sounded pathetic, but he didn''t care. "Do you... do you know what''s happening to me? Please...


    Please, I need your help!"


    His voice wavered with something he hadn''t felt in years¡ªfear.


    The woman paused, turning slightly, a cruel smile ying at the corners of her lips. She tilted her head, as if considering his plea for a moment.


    "You''ve held on longer than most," she said with an almost admiring tone. "But the only cure... is to let the corruption take control." Her eyes gleamed darkly, like she was enjoying his suffering. "Trust me, you''ll feel much better then."


    Rowin''s blood ran cold at her words. His mind whirled, trying to make sense of what she was saying, but the pit in his stomach only grew deeper. Let the corruption take control?


    "What... what do you mean by corruption?" he stammered, his throat tight, dread seeping into every word.


    Herughter was soft but twisted. "You''ll find out soon enough."


    She turned away once more, leaving him standing in the middle of the bar, his legs shaking, his mind racing. Rowin wanted to scream, wanted to demand more answers, but the words wouldn''te. All he could do was watch her retreat into the shadows, her presence like a specter haunting his every thought.


    His fingers dug into the bar counter as he slumped back onto the stool, heart pounding in his chest. Whatever was happening to him, it wasn''t just an injury. It was something darker, something that threatened to consume him whole.


    Rowin gripped the empty bottle in front of him, his knuckles white as the thoughts wed at his mind. He had to figure it out. He had to stop it. But where would he even begin?


    And worse... what if she was right? What if the only way to survive was to let go? To let the darkness take over?


    Read now on m_vl_em_p_yr


    For a brief moment, he considered it.

 Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Fake Guild... Boom

    "I''ll pay you two hundred million, President Seo Jihnyuk! Just allow us to clear this portal with a five-man guild!" Axel snarled over the phone, his voice tinged with desperation.


    The president of the association sighed heavily, clearly unimpressed. "It''s against thew for a team of just five to clear a portal, Axel, and your price isn''t as tempting as you think maybe you should rethink your offers and methods or build a team of nine at least, then I''ll consider."


    Axel gritted his teeth, his knuckles white as he tightened his grip on the phone. "Then I''ll owe you a favor. Just let us through, Prez. We''re right at the portal, all we need is your permission!" He practically yelled into the phone, unable to suppress the frustration bubbling inside him.


    He''d already shelled out three hundred million to buy the rights to the portal from another guild¡ªthere was no way he was backing out now.


    After a pause, President Seo Jihnyuk''s voice came through, colder than before. "Fine, I''ll allow your B-Rank guild to clear the portal. But in return, you will give me two hundred million *and* that favor, that should be manageable for a man of my status."


    Axel''s heart sank. His face went pale as the weight of those words settled in. "Wait, you don''t need the money, just¡ª" The call disconnected before he could finish.


    He stared at his phone, disbelief slowly giving way to anger. ''Greedy bastard! My two hundred million is nothing to you, yet you still take it!'' he fumed silently, kicking at a nearby rock in frustration.


    "Axel! The monitor team approved us entering the gap! Whatever you did to convince the association head worked perfectly" Loki called from a distance, his long coat swaying in the wind as the scabbard of his sword clinked against his back.


    Axel snapped out of his thoughts and trudged toward the team. Hera was nearby, switching to her double des, both strapped to her back. Captain Rowin stood grimly, battle-axe in hand, his face as dark as a storm cloud. His brooding aura only seemed to intensify the closer Axel got, making his usualmanding presence feel muted.


    Noel was the odd one out, as always. She had shown up in a crop top and high-waisted jeans, the most impractical battle attire Axel could imagine. Worse still, she hadn''t bothered to bring any weapons. He sighed inwardly. It was one thing to be entric, but this?


    "Thanks for showing up, everyone," Axel said, trying to muster some warmth despite the situation. "This is our first mission as a guild, and I¡ª"


    "It''s safe to enter the portal now!" a monitor team member interrupted from a distance, cutting Axel''s speech short.


    Axel''s jaw clenched. ''No respect,'' he thought bitterly, his attempt at rallying the teampletely derailed. Loki snickered under his breath, clearly amused, while Noel let out a small cackle.


    ''These guys don''t take me seriously at all.'' Axel thought as he looked at his team and sighed.


    Shaking his head, Axel turned toward the swirling portal ahead, its eerie glow casting long shadows on the ground. He took a deep breath and led the way, the others falling into step behind him.


    "Master, what''s going on with Rowin?" Velerium materialized beside him, her voice soft but piercing.


    Axel nced over at Rowin, who trudged along in silence. ''Something''s off about him. He''s been like this since he showed up with Hera and Loki. Not a single word. It''s... unsettling.''


    "I see. Perhaps it''s something private," Velerium mused, her tone thoughtful. "But his mood might endanger the mission."


    Axel grimaced. ''I''ll keep an eye on him.'' With that, Velerium faded, leaving Axel to his swirling thoughts. ''I''ve got everything under control... more or less.''


    ---


    In a small room nearby, the leader of the monitor team was in a world of his own, anticipating the results of his lottery ticket. ''Five hundred million Kyota¡­ If I win this, I''ll finally quit this miserable job.''


    His phone buzzed, and with a rush of excitement, he snatched it from his pocket. But his excitement evaporated as soon as he saw the message wasn''t from the lottery.


    His face contorted in disappointment, but that quickly turned to horror as he read the message.


    "To all monitors: DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT allow any hunter to enter the portals of the Fateks. We have just received news of hunters getting trapped. Fifty hunters have already disappeared¡ª"


    He shot up from his seat, panic overtaking him. His eyes darted toward the portal. ''Where is it? It was just there a second ago!''


    The portal had vanished. His blood ran cold.


    "Oh my God!" someone from his team screamed.


    "What''s happening?"


    "The portal closed as soon as they entered!"


    "Damn it''s bon the Monitors news!"


    "Fuck... Those his are gonna die!"


    Chaos erupted among the monitor team, fear and confusion spreading like wildfire. The team leader, however, stood frozen, his mind racing as memories of a simr incident flooded back. It was a massacre.


    "They''re all going to die..." he whispered, his voice barely audible amidst the panicked shouts around him.


    ---


    Inside the portal, Axel and his team were met with a dimly lit room, the air thick with tension. The portal behind them flickered once, then closed abruptly.


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat as he spun around, his sword materializing in his hand almost instinctively. "Everyone, prepare for an ambush!" His voice cut through the silence.


    The team reacted instantly, weapons drawn, eyes darting in all directions. Even Noel, who typically shrugged off danger, looked more alert than usual.


    "This is impossible!" Captain Rowin shouted, his voiceced with agitation. "A portal has never closed this fast! Not with Fateks still inside!"


    Everyone was on edge, their eyes scanning the dark corners of the room for any sign of movement. The silence was deafening, the tension almost unbearable. Axel''s grip on his sword tightened as he strained his senses, trying to detect anything¡ªanything at all.


    Then, Noel spoke. "There''s something...ing," her voice was quiet but firm, and everyone''s focus shifted.


    A figure stepped into the faint light, hands raised in a gesture of surrender. Axel''s instincts screamed at him that this was a trap.


    It was a man, followed by eight others. All of them looked human.


    "Please!" the man called out, his voice trembling. "We''re humans, just like you! We don''t want to fight!"


    Axel''s eyes narrowed as he studied them. ''This feels wrong...''


    Another voice, a woman this time, echoed the man''s plea. "We got transported here by the portal. The next thing we knew, it was gone. Please, help us."


    Loki exchanged a nce with Axel, his usually sarcastic demeanor now serious. "What do you think?"


    Axel hesitated, then finally lowered his guard, if only slightly. "We''re in this together," he said, though the words tasted bitter in his mouth.


    The others followed suit, loosening their stances, though the tension never fully left the air.


    Noel sidled up to Axel, her voice barely above a whisper. "Does this feel like a trap to you?"


    Axel''s mind raced. This wasn''t just a bad situation¡ªit was a nightmare. ''If this is a trap, it''s not just for us. What if they''ve captured other guilds the same way? What if this is happening all over Kyota? This would be an issue if most hunters got sucked into this mess, meaning the entire world would be unprotected, if that happens mum and sis will he in the cross fire...


    damn! I really this is really fucked up.''


    His fists clenched as a realization dawned on him, a sickening truth that sent chills down his spine. ''They''re thinning out Earth''s defenses... drawing hunters into fake portals and leaving us vulnerable for a real attack.''


    "Damn it!" Axel cursed, mming his fist into his open palm. His thoughts spiraled deeper into fear and anger. ''This is bigger than us. If they''ve trapped this many hunters, Earth''s going to be defenseless when the real attackes. And I led us right into it...''


    Loki''s voice cut through his thoughts, softer this time. "I gotta hand it to them... This trap is foolproof."


    Axel closed his eyes, a heavy sense of guilt settling over him. "And I walked us right into it."


    *Author''s Note:**


    Discover tales on m_vl_em_p_yr


    After this chapter the mass releasing marathon will begin....


    We''ve now entered the beginning of the final arc for season one. Thank you for all your gifts and support! I''ll be pushing out mass releases during this arc, so stay tuned for the race to the finish! I hope we all get a win at the end of this volume.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Portal Leading Elsewhere

    "Another portal?" Noel was the first to mutter, his voice trembling as therge purple portal swirled ominously before the stone wall.


    The appearance of the portal stirred a wave of unease throughout the group. Tension rose swiftly as they stared at the swirling vortex, uncertainty thickening the air.


    "It''s a trap!" someone shouted from the back.


    "But it might be our only way out!" another voice responded with equal urgency.


    Axel could hear the frantic breathing of those around him. They had been trapped in this cursed dungeon for two long days, with no food, no water, and barely any sleep. The sense of desperation was palpable, and now, the possibility of escape stood before them¡ªwrapped inyers of danger and the unknown.


    A hunter, his halberd held in a defensive posture, stepped forward, shaking his head. "We can''t sit here and starve to death," he growled. "We''ve fought off hordes of Fatek before, and we survived. If it''s a trap, we''ll handle it. We don''t have a choice anymore."


    Axel remained silent, his mind racing through potential scenarios. The stakes were clear¡ªstay and starve, or go through the portal and face whatevery beyond. His thoughts turned to the others, their fear clouding their judgment. He couldn''t me them. Hunger, exhaustion, and the constant threat of death had driven them to the edge of their sanity.


    Carlos, the leader of the other guild, approached Axel, his face tense and filled with hesitation. "What do you think, Mr. Teras? Should we take this opportunity?" Carlos asked, his voice low but urgent.


    Axel didn''t respond immediately. He stared at the portal, watching the violet tendrils of energy twist and writhe like snakes. He understood the risks, but as Carlos had said, there weren''t many options left. Finally, he gave a slow nod.


    "There''s no other choice," Axel replied, his voice calm despite the anxiety around him. "But keep your people under control, Carlos. We have no idea what''s waiting for us on the other side. For all we know, an army could be lying in ambush."


    Carlos tightened his grip on his sword. "I''ll do my best. But... let''s move quickly before panic sets in."


    The two leaders stepped forward together, standing at the edge of the portal. Carlos kept his sword raised defensively, its hilt pointing forward. Axel, in stark contrast, kept his hands tucked in his pockets, exuding an aura of cold calction. Behind them, the rest of the group followed, a mix of nerves and cautious determination.


    "Stay close," Carlos called back to the others. "And don''t do anything reckless."


    Axel silently hoped for the best as they stepped through the portal, a blinding light swallowing them whole. His mind raced. *If we meet an army on the other side, I might have to teleport us out. But how long can I maintain that?*


    As the light faded, Axel''s eyes adjusted to the new environment. They emerged in what appeared to be a massive hangar bay. The sight chilled his blood.


    Hundreds¡ªno, thousands¡ªof Fatek warriors stood there, armed with energy sters and cold, calcted eyes fixed upon them. Their armor shimmered with an otherworldly sheen, and the air around them vibrated with the hum of deadly technology.


    "Damn it," Carlos muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "It''s a trap."


    Axel remained stoic, though the odds were overwhelming. His eyes scanned the Fatek warriors, searching for any opening or weakness. "Don''t do anything rash, Carlos," Axel said softly but firmly. "We won''t survive a fight against these numbers. Not here."


    Carlos'' grip on his sword faltered, his hands trembling. "But... but how can we¡ª"


    "Just stay calm," Axel cut him off, his voice steady. "We''ll figure something out."


    One by one, the rest of the group stumbled out of the portal, their faces pale as they realized the dire situation. The oppressive silence of the hangar hung over them like a death sentence. No one needed to be told twice¡ªeach hunter slowly dropped their weapons, their faces etched with defeat.


    "Drop your weapons, or we''ll ughter you where you stand!" a Fatek soldier roared, stepping forward. His uniform was distinct from the others, marking him as a leader. His eyes glinted with malice as he watched the huntersply.


    Axel''s eyes darted across the room. The ship was massive, farrger than the ones they had encountered before. This wasn''t just a Fatek outpost¡ªit was a warship.


    "If I had to guess..." Axel muttered under his breath.


    "S-rank," Noel whispered, finishing his thought. The realization sent a shiver down their spines.


    "Move!" the Fatekmander snarled, gesturing with his ster. "Follow us, and don''t try anything. I enjoy eating your kind."


    Reluctantly, the group formed a line, led by Carlos and Axel. As they marched forward, the Fatek warriors nked them, snarling and growling, their breath foul and their eyes gleaming with sadistic glee. The stench of death and decay clung to the air, making several hunters gag.


    Carl, one of the hunters, stumbled, his steps shaky with fear. "This is it," he whispered to himself. "We''re dead without our weapons."


    Beside him, Rowin''s face was pale but strangely calm. He leaned closer to Axel, his voice barely audible. "They''re taking us to theirmander. I can feel it."


    Axel shot him a questioning nce. "How do you know?"


    Rowin hesitated, ncing nervously at the Fatek before continuing. "I... I don''t know. It''s like I can hear them. Or... sense their thoughts.


    It might have something to do with the infection."


    Axel frowned, his mind racing. "What else can you pick up?"


    Rowin closed his eyes, focusing as hard as he could. The Fatek soldiers'' conversations were chaotic, their thoughts jumbled, but he tried to piece together what he could. "They... they want to kill... someone. One of us, I think.


    Something about a cell. A sleeping cell... that''s about to awaken."


    His voice trembled with confusion and fear.


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat. A cell? What were they talking about? He reached out in his mind. *Velerium, are you there?* |em|p,yr


    The familiar, shadowy figure of Velerium appeared beside Axel, his voice soft but urgent. "Yes, my lord. What troubles you?"


    Axel gestured subtly toward the Fatek soldiers. "They''re talking about something called a ''cell.'' Any idea what they mean?"


    Velerium''s expression darkened. "A cell... that''s no ordinary creature. If the Fatek are preparing to awaken it, you''re all in grave danger. They''re likely nning to pit you against this being for their amusement."


    Axel''s blood ran cold. "A forced battle against some... monster?"


    "Yes," Velerium confirmed grimly. "A powerful one. If they seed in awakening it, survival will be slim."


    Axel clenched his fists, his mind whirling with possibilities. "We need a n... and fast."


    As they were led deeper into the ship, Axel couldn''t shake the growing sense of dread gnawing at him. The Fatek weren''t just nning to kill them¡ªthey were nning to use them as sport. And the "cell" they spoke of¡­ it sounded like something far worse than any enemy they had faced before.


    ***


    Trisha stepped cautiously into the midst of the Fateks, their guttural growls echoing off the walls of the massive alien ship. The tension in the air was suffocating, and the oppressive silence of her fifteen men was nofort.


    Trisha''s eyes flicked around, taking in the sight of the hulking Fateks surrounding them¡ªgrotesque, humanoid beings with grayish skin, adorned in strange armor that gleamed under the dim lights of the ship. They had weapons, crude yet deadly, and their sheer numbers were enough to make any normal hunter tremble.


    But Trisha wasn''t just any hunter.


    Her mind raced back to when they had first entered the portal with her guild, confident and prepared for another routine mission. They had expected to clear a ship, but instead found themselves trapped inside a cube-like container, lost in darkness for two agonizing days. The disorientation, the ustrophobia, the creeping fear of the unknown¡ªit had all gnawed at their resolve.


    Yet, she had a gut feeling.


    *They didn''t kill us then,* she thought. *They could''ve blown us up while we were trapped, yet they kept us alive. Why?*


    She turned her gaze to Thor, walkingzily behind her with his hands in his pockets, as though he were strolling through a park rather than facing down an army of bloodthirsty aliens. His unruly hair fell into his eyes, which were half-lidded with boredom, his mouth curled in a faint smile. It almost unnerved her how little he seemed to care about their dire situation.


    But then again, this was Thor¡ªthe most powerful S-rank hunter she''d ever met.


    A ripple of unease fluttered through her as the Fateks'' gutturalnguage filled her ears. She wasn''t fluent, but she had learned enough to understand snippets of their conversation.


    *''They keep talking about someone¡­ Cell.''*


    She furrowed her brow. *Who is Cell?* The word kepting up, almost reverently, like a chant. The Fateks were praising him, exalting him as if he were some kind of savior or deity. Trisha''s skin prickled. Whoever this Cell was, he had to be dangerous. No, more than dangerous.


    Tomand this kind of awe from an army of alien warriors meant one thing: he was powerful.


    *Maybe as powerful as us... or worse.*


    Trisha''s hand twitched toward the dagger strapped to her thigh. Her instincts screamed that they were walking into a trap, yet there was no backing out now. The mission was clear¡ªfind the missing hunters, destroy the enemy, and get out. But things had taken a darker turn. The portal had never been this deceptive before, never this cunning.


    A sharp crackle of static buzzed in her earpiece. "Trisha," a voice whispered. One of the A-rank hunters, barely holding hisposure, his voice shaking with fear. "They''re moving us somewhere. They''re not attacking yet... why?


    What do they want from us?"


    She bit her lip. That was the question gnawing at her too. *What do they want?* The Fateks were no mindless beasts. They had a n, and that n included keeping her and her team alive¡ªfor now.


    Thor yawned. "You''re overthinking it," he said casually, barely ncing at her. "We''ll find the hunters, burn this ship to the ground, and be home in time for dinner. I''m more worried about missing a good night''s sleep."


    Trisha wanted to believe him. She wanted to think they could make it out easily, that this was just another mission. But as the Fateks growled and her ears caught another mention of Cell, that sense of dread only deepened.


    *Whoever this Cell is... he''s waiting for us.*


    She clenched her fists. Something told her they were heading straight into a nightmare.

 Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Arena of Blood

    Thank you Josh Senpai (mass release 1/8)


    After what seemed like hours of trekking through the endless corridors of the spaceship, Axel''s team finally arrived at what could only be described as a battlefield. The metallic walls were scarred from past conflicts, and the ground was stained with blood that had long dried.


    Fatek soldiers lined the perimeter, but this section of the ship was eerily devoid of lifepared to the other areas they had passed.


    "What the hell is this?" Axel narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the floor.


    Scattered across the ground were body parts¡ªmangled human flesh, torn limbs, and decapitated heads. The stench of death was overpowering, and it was clear that several human hunters had fallen here, their bodies dismantled beyond recognition. Axel''s stomach churned, but he remainedposed.


    The tension among his team was palpable. Even the bravest hunters had fear etched on their faces as they nced around the grotesque arena.


    "Well, isn''t this charming?" Loki''s voice broke through the silence. His grin widened as he nudged Hera. "Look, they''ve already done the decorating for us. How thoughtful of them!"


    Hera gave him a sideways nce, her face betraying no emotion, but the rest of the group wasn''t as calm. Loki''s jest, though meant to lighten the mood, only amplified the dread in the air. The remaining hunters exchanged anxious nces, gripping their weapons a little tighter.


    Rowin, ever the strategist, kept his gaze sharp as he observed the movements of the Fatek around them. He leaned closer to Axel, speaking just above a whisper. "They''re watching us closely. Stay alert. I''ve been picking up bits of theirnguage¡­ it''s not good."


    Axel gave a slight nod. "What''s the n?"


    "Waiting for the right moment," Rowin murmured. "But keep your guard up. They''re about to throw something at us. Something bad."


    As if on cue, the Fatek leading them halted abruptly, gesturing for the group to stop in the center of the arena. Without a word, the alien dashed off, leaving them exposed in the middle of the battlefield. Axel''s senses tingled with the impending threat.


    ''This is it. This is where things start to go sideways,'' Axel thought, scanning the surroundings with narrowed eyes.


    A thunderous voice echoed from the far end of the vast arched chamber. "Humans! I know you must be agitated! But do not be!"


    Everyone''s attention snapped to the source. Seated atop a massive throne was a Fatek of monstrous size¡ªover eighty feet tall, his bulky frame and menacing presence dominated the room. His muscles rippled beneath his skin, which had the texture of hardened rock, and his eyes glowed with a feral intensity.


    ''That''s him. The boss of this ship,'' Axel thought, his heart pounding as he recognized themander.


    "They''re saying something about initiating a deal," Rowin whispered into Axel''s ear. Axel''s brow furrowed. A deal? What kind of deal could they possibly make in a situation like this?


    "I will allow you free passage from my ship and back to your if you defeat my greatest warrior!" themander boomed. His voice was deep andmanding, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present. "The same goes for you, humans. Choose your strongest champion to fight against mine!"


    Axel''s mind raced. ''Just as I thought, he wants to pit his best warrior against one of us. If we win, maybe there''s a slim chance we survive, but if we lose¡­ it''s death.''


    Before Axel could say anything, one of the other hunters, Carlos, stepped forward. The tall, muscr man forced a smile, trying to mask the fear that gripped his heart. "I''ll go. I''m an A-rank, after all, and the rest of you are B-ranks. It only makes sense that I take this fight."


    Axel crossed his arms, saying nothing. He could sense Carlos''s desperation, the thin veneer of confidence cracking under the weight of the situation. Carlos was trying to appear strong for the team, but Axel knew better. This wasn''t a situation that called for bravado¡ªit required cunning and calction.


    ''He''s trying to motivate us. But honestly, it''s a fool''s errand. If he thinks brute strength alone will win this fight, he''s gravely mistaken,'' Axel thought, his eyes cold as he watched Carlos approach the center of the arena.


    Noel sidled up to Axel. "Why didn''t you step up, Boss? I thought you''d be the one to take this fight."


    Axel smirked, his gaze fixed on Carlos. "You don''t know me well enough, Noel. You''ve never seen me in a real fight. Why do you think I''d stand a better chance than an A-rank?"


    Noel opened his mouth to respond but quickly shut it. Axel had a point. He had never truly witnessed the full extent of Axel''s abilities. Still, something about the situation felt off, and Noel couldn''t shake the unease creeping into his mind.


    "If he loses, we''re all dead, aren''t we?" Noel muttered.


    Axel''s grin faded. "Maybe. But if he wins, we''ll still have to kill every Fatek in this room to survive. Either way, we''re not walking out of here peacefully."


    The Fatekmander snapped his fingers, a sharp crack that reverberated throughout the ship. "Now that you''ve chosen your champion, I will summon mine! Cell IMP, meet your next challenger!"


    Carlos clenched his fists, his nerves taut like a wire about to snap. ''I just need to get close. If I cannd one good hit, I can turn this around.''


    But before he could finish his thought, something appeared¡ªno, materialized¡ªjust a few yards in front of him. His breath caught in his throat. A tall, green-skinned alien stood there, its body humanoid but grotesque, with thick, shell-like skin, antennae jutting from its head, and spikes protruding from its forearms. Its eyes glowed red, piercing into Carlos like daggers.


    Carlos''s heart plummeted. ''He''s too fast! I didn''t even see him move!''


    The alien, Cell, tilted his head slightly, sizing up his opponent with disdain. "This is your champion? Pathetic. What rank is he?"


    "A-rank," the Fatekmander responded, his voice dripping with amusement.


    Cell''s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of interest crossing his face. "A-rank? This should be amusing."


    He took a step forward, his every movement deliberate and predatory. "Come at me, human."


    Carlos was frozen. The confidence he had summoned earlier had evaporated, reced by a paralyzing fear. His fists trembled as he tried to steady himself, but his body wouldn''t obey.


    From the sidelines, Axel watched with a mixture of fascination and disappointment. ''So that''s Cell. He''s strong¡­ fast. This is going to be over before it even begins. But¡­ I want to see just how much of a threat this alien really is before I step in.''


    Hera, standing a few feet away, couldn''t tear her gaze from Axel. ''He''s hungry for a fight. I can see it in his eyes. He wants to test himself against something stronger¡­ that''s why Loki is always so drawn to watching him. Or maybe it''s because of his connection to the gods¡­''

 Chapter 44 Imperfect Cell

    Thank you Josh Roark (Mass release 2/8)


    Carlos lunged at Cell, his fist racing toward Cell''s face like a speeding bullet. But at thest moment, Cell tilted his head effortlessly, the punch grazing his cheek by a hair''s breadth. Carlos barely had time to react before Cell''s hand shot out, grabbing his wrist with a vice-like grip.


    Before Carlos could pull away, Cell''s knee came up like a hammer, smashing into Carlos'' elbow with a sickening crack. The bone in Carlos'' arm bent the wrong way, and an agonizing scream tore from his throat as he crumbled to the ground.


    "Arrrgghhh!" Carlos'' voice was raw, filled with pain as it reverberated through the air. His body convulsed from the shock, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. His legs wobbled beneath him, but his resolve was unbroken.


    "I can''t give up," Carlos muttered through clenched teeth, his eyes zing with determination. His left hand clenched into a fist, and he charged at Cell again. This time, his blow was too fast for Cell to avoid.


    With all his strength, Carlos'' left fist smashed into Cell''s jaw. The sound of bone shattering echoed through the battlefield as Cell staggered backward, his head snapping to the side. Two of Cell''s sharp teeth flew from his mouth,nding with a faint *clink* on the ground.


    Carlos felt a rush of triumph surge through him. ''I finally got him!'' he thought, adrenaline fueling his next attack. He summoned his ability, his muscles swelling with power as his physical strength multiplied tenfold.


    ''I have only been fighting him for three minutes, and this is the first time I''vended a hit. I can''t let this chance slip away,'' Carlos thought as he lunged forward, aiming to finish the fight. His left fist hurtled toward Cell''s face again, but just as it was about to connect, Cell jerked his head back, his wounds already healed.


    Carlos'' eyes widened in shock. "What? How¡ª"


    "You''re strong, but in terms of speed, you''re nothing but a snail." Cell''s voice was cold and taunting. Before Carlos could react, Cell grabbed his left wrist, pulling him forward with terrifying strength. Carlos barely had time to register what was happening before Cell''s forehead mmed into his face, sending him staggering backward.


    Blood poured from Carlos'' nose as his vision blurred. He tried to steady himself, but Cell''s next words pierced through the haze of pain.


    "That''s pathetic for an A-rank," Cell sneered as he reached out, ready to grab Carlos by the neck.


    But before his hand could close around Carlos'' throat, a sickening *sploosh* rang out. Cell''s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at his right hand¡ªor rather, the stump where it had once been. Green blood gushed from the severed limb, staining the ground.


    Carlos stood before him, panting heavily, his eyes burning with rage. "I''m not done with you yet!" he roared, his remaining hand glowing with power. In one swift motion, Carlos swung his arm, a deadly arc of energy slicing through the air. The blow connected with Cell''s neck, and for a moment, it seemed like the fight was over.


    Cell''s head lolled to the side as he choked on his own blood, his hand instinctively clutching at his throat. ''How is he able tond these hits on me?'' Cell thought as he struggled to stay upright. But just as Carlos was about to deliver the final blow, Cell acted with lightning speed.


    Carlos'' fist, which had been aimed at Cell''s forehead, was stopped mid-air as Cell tore off his arm in a brutal counterattack. Carlos'' scream of agony ripped through the battlefield as he dropped to the ground, clutching the bloody stump where his arm used to be.


    "AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Carlos writhed on the ground, the pain unbearable. His vision swam as he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness. ''I should''ve run when I had the chance. This... this monster is beyond an S-rank,'' he thought, his mind racing. ''We''re all going to die...''


    Cell spat out the remnants of Carlos'' arm, disinterested in the flesh. "What a shame. I guess I''m stronger than an S-rank too."


    He opened his mouth, and from the depths of his throat, a deadly green glow began to form. Carlos could only watch in horror as the sun-like beam prepared to consume him. He closed his eyes, epting his fate.


    ''I''m sorry... Tiana, Colby... I couldn''t get you that toy... I couldn''t be the father you needed...'' Carlos'' thoughts drifted to his loved ones as he awaited the end.


    Boom!


    The ground shook as Cell''s beam struck with devastating force, pirs of smoke and steam rising into the air. The battlefield fell silent, save for the murmurs of the remaining fighters.


    "Carlos... What the hell just happened?"


    "No way... He''s dead..."


    "This monster is an S-rank? We can''t win! We''re all doomed!"


    Panic spread through the crowd, but Cell barely paid them any attention. His eyes flickered with boredom as he snapped his sharp teeth together. "Pathetic. Now, which of you weaklings should I kill next?"


    But before he could make his move, a voice cut through the chaos.


    "So this is how brutal it gets when fighting you. I was wondering why this ce looked so decorated."


    Cell''s head whipped around, his eyes narrowing in shock. There, standing over Carlos'' unconscious body, was a figure shrouded in shadow¡ªunharmed by the beam that had moments ago decimated everything in its path.


    Axel Teras.


    For the first time, Cell felt a flicker of fear. ''How... how is he still standing? I didn''t even see him move!'' Cell''s mind raced, trying toprehend what he was witnessing. ''Is this guy... a monster?''


    "You lost your tongue?" Axel''s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it as he raised his hand, summoning a sword into existence. He took a battle stance, his eyes locked on Cell.


    Cell folded his arms, his shock fading into amusement. "Interesting. You and I... we''re alike, aren''t we? We both grow stronger with every fight. We evolve, adapting and improving with every challenge.


    I can see that much just by reading your mind."


    Axel''s eyes widened. ''He can read my mind?'' His grip on his sword tightened as he realized just how dangerous this opponent was. ''Damn it... am I that much of an open book?''


    But Axel forced himself to stay calm. "Then you should know that I n to beat you without taking a single hit."


    Cell''s smile widened. "Let''s make a deal, human. We''ll fight until one of us drops, and in exchange, your people are free to kill mine if you win. My army will stop attacking and surrender without a fight. But if I win..." His voice dripped with malice. "Your people are mine."


    Axel didn''t hesitate. "Fine. But know this¡ªI''m going to win."


    Lowering his head, Axel let his hair fall over his eyes, his voice barely a whisper. "My father once told me... that if you show your enemy your back, they''ll eventually try to stab you. But if you study them long enough, you might just stop the de in time."


    He raised his head, his eyes burning with determination. "I''ve already studied you down to the smallest detail, Cell. Try all you want, but you won''tnd a single lethal hit on me."


    [Title unlocked: Authority of the Supreme]

 Chapter 45 Axel Vs Imperfect cell

    Thank you Josh Roark (Mass release 3/8)


    Axel stood his ground, eyes locked onto the monstrous figure before him¡ªImperfect Cell, who grinned maniacally as he straightened his stance.


    "This is more like it!" Cell''s voice dripped with excitement, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent. "I''ve been searching for strong opponents like you to kill! Don''t make this boring for me!"


    Axel remained silent, his hand stretched out. Slowly, his sword formed in his grasp, a weapon born from the same eerie red mana that pulsed through his body. The energy surrounding him intensified, giving off a dominant aura that made Cell hesitate for a brief moment.


    Cell''s grin widened, almost as if the sight of Axel''s power fueled his excitement. "That looks fun! Hahaha!"


    In an instant, Cell lunged forward,unching a powerful fist aimed at Axel''s face. The speed was terrifying, but Axel reacted just in time, raising his sword and effortlessly blocking the blow. The impact sent a shockwave of wind across the battlefield, nearly knocking nearby hunters off their feet.


    ''He''s faster than I expected,'' Axel thought, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed Cell''s movements. He could sense the difference in power from when Cell fought Carlos¡ªhe was taking Axel seriously, unleashing his full strength.


    Without warning, Axel leapt into the air, his leg swinging toward Cell''s head in a blur. Cell ducked, his instincts kicking in just in time to avoid the strike. But Axel was relentless.


    **sh!**


    Cell weaved to the left, narrowly avoiding the de aimed for his skull. The sword cut through the air with lethal precision, missing by mere inches.


    ''Damn, he''s fast,'' Cell thought, backing away to put some distance between them. His eyes narrowed in frustration as he realized Axel wasn''t like his previous opponents.


    Cell''s lips curled into a snarl. In one fluid motion, he opened his mouth wide, a sickly green energy surging inside him before he unleashed a powerful energy beam straight at Axel.


    Axel didn''t flinch. With both hands gripping his sword tightly, he swung it in a wide arc, effortlessly cutting through the beam. The attack shattered into a thousand flickering lights, illuminating the battlefield in a shower of sparks.


    ''Compared to the Kaiju King, this guy isn''t as fast¡­ But there''s something strange about his abilities,'' Axel thought, eyes narrowing as he studied Cell. ''He can evolve?''


    As the dust and sparks cleared, Axel saw something that made his eyes widen in disbelief. Cell''s fingers had elongated into grotesque, tentacle-like appendages, sharp and shimmering. They shot toward him with deadly speed, aiming for vital points.


    ''There''s ten of them!''


    Axel counted them in his head, instinctively jumping back as the tentacles came at him from every angle. One whipped toward his face, but he blocked it with his sword, sending out another wave of light.


    But two more tentacles sped around, aiming for his back.


    ''It''s a trap¡­ attack from all sides.'' Axel crouched low, bending his knees beforeunching himself high into the air, dodging the iing barrage of tentacles. His speed was incredible, but the tentacles were relentless, following him as he soared through the sky.


    From below, Cell''sughter echoed. "Fool! You''ve trapped yourself! How the hell are you going to dodge my attacks in mid-air like that?"


    The tentacles closed in on Axel, and from the sidelines, his team watched with growing dread. Sweat dripped from Noel''s face as he clenched his fists. "There''s no way to dodge that¡­"


    "Why would Axel do that?" Loki muttered, anxiety clear in his voice. He trusted Axel, but even he couldn''t see a way out. The tentacles were too fast, and Axel was wide open in the air.


    ''He can''t escape this one,'' Hera thought, panic flickering in her eyes. Her fingers tightened around the dagger in her hand, ready to intervene if Axel needed help.


    Rowin, calcting as always, was already measuring the distance and range of his abilities. His mind raced, searching for a way to pull Axel out of this deadly situation before it was toote.


    But Axel¡­ wasn''t worried.


    The red energy around him red brighter, surging in intensity. ''So this is Mana? It''s¡­ consuming, powerful¡­ and godlike.''


    A deafening roar erupted from Axel''s throat, his eyes glowing with a terrifying light.


    "ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!"


    **[You have activated exclusive skill.]**


    Axel''s voice reverberated through the air as an invisible force spread outward from him.


    **[Activating Nightmare Spell.]**


    In an instant, everything stopped. The tentacles froze mid-attack, unmoving. Cell''s maniacal grin faded into a nk, terrified stare. The hunters nearby stood paralyzed, as if time itself hade to a halt. Every creature, every person, stood motionless, their faces twisted in expressions of pure horror.


    Axel slowly descended,nding softly on the ground. His gaze never left Cell, who remained frozen, his fingers still extended in their grotesque tentacle form.


    "This is my ultimate curse," Axel whispered, his voice low and dangerous. He began walking toward Cell, his sword gleaming ominously in the eerie red light.


    "My curses have be gifts. Fear has turned into love for me. Death? Merely a game¡­ And nightmares?" Axel stopped just in front of Cell, his de hovering near the creature''s throat. "Nightmares are nothing more than dreams to me."


    He hesitated for a moment, staring into Cell''s nk eyes. "You''re evolving, aren''t you?" Axel murmured, his expression unreadable.


    **[Time till skill fails: 00:59]**


    Just then, Axel noticed something¡ªCell''s eyes flickered. A sudden realization hit him, but it was toote.


    Cell had been pretending all along, feigning paralysis under Axel''s spell. His tentacles, still frozen in the air, surged forward in ast-ditch effort, aiming directly at Axel''s unprotected back.


    ''What a fool!'' Cell thought triumphantly. ''He figured out I was evolving, but it''s toote¡ª''


    As the tentacles connected with Axel''s back, they dissolved into nothing. The sharp, lethal des turned to dust, leaving no mark, no wound.


    "What the fu¡ª"


    Before Cell could react, Axel dismissed his sword, his right hand shooting out and gripping Cell''s face in a vice-like hold. The force was so strong that Cell''s eyes widened in terror, his body trembling in Axel''s grasp.


    "I told you," Axel said, his voice cold and unwavering. "You can''ty a finger on me. No matter how strong you think you are. No matter how much you evolve, you''ll always be nothing more than a rat beneath my feet."


    The pressure on Cell''s face intensified, a loud cracking sound echoing through the battlefield. Cell''s expression twisted in pain, his body convulsing under the immense force.


    "Those who know weakness¡­" Axel tightened his grip. e out strongest."


    With a final, brutal squeeze, Cell''s skull shattered, blood and bone sttering across the ground as his body crumpled. Before it could hit the floor, Cell''s form began to decay, turning into dust that blew away in the wind.


    **[Deceased Touch Active.]**


    **[You have leveled up.]**


    **[Level Up.]**


    **[Level Up.]**


    Axel nced at the timer, a small smirk forming on his lips. ''Just enough time¡­''


    "Summon¡­ Army of Shadows."


    From the bloodstained ground, three soldiers rose¡ªapanied by a newly resurrected Cell, now a mindless soldier d in red armor, his former self long gone.


    **[You have leveled up this skill: 4/50.]**


    Axel looked at his new creation, a twisted smile ying on his lips. "Go. Kill as many Fatek as you can in the next twenty seconds."


    Without hesitation, the soldiers surged forward, cutting through the Fatek ranks with terrifying precision. Axel turned, his eyes locking onto the towering Fatek Commander across the battlefield.


    "Now, without distractions¡­" Axel''s voice dropped, his bloodlust palpable. "I can kill you."

 Chapter 46 Army of The Dead 1

    Thank you Josh Roark (Mass release 5/8]


    The Fatek General''s eyes flickered, his mind struggling to recover from the immense pressure it had just endured. His vision blurred momentarily, but what he saw next sent him into a state of disbelief. The battlefield was in utter chaos, and to his horror, his once-loyal Fatek soldiers were being ughtered... by their own kind.


    No, not just any soldiers¡ªhis former champion, now a mindless killing machine under someone else''s control.


    "Impossible," the Fatek General muttered, shaking his head in frustration. "This must be the work of that... **thing**!" His eyes narrowed as he scanned the battlefield frantically, searching for the root cause of this betrayal. It didn''t take him long to spot Axel in the distance, standing amidst the carnage, his body crackling with an ominous, lightning-like energy.


    "I underestimated you," the General growled, his voice thick with contempt. "No more games." With a snarl, he rose from his throne, gripping a massive battle hammer that hung beside it. The weapon hummed with power, archaic yet advanced, glowing faintly as it left its resting ce.


    Axel''s eyes sharpened as he took in the sight. *''A little medieval for an alien of his kind,''* he thought, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. *''It must be some kind of advanced tech disguised as a relic. Interesting.''*


    His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. The atmosphere around him vibrated with energy, his confidence bolstered by the growing numbers of his undead army.


    [Your army has increased.]


    [50/50]


    [You have been rewarded for your fast growth.]


    [You have leveled up your skill.]


    [56/75]


    *''The more soldiers I control, the more my mana grows. That doesn''t make sense unless... I''m absorbing mana from them instead of the other way around,''* Axel mused, the thought sending a shiver of excitement down his spine. A wicked smile peeled across his face as he rolled his neck, surveying the battlefield.


    His undead army moved with ruthless efficiency, cutting through the Fatek ranks like a storm of death. His top soldiers were leading the charge, giving the hunters a fighting chance amidst the chaos. The tide of battle was turning, slowly but surely. Victory was in sight.


    Axel shifted his gaze back to the Fatek General, who was now drawing closer, his heavy footsteps reverberating through the ground. *''Now, to tear this bastard apart,''* Axel thought, his grip on his sword tightening.


    The General burst into a sprint, raising his battle hammer high overhead. The speed at which he closed the distance was shocking, belying his massive frame. Axel didn''t flinch. He charged forward, matching the Fatek''s speed, his sword poised for a deadly strike.


    As they collided, the General''s hammer came crashing down, aiming to split Axel''s skull in two. At thest second, Axel sidestepped, leaving the hammer to smash into the floor of the ship with a deafening *CRACK.* The impact sent a shockwave of force rippling through the battlefield, knocking several fighters off their feet and sending debris flying.


    Axel skidded to a halt, his ears ringing from the sheer force of the attack. He barely had time to steady himself before the General followed up, nting his foot firmly on the ground and swinging his hammer in a wide arc.


    *''Too fast!''* Axel''s eyes widened in realization as he leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the blow. The hammer whooshed past him, but even the air disced by its swing felt like a de slicing into his flesh. The intensity of the wind left him gasping.


    *''I can''t get close at this rate!''* Axel gritted his teeth. *''He''s faster than I expected. If I don''t find a way to turn this around soon¡ª''*


    *Click!*


    Axel''s eyes flickered toward the hammer, catching sight of a small button on its handle. A low hum began to resonate from the weapon, and to Axel''s dismay, the head of the hammer began to glow an ominous red.


    *''Not good!''* Axel''s instincts screamed at him to move, but before he could react, a blinding wave of blue energy erupted from the hammer, sweeping across the battlefield like a nuclear st.


    "ARRGHHH!" Axel screamed as the energy wave tore through him. His body convulsed in agony, not from any visible wound, but from a deep, internal pain. His muscles seized up, his mana disrupted, his senses thrown into chaos. The world around him spun violently, and he stumbled, barely able to stay on his feet.


    *''He... he disrupted my internal systems,''* Axel realized, his mind struggling to make sense of what had just happened. *''That st... it messed with my vestibr system¡ªmy bnce! He''s attacking my ability to stand, to fight!''*


    The next thing Axel knew, the massive war hammer crashed into his side, sending him hurtling through the air like a ragdoll. He crashed to the ground with a sickening *thud,* his body skidding across the battlefield for dozens of yards before finallying to a stop.


    "KAYAAAHHK!" Axel coughed up blood, the coppery taste filling his mouth. Every breath was a struggle, his body trembling from the force of the impact. *''Damn it... that st really messed me up. My equilibrium ispletely shot.''* He tried to push himself up, but his legs wobbled beneath him, unable to hold his weight.


    *''I have to fight... I can''t... let this end here.''*


    Axel''s vision swam, his ears ringing from the distorted sounds of the battlefield. He could barely make out the massive form of the Fatek General, who was now striding toward him with a smug grin on his alien face.


    "How weak can a human get? Hahahaha!" The General''sughter echoed through the battlefield, mocking Axel''s weakened state. "You may have taken down my soldiers, but **I** am beyond your reach, Hunter!"


    Axel''s heart pounded in his chest as the General loomed over him, his shadow casting Axel in darkness. The General raised his battle hammer high into the air, the red glow intensifying as he prepared to deliver the final blow.


    Axel, still struggling to regain his bnce, could barely move. His body screamed in pain, his vision clouded with red. *''I''m not fast enough... not strong enough,''* he thought, panic wing at the edges of his mind. *''I can''t die here... not like this!''*


    The hammer came down, its deadly glow promising nothing but death.


    *''Move... MOVE!''* Axel''s mind screamed, but his body refused to obey.


    Just as the hammer descended, a deafening roar echoed through the battlefield, cutting through the chaos like a knife.


    Axel''s eyes snapped open, and he saw a figure, blurred....


    ''Is it you God?''


    Unfortunately not, but unmistakable, rushing toward the Fatek General with blinding speed.


    *Who¡­?*


    The next moment, the Fatek General''s hammer was stopped mid-swing, colliding with a force so powerful it sent shockwaves through the battlefield. The ground beneath them cracked, and the air seemed to freeze.


    Axel blinked through the haze, his heart pounding as he recognized the figure that had saved him.


    "Captain Rowin...?"

 Chapter 47 Other weapon

    Thank you Josh Roark (Mass release 6/8)


    Axel''s vision wavered as his surroundings blurred in and out of focus. His ears rang with the sound of shing metal and strained cries. He squinted through the haze just in time to see Captain Rowin, arms trembling, struggling beneath the crushing weight of the Fatek Commander''s massive war hammer.


    A shimmering, invisible barrier of energy flickered around Rowin, but cracks had already started forming.


    "Arrggh!" Rowin gritted his teeth, every muscle in his body taut as he fought to hold the barrier intact. The hammer pressed down relentlessly, and with every second that passed, Rowin''s resistance grew weaker.


    "Come on, Axel!" Rowin''s voice cracked with desperation. "You''re the only one that can stop this thing!"


    Axel, on his knees, gasped for breath. His limbs felt like lead, his entire body sluggish and uncooperative. He tried to rise again, pushing against the ground, but his legs buckled, sending him crashing back down. Pain shot through his body, and his vision swam with dark spots.


    "I¡ªI can''t¡­" Axel rasped, barely able to form the words. "I can''t get myself together¡­ I need more time."


    But time was a luxury they didn''t have.


    Rowin''s barrier flickered again, this time more violently, as the Fatek Commanderughed, his voice a guttural rumble that sent tremors through the ground. The massive war hammer descended, inch by inch, and Rowin''s defenses were crumbling.


    "Damn it, Axel!" Rowin gasped, his voice weaker now. "If you don''t get up, we''re going to die!"


    Axel clenched his fists, but his body refused to respond. His head pounded, and a nauseating dizziness washed over him, disorienting his senses. **What was wrong with him?**


    Then it hit him: the infection. The parasite had left him more vulnerable than he realized. He could hear Rowin''s voice fading in and out, distorted as if it were underwater.


    ''**I need to get up. I have to¡­ but I can''t focus¡­**''


    He swiped at the air, trying to summon his system interface, but his hand trembled too much, missing the notification by an inch. He cursed under his breath, panic rising in his chest.


    Suddenly, a voice, deep andmanding, echoed within his mind. **"Axel, don''t let yourself go! You''re stronger than this. You''ve always been stronger than this!"**


    It was his own voice, a memory from the past. Something sparked deep inside him, a flicker of energy that slowly began to grow. His chest tightened, and he felt a surge of warmth spreading through his veins, fighting against the cold numbness that had taken over.


    ''**The system¡­**'' Axel''s thoughts were bing clearer, sharper. He could feel it¡ªsome unseen force rising within him, something **primordial**.


    His breath steadied. The ringing in his ears faded, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he could hear the world around him again. The groans of the battlefield, the sharp crackling of Rowin''s barrier, and the deep, sinisterugh of the Fatek Commander.


    Axel blinked, and his surroundings snapped into focus.


    And then, **rage**. A wave of it, hot and all-consuming, surged through him, filling every fiber of his being. His muscles tensed, power crackling beneath his skin. He felt alive¡ªmore alive than he had ever been.


    With newfound rity, Axel dismissed the system shop notification hovering in front of him and reached for something else.


    **[Rune of Protection Activated]**


    A soft hum of energy enveloped him, reinforcing his defenses.


    **[You Have Purchased a Special Gift]**


    Suddenly, Axel could stand.


    ***


    Rowin''s knees gave out, and he copsed to the ground, the war hammer pressing dangerously close to his chest. His vision blurred as exhaustion overtook him. His thoughts began to drift, his consciousness slipping away.


    ''At least I''m still human¡­'' he thought bitterly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. His infection was taking its toll, and he knew the end was near.


    The Fatek Commander''s booming voice rang out once more. "You rats shall crumble beneath me!" he roared, driving the hammer down with even more force. Rowin''s scream of strain echoed across the battlefield.


    And then¡ª**a sh of red.**


    A searing beam shot from the tform, slicing through the air like a bolt of lightning, and struck the Fatek Commander''s left shoulder. The force of the impact sent themander staggering back, a guttural scream tearing from his throat as his arm was ripped clean off, the stump sizzling and smoking.


    "Arrggh! Kujikiminokah! Gaaah!" Themander stumbled backward, clutching the charred remains of his arm, his eyes wide with shock.


    Rowin, lying t on the ground, saw a pair of blue sneakers step into view. He smiled weakly, barely conscious.


    ''**He''s back...**''


    Axel stood tall, just a dozen yards from the Fatek Commander. His body was enveloped in a fiery aura of red mana, his eyes glowing with a dangerous intensity. In each hand, he held a sword¡ªone glowing blue, the other red¡ªboth adorned with intricate carvings of dragons.


    The sheer power radiating from him was almost suffocating.


    "Next time you try to cheat an opponent like me," Axel growled, his voice a deep rumble, "make sure you finish the job."


    The Fatek Commander snarled, his eyes burning with fury as his new hand grew back, his body convulsing from the rapid regeneration. "Just because you managed to cut off my hand doesn''t make you superior!"


    Axel''s lips curled into a grim smile. "You must have experimented on yourself. But no amount of evolution will save you from what''sing."


    Themander roared in rage and charged at Axel, swinging his massive war hammer with all his might. The ground shook beneath his feet as he sprinted forward, his eyes filled with murderous intent.


    "I was only using fifty percent of my strength before!" themander bellowed. "This time, I''ll crush you with everything I''ve got!"


    He raised the war hammer high above his head and brought it crashing down with a massive explosion of blue energy.


    The battlefield was silent for a moment, the smoke and debris swirling in the air. The Fatek Commander smirked, confident in his victory.


    But then, his smirk vanished.


    Through the smoke, Axel stood, unscathed, his red sword raised high, having effortlessly **split the war hammer in half** before it could even touch him.


    Themander''s eyes widened in disbelief.


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    "You think I''m done?" Axel snarled, crouching down beforeunching himself forward, a blur of motion.


    Themander barely had time to react. He threw a fist towards Axel, but Axel was faster, raising his sword in a deadly arc.


    The de sliced through themander''s arm like butter, leaving behind a dark, bristling wound. The Fatek Commander screamed in agony, clutching the burnt remains of his arm as it turned ck.


    "I''m just getting started," Axel growled,nding on themander''s shoulder. He raised his other sword, the one glowing with a deep blue hue, and pointed it at themander''s face.


    **[Touch of Dominance Activated]**


    The de surged with power, turning from blue to an eerie green. The Fatek Commander''s eyes widened in terror, his instincts screaming at him.


    "DEATH!"


    With a blinding sh, Axel drove the sword through themander''s skull, a searing beam of energy tearing through his cranium and disintegrating it into ash.


    Themander''s body crumbled beneath Axel, his flesh and bone reduced to smoldering embers that fell to the ground.


    Axel stood tall in the flickering light, his hair flowing wildly, his body still crackling with mana.


    **[You Have Leveled Up]**


    Axel gazed out at the battlefield, watching as his forces surged forward, overwhelming the remaining Fatek troops.


    ''I feel it now,'' Axel thought, a cold smile forming on his lips. ''The influence of the system... Why Hades is so special. He watches from the shadows, seeing everyone beneath him.''


    A deep, chilling realization dawned on him. **Yes¡­ these races are beneath me.**

 Chapter 48 S—Rank Rescue... What a Joke

    Thank you Josh Roark (Mass release 7/8)


    Axel stood tall, a dominant presence amidst the chaos and bloodshed of the battlefield. Smoke and ash curled in the air, casting a hazy pall over the ruins of what had been a formidable Fatek stronghold.


    His gaze drifted away from the broken bodies scattered across the ground, their lifeless forms a testament to his army''s brutal efficiency. As thest of the enemies were being cleared out, Axel''s mind wasn''t on the carnage around him. Instead, his fingers flicked through the translucent system screen that only he could see, processing the notifications that appeared in rapid session.


    [Infinite dead has leveled up again.]


    [Level 5.]


    Axel''s eyes gleamed as he skimmed through the stats. A low chuckle escaped him, knowing the oue had only strengthened his abilities further. His attention shifted to his army''s strength, surveying the numbers he''d managed to amass from this battle.


    [Army of Souls: 286/500]


    A smirk tugged at his lips. "Not bad," he muttered to himself. "That''s good enough for now."


    He swiped the notification away, focusing next on his stat distribution.


    **//Stats//**


    **Name:** Axel Teras


    **Exp:** 30/450


    **Level:** 31


    **Job ss:** None


    **<Attributes>**


    - Strength: 44


    - Agility: 43


    - Senses: 22


    - Mana: 456


    - Health: 70/70


    - Stat points: 30


    ''How do I allocate these points?'' Axel wondered. He tapped the stats he wanted to improve, one by one, feeling the shift in his body as his power increased.


    - Strength: 59


    - Agility: 50


    - Senses: 30


    - Mana: 456


    - Health: 70/70


    - Stat points: 0


    Axel dismissed the screen, letting his arms fall to his sides. He clenched his fists, feeling the raw strength surge through him. "Much better," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the distant sound of battle ending. As he surveyed the battlefield, Axel''s thoughts wandered to the real purpose behind this mission.


    At first, he believed the trap was set for the Fatekmander to test out his new weapon, Cell. But after careful consideration, he realized if an S-rank had appeared they would all have been murdered seamlessly, not to talk about witnessing how swiftly his forces decimated the Fatek, Axel realized there was something deeper at y.


    The Fatekmander had to have known this operation would fail. So why go through with it? What was the true aim?


    His musings were interrupted by movement to his right. Axel turned to see his entire army¡ªhundreds of summons, all kneeling before him in reverence.


    "My liege, we have finished killing your enemies," rumbled a voice that belonged to Mane {Kaiju king}. His monstrous form lowered itself in submission, the respect evident in his every word.


    Axel sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Do I really have to name all of them?" He could feel the weight of responsibility growing heavier on his shoulders. Controlling an army of souls was one thing, but having to manage and name them all individually seemed like a burden.


    [No... Only the generals can have names.]


    {Generals are powerful ves of level three and above.}


    Axel raised an eyebrow. "Even the souls get levels?" Before he could delve further into that thought, another notification popped up before him, catching him off guard.


    [You have gained a new skill.]


    [Eye of Levels.]


    [This skill allows you to see the levels of your soldiers and grade their strength ordingly.]


    Axel''s eyes narrowed as he processed the new information. cing a hand on his chin, he pondered the implications. His thoughts were interrupted when a faint red glow appeared above Mane''s head. It hovered there, glowing ominously, revealing his Kaiju Lord''s level.


    [Mane Lv 4]


    Axel was intrigued. Turning his gaze, he examined his other generals¡ªTank, the Fatek General, and Titan, the towering metal-jawed monstrosity.


    [Tank Lv 3]


    [Titan Lv 4]


    Though the levels were somewhat underwhelming, Axel knew these creatures had untapped potential. "They still need proper training," he mused aloud. "Only through real challenges will they grow stronger."


    As he prepared to dismiss his army, his eyes fell on one soldier that stood out among the rest. His level was higher than any of the others, a dominant force amidst his generals.


    [No name Lv 6]


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat. "Cell," he whispered. "That''s your name."


    [Cell Lv 6]


    Satisfied, Axel waved his hand, and in an instant, his army vanished. The battlefield was now empty, save for the carnage left behind. He stood alone, his power resonating within him.


    ---


    From a distance, Thor watched with wide eyes, his throat dry with disbelief. "So... that''s Nameless?" His voice was barely above a whisper. Around him, the other hunters nodded, their expressions filled with reluctance and awe. ''He looks so tiny yet wiped out so many.''


    Only moments ago, Thor, along with Trisha and the other A-rank hunters, had fought their way through hordes of Fateks to reach the supposedly captured hunters. They had expected to find them desperate and on the verge of death, but instead, they had found them victorious, standing amidst piles of Fatek corpses. And the man responsible for the majority of those kills?


    It was Axel.


    "Him," Trisha muttered, her voice tinged with shock. "I remember meeting him. But this... this ability of his, tomand the souls of the dead, it''s unlike anything I''ve ever seen."


    Another hunter, standing nearby, shook his head in disbelief. "What kind of binding did this guy have when he awakened?"


    Trisha''s gaze flickered as she recalled the image of Axel dismissing his army with a casual wave of his hand. The sheer power he wielded, and the ease with which he controlled it, was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.


    ''I thought I could use him and discard him when he was no longer useful,'' Trisha thought to herself, her heart racing. ''But seeing this... Axel is more valuable than I ever imagined. He could be the greatest asset I have ever seen, I have to get him.''


    While the others were lost in their thoughts, Loki watched the scene with disdain. Standing beside Noel, he muttered, "Those hunters... they''re S-rank, no doubt about it. But that guy, Axel... he''s something else."


    Noel, sitting on the ground with her arms folded, nced at Loki and then at Axel in the distance. A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Let him handle his own messes," she said calmly. "He had to risk exposing his powers to save everyone, but he didn''t hesitate. I would''ve let them all die before showing my hand logically, but Axel... he''s different."


    She leaned back, watching the events unfold with a sense of amusement. ''This kid might just be the key to everything.''


    As the dust settled and the battlefield grew quiet, one thing became clear¡ªthe secret was out. Axel''s true power had been revealed, and now, there would be no turning back.


    ---


    Three more chapters until the end of Season One. Please throw in those supports anything is epted


    {Magic castle, Dragon, Massage chair}


    {Golden ticket, powerstone,reviews}


    At least one or more

 Chapter 49 Recruitment

    "Nameless."


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat as his attention snapped away from his notifications. His gaze shifted anxiously toward the source of the voice. Standing to his left were two familiar figures: Thor and Trisha. His pulse quickened as he processed their unexpected appearance. How long had they been watching him?


    He quickly masked his surprise, burying it beneath a neutral expression, though a flicker of unease betrayed him.


    ''Shit,'' Axel thought, his mind racing. ''They must have seen my ability. I''m not ready for people to know. Not yet. But it''s toote to hide.''


    Thor, the towering S-rank hunter, stopped just a few feet away from Axel, his imposing presence casting a long shadow over the debris-strewn ground. His eyes glimmered with something Axel couldn''t quite ce¡ªcuriosity? Threat? Ambition?


    "How would you like to join our association, Nameless?" Thor asked, his voice low but heavy with intent.


    Axel had anticipated this. Rumors of his recent feats were bound to reach the higher-ups, especially after the alien ship incident. Still, the offer stirred an inner conflict. Joining an association was inevitable at some point, but was now the right time? And more importantly, was Thor''s the right one?


    He clenched his fists, the weight of his past as a weak, struggling hunter rushing back to him. ''I''m not who I used to be,'' Axel reminded himself. ''If I join their association now, I''ll be shackled, bound by a dog contract. That''s not what I want. Not anymore.''


    Axel narrowed his eyes, letting his hostility surface just enough to make his point. "Please, call me Axel," he said, his voice cold and defiant.


    Thor''s expression barely flickered, but Axel could sense the rising tension between them. This wasn''t the reply Thor had expected. "What do you say about joining us?" Thor pressed, his tone harder now, more insistent.


    Axel locked eyes with the S-rank hunter, his stare unwavering. "No, thank you," he said tly, his voice a dagger. "You can keep your offer for another dog."


    The words hung in the air like a threat. Thor''s face darkened, and a low growl rumbled from his throat. His eyes shed with anger, and for a brief moment, Axel felt the weight of Thor''s killing intent bearing down on him.


    "Don''t get cocky just because you''ve killed a few Fateks," Thor snarled. "I''m an S-rank, and from what I know, you''re nothing but an untested brat."


    The air around them crackled with impending violence. Axel could feel the adrenaline flooding his veins. Thor wasn''t going to let this slide¡ªnot easily, at least. He could already picture the headlines if they fought: "Rising Star Faces Off Against S-rank." It would make his name known, but at what cost?


    Sensing the rising storm, Trisha stepped forward, trying to mediate. "Calm down, Thor," she said, her voice firm but measured. "He''s still tied to the Tiger Association. He can''t join Storm, nor can he join mine."


    Her words were meant to defuse the situation, but Thor''s fists remained clenched, his muscles taut with restrained rage.


    "Then we''ll settle this the old-fashioned way," Thor growled, eyes burning with a dangerous gleam. "We fight."


    Axel''s stomach dropped at the challenge. A battle with a seasoned S-rank was not what he had expected today. ''This guy really doesn''t want to let me go,'' Axel thought, his mind already racing with strategies, each one more desperate than thest.


    Trisha stepped between them, arms outstretched to block their line of sight. "Are you two seriously going to fight here? Now?" she snapped, frustration bleeding into her voice. "Everyone is exhausted. We haven''t had a decent meal in days, and the battlefield is already littered with enough corpses. Use your heads!"


    Her logic was sound, but both men were too deep into the conflict to care. Still, her words seemed to cut through the haze of aggression, at least for a moment. Thor let out a disgruntled growl, finally breaking eye contact with Axel.


    "This is why I don''t team up with women from other associations," he muttered under his breath, though loud enough for Trisha to hear.


    She sighed, clearly relieved that the tension had subsided, but the undercurrent of hostility between the two men remained palpable.


    Axel, eager to change the subject before things escted again, asked, "How do we get back to Earth?"


    His question seemed to hang in the air, and for a brief second, he thought Thor might challenge him again. But instead, Thor''s demeanor shifted, the irritation in his eyes fading into something more businesslike.


    "The higher-ups have contingency ns for situations like this," Thor exined, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "We have these cubes¡ªdevices that create portals back to Earth. They work for a few seconds, just long enough to get through."


    Axel''s eyes widened in surprise. ''A cube? Could it be like the one given to me in the package?'' Anxiety gripped him as memories of that mysterious item resurfaced. He had a sudden, overwhelming urge to see Thor''s cube, topare it to the one in his possession.


    Before he could ask to see it, Trisha spoke up again. "One of us will need to stay on the ship for a while, to search for any other survivors," she said, her voice carefully neutral as she looked between Axel and Thor. "The others can use the cube to return."


    Her suggestion hung in the air like an usation. Silence followed as both men stared at each other, neither willing to volunteer. The tension returned, thicker and more suffocating than before.


    Trisha broke the stalemate. "Thor should stay," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.


    Thor''s eyes zed with fury. "What? Why the hell should I stay? Why don''t you stay behind?" he barked, his voice dripping with resentment.


    Trisha scoffed, arms crossed defiantly. "Do you have no courtesy for a woman?" she asked, her tone mocking.


    Thor''s jaw clenched, his fists tightening by his sides. "Fine," he spat, his voice like venom. "But when I get back, we''ll have that duel."


    Axel felt a knot of unease in his stomach. ''He really isn''t going to let this go, is he?'' He stared at Thor, the weight of the uing battle pressing down on him like a vice.


    Axel met Thor''s gaze onest time, his expression hardening. "I won''t lose," he said quietly, his voice a deadly promise. "Prepare to lose."


    Thor''s lips curled into a dangerous smile, and in that moment, Axel knew their conflict was far from over.

 Chapter 50 Back To? More to Dwell on

    Axel and Trisha met up with the other hunters, and she quickly began exining their situation. Thor, the S-rank hunter, would stay back for now, keeping an eye out for any other survivors that might emerge from the ruins. The rest of the group, however, had a more pressing matter at hand: their return to safety.


    Trisha fished out a small cube from her pocket and began tapping various buttons, her fingers moving in a practiced rhythm over the device. The hunters looked on, confused by her actions. The cube''s screen shed different colors, but no one knew what she was doing.


    While this was happening, Loki approached Axel, his face impassive, too calm for a man who had just emerged from a brutal battle.


    "So, what did you talk about with that S-rank hunter?" Loki''s voice was as empty as his expression, as if he was masking his emotions.


    Axel shrugged, ncing over at Thor, who was busy scoping the battlefield, his aura still dangerous and imposing. "He said he''d beat the crap out of me if I don''t join his association," Axel said tly. He heard a scoff from Loki, a forced smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.


    "Well," Loki chuckled, his voice tinged with mischief, "just don''t get mad when I beat the daylight out of your brother."


    Axel''s eyes flickered with a spark of amusement. "That would be rather satisfying," he replied, a cold grin forming on his lips. His words made Loki cackle in agreement, their shared animosity towards Thor adding a brief moment of levity in an otherwise grim situation.


    Suddenly, a deep hum filled the air, catching everyone''s attention. Arge purple portal formed before Trisha, swirling with energy and casting an eerie glow over the scene. The hunters, still tense from their encounter, eyed it nervously.


    "You''re all free to go now," Trisha announced, her voice cutting through the tension.


    The hunters exchanged uneasy nces but, one by one, they approached the portal. Nervous murmurs rippled through the group as they crossed the threshold, the portal''s energy tugging at their bodies. Axel could feel their fear¡ªit was palpable in the way they hesitated, in the trembling of their hands. Even the strongest among them were visibly shaken.


    Axel stood back for a moment, watching his team, his expression unreadable. Rowin, always eager to lead, was the first to step through, followed by Noel, whose calm demeanor remained unshaken. Hera limped after them, wincing with each step as she clutched her injured side.


    Axel''s eyes lingered on Loki, who stood beside him. They exchanged a silent nod, a mutual understanding passing between them. Loki was the first to enter the portal, his silhouette disappearing into the swirling vortex.


    Just as Axel was about to follow, he paused. His eyes darted to Thor, who was still ring at him, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent a shiver down Axel''s spine. The bloodlust rolling off Thor in waves was undeniable.


    ''I won''t lose when youe back, Thor,'' Axel thought, clenching his fist.


    Without warning, Axel reached out and grasped Trisha''s hand, causing her to gasp in surprise. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, her usuallyposed demeanor faltering.


    "Ahh, what are you doing?" she stammered, trying to pull her hand free, but Axel''s grip remained firm.


    "This isn''t the ce for ady," Axel said, his voice steady but gentle, "no matter how strong they are."


    For a brief moment, Trisha''s eyes widened, and then she relented, allowing Axel to guide her toward the portal. Her mind raced¡ªwhat was he doing? Why had his touch sent such a jolt through her? But before she could ponder further, they stepped through the portal together.


    ***


    On the other side, the portal closed behind them with a loud snap, the energy dissipating into the air. They were greeted by a stark contrast from the chaos they had just left¡ªa sterile, cold environment filled with men and women in whiteb coats.


    The scientists eyed the hunters with curiosity, some even taking notes on tablets as the group materialized in what appeared to be an experimentalboratory.


    Despite the calm surroundings, the hunters tensed, their instincts screaming at them to stay alert. They had been fighting for survival moments ago, and now they were surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Their exhaustion was evident, but their wariness kept them on edge.


    "Don''t worry, everyone," Trisha called out, stepping away from Axel''s side and addressing the hunters. "These scientists work for my association. They''re here to help. Just rx, and they''ll take care of us."


    Slowly, the tension began to dissipate. The hunters followed Trisha''s instructions, albeit with hesitation. Two scientists stepped forward, directing the group to separate chambers where they could be tested and healed.


    Axel, however, remained rooted in ce. His eyes wandered over the massive, circr metal structures that lined the room¡ªportals simr to the one they had just stepped through. He marveled at the technology. ''The hunters aren''t ying around,'' Axel thought, letting out a low whistle of appreciation.


    Trisha, noticing Axel hadn''t joined the others, returned to his side, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What''s wrong, Nameless?" she asked, her voice soft but concerned.


    Axel shook his head. "I''m Axel Teras," he corrected her, his voice calm but firm. "Call me Axel."


    A smile tugged at the corner of Trisha''s lips. "Fair enough," she said, her tone light. "But why aren''t you with the others?"


    Axel met her gaze, his eyes piercing and unwavering. "I wanted some time alone with you," he replied, his voice steady but tinged with a subtle intensity.


    Trisha''s heart skipped a beat, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. What did he mean by ''time alone''? Was he implying something deeper? She tried to keep herposure, but the tension between them was palpable.


    "Speak," she said, folding her arms defensively, though her voice wavered slightly.


    "I want you to join my guild," Axel said, his words precise and deliberate. "Whether part-time or permanent, I want you on my team."


    Trisha''s eyes widened in surprise. She had been expecting many things, but not this. "Join your guild?" she repeated, her toneced with disbelief. "You realize I''m already the leader of my own guild and work for an association, right? Why would I risk everything for you?"


    Axel stepped closer, closing the gap between them. He was now only a foot away, his presence overwhelming. "Because I can offer you something no one else can," he said, his voice low and intense. "I can offer you the chance to work with someone stronger than Thor."


    Trisha raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "And how exactly do you n to be stronger than Thor?" she asked, her tone skeptical. "Reaching S-rank isn''t easy. It takes years, sometimes decades."


    Axel''s expression hardened, his determination shining through. "I''ll prove it by beating Thor. Next week."


    Trisha''s heart raced, her breath caught in her throat. Axel''s confidence was undeniable, but could he really back up his bold im?

 Chapter 51 Home Sweet Home... The Calm Before the Storm

    Axel couldn''t shake the impossible weight of his words: promising to defeat an S-rank hunter like Thor within a week was bold, but it now hovered over him like an ominous shadow. As he finished taking the multitude of tests in the association''sb, the air was thick with the unsaid tension of his im. His team was healed, patched up, and cleared for release, but Axel''s mind remained elsewhere.


    "All clear," a hunter who was an healer that assisted everyone else with their wounds said, removing the testing equipment from Axel''s arm. "No injuries. You''re free to go."


    ***


    Axel was still nodding  silently in thought, his mind still reeling as he and Noel piled into a cab. It was nighttime, and the streets were mercifully empty. No traffic jams, no dys. Just the quiet hum of the city passing by as they neared home.


    It wasn''t long before they arrived at the front door. Axel, now filled with a mix of exhaustion and relief, knocked energetically.


    "Annie! Little sis! Open the door!" Axel yelled, knocking hard enough to shake the frame.


    The door swung open with a fury that matched his pounding. Annie''s face was flushed with anger, and her eyes practically radiated bloodlust.


    "You friggin'' bastard!" she snapped, her voice raw. "You left me alone for three days! I thought¡ª" She stopped, her eyes brimming with tears. "You were trapped in that portal... I thought you were dead! Promise me¡ªno more portal hunting for at least a week!"


    Axel raised his hands in mock surrender, his smirk fading quickly. "Annie, if I don''t hunt, we''ll starve. When hunger ps you, you''ll be begging me to clear another portal."


    Noel, already past the drama, stepped inside, ignoring the tension between the siblings. "Annie, any chance you made dinner?" Noel asked, her voice steady as she made her way to the dining room.


    Axel followed in turn ignoring Annie.


    Annie sighed heavily but followed them in after some consideration taken. "I didn''t expect you back so soon, so I just made a small batch of pudding." She spoke heading into the kitchen to dish it out to everyone.


    Axel''s stomach growled in protest. His favorite. And there was barely enough to go around.


    He was about toin when a loud knock at the door cut through the air like a knife.


    Knock. Knock. Knock.


    Axel''s brow furrowed. At this hour?


    "Who could that be?" He stretched as he made his way to the door, azy yawn escaping him.


    He walked up to the door and reached for the handle, ready to throw out a sarcasticment¡ªwhen suddenly¡ª


    **BOOOOOOOOOM!!!!**


    The house was rocked by a deafening explosion. The front door was obliterated in an instant, and a massive wave of fire and heat surged through the home, blowing out windows, crumbling walls, and tossing everyone in its path like rag dolls.


    Axel felt himself m into something hard. Pain seared through his side as debris rained down, and the searing heat was unbearable. For a moment, his world was nothing but fire and agony.


    When the ringing in his ears subsided a bit, and the intense heat ebbed just enough for him to think, Axel opened his eyes to barely see chaos. mes consumed the house, turning everything he held dear into an inferno. His ears were filled with the crackling of wood, the hiss of mes, and¡ª


    Blood. The smell of blood and burning flesh filled his senses, choking him. He tried to move, but his body protested. He nced down at his abdomen and saw it¡ªa jagged wooden shard had pierced his belly. Blood poured from the wound, pooling beneath him.


    ''I''m dying.'' The realization hit him like a brick.


    [HP: 2/70]


    With shaking hands, Axel fumbled to ess the store in his system, the explosion did more harm than shown. His vision blurred, but he managed to select a health potion after buying an unnecessary dagger. He tried to drink it, but his hands were shaking too much, spilling some of the liquid.


    [HP: 50/70]


    The potion took effect instantly, dulling the pain and closing the wound. Axel groaned as he pushed himself to his feet, but the heat was still unbearable, the mes licking at his skin.


    He forced himself to focus, eyes scanning the ruins of the house. The front door had been obliterated. The explosion¡ªit hade from outside. And through the smoke, Axel saw them: **three figures** standing in the doorway, shrouded in ck cloaks, their faces hidden beneath deep hoods.


    ''Who are they?'' His mind raced, but he didn''t have time to think. His heart pounded as he turned, his gut twisting with fear.


    ''Annie. Noel.''


    He stumbled over the debris, searching frantically with a tensed demeanor until... He spotted Noel first¡ªor what was left of her. The sight was grotesque. Her body was severed in half, her blood staining the floor around her. Axel froze, his heart sinking.


    "Noel¡­" His voice was a weak whisper.


    His legs felt like lead as he forced himself to keep moving, eyes wide with terror. ''Annie¡­ Please be alive.''


    He prayed silently his eyes already leaking tears. Something in him gave a rough feeling of foreboding...


    Although vthat was proven in a matter of seconds.


    He saw her, lying in the corner of the ruined room, impaled on a jagged metal rod. The blood gushing from her chest was relentless. Her body was limp, lifeless.


    "No¡­ No, no, no¡­" Axel fell to his knees several feet''s from her. His hands trembled as he reached out, to her but was too far off to reach. "Annie¡­"


    The sobs came hard and fast. His sister, the only family he had left, was gone. Lifeless before him and killed under his own protection.


    Axel''s world shattered. The mes roared around him, but all he could feel was the cold emptiness of grief.


    The cloaked figures stepped forward. Their presence was suffocating, their intent unmistakable.


    Axel''s grief Increased as he continued to stare at Annie, realizing he she had suffered to have such an unfair death, and that infuriated him more.


    ''They did this.... My sister is dead because of them... I''ll kill them... I''ll kill everyone!.''


    ***


    Carlos screamed, his voice shredded by terror, as the Fatek hoisted him high into the air. His broken hands and legs hung limply, a gruesome disy of his helplessness. His body dangled like a puppet with its strings cut, his breathing in desperate, shallow gasps. The excruciating pain in his limbs dulled his mind, but fear kept him acutely aware of his surroundings.


    He was useless now¡ªbroken, shattered, and on the verge of death.


    Tears streaked down his face as the memories of how he ended up here shed before his eyes. He''d lost the battle against Cell, only to be snatched away while the others fought on.


    While hisrades were distracted, he had been dragged into a swirling portal, its ck maw consuming him and spitting him out into a grotesque nightmare¡ªa butcher house filled with the stench of death, blood painting the floors. This was no ordinary ce. It was a hiddenir for the Fatek, a race that lurked beneath the surface, festering in the shadows.


    They had gone unnoticed for far too long, hidden in in sight, on Earth.


    "Shhh¡­" The Fatek boss silenced Carlos with a single gesture¡ªa finger to his lips. Carlos, already too traumatized by the merciless beating he''d received earlier, obeyed without question. His breath hitched in his throat, any whimper of protest smothered by fear. He remembered what happened when he disobeyed. His shattered bones were a cruel reminder.


    The Fatek boss turned the rusted knob of the heavy door with an eerie calmness. As it creaked open, Carlos''s heart sank into his stomach at the sight revealed. The door gave way to a massive, sterileboratory, glowing with cold, fluorescent light. But in the center of theb was the true horror: a giant, translucent cocoon, pulsing faintly with an ominous light.


    It hung suspended in the air, attached to the walls and ceiling by cables that seemed to breathe like living tendrils.


    Carlos''s voice faltered, his throat dry. "W-what is this ce?"


    The Fatek boss chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that vibrated through Carlos''s bones. His grin was a grotesque disy of sharp teeth that seemed to stretch too far across his face. "Where did you think Cell came from?" The Fatek''s voice was a venomous hiss, each word dripping with malevolence.


    Carlos froze in ce, his blood running cold. Cell¡ªthe monster they had barely survived¡ªwas connected to *this*? He didn''t want to believe it, but the dread gnawing at his insides told him it was the truth. His legs buckled, but the Fatek boss had more to say.


    "Imperfect Cell was nothing but a weak imitation," the Fatek boss exined, circling the cocoon. "A mere fragment¡ªa prototype, if you will. We tested a measly ten percent of the true power we''re about to unleash. The perfect weapon is almostplete." His voice held a dark glee, a twisted sense of triumph.


    Carlos''s eyes widened, his body trembling uncontrobly. "*Imperfect* Cell? What¡ªwhat the hell is the *perfect* one, then?!" The realization hit him like a sledgehammer. All their fights, all their efforts¡ªit had been nothing but a distraction, a diversion to keep them busy while something far worse festered in the dark.


    The Fatek boss''s voice turned mocking. "All those portals we opened? The attacks on your cities? They were all distractions to keep your so-called ''hunters'' preupied. While they yed at being heroes, we''ve been working right under their noses, harvesting what we needed from your world.


    Hundreds of awakened humans have fallen into our hands, and no one even noticed." He spat thest words with disgust. "Pathetic. Primitive. Your race didn''t even realize the true threat."


    Carlos felt sick. His stomach twisted in knots as the Fatek continued.


    "You see, the problem with our race," the Fatek boss mused, "is that weck the binding that allows your kind to awaken. But we''ve found a solution. By feeding the cell project with the blood and abilities of your people, we''ve begun creating something far beyond anything you could imagine, evolution beyond apes."


    The Fatek boss stopped in front of the cocoon, his hands gently caressing its surface. It pulsed beneath his touch like a heartbeat¡ªalive and waiting. Carlos''s mind screamed at him to run, but his body refused to obey. His legs felt like lead, frozen in ce by the overwhelming terror coursing through him.


    "We were hoping for an S-rank hunter to feed this project, but you, Carlos¡­ an A-rank snack will suffice."


    Carlos''s heart skipped a beat, his vision blurring as panic took over. He barely noticed when the Fatek boss dropped him to the ground, propping him up against the pulsating cocoon like a discarded doll.


    Suddenly, the air thickened with an overpowering, suffocating presence. Carlos could feel it¡ªsomething monstrous was inside that cocoon, waiting to be born. His lips quivered uncontrobly, and all he could muster was a trembling whisper. "P-please¡­ no¡­"


    But before he could finish, thick, snake-like tentacles shot out from the cocoon and wrapped around his limbs. He screamed as they coiled tighter, dragging him closer. One tendril wrapped around his throat, squeezing the air from his lungs.


    "No! NO!" Carlos choked, thrashing in vain as the tendrils pulled him into the cocoon. His skin tore against the rough surface, blood oozing from the deep gashes as the cocoon began absorbing him, slowly, agonizingly. It felt like being fed into a meat grinder¡ªevery inch of his body was being shredded apart, piece by piece.


    Tears of pain and desperation streamed down his face as his mind scrambled for any final thoughts. ''I''m sorry¡­ I can''t make it home, Fam¡­''


    In one final, brutal tug, Carlos was gone. The cocoon closed around him, sealing his fate. All that remained was a streak of blood smeared across the floor, leading to the throbbing mass of the cocoon.


    The Fatek boss let out a satisfied growl, his sharp teeth gleaming under theb''s cold lights. "The birth of the Perfect Cell begins."


    For a moment, theb was still. Then, the surface of the cocoon began to crack. Thin fractures snaked across its exterior, and the pulsing light grew stronger, more erratic.


    A twisted grin spread across the Fatek boss''s face as he took a step back, watching the cracks widen. "Let the humans meet their carnage."


    With a final, thunderous crack, the cocoon split open.


    And something far worse than Cell emerged.


    ---


    ***Author''s Note***


    End of the first season! I think I deserve a magic castle after this wild journey! Feel free to throw me a dragon, a race car, a massage chair, or at least a golden ticket! Your support keeps this story alive, so don''t leave me hanging!


    Season two will be even crazier¡ªexpect more twists, more horror, and more thrills.


    And remember¡­ this is based on a true story


    I''m begging for support... don''t leave this season without showing a little light of encouragement to me... Thanks

 Chapter 52 Infinite... I Am Infinity

    Vol 2


    Axel rose to his feet, groggily standing as he stared at the floor, his breathing shallow yet steady. ''So, this is it...'' His thoughts echoed through the silence, the weight of the situation crushing him.


    "So, this is the group sent to kill me... but by whom?" Axel locked his gaze onto the cloaked figures, but something was off. Moments ago, there had been three of them, yet now only one remained, standing ominously. The other two had either vanished or¡ªhad he been imagining them? Doubt crept into his mind, but he quickly brushed it aside.


    The single cloaked figure burst into a chilling cackle, the sound reverberating through the air, twisted and cruel. "Hahahahaha! You''re fun to watch in despair, boy. We killed the girl and your sister, and yet, here you stand, so calm. I expected you to be more enraged... not this...


    detached."


    Axel''s face betrayed no emotion, though his mind was in utter chaos. The system was at work, keeping him calm despite the storm within. His fists clenched involuntarily, his heartbeat slowing to a controlled, steady rhythm.


    "Who sent you?" Axel repeated, his voice hollow, devoid of emotion, almost mechanical. His eyes, however, gleamed with a darkness that spoke of barely-contained fury.


    "Fool! Why would I ever tell you anything?" The cloaked figure sneered, his lips barely visible under the hood. He didn''t get to finish the sentence. Axel''s fist collided with the man''s face, the sheer force of it lifting him off the ground, sending him hurtling through the air.


    The cloaked figure twisted mid-flight, barely managing tond on his feet, though he spat out a thick glob of blood, its metallic scent lingering in the air. "Quick... very quick. That''s more like it." His light blue eyes began to glow with an ominous, eerie light, and Axel felt an unsettling shiver crawl down his spine.


    "For thest time... who sent you?" Axel''s voice was more of a growl now, a low rumble that seemed to hang in the air, as though the very atmosphere tensed at his words.


    The cloaked figure burst intoughter once more, throwing his hands out, releasing a massive st of red, searing mes that roared toward Axel with terrifying speed. The ground cracked beneath the heat of the oing inferno.


    ''That explosion...'' Axel''s mind raced, and his body reacted instinctively. He leapt out of the way, barely avoiding the scorching beam as it scorched the earth where he had just stood.


    He sprinted toward his enemy, the distance closing rapidly. But the cloaked figure had anticipated this. A wall of mes erupted from the ground, towering between them. The heat was suffocating, and the mes danced wildly as if alive, mocking Axel''s approach.


    "Not yet!" Axel shouted, his voice cutting through the roar of the fire. His fist pierced through the ming wall, shattering it like ss. mes scattered in all directions, and his knuckles connected with the cloaked man''s face once again.


    The man flew back, crashing into the ground several feet away. He groaned in pain but scrambled to his feet, clearly wary of Axel''s growing ferocity. ''Damn, this guy is something else,'' he thought, wiping the blood from his mouth as he pulled back his hood. His face was now fully visible¡ªscarred and twisted, with eyes that burned with a malevolent blue fire.


    "No more ying around!" The cloaked figure snarled, raising his fists, which glowed red-hot, the heat radiating from him intensifying with every second.


    Axel wasted no time, charging forward at blinding speed. The world around him seemed to blur as he closed the gap in an instant.


    The cloaked man swung a fiery fist at Axel, but Axel was faster. He sidestepped, grabbing the man''s elbow and pulling him forward. In the same fluid motion, Axel thrust his own elbow toward the man''s face.


    The cloaked figure reacted just in time. His mouth opened unnaturally wide, and from it, a beam of searing mes shot out, aimed directly at Axel. Axel leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the inferno, though he could feel the intense heat singeing his shirt.


    "Hahaha! That''s it! Give me more of that hatred!" The cloaked man howled in twisted ecstasy. He lunged at Axel again, thrusting his hand forward while unleashing another explosion of red mes, brighter and more intense than before.


    This time, Axel couldn''t dodge. Instead, he summoned his sword into his hand, the cold steel appearing in his grasp like an extension of his will. He shed through the mes, scattering them into hundreds of flickering embers that dissipated into the air.


    "Not yet!" Axel growled again, bending his knees andunching himself at his enemy, faster and more determined than ever. He was done ying games.


    He reached the cloaked man and swung his sword in a deadly arc toward his throat. But the man was no novice. His hand, now zing with red-hot energy, caught the sword mid-swing. The de sizzled in his grasp, but the man didn''t flinch.


    "Hahaha! You can''t win, boy!" the man cackled, tightening his grip on the sword. "I''m as strong as an S-rank. You''ll never beat me, no matter what you try!" With his free hand, he summoned another st of mes¡ªthis time, blue, hotter, deadlier.


    Axel leapt back just in time, though the heat was so intense that it scorched his skin, leaving painful, angry burns along his arms and face.


    ''His ability... he''s increasing the heat, creatingbustion at will. His body¡ªit''s made entirely of me. That''s why he could grab my sword without feeling it. me... it''s intangible, untouchable...'' Axel''s mind raced as he pieced together the enemy''s powers.


    ''Unless...''


    The cloaked man smirked, tossing Axel''s sword to the ground with a tter. "Maybe I''ll sell this fine piece of a sword after I''m done with you." He paused, noticing Axel''s stance had changed. The boy was standing still, hands raised above his head, concentrating, his eyes closed.


    ''What the hell is he doing?'' The cloaked man hesitated, feeling a sudden unease creep into his chest. ''He''s wide open... he must be nning something. Hahaha! Too tempting not to take.''


    The cloaked figure steadied himself, creating a small circle with his hands, his stance low and sturdy. "The hottest form of me is blue," he sneered. "Typically, blue mes can reach temperatures of 1,980¡ãC. But with my ability, I can double that! My final move¡ªmes reaching 3,960¡ãC!"


    As he screamed, his body was engulfed in a maelstrom of blue mes, hotter than anything Axel had faced before.


    ''If this doesn''t work... I''ll die,'' Axel thought, his body steady, his mind sharper than ever. He was betting everything on this next move.


    With a deafening roar, the cloaked man unleashed his full power, the blue mes racing toward Axel, consuming everything in their path.


    BOOOOOMMMMMM!


    The ground shook violently as the mes made contact¡ªbut when the smoke cleared, Axel stood there, unscathed, his hands still raised. His body was untouched, as if the mes had never existed.


    "What the...?" The cloaked man staggered backward, drenched in sweat, his body trembling. "That''s... impossible..."


    Axel''s eyes glinted with something beyond rage, beyond power. He stood like a god among mortals, his very presencemanding the battlefield.


    "You... you''re not human," the cloaked man stammered, his voice faltering as his energy drained from his body, his knees buckling beneath him.


    [Deceased Touch is active.]


    Axel''s voice echoed through the battlefield like a death sentence. "I used Deceased Touch to decay the air... killing your mes, and draining your mana. Now... I''ll take my time."


    The cloaked man fell to his knees, powerless, as Axel approached. The end had only just begun.


    ---


    Volume 2 begins

 Chapter 53 Tormented attacker?

    Axel took slow, deliberate steps toward the cloaked figure, his boots crunching against the dirt as the man quivered on the ground before him. The air around them felt thick, filled with tension and the metallic tang of blood. Axel''s breathing was steady, controlled, but his eyes zed with a storm of fury and grief.


    When he reached the cloaked man, he didn''t hesitate. Without a word, Axel raised his foot and brought it crashing down on the man''s side. The cloaked figure cried out in pain, a guttural, broken sound. His body jerked violently, but he barely had the strength to move, still paralyzed by the energy Axel had drained from him during their earlier fight.


    "You filthy rags!" Axel snarled, venom dripping from every word. His sword manifested in his left hand, gleaming wickedly in the dim light. Without hesitation, he plunged the de deep into the man''s shoulder. The sound of the steel piercing flesh was sharp, and the man shrieked in a high-pitched, uncontroble manner. His whole body convulsed, but he still couldn''t escape.


    Axel''s breathing quickened as the heat of rage seared through him. His vision narrowed, focusing entirely on the cloaked figure beneath him. He didn''t see a person anymore¡ªonly the embodiment of everything that had been taken from him.


    "You fucking bastard!" Axel''s voice cracked with rage. "How dare you attack my home!" His foot mmed down on the man again and again, with all the force his body could muster. The sickening sound of bones breaking apart echoed through the empty space, followed by wet, ragged coughing and the man''s pitiful cries. But Axel didn''t care. He couldn''t care.


    "You killed my sister," Axel growled, his voice lower now, dangerously calm, as if he was talking to a mere insect beneath his boot. With a swift motion, Axel yanked his sword from the man''s shoulder and raised it high overhead. He brought it down with brutal efficiency, severing the man''s right arm in one clean stroke.


    The man screamed, his voice ragged and desperate, an animalistic sound filled with terror and pain. He fell face down, his blood pooling beneath him, soaking into the earth. His body twitched, his strength fading rapidly as the life poured out of him. Still, he struggled weakly, trying in vain to move.


    Out of Axel''s shadow, a dark red mist began to form, swirling like liquid smoke. It pooled on the ground next to him, rising slowly, taking shape. Out of that blood-red mist emerged Mane, the Kaiju King, his monstrous form towering over the broken figure of the cloaked man. Mane''s eyes burned with the same fury as Axel''s, his massive jaws twitching in anticipation.


    "What shall I do, Master?" Mane''s voice was deep, guttural, his tone filled with sadistic hunger.


    Axel''s lips curled into a savage grin, his own eyes glowing a bright, eerie red. "Mane," he said coldly, "I want you to eat his legs. Slowly."


    Mane didn''t need further instructions. He lumbered forward, his massive jaws opening wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. He mped down on the man''s ankles with a crunch, and then, with slow, deliberate bites, began tearing through the flesh and bone. The man''s screams reached a new level of agony, filling the air with his tortured wails as Mane devoured him piece by piece.


    Axel stood over the scene, watching with cold satisfaction. His chest heaved with each breath, his hands trembling slightly from the intensity of his emotions. But inside, he felt a deep, dark satisfaction as the cloaked man''s strength was ripped away from him piece by agonizing piece.


    But then, through his pain, the cloaked man began tough. It was a weak, brokenugh, but it carried a mocking edge to it. "Haha... haha... you think... this is anything?" he croaked, his voice barely a whisper, each wordced with agony.


    Axel''s eyes narrowed. His grin faded, reced with a cold, calcting expression. "I never said I was done." He knelt down next to the man, bringing his face close enough that their breaths mingled. His voice was barely a whisper, dripping with venom. "When I feed your balls to you, when I let my Kaiju devour your flesh slowly, I''ll heal you¡ªover and over again.


    And even when you beg for death, I''ll make sure to keep you alive. I''ll drag you through every circle of hell, and even then, you''ll know true pain. That''s a promise."


    The man''s eyes widened in terror as Axel''s words sank in. Hisughter stopped, reced by a look of raw fear. But before Axel could continue, a voice broke through the air.


    "Axel, stop!"


    Axel froze.


    The voice was distant, but familiar. Too familiar. His heart lurched, a cold sweat breaking out on his skin. Slowly, almost unwillingly, he turned his head toward the voice.


    Standing there, a few meters away, was his sister. Annie. Alive.


    His vision blurred as tears welled up in his eyes. His breath caught in his throat. For a moment, he couldn''t believe it. He had seen her die. He had held her lifeless body. But here she was, standing before him.


    "Annie..." Axel''s voice was a hoarse whisper, shaking with disbelief. He hadn''t thought he would ever see her again, yet here she was, alive, breathing, real.


    "Axel!" she cried, sprinting toward him. Tears streamed down her face as she ran, her arms outstretched. Axel rushed toward her, closing the distance in an instant. He pulled her into a tight embrace, his whole body trembling with relief and grief and overwhelming emotion.


    "I''m so d," he sobbed into her shoulder, his grip on her tightening. He had never felt so vulnerable, sopletely undone. His body shook with the force of his cries, his tears soaking into her hair.


    Annie smiled softly through her own tears, though there was tension in her expression. "You''re such a big baby," she whispered, her voice gentle despite the fear that lingered beneath her words.


    Axel ignored her teasing. He held her for what felt like an eternity before finally pulling back, looking her up and down, trying to understand how this was even possible. "How... how are you¡ª"


    Before he could finish his question, he noticed something. A faint, red energy was exuding from Annie''s body, swirling around her like a mist. Axel''s heart raced as, from that energy, a figure began to emerge¡ªa soldier, familiar yet strange.


    It was Cell, one of Axel''s most loyal warriors.


    Cell bowed deeply as he fully materialized before Axel. "My Lord," he said, his voice reverent, "as the explosion took ce, I followed yourmand. I merged with your sister to protect her, shielding her from the impact. It was the only way to save her."


    Axel''s eyes widened. He hadn''t even realized Cell had such a power. His soldier had not only evolved his sister''s being but had also shielded her from certain death. Axel swallowed hard, overwhelmed with gratitude.


    "Thank you, Cell," Axel whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You saved her."


    But Annie''s voice broke through his thoughts again, this time more insistent. "Axel... please," she said softly. "Stop torturing him. He doesn''t deserve to die."


    Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. His mind screamed at him to finish the cloaked man, to make him suffer for what he had done. But Annie... she was asking him to show mercy. Could he deny her?


    Axel clenched his jaw, the internal battle raging inside him. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he signaled Mane to stop. Mane obeyed immediately, stepping back from the man''s mangled legs.


    Axel knelt beside the man, his face inches from the bloody, broken figure. "You''re lucky," Axel whispered, his voice filled with cold malice. "But don''t think I''m done with you. You''ll wish for death before I''m finished."


    ***Author''s note*** Exclusive content from m,v lem|p,yr


    Published the first chapter under volume one (face palm). Chapter two is now volume one... Hope we win WPC... Support our mission till the results are out.

 Chapter 54 Government System

    Axel sat in therge waiting room, his entire body rigid with tension. Even though he knew Annie was safe, he struggled to keep hisposure from fracturing into a thousand jagged pieces. The image of the cloaked man, crumpled beneath his fists, haunted him. The satisfaction he''d felt as he broke bone after bone¡ªtreasuring each snap¡ªterrified him.


    There had been a part of him that enjoyed it far more than he should have. And that, more than anything, disturbed him.


    But now wasn''t the time to think about it. He had more pressing matters to focus on.


    Annie had passed out shortly after surviving the explosion¡ªlikely due to the remnants of Cell''s influence¡ªand was in the hospital receiving treatment. Her survival was nothing short of a miracle, but Axel couldn''t help but wonder what toll it had taken on her. He let out a shaky breath.


    And then there was Noel. Axel''s thoughts darkened further. She was in the hunters'' hospital¡ªfar from civilians¡ªbecause of the injuries she''d sustained. There had been no updates, but given the state she was in when hest saw her... she was probably dead.


    A voice interrupted his spiraling thoughts. "Mr. Teras, the leaders are ready to see you now."


    Axel turned to see an attendant standing at the far end of the hall. The young man''s expression was unreadable as he spoke. "The board of heads has requested your presence."


    Axel rose slowly to his feet, his body tense with the weight of everything. He nodded in acknowledgment and followed the attendant down the long corridor.


    The news of his attack had spread faster than wildfire. The association heads of Kyota''s five hunter groups had summoned him almost immediately after he had left Annie in the hospital''s care. The mere fact that they wanted to see him still didn''t sit right with him. It wasn''t like he was looking for fame or recognition¡ªespecially not from them.


    ''The board of heads,'' Axel thought grimly as he walked. His mind shed back to the days when he''d dreamt of being summoned by the most powerful hunters in Kyota. It had once felt like a distant dream, a goal that every young hunter aspired to.


    The board governed all hunter activity in Kyota as they were the leaders of each hunters association.


    The leaders of the five associations were second only to the president in power. To be called before them was akin to being summoned by the president himself.


    But Axel''s chest was heavy with resentment, not anticipation. The only reason he was here was because his life and the lives of those close to him had been attacked. He wasn''t here to prove his strength or rise in the ranks. This was personal.


    They stopped in front of an imposing wooden door. It towered at the end of the hall, almost seeming to stare down at Axel as if it knew the weight it bore. The attendant bowed and motioned for him to enter.


    "This is it," Axel muttered to himself. He ced his hand on the door, feeling the cool wood beneath his palm. With a fair amount of force, he pushed it open. The hinges groaned, and the door swung wide, revealing a circr chamber lit by dim, sterile lights.


    The heads of the five associations sat around a grand table, their eyes immediately locking onto Axel as he entered. Their presence was suffocating, and Axel could feel the tension in the room like static in the air. Despite this, he didn''t falter. He strode in with purpose, standing tall in the center of the room, his gaze unwavering.


    At the round table sat the five association heads: Seo Jihnyuk of the Tiger, Vicky Shaw of the Storm, Racheal Jarvis of the Dragon, Hendricks ck of the Shadow, and Wukong Tens of the Monkey.


    Axel kept hisposure, his left hand sliding casually into his pocket as he took in the room. Despite the weight of theirbined presence, he remained calm. He''d always dreamt of being here, but now that he was, the taste was bitter. **I don''t have time for this,** he thought. **There are more urgent matters to deal with.**


    Wukong, the head of the Monkey association, spoke first. "Axel Teras, it''s good to finally meet you in person." His voice was calm, but there was no time for pleasantries. "We''ll cut right to the chase. The group that attacked you and your family is known as the Hangi group."


    Axel''s brows furrowed as the name sank in. **The Hangi group?** He repeated the name to himself,mitting it to memory. Explore more stories at m-vl_em,pyr


    "The Hangi group is a criminal organization," Seo Jihnyuk added, his tone somber. "They''ve been a thorn in our side for a long time, opposing not only the hunter system but both sides of this war. Their goal is simple: chaos. They want their own way, their own rule."


    Axel''s fists clenched at his sides. "Why would a criminal group like that target me? My family? I don''t hold any sway in this country. I''m not a political figure, and I''ve never contributed anything significant!" His voice rose, and he mmed his fist on the table, the wood creaking under the pressure.


    Hendricks ck, the head of the Shadow association, shook his head slowly, seemingly unfazed by Axel''s outburst. "Don''t be so tense," he said coolly. "Other S-rank hunters were attacked as well. They managed to fend off the threats, but unlike you, they couldn''t capture any of the.


    So we''ll be putting up a security of a few A-ranks around Kyota, our main objective is still to defend against the alien thre¡ª"


    Axel''s fist mmed down on the table again, this time with more force, ''It''s the same as always... This is the tiniest care they can show a few A-ranks to handle a group that can match a S-rank with ease, a group that will target the civilians... They give such little protection to the people whike they secure the S-rank for themselves''.


    Arge section of the table splintered under his hand, and the room fell silent. The wood creaked ominously, hanging by mere fibers.


    "You don''t get it, do you?" Axel''s voice was low, but it carried the weight of barely contained fury. "You''re all the same. You sit up here in your towers, iming to protect us. But all you care about is maintaining a dumb order and lining your pockets. You don''t care about the hunters beneath you, the civilians, the ones out there fighting every day for everyone''s safety."


    The tension in the room spiked. The heads, who had once regarded him with calm authority, now shifted ufortably in their seats.


    Axel''s eyes darkened as he red at each of them in turn. "I didn''te here to listen to your excuses. I came here for one thing: information. I want a full dossier on the Hangi group¡ªnames, locations, everything. If you don''t give it to me¡­" He paused, letting his words sink in, "I''ll bring this whole damn association to its knees, no matter the consequences."


    The room erupted into a chorus of growls and outraged whispers. Hendricks was the first to snap, mming his hand down on the table. "How dare you speak to us like that? A mere B-rank hunter! You''re no better than your father¡ª"


    Before Hendricks could finish, Axel was suddenly standing right in front of him, faster than anyone in the room could react. His hand was wrapped tightly around Hendricks'' cor, pulling him forward until their faces were inches apart.


    "Say another word about my father," Axel whispered, his voice dripping with venom, "and I''ll make sure yourst moments on this earth are spent in agony."


    The room fell into a tense, suffocating silence. The air crackled with the threat of violence.


    ***Author''s note***


    It''s the judging phase, please gift me magic castle! Or maybe dragon or race car... Or massage chair, any is good.

 Chapter 55 Making Rather... More enemies

    Axel''s fists clenched, veins bulging against his skin as his grip tightened around Hendricks'' cor. His breath was heavy, his eyes zing with rage, and the room buzzed with an almost unbearable tension. The other board members exchanged nervous nces, unsure of how to defuse the situation. Discover more stories at m v l e mpyr


    "Axel, stop this!" The Tiger Association leader, Seo Jihnyuk, shouted, rising from his seat. His voice cracked with a rare mix of urgency and authority, trying to cut through Axel''s fury.


    Axel didn''t flinch.


    "I understand you''re angry, Axel. But don''t go any further with this disrespect," Racheal, the head of the Serpent Guild, urged, her tone almost pleading. "You have no idea what you''re getting yourself into. If you keep going, not only will you suffer for this, but so will your sister¡­ and your mother."


    Axel''s jaw tightened, and his grip around Hendricks grew firmer. He ignored her, his mind clouded with memories of the past, the injustice his family had suffered at the hands of the very people now begging him for restraint.


    Vicky Shaw, the eldest and most respected among them, stood slowly. His white hair shimmered under the boardroom lights, giving him an almost ethereal appearance¡ªa stark contrast to the storm brewing in Axel''s eyes. He approached with deliberate steps, exuding the authority that came with decades of leadership.


    "Axel Teras," Vicky''s voice was measured, calm, and yet it carried the weight of his wisdom. "You are nothingpared to the men in this room. I strongly suggest you release him, now, before things get worse."


    Axel''s response was instant and venomous. "No."


    The word sliced through the room like a de, causing the board members to freeze in their ces. A gasp echoed from one corner of the table, and even Vicky''s calm facade cracked for a second.


    "What did you just say?" Wukong, the feared leader of the Red Fist Alliance, shot to his feet, his body radiating a dangerous energy. His hand hovered near the hilt of the sword strapped to his waist. "Do you have any idea what you''re doing, boy?"


    Axel met his re without hesitation. "I said no, you idiots!" His voice was raw with anger, each word dripping with defiance. "I''m done listening to your orders. Done pretending like any of you matter!"


    For a brief moment, silence reigned, as though the very air in the room had been sucked out. The other board members shifted ufortably in their seats. The tension was suffocating, and the atmosphere crackled with the threat of violence.


    Just then, the doors to the boardroom burst open, and in stepped three figures, their presence immediatelymanding attention. S-rank hunters. The kind of elite fighters that only a fool would take lightly.


    "Axel, this is yourst warning," Wukong said, his voice a low growl. "If you don''t stand down, these hunters will make sure you regret it."


    "We''re trying to help you, Axel," Seo Jihnyuk added, though his voice was filled with worry. "Think about your family. They''ve already suffered enough."


    But Axel''s eyes never left Hendricks, the man who had been responsible for so much pain in his life. His grip remained unyielding, his fury far from spent.


    "No! I won''t stop. I won''t let go of him, and in fact¡­" Axel''s voice lowered, almost to a whisper, filled with a menace that sent shivers down the spines of everyone in the room. "I''ll kill him. Right here. Right now."


    "Axel!" Trisha, who wasone of the S-rank hunters present, took a step forward, her voice filled with genuine concern. She was the only one among the hunters who had known Axel personally. "Don''t do this. Please. Killing him won''t fix anything."


    "Do you have any idea who he is?" one of the other S-rank hunters hissed. "He''s at the top of Kyota, and one of the most powerful leaders in the world. Killing him would doom us all, especially in the middle of this war."


    Axel red at them, his rage undeterred. "Shut up! None of you know what this man has done to my family. What he did to my father!" His voice cracked with raw emotion, and suddenly, the energy around him shifted, a dangerous red aura sizzling to life, enveloping him.


    The room grew colder. Everyone could feel the danger pulsing from Axel now. This wasn''t just anger¡ªthis was something darker, something far more terrifying.


    "Axel, please¡­" Trisha''s voice softened, her hand gently resting on his shoulder. She dropped any hint of hostility, trying to reach the boy she once knew. "He''s not worth it. We have amon enemy. Remember the promise you made to me? We can end this together, but not like this.


    Not this way."


    For a moment, her words seemed to reach him. Axel''s grip on Hendricks faltered, his knuckles no longer white from the strain. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he let go. Hendricks copsed back into his seat, immediately straightening his suit and brushing off the invisible dust, trying to regain hisposure.


    "Axel," Hendricks began, his voice still shaky. "I¡ª"


    But Axel wasn''t listening. He shrugged off Trisha''s hand, turning his back on the room. His eyes were still burning with rage, but for now, the fight seemed to have drained from him.


    "I''m sorry for what happened to your father," Hendricks said, standing up and bowing slightly, a gesture that felt almost insincere. "I''ll make it up to you. I''ll take care of your mother''s treatment, your sister''s schooling. Everything. You have my word."


    Axel stopped in his tracks, his hand hovering over the door handle. He hesitated for a moment, as though considering the offer. But then, with a low growl, he mmed the door open with such force that the hinges shattered, the doors tearing off and ttering to the floor with a deafening crash.


    "How rude of him," Wukong scoffed, folding his arms over his chest. "Hendricks forgave him, offered him more than he deserved, and he still acts like a brat. If it were up to me, I''d have put him in his ce a long time ago."


    Hendricks smiled weakly. "He''s young. Let''s chalk it up to youthful foolishness."


    But inside, Hendricks'' thoughts were darker. *I won''t let this go. No one disrespects me like that.*


    As the board continued to debate Axel''s behavior, Seo Jihnyuk remained silent, his sharp eyes focused on Trisha. Their gazes met briefly, and with a subtle nod, Seo signaled for her to leave the room. She understood immediately, slipping out quietly to attend to other matters.


    ''Alright, Axel,'' Seo thought as he watched her go. ''You''ve made your move. But now, you''ve brought a storm to your doorstep. Hendricks won''t let this slide, and neither will the rest of us.''


    Axel Teras had made more enemies today than he realized.


    ***AuthorEriElegbede note***


    Today was another rather miserable day of my life... I feel so much down spirited, and can barely think, I''m sorry if this chapter felt weird, it had some emotions from depressed author over here.


    Honestly, the reason why I put my Author''s note this was instead is because the only thing I have left to live for, are my books. I''m an introvert that my life has broken many times. Enjoy the novel ajd keep supporting me even with power stones or reviews, the smallest things can still be an encouragement.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 56 : 56: Friend? Oh enemy

    Axel''s foot had barely crossed the threshold of the hall when he suddenly froze, his expression darkening in confusion.


    "What just happened?" His thoughts whirled chaotically, and he instinctively scanned the vicinity. He was still in the towering skyscraper where the Hunter''s Association board meeting had been held, but something felt off. "I thought I was just in the room with them... I remember the name Hangi, but after that... nothing. It''s like a nk te."


    A cold shiver ran down his spine. Could it be¡ª?


    "Axel! Wait, Axel!" A voice called from behind, breaking his reverie. He turned swiftly to see Trisha rushing toward him, her face flushed with urgency.


    ''What now?'' Axel waited for her to close the distance before asking, his voice a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. "What do you want?"


    Trisha stopped a few feet away, her breath uneven. She hesitated, her own mind racing. Why had she followed him? She had no clear answer. Staring into Axel''s intense gaze only added to her disorientation. What hadpelled her?


    "I''m... sorry," she finally muttered, catching her breath. "But President Hendricks signaled for me to stay with you. Until then, I won''t leave your side."


    Axel raised an eyebrow, a grin creeping onto his face. "That''s convenient. I was just wondering how I''d make it back to the hospital without my wallet. It kinda got... burnt up."


    Trisha furrowed her brows, frustration bubbling up. ''This guy is seriously expecting me to cover his transportation? And he doesn''t even seem to care how messed up things were back there... He''s not acting like the Axel who addressed the board. Could something be wrong with him?''


    Doubt gnawed at her. Was Axel just being a self-centered jerk, or was there more to this? Could he be... dangerous?


    "Trisha," Axel''s voice cut through her thoughts. She flinched.


    "What?"


    "I remember entering the boardroom," Axel said slowly, as if piecing together fragments of a broken memory. "But after that... it''s all a blur. I can''t recall anything until I was standing here."


    His voice wavered, the uncertainty unnerving him. His mind raced. Could he have said something reckless in that room? The board members were not people you crossed lightly. Their power was immense, and their grudges even deadlier. He looked at Trisha''s tense expression, sensing that something had gone terribly wrong.


    "You threatened a board member," Trisha said, crossing her arms, her tone nonchnt as if discussing the weather. "Then you walked out after telling him you''d kill him."


    Axel''s heart sank. ''I knew it. Someone messed with my mind... But who? And why?''


    His mind spun with possibilities. ''Could it have been Hendricks? Or someone else from the board? But why now? Why target me?''


    Axel folded his arms, deep in thought. "It was Hendricks, wasn''t it?"


    Trisha nodded slowly, confirming his suspicion. Her eyes flickered with something close to fear, though she tried to hide it. Axel could tell. ''She knows more than she''s letting on.''


    "I didn''t want to tell you this before," Trisha said, her voice lowering as she stepped closer. "But now that you''re involved... we need to talk. And you need to keep this between us."


    Axel tilted his head, intrigued. "Alright¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Trisha grabbed his hand, her grip surprisingly firm, pulling him forward with a sudden urgency. "Not here. We need to move, quickly."


    Axel followed without protest, more confused than ever. "What''s going on, Trisha? I''m really lost."


    A low snarl echoed beside him, and Velerium materialized, his eyes zing with concern. "Master, I apologize for not being there when you needed me. Your aura signals were disrupted. I couldn''t sense you."


    "You missed a lot," Axel muttered grimly, his thoughts heavier with each step. "And my worst fears... they''reing to life."


    Velerium''s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? What''s happening?"


    Axel clenched his fists. "I''m getting involved again... with my father''s killer."


    ***


    They stopped at an empty bus shelter, its fluorescent lights flickering in the night. It was a shelter meant for hunters, but at this hour, it was deserted.


    Trisha released his hand and turned to face him, her expression hardening. "Now that we''re alone, I can exin everything."


    Axel stood still, his hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze cold and calcting. He didn''t speak, waiting for her to continue.


    "I believe there''s a mole in the Hunter''s Association," she said, her voice steady but filled with tension. "At first, I thought it was just another hunter... but now, I''m sure it''s someone on the board."


    Axel didn''t flinch. He pulled his hands from his pockets, resting one under his chin, deep in thought. "Someone mind-controlled me. Even with my mental fortitude, they got through. They wanted me to attack Hendricks... but their endgame isn''t chaos.


    Whoever it is... they want something more calcted."


    Trisha blinked, stunned at how quickly Axel had pieced together the puzzle. Most hunters she had confided in had dismissed her theories, calling her paranoid, even insane. Yet here Axel was, not just agreeing with her but building on her suspicions. It unnerved her.


    "Why aren''t you rejecting this idea?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly. "You should think this is treason! But instead, you''re just... epting it? They called me insane, Axel. Every time I told someone, they called me insane.


    We''re questioning the most powerful people in Kyota! If anyone hears us, we''re dead. And you''re acting like it''s no big deal? Who the hell are you, Axel Teras?"


    Axel''s lips curved into a small, dark smile. "Insane? Insanity is following the herd. Insanity is being blind to the truth, even when it''s right in front of you. Me? I prefer to keep my eyes open to all possibilities.


    Especially when ites to my enemies."


    Trisha clenched her fists, still not fully convinced. "It still doesn''t make sense," she muttered.


    Axel could sense her reluctance. He had read her file¡ªhe knew her past. As a fellow S-rank hunter, he understood the trauma that shaped her. She had been sold to a brothel as a child, betrayed by those who promised to save her. Trust didn''te easy to her, not after that, even with telling him all this personal info, she could barely hold back her anxiety and reluctance.


    But her awe outweighed those aspects.


    Without a word, Axel reached out and took her hand in his. Her skin was cold against his, a stark contrast to his warmth.


    "I''m not like the others," Axel said softly, his voice low but firm. "I''m not like any man you''ve met before. I''m Axel Teras, and I won''t let you down."


    Trisha stared at him, her resolve faltering for just a moment. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust him. But trust had cost her everything before.


    "And just so you know," Axel added, his voice hardening, "I have my own reasons for wanting to take down the board. They''re responsible for what happened to my family... years ago. And I won''t stop until they pay."


    With that, Axel began walking again, pulling Trisha with him through the dimly lit streets.


    "You''ll exin more to me on the way to my sister''s," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    ***Author''s note***


    I don''t know what to think about this chapter... It came I wrote, you read you vote... It actually rhymes... Writing a book and you guys reading feels like I have another family... Thanks for you support.

 Chapter 57 : 57: Kyotas Government

    Holding hands?


    Walking alone together?


    Isn''t that supposed to be magical?


    Axel scoffed. **Not at all.**


    The warmth of Trisha''s hand in his didn''t feelforting or romantic¡ªit felt like a tether... Amother problem grabbing him tightly, how tiresome. He tightened his grip, lost in thought over what she had just revealed to him. The mess with the hoard hadn''t been some cheap trick of mind control. No, it was worse than that.


    It had been emotion amplification, twisting his natural instincts into something monstrous, forcing him to act without thinking.


    **Damn, I got yed... A trap I could never predict.** Axel''s jaw clenched as he mentally kicked himself for not seeing it sooner. He had lost his cool in front of Hendricks, spouted things that weren''t truly his thoughts. All because of the board. The pieces were starting toe together now, thanks to Trisha.


    "Axel, I think this has been happening for a long time, across multiple meetings and dealings," Trisha''s voice broke into his thoughts. "But one situation stands out¡ªsomething that hasn''t sat right with me for years now. The case of the kidnapped civilians."


    Axel turned to her, his brow furrowed. "What about them?"


    Trisha exhaled, her expression hard. "People have been going missing for years, Axel. And the reaction of the chief of security? He''s ignored it, swept it under the rug like it''s nothing. It''s not just negligence. It''s active suppression.


    Witnesses silenced with hush money, media ckouts. They''ve been covering it all up. For what reason, I don''t know."


    Axel''s grip on her hand tightened dangerously. His knuckles turned white, and Trisha winced, but she didn''t pull away. He could feel the anger boiling inside him, threatening to explode.


    "Something is seriously wrong with those bastards!" he hissed through clenched teeth, his mind racing with violent thoughts. **I could kill them. All of them. One by one.** But logic tugged at the back of his mind¡ªif he was going to take down the board, he''d need more than just brute strength. They were likely above S-rank, maybe even beyond what he could imagine.


    "I don''t know how long you''ve been away from Kyota," Trisha continued, "but this is how it''s been for years. They''ve been using the citizens like disposable pawns, eliminating anyone who challenges their system. I even heard rumors of an S-rank hunter who was executed just for questioning them."


    ''I have always been in Kyota idiot.''


    She stopped walking, turning to face Axel fully, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that almost unnerved him. "That''s why I stopped you from going any further. You''ve got too much at stake right now. Your family¡ª"


    Axel''s grip on her hand tightened even more, the strength behind it shocking even Trisha. For an S-rank hunter like her to feel pain from his hold was unheard of. How could he be this strong?


    "Everything my family has gone through... it''s because of **him.**" Axel''s voice was low, trembling with barely contained rage. "He''s responsible for it all."


    Trisha swallowed hard, her mind racing. **Axel... what kind of power does he hold?** Her own ability allowed her to sense things beyond the normal human capacity, to see the truth beneath the surface. It had helped her uncover corruption within the hunter system, but with Axel... it was different. She couldn''t read him.


    It was like staring into a void¡ªsomething so deep and dark that it defied her understanding.


    "Axel..." she started, but he cut her off, his tone cold and distant.


    "Forget about me. What matters now is investigating the board. We need to focus on the Hangi group also, we can''t really tell their ns or objectives." He forced himself to let go of her hand, though the urge to crush something, **someone**, still coursed through him.


    Trisha nodded, but her face darkened at the mention of the group. "Don''t forget your battle with Thor when he returns," she added cautiously, watching his expression fall.


    **Thor.** Axel had almost forgotten. Another problem he didn''t need.


    "Master, there is a solution to that," Velerium''s voice echoed in his mind, the familiar rasp of the bone spirit manifesting beside him. Axel nced at the skeletal figure, his eyes narrowing. "An easy way for you to acquire enough power to defeat that S-rank."


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat, excitement flickering in his chest. ''What do you suggest, Velerium?'' This was the first time the entity had spoken with such certainty, such assurance.


    Velerium let out a low, gravelly chuckle before vanishing into the air. His final words hung in the space between them, like a whispered promise: "When you''re alone."


    Axel blinked, his mind already racing with possibilities. But before he could follow that line of thought, a soft tug on his arm brought him back to the present. Trisha was watching him closely, concern etched into her features.


    "I know you need new amodations," she said gently, "with your house destroyed and all. I was thinking you and your sister could stay with me until you sort things out. I can offer protection, support..."


    Axel frowned. **Where is thising from?** He had more than enough money to secure a ce for himself and Annie. "What does your amodation offer?" he asked, his voiceced with skepticism.


    Trisha sighed, clearly frustrated by his response. **He''s clueless. Completely clueless.** She thought. **He doesn''t even respect me, despite my rank. Well, he doesn''t respect the board members either, so I guess I shouldn''t be surprised.**


    "I''ll make sure your sister is protected by A-rank hunters," Trisha exined, trying to hide her exasperation. "I know she''s a college student¡ªI can arrange for her to return without having to repeat any sses. I''ll handle all her bills, and your mother''s too. That way, you can concentrate on what really matters."


    Axel stared at her, confusion flickering across his face. "Concentrate? What do you mean?"


    Trisha shook her head slightly. "Axel, I''ve been around you long enough to sense your potential. I''ve read your file, studied your progress. Your growth is extraordinary. In all my years, I''ve never seen anything like it. You''re not just S-rank material¡ªyou''re something more.


    SS-rank, even higher. And the world keeps evolving, the hunters keep getting stronger even the kids getting their bindings are bing special. You... you could change everything. You could change this system, this war... all of it."


    Her words hung in the air between them, heavy and full of meaning. Axel felt something stir inside him. **Could I really change it? Could I make a difference? It''s not my goal, but for Annie?**


    Trisha lifted her gaze to the sky, a wistful look in her eyes. "I dream of a world where none of this exists. No wars, no corruption, no suffering. Just peace. A perfect world. And I want to share that dream with you."


    Axel absorbed her words, feeling the weight of her hopes and expectations settle on his shoulders. **That world... it sounds like the Earth we lost.** He nced at her, his expression softening for the first time.


    "That''s a nice dream, Trisha. A really nice dream."


    ***AuthorEriElegbede thoughts***


    Me I dream of getting more traction on this book, and entertaining all of us with this adventure... Recall this is a true life story. Please support me and gift me, to boost my book''s ranking.


    I''m gonna mass release soon

 Chapter 58 Hospital... that worsens the wounds

    Axel and Trisha walked through the quiet, sterile hallways of the hospital dormitories after checking in with the receptionist. The fluorescent lights above cast a harsh, pale glow that only deepened Axel''s brooding thoughts. As they approached Annie''s room, his heart raced with anxiety.


    He had left her unconscious thest time he saw her, and though he had a gut feeling she''d pull through, it didn''t stop the guilt gnawing at him.


    ''I hope she''s awake by now,'' Axel thought, clenching his jaw. His eyes briefly drifted to Trisha, who walked beside him with an unreadable expression. There was something about her that unsettled him. She had made him promises¡ªbig ones¡ªand while he wasn''t the kind of guy to look a gift horse in the mouth, it seemed too good to be true.


    ''Nobody is this nice without wanting something in return,'' Axel reasoned. His eyes narrowed. ''Must be the Mana weapons. She''s probably sticking around to get closer to them. Well, good luck with that.''


    They reached Annie''s room, and Axel let out a deep breath before peeking through the small window on the door. His body froze mid-sigh. His eyes widened, his throat suddenly dry.


    ''What the¡ª'' His heart mmed against his ribs, his blood running cold at the sight.


    Without thinking, Axel bolted for the door, leaving Trisha in confused shock behind him. He twisted the doorknob with such force it nearly broke, storming into the room like a whirlwind. Inside, Loki and Hera, two of his most trustedrades, were sparring.


    But it wasn''t the friendly training session that had Axel''s blood boiling¡ªit was the fact that they were doing it right in front of his unconscious sister.


    "What the hell are you two doing!" Axel roared, grabbing Loki by the ear and pulling him away from Hera. "Are you out of your minds?! My sister is in a damn hospital bed, and you''re ying karate next to her?!"


    Annie, who was now wide awake, looked on in a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Axel, calm down," she said, halfughing, though her voice wasced with concern. "It''s not what it looks like. They were just keeping mepany."


    Axel ignored her, his temper still ring. Hera winced in pain, tears forming at the edges of her eyes as she rubbed her sore ear. "Boss, you didn''t have to go all Hulk on us! We were just entertaining your sister!"


    Loki, on the other hand, remained unfazed, pocketing his hands and heading towards the door. "We should grab something to eat, Hera. Now that Axel''s here, we can leave the hospital bills to him."


    Axel''s eye twitched as Loki''s words hung in the air. ''Over my dead body,'' he thought, but didn''t have the energy to argue further.


    As the two troublemakers exited the room, Annie''s eyes gleamed with mischief. "You''ve gotten taller, Axel," she teased, grinning at him from across the room. "And look at those muscles. I see you''ve been taking my advice and eating more!"


    Axel let out a small chuckle, unable to stay mad. "Yeah, well, I''ve been working on it." His smile faded as Annie''s expression turned somber.


    "What about Aunt Noel?" she asked quietly.


    Axel hesitated, unsure how to answer. "I haven''t heard from her. She might be lying low. Don''t worry about it."


    Before he could say more, Trisha stepped up beside him, cutting into their conversation. "Your sister doesn''t look a thing like you, Axel. She''s way cuter. You''re like a low-contrast sketch, and she''s the finished masterpiece."


    Annie burst intoughter, and Axel felt his mood sour again. ''Why is everyone out to insult me today?'' he grumbled inwardly.


    "Haha! She''s right!" Annie''s yful energy filled the room, the earlier tensionpletely shattered. She leaned back on her bed, her eyes dancing with amusement.


    Axel could only groan as the two women began a long, giggling conversation about his looks¡ªorck thereof. Their voices became background noise as his mind drifted. ''I miss hanging out with the guys. At least they know when to shut up... and leveling up... Man, I miss that too.''


    Unable to take the jabs any longer, Axel interrupted, "Annie, this is Trisha, an S-Rank hunter. She''s going to be living with us for a while."


    Annie''s eyes widened, her grin widening mischievously. "Ohhh, is that so? So she''s your girlfriend now?"


    Trisha gasped, her cheeks flushing crimson. "W-what? No! I''m not his girlfriend! We''re just working togeth¡ª"


    "Yes," Axel said, cutting her off with a deadpan voice. "She''s my girlfriend."


    Trisha''s jaw dropped as she whipped her head toward him. ''What the hell is he doing?'' Her heart pounded, confusion swirling through her mind. ''Is he trying to mess with me? Or is he just an idiot?''


    "Well, that''s... sweet!" Annie beamed,pletely oblivious to the awkward tension between the two. Axel gave Trisha a small wink before turning serious.


    "Excuse us, Annie. Trisha and I need to discuss something outside. Urgently."


    Trisha blinked, her mind reeling from the sudden shift. ''Urgent? What''s he ying at now?'' Begrudgingly, she followed Axel out into the hall.


    ***


    Meanwhile, outside the hospital, Loki and Hera stood in a shadowy alleyway, the air around them thick with tension. Hera nervously nced down at her phone, cing a video call. Loki leaned against the wall, his fingers flying across the screen of Axel''s stolen phone, sifting through the information at lightning speed.


    The phone rang once... twice... before the screen flickered, and President Seo Jihnyuk appeared on the video call.


    "Report," Seo demanded, his voice sharp and cold as ever.


    Hera straightened. "We''ve sessfully swiped Axel Teras'' phone. Loki''s going through the data now."


    Seo leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Anything of note so far?"


    "Nothing yet," Hera admitted, her stomach twisting with nervous energy. "It''s mostly just contact lists. A few criminal clients buying strange Mana weapons, but nothing that directly proves he''s a mole."


    Seo narrowed his eyes, his jaw clenched in frustration. "He''s been making a lot of connections in a short time. That''s suspicious on its own, but it''s still not enough. Keep looking."


    Loki''s fingers froze on the screen, his face paling. "Wait... I found something."


    Both Hera and Seo turned their full attention to him. "What is it?" Seo asked, his voice low and dangerous.


    Loki swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. "Axel... Axel is the mole."


    The world seemed to stop for a moment as the words sank in. Hera''s mind raced as she recalled everything they''d seen and done in the past few weeks. The bodies. The connections. The lies.


    "Dear God..." Loki whispered, his hands trembling. "He''s working with the Dawning Blood."


    Seo''s breath hitched, his face hardening with rage. "You''re telling me... the enemy that devastated the entire world... Has been under our nose this entire time?"


    Hera''s knees nearly buckled as she whispered, "Noel... Noel is the Dawning Blood. She killed our parents... Mum and Dad''s murderer... She''s here."


    Seo''s fist mmed down onto his desk. "Damn it."


    ***Author''s note***


    Shocking reveal... Give me magic castle, or dragon or race car or space craft or magic castle...


    I did this chapter at work, my boss must not catch me doing so... Hahahaha. thanks for reading.

 Chapter 59: Bonus Chapter 59: The Lord of Blood... Everyones Enemy with a Nice Face

    Bonus Chapter 59: The Lord of Blood... Everyone''s Enemy with a Nice Face


    Axel and Trisha stepped out of the room, the door closing softly behind them, leaving Annie alone inside. The hallway was dimly lit, casting long shadows that danced along the walls as if hiding unseen dangers. Trisha''s eyes locked on Axel, searching his face for answers, waiting for him to exin why he had dragged her out here in the first ce.


    "I need to go somewhere," Axel began, his voice low but steady, "and I''m not sure how long it will take for me to return. That''s why I made Annie think you were my girlfriend." He paused, his gaze briefly flicking toward the closed door. "I want her to feel safe and look up to you, not as a stranger but as someone she can trust."


    Trisha''s eyes narrowed slightly, taking in his words. She processed his exnation quickly, but something about it left a sour taste in her mouth. **''By doing this, he''s also making sure I protect his sister at all costs. Is he manipting me?''** The thought swirled in her mind, her instincts screaming that something wasn''t adding up. **''Where is he really going? Why won''t he say?


    Could Axel be the mole we''ve been suspecting? Is he hiding something...?''**


    She wanted to question him, demand answers, but something stopped her. A part of her that trusted him, that had seen his sincerity in moments of crisis, held her tongue. **''If I ask now, it''s like I''m admitting I don''t trust him. And if there''s one thing I know about Axel Teras, it''s that he never shows all his cards. But... I trust him, don''t I?''**


    Axel nced at her, as though reading the unspoken conflict in her eyes. "Don''t worry. I''m only going to get stronger, just like you said I should." He raised his hand to eye level, staring at it as memories flooded his mind¡ªmemories of nearly losing Annie, of the brutal battle against the Fatekmander, and the rush of power when he first got his system.


    He had been so content with small, incremental gains. But now? Now, he craved more. **He needed more.**


    "I won''t stop until I can match an S-rank hunter," he muttered, a determined gleam in his eye. "Until then, nothing is enough."


    Before Trisha could say anything, Axel turned on his heel and began walking away, the intensity of his words hanging in the air between them. Trisha watched him leave, a cold seriousness settling over her.


    "Axel Teras..." she whispered under her breath, her hand tightening around her phone as it vibrated again. **The sixth time today.** Irritated, she nced at the screen.


    It was from the president of the Tiger Association.


    **[President Seo: Head to the Advanced Hunters Hospital now... It''s urgent. All S-rank hunters are needed immediately.]**


    Trisha''s heart leapt into her throat. **''Shit.''** Her fingers instinctively tightened around the phone as her body went rigid. She didn''t even wait to think¡ªwithin seconds, she was sprinting toward the nearest window. There was no time for elevators, no time for stairs.


    Without hesitation, she leaped through the window, her body rocketing through the air like a bullet. She soared across a sixty-foot gap between buildings beforending gracefully on the roof of another structure. **''Something big is happening. Something catastrophic.''**


    As she dashed across the rooftops, Trisha''s mind raced. She could already sense the faint energy of hunters converging on the hospital. **''Damn it... I''ve been distracted all this time. What could it be? A portal?


    No... This feels different. Something worse.''**


    She sped up, her heart pounding in her chest as the hospital loomed in the distance.


    ---


    Inside the hospital, the air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and fear. One by one, the tubes disconnected from the woman''s body, the soft *pop* of the suction seals echoing ominously through the room. The nurse standing nearby trembled uncontrobly, her back pressed against the wall, tears streaming down her face as she watched in horror.


    The woman was tall, her skin pale and slick with the fluids that had once been attached to her. Each time a tube hit the floor, it made a sickening thud, louder than it should have been in the otherwise silent room. The nurse''s breath hitched as thest tube fell, sliding off the woman''s body andnding with a soft, wet sound.


    Slowly, the woman turned her gaze toward the nurse, her eyes burning with a cold, malicious light. "So," she said, her voice low and cruel, "you tried to poison me."


    The woman took a step forward,pletely naked, her body gleaming in the faint light. She towered over the nurse, who was now paralyzed with terror. The nurse''s eyes darted toward the floor, where the body of a doctory in pieces¡ªchunks of flesh scattered across the floor, the result of the woman''s sudden and brutal attack mere moments before.


    "Pl-please..." the nurse stammered, her voice barely audible. "I-I have a family..." Her words were cut short as the woman moved with terrifying speed, her hand shooting out to mp over the nurse''s face.


    The woman grinned, a cruel, twisted smile. "Don''t worry," she whispered, her voice dripping with malice. "They''ll join you soon enough."


    *Sploosh!*


    The nurse''s body exploded in a shower of blood and gore, sttering the walls and floor as if she had been nothing more than a balloon filled with crimson liquid. The woman stood in the aftermath, her grin widening as the nurse''s uniform fell to the floor, soaked in blood.


    "Almost my size," the woman mused, reaching for the clothes. She stopped mid-grab, her grin turning into something more feral as she let the uniform hang in the air. The fabric twisted and contorted, moving as though it had a mind of its own.


    Slowly, the clothes began to wrap themselves around her, transforming into something entirely different¡ªa pair of antique trousers and a crop top, more regal and sinister than their original form.


    The woman raised her hands before her, flexing her fingers, her eyes glittering with cruel delight. "Looks like they know now," she said softly, her voice barely a whisper. "No more pretending to be Noel. It''s time to feed again... time to feast on corpses."


    With a final, triumphant grin, she turned toward the door, her bare feet sshing through the blood-soaked floor as she prepared to unleash her terror on the world outside.


    The Lord of Blood had awakened.

 Chapter 60: Evolution Arc: Chapter 60 - Mission Set

    Evolution Arc: Chapter 60 - Mission Set


    **[Quest 2]**


    **[You have 00:00:26 left until you resume your quest.]**


    Axel stood silently in a narrow, shadowed alleyway, his eyes locked on the glowing notification hovering before him. The cold glow of the countdown timer reflected in his pupils, casting a pale light on his tense expression. His breath fogged in the chill evening air, and though he seemed calm on the outside, inside he was a maelstrom of conflicting emotions.


    The world felt suffocating, each second ticking away like a countdown to his doom. He wanted to disappear, to escape. He had left the sterile, white walls of the hospital behind, wandering through the winding streets until he found himself here, surrounded by cracked brick and garbage bins, waiting for the inevitable.


    "Master," a deep, gurgling voice interrupted the silence. Velerium, the ancient entity bound to him, materialized before Axel, his translucent form flickering in and out of the shadows. His hollow eyes, glowing faintly, were filled with concern. "I sense grief in you."


    Axel didn''t respond immediately. He just stared at the ground, his fists clenched at his sides. His mind churned with thoughts of failure, weakness, and uncertainty. The desire to grow stronger gnawed at his soul, but the endless cycle of pain and struggle had drained him.


    Finally, he sighed and shook his head, "Everything is changing too quickly, Velerium... I want to get stronger, but honestly, I don''t want to do the work anymore." His voice was a strained whisper, almost lost in the wind that rustled through the alley.


    Velerium let out a low, guttural hum, something akin to augh but too distorted to beforting. "That''s a feeling all living beings have, Master. At some point, we all desire power without struggle, victory without war, happiness without sacrifice. But such desires are illusions. To gain, one must suffer."


    Axel''s lips curled into a bitter, humorless smile. "Then I guess I just have to suffer until I rise higher than everyone else."


    Velerium hovered closer, his formless body coiling around Axel like a living shadow. "You''ve ignored this quest for three days, despite knowing what it holds. Though I will reward you, I feelpelled to warn you of what this mission truly entails."


    Axel''s brow furrowed. He had assumed Velerium knew more than he let on about this mysterious quest. "What kind of reward?" Axel asked, though his voice was still t, devoid of the excitement such a prospect would normally bring.


    "One," Velerium growled softly, "is a cure for your mother."


    The words hit Axel like a sledgehammer. His body stiffened, and his breath caught in his throat. For a moment, the world around him ceased to exist. The sounds of distant cars, the chill wind, even Velerium''s presence¡ªall faded. Only his mother''s frail image remained in his mind.


    Axel''s voice trembled when he finally spoke, barely managing to keep himselfposed. "What... What do I need to do?"


    Velerium''s gaze darkened, and his voice dropped to a grave tone. "This is no simple task, Master. Unlike your first quest, which was merely a glimpse of Hell, this will take you to the very heart of it. Your mission is to im the throne of Hades himself. You must be his sessor." He paused, as if to let the weight of his words sink in. "It will be the most difficult trial you''ve ever faced."


    Axel''s heart raced, but his resolve hardened. "I don''t care," he said, voice strained but filled with determination. "Send me in already."


    Velerium ignored his impatience and continued, his form flickering as he spoke. "The time within the realm you''re about to enter is distorted. One week there will only be a day here. You can endure endless trials and return, barely having missed a breath in this world."


    Axel braced himself, ready for the plunge into darkness.


    "...5..."


    Velerium''s eyes flickered, as if hesitating. "But Axel¡ª"


    "...4..."


    "If you die there¡ª"


    "...3..."


    "...2..."


    "...1..."


    "It will just be the beginning of your emptiness."


    ---


    Axel blinked rapidly as his surroundings shifted in an instant. He was no longer standing in the cold alley. Instead, he found himself on a rugged tform made of molten rock. The heat emanating from the ground seeped through his shoes, prickling at his skin. He looked around, his senses adjusting to the harsh, unforgiving environment.


    The tunnel stretched endlessly before him, dark and foreboding, with jagged rocks forming unnatural shapes along the path. Behind himy a dead end¡ªhis only option was to move forward.


    "So this is it," Axel muttered, his voice low. A notification shed in front of his eyes.


    **[Wee, Vessel of Hell.]**


    **[Quest 2: The Empty Throne of mes]**


    He dismissed the notification with a swipe of his hand, his gaze hardening. "Mum... I finally have a chance. I''ll get you that cure, no matter what happens."


    His resolve set, Axel began to walk, each step echoing ominously in the empty tunnel.


    **[You have entered Wave One of the Trial.]**


    ---


    Meanwhile, in the distant city, Hendricks reclined in his luxurious office chair, swirling the bitter coffee in his hand. The dim lighting barely illuminated his gaunt face, casting long shadows across the room.


    "It tastes awful," Hendricks muttered under his breath, though he kept sipping. His gaze shifted to the man standing at the far end of the room, his figure locked in a rigid, painful stance. General Kurtly stood frozen, veins bulging in his neck, his teeth gritted as he struggled against invisible binds.


    "Calm down, General," Hendricks said mockingly, stirring his coffee with a silver spoon. "I thought you wanted an interview, or was it an investigation?"


    Kurtly''s eyes zed with fury, but his body refused to obey hismands. He had been trapped in this torturous hold ever since he had been ambushed earlier that day¡ªdragged into a dark room, tortured by masked men, and then thrown at Hendricks'' feet like a broken toy.


    "You bastard!" Kurtly shouted, his voice hoarse. "Why the hell are you doing this?"


    A twisted grin spread across Hendricks'' face. "Everything is falling into ce, General. And I have you to thank for it." He let out a chillingugh, each note dripping with malice. "Thanks to you, I''ve acquired all the pieces I need."


    "Please, President Hendricks, I can still be of use¡ª" Kurtly''s voice cracked as desperationced his words. "Whatever your goal is, I can help you achieve it."


    Hendricks'' smile vanished, reced by a cold, dead expression. He rose from his chair, slowly walking towards the helpless general. "I''m not Hendricks."


    Kurtly''s mind raced. What did that mean? He struggled to speak, his words trembling. "W-What are you talking about?"


    Hendricks'' eyes gleamed with a dark, inhuman glow. "I''ve been here far longer than you realize. The pain, the maniption¡ªit''s all led me to this moment. I''ve diverted every hunter in Kyota to focus on Axel Teras and the Dawning Blood. No one suspects me."


    Kurtly''s confusion deepened. He hadn''t been briefed on any of this.


    "You don''t understand," Hendricks continued, his voice lowering to a menacing whisper. "I used the Hangi group you hired to attack specific targets¡ªtargets that would draw Axel closer. I nted the seeds of suspicion, manipted Seo to investigate him. Now, the hunters will move to eliminate that girl." His grin returned, more sinister than before. "And this is only the beginning."


    Kurtly''s throat tightened. "You''ve been ying everyone... like puppets?"


    Hendricks nodded, the madness in his eyes now fully unveiled. "And I''ve transcended beyond humanity. I''ve uncovered secrets that would shatter your mind. Secrets about the system... and the Infinite Gods'' abilities."


    Kurtly''s fear deepened. His voice cracked as he asked, "Then... what are you?"


    Hendricks leaned in close, his lips curling into a terrifying smile. He whispered, his voice echoing with unnatural power.


    "I am Metorion."


    ***Author''s note***


    This volume will have a lot of reveals so even as the author i advice bulk reading at times... So I will also be mass releasing, like yesterday I posted three chapters, I will increase the daily release to make sure to satisfy your want.


    Thanks for reading fan.

 Chapter 61 A New Threat

    "Keep on... make it in time."


    "I hope it''s not toote."


    Trisha''s legs blurred as she sprinted across the road, a mere streak of motion cutting through the air like a bullet. The pounding in her chest was deafening, her breathing sharp and ragged as her eyes darted back and forth, scanning the surroundings. Every second mattered, every step a race against something far beyond human understanding.


    Something ominous.


    It wasn''t just the urgency that gnawed at her. It was the aura. She could feel it¡ªan overwhelming presence, thick as tar, coating the air like a foul mist. It clung to everything, suffocating, pressing down on her spirit as if the very air sought to crush her.


    And yet, it wasn''t just the aura itself that made her blood run cold. It was the sheer malevolence of it.


    ''This can''t be...'' Her mind raced as her instincts screamed at her. The aura was unlike any she had ever sensed before¡ªdark, malicious, and suffused with an almost tangible hatred.


    Could it be?


    ''It has to be a Fatek. There''s no other exnation. One must have escaped a portal.''


    The thought tightened around her heart like a vice. A Fatek on the loose was bad enough, but this aura... this wasn''t just any alien invader. This felt like something more¡ªsomething far worse.


    Her pace quickened as she pushed her body to its absolute limits. Time was running out, and she had no idea what horrors awaited her at the end of this road. All she knew was that if she didn''t make it in time, there would be nothing left to save.


    Finally, she reached her destination. Trisha skidded to a stop, her breathing in heavy gasps as she took in the sight before her.


    Her heart sank.


    The hospital, once a towering symbol of safety and healing, was now reduced to nothing but rubble. Shattered walls, twisted metal, and the stench of smoke filled the air. There was no mistaking it¡ªsomething had torn through this ce with terrifying force.


    "All gone," she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    Trisha''s eyes widened as she scanned the debris, her mind struggling to process the destruction. The hospital, which was supposed to hold arge number of hunters and workers, was now a graveyard. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the distant crackling of fire.


    ''I''m toote...''


    She stepped forward cautiously, her gaze darting left and right, searching for any sign of life. But deep down, she already knew what she would find.


    Or rather, what she wouldn''t find.


    "They did a thorough job," she muttered, her voice trembling with barely suppressed anger. Her fists clenched at her sides as she tried to control the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Whoever¡ªor whatever¡ªwas responsible for this... they had done more than just destroy a building. They had wiped out everyone inside, systematically, cruelly.


    "You won''t find anyone alive."


    The voice cut through the silence like a knife.


    Trisha whirled around, her heart leaping into her throat. Standing amidst the rubble, emerging from the smoke like a ghost, was another hunter. He moved with an eerie calm, his steps deliberate, measured.


    For a moment, she thought it was another survivor. But as the figure came into view, her blood ran cold.


    "Andre Durrand," she breathed, recognizing the man. An S-rank hunter. One of the best.


    "What happened here?" Trisha''s voice was tight, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized him. There was something off about the way he carried himself, something unsettling in his gaze.


    Andre waved dismissively, his tone almost casual. "Same as you. I was called to check out the site. They mentioned something about Dawning Blood being spotted around here."


    Trisha''s heart skipped a beat. "Dawning Blood?" Her voice was barely a whisper.


    Before she could process the information, her body reacted on its own. A gasp escaped her lips as the realization hit her like a freight train. The destruction... the methodical nature of it...


    It all made sense now.


    "Those bastards," Trisha snarled, bending down to inspect the damage. She had heard of Dawning Blood before¡ªa shadowy criminal organization known for its brutality. They didn''t just kill; they toyed with their victims, dragging out the suffering for as long as possible before delivering the final blow.


    And now they were here.


    "They killed everyone, didn''t they?" Trisha asked, her voice tight with barely contained fury.


    Andre nodded, his expression unreadable. "It looks that way. The board''s already discussing what to do next."


    "What connection do you have to Dawning Blood, if I may ask?" Andre''s question seemed innocent enough, but there was something in his tone that put Trisha on edge.


    At first, she hesitated. But after a moment of consideration, she gave him a curt nod. "She killed someone close to me."


    Andre''s eyes flickered with curiosity, but he didn''t press further. Instead, he sighed, shaking his head as if he, too, was tired of the endless violence. "This isn''t over. Not by a long shot. Dawning Blood is just the beginning."


    Trisha locked her gaze onto him, her mind racing. His words echoed ominously in her ears, and for the first time since arriving, a sense of dread began to creep up her spine.


    "Our world is about to change," Andre said quietly, turning away. "The aliens won''t be the only problem soon."


    ---


    In the dimly lit boardroom, the atmosphere was thick with tension.


    Wukong mmed his fist onto the table, the force of the blow reverberating through the room. His face was twisted in frustration, his voice a low growl. "This is insane! Why are we seeing so many attacks on Kyota all at once?"


    The other board members exchanged uneasy nces, their expressions grim. They had been asking themselves the same question for days, but none of them had an answer. Not a satisfying one, at least.


    First, it had been the portals¡ªunnatural rifts opening up across the city, trapping hunters inside or worse, unleashing horrors upon the world. Then came the Hangi Group, a ruthless band of criminals targeting Kyota''s remaining forces. And now... Dawning Blood.


    Kyota was being torn apart from the inside, and no one knew why.


    Rachael folded her arms, her face pale butposed. "We lost five A-ranks to Dawning Bloodst night. Our numbers are dwindling, and the portal activity is only increasing. If this keeps up, Kyota won''t survive much longer."


    Her words hung in the air like a death sentence.


    ''This isn''t just bad luck,'' Seo thought as he scanned the room. ''This is coordinated. nned.''


    His eyes narrowed as theynded on Hendricks'' assistant, who was sitting in for the absent board member. Something about the way the man sat there, calm and collected, made Seo''s skin crawl.


    ''I''ve seen that look before... Someone here is pulling the strings.''


    Before he could voice his suspicions, Vicky Shaw, one of the more reserved members of the board, spoke up. "These human threats¡ªthe Hangi Group, Dawning Blood¡ªthey can''t be handled by low-ranked hunters. We need to deploy all the S-ranks we have left. If Thor were here, he''d lead the charge."


    The room fell silent. It was a bold suggestion, and one that carried immense risk. Sending the S-ranks against the human threats would weaken their ability to deal with the portals. But what other choice did they have?


    Just as the board members began to nod in agreement, Hendricks'' assistant cleared his throat.


    "All these attacks... they feel too nned, don''t they?" His voice was calm, almost eerily so. "First the portals. Then the Hangi Group. Dawning Blood. And now Axel''s disappearance.


    Don''t you think we should be more... concerned about a potential mole in our midst?"


    His words sent a ripple of unease through the room.


    Seo''s heart skipped a beat. He had been thinking the same thing, but hearing it spoken aloud made it all the more real.


    "You''re right," Wukong said darkly. "Someone''s feeding them information. And that someone is sitting in this very room."


    For a moment, no one moved.


    Then, Vicky pointed directly at Seo, her voice cold and using. "Seo Jihnyuk. Are you the mole?"


    All eyes turned to him, the tension in the room thick enough to choke on.


    Seo''s lips curled into a slow, deliberate smile.


    "That," he said, "is a very interesting question."


    ---


    Can''t wait for Saturday to free my head from world burdens... Enjoy the chapter and vote me... We need all the votes in the world to rank up... Just kidding just support in any way possible.


    Thanks

 Chapter 62 The Mole Is?

    --- Find exclusive stories on m_v l|e-NovelBin


    "kk!" Seo Jihnyuk wed at the cold, metallic tform beneath him, his fingers trembling as the rough edges tore into his skin. The sound of chains and shackles clinked around his legs and neck, the weight of it all pulling him further into the ground. He knelt, feeling like a prisoner in his own skin, his breath ragged, his pulse erratic.


    "How did it all... How did it all lead to this?" Seo whispered to himself, leaning his back against the toughened steel wall of the enclosed cell. The walls were unyielding, oppressive, a constant reminder of the torment that consumed his every thought.


    For a brief moment, he closed his eyes, hoping for a sliver of rity in the madness that surrounded him. But all he found was the echo of his failures, the memories of decisions he couldn''t reverse.


    "Hahaha!" A familiar, eerieugh pierced through the stillness of the room. Seo jerked his head up, his eyes narrowed as they locked onto the figure beyond the thick iron bars of his prison. Hendricks stood there, his grin wild, almost obsessed, as if he had won some twisted game.


    "I can''t believe I lost to you... in a test of minds," Seo grunted, forcing a dry chuckle. His voice was hoarse, the pain evident as he tried to sit up straighter, his chains rattling in protest.


    Hendricks'' smile widened, his eyes gleaming with dark satisfaction. "The cage holds your abilities, Seo. At least for a full day before the battery needs to be changed. But trust me, you won''t be getting out of this ce in a hundred years." His tone was almost mocking, as if Seo''s suffering amused him.


    "Ah... Hendricks." Seo''s lips twisted into a bitter smile, letting out a small sigh. "I almost had you here once. You should count yourself lucky."


    "Lucky?" Hendricks let out a cruelugh that echoed against the metal walls. "You, of all people, calling me lucky? You were responsible for the death of so many Kyota citizens and Hunters... and on top of that, you killed a board member. You''re finished, Seo. Done."


    Hendricks'' voice turned cold as he walked away, leaving Seo alone with his thoughts, the chains clinking behind him like a death knell. "You won''t be getting out of here, not in this life."


    ---


    The boardroom was filled with tension so thick it felt suffocating. In the middle of therge table sat Seo, now surrounded by ominous energy, his expression unreadable. He lookedposed, almost disturbingly so, as if the weight of the usations didn''t matter.


    "I can''t believe it," Rachael''s voice trembled, filled with shock and disbelief. She stood from her seat, her eyes wide with panic. "Seo is the mole? How is that even possible?" Her voice rose, but no one else spoke. The room had gone eerily silent.


    "Tell me they''re lying, Seo," Rachael''s plea was desperate, her voice shaking as she stared at him, hoping for an answer that would make sense of this nightmare.


    But Seo didn''t flinch. He didn''t deny it. He didn''t even try to cover it up.


    Vicky Shaw, sitting on the opposite end of the table, let out a sigh before speaking up. "The proof is undeniable," he began, his tone steady, yet cutting. "You left obvious trails that led me straight to you, Seo. One of those was the call you made to Axel, giving him and his team illegal ess to a restricted portal.


    ording to the monitoring team, they didn''t meet the requirements, and worst of all, Dawning Blood was among the ones you allowed through."


    Vicky''s words sliced through the room like a de, each sentence punctuated by the silent stares of everyone present. Rachael shook her head in disbelief, her lips quivering.


    "Before that call with Axel, I hacked into Dawning Blood''s phone," Vicky continued. "You spoke with her beforehand, didn''t you? Instructing her to pass on messages to the enemy."


    "That doesn''t prove anything!" Rachael interrupted, trying to defend Seo, but her voicecked the strength to stand against the mounting evidence.


    "Let me finish," Vicky cut her off firmly, his gaze cold as steel. "During the raid, one of my men spotted Dawning Blood killing her fellow humans and leaving them for some Fatek to pick off. She was talking to a Fatek about some weird n¡ªyour n, Seo."


    The air grew heavier with every word, the suffocating silence only broken by the rhythmic ticking of the clock in the corner of the room.


    "ording to Annie, Axel''s little sister, Dawning Blood was instructed to spy on Axel... by you, Seo," Vicky added, standing from his seat, his eyes never leaving Seo''s. "Andstly, I nted a bug on you. I have visual and audio recordings of your conversation with a Hangi group member. Now, tell me if I''m wrong."


    The room seemed to tilt in the weight of Vicky''s revtion. All eyes were on Seo, but he remained silent, his expression impassive, like a man who had already epted his fate.


    "Well?" Vicky pressed.


    Seo smirked, his grin widening in an unsettling way. "Would it help if I said I did it all to help humanity?" His tone was mocking, his words dripping with cynicism. "There''s no such thing as good or evil in this world. Power is the only order that matters. What''s wrong with me exploiting that?"


    His words hung in the air like poison, infecting everyone who heard them. Rachael''s face twisted in horror. "How... how could you even think like that?" she whispered, her voice cracking under the strain of betrayal.


    "What I don''t understand is why you, Seo Jihnyuk? It''s too good to be true!" Vicky mmed his fist on the table, his frustration boiling over.


    "I did it because..." Seo''s smile faltered. "Because..." His voice began to shake, his eyes blinking rapidly as if something was wrong. "Bec..."


    Suddenly, his whole demeanor shifted. Seo''s expression turned nk, confusion flooding his features. He blinked again, more violently this time, as if trying to shake off something crawling beneath his skin.


    Rachael, unable to contain herself, stormed toward him, grabbing him by the cor. "Why, Seo? Why would you do this? Answer me!"


    But Seo didn''t respond. His body twitched, his eyes dull and distant, his mouth slightly ajar as if he were disconnected from reality.


    "Answer me, damn it!" Rachael screamed, shaking him violently.


    And then, in one horrifying motion, Seo''s hand shot up, grabbing Rachael''s face like a vice.


    "Shut up!"


    The room exploded into chaos. A sickening sound echoed as blood sprayed across the walls, flesh torn apart in one brutal motion. The thump of a body hitting the ground followed, and then... silence. Cold, deathly silence.


    Seo blinked, his hand still extended, dripping with blood. His vision blurred, and the lights of the boardroom flickered around him. His gaze fell to his hand, now clutching a piece of flesh. A mask? No, it wasn''t a mask.


    His heart lurched in his chest as the horrifying realization hit him. It was Rachael''s face.


    Her bodyy at his feet, blood pooling beneath her lifeless form.


    ''What have I done?'' The thought wed at him, his mind spinning, unable toprehend the horror before him.


    "Vick¡ª" Seo started, turning toward Vicky, but before he could say more, a blinding pain shot through his body, and the world around him faded into darkness.


    ---


    Back in the present, Seo sat in his cell, his heart heavy with guilt as Hendricks walked away.


    "Hendricks," Seo called out, his voice hoarse. "Tell me something. Just between us."


    Hendricks paused, his back still turned, but he didn''t look back.


    "You did the same thing to me that you did to Axel, didn''t you? You framed me. You messed with my head and pulled the strings. For what? Power? Greed?"


    A low chuckle escaped Hendricks'' lips. "It''s good that you finally understand. But it''s not just power, Seo. It''s more than that. When Metoriones, you''ll see... everything will fall into ce.


    But first, I''ll burn down your world before your very eyes."

 Chapter 63 Trial of the (Aztec) 1

    Axel''s eyes fluttered open, met by an intense brightness that forced him to shield them with his hand. His skin burned under the heat as if the very air around him was set aze.


    "Shit¡­" he muttered, adjusting to the sudden shift in his environment. Just a moment ago, he''d been traversing through the dark, narrow tunnel, its walls damp and sinister. Now, he found himself under an unrelenting sun, standing in what felt like an arena of death.


    **[You have entered the first trial]**


    **[Trial of the Aztec]**


    The words floated in his vision, but before he could fully process them, another prompt appeared.


    **[Kill the Boss and Clear all Holds on the Map]**


    Axel blinked a few times, his vision now ustomed to the blinding light. He raised his gaze, taking in his surroundings. Vast and ancient trees loomed at the edges of the forest, their bark cracked and decaying as if they''d been left to rot in a forgotten era. The ground beneath his feet was rough and coarse, filled with skeletal remains.


    And there, standing in a kill circle around him, was an army. Not of flesh and bone, but of bones alone¡ªskeletal warriors of various shapes and sizes. They held rusted weapons¡ªmaces, ils, swords¡ªand their red eyes glowed with malevolence, locking onto him. The sheer number was staggering. Hundreds, if not more.


    "So, this is what that notification meant¡­" Axel murmured, eyeing the army warily. His lips curved into a small, sardonic grin. "It''s been a while since I''ve had to clear a trial like this."


    With a swift motion, he raised his hand, summoning his sword. The familiar weight of it materialized in his grasp, the gleaming edge reflecting the hostile light around him.


    The moment the de appeared, the skeleton army let out a deafening war cry, shaking the earth beneath them. They surged forward, weapons raised, each aiming to crush him.


    The first attacker¡ªa towering skeleton wielding a il¡ªcame swinging down with tremendous force. Axel ducked under the attack effortlessly, pivoting on his heel. With a brutal elbow strike, he shattered the creature''s spine, sending its bones ttering to the ground.


    Before he could even exhale, another skeleton lunged at him, this one brandishing a sword. Axel sidestepped, his movements fluid. As the sword missed its mark, he shot out his hand, grabbing the creature by its skull. With a grunt of effort, he lifted the skeleton off the ground and hurled it into a cluster of its allies, sending them sprawling.


    "They''re not particrly tough¡­" he muttered, his sharp eyes darting between the attackers. "But their numbers? That''s another thing entirely."


    More skeletons closed in, surrounding him. Axel leapt into the air, soaring above their heads as several swords and maces swung futilely beneath him. He hovered for a moment, scanning the battlefield.


    ''If this is how they want to y it,'' he thought, tightening his grip on his sword, ''I''ll just have to release my army.''


    In an instant, a violent wave of red energy exploded from Axel''s body, cascading across the battlefield like a thunderstorm. The air crackled as the energy surged outward, opening a swirling portal in the sky. Within moments, hundreds of Fatek soldiers¡ªAxel''s loyal, battle-hardened army¡ªbegan pouring out, descending upon the skeletons with merciless precision.


    The skeletal warriors were soon overwhelmed, their bony bodies shattered by the Fatek''s brutal onught. Axelnded softly amidst the chaos, but for the first time, he found himself able to stand still. His soldiers were wreaking havoc, cutting through the enemy ranks with ease.


    **[You have leveled up.]**


    **[You have leveled up.]**


    A grin stretched across Axel''s face. "I don''t even need to lift a finger and I''m leveling up." He paused, watching his army decimate the skeletons. "But I didn''te here just to let them have all the fun¡­"


    Before he could make a move, a sharp, unsettling sensation crawled up his spine. His instincts red, and his head snapped to the side. There was something¡ªsomeone¡ªwatching him. He couldn''t see it, but the dense, dark energy prickling at his skin was unmistakable.


    Axel took onest nce at the battlefield, ensuring that his army held the advantage, before moving toward the source of the disturbance. He stepped cautiously, weaving through the trees that grew denser with each step. The once barrenndscape had shifted; now, he was deep in a thicket, the foliage so thick it obscured the sky above.


    The oppressive mana grew stronger with each step. It hung in the air like a storm cloud, thick and heavy. Thest time he''d felt something this overwhelming was¡ª


    "When I fought Cell," Axel whispered, tightening his grip on his sword.


    Suddenly, a sharp ding sounded in his ear.


    **[All your soldiers have been killed.]**


    Axel stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening. "What?!" His voice was tight with disbelief. He whipped around, looking back the way he came, but he could already sense it. His army, his loyal Fatek, had been annihted in a matter of moments.


    "Hehehehe¡­" A sinisterugh echoed through the forest, sending a shiver down Axel''s spine. "So you''re the human who dared step into my domain?"


    Axel''s heart raced as his eyes scanned the dense woods ahead of him. The voice was near, yet the figure remained hidden. His instincts screamed at him to stay alert.


    Then, through the shadows, he saw it. A figure emerged, slowly stepping into the light. He was tall and lean, his skin unnaturally pale, almost translucent. His long, white hair flowed down to his waist, and his pointed ears marked him as something¡­ otherworldly.


    The figure''s eyes glowed an eerie white, and his bare chest gleamed under the harsh sunlight. His lips curled into a disgusted sneer as he studied Axel.


    "No, you''re not fully human, are you?" the figure hissed. "Half-elf, aren''t you? Filthy creature."


    Axel''s jaw tightened. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword. "You¡­ you''re the one who killed my army?"


    The pale figure wiped the blood from his lips with anguid motion, smirking as he did. "That''s right. It was almost too easy."


    Axel''s mind raced. This being¡­ it wasn''t just powerful. It had ughtered his army¡ªincluding his generals¡ªwithout him even sensing it.


    The pale man inclined his head, his smirk widening. "I am Megic, the fifth general of the Land of Hell. And you, little half-elf, are trespassing in my forest."


    ***Author''s note***


    I''m scared to check WPC results... I hope I win

 Chapter 64 Megicula

    Axel''s voice dropped to a low murmur, his face devoid of emotion. "Megic?" he repeated, his eyes narrowing as the name slipped from his lips. "So you''re the one I need to kill first."


    The figure before him, Megic, grinned widely, revealing teeth that were too sharp to be human. "Before we take this battle to its climax," Megic said, his voice smooth and filled with dark amusement, "I would like for you to enter my domain. No trees, no obstacles¡ªjust me and you."


    Axel opened his mouth to respond, but in an instant, the world around him shifted. A wave of nausea briefly hit him as the entire environment morphed in the blink of an eye. Where there had been forest, there was now only destion.


    The ground beneath Axel''s feet turned pitch ck, littered with dying embers, the ash swirling in the wind like the remnants of an old battlefield. The air was thick with the smell of sulfur, fire, and blood. The wastnd stretched out in all directions, andscape of jagged rocks and molten fissures. Everything here¡ªdown to the dust in the air¡ªseemed to be an extension of Megic himself.


    The demon''s grin widened, exposing more of those nightmarish teeth. "In here," Megic said, his voice carrying across the barrennd, "there are rules."


    Axel''s eyes narrowed. *Rules?* He clenched his fists. This wasn''t some tournament¡ªthis was a fight to the death. What kind of game was this demon ying?


    Megic began counting them off, one by one, as if savoring each word. "First, no one can die in this domain unless by the rules. Second, the only way to die is if your back hits the ground three times. Andstly... no one else can interfere, nor can you use your system''s potions."


    Axel''s eyes shed. *Systems.* That word caught his attention, but there was no time to dwell on it. Before he could even process the information fully, Megic''s hand shot out. In his palm, a dagger materialized¡ªa wicked weapon with an intricate design that pulsed with an eerie energy. Megic pointed it directly at Axel, his grin unshakable.


    "Are you ready?" Megic''s voice echoed, filled with menace.


    Axel widened his stance, taking a deep breath to steady himself. His grip on his sword tightened, the air around him crackling with tension. "Come," he whispered, his eyes locking onto Megic''s, already bracing for the inevitable.


    And then it hit.


    Faster than Axel could react, his body was lifted off the ground, soaring through the air as if he were weightless. Pain shot through his abdomen, his mind reeling as he tried to make sense of it. *What just happened?* His stomach churned violently, his vision blurring momentarily as the searing pain from his gut throbbed.


    *Ah, right. The knee.*


    He recalled the moment just before impact¡ªMegic had blurred out of sight, appearing before him with impossible speed, driving a knee deep into his gut. The pain lingered, but Axel gritted his teeth and forced his body to twist mid-air, managing tond on his feet. His boots skidded across the cracked earth, sending shards of rock scattering as he caught himself.


    His eyes darted around, searching for Megic. But the demon was already gone.


    Axel''s instincts kicked in, his muscles reacting before his mind could catch up. He spun, his sword shing through the air in a wide arc. Metal nged against metal as his de met Megic''s, inches from slicing through the demon''s neck.


    The shock on Megic''s face was momentary, but it was there¡ªan instant of surprise before his grin returned. He parried Axel''s strike with ease, pushing the de away. "Impressive," Megic admitted, his voice low. "You were able to track me. Not many can do that."


    Axel breathed heavily, eyes locked on his opponent. His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, fingers trembling from the force of the parry. Megic''s speed was unnatural, faster than anything Axel had ever faced before.


    But the demon wasn''t done. Discover exclusive tales at m,v--NovelBin


    "Do you even know what your blood can do?" Megic taunted.


    Before Axel could respond, Megic vanished once again, reappearing within striking distance. A swift, lightning-fast kick connected with Axel''s jaw before he could react, sending him stumbling backward. The world spun as stars shed across his vision.


    But Megic wasn''t finished. He grabbed Axel''s shoulder, yanking him closer with enough force to make the ground beneath Axel''s feet crack. The demon''s forehead came crashing toward him, aiming for a brutal headbutt.


    Axel barely managed to jerk his head back, the attack grazing him rather than shattering his skull. In response, Axel''s eyes red with determination.


    "Enough!"


    [Torch of Dominance]


    A wave of searing blue fire exploded from his sword, aimed directly at Megic. But the demon was already moving, his body twisting gracefully out of the way as the beam roared past him, scorching the ground where he''d just stood.


    Despite the attack, Axel''s vision blurred again as a sharp, stabbing pain erupted from his gut. His hand dropped to his abdomen, his fingers brushing against something cold and metallic.


    Megic''s dagger.


    It had been lodged deep into his stomach, the jagged edges tearing at his insides. Axel''s hand trembled as he gripped the handle, his breath ragged.


    "ARRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHH!" His scream echoed through the barrenndscape as he ripped the dagger free. Flesh tore and blood poured from the wound, soaking his clothes. The pain was unbearable, but Axel forced himself to stay on his feet, eyes locked on Megic.


    The demonughed. "You''re strong, but you still don''t understand your true potential! You can''t win!"


    Axel spat blood onto the ground. "Shut up," he growled, dismissing his sword with a flick of his hand. The de vanished into thin air, leaving him unarmed.


    Megic''s grin faltered for the briefest moment. "Still defiant?" The demon lunged forward, his fist cocked back, moving at speeds Axel couldn''t hope to match.


    The punch connected squarely with Axel''s face, the impact sending him crashing into the ground. The force of the blow drove him several feet back, his body skidding across the dirt.


    "One down!" Megic cackled, already moving toward Axel''s prone form.


    Axel struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth. His vision was hazy, his mind racing. *One more hit and I''m done.*


    Megic closed the distance again, his fist moving like a blur. Axel barely managed to sidestep the punch, feeling the air crackle as it passed by his cheek. But before he could counter, another fist drove into his gut with brutal force, lifting him off his feet and sending him flying once more.


    Axel hit the ground hard, his back mming into the earth with a sickening thud. Blood poured from his mouth as he gasped for breath. *Two.*


    Megic loomed over him, his face a mask of mockery. "What''s wrong? We''re just getting started!"


    Axel''s lips curled into a weak smile. "I wasn''t talking to you," he muttered.


    Megic paused, confusion shing across his face. "What?"


    Axel''s smile grew. "You''re already dead."


    The demon''s eyes widened in shock. "What... what are you talking about? One more hit and you''re the one who¡ª"


    Axel slowly sat up, his expression calm, almost serene. "Here''s the thing. I don''t y by the rules of a domain I already destroyed the moment it began."


    Megic''s eyes widened as his body suddenly locked up. He couldn''t move. Panic gripped him as he struggled, his limbs refusing to obey him.


    "How¡ªhow did you¡ª"


    Axel let out a low sigh. "Your domain was tied to your mind. And I''ve been testing something¡ªnightmares, and the decaying touch of the dead. While you were focused on the fight, I''ve been decaying your domain from within."


    Megic''s breath hitched. "No... no, this can''t be..."


    Axel stood up, brushing off the dirt from his clothes. "I now control this world. And guess what? That means I also decide how you die."


    The demon''s face twisted in fear, his body trembling as he tried to break free from Axel''s control. But it was no use.


    Axel smiled darkly. "Goodbye, Megic."


    Without warning, Megic''s head exploded in a shower of blood and bone, his lifeless body crumpling to the ground.


    [Leveled up]


    [Leveled up]


    [Leveled up]


    [Leveled up]


    Axel''s eyes glowed with a sinister light as he felt the surge of power coursing through him. "Onto the next trial," he muttered to himself, his voice cold and unwavering.

 Chapter 65 Trial of the (Aztec) 2 Land of Demons

    Axel''s boots sank softly into the forest floor with each step, the sound alternating between a faint crunch and a muffled thud. The air was dense, filled with an unnatural stillness that made the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. His gaze stayed fixed on the system disy floating before him, the only semnce of familiarity in this bizarrend.


    Ever since he had defeated Megic, the demon that ruled this region, Axel had been abruptly transported back to this eerie forest. A brief moment of disorientation was followed by a new notification¡ªhis reward for the victory. A map appeared in his system interface, illuminating three distinct locations.


    The ce where he had fought Megic had turned green, while two others remained marked in red.


    Axel scrutinized the map further. There was a brief description beneath each marking, which left him more puzzled than enlightened. The green markingbeled "protected" was simple enough, but the red markings read "threatened" and "threatening."


    "What are those supposed to mean?" Axel muttered under his breath, his fingers subconsciously tracing the hilt of his sword. The instant the question crossed his mind, a new notification blinked to life.


    [Toplete this Trial, you must conquer the territories on the map.]


    Axel narrowed his eyes. This was no ordinary trial. Clearing these zones wasn''t just about leveling up; it was about survival and something much more personal. Each victory would bring him closer to finding a cure for his mother, whoy back home, slipping deeper into a sickness no one understood.


    A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he scanned his stats, the glow of satisfaction lighting up his eyes.


    ---


    **//Stats//**


    **Name:** Axel Teras


    **Exp:** 389/450


    **Level:** 37


    **Job ss:** None


    **Attributes:**


    *Strength:* 65


    *Agility:* 56


    *Senses:* 36


    *Mana:* 2360


    *Health:* 80/80


    *Stat Points Avable:* 12


    ---


    He had gained significant experience during hisst battle, a promising indicator of the power he could harness as he continued. However, Axel hesitated to allocate his stat points. He had a theory about this trial¡ªone that could either save him or doom him¡ªand he needed those points as a trump card.


    His thoughts drifted to what Trisha had warned him about before he left for this trial. She had been cryptic, but her words carried weight. Whatever forces were moving in the background, they weren''t to be trifled with. Axel knew he needed more than raw strength to face them¡ªhe needed strategy, cunning, and time.


    "I wonder what''s happening back home, especially with Noel," Axel murmured. His mind flickered briefly to his friend, to Kyota, and how that once-safe haven no longer seemed as secure as it had. The world was shifting, and Axel felt it, even out here in the wilderness.


    **Crack.**


    A sharp snap of a twig instantly yanked Axel out of his thoughts. His muscles tensed as instinct took over. He ducked behind a wide tree, summoning his sword to his grasp with a flick of his wrist. The cool metal feltforting against his palm, a reminder of the power he had honed through countless battles.


    Axel peered out cautiously, eyes scanning the forest for any sign of movement. His heart thudded against his chest, the pulse steady but alert. That''s when he saw them¡ªtwo humanoid creatures, their dark-skinned forms blending almost seamlessly into the forest''s shadowy undergrowth.


    They were tall, with long, flowing hair and a resentful air hanging about them. Their ragged clothes were stained with dirt and blood, and in their hands, they held crude but deadly-looking spears. Dozens of tiny eyes embedded in their skulls flicked around the forest with keen awareness.


    "They''ve sensed me," Axel mused, watching them with a calcting eye. He analyzed their physique, noting their muscr tails, jagged teeth, and the hardened expressions etched on their faces. These creatures were demons, but of a weaker variety¡ªor so it seemed.


    Axel made his decision. They were a threat, but one he could handle. He leaped from his hiding spot, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. His sword whistled through the air as he swung it toward the nearest demon.


    "Master, wait!"


    Mane, the Kaiju King, materialized out of thin air between Axel and his target, his voice urgent. Axel halted his strike just inches from the demon''s throat, the de trembling in his hand as he held back.


    ''What the hell is this?'' Axel thought, his mind racing. He hadn''t summoned Mane, and only Cell was supposed to emerge from his soul without his permission. Mane, however, was standing right there, blocking his path.


    "I thought only Cell coulde out on his own," Axel muttered, frustrationcing his words. "And why are you stopping me? This is my exp you''re interrupting."


    Mane lowered his head in a deep bow, a gesture that only irked Axel further. "My liege," Mane began, his voice dripping with deference, "these creatures are demons from an unimed n. I suggest we take them under your rule rather than kill them."


    Axel nced past Mane, noticing for the first time that the two demons had dropped to their knees, their foreheads pressed to the ground in a submissive bow.


    ''So that''s it,'' Axel thought, his irritation giving way to curiosity. He had been ready to fight, but this was a different kind of opportunity. His system''s map had marked thisnd as "threatened," but perhaps there was another way to conquer it without bloodshed.


    "Get up, demons," Axelmanded, his voice cold and authoritative. The two hesitated for a moment but obeyed, rising to their feet with visible unease. They kept their eyes cast downward, avoiding his gaze.


    "You fear my ve more than me," Axel said, his wordsced with contempt. He could sense their fear, but it wasn''t him they feared¡ªit was Mane. A slight annoyance tugged at him. He wanted to be feared, tomand their respect.


    "We apologize, my Lord," the female demon spoke, her voice trembling. "We did not know of your power."


    The male demon nodded fervently. "Please, forgive our ipetence, Master."


    Axel felt a twinge of disgust at their groveling. It reminded him too much of the sycophants back home¡ªthe nobles and high-ranking officials who bowed and scraped to those in power. He despised them, but he wasn''t blind to the value of having subordinates.


    "Enough," Axel snapped. "Take me to your Chief or King. I have important matters to discuss."


    The demons let out a sigh of relief and turned, leading the way deeper into the forest. Axel followed behind them, his mind churning. He was beginning to understand what his system had meant by "threatened." Thisnd could be taken without a fight¡ªwithout spilling blood. But the question still lingered in his mind.


    Thisnd was threatened. By what exactly?


    As they moved through the forest, a chill settled over Axel, one he couldn''t quite shake. Something was off, something dark and dangerous lurking just beyond the edge of his awareness. The real threat hadn''t yet revealed itself. But it wasing.


    ***Author''s note***


    One extra chapter ising

 Chapter 66 Next Test—Demon Beast

    The cold of the atmosphere was unbearable, especially as the snow came pouring down in thick sheets, making visibility scarce. It was as if the world had been swallowed by an endless blizzard, each gust of wind slicing across the skin like a thousand tiny des. The air felt heavy, suffocating almost, and yet, for the demons stationed at the mountain ridge, the cold was not their primary concern.


    The biting wind and snow posed no threat to beasts of their caliber.


    These were not ordinary creatures¡ªthey were demons. Thick-skinned, deformed, and drenched in a dark, malicious aura. Their long, whip-like tails swayed in the wind, and their bodies bore several eyes, each flicking restlessly. Their very existence was tainted with a grim heart that knew no peace.


    Three of these demons stood watch at the ridge, spears tightly clutched in their hands, their eyes scanning the endless white wilderness beyond. They dared not let their guard down, not even for a second. But not all shared the same level of vignce.


    One of the demons, Horiuba, yawned loudly, stretching his arms outzily before slumping down on the icy ground. The shimmering snowkes collected on his dark, hulking frame, forming fragments of ice that clung to his skin, though they did little to truly affect him.


    The cold might have spared their bodies, but it was different for their joints, which sometimes froze up, making movement stiff and cumbersome.


    "I''m spent," Horiubained, staring at the snow as it umted on his body. He flicked a clump of ice from his shoulder, his face a mask of boredom.


    The other two demons shot him looks of frustration, their faces twitching in barely concealed anger. "Come on, Horiuba!" one of them snapped. "You can''t ck off like this. Remember what happened to thest scouts? They were wiped out¡ªughtered!"


    Horiuba, however, remained indifferent, ignoring the warnings. "This is life," he said with a half-hearted shrug. "A few hundred years of running, hiding, fighting off disasters. Day in and day out, it''s the same. We stand watch, and sometimes we make it back. Sometimes we don''t.


    So why worry?"


    His colleagues exchanged nces, perplexed and a little unnerved by Horiuba''s s¨¦ attitude. They continued their vigil, spears clutched tighter, unwilling to risk the same fate as the fallen scouts. But Horiuba had survived for centuries because of his sharp mind. He wasn''t just a brute; he was the mastermind behind many sessful defenses.


    "Come on, Horiuba!" the other demon pleaded. "Your attitude will break our formation."


    Horiuba tilted his head back, gazing at the falling snow with a look of detached peace. "Have you ever dreamt of peace?" he asked softly. "True peace. A peace that doesn''te with war and struggle. Death is the only true peace, you know."


    The others stared at him, bewildered. "Are you saying we should die?" one of them asked, incredulous.


    Horiuba smiled faintly and shook his head. "No, not really," he chuckled, letting out a deep breath. "Just kidding."


    The tension eased from hisrades'' faces, and they turned their attention back to the icy expanse in front of them, though not without a lingering sense of unease.


    As the others resumed their watch, Horiuba sighed, his gaze dropping to the snow beneath his feet. ''No one will ever understand me,'' he thought.


    But then, a sound¡ªtwo sharp thuds¡ªechoed through the snowden air. It was strange, unnatural, and it caught Horiuba''s attention immediately. His heart raced as he turned his head, his eyes darting toward hisrades.


    His blood ran cold. Stay connected via m-v l|e''-NovelBin


    "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" he screamed, stumbling backward as horror gripped him.


    All that remained of his tworades were the severed stumps of their legs, dangling weakly in the snow. Their torsos were gone, severed cleanly at the waist. Blood hissed and steamed in the cold air, pooling around the stumps where their upper bodies had once been.


    Horiuba''s breath caught in his throat, panic surging through his veins. He scrambled back, hands digging into the snow as he tried to distance himself from the gruesome sight.


    He barely registered the enormous shadow looming above him, its blood-red eyes glowing with malevolent intent. The creature was massive, towering over Horiuba with a presence that was suffocating. Its dark fur rippled with every breath it took, and its monstrous ws scraped the ground, leaving deep gouges in the snow.


    Horiuba''s entire body trembled as the beast''s eyes bored into him, freezing him in ce.


    "That scent¡­" the creature''s voice was deep, guttural, and dripping with malice. "Where is that powerful presenceing from?"


    Horiuba didn''t know. He couldn''t answer. He could barely think.


    "R-right there¡­" he stammered, raising a trembling finger toward the horizon.


    But before he could finish, the beast''s massive paw came crashing down, smashing him into the ground. The force of the blow crushed Horiuba into a mangled heap of flesh and blood, his body ttened into the snow.


    The beast let out a low, rumbling growl, its gaze narrowing on something far in the distance.


    ***


    Axel followed closely behind Mane, the cold air biting at his skin, though he hardly felt it. Just moments ago, he had been standing in a warm, sunny forest, but now he found himself in a frigid, snow-covered wastnd. Snow fell thickly from the sky, and his breath formed white clouds in front of him.


    "Master, unlike your, this world''s weather varies drastically between regions," Mane exined.


    Axel nodded, taking in his surroundings. Despite the freezing temperatures, his body remained unaffected, thanks to the system that kept him from feeling the chill.


    They trudged through the snow for a while longer before reaching a settlement¡ªa vige nestled at the base of the mountain. Small huts dotted thendscape, and demons, much like the ones who had escorted them, went about their tasks, performing mundane, medieval chores.


    Axel couldn''t help but notice the hostile res from the vigers. They watched him with resentment, their eyes filled with suspicion and fear. Yet, whenever they looked at Mane, their expressions shifted to one of reverence, bordering on worship.


    "Why do they hate me?" Axel whispered, closing the distance between them.


    Mane gave a measured response, choosing his words carefully. "The demon tribe does not know who you are. If I were not with you, they would attack you out of disgust. You are an outsider, and they do not trust you."


    "And why do they fear you?" Axel pressed.


    Mane''s lips curled into a faint smile. "I once held a high post as a boss of Hell''s Gate. These demons are not peaceful by nature, and though they are one of the weaker ns, they are still dangerous. This vige may seem insignificant, but your trial begins here."


    Axel frowned, his mind racing as he thought of the recent notification he had received.


    He opened his status box and reviewed a message.


    [Your Mana will hit zero within minutes anytime you unleash your full army.]


    It was a grim reminder that he couldn''t rely on the same tactics as before. Unlike the alien spaceship, where his army could kill enemies and absorb their souls for additional mana, this realm was different. Here, resources were scarce, and the cost of summoning his full power would be devastating.


    ''I''ll only use my generals for now,'' Axel decided.


    As they reached the center of the vige, they were met with arge gathering of demons, each holding spears and ring at Axel with barely concealed hostility. Only Mane''s presence kept them from attacking outright.


    Mane stepped forward, his voice booming across the crowd. "Kukah!" he called out to the vige elder, an ancient demon who stood at the far side of the crowd. "You insult our Lord with your foolish stares! Do you wish to be wiped out?"


    At Mane''s words, the demons'' expressions shifted to fear, and a murmur of panic spread through the crowd. The elder, Kukah, bowed his head in submission, though his hands trembled.


    "My people¡­ they have be wary of outsiders," Kukah stammered. "We did not recognize a new Lord. Forgive us."


    Axel let out a low chuckle, his eyes narrowing as he addressed the elder. "I''m not interested in your apologies. I''m here for one thing¡ªtell me, who do you want me to kill?"


    [Quest: Kill the Threat]


    ***Author''s note***


    Something I cooking up here.

 Chapter 67 Demon Fox and the Monstrous Truth

    Kukah''s smile flickered for a moment before his usual scowl returned, a grim expression concealing the unease in his heart. "Our vige," he began, his voice low and shaky, "is gued by a terrible force."


    Axel stuffed his hands into his pockets, his gaze impassive. "Exin further," he replied, his voice cold and uninterested. His patience was wearing thin.


    Kukah bowed deeper, desperation apparent. "We are not like your kind. We are demons¡ªbeasts that lie, steal, and kill. But even demons have children... families. We care for our own.


    I beg you, rid us of this gue that''s been haunting us for generations."


    Axel hated these types. The ones who tried to tug at emotions rather than get to the point. "I won''t ask you again," Axel warned, his tone hardening. "If you don''t tell me what you need, I might just kill you all myself."


    The tension thickened in the cold air, the demons surrounding Kukah visibly shaken by Axel''s threat. This man, clearly no hero, held no sympathy for them.


    Kukah straightened, sensing Axel''s seriousness. "The great demon fox¡­ it''s the gue," he confessed, his words more direct now. "It has terrorized our people for thousands of years, ughtering us without mercy."


    Axel raised an eyebrow. ''A demon fox, huh? So Kurama''s the bad guy in this story.'' His hand absently raked through his hair as he processed the information. "So, you want me to kill this overgrown dog?"


    Kukah nodded gravely. "It should not be too difficult for someone of your... strength."


    Axel narrowed his eyes, detecting the doubt in Kukah''s tone despite the demon chief''s outward submission. He wasn''t buying the ttery. "If I help you, then you and your people will serve me¡ªforever. As ves."


    The vige elder hesitated, his eyes betraying his inner conflict. But after a brief pause, he nodded. It was clear he had no intention of honoring that agreement, at least not after Axel had dealt with their ''gue.''


    Axel smirked. That look¡ªhe knew it too well. ''He thinks that after I kill the fox, I''ll be too weakened to defend myself. That they''ll be able to take me out easily afterward. How predictable.''


    "That exins everything then." Axel turned to Mane, who had remained silent beside him. He pped a hand on Mane''s shoulder. "Ever since I got here, I''ve sensed something¡ªan enormous aura approaching fast."


    His voice carried a warning. "You all better start running if you don''t want to get caught up in this."


    As if on cue, the demons in the vige broke into a frenzied panic, sprinting away as fast as their legs could carry them. Their survival instincts kicked in, overriding any sense of loyalty they might''ve had for their chief.


    "Wise decision, Master." Mane took his position next to Axel, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon. He too had felt it¡ªthe oppressive, monstrous aura barreling toward them.


    Axel cracked his knuckles, his mind spinning with strategy, though deep down, a part of him was anxious. The stories of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, a creature of overwhelming power, yed in his head. ''I learned that much from TV. And now, I''m facing it.''


    Heavy growls echoed through the mountains, apanied by the rhythmic thud of massive footsteps. The demon fox wasing.


    In moments, the beast emerged. Towering over the shattered huts of the vige, the demon fox stood, its nine massive tails swaying menacingly in the air. Its fur shimmered darkly, and at the end of each tail, deadly metal des glinted in the dim light, whirring ominously.


    Axel''s breath caught in his throat. This wasn''t just a fox; it was a weapon of destruction.


    ''So, this is the Nine-Tailed Fox''s manifestation.''


    The fox''s blood-red eyes locked onto Axel. Its voice rumbled through the air, dripping with malice. "So you are the human I''ve been sent to test."


    Axel''s lips curved into a wry smile. "Let''s get this over with then."


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    But the fox didn''t advance. Instead, it remained still, its tails swaying gently as it studied Axel. "No. I''m not here to fight you."


    Axel''s smile faltered. "What?"


    "I am here to lead you," the fox continued, its voice surprisingly calm.


    "To lead me¡­ where?" Axel felt a creeping unease in his chest. This wasn''t how he expected things to go.


    "The ce of your true test," the fox exined. "To the *Era of Wishes*. This battle is not your final trial¡ªmerely the beginning of a muchrger ordeal."


    Axel frowned, ncing at Mane, whose confusion mirrored his own. "The *Era of Wishes*?" Mane echoed, his brow furrowing.


    The demon fox nodded solemnly. "It is the next phase of your journey. And there, you will uncover truths long hidden from you. The truth about your reincarnation, the system, and the gods who¡ª"


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat. He stared at the fox, his blood running cold. ''Did it just say¡­ gods?'' His mind reeled as he tried to make sense of what he was hearing. Was his death not a coincidence? His reincarnation, his powers¡ªhad all of it been orchestrated?


    Kurama''s deep voice cut through his thoughts. "You are more than you think, Lord of the Undead. You are part of a n far older and more dangerous than you can imagine. The gods¡ª"


    Axel''s entire body went rigid. His fists clenched involuntarily, every muscle taut with tension. If this was true, if gods were involved, it meant his life, his choices¡ªeverything¡ªhad been manipted from the start.


    Suddenly, a deep, gutturalugh echoed in Axel''s mind. Velerium, the voice of his system, had been silent for some time, but now, it made its return with a dark, twisted amusement. "Ah, finally figuring it out, are we? I would have told you earlier, but where''s the fun in that? The truth is never as simple as you think, Axel."


    Axel''s jaw clenched. He wanted answers, but everything was bing more convoluted by the second. "You better start talking, Velerium," Axel muttered under his breath.


    The fox, as if sensing the inner turmoil within Axel, lowered its massive head toward him. "Follow me, and the truth will be revealed. The gods are watching, Axel Teras. They always have been."


    Axel''s breath hitched. ''They''ve been watching¡­ since the beginning?'' His heart pounded in his chest as Kurama turned its colossal frame, its tails swishing through the air like des slicing through reality itself.


    "You have no choice, Lord of the Undead," Kurama said, its voice low and haunting. "If you want the answers you seek, you will have to face the gods themselves."


    Axel swallowed hard, his mind racing. The test he thought was about ying some demon fox had now spiraled into something far more dangerous¡ªa test against divine forces. Forces that had been controlling his fate all along.


    Without another word, the Nine-Tailed Fox began to walk, its massive form disappearing into the snowy mist. Axel stood still, his heart pounding as he realized whaty ahead.


    ''The gods. My reincarnation. The truth.''


    With a heavy sigh, Axel clenched his fists, stepping forward to follow the fox into the unknown.


    And for the first time in his journey, he wasn''t sure if he was ready for what wasing next.


    ***Author''s note***


    My head is on fire... I don''t know how the plot keeps twisting but I think I deserve some support at this time... I won''t say more than that because I know you all are great readers.

 Chapter 68 Mictlantecuhtli? Another death god

    Axel felt the weight of the oppressive energy thickening with every step deeper into the cave. The presence of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox had been overwhelming enough, but now it was clear that whatevery ahead dwarfed even Kurama''s formidable power. Doubt wed at Axel''s mind, urging him to turn back, but two things anchored his resolve.


    The first was the growing, suffocating energy that increased with every step, a testament to the power that awaited him. The second was the notification that hovered before his eyes.


    **[You are about to enter the final part of this trial. Prepare yourself.]**


    The notification felt like a ticking clock, counting down the seconds to his fate. Axel clenched his fists, reassuring himself of his strength. He had fought against beasts, monsters, and gods before, and now, with his system fully powered and an army at his side, how bad could this final test be?


    Still, the sight of the looming mountain cave ahead filled him with unease. The entrance was ominous, a dark maw in the earth, as if the mountain itself was swallowing light and life. The Nine-Tailed Fox halted just before the cave, its colossal frame unable to pass through.


    Kurama''s golden eyes glowed in the dim light as it growled, "Within that cave lies your final test."


    Axel paused and nced back at Kurama, noting a rare, unmistakable flicker of dread in the beast''s eyes. Seeing such fear in a being like the Nine-Tailed Fox sent chills through Axel''s spine. What could be powerful enough to frighten a creature like Kurama?


    He turned back to the cave, swallowing his fear. "Thanks, Kurama," Axel said, stepping forward into the darkness, though his words felt hollow in the face of what he was walking toward.


    The air in the tunnel was suffocating, heavy with an unseen pressure. As Axel descended deeper, the light from the entrance behind him faded, leaving only the dim, unnatural glow of the rocks to guide him. Every step seemed to magnify the presence ahead, each breath harder to draw than thest. It wasn''t long before the oppressive energy began affecting his soldiers.


    "Master," a voice rasped from behind him. Axel turned to see Mane, one of his most reliable soldiers, struggling to breathe. "The presence... it''s too much."


    Mane''s face was pale, and his steps had grown sluggish. Axel could sense the others were in no better shape. The energy in the cave was crushing them, suffocating their spirits. They wouldn''t survive if they kept going.


    Axel frowned, realizing what he had to do. "You''ve done well to make it this far," he said, waving his hand. In an instant, Mane and the others vanished, dismissed back into the safety of the system''s realm.


    Alone now, Axel pressed on, his thoughts growing heavier with each step. He hadn''t realized just how much the energy was affecting him until now. His breathing becamebored, his limbs felt like they were being weighed down by unseen chains. It was as if the cave itself was alive, testing his resolve with every heartbeat.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity of walking, Axel stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes fixed on a figure sitting motionless ahead of him. The figure sat upon the rocky floor, head bowed, cloaked in tattered robes that seemed older than time itself.


    The aura radiating from the figure was suffocating. It was worse than anything Axel had ever felt. The power wasn''t just overwhelming¡ªit was ancient, primal, like the essence of death itself. For a brief moment, Axel wondered if this was what Velerium had felt like, but this... this was something else.


    The figure slowly raised its head, revealing its ghastly visage. Its face was a skull, simr to Velerium''s skeletal form, but much bulkier, more imposing. Two glowing blue eyes burned with malevolent light from within the empty sockets.


    "Wee, candidate," the figure rasped, its voice deep and otherworldly, reverberating through the cave like the final toll of a death knell.


    Axel staggered, feeling the weight of the being''s voice alone threaten to crush him. His heart pounded violently in his chest as he clenched his fists, trying to keep from copsing under the immense pressure. Every instinct screamed at him to flee, but Axel forced himself to stay rooted to the spot.


    The being stood slowly, towering over Axel, its robes falling to the side to reveal a body made entirely of bones and ancient armor, each movement causing a grotesque creaking sound. "For this battle, I shall grant you three things," the figure said, extending a bony finger toward Axel. "An introduction, a goal, and a reward."


    Axel''s throat was dry, but he managed to find his voice. "Who... who are you?" he asked, though he already had a terrible feeling he knew the answer.


    The figure grinned, the bones of its skull shifting unnaturally. "I am Mtecuhtli," it said, and the very name sent a wave of terror crashing over Axel.


    Axel''s knees nearly buckled. **Mtecuhtli**, the god of death, the Aztec lord of the underworld. It was as if every story, every myth of death and the afterlife had suddenly materialized before him, in the form of this monstrous deity.


    Axel''s mind raced. ''If this is the real Mtecuhtli, then I''m facing a god... a true god.'' Sweat dripped from his brow as the realization hit him. This wasn''t just some trial. This was a fight against a death god. Experience more tales on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    "The rules are simple," Mtecuhtli continued, his voice a low rumble. "One of us must die. If you defeat me, I will grant you three wishes. If you fail, I will enter your world, and death will walk among the living once more."


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat. Three wishes. That was what Velerium had meant when he said Axel could bring his mother back. A flicker of hope ignited in his chest, only to be extinguished just as quickly by the cold reality of the situation. Could he really defeat a god?


    Axel''s gaze hardened as he summoned his weapon, the **Fang of Kaijus**, into his hand. The familiar weight of the de gave him a momentary sense offort, but even thatfort felt fragile in the presence of the god before him.


    Mtecuhtli grinned wider, his skeletal features twisting grotesquely. "So, you wish to fight," the god murmured, taking a step forward. "But can you truly stand against death itself?"


    Without warning, Mtecuhtli lunged. The god moved faster than Axel had ever anticipated, a blur of bone and robes tearing through the air like a missile. Axel barely had time to raise his de as Mtecuhtli''s fist came crashing down.


    The impact was devastating. Axel''s sword shattered upon contact, and before he could react, the force of the blow sent him flying across the cave. He hit the rocky floor hard, skidding dozens of feet beforeing to a painful halt. Blood gushed from his nose and mouth, and his vision swam.


    His sword¡ªthe weapon he had relied on in countless battles¡ªwas broken. The Fang of Kaijusy in pieces beside him, chipped and useless. Axel''s heart sank.


    "You... friggin'' bastard..." Axel growled through clenched teeth, wiping the blood from his face. He struggled to his feet, his body aching, but his resolve unshaken. If it was a fistfight Mtecuhtli wanted, Axel would give him one.


    Axel squared his stance, raising his fists. "I''ll tear you apart with my bare hands if I have to," he spat.


    Mtecuhtli chuckled, a low, bone-chilling sound that echoed through the cave. "You amuse me," the god said, taking slow, deliberate steps toward Axel. "I almost forgot to ask your name, but it hardly matters. From what I''ve seen, you won''tst another minute."


    Axel''s eyes narrowed as he activated his system. He couldn''t rely on the Fang anymore. **Evolution pills**, he thought, already nning to purchase them. He needed to survive this¡ªhe needed those three wishes.


    For Mum and  for...


    Dad.


    ***Author''s note***


    Three chapters today also. Please support me with a gift of an price, it''ll be appreciated.

 Chapter 69 Reborn With the...?

    ---


    Another attack?


    Axel dug his heels into the ground,unching forward with all his strength, throwing a powerful punch aimed directly at Mtecuhtli''s face. But the god of the dead was faster, effortlessly sidestepping Axel''s attack. In a fluid motion, Mtecuhtli grabbed Axel''s wrist, twisting him off his feet and hurling him like a ragdoll toward the wall.


    "Krhk!" Axel grunted as he spun mid-air,nding on his feet just inches before crashing into the wall. His body slid a bit, his boots digging into the ground, but he stayed upright, ring at his opponent.


    Before Axel could react, Mtecuhtli was already upon him again. This time, a fist aimed at his gut. Axel shifted his body to the left, dodging just in time¡ªonly to realize it was a feint.


    Mtecuhtli''s arm snapped upwards, transforming into an elbow strike that connected with Axel''s face. The impact was brutal. Axel''s head jerked back, blood spurting from his mouth as he stumbled backward.


    "You disappoint me, boy." The god''s voice was cold, almost mocking.


    Axel wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes narrowing. He barely had time to blink before Mtecuhtli spread his fingers wide and a st of dark, swirling energy shot toward him. The beam tore through the air like a void, seeking to consume everything in its path.


    "Shit!" Axel cursed, leaping to the side, barely avoiding the beam as it scorched the ground where he had stood. But no sooner had he dodged the attack than the god was in front of him again.


    This time, the punch was too fast to evade. Axel crossed his arms in front of his face to block, bracing for the impact.


    *CRACK!*


    The force of the punch shattered the bones in Axel''s forearms. He screamed as pain shot through him like fire, his arms hanging limply by his sides. But still, he wasn''t ready to give up.


    "Not yet¡­" Axel growled through clenched teeth, stamping his foot forward and surging ahead with a headbutt.


    *CRACK!*


    Another sickening sound echoed in the air, but this time it came from Axel''s skull. He staggered backward, his vision spinning, his head throbbing like it had been hit with a sledgehammer.


    ''He''s like metal¡­ I can''t¡­''


    Mtecuhtli''s cold eyes gleamed with amusement. "You haven''t even begun to understand your abilities," he said, stepping forward. "You''re a failure."


    Suddenly, the god''s hand shot out, wrapping around Axel''s throat. His grip was impossibly tight. Axel felt his windpipe start to copse under the pressure, his vision darkening around the edges. The bones in his neck began to crack ominously as the god squeezed harder.


    [HP 15/80]


    Axel had onest trick up his sleeve. He had taken an Evolution Pill earlier, and it was beginning to work. As the pill''s effects surged through him, Axel felt a sudden burst of strength, filling his limbs with renewed energy. He balled his fist and with all his might, swung at Mtecuhtli''s chest.


    But then¡ª


    *SPLAT!*


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    Axel froze, his eyes widening in horror. Something had gone terribly wrong. His attack never connected. Instead, Mtecuhtli''s hand had punched straight through Axel''s chest, tearing through his ribcage like paper. The god ripped Axel''s heart out of his body, holding it up in front of him, the bloody organ still faintly beating.


    Axel''s body went numb. He couldn''t process what had just happened. His heart... it was in Mtecuhtli''s hand. How was he still...?


    Mtecuhtli''s eyes narrowed, disgust lining his face. "Relying on pills for strength?" His voice dripped with contempt. "Pathetic. You think you can cheat your way to godhood? Weaklings like you don''t deserve power. The Infinite Gods System is for those who are willing to make real sacrifices."


    Axel''s vision blurred. His mind screamed at him to fight, to do something¡ªanything. But it was toote. His body gave out, copsing in a heap on the cold, bloodstained ground. As hey there, his life force drained from him, and the world started to fade into nothingness.


    Mtecuhtli tossed Axel''s lifeless body aside like garbage. He turned away, muttering in disdain. "The next candidate will¡ª"


    The rest of his words became a blur as Axel''s consciousness slipped away into darkness.


    ---


    **Somewhere¡­ Else**


    [Pathetic¡­]


    [I gave you power, and this is what you do with it?]


    [Who the hell do you think you are, Axel Teras?]


    Axel''s eyes snapped open, but he wasn''t back in the battle. He was¡­ somewhere else. A ce where darkness stretched endlessly, suffocating, cold, and oppressive. He could barely make out anything except for a pair of colossal red eyes glowing in the distance. These eyes were monstrous¡ªmassive beyondprehension, filled with an unimaginable malevolence.


    ''What is this ce?'' Axel thought, fear creeping into his chest.


    [You are not worthy of answers yet.]


    The voice boomed around him, rattling his very soul. It wasn''t Mtecuhtli. It was something far older, far darker.


    "Why¡­ why am I here?" Axel''s voice trembled, his eyes darting around the abyss. "I died¡­"


    [Yes. You died. And you failed.]


    Axel looked down at his hands, his mind racing. The god had killed him. He was supposed to be dead. But here he was, in this strange void. Why?


    "You''re right," Axel muttered, bitterness creeping into his tone. "I couldn''t beat him. He was too strong. How can I win against a god like that? It''s¡­ impossible. I''d need years, maybe even decades to reach that level."


    [Youck more than strength, Teras.]


    Axel frowned. "What do you mean?"


    [You have a good heart, but that is your weakness.]


    "A good heart?" Axel''s confusion deepened. "How does that help me here?"


    [It doesn''t!]


    The voice snapped, filled with rage. [A good heart makes you weak. You need GREED. You need PRIDE. You need to EMBRACE EVIL.]


    Axel shivered as the voice echoed around him. The red eyes loomed closer, filling his vision. The sheer darkness within them made him feel insignificant¡ªlike a speck of dust before a ck hole.


    [You are meant to be a god. A being above all others. Do you think the other gods care about your feelings? Your weaknesses?]


    Axel''s heart pounded as he considered the voice''s words. He had always fought for survival, for those he cared about. But now, everything seemed different. Darker. "What¡­ what do I need to do?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "To get stronger?"


    The darkness swirled, and the eyes red with malevolent glee.


    [Simple, Teras. Let me¡­ devour you.]


    ***Author''s note***


    I''m not that good at writing action scenes but hope you enjoyed this one.

 Chapter 70 Reborn With the Infinite God...

    ---


    **What is a god?**


    A being beyondprehension.


    Immortal. Untouchable.


    But what do we call a being *above* a god?


    **A Devil.**


    ---


    The air was heavy, thick with tension as the battlefield trembled beneath the sheer weight of the entities that stood within it. The walls of the ancient cave shuddered as the dark presence of a god loomed over it, Mtecuhtli''s skeletal visage illuminated by the dim glow of eerie, ghostly mes flickering from the cavern''s depths.


    Axel stood at the center, but he was no longer the man he once was. His body had transformed. Dark fumes of malevolent energy oozed from every pore of his skin. His fingers¡ªup to his elbows¡ªhad be ck and shimmering, resembling dark metal. His eyes, ck as the void, gleamed with crimson irises that pulsed like the heartbeat of something long dead.


    His once deep red hair had turned to a pitch ck, flowing like tendrils of shadow. And the aura around him¡­ it was suffocating.


    From somewhere deep in Axel''s mind, a voice resonated.


    **[Cursed Devourer Job ss Unlocked.]**


    Mtecuhtli, the god of death, froze as his ancient eyes widened in disbelief. He had felt many things in his endless existence, but this¡­ *this* was beyond anything he could have foreseen.


    "Impossible!" The god rasped, his voice rattling like dry bones in a crypt. His skull jerked back in shock, his empty eye sockets bulging as though they could see more than the physical world.


    Axel smirked, his voice cold and unwavering. "What''s wrong, *god*? Scared?" His voice reverberated with a low growl that seemed to echo from the very shadows around them.


    Mtecuhtli''s momentary shock dissolved, reced by a wicked grin that split his skeletal face. He stretched his gaunt body, cracking bones reverberating in the cave, as his ancient confidence returned. "So, you think unlocking some paltry new power will save you, mortal? Allow me to show you what a god can do."


    With a sudden burst of motion, Mtecuhtli lunged forward at blinding speed, his skeletal form moving faster than the eye could follow. His fist shot toward Axel, the very air distorting around it.


    But Axel didn''t flinch. His hand shot up with impossible precision, catching Mtecuhtli''s fist in mid-air. The sheer force of the collision shook the cave, sending debris flying, but Axel remained unmoved. His grip tightened as dark tendrils of energy snaked up his arm, amplifying his strength.


    Mtecuhtli''s eyes widened again, but before he could react, Axel''s foot swung up in a powerful arc, smashing into the god''s jaw with a sickening crack. The force of the blow sent Mtecuhtli stumbling backward, his form wavering from the unexpected impact. But Axel wasn''t done.


    He closed the distance with terrifying speed, his elbow crashing into the god''s face, apanied by the sound of shattering bone. Explore more stories with m,v l''e-NovelBin


    "How... how could this be?!" Mtecuhtli snarled, his voice thick with rage. He could notprehend how a mere mortal couldnd a blow on him¡ªmuch less hurt him.


    His anger reached its boiling point. With a feral growl, Mtecuhtli stretched both of his bony hands toward Axel. Dark energy gathered between his palms, coalescing into a void of nothingness. "You dare defy a god? I will obliterate you!" he roared, unleashing a beam of pure void energy, the kind that could erase anything it touched from existence.


    Axel stood his ground, his eyes narrowing. With a swift tilt of his head, he dodged the beam effortlessly, letting it crash into the cave wall behind him, vaporizing a massive section of the stone. The ground shook violently, but Axel''s focus was unyielding. He could sense Mtecuhtli''s panic beneath the god''s arrogance.


    In an instant, Axel was upon him again, his fists crackling with dark mana. He swung with a power that sent ripples through the air itself. Mtecuhtli, desperate, summoned dark, whip-like tendrils from the ground. The whipsshed out at Axel, one after the other.


    Axel ducked, evading the first with ease. Another whip came down, aimed straight for his skull. At thest moment, he shifted, letting it graze past him by mere inches.


    ''He''s getting desperate,'' Axel thought, analyzing Mtecuhtli''s pattern of attacks. He saw through them now. He could see *everything*.


    Mtecuhtli, realizing his usual methods were failing, ced his bony hand on the ground, channeling his mana. The earth trembled beneath Axel''s feet, splitting open as skeletal knights rose from the ground. There were dozens of them, d in decayed armor, their empty eyes glowing with an unholy light as they raised bone-like swords and axes, rushing toward Axel with murderous intent.


    ''Stalling for time,'' Axel mused.


    He dashed forward, meeting the skeleton army head-on. The first skeleton swung its sword, but Axel was faster. His foot connected with its chest, sending it crumbling into dust. Another skeleton, axe raised high, charged at him, aiming to cleave him in half. But the moment was frozen in Axel''s perception. Time itself seemed to slow.


    The skeleton''s movements, once swift, became sluggish and predictable.


    Axel raised his hand, snapping his fingers. A soundless pulse of energy rippled outward. The skeletons, in mid-attack, crumbled into dust, disintegrating as if they had never existed.


    The god''s tricks were no match for Axel''s newfound power.


    "No more of your cheap games," Axel growled, his voice dark and filled with menace. His patience was running thin.


    Mtecuhtli''s grin had faded. He could feel it now¡ªhis very essence being drained. His strength was slipping away. "I''m not... the real Mtecuhtli..." he wheezed, blood trickling from his skeletal nose, a sign of his weakening state.


    Axel''s eyes red. "Then you''re just as useless as you look." He appeared before the god in the blink of an eye, his fist driving into Mtecuhtli''s skull with a force that shattered bone. The god staggered backward, his jaw hanging by mere threads of sinew.


    But Mtecuhtli wasn''t done yet. He caught Axel''s fist before the next blow couldnd, a look of desperate determination in his hollow eyes. "You... you may have grown stronger, mortal, but I am a god. You cannot hope to¡ª"


    "Hah!" Axel''sugh was cold and mocking. "I already devoured your power. And now¡­ I''m devouring your soul." He leaned in closer, his voice a sinister whisper. "A god may not die of decay, but your soul is another matter entirely."


    Mtecuhtli''s eyes went wide with terror as the truth dawned on him. His strength was being drained. His very essence was being consumed by Axel. "How... how did you know...?" he rasped.


    Axel wrenched his fist free from the god''s grip. "I can see everything about you. Your moves, your powers... your weaknesses. You''re no god. You''re just another obstacle in my way."


    Mtecuhtli copsed to the ground, his body crumbling as his life force was drained from him. He tried to speak, but no words came. Only the hollow sound of his final breath echoed in the empty cavern.


    **[You have leveled up.]**


    **[You have leveled up.]**


    The notifications rang out, one after the other, as Axel''s power surged. His aura pulsed with newfound strength, his body humming with energy.


    "Hahaha! Your soul is rich, god. No wonder you held such power." Axel''sughter echoed in the cave, dark and triumphant.


    Mtecuhtli''s fading voice cut through hisughter, weak but defiant. "When the otherse... all that you''ve gained... it will be nothing but a curse."


    Mtecuhtli''s final breath escaped his crumbling form.


    And then there was silence.


    ***Author''s note***


    I''m tired... Barely managed to type 3 for today, thanks for reading.

 Chapter 71: Bonus Chapter 71: Lone Wanderer

    **Bonus Chapter 71: Lone Wanderer**


    *Flesh? Blood?*


    *That rueful stench is everywhere, lingering in the air like a never-ending curse.*


    *It''s almost unbearable.*


    *At least, that''s what I think.*


    ---


    Thor''s boots echoed against the cold, metallic floors of the alien spaceship. His strides were strong and steady, an unyielding march through the haunting silence. Days without food had taken little toll on him. His stamina was impressive, even after battling and killing every Fatek he encountered.


    He was a force of nature, resilient, and determined, cutting through the depths of this massive,byrinthine ship like a predator on the prowl.


    This spaceship was farrger than he had anticipated. Its corridors stretched endlessly, with chambers hidden behind walls, traps rigged in innerpartments, and secret reserves filled with bizarre, alien contraptions. The ce was a tomb of horrors, stained with purple, dried blood¡ªthe signature of the Fatek.


    Thor scanned the blood-sttered halls. He had been here days ago, and nothing had changed, save for the eerie stillness. A grim memory stirred in his mind: the hall had led to a group of survivors. Their fate had been sealed when he had identally triggered a trap, unleashing a stampede of alien beasts that had trampled them like mindless oxen.


    Their screams still echoed in his mind.


    *I was toote.*


    Yet, Thor had learned a great deal during his lonely wander through this forsaken ship. The Fatek weren''t merely war-hungry invaders; they were more calcted, more twisted than that. They weren''t just gathering resources or trying to harness the raw power of Earth''s fauna. No, they were experimenting¡ªon animals, on creatures, and on people.


    Thor''s fists clenched at the thought. He hade across their ghastlyboratories, filled with tubes and grotesque amalgamations of flesh. They were mixing DNA, creating...something. It wasn''t an attempt to make themselves stronger, not exactly. The Fatek were far too advanced to fall for the dangers of gic maniption without calcting the risks.


    No, they were after something far worse. They sought perfection.


    *Perfect cells.*


    The words echoed in Thor''s mind. That was the only conclusion he could draw from what he had seen. The hybrid monstrosities he had encountered barely survived long enough to fight back. The experiments were grotesque, cruel failures. But they were trying. Relentlessly.


    Thor exhaled slowly as he turned into a wide, half-destroyed hall. His gaze swept across the ruins of machinery and broken ss. He had been here before. It led nowhere. For days now, he had wandered in circles, uncovering hidden rooms, but no survivors remained.


    "This wasn''t a trap," Thor muttered to himself, his deep voice barely a whisper. "It''s all a distraction."


    With a surge of frustration, Thor lifted his boot and mmed it hard against the floor. The force of the impact cracked the metal surface beneath him, and with a sharp *snap*, the ground gave way. He plummeted through the copsing floor,nding with a thud in a dark, enclosed room below.


    Dust and debris swirled around him as Thor straightened up, brushing dirt off his shoulders. He nced around, noting the small, secretive nature of the chamber. His eyes quickly locked onto the figure of a woman sitting before severalputers, her fingers moving rapidly across the keyboard.


    Something about her was...wrong.


    Thor narrowed his eyes, taking in every detail. Herb coat, her unkempt hair, her shallow breathing¡ªit all pointed to the same conclusion. She wasn''t a hunter. No, she was a scientist, taken by the Fatek long before Thor and his crew arrived.


    "Two months... maybe more," Thor murmured, calcting her timeline. She had been here far longer than any of the human prisoners. This confirmed his growing suspicion: the Fatek weren''t merely invading through portals. There was another way. A backdoor.


    A hidden path between Earth and wherever these vile creatures called home.


    Thor took a step forward. "You don''t have to work anymore¡ª"


    Before he could finish, the woman''s body went limp. Her face mmed into the keyboard with a sickening thud. The room fell eerily silent.


    *Something is wrong.*


    Thor didn''t move. He remained rooted to the spot, his warrior''s instincts screaming at him to wait. Then, from the corner of the room, he heard it: a faint slithering noise. A slide, slick and fast,ing towards him.


    In a sh, Thor''s hand shot up, his fingers closing around something cold and wet. He brought it into view, his gaze narrowing as he examined it.


    An earthworm? No... It was thicker, its body covered in a grotesque shell. Its movements were frantic, twisting and writhing as it tried to escape his grip, blood oozing from its body.


    "Disgusting." Thor''s voice was low, controlled. "You''re not from Earth. But your energy..." He paused, recalling a simr creature from a portal mission months ago¡ªa bug, fast and deadly, barely defeated by his team. This worm was no different. Discover more stories at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    Suddenly, everything clicked into ce.


    The woman''s death. The blood seeping from her ears.


    "Mind control," Thor muttered, his voice filled with disdain. These worms weren''t just pests. They were capable of controlling their hosts, bending humans to their will. He growled in anger, squeezing the creature until it burst apart in his hand, its vile innards sttering against his fingers.


    Thor wiped the gore from his palm and looked around the room, his sharp eyes catching the faint outline of a door in the corner. A hidden passage.


    With a determined stride, Thor approached. The door slid open, revealing arge ss wall beyond it. Thor''s breath caught in his throat.


    "Dear God..." he whispered.


    Behind the ss was a vast aquarium, but it wasn''t filled with water or fish. No, it was swarming with thousands of the very same worm-like creatures he had just crushed. They writhed and twisted, filling the tank like a pulsating mass of flesh.


    Thor''s mind raced. If this many were here, and they had only found one on Earth after a portal mission...


    His eyes widened in horror.


    *Earth has been invaded.*

 Chapter 72 Rewards II Trial

    Mtecuhtli let out a brief sigh as he stared into the infinite void that overwhelmed him. Up was ck, down was the same, and the only difference in the endless abyss was the single golden ray of light that shimmered faintly in the distance. It beckoned him, almost as if it held all the answers to the questions that had been guing him.


    Taking a deep breath, Mtecuhtli began to walk, his skeletal feet barely making a sound against the shifting, cold surface beneath him. The ground felt like water, fluid yet solid enough to stand on, an impossible contradiction fitting for the Lord of the Dead. He moved closer to the portal, but before he could cross its threshold, a voice echoed from the darkness, halting him in his tracks.


    **[Why did you let that runt kill you so easily?]**


    The voice was deep, resonating with an ancient power that seemed to challenge the very void itself. Mtecuhtli smirked, the grin spreading across his skeletal face, a dangerous glint flickering in his hollow eyes. He had tried his best to hide the truth¡ªhe had allowed Axel to win. But now, it seemed the game was up.


    "What''s it to you?" he sneered, turning slightly toward the source of the voice. "Did you expect me to crush him? To destroy him over and over, until his humanity was nothing but a fading memory? That''s not my role." His voice, though calm, carried an undertone of defiance.


    The being, still hidden in the shadows, let out a low, guttural growl. **[You have no idea what you''ve done. By sparing him, you''ve doomed him to a fate worse than death.]**


    Mtecuhtli''s grin widened, a dark amusement ying on his features. "Doomed him? You speak as if the worst is yet toe." His skeletal feet scraped against the watery darkness, each step slow and deliberate as he moved toward the golden light. "I am the ruler of the undead. I choose who is worthy of my appraisal, and that boy has suffered enough.


    He has earned my favor, though that does not mean I hand out gifts freely."


    As he neared the light, the abyss seemed to ripple, the voice bing more insistent. **[He isn''t ready. By making it easy on him, you''ve left him vulnerable to forces far greater than you or I can control.]**


    Mtecuhtli paused, his eyes narrowing as he considered the words. "Perhaps," he murmured, more to himself than to the voice. "But just because he has gained power from the shadows does not mean he is destined to be consumed by them. I see more in him than you do." Without another word, he stepped into the golden light, leaving the voice to echo behind him, a lingering threat in the darkness.


    ---


    **Axel''s eyes widened as he read the notification:**


    **[You have lost all will to lie.]**


    **[You can no longer lie. Your mouth must speak the truth, and you have lost a small portion of your rationality.]**


    A twisted smile formed on his lips, though his mind raced with dread. _How will I survive without lying?_ he wondered, a cold sweat breaking out across his skin. Lying had been his shield, his way of navigating through a world full of deceit and danger. Without it, he felt exposed, vulnerable.


    The next notification shed in front of him.


    **[You have permanently activated your Job ss ¨C Cursed Devourer.]**


    **[Price of twenty years out of user''s life has been paid.]**


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat. Twenty years. The cost felt staggering, far more than what he had expected when he had made the desperate choice in the heat of battle. He swallowed hard, a bitterugh escaping his lips. _Life cheats me at every corner._


    He quickly dismissed the notification, moving to the next one, which appeared more promising:


    **[You have gained rewards. Choose to equip them.]**


    **[You have found the Smile of a God and have been granted three wishes.]**


    Axel''s breath caught in his throat. _Three wishes?_ His mind raced, a flood of possibilities overwhelming him. His first thought was immediate, visceral: he could bring back his mother, heal her from the brink of death, maybe even save his father.


    "I¡ª" Axel hesitated, his tongue heavy in his mouth as he struggled to form the words. But something in the back of his mind screamed at him to pause. Three wishes, without boundaries, without limits, came at a price. Nothing was ever truly free.


    His eyes narrowed at the notification, suspicion creeping in.


    "I wish my mother recovers permanently and..."


    The system interrupted him with a cold, mechanical response.


    **[One wish has been processed. Now to your next wish.]**


    Axel froze, realizing with a jolt that the system had stopped him before he could make the second part of his wish. _It knows what I''m thinking._ He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his decisions pressing down on him. Each wish held unimaginable power, but with it came the terrifying uncertainty of what it might cost.


    He needed to be careful. Very careful.


    Axel spoke again, his voice quieter this time. "What is the price of the wishes?"


    The system responded without hesitation:


    **[Each wishes with a great price.]**


    **[A great cmity will befall you, affecting everyone around you. You will lose your humanity for one, and for another, you will be the thing you fear the most.]**


    His blood ran cold. Axel stood frozen, the weight of the words crashing over him. He had never expected such a steep cost. Still, could he really turn back now? His family¡ªhis mother¡ªwas at stake. But the price...


    losing his humanity, bing what he feared most...


    Taking a deep breath, Axel made his final two wishes. The system epted them without furtherment, and within moments, another notification appeared, signaling his return to the mortal realm.


    ---


    Axel materialized in an alley, but it wasn''t the same alley he had left. This one wasrger, darker, the walls grimy with age and neglect. Confusion tugged at him as he surveyed his surroundings, his mind spinning. He was somewhere unfamiliar, somewhere... wrong.


    Ahead of him was a bar. He frowned, feeling a strange pull toward it. The neon sign flickered weakly, casting a dull glow over the entrance. Axel hesitated, his hand lingering on the cold, metal knob before he slowly turned it and stepped inside.


    The bar was dimly lit, reeking of stale alcohol and smoke. His eyes quickly adjusted to the gloom, scanning the room for anything familiar. And then he saw him¡ªRowin, sitting alone at a table littered with empty bottles. But something about him was off. Rowin''s eyes, normally sharp and calcting, were zed over, hollow. It was as though he hadn''t drunk a drop, yet his soul seemed shattered.


    "Axel," Rowin muttered, his voice low and shaky, barely audible over the din of the bar.


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat. Why had the system brought him here, to Rowin of all people? The sense of unease only deepened as he walked toward his oldrade, his footsteps muffled by the thick tension in the air. Axel waved cautiously. "Hi, Rowin."


    As he reached the table, the atmosphere seemed to shift, a palpable heaviness settling over them both. Something was wrong. Axel could feel it, a growing dread in the pit of his stomach.


    "You''ve missed too much, Axel," Rowin whispered, his voice trembling as his eyes finally met Axel''s. There was something dark in his gaze, something that sent a chill crawling down Axel''s spine.


    ***Author''s plead***


    If you have been enjoying the story till now, please gift me  dragon or magic castle. Or anything you can give freely I don''t have anything of value to me than my books. Please give it value. (Begging sincerely.)


    Thanks for reading. Really appreciated

 Chapter 73: Special Chapter 73: At Least We Have Each Other

    **Chapter 73: At Least We Have Each Other** Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    I never saw him before.


    Did he... no, he must have always been here.


    I just never noticed him because, back then, I didn''t know him.


    But now I do.


    ***


    After the lecturer wrapped up his lesson, the students exploded into what could only be described as organized chaos. Conversations erupted, chairs scraped against the floor, and groups of friends formed in clusters, creating a symphony of noise that filled the once-quiet room. Especially in the boys'' section, where disruptions seemed to be their natural calling.


    "Come on, Annie, be honest. Should I tint my hair red? Or maybe pink would suit me better?" Yoma, Annie''s best friend, twirled a lock of her hair around her finger dramatically, her eyes sparkling with excitement at the thought of a new look.


    Annie smiled warmly at her. She was grateful for the familiarfort of her friends, relieved that after everything, her friend group of four remained intact. Returning to school felt like slipping back into an old,fortable routine, and she appreciated every moment of it. "I''d go with pink," she decided, picturing her friend''s vibrant personality matching the color perfectly.


    "Pink it is, then!" Yoma squealed, tossing her hair over her shoulder triumphantly.


    Just as the conversation about hair color was picking up steam, one of their friends, Tina, who had been absentmindedly scrolling through her phone, suddenly stopped. She held up her screen. "Wait, Annie, is this your brother?"


    Annie nced at the photo, recognizing it instantly. It was Axel. She had taken that picture without him knowing¡ªhe wasn''t a fan of posing for the camera¡ªbut she had snapped it during their visit to the Kyota Hill carnival. It was one of her favorite memories of them together.


    "Yeah, that''s him," she replied casually, though she couldn''t help but smile a little as she remembered that day. "He didn''t know I took it, though. He''s never been big on taking pictures."


    Kyota Hill, a renowned hangout for the wealthy and elite, especially hunters, should have been the topic of interest. But none of her friends seemed remotely impressed by the location. Instead, they were all staring, wide-eyed, at Axel''s picture.


    "Oh my god, your brother is *so* handsome!" Tina gasped.


    "Can I get his number?" Yoma chimed in, her eyes gleaming with mischief.


    "And those muscles!" Another friend, Leah, added with a dramatic sigh. "I mean, look at those arms!"


    Annie''s smile turned into a nervous grin as she listened to their collective swooning. Axel had definitely bulked up after his intense training¡ªshe noticed that too¡ªbut this was getting out of hand. She cleared her throat and tried to keep things light. "He''s been working out a lot, I guess. But sorry, no phone numbers. He''s...


    uh, taken."


    She wasn''t sure if Axel actually had a girlfriend, but it felt like the quickest way to shut down their enthusiasm without hurting anyone''s feelings.


    The effect was immediate. Her friends looked crushed, disappointment etched across their faces. Yoma crossed her arms with a pout. "Not fair," she muttered.


    Before they could press further, Annie''s gaze drifted across the ssroom, locking onto a figure near the window. Loki. He sat there, silent as usual, head down, blending into the background. His presence was quiet, but somehow, Annie always found herself noticing him moretely, especially after he handed her Axel''s phone a week ago with that awkward apology.


    "I''m sorry," Annie suddenly blurted out, getting up from her seat and cutting her friends'' conversation short. They gave her puzzled looks as she grabbed her bag. "But seriously, don''t try to steal his number from my phone, okay?"


    She left before they could protest, weaving her way through the chaotic ssroom, dodgingughter and friendly shoves as she made her way toward Loki''s table.


    As she approached him, Annie hesitated for a moment, unsure of what she was even going to say. She had never really spoken to Loki before¡ªnot properly, at least. He always seemed so... distant, like he preferred to be left alone. But something about him intrigued her.


    "Hey, Loki, right?" she tapped lightly on his desk to get his attention.


    Loki raised his head slowly, his dark eyesnding on her with mild surprise. His expression remained calm, though, as if he had already guessed what she wanted. "Yes, Annie?" His voice was even, no warmth, but not cold either. Just... neutral.


    Annie felt her heart race a little. Why was this so hard? "Um... I was just wondering if you''d like to hang out sometime. You know, maybe at my ce? My aunt''s out today, so it''ll just be us.


    I mean, not just us, I''ll pay for food, and we can¡ª" She stopped herself, realizing she was rambling. "I mean, no pressure."


    For a moment, Loki just stared at her, his serious expression unchanged. Then, unexpectedly, he let out a small chuckle. "If I weren''t a hunter, I don''t think I''d have understood half of what you just said."


    Annie''s face flushed with embarrassment, but she managed tough along. "Sorry, I tend to talk too much when I''m nervous."


    He gave a slight nod, gesturing for her to sit beside him. "It''s fine. You''re not the only one who gets nervous." He looked out the window for a moment before turning back to her. "So, why are you interested in me? I''m not exactly the sociable type."


    Annie sat down beside him, still a little flustered. "I don''t know. You seem... different. In a good way. And I thought we could get to know each other better."


    Loki leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "You''re not like the others, are you?"


    "What do you mean?" Annie asked, her curiosity piqued.


    He nced at her from the corner of his eye. "Most people only see what''s on the surface. But you¡ªyou''re looking for something more. I can tell."


    She blinked, taken aback by his insight. "I guess I am," she admitted. "But what about you? Why''d you choose to be in this ss? I mean, you''re a hunter, right? Why go into business?"


    Loki let out a sigh, his gaze bing distant. "Because I''m good at it. Manipting people, reading them. That''s what hunters do. But business is the real game. That''s where I can make a difference."


    Annie listened intently, intrigued by his perspective. "So you want to change the world through business?"


    "Something like that," Loki said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "There are a lot of people pulling the strings in this world. I n to be one of them."


    Annie smiled, feeling a strange sense of connection forming between them. "Well, if that''s your goal, I''ll support you. We can talk more at my ceter, if you''re up for it."


    Loki nodded, his guard lowering just a little. "Yeah... maybe a little break wouldn''t be so bad."


    As they sat there in the quiet corner of the ssroom, Annie realized something. She might not have known Loki before, but now, she had a feeling they could be something more than just ssmates. Maybe even friends.


    At least they had each other.


    ***


    Loki emptied another bottle of beer, setting it down among the growing collection of bottles beside him. He let out a tiredugh. "I''m drunk? Wow, that''s hard to believe." His voice was slurred, and his grinzy, betraying his intoxicated state.


    Across from him, Annie sat slumped against the wall in her room, equally intoxicated. The luxurious space, a testament to the wealth of Kyota, now smelled like a mix of expensive perfume and cheap ale¡ªa contrast that created a nauseating atmosphere.


    "You''re such a joker, Loki! How in the world did you steal that guy''s singlet without him noticing?" Annie giggled uncontrobly, herughter bubbling up in bursts as she tried to picture the scenario.


    "I guess I''m just that talented," Loki responded with a chuckle, leaning sideways until his head rested on Annie''s legs, which immediately caused her to blush. He was far too close, invading her personal space with casual disregard.


    Her heartbeat quickened, and she swallowed nervously, trying to keep herposure. "Uhm¡­ you came here for a reason, didn''t you?" Annie''s voice trembled as she tried to change the subject. "You still haven''t told me why you took my brother''s phone. That''s why I invited you here."


    Loki''s smile faded, and the lightness in his eyes dimmed. His face took on a more serious expression, as though he''d been waiting for this moment. "I thought he was the mole¡ªthe one spying on the hunter association. I suspected him of betraying us¡­ but I was wrong."


    The weight of his words hung in the air, thickening the mood in the room. Annie''s drunken smile faded as well. She wasn''t sure she wanted to hear what Loki had to say, but the alcohol made it impossible to lie, even to herself. She nodded in silent acknowledgment.


    Loki stared nkly at the floor, his voice growing quieter. "Our whole n blew up in our faces. Noel, someone I trusted, turned out to be the real spy. She''s the one who killed my parents. I tried to catch her, but she escaped." His voice broke slightly, and Annie noticed the subtle trembling in his hands.


    "Not only that¡­" Loki''s tone wasced with bitterness. "Because of us, the Board arrested President Seo. And Aunt Rachael... she didn''t make it. She was killed, all because of a mistake I made. Everything just¡­ fell apart."


    Annie''s heart ached at the sight of Loki, a usually confident andposed person, breaking down in front of her. She could feel the pain and guilt emanating from him. The loss of his family, the betrayal of someone he once trusted¡ªit was too much for one person to bear. She didn''t know what to say, but somehow, the words came out anyway.


    "Noel¡­ I never imagined she was capable of that." Annie''s voice was soft, almost a whisper. "I knew she was dangerous, but I never saw her that way. To me, she was always¡­ broken, like me. Someone who needed saving."


    The room fell silent. Loki''s pain was palpable, and Annie''s quiet confession only added to the tension between them. How could they reconcile these different perspectives? One wanted revenge, while the other still saw something worth protecting in the person who caused so much harm.


    After what felt like an eternity, Loki finally broke the silence. "You know, I''ve been watching you since the day I got admitted to this academy," he admitted, his voice a little hoarse from the beer. "At first, I hated you. You were this popr, outgoing girl who I thought yed people¡­ but then, I saw you stand up for that kid who was getting bullied. You weren''t like everyone else.


    You were kind, and that stupid kindness of yours drew people in like a ma."


    Annie blinked, caught off guard by Loki''s words. He sounded almost¡­ sentimental.


    "When you stoppeding to ss, it was like the light went out. Everyone felt it, even me, and I didn''t even realize how much I missed you until you were gone. And then, I found out you were Axel''s sister. It was like fate brought me to your doorstep¡­ even though I kept telling myself I didn''t care."


    Annie''s heart skipped a beat. She had no idea Loki had been paying attention to her like that. His confession was unexpected, and it made her feel¡­ something. But before she could figure out what, Loki''s next words hit her like a ton of bricks.


    "You''re a disease, Annie," he said with a wry smile. "An incurable disease. And I hate to admit it, but¡­ I like you. I really like you."


    Annie''s cheeks flushed, her face burning red as tears began to well up in her eyes. She didn''t know why she was crying, but the emotions bubbling inside her were too much to hold in. She tried to speak, but all that came out was a broken whisper. "I''m sorry¡­ Loki. I''m so sorry."


    Loki''s heart sank. Rejection was like a cold knife twisting in his chest, but he tried to brush it off with a forcedugh. "I should''ve known. Hera always said I didn''t stand a chance. This is why guys stay single, right? Rejection''s a real killer."


    Annie shook her head frantically. "No, it''s not that¡­ I like you too, Loki, but¡­ I can''t. I''m pregnant."


    Her words hit Loki like a freight train. His mind went nk, struggling to process what she had just said. "Pregnant?" he repeated, dumbfounded. "But how? Who?"


    Annie looked down at the floor, her face red with shame. She couldn''t bring herself to meet Loki''s eyes. "I didn''t know at first," she admitted quietly. "It was a stupid mistake¡­ but he contacted me afterwards."


    Loki''s heart raced as he waited for her to say the name. He wasn''t sure he wanted to hear it, but he couldn''t stop himself from asking. "Who? Who''s the father?"


    Annie took a deep, shaky breath. "His name is¡­ Williams."


    The silence that followed was deafening. Loki sat frozen, unable to speak, his mind reeling from the revtion. Of all the possible oues, this was not one he had ever imagined.


    Williams the S-rank hunter who had betrayed Axel when they were tested.


    This was more serious than he imagined.


    But then, to Annie''s surprise, Loki slowly sat up and looked her in the eyes. "It doesn''t matter," he said softly his voice tinged with lies, he had a knack for deceiving people, though it hurt him to do so, for Annie who knew nothing this was the best solution. "I don''t care who the father is. I''ll ept the baby as my own, even if Axel kills me for it."


    Annie let out a chokedugh through her tears. "Axel *will* kill you."


    Loki smiled weakly. "It''d be worth it."


    ***Author''s note***


    Every character has a story. Loki might actually meet his end soon. Hahaha

 Chapter 74 Reborn As Detectives 1 - So Thats What Happened

    Axel and Rowin sat down at a dimly lit bar, the scent of cheap alcohol mingling with the scent of stale air. The room was packed with chatter, but all Axel could hear was Rowin''s voice and the low hum of his own thoughts. The table between them held a few half-empty sses, untouched since they were set down, a silent testament to their real purpose for being there.


    The conversation had gone quiet, with Axel staring down at his hands, as though searching for answers hidden in his own fingers.


    He couldn''t understand how it had happened¡ªhow he had lost two whole weeks. **Two weeks**, he thought. The days had slipped through his fingers like sand, but Velerium had assured him time hadn''t passed like this. So, what the hell was going on? Had Velerium lied to him, or was there something more sinister at y?


    He felt uneasy, as if arge part of his mind was locked away, and the key was somewhere out of reach. It didn''t help that Velerium himself had been strangely absent recently. Not a word, not a whisper. Axel clenched his fist beneath the table.


    Rowin, looking more disheveled and ill than he hadst time, cleared his throat and began again, "Noel... she''s Dawning Blood, Axel. She''s responsible for the murders of countless hunters and civilians."


    Axel stared at Rowin as if he had been pped. **Noel?** It didn''t make sense. The Noel he knew was kind-hearted, always looking out for others. He reyed the memories in his mind¡ªtheir long talks, the adventures they had gone on together, the way she had looked after him. How could someone so gentle be capable of such cruelty?


    Axel''s voice dropped to a whisper as if he were speaking to himself, "Still, I can''t believe Noel would do such a thing." Your adventure continues at m v|l-e''-NovelBin


    Rowin sighed, watching Axel wrestle with the truth. He knew this was hard for him. He could see the disbelief etched across Axel''s face, but the facts were undeniable. Dawning Blood was one of the most notorious criminals to exist, and now, the very person Axel had trusted was tied to it. It was a cruel twist of fate, but there was no escaping it.


    Rowin''s face darkened as he muttered, "Apart from that, things have gotten worse for the Tiger Association... and the board."


    Axel''s brow furrowed. He was just barely managing to process the bombshell about Noel, and now there was **more** trouble? He shifted ufortably in his seat. "What now?" He let out a weary sigh. "Can''t I catch a moment''s peace after barely surviving thest ordeal?"


    His words surprised even him, the frustration slipping past his guard. Rowin''s eyes widened, taken aback by Axel''s outburst, but he quickly recovered. Axel was in a fragile state, and pushing him too hard now would be dangerous.


    "Aren''t you eager to know what''s going on with the Tiger Association?" Rowin leaned forward, trying to pull Axel back to reality. He needed him to focus.


    Axel shook his head slowly, his mind elsewhere. "No... not really. I''m more concerned about Trisha, my sister... and the guild we built together." The words slipped out before he could stop them, cursed by the truth that seemed to flow unbidden from his lipstely. Axel winced.


    He wasn''t supposed to say that. Not now, not with so much hanging in the bnce.


    "Axel..." Rowin began, trying to keep his voice steady, "You should be more worried about yourself. You''re a wanted fugitive now, for God''s sake. You''re being hunted because of your connection to Dawning Blood."


    Axel''s face tightened, but before he could respond, Rowin added, almost too casually, "And by the way, Seo is imprisoned. And... Rachael''s dead."


    The words hit Axel like a physical blow. His face lost its color, eyes wide in shock. **Seo?** The president of the Tiger Association? His mind tried to catch up, but the next part was worse¡ªRachael... dead?


    "I¡ªI don''t know what to say," Axel stammered. His chest tightened with a surge of emotions he couldn''t quite ce. Then, with rming coldness, he muttered, "I feel no sympathy for them. No sympathy at all."


    The statement shocked even him. Sympathy? When had hest felt that? His empathy seemed to have faded away over time, reced by something darker, something he couldn''t fully control.


    Rowin''s expression shifted, his smile twisted into something bitter. "I guess we''re all bing less human. Every day, it gets harder to care."


    Axel gave a small nod, his throat dry. "I won''t say anything more. Just... exin the situation to me. I''ll listen."


    Rowin sighed, twirling an empty bottle in his hands as he spoke. "Seo tried to flee after being branded an enemy of the board. In his desperation, he killed Rachael to make an escape... but it didn''t work. He was caught, and now he''s rotting in a cell. It''s only a matter of time before¡ª"


    "They don''t understand," Axel interrupted, his voice low, distant. His eyes zed over as though he was looking at something far beyond the walls of the bar.


    "Axel?" Rowin leaned forward, concern washing over him. "What are you¡ª"


    "All of them," Axel continued, his voice growing more guttural, "They''re leaking so much vibrant energy. I can taste it. I want to **devour** it. I want to **devour** them all."


    Rowin''s heart skipped a beat. He reached out, hesitating, unsure of how to snap Axel out of whatever trance he had fallen into. Axel''s head was bowed, his face hidden in shadow. A creeping dread filled the pit of Rowin''s stomach.


    Before he could react, a waitress approached their table with a cheerful smile, oblivious to the tension between them. "Would you gentlemen like anything else?"


    Rowin blinked, momentarily snapped out of his fear. He raised his hand, shaking his head, "No, we''re fine. Thanks."


    But before he could finish, a sickening **thud** reverberated through the bar.


    Rowin froze, eyes widening in sheer disbelief. He stared at Axel, whose hand now held the decapitated head of the waitress. Blood sprayed across the table, sttering Rowin''s face with warmth and horror.


    The headless body of the woman still stood there for a moment, blood cascading from her neck like a fountain. Time seemed to stop as the scene yed out in slow motion.


    Axel stood, his body trembling with raw, manic energy. His eyes had gone pitch ck, with only the crimson glow of his irises shining through, casting an eerie glow. His grin was inhumanly wide, stretching across his face like a devil relishing the chaos.


    "What... the hell is this?" Rowin choked, his voice weak as fear paralyzed him.


    The bar erupted into chaos. Screams filled the air as patrons scrambled for the exits, knocking over chairs and tables in their frantic rush to escape.


    Axel''s grin widened, his body trembling with excitement. His voice was a growl, low and filled with something primal. "Hehehe... this is **more** fulfilling than I thought. So much more..."


    {????????}


    {???????????? ????????}


    {???????? ???????????? ????????}


    {?????? ?????????? ??????????... ?? ??????????}


    Axel licked his lips, his dark eyes scanning the terrified crowd. The hunger in him grew stronger, an insatiable desire to kill, to consume. His voice became more monstrous with each passing second. "LOOK AT THEM... ALL MY PREY... I CAN''T RESIST...


    I MUST KILL THEM ALL!"


    Rowin''s heart raced, his mind screaming at him to **run**. But his legs wouldn''t move.


    Something far darker was awakening inside Axel.


    ***Author''s note***


    Very Bad news guys. I just got an health issue and it''s vreally affecting me a lot so far. I can manage to release the desired numbers of chapters, although won''t be able to mass release anytime soon.


    Please support me during this times and enjoy, bare with me. It won''t be easy to scale through this one... Thanks for your support.

 Chapter 75 Reborn As a Demon

    There is a moment, brief and fleeting, where every being feels like they stand above all others. A single moment where power surges, and the universe seems small under their feet. Some call it a godly moment. But sometimes, in that very moment, a god can be mistaken for a devil¡ªespecially when he rains hell upon the lower beings beneath him.


    ***


    The golden bulb flickered ominously in the dim hut, casting long shadows over the wreckage that filled the room. The silence was deafening, more suited for the dead than the living. Broken furniturey scattered, overturned tables and chairs soaked in blood, and body parts¡ªlimbs, rib cages, organs¡ªlittered the floor like grotesque decorations.


    The metallic stench of death hung in the air, mingling with the rot of fresh corpses. It was not simply a massacre. To call it such would be a gross understatement.


    The walls of the hut were barely holding up, cracked and crumbling under the weight of destruction. The survivors, if they could be called that, huddled on the floor, their faces wet with tears, their voices reduced to pitiful whispers of pleading.


    "Please... don''t kill us..."


    A man, no older than thirty, sobbed hysterically. His back pressed against the cracked wall, his trembling hands clutching his chest as if it would somehow shield him from the demon before him. His heart pounded against his ribs, every thud a reminder of how alive he still was¡ªand how close he was to losing that precious gift.


    He regretted everything in that moment: the life he''d wasted on trivial pursuits, the choices he''d made, the fact he ever entered this cursed hut.


    "Monster! Mummy, help me!" Another man screamed, snot and tears mingling on his face as he scraped himself further into the corner. He was shaking uncontrobly, the weight of his impending doom crushing him. Every fiber of his being told him to run, but his legs wouldn''t listen. All he could do was pray for a miracle that would nevere.


    In the center of the room stood the source of their terror: a towering figure, a man no longer human. His frame was massive, a distorted silhouette that radiated an aura of decay so overpowering it made the air thick and suffocating. His eyes glowed red with malevolence, and the dark, viscous energy that surrounded him writhed like a living entity, twisting and slithering around him like shadows.


    The man''s body was covered in blood, drenched in it, as if he had bathed in the life essence of the people he had ughtered.


    Rowin sat amidst the chaos, his legs crossed on broken ss, his gaze distant yet epting. He didn''t bother to move, didn''t bother to beg for his life. Today, he had met something that transcended monsters. He had encountered the true definition of a devil. He felt no hatred toward the creature before him, only a hollow understanding.


    This was it¡ªhis death, in the hands of a being beyond hisprehension.


    His gaze shifted upward, locking onto the demon''s face¡ªAxel. Or what had once been Axel. Now, he was a demonic presence, lost in bloodlust, holding two severed heads by their hair, blood dripping rapidly from the disconnected bodies. Rowin''s breath hitched. A wave of nausea and hunger hit him at once.


    His instincts begged for blood, for the taste of flesh, but he resisted with everything he had left of his humanity. He wouldn''t fall to that urge. Not now.


    A flicker of awareness suddenly passed through Axel''s eyes, piercing through the darkness that clouded his mind. For the first time since his transformation, Axel came to, his vision adjusting to the gruesome scene around him. His heart raced as confusion gripped him. His eyes darted downward, catching sight of the thick, dark energy swirling around him. What¡­ what the hell was this?


    He struggled toprehend.


    And then his gaze fell on what he held in his hands. Tworge, hairy... balls? No. His breath hitched as realization hit. They weren''t just objects¡ªthey were human heads, severed from their bodies, still dripping fresh blood.


    His stomach twisted as panic surged through him, and he hurled the heads to the ground, stumbling backward in horror. His pulse thundered in his ears as he whispered, "What the hell¡ª"


    In his frenzied retreat, he crashed into a table, freezing as he heard a faint whimper. His bloodshot eyes shot toward the source of the sound,nding on a woman¡ªher once-beautiful face now marred by agony. She was a waitress, her body writhing on the ground, missing an eye, her face soaked with blood.


    Every breath she took was abored struggle, but even in her suffering, the hatred and fear she held for Axel were palpable.


    "P-please," she choked through bloodied lips, "don''t kill me."


    But Axel... he didn''t feel a thing. For a moment, the shock that had washed over him evaporated into nothingness. His mind went nk. No guilt, no shame, no remorse. Just¡­ silence.


    "Axel!"


    The voice cut through the air like a de. Towson appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Axel''s wrist and yanking him toward the door. Without protest, Axel followed. His eyes were still glued to the carnage around him¡ªthe blood, the bodies, the massacre.


    They moved swiftly through the night, Rowin pulling him along the alleyways, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the cobblestones in an otherwise silent world.


    After what felt like hours of running, Axel finally spoke. "Rowin, back in the bar... those people that died..." His voice was soft, hesitant, as if he already knew the answer.


    Rowin stiffened. His grip tightened around Axel''s wrist, and for a moment, he didn''t answer. When he did, his voice was strained,ced with bitterness. "Yes, Axel," he said through gritted teeth. "You killed them. Everyst one of them."


    The weight of Rowin''s words hung heavy in the air, but Axel barely flinched. His expression remained unreadable as he let the revtion sink in. After a long pause, Axel muttered, "I can''t get myself to feel sympathy. Every time I lose control, I regain it again, but..."


    "But what?" Rowin asked, his tone cold, though his curiosity was piqued.


    "But the worst part is¡­" Axel''s voice trailed off, dark and quiet. He shrugged, eyes glinting in the pale moonlight. "The worst part is... I enjoyed it. I actually enjoyed ending their lives."


    Rowin''s heart sank at Axel''s admission, his own stomach turning. Axel didn''t just lose control¡ªhe relished it.


    ***


    "Why? Why the hell have you done this!?" Velerium''s voice boomed across the void, full of rage and desperation as he red at the shadowy figure before him. His ethereal form trembled with barely contained fury. Watching Axel tear apart innocent humans had ignited a fury within him that even he struggled to contain.


    The shadowy figure grinned, revealing rows of sharp, glistening teeth. "I did it for his improvement, of course."


    "Improvement?!" Velerium''s voice cracked with outrage. His hands clenched into fists as he stepped forward. "You *murdered* the original final enemy of the trial and reced him with Mtecuhtli! You''ve cursed Axel with a parasitic burden that will devour his humanity, driving him into madness! And you call that improvement!?"


    The figure remained unfazed, shruggingzily. "What''s happened to you, Velerium? You''ve gone soft. This human vessel you''re attached to is making you weak. You and Mtecuhtli were giving him a way out¡ªtoo easy. But me?


    I made sure he *earned* his power. You should be thanking me!"


    Velerium growled low in his throat, his energy ring with anger. "You''ve broken him! He''s losing himself to the darkness inside, and if he falls, it''s on *your* hands! You''ve damned him!"


    "Have I, though?" The shadowy figure''s grin widened. "The other vessels areing. And Axel is far from ready to face them. I had to break him to make him stronger, more resilient. This is for his own good."


    Velerium knew there was no point in arguing further. His chest ached as he felt his own power weakening, his soul too entwined with Axel''s fate. He had feared this would happen¡ªthat Axel would lose himself, his humanity slipping away with every cursed power he gained. Velerium''s time was running out. His soul was draining faster than he had anticipated.


    "I might not have much time left," Velerium muttered, turning away from the grinning figure. "But I''ll do everything I can to break the curse. I won''t let you win."


    As he vanished into the shadows, Velerium made a silent promise. No matter the cost, he would save Axel from the curse that threatened to consume him whole. Your next chapter is on m v|l-e''-NovelBin


    ***Me Note***


    Thanks for reading for today

 Chapter 76 Emergency Call

    Axel''s eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry and slow to adjust. The familiar sound of water cascading around him was oddly soothing, yet his mind was anything but calm. The rhythmic drops of the shower, falling in slow motion, felt like hypnotic pulses, drawing him deeper into his own thoughts.


    "I killed a man... It felt like I was on the verge of ecstasy, like I had reached the peak of something beyond pleasure," he muttered to himself, barely recognizing the voice in his head. "The same when I killed that woman. No guilt. No regret. Just this...


    primal satisfaction. What''s wrong with me?"


    The memory of their bodies, broken and lifeless, flooded his mind, and the whisper¡ªthe voice¡ªbegan its usual cycle, faint at first, like a distant hum, but building, always building, until it was louder than anything else in the world.


    **[DEVOUR]**


    It was almost impossible to hear anything else when the voice got this loud, banging in his ears like the crash of cymbals. He closed his eyes tightly, trying to shut it out, but it was futile. It never stopped. Ever since he returned from that damned portal, ever since he acquired this cursed ability, the voice had be a constantpanion. A parasite, feeding off his sanity.


    Axel stood there, the water pouring over his muscr frame, trying to focus on the present. The tiny droplets of water, falling in slow motion, were captivating, almost mesmerizing. Every droplet hit his skin like a small weight, pulling him further into the moment. Maybe if he concentrated hard enough, he could drown the voice. Maybe.


    *Would there be a cure for this?*


    The question echoed in his mind, but he already knew the answer. There was no cure. There was no escape. This was the cost of power. The voice, the urges, the uncontroble thirst for blood¡ªhe couldn''t be rid of it. And worst of all, he was terrified that he would lose control one day.


    Completely.


    He thought about his family. Annie. He couldn''t let them get hurt. Not by him. He''d rather disappear than let that happen.


    Sighing, Axel turned off the shower, feeling the sudden absence of water like a void. He grabbed the towel from the rack, drying himself with a mechanical motion, his mind distant, lost in thebyrinth of his dark thoughts.


    Rowin had been generous to offer him a ce to stay in his suite, especially after the chaos of thest mission. The house was massive, far more advanced than his old apartment. The doors didn''t need keys; instead, they worked with digital security, and the design was sleek, modern, with an almost futuristic touch. Yet, for all its beauty and luxury, Axel felt uneasy here. There was something... off.


    Draping the towel over his shoulder, Axel moved towards his discarded clothes. His old onesy in a heap, torn and soaked in blood and who knows what else. He grimaced. Wearing those again would be a disgusting affair, and he could already imagine Annie''s voice nagging him about hygiene.


    He paused, noticing something new¡ªa neatly folded set of clothes on the dresser. A pristine white turtleneck, paired with long ck jumper trousers, and a fresh pair of red wedge sneakers. They looked expensive, like something you''d wear to impress people in high society.


    "Did Rowin get these while I was in the shower? That was fast..." Axel thought, lifting the clothes. They were his exact size, even down to the underwear. Rowin had an uncanny knack for knowing people''s measurements.


    Dressing quickly, Axel couldn''t help but feel a strange sense of transformation as the soft fabric clung to his body. The clothes were far morefortable than anything he''d worn in a long time, but there was something deeper, almost like he was wearing a new identity¡ªa new skin.


    He walked to the mirror and stopped in confusion. The frame was there, but there was no reflection. It was like looking through a transparent window. Axel blinked, then muttered to himself, "What sort of mirror is this?"


    Almost in response to his voice, the ss shimmered and four icons appeared on the screen-like surface: **Transparent Mirror**, **Reflection**, **Security Disy**, and **Room Settings**. He hesitated for a moment, intrigued by the technology, then selected **Reflection**. The mirror flickered and suddenly, there he was.


    His reflection stared back at him, sharper, more defined. He looked... different. Taller? Stronger? His hair had grown longer too, falling in messy waves down his neck.


    He needed a haircut soon before someone mistook him for a girl.


    "Disy Security," Axelmanded, and the mirror once again shifted, this time showing a sprawling grid of camera feeds, each disying a different part of the house. Axel marveled at the level of surveince Rowin had set up. It was like living inside a high-tech spy movie.


    His admiration was cut short, however, as something in one of the camera feeds caught his attention¡ªa flicker of movement, a shadow, something... wrong. He stared hard at the screen, his heart beginning to race, his body stiffening with an impending sense of dread.


    "What the hell...?" He muttered, storming out of the room without thinking twice. His mind raced, but his face remained stoic. He couldn''t afford panic right now, not until he knew what he had seen. His feet carried him swiftly down the corridor, and within moments, he was standing before arge oak door, its surface cold beneath his fingertips.


    The chill from the room seeped into his bones as he slowly pushed the door open. The metallic stench of blood hit him instantly, thick and overwhelming, filling his nostrils with a sickening intensity. His eyes scanned the room¡ªand his stomach lurched.


    Bodies. Five of them. Women, torn apart, their limbs scattered in grotesque disys of violence. Blood coated the floor, turning the once pristine white tiles into a macabre painting of death. Axel''s pulse quickened as the sight sunk in, bile rising in his throat.


    He couldn''t tear his eyes away from the carnage.


    "Rowin..." Axel''s voice was barely more than a whisper. "Why...?"


    "You found out."


    Axel whirled around, his breath catching in his chest. Rowin stood there, casually leaning against the doorframe, a twisted grin stered on his face. His eyes, once familiar, now gleamed with something dark, something unhinged.


    "You... killed them? Why? Why would you do this?" Axel''s voice cracked, unable to hide the emotional weight behind the words.


    Rowin chuckled, his grin widening as he stepped into the room, his boots sshing in the blood as though it were nothing more than water. "You ask *me* that? After all the lives you''ve taken? We''re the same, Axel. You and me. There''s no difference."


    Axel''s hands curled into fists. "No. I''m not like you."


    "Really?" Rowin''s eyes gleamed with dark amusement. "You think you''re innocent? You think you''re not a killer? I''ve tasted it, Axel. I''ve ascended beyond humanity, just like she said. You have too.


    We both have."


    Axel''s heart pounded in his chest as Rowin''s voice grew louder, more frenzied. He could hear the voice¡ªthe sinister whisper¡ªrising in the back of his mind.


    **[Devour...]**


    "No..." Axel muttered under his breath, his eyes wide. The voice was growing louder.


    **[Devour!!]**


    Axel''s vision blurred as the voice grew more insistent, overpowering his senses.


    **[DEVOUR!!!]**


    ***Author''s note***


    Trying to recover... Can''t post 3 today because of my health, thanks for reading and baring with me. Please support.

 Chapter 77 Another Awakened Like Him

    {It''s time.}


    {Wake up, Sekhmet.}


    Sekhmet''srge, dark blue eyes shot open, ring at the notification that blinked ominously in front of him. The sharp pain in his head from being torn out of sleep was annoying, especially when it came at a crucial moment of rest. He groaned softly, pushing himself off the cold, dusty ground. The filth clung to his long, unruly blue hair, and his shirt, once white, was now smudged with grime.


    He stood slowly, yawning as he stretched. His focus shifted to the two figures looming over him: C-rank hunters. They had been sent after him for scamming them in a casino bet, and it seemed they were eager to exact their revenge.


    Sekhmet had allowed them to beat him to test their strength, to observe their limits and weaknesses. He remained calm, his expression unfazed, though his clothes were torn, and bruises littered his skin. Just as he contemted ending their petty assault, the notification had appeared, pulling his mind back into focus.


    His face hardened as a thick, eerie blue aura began to swirl around him. Mana poured out of him, crackling in the air like electric tendrils.


    One of the hunters, unshaken by the disy, sneered. "Another little trick, huh? You think I won''t beat my money out of you, brat?!" he yelled, raising his hand. In response, the very air around Sekhmet hardened, forming an invisible, ss-like barrier. The air shimmered, refracting light into rainbow-colored hues, imprisoning him in a coffin of power.


    But Sekhmet remained still. His mana continued to rise, the pressure building until the space around him trembled.


    The second hunter, visibly unnerved, wiped the sweat from his brow. The rising tension was palpable, and his instincts screamed at him to finish the job before it was toote. He lunged forward, his fist glowing as he prepared to unleash his ability¡ªmultiplying the force of his punch twentyfold. One blow would be enough to crush Sekhmet, to end this madness before it even began.


    But just as his fist was about to connect, Sekhmet''s form flickered, a brief shimmer in the air. In the blink of an eye, the hunter''s body disintegrated into sizzling, dark embers. His flesh melted away as if consumed by a hellish fire, leaving nothing but ashes.


    The notification appeared before Sekhmet.


    {Sessful destruction of a being.}


    {You have gained 500 EXP.}


    {You have leveled up.}


    The remaining hunter''s face drained of color as he stared at the remains of his partner. His heart raced, panic consuming him. His trembling hands fumbled as he desperately tried to maintain the barrier around Sekhmet, but his fear betrayed him.


    ''This isn''t right,'' the hunter thought frantically. ''He wasn''t this strong before¡­ He¡ªhe was weaker, he¡ª'' His thoughts spiraled as Sekhmet''s cold, unblinking gaze locked onto him.


    "You''re next, flesh bag," Sekhmet said, his voice low and cold, like death itself.


    The hunter staggered backward, his breathing in ragged gasps. He had to get away. Now. His eyes darted toward the alley they had passed earlier. If he could just make it there, maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe could survive.


    But before he could even take another step, Sekhmet raised his handzily. The air around the hunter warped, and in an instant, his entire being ignited into the same red, dark embers that had consumed his partner. The hunter''s death was swift, leaving behind no trace of his existence.


    Sekhmet lowered his hand, the flickering embers floating away into the breeze. He sighed, his expression indifferent as he began walking away from the scene.


    ''Why did you wake me?''


    Another notification blinked in front of him, answering his silent question.


    {The target¡­ Another Chosen Candidate. Perhaps Hades. I have located him.}


    Sekhmet''s lips curled into a small, cold smile. "Finally," he muttered under his breath. "After days of wandering through this wretched ce, I get to destroy it."


    **Name: Sekhmet ckfield**


    {God Candidate.}


    {Quest: Kill Hades'' Candidate.}


    ***


    Meanwhile, in a dimly lit boardroom, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The air was stale, and the low hum of machinery filled the silence. The remaining board members sat in stiff silence, watching the man standing before them with cold, calcting gazes.


    Roman Zurb stood tall, a stack of papers clutched tightly in his hands. His reputation preceded him¡ªan S-rank hunter and scientist, known as the Father of Technology. He was responsible for many of the advancements the world had seen in recent years, and his word carried weight.


    But today, even Roman appeared uneasy. His eyes darted nervously toward the row of board members. All were present except Seo, who was imprisoned for his crimes, and Rachael, who was dead. Their absence hung over the room like a specter.


    "I''ve called you all here for something important," Roman began, his voice steady butcking confidence. He nced down at his notes, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Thanks to an S-rank hunter¡ªwhose name I cannot disclose¡ªwe''ve made a disturbing discovery."


    With a snap of his fingers, a three-dimensional hologram appeared in the air before the board. The image it disyed caused murmurs to ripple through the room. A twisting, writhing mass of parasitic creatures filled the screen.


    "This," Roman said grimly, "is a Metorion¡ªa parasitic worm that has secretly invaded Earth."


    The murmurs grew louder, board members exchanging nces filled with concern and fear. Even Wukong, who rarely showed emotion, was visibly disturbed.


    "How far has the invasion gone?" Vicky asked, her tone sharp, wasting no time in getting to the point.


    Roman swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "It''s been happening for some time now¡ªpossibly years. If I had to estimate¡­ it''s likely we''re already overrun. We may be dealing with hundreds, maybe thousands of infected individuals."


    The room fell deathly silent. Roman''s words hung in the air like a guillotine, ready to drop.


    "And before you ask," Roman added, his voice dropping to a whisper, "I''m eighty percent sure¡­ one of them is in this room."


    A collective gasp echoed through the chamber. The tension was palpable, the fear almost tangible as the board members stared at one another in suspicion.


    Roman''s eyes flickered with a dark intensity as he scanned the room. "There''s a mole among us," he said, his voice trembling with barely contained anger. "And it''s time we find out who."


    His gazended on Hendricks, a member known for his calm demeanor. But now, Hendricks shifted ufortably in his seat, his face pale and his eyes darting nervously around the room.


    "You''ve been busted, mole," Roman hissed, his words cutting through the silence like a knife.

 Chapter 78 Dark Alliances... Hades Candidate

    "Arrggh!" Axel bent down, the pain searing through him like moltenva. His body shuddered as he puked another wave of blood onto the cold stone floor. Every pulse of his heart felt like a hammer striking his ribs. The attack had drained more from him than it had from his opponent, leaving him gasping, trembling. Experience tales at m v|l e''-NovelBin


    Axel raised his head, eyes burning with frustration, and caught sight of his hand. It hovered in the air, still suspended after the brutal punch he had delivered. His skin was charred, his knuckles cracked and bleeding, white smoke sizzling from the scorched flesh. His hand looked like it had been dipped in acid, burned beyond recognition.


    **Deceased Touch.** It was a skill meant to kill, and it had worked¡ªjust not in the way Axel had intended. The bacsh was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. His fingers twitched involuntarily, as if the very essence of the skill was fighting to consume him from the inside out.


    His thoughts raced, panic bubbling beneath the surface. Why was this happening? Why now? He had used this ability countless times, but never had it burned him like this.


    There was no time to think. No time to recover.


    From the debris of the shattered wall, Rowin emerged, coughing up dust and blood. His once-formidable frame was hunched, broken, and trembling. His legs gave out as he copsed onto the ground, leaning against the remains of the wall that had barely survived their battle.


    "I see," Rowin rasped, his voice low but edged with a dark amusement. His chest heaved with ragged breaths as he raised his hands to his face, his charred, skeletal fingers shaking. The skin was dark and king, almost turning to ash. "That hit... was meant to kill me, wasn''t it? How inhumane."


    He dropped his hands to his sides, a twisted grin forming on his battered face as he chuckled softly. "Even with all my powers, I couldn''t block it fully." He looked up at Axel, his eyes glowing with a mix of hatred and admiration. "You''re a monster, Axel. Just like me. Maybe you don''t understand it yet, but you will... This world will turn its back on you, just like it did to me.


    Your friends? They''ll detest you, loathe you for what you are. Mark my words."


    "Shut up!" Axel snapped, wincing as he clutched his deformed hand. His voice echoed in the dimly lit hall, vibrating with raw anger and something darker¡ªsomething he didn''t fully understand yet. He staggered towards the door, his body protesting every step as he limped away from the carnage they had created.


    Every breath felt like it was tearing him apart. Rowin''s words gnawed at the edges of his mind, but Axel refused to let them sink in. **I''m not like him. I''m not.**


    Just as Axel reached the door, a thought slithered into his mind, cold and vicious. His head whipped around, and for a moment, the temperature in the room seemed to drop. Bloodlust radiated from him, thick and suffocating.


    "If you evere near me or my family again..." Axel''s voice was deadly quiet, but his intent was unmistakable. "I''ll show you a fate worse than death."


    With that, Axel turned and left the beaten Rowin behind. His figure disappeared into the shadows, leaving nothing but the aftermath of their brutal battle in his wake.


    But Rowin wasn''t listening. His attention had been drawn elsewhere¡ªto the dark voice that whispered in his mind, one that had been with him for years, but now, it was louder, more desperate.


    "I told you... You are no better than me, Rowin," the voice cooed, venomous and soothing all at once. "You''re not stronger than what you are. It''s time... ept it."


    Rowin''s face twisted with a mixture of pain and relief as the voice washed over him. He was tired¡ªtired of fighting against it. All his life, the world had spat in his face, ridiculed him, turned him into something monstrous. But this voice... it had been the only constant, the only thing that had ever truly understood him.


    "Thank you," Rowin whispered, his eyes zed as he lost himself in a distant memory.


    He remembered the woman in the bar, her words dripping with seduction and promise. She had told him what he really was, that he was special¡ªlike her. That they were both destined for something greater.


    Her words rang in his ears: **"Let''s bring this to its knees."**


    Rowin grinned, his lips splitting open as a maniacalugh escaped him. The sound echoed through the ruined hall, a symphony of madness that resonated with the voice inside.


    "Yes," Rowin hissed, his voice barely human. "I''ll kill them all. Everyst one of them. They made me this way¡ªthey made me a hunter, they forced me to kill my own wife!" His eyes burned with fury as he clenched his fists. "The human race is sickening... and I will wipe them out."


    ---


    **Knock! Knock!**


    The sharp raps against the metallic door reverberated through the dimly lit corridor. The woman standing in front of it waited, a sly smile curling her lips. Today was different. Today, everything would change.


    The door creaked open, revealing the hulking figure of the Fatek boss with his two grotesque heads. Both faces stared down at her, eyes gleaming with suspicion. His usual grim expression darkened further as he stepped out, towering over her with his oppressive, towering form.


    He scanned the alleyway, his nostrils ring as he searched for something familiar¡ªhis meal. But there was nothing. No trembling human ve at her feet. Just her. And that mocking smile.


    "Where''s the human?" the Fatek boss growled, his deep voice rumbling like thunder. His two heads swiveled, locking onto her as he took another menacing step forward. "Where''s the meal?"


    The woman let out a soft scoff, her confidence unwavering. "To be precise, my name is Mimiko," she said, her voice lilting, as though she were enjoying a private joke. "And there''s no meal today. The bar was empty. Besides," she tilted her head, that grin widening, "I don''t do very anymore."


    The Fatek boss roared, his foul breath washing over her as he stepped into the light. His hands twitched, ready to tear her apart. "What did you just say?"


    Mimiko''s smile never faltered. "We are no longer your ves. The human worms you''ve controlled for so long? We''ve evolved. We''ve conquered human society¡ªwe''ve infiltrated their armies, their governments, their hunters. And we can wipe you out if we choose to."


    The Fatek boss blinked, taken aback. This wasn''t how it was supposed to go. The human worms had been nothing but disposable tools, yet now... there was something different about them. An evolution that had spun out of control.


    "Then why are you here?" His voice was softer now, more calcting. He didn''t like surprises.


    Mimiko chuckled. "This isn''t a threat. It''s an opportunity. We want a partnership. We want you toplete the perfect cell and take over Earth. We even have a volunteer for the serum¡ªa hunter named Rowin, who is on the verge of bing an A-rank."


    She turned on her heel, her footsteps echoing as she walked away, leaving the Fatek boss standing there, bewildered.


    "Who... Who is your boss?" he called after her, his two voices trembling with uncertainty.


    Mimiko paused, her back still turned. He couldn''t see the grin spreading across her face, but he could feel it. The air around her seemed to thrum with danger.


    "My boss?" she whispered, the words dripping with malice.


    "Metorion... The end of this world and the birth of a new age."


    ***Author''s note***


    Trying my best to make recovery while typing... I''ll be posting 3 Chapters today. Please support me.

 Chapter 79 The Mole is... AHHHH!!!

    Axel sprinted down the empty street, his feet pounding the pavement with relentless force. The early morning sky was starting to brighten, though darkness still lingered, casting long shadows from the streetlights. His breath came in ragged bursts, cold air stinging his lungs as he tore through the quiet streets.


    His mind raced faster than his legs, the weight of his thoughts heavier with every step. He kept his head low, a futile attempt to hide the tears that streaked down his face. Of all the emotions he instantly evolved tothankd to the system, this one was different. But now, only one emotion had wed its way through his wall ofposure¡ªregret.


    _"Damn! After all I did... What a fool I was, thinking power coulde for free. Now look at me... A monster."_


    The thought echoed in his head, mocking him, gnawing at his soul. He blinked away more tears, his jaw clenched tight. He had be the very thing he feared, a creature he barely recognized.


    "All I wanted... it''s gone now. My family... I can''t even be with them like this. But they still need me, Annie, Seo, Trisha, Loki and the others still need me, I can''t leave them in a world like this."


    He increased his pace, tearing through the streets, focused on one thing¡ªTrisha. He had never been to her home before, but he knew where it was in Kyota. His knowledge of hunters and their territory was too vast to let him forget. He needed her help, now more than ever.


    "Velerium," he growled under his breath, expecting the familiar voice, the familiar presence. But nothing came. No reply, no connection. Just silence. Axel''s chest tightened.


    _"No... not you too. Not you too, Velerium!"_


    His voice cracked, barely more than a whisper. Desperation wed at him. He hadn''t seen or felt Velerium since the mission. That night in the alley... That was thest time.


    Pieces started to fall into ce.


    _"Could it be¡­?"_


    The realization hit him like a blow to the gut. Velerium had been absorbing the system''s bacsh, protecting him from its effects all this time. Axel''s heart sank, and a cold, numbing dread settled in. When he had fought Rowin, using Disease Touch, his skin had broken apart from the strain¡ªsomething that had never happened when Velerium was with him. It made perfect sense.


    _"Velerium is dead."_


    The words rang hollow in his mind. His throat went dry, his fists clenched tightly as he ran. Velerium had sacrificed himself for Axel, and Axel hadn''t even known. A sickening wave of guilt washed over him.


    _"You left me... you stupid bastard."_


    Tears of anger and pain burned his eyes, but he kept running, the cold morning wind stinging his skin.


    ---


    The Fall of the Aged Advisor


    ***


    Hendricks'' eyes narrowed, his face a mask of cold detachment as Roman leveled his usations. The boardroom was heavy with tension. The other members of the Association sat on the edge of their seats, their eyes darting between Roman and Hendricks. No one dared speak.


    Hendricks let out a low growl, his voice measured and dangerous. "What is your proof, scientist?" he asked, each word clipped and precise, daring Roman to provide any evidence.


    Roman, unfazed, merely pushed his sses further up his nose and shook his head with a soft chuckle. "Proof?" he mused, almost yfully. "Oh, I have none. I''m just... assuming. Of course, using a board member without proof would be career suicide, wouldn''t it?"


    His casual demeanor caught the room off guard. The tension that had knotted everyone''s stomachs for thest few minutes began to ease, a nervousugh rippling through the room.


    But Hendricks wasn''t amused. His stiff posture hadn''t rxed, and behind his cold eyes, a storm was brewing. _That bastard¡­_ he thought, his fists clenching beneath the table. _Does he suspect me? Or was this all a joke?_


    The suggestion that he might be the mole had wounded his pride, and that wound festered with every passing second. His lips curled into a sneer, boiling anger just beneath the surface. He wasn''t going to let this slide.


    "And that is one way to identify th¡ª"


    "Scientist!" Hendricks'' voice cut through Roman''s speech like a knife. The room fell silent again, everyone turning their attention to him, breath held. Hendricks'' gaze bored into Roman, his expression unreadable.


    Roman froze, his smug confidence wavering. His mouth went dry as he stammered, "Is... is there something wrong, Lord Hendricks?"


    The words were meek, a far cry from the bravado he''d shown moments earlier. Hendricks stepped down from the podium, his eyes never leaving Roman as he closed the distance between them. Roman''s pulse quickened, panic rising in his throat.


    Hendricks'' lips twisted into a smile¡ªa smile that didn''t reach his eyes. "What you just did," he said slowly, each word dripping with malice, "joking about a board member... thates with serious consequences. You do know that, don''t you?"


    Roman gulped. His mind raced. _They wouldn''t actually do anything to me... right? I''m the head scientist. They need me._


    But Hendricks'' cold smile told him otherwise. Roman''s heart pounded in his chest, a growing sense of dread creeping up his spine. He nced at the other board members, but they all avoided his gaze. No one would help him.


    "And that man... your assistant?" Hendricks'' voice broke through Roman''s thoughts, pointing toward the far end of the room where a trembling, skinny man stood.


    The assistant''s face turned pale as every eye in the room focused on him. His instincts screamed at him to run, but his legs were rooted to the spot. He had a sinking feeling that nothing good woulde from this.


    "Come here," Hendricks ordered.


    The assistant hesitated for a second too long. Hendricks'' eyes narrowed, and with a single nce, the man knew he had no choice. Slowly, timidly, the assistant walked toward the podium, every step feeling like a march to the gallows.


    When he reached Hendricks, the older man scanned him from head to toe, a smug look on his face. "See that metal railing over there?" Hendricks pointed toward the guardrail surrounding the podium. "Grab it."


    The assistant''s throat tightened as he looked at the cold metal. His heart raced, his palms sweating. He knew, deep down, that whatever came next would not end well for him.


    He nced at the other members for help, but their faces were nk, tense. There was no escape. No mercy.


    With trembling hands, he reached for the railing, wrapping his fingers around the cold, unforgiving metal. The silence in the room was deafening.


    Hendricks smiled, a sinister gleam in his eyes. "Now, here''s the game. Your master hasmitted a grievous sin against the gods of Kyota. And as the number one Supreme of Kyota, I''ve decided your fate." His voice grew darker, more menacing. "You have a chance to live. If you can break that railing, you win.


    If not..." He trailed off, letting the assistant''s imagination do the rest.


    "But..." Hendricks grabbed another section of the railing, effortlessly tearing a piece off with a single jerk. "While you''re trying to break it, I''ll be beating you to death. Simple, right? If you break it before I kill you, you win. I''m not even a strength user, and I did it. Shouldn''t be too hard for someone as...


    young and vibrant as you."


    The assistant''s blood ran cold. Every muscle in his body screamed for him to run, to do anything other than stand there and meet his fate.


    "I... I can''t. I''m not strong enough. My ability isn''t¡ª"


    The assistant''s plea was cut short by the sharp crack of metal against bone. Hendricks had swung the torn piece of railing into the assistant''s shoulder with brutal force. The assistant let out a blood-curdling scream as he crumpled to the ground, clutching his shoulder in agony.


    Hendricks grinned. "Oh, didn''t I tell you? The game has already begun."


    ***Author''s note***


    Please support it''s not easy typing in my condition, but gift me with anything if you feel like, or leave a good review. I''m not asking for anything pressing. Just keep on enjoying the work. Thanks.

 Chapter 80 Execution Plan – The Game

    "Come on, I broke mine without wasting a second!" Hendricks sneered, twirling the blood-stained rod in his hand.


    "ARRCCCCHKKK!!!"


    A sickening crack rang out, again and again, each strike more brutal than thest. The young assistant''s body contorted under the repeated blows, his natural posture¡ªa stance his friends had once admired¡ªwas now a grotesque parody of itself. He stood limping, hunched, and trembling. His shoulders were dislocated, his arm dangled uselessly at his side, and his legs were twisted beyond recognition.


    His bones jutted out in horrifying angles, exposed through torn flesh and muscle.


    He looked dead, yet cursed to remain alive, his breaths shallow, uneven.


    "P-please..." the assistant croaked, blood bubbling from his lips. His hands clutched weakly at the cold metal railing, knuckles white from the strain. He had done everything he could¡ªeverything within his limited power¡ªbut the metal bar didn''t budge, didn''t even tremble. The cruel reality of his situation settled over him like a shroud of despair. Death was certain now.


    But he thought of Cassie¡ªhis young daughter, the light of his life, the reason for all his struggles. Her innocent smile shed in his mind, and his heart broke. She would be alone.


    He had taken this job, endured sleepless nights and endless shifts, to provide for her, to give her a chance in this brutal world. The bills were finally being paid, her future was just beginning to look secure, and now... Now, this.


    The rage inside him built to a boiling point, overtaking his fear, overwhelming his pain.


    ''Why is life so unfair?!''


    He gritted his teeth, his vision blurring as blood trickled down his face from a wound on his temple. His gaze swept across the room, locking onto the other board members. Not a single one had moved. They all sat there, silent, tense, watching his suffering unfold.


    ''This Board! They say they protect us, but none of them will lift a finger for me! They''re all watching like vultures waiting for me to die!''


    Another brutal strike from Hendricks tore through his back, ripping a raw scream from his throat. The assistant''s hands slid off the railing, his mind snapping under the pressure. He couldn''t take it anymore.


    With a guttural roar, heunched himself at Hendricks, pure desperation driving his every move. His arms iled wildly, aiming for any weak spot he could find. But he was too slow, too broken.


    Hendricks sneered, his reflexes far superior. The assistant''s body froze mid-lunge as Hendricks swung the rod in a smooth, calcted motion. The assistant gasped as the rod pierced his gut, tearing through flesh and muscle, emerging from the other side with a sickening squelch.


    The assistant''s eyes widened, the shock robbing him of breath. He staggered backward, the rod still impaled through his midsection, hands instinctively reaching to pull it out, but there was no strength left in him. His legs buckled, and he copsed¡ªbut before he hit the cold ground, another pair of hands caught him.


    Roman knelt beside his assistant, his face a mask of horror and guilt. Heid the young man gently on the floor, his trembling hands brushing the blood-soaked hair from the assistant''s face.


    "I''m so sorry, Ray," Roman whispered, his voice barely audible, thick with grief.


    Ray, lying in Roman''s arms, smiled faintly through the haze of pain. Despite everything, at least someone cared. Someone was there with him in his final moments.


    It was a smallfort, but it was enough.


    "Damn!" Roman hissed, clenching his teeth as he pressed down on the wound, trying to stem the bleeding. But it was hopeless, the blood poured through his fingers like water. "I''m sorry, Ray¡­ I''m so sorry."


    "Now that''s perfect," Hendricks said with a satisfied grin, strolling casually toward them. "Roman, pull out the rod and bash his face in until he''s dead. That''s an order."


    Roman''s heart skipped a beat. He looked up, eyes wide with disbelief. "What?! No... No, I can''t... I''m not going to do that!"


    The room grew eerily silent, every board member frozen in their seats, eyes darting between Roman and Hendricks. This was no longer just brutality. This was... something darker. Something beyond reason.


    Hendricks'' face twisted into a sneer. "I don''t care what you think you can or can''t do. If you don''t follow my orders, I''ll make sure your family suffers for it. I''ll make you watch while I tear them apart, piece by piece, and force you to devour their flesh."


    Roman''s breath hitched, his vision swimming as a wave of terror washed over him. He nced down at Ray, his mind racing for any solution, any way out. But there was none. Even with all his intelligence, all his resources¡ªhe was helpless. Hendricks had backed him into a corner, and there was no escaping this.


    With shaking hands, Roman grabbed the metal rod protruding from Ray''s abdomen. "I''m sorry," he whispered, tears streaming down his face as he pulled the rod free. Ray screamed, his body convulsing in agony as the metal tore through him again.


    Roman''s heart shattered.


    This was wrong. Every part of him screamed that this was wrong, but there was nothing else he could do.


    "I''m so sorry..." Roman raised the rod above his head, his vision blurring with tears. "Please forgive me, Ray..."


    With a sickening thud, the rod crashed down onto Ray''s face, shattering bone and cartge. Roman squeezed his eyes shut, unable to watch as he brought the rod down again. And again. Each blow was more brutal than thest, each one more dehumanizing, each one stealing more of Roman''s soul.


    The blood sttered across his face, drenching his clothes, but he didn''t stop. He couldn''t stop. The room echoed with the sickening sounds of flesh and bone being pulverized, and Hendricks''ughter filled the air, a twisted symphony to the violence.


    "Hahahaha!" Hendricks cackled, his voice rising in pitch. "Look at you, Roman! You''ve be a killer! A murderer! Just like me!"


    Roman''s hands trembled, blood-soaked and aching, but he kept swinging. Tears streamed freely from his eyes, mixing with the blood on his cheeks. His vision blurred with grief, rage, and guilt.


    He had killed Ray. His assistant. His friend.


    And now, he was no better than Hendricks. Explore stories at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    "I''m sorry," Roman choked out between sobs, his voice barely audible over the sickening thud of metal against flesh. "I''m so, so sorry..."


    With one final swing, Ray''s face was unrecognizable, a grotesque mess of blood, bone, and tissue.


    Roman let the rod fall from his hands, copsing to his knees beside Ray''s body. He covered his face with his hands, his whole body shaking as the weight of what he had done crashed down on him.


    "I... I killed him," Roman whispered, his voice hoarse and broken. "I killed him..."


    Hendricks grinned, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Well done, Roman. You''ve earned your ce among us."


    But Roman felt nothing. No sense of achievement, no relief. Just an overwhelming, crushing guilt that would haunt him for the rest of his life.


    He had be a murderer.


    And there was no going back.


    ***Author''s note***


    Last chapter for today. I''m havinga serious Head ache, see ya all tomorrow. I think I''ll do a month end mass release because we just passed the first halve of season 2.

 Chapter 81 Knock Knock!!!

    Axel stood before therge, arched doors of the mansion, his eyes tracing the sheer grandeur of the estate that stretched far beyond what he could fully grasp. It was massive, like a castle posing as a home, yet strangely, itcked the heavy security one would expect of a ce owned by an S-rank hunter.


    No guards, no high-tech surveince, just a sprawling green field separating it from the nearby civilian homes. Unlike other S-rank hunters who isted themselves in hidden strongholds, Trisha lived here¡ªamong the people.


    He raised his hand, hesitant. *How do you even knock on a door like this?* Surely, an S-rank hunter''s door wouldn''t be so... regr. He imagined it might have some digital mechanism, or maybe even something more advanced that only rich, powerful hunters like Trisha would own. With that thought, he gave it three firm knocks.


    Nothing. The door didn''t sh with lights, no hidden sensor activated. It was just a door.


    For a moment, Axel felt a strange urge to leave. His instincts screamed for him to turn around, disappear into the world again. This wasn''t where he belonged. He wasn''t even sure what he was doing here¡ªwhat could someone like him offer Trisha? The guilt wed at him, whispering harsh truths in his mind. He was a murderer.


    That was the only real thing about him.


    Before he could act on his impulse to flee, the door creaked open. Trisha appeared, dressed in a casual crop top and jeans, a simple cardboard box in her hands. But the moment her eyes met his, the box slipped from her grip and fell to the ground with a soft thud.


    "Axel!" she eximed, her face lighting up with joy as sheunched herself into his arms, wrapping him in a tight, warm embrace.


    Axel stiffened, his heart pounding with confusion. *Why would she hug me?* His body screamed at him to retreat, to pull away. He couldn''t savor the feeling of her arms around him. The weight of his sins bore down too heavily. His mind dragged him back to all the blood on his hands. *I''m not worthy of this.


    I''m a killer.*


    "Trisha¡­ I''m sorry I took so long," he mumbled, his voice low, shadowed by guilt.


    "Shut up, Axel!" she yelled, pulling back just enough to re up at him. "Why do you always do this? Why do you always start with some heavy, serious crap? Can''t you just say ''thank you'' or ''I''m d to see you'' like a normal person?"


    Her words struck him like a sharp p, knocking the walls around his heart loose. He felt something rise within him¡ªsomething he hadn''t let himself feel in what seemed like forever, at some time in his old life he got the same feeling although was broken when people ended up using him... He wanted to curse it to be fake although. It felt.. warm. This was...


    Warmth. And with it came the prickling sting of tears. *What is this feeling? Why do I feel like I don''t have to carry everything on my own when I''m with them?*


    Forcing a smile through the emotion welling up inside him, Axel managed to say, "I''m d¡­ thank you, Trisha."


    "Hey, boss man!"


    Axel looked up, startled by the sudden call. Loki and Hera stood a short distance away, each holding simr boxes. Their faces broke into wide grins at the sight of him. For the first time in what felt like years, Axel felt something like belonging.


    Suddenly, Noel''s words came rushing back to him: *"That''s your problem, Axel. You don''t trust anyone¡ªnot even the people who care about you. And you think you can build a guild with that kind of attitude?"*


    *She was right,* Axel thought. *Noel might be a killer, but she''s been my closestrade.*


    ***


    The atmosphere shifted as they all gathered in the expansive living room. Despite the mansion''s luxurious design, they opted to sit on the polished wooden floor, everyone feeling the weight of what Axel was about to share. His face was unreadable, but they could feel the urgency simmering under his calm exterior. He wasn''t someone to call a meeting like this lightly.


    "I have something I need to tell you all," Axel began, his voice low and edged with anxiety. "You know how my files mentioned I had a weak binding on my Binding Day?"


    Loki, Hera, and Trisha exchanged curious nces. Trisha sat closest to him, her posture tense, while Loki and Hera watched him from across the room, anticipation etched on their faces.


    "All of that changed when I died in the portal," Axel continued, his voice carrying a hint of fear. He knew he couldn''t tell them everything¡ªnot the full truth about his powers. Not even he fully understood them, and it had taken him weeks to begin piecing things together. He couldn''t exin it all, but he would give them just enough.


    "So, you had a second awakening?" Hera asked, counting the details on her fingers. "You bound yourself to another source that gave you these powers¡ªsummoning weapons, enhanced strength, an army?"


    Axel nodded, the tension in his body palpable.


    "That sounds like something out of legend," Loki muttered, folding his arms as he leaned back against the couch. "Like the ability of a god."


    Only Trisha remained silent, her eyes locked on Axel, absorbing every word. There was a strange intensity in her gaze that made Axel shift ufortably.


    He hesitated before continuing, "I''ve trained this ability¡­ but it''s dangerous. I''m not sure it''s something we can live with. I¡ª" His voice cracked. "I kill people, and I can''t control it."


    Hera and Loki flinched, but it was Loki who voiced their shared concern. "That''s not something you can ignore, Axel. If it''s uncontroble¡­ you''re as much of a threat as the Fatek."


    Axel dropped his head in shame. "That''s why I''ve decided. After this¡ª"


    "No!" Trisha''s voice sliced through his sentence, raw and full of anger. She shot to her feet, her hands trembling with a mix of fear and determination. "You''re not leaving, Axel! I won''t let you! Not Annie, not your mother, and definitely not me!"


    Axel blinked in shock as she grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to meet her fierce gaze. "Do you hear me?" she shouted, her face inches from his. "No matter how many times you lose control, I''ll knock you out of it! If you try to kill me in my sleep, I''ll wake up and knock you out again! You''re not leaving your family, Axel. You''re not leaving us.


    This isn''t just your burden¡ªit''s all of ours!"


    Her words mmed into him like a tidal wave, dragging him under emotions he had long buried. He felt his chest tighten as tears threatened to spill. *Damn it,* he thought, trying to rein in the flood. *Why does this feel so overwhelming?* In both of his lives, no one had ever said anything like this to him.


    He had never had people who truly cared¡ªpeople who didn''t want to use him for what he could offer.


    Axel''s voice broke as he whispered, "Thank you¡­ all of you. I¡ª"


    Before he could finish, the violent ringing of a phone shattered the moment. Trisha''s phone buzzed loudly, cutting off the silence as she hastily answered, signaling the others to keep quiet.


    Axel, annoyed by the interruption, seethed inwardly. *Why does this always happen?*


    After a brief conversation, Trisha''s face lit up with a wide smile, her eyes gleaming. "Axel," she said, her voice trembling with excitement. "It''s great news."


    Confusion flickered across Axel''s face. "What do you mean?" he asked.


    "Annie just called," Trisha said, her grin widening. "Your mother''s been discharged from the hospital. She''sing home."


    Axel''s heart stopped for a beat.


    ***Author''s note*** Continue reading on m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    Axel finally grew a bit... He finally understands what I do not.


    This is a true life story though so let''s keep observing Axel''s life. Support me.

 Chapter 82 Family Once Again

    Extra Chapter {Thank You Loyal Readers}


    Axel stood like a statue, unmoving, his eyes locked onto the door with unblinking intensity. Ever since Trisha had told him that his mother had been discharged from the hospital, he had taken up position here, his entire world narrowing to the space in front of him. His heart raced in sync with the seconds that ticked by, each moment feeling longer than thest.


    Even though this was what he had asked for, what he had begged Mtecuhtli for, why did it feel as if he was standing on the edge of something immense, something he could barely handle?


    Behind him, Loki and Hera stood quietly, their presence fading into the background as Axel''s focus sharpened. They knew what this moment meant, and they had given him space. Trisha, on the other hand, remained by his side, her arms folded, her eyes asionally flicking toward him. Despite her usual sharp demeanor, even she was quiet now, sensing the weight of what was about to happen.


    Axel''s hands trembled at his sides. He had prepared for this¡ªmentally, emotionally¡ªbut as the moment drew closer, he couldn''t suppress the overwhelming fear that gnawed at him. It had been so long since he''d seen his mother as anything more than a fragile shell in a hospital bed. The guilt weighed on him, an anchor he could never fully discard. He had barely visited her before her death...


    her temporary death. If he had been stronger, smarter, more present¡ªmaybe things would have been different. Maybe she wouldn''t have been taken from them in the first ce.


    The sound of a car''s engine pulling up outside snapped Axel from his thoughts. His heart skipped a beat, his pulse quickening as the car came to a halt. The engine cut off, and for a moment, the silence was deafening. Footsteps followed. Axel''s breath hitched, his body rigid as the front door''s knob slowly turned. The world around him blurred, the only thing in focus was the door as it creaked open.


    Annie stepped in first. Her eyes met his, and though she gave him a soft, reassuring smile, it was the figure next to her that caused Axel''s heart to stop.


    A woman stood beside her¡ªno, *his* mother. The resemnce was undeniable, yet there was something ethereal about her now. Her long white hair cascaded down her back, flowing like silver strands of silk. Her face, though older, was still breathtakingly beautiful, her features untouched by the passage of time.


    The white dress she wore seemed to glow in the dim light, entuating the unnatural yellow shimmer of her eyes¡ªeyes that locked with Axel''s the moment she stepped inside.


    "Mum?... Mummy?" The words spilled from Axel''s mouth before he could stop them, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. His legs gave way, and he copsed to his knees, his hands instinctively flying to cover his face as tears streamed down his cheeks. He had sworn to himself that he wouldn''t cry, that he would be strong for her.


    But seeing her now, alive and standing before him, shattered every wall he had built.


    "My baby..." his mother''s voice, soft and trembling, reached his ears. "Stop... stop crying." She let go of Annie''s arm, taking unsteady steps toward him. Her own tears began to fall as she reached out, her hands shaking as they gently cupped his tear-streaked face.


    Axel could barely breathe, the emotions crashing into him like a tidal wave. His vision blurred as his mother knelt in front of him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight, trembling embrace. The warmth of her touch was real, tangible, and it broke something deep inside him.


    Annie joined the embrace, her quiet sobs mixing with Axel''s, the two siblings holding on to their mother as if afraid she might disappear again.


    Mrs. Teras, overwhelmed by the reunion, struggled to hold back her own tears. The strength she had tried to maintain crumbled in the face of her children''s raw emotions. "I''m sorry..." Axel''s voice was barely a whisper, shaking with guilt and regret. "I''m sorry, Mum... I should''ve done more.


    I should''ve been stronger... If I hadn''t died in that portal, maybe¡ªmaybe none of this would have happened."


    He mmed his fist into the floor, over and over, the self-loathing burning in his chest. Each strike was a reminder of his perceived failures.


    "Don''t... don''t say that," Mrs. Teras whispered, her arms tightening around him and Annie, pulling them even closer. "Don''t me yourself, Axel. None of this is your fault... You''ve taken care of everything while I was gone.


    You''ve protected your sister... I''m proud of you both."


    Annie buried her face into their mother''s shoulder, her sobs growing louder as she let go of the pain she had carried. Mrs. Teras kissed the top of her head, gently stroking her hair. "I''m so proud of you, Annie."


    As this deeply emotional scene unfolded, Loki quietly slipped out of the room. He didn''t need to be there for this moment; it belonged to the Teras family. As he moved through the hallway, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He nced at the screen, his expression darkening as he saw the caller ID: Thor.


    In the adjacent room, Trisha, standing by the door, grabbed Hera''s wrist, pulling her away with an unexpected force. Hera, startled, resisted for a moment but stopped when she saw the serious look in Trisha''s eyes.


    The two women entered another room, one that was muchrger and fitted with high-end technology¡ªa sleek, futuristic living space that seemed more like something out of a military base than a family home.


    "They need privacy," Trisha said, her voice low and distant. It was clear that her thoughts were elsewhere, her normally sharp demeanor softened by something else entirely.


    Hera narrowed her eyes, studying Trisha closely. Something about the way she had pulled her out of the room didn''t sit right. "You love Axel, don''t you?" The words slipped out, a quiet observation rather than an usation.


    Trisha froze. Her entire body stiffened as if struck by lightning. For a moment, she said nothing, her back turned to Hera. "No," she finally muttered, though her voice wavered. Read new adventures at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    Hera cocked her head, an amused smile ying on her lips. "Was it that obvious?"


    Trisha''s shoulders sagged slightly, and though she didn''t turn around, Hera could sense the blush creeping up her neck. "Shut up," she muttered, her voice barely audible.


    Hera let out a small chuckle. "Let''s focus on what matters. We can talk about *that*ter."


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Loki leaned against the counter, biting into an apple as Thor''s furious voice echoed from the phone.


    "You useless bastard! Did I not order you to bring Axel to me the moment you found him?"


    Loki smirked, chewing slowly before replying. "I told you I''d let you know when I saw him. I never agreed to deliver him on a tter, Thor."


    "I don''t care about your technicalities. You''re defying me, Loki."


    "You know, you''re starting to sound desperate," Loki said, his tone light and teasing. "Axel is my boss now, and my friend. I''m not going to betray him for you."


    "First, you take in that brat, and now this?" Thor''s voice was seething with anger. "When I find you, Loki¡ª"


    The call ended abruptly as Loki hung up, tossing his phone onto the counter with a casual flick. He took another bite of the apple, his mind elsewhere. ''Hurry up with your family reunion, Axel,'' he thought to himself. ''You''re making more enemies than I can count.''

 Chapter 83 Other god candidate! Wukong

    Thor snarled, mming his phone into his pocket as the fading rays of the evening sun bathed the street in a fiery glow. His anger simmered, boiling over after another heated exchange with Loki. **Family? What a joke.** Loki had sided with his friends again, leaving Thor seething with frustration.


    His thoughts were a whirlwind of anger as his feet carried him down the bustling street. Muttering under his breath, he veered into a narrow alley, seeking solitude to cool his head. The shadows stretched longer in the fading light, the walls narrowing around him like a vice.


    He reached an intersection and instinctively turned left, only to find himself facing a dead-end¡ªa brick wall blocking his path.


    "Of course," he muttered, his mood worsening. But as he turned to leave, a figure stood at the mouth of the alley, blocking his escape. Thor froze, his body tense.


    "You led yourself into a dead-end?" the man said, his voice calm but curious, as though trying to understand why Thor had trapped himself.


    Thor''s smirk returned. **Perfect. Just what I needed. A fool to take it out on.**


    "So, you followed me, knowing I''m an S-rank hunter? What kind of idiot does that?" Thor grinned, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists, ready to pummel the man who dared to challenge him.


    The stranger''s eyes narrowed, studying Thor with a detached coldness. "Thor," he began, his voice unnervingly steady. "Twenty-eight years old. S-rank hunter. Lightning abilities. Resentment toward your brother, Loki.


    Hatred for your adopted sister. Impressive physical strength¡­ but fragile emotionally." Experience more content on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    Thor''s smirk vanished. His body stiffened as he realized the man knew far too much. This wasn''t some random encounter¡ªthis man had been watching him, studying him. "Who the hell are you?" Thor demanded, his voice hardening. "Are you some kind of stalker or something worse?"


    The man didn''t blink. "I''m Sekhmet," he said simply, his gaze unwavering. "A god¡ªor rather, a candidate for godhood. And my mission is to eliminate the other candidates in this realm."


    Thor stared at him, his disbelief quickly turning into anger. "A god? You''re insane," he growled. His mana red to life, crackling with electric energy as the alleyway flickered with the light of his power. "If you think you can take me on, you''re dumber than you look."


    Sekhmet raised his hand, unfazed by the power surging around Thor. In a single snap of his fingers, the air shifted. Thor''s mana flickered out like a candle in the wind.


    "What¡ª?" Thor stumbled, his eyes widening as he tried to summon his power again. Nothing. His mana had vanished. His muscles tensed as panic crept in. He stared at his trembling hands, trying toprehend what had just happened.


    "What the hell did you do to me?!" he roared, his voice filled with both confusion and rage. For the first time in years, Thor felt truly powerless.


    Sekhmet''s expression remained indifferent. "I''ve activated a skill: **Leech of Souls**. It renders your mana useless."


    Thor''s heart pounded as he stumbled backward, his mind racing. How had this man stripped him of his power so easily? He tried to think, tried to find some way out of this, but his body wouldn''t obey.


    Sekhmet took a step forward, his left hand outstretched, dark energy pulsating from his palm. "I''ll give you one chance," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Tell me where the other god candidate is¡ªwhere **Axel** is¡ªand I might spare you."


    Thor''s eyes flickered with defiance as he clenched his teeth. Even without his powers, he was still a trained fighter, and he wasn''t about to let some psycho talk down to him. "Like hell I would!" he spat, lunging forward with all the strength he could muster.


    His fist shot toward Sekhmet''s face, but just as it neared him, a searing force knocked it back. Thor screamed in pain, pulling his hand away as the skin on his knuckles sizzled and burned. An invisible barrier had formed around Sekhmet, scorching anything that touched it.


    "Damn it!" Thor hissed, clutching his injured hand. "What the hell are you? How many abilities do you have?"


    Sekhmet chuckled softly, a cold, condescending sound. "You''ve lived your life never knowing defeat. Without your powers, you''re nothing but a weakling." His eyes gleamed with dark amusement as he lunged forward, his foot striking the ground with terrifying force. In the blink of an eye, his fist crashed into Thor''s face with the weight of a sledgehammer.


    Thor''s body flew through the air, crashing into the alley floor with a sickening thud. He gasped for breath, pain shooting through every fiber of his being. His vision blurred as he coughed, blood spilling from his mouth. His ribs ached, and his limbs felt like dead weight.


    Sekhmet stood over him, watching with cold detachment. "Are you ready to talk now, ant?" he asked, his voice dripping with contempt.


    Thor groaned, struggling to push himself to his knees. Every movement sent waves of agony through his battered body, but he forced himself up. His vision swam, but through the pain, a bitter grin spread across his face.


    "I lost. I''ll give you that," Thor wheezed, blood trickling from his lips. "But you won''t get anything from me." He chuckled weakly, his voice filled with a strange, manic glee.


    Sekhmet frowned, puzzled by the sudden change in Thor''s demeanor. "Why are youughing? You''ve been beaten, broken, and yet you find amusement in this?"


    Thor coughed, wincing at the pain but still smiling. "You think Axel will fall to you?" He shook his head, his grin widening. "That bastard is stronger than me. I''ve seen him fight. I''ve seen what he''s capable of. He''ll tear you apart before you eveny a finger on him."


    Sekhmet''s eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "Axel?" he repeated, the name sparking a re of anger in his chest. "So, that''s the other candidate¡­"


    Before Thor could respond, Sekhmet raised his hand, and a torrent of white-hot mes erupted from his palm, engulfing Thor in an instant. His skin melted away, then his muscles, then his bones¡ªall reduced to ash within moments. The air filled with the sickening stench of burning flesh, and then nothing.


    {You have leveled up.}


    {You have abused your ability¡­ You are now vulnerable.}


    Sekhmet''s body trembled as he lowered his hand, the strain of the battle finally catching up with him. His system had warned him, and now he could feel it¡ªthe overuse of his powers had weakened him. For now.


    "If the fight hadsted any longer, he might have killed me," Sekhmet muttered, his breath heavy. He looked up at the darkening sky, his mind already racing ahead to his next challenge. "So¡­ Axel." His eyes narrowed, filled with a dangerous resolve. "I''ll be seeing you soon."

 Chapter 84 : 84: A Plan To Get... Wukong

    The room was filled with an unusual warmth, the tter of tes and theughter of friends echoing through the dining room. Axel sat quietly, watching the lively exchange between his sister Annie and his friends, while the fragrant aroma of his mother''s cooking filled the air.


    Mrs. Teras had prepared several dishes, despite everyone''s insistence that she should rest. But her stubborn smile won out. "I missed cooking for my children," she said, her eyes twinkling. "And having guests makes it even better." She seemed almost rejuvenated by the activity, even if her body was still recovering.


    "Hey! I told you he eats like a rat!" Annie''s voice cut through the mor, pointing at Axel, who had barely touched his food.


    Loki nearly choked on his drink as he burst intoughter. "No wonder he still looks a bit skinny," Hera added, her eyes gleaming with mischief. The room erupted into a fit of giggles as Axel flushed red, trying to maintain hisposure.


    "Respect my private space, would you?" Axel muttered, pushing his te slightly away. "I eat just the right amount to stay alive, thank you very much."


    Loki, ever the joker, leaned in with mock admiration. "Spoken like a true rat."


    "Don''t listen to them, Axel," Trisha chimed in, offering him a supportive grin. "Even rats have big dreams. Let him dream, everyone."


    Axel tried to maintain his embarrassment, but the infectiousughter around him soon had him cackling alongside them. For the first time in what felt like forever, everything seemed normal¡ªno missions, no looming dangers, just a simple dinner with the people he cared about.


    For a brief moment, Axel allowed himself to forget the weight of the world outside the walls of his home. He caught his mother''s eye, noticing the soft smile that lingered on her face. Mrs. Teras let out a contented sigh, her hands folded neatly on herp as she observed the scene before her.


    "My boy has truly grown," she thought to herself, her heart swelling with pride. "From that timid boy, broken by the burden of being weak... he has finally found people who care about him. Friends who love him. I''m so d."


    Her words broke the lighthearted atmosphere, drawing everyone''s attention as she stood up slowly from the table. "Thank you... all of you, for keeping my children safe," she said softly. Her voice trembled slightly, and the room went silent as her gratitude filled the air.


    "Mum, you should rest," Annie said quickly, standing and rushing to her side. "I''ll take you to Axel''s room¡ªhe can sleep on the couch tonight."


    Axel bit his lip, embarrassed by Annie''s bluntness. But before he could protest, his mother and sister were already leaving the room, waving a gentle goodbye to the others. He watched them disappear down the hall, a lingering feeling of guilt gnawing at him. His mother had only just recovered from the brink of death, yet she still worried more about him than herself.


    The moment they left, the air shifted. Theughter and warmth vanished, reced by an oppressive tension. Axel could feel the change in the room as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he nced at his friends.


    "Your mom is a nice woman," Loki said, his voice now serious. "But we need to focus on the matter at hand. The mole¡ªand the fact that Axel is a wanted criminal."


    The words hit hard, the weight of the statement hanging in the air like a suffocating fog. Hera nodded, her voice low but resolute. "Most importantly, Seo. He''s set to be executed in two days for a crime he might not havemitted. We''re running out of time."


    Axel tensed. The mention of Seo brought back the memories of their investigations, the endless hours spent trying to untangle the web of lies and deceit. Whoever was responsible had orchestrated everything with terrifying precision, leaving no trail, no evidence. They had pulled the strings of the Hunter''s Association perfectly, turning Axel and others into victims without leaving a trace.


    "There''s no way to track this enemy down," Loki continued, his fists clenched on the table. "The only thing we know for sure is that everyone targeted doesn''t remember what happened after they were attacked mentally. You, Seo, Thor... and probably more victims. You''re our only clue to getting to this murderer."


    Axel absorbed Loki''s words, processing the grim reality. Despite their best efforts, they had hit a wall. But his gut told him they were missing something. One name stuck in his mind.


    "What about Hendricks?" Axel asked, his eyes scanning the faces around the table. "I don''t trust him. He''s slimy, and something about him just doesn''t sit right."


    The others exchanged nces, each nodding in agreement. Trisha, who had been silent until now, folded her arms, her expression cold. "He''s my prime suspect too. But despite his reputation, all the evidence points to Seo being the mole. Especially after Rachael''s murder."


    Axel winced at the mention of Rachael, the image of her lifeless body still fresh in his mind.


    "And that''s why I called in a specialist," Trisha added, her tone cryptic. Axel raised an eyebrow. Specialist?


    As if on cue, a sharp knock echoed through the room, reverberating through hidden speakers built into the ceiling. Trisha stood immediately, heading to the door without a word.


    Minutester, she returned, apanied by two figures. One was a man Axel didn''t recognize¡ªa tall, wiry figure with sses that gleamed under the dim light. The other was someone Axel wished he hadn''t recognized.


    Wukong.


    A surge of adrenaline shot through Axel as his gaze locked with Wukong''s. The board member''s eyes were filled with malice, a burning hatred barely contained beneath a calm exterior.


    "You damned criminal!" Wukong hissed, raising his hand as if to summon something deadly. Before he could make a move, Trisha grabbed his wrist, her grip firm.


    "Don''t be an idiot, Lord Wukong. He''s not your enemy," she said, her voice stern. "If I trust him, you should too."


    Wukong red at Axel for a moment longer before dropping his hand. A smirk spread across his face. "Fine. If you vouch for him, Trisha, I''ll behave. For now."


    Axel let out a slow breath, relieved that he wouldn''t have to fight a board member¡ªat least not today. But the tension between them hadn''t disappeared. Wukong was dangerous, and Axel knew it.


    The other man, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward, his voice calm and measured. "I am Roman, the greatest scientist in Kyota," he announced. "I''vee to help you find the mole... and to stop the invasion."


    "Invasion?" Axel echoed, his eyes narrowing.


    Roman nodded, adjusting his sses. "For years now, parasitic creatures called Metorion have been infiltrating human society. They''re like bugs¡ªinfecting humans and using them as hosts. I believe they''ve managed to infiltrate some of the highest ranks in society."


    Axel''s heart raced as Roman''s words sunk in. The pieces of the puzzle were beginning toe together. The mysterious attacks, the mind control, the perfect maniption of events¡ªit all pointed to something far more sinister than they had imagined.


    "And," Roman added, his voice dropping to a whisper, "I believe Hendricks is one of them."


    ***Author''s note***


    Thanks for reading the chapter. Almost new month time, let''s support as the new month really matters to me as an Author, the same goes for a new week.


    Thanks for all your great support up till now. Next chapter dropped now.

 Chapter 85 : 85: Countdown

    The air in the room felt heavy, as if the weight of Professor Roman''s revtion had sucked out all the life from their once lively atmosphere. The mention of the Metorion, parasitic invaders disguised as humans, was enough to send chills down everyone''s spine. The cloudy feeling of dread seemed to settle over them like a dark fog.


    Roman continued, his voice steady but grim. "The Metorion infiltration has been going on for years. I estimate that they''ve already taken control of a million humans, maybe more, across the globe. And the worst part?" His gaze swept over the group. "One of us could be a Metorion right now, pretending to be our ally, all while reporting our every move."


    Axel, sitting rigid in his chair, stared hard at the table. His mind wasn''t focused on the possibility of one of them being a Metorion, though it wasn''t something he couldpletely ignore. What truly unnerved him was the aliens'' strategy¡ªenving humans like parasites.


    "Do you think the portals were just a distraction?" Axel asked, his voice low and tense. "To keep us upied while they infiltrated us?"


    Roman nodded gravely. "Exactly. The portals were nothing but smoke and mirrors. While we were busy dealing with those, they sneaked in Metorion, who slowly worked their way into society, spreading and multiplying, until they reached key positions of power. That''s why I believe Hendricks is one of them."


    Loki, who had been pacing around the room like a caged animal, suddenly stopped, his face twisted in frustration. "How the hell do you know it''s him? You better have proof because if these things have been living among us for this long, they''re way too good at blending in to let any change in behavior slip."


    Roman sighed, lowering his head as he traced his fingers along the edge of the ss table. "It''s not easy to prove, but there are certain tells¡ªsubtle ones. For one, they can''t consume alcohol. Their bodies reject it. Second, they don''t sweat. And third, their blinking rate is slightly offpared to normal humans.


    It''s almost imperceptible."


    The group sat in stunned silence, digesting the new information. Loki folded his arms, visibly tense, his sharp mind working through the possibilities. Hera stared at Roman, her face pale with realization. This wasn''t just some alien invasion¡ªthey had been living among them for years, manipting their society from the inside.


    Axel, who had remained quiet for most of the discussion, began to think back to his own encounters. His mind flicked through various faces, memories of interactions. His gut twisted as one particr face floated to the forefront.


    Rowin.


    Axel''s mentor had always seemed off, especially during their most recent encounters. His desk was always littered with empty ale bottles, but Rowin never seemed to get drunk. Was it possible that he had been purging the alcohol from his system? Was he a Metorion? The thought sent a shiver down Axel''s spine, but before he could voice his concern, a different question crossed his mind.


    "Do the Metorion consume blood?" Axel asked, his voice cutting through the tense silence.


    Roman flinched at the question, ring at Axel. "First off, I''m Roman, not Johnathan," he corrected sharply. Then, after a pause, he answered, "By theory¡ªthough we haven''t fully tested it¡ªI''m ny percent sure they find raw human flesh... appetizing."


    Hera let out a small gasp, the horror sinking in. "This is worse than anything we''ve faced. Worse than the Fatek''s increasing portal numbers. If they''ve infiltrated the military and the board, there''s no stopping this invasion. If theyunch an attack from space, we''d be fighting on two fronts¡ªone from the sky, and one from within."


    Axel could feel the same grim conclusion dawning on everyone in the room. They were already toote. The Metorion had spread too far, and now they were on the verge of executing their final move. Short of wiping out all of humanity, how could they possibly stop the parasites?


    "It''s almost like the end is already here," Loki murmured, his face grim. "If Seo Jihnyuk dies in two days, it''ll send everyone into a state of chaos. The board will be thrown into turmoil, and in that moment of weakness, the Metorion willunch their attack from space. We''ll be too disoriented to mount a proper defense."


    Axel''s pulse quickened. Loki was right. Seo''s execution was the lynchpin, the moment that could break their already fragile state.


    Breaking the silence that had settled over the room, Wukong finally spoke. His deep voice was calm but filled with urgency. "Roman has developed a solution¡ªa way to identify and eliminate the Metorion. We''ll announce their existence to the world, and arm civilians with special sonic-bound guns. The guns emit energy waves that will make the Metorion''s heads explode on impact.


    We''ll distribute these weapons, free of charge, giving people three shots each."


    The room buzzed with the weight of Wukong''s words. It was a bold and potentially effective n, but the risks were massive. Trisha frowned deeply, her eyes reflecting both fear and doubt.


    "It''s a good n," she admitted, "but... the announcement alone will cause mass panic. Riots will erupt globally, and countless innocent people will be caught in the chaos. And you''re trusting civilians, most of whom have little to nobat experience, to defend themselves against parasitic aliens. They may have weapons, but they aren''t trained to use them effectively.


    The death toll will be catastrophic."


    Axel nodded silently in agreement. She was right. This n, while practical, would throw the world into chaos.


    Wukong, however, remained unmoved, his voice carrying the cold wisdom of someone who had seen countless battles. "For change to arise, pain must take its toll. There is no peace without suffering, Trisha. This is the only way."


    His words felt like a punch to the gut, and the room fell silent once more. The grim reality of their situation settled over them like a suffocating nket.


    Finally, Roman broke the silence, his eyes dark with concern. "We have a n for the Metorion, but what about Seo Jihnyuk''s execution? If he dies, all of this will be for nothing. The real mole will still be out there, ready to strike. How do we stop the execution?"


    Axel''s mind raced. For once, even Roman didn''t have an answer. But as the silence stretched on, something clicked in Axel''s mind. A wild, dangerous n began to form, one that could potentially save them all¡ªif it didn''t get them killed first.


    Grinning, Axel raised his hand and pointed at himself with his thumb, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Leave that to me. I''ve got a n that will definitely work."


    The others turned to him, eyes filled with a mixture of hope and doubt. Whatever Axel had in mind, it was their only shot.

 Chapter 86 Complications

    Axel stirred in the darkness, his breath shallow, his body pressed against the soft futon beneath him. His senses were alert, even in this dimly lit living room, where the faint glow of the moon streamed through the curtained windows. His eyelids fluttered slightly as a familiar voice echoed in his mind.


    *My Lord¡­ My Lord! Are you asleep?*


    The voice echoed once more, cutting through the silence of the night. Axel''s eyes shot open, his heart racing. He could immediately recognize the deep, foreboding tone. It was a voice he hade to associate with one of his closest allies¡ªand his greatest fears.


    Standing before him, a shimmering form that only Axel could see, was Velerium.


    The sight of the ancient being sent a shiver down Axel''s spine. Velerium looked more haggard than usual, his skeletal form etched with deep cracks, as though the very fabric of his being was falling apart. His once-menacing presence seemed fragile, barely holding together.


    "Are you alright, Master?" Velerium''s voice quivered, an unusual tremor betraying his usualposed demeanor.


    Experience new stories on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    Axel blinked, trying to clear his groggy thoughts. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the peaceful scene. The others, Wukong, hispanions, and Trisha,y scattered around him, all sound asleep on their futons. He could hear the soft breathing of Trisha beside him, her presence calming yet stifling, knowing how close they were.


    Despite her proximity, Axel felt the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold, knowing it could change everything.


    Velerium''s appearance in such a fragile state had to mean something serious. Axel turned his attention back to the ancient being. "*Velerium,*" Axel whispered through their mental link, *"I''ve missed you. It''s been too long since youst responded."*


    A low growl escaped Velerium, more of a strained chuckle than the beastly sound it usually was. His burning eyes flickered briefly, showing a hint of surprise at Axel''s sudden appreciation. Axel was never one to disy sentimentality, but perhaps he had grown during the time they''d been apart.


    "I apologize for my absence, Master," Velerium''s voice was edged with regret. "But the matter I must bring to your attention has¡­ escted."


    *Escted?* Axel''s brow furrowed. He hadn''t expected this.


    Velerium nodded grimly. "I must exin¡­ the full nature of the *Devourer Curse* that you carry."


    The words sent a chill down Axel''s spine. The Devourer Curse¡­ the same power he had used to defeat Mtecuhtli, and the same curse that gave him those dark, terrifying urges. The whispers. The hunger. A force that tugged at the darkest corners of his mind, tempting him to cross lines he dared not approach.


    "I''ve managed to suppress it for now," Velerium continued, his voice tense. "As long as your HP doesn''t hit zero, you will maintain control. But beyond that, there''s little more I can do. The curse feeds on your essence, growing with your power. A permanent solution wille, but it will not be easy. The only ways to suppress it further are to find a new job ss¡­ or defeat the Shadow God."


    Axel''s heart pounded at the implications. Defeat the Shadow God? That was nearly impossible, and Velerium knew it. But the alternative¡ªliving with the curse and the constant threat of losing himself¡ªwas just as daunting.


    He let out a shaky breath, his thoughts swirling in confusion. *"Neither of those options sound possible, at least not anytime soon."* His voice was a mix of frustration and concern.


    Velerium''s tone softened. "Master¡­ do you know what a *God Candidate* is?"


    Axel blinked, his confusion deepening. He had heard the term before but never truly understood it. Velerium''s question felt like a knife carving deeper into his worries.


    "A God Candidate is someone like you¡ªsomeone with a system and a job ss. There are others out there, and they wille for you. But in their pursuit, there is an opportunity. Absorbing their system and god energy can make you invincible to the effects of the Infinite Gods System. It''s dangerous, yes, but it can provide the strength to resist¡­ and perhaps, break the curse."


    The revtion hung in the air, heavier than any of the secrets Axel had uncovered before. *Killing a God Candidate?* The mere thought sent his heart racing. These were no ordinary opponents; these were individuals chosen by the gods themselves, imbued with powers akin to his own. It wouldn''t be as simple as defeating regr enemies.


    Axel clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the decision. His humanity was already slipping with every battle, every dark urge he repressed. Could he truly sacrifice what was left of his soul for the chance to break free of this curse? Could he kill to survive?


    Velerium''s eyes softened as though sensing Axel''s turmoil. "For now, I can no longer restrain the full force of the system''s effects, Master. As you can see," he gestured to his cracked, deteriorating form, "I''m fading. I won''t be able to help you for much longer."


    Axel''s heart clenched at the sight of hispanion''s crumbling state. The being who had protected him from the worst of the system''s horrors was now barely holding on. His time was running out.


    "Why did you do it, Velerium?" Axel whispered through their link, his voice thick with emotion. *"Why risk your very existence for me? You took the brunt of the system''s side effects when you didn''t have to. You''re¡ª"*


    Velerium cut him off with a faint smile, his eyes dimming as his form began to fade into the shadows. "I suppose¡­ being with you made me feel wanted. Needed." His voice trailed off, echoing softly in the stillness of Axel''s mind.


    Axel watched helplessly as Velerium vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a lingering sense of loss. His eyes scanned the room once more, settling on the peaceful faces of his friends¡ªWukong, Trisha, and the others. The weight of his promise, his need to protect them, pressed down on him like an iron vice.


    A low snarl escaped his lips. *"If it means sacrificing my humanity¡­"* Axel''s voice was barely audible, a low, dangerous growl. His gaze hardened with newfound resolve as he whispered into the night, *"Then fuck it all. I will protect them, even if I have to be a god to do it."*


    With that thought burning in his mind, Axely back down, his mind buzzing with determination. He knew the path ahead would be treacherous, but if it meant saving the people he cared about, then he was willing to pay any price¡ªno matter the cost to his soul.

 Chapter 87 My System Skills

    Axel''s eyes scanned his skill list, his breath caught in his chest. After his encounter with Velerium, he had finally decided to take a deep look into his abilities, something he had neglected for far too long. What he saw left him both stunned and intrigued. He had been leaning heavily on his Deceased Touch, his go-to power, but there were other skills¡ªmany he had barely scratched the surface of.


    His thoughts churned as he nced at each skill.


    **[Deceased Touch]**


    **[Nightmare Maniption]**


    **[Summoning]**


    **[Trembling Wave]**


    And then, the shimmering **[Exclusive Skills]**, most of which were locked.


    "I''ve been relying too much on just one power," Axel muttered to himself. "If I''m going to survive the battles ahead, if I want to grow... I need to understand what I truly possess."


    Axel tapped on one of the skills he had never used before. The screen shed, and a stream of new information flooded his mind.


    ---


    **[Trembling Wave Lv.1]**


    *Send a wave from your fingertips to disrupt a person''s being for a few seconds.*


    **Risk**: Excessive use may damage your own connection to the system. **User''s being may be unstable**.


    ---


    Axel''s eyebrows shot up. *Disrupt a person''s being?* The power to literally shake someone to their core for even a few seconds... That could turn the tide of any battle. But then his gaze caught the risk. *User''s being may be unstable.* That was a danger Axel wasn''t entirely sure how to interpret. What did it mean for him?


    Would he lose his grip on reality?


    He didn''t dwell on it for long before moving down to the next section: **[Exclusive Skills]**. His eyes fell on the locked one that had been gnawing at him.


    ---


    **[Adaptability Lv.1]**


    *The ability to adapt to all system effects and heal one''s wounds within seconds.*


    **Risk**: Sacrifice 100 undead soldiers to unlock.


    ---


    Axel''s pulse quickened. Healing. That would change everything. No need for potions, no reliance on others. He could be truly unstoppable. And sacrificing 100 of his undead soldiers?


    That wasn''t even a dilemma. The thought of losing his weaker undead didn''t concern him in the slightest.


    "Who needs an army of a hundred sheep," Axel said under his breath, "when I can keep a few lions at my side?"


    A grin crept across his face. His mind raced, already calcting. He would keep his strongest generals, but the rest were expendable. He could always create more soldiers¡ªsoldiers that were stronger, faster, deadlier.


    With a cold smile, Axel selected the **[Adaptability Lv.1]** skill and confirmed his decision. His screen flickered again.


    ---


    **[Adaptability Lv.1] has been unlocked. Would you like to upgrade the skill?**


    ---


    Axel barely hesitated. Of course, he would. The potential for even greater healing speed was too tempting to pass up. He tapped the upgrade button four times, each press apanied by a thrill of energy coursing through him. His power surged, the system responding to his desires.


    ---


    **[Adaptability Lv.4] Upgradeplete.**


    *Fifty more undead soldiers needed for further upgrades.*


    ---


    Axel clenched his fists, feeling the power flowing beneath his skin. He could feel it¡ªthe strength to push past his limits. But as he admired his new strength, a sudden notification shed in front of him, unexpected and puzzling.


    ---


    **[For unlocking an Exclusive Skill with souls of the undead for the first time, you have received additional skills for free.]**


    ---


    Axel''s grin widened even further. *Additional skills... for free?* He hadn''t expected that. The system was far more generous than he had thought. His excitement grew, but before he could dive further into his newfound abilities, another, more ominous message appeared.


    ---


    **[Candidate, I am Handaral the Mighty. Are you the one who summoned me?]**


    ---


    Axel froze. His heart skipped a beat. He hadn''t initiated any summoning. He quickly nced at his **[Summoning]** skill, half expecting it to be activated, but the interface was nk¡ªno details, no exnation.


    ''Who are you?'' Axel thought, his mind racing. ''What do you mean by summoned?''


    ---


    **[Your presence has invited me. I am a high-rank summon. Summoning is the act of calling beings like myself to assist you.]**


    ---


    Axel''s eyes gleamed with curiosity. A high-rank summon? He hadn''t even known his **[Summoning]** skill could pull forth something like this. The potential was staggering.


    ''A high-rank summon, huh?'' Axel mused. ''Looks like I have much more to learn about my system...''


    ---


    ### Meanwhile, in a distant ce¡­ Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    The god candidate Sekhmet was on a different path. Standing amidst a strange group, he found himself staring at two individuals who, by sheer chance, crossed his path. Or was it fate? He couldn''t be sure, but there was something off about them, something he couldn''t quite ce.


    Sekhmet eyed them with suspicion. Both were dressed in white kimonos, their traditional attire standing out against the modern world. It felt as if they belonged to some ancient time, far removed from his reality. They didn''t seem hostile, but Sekhmet wasn''t one to trust easily.


    "So, you say you can give me the location of Axel?" Sekhmet asked again, his voice low and cautious. He needed to be sure¡ªthere was too much at stake to act on half-truths.


    Rowin, the taller of the two, nodded, his expression calm and measured. "Yes. But before we provide you with that information, we need something in return. A drop of your blood¡ªfor our *Cell Project*."


    Beside him, Mimiko grinned, her smile unsettling in its intensity. Her eyes seemed to gleam with something dark. "We mean no harm to you, of course. You''re not from here, so we won''t interfere with your goals. But we will also need Axel''s remains."


    Sekhmet frowned. The deal was twisted, but it wasn''t unreasonable. A drop of blood for Axel''s location, and they wanted Axel''s remains when he was done with him. But one problem lingered in Sekhmet''s mind.


    "You realize," Sekhmet said, his voice taking on a cold edge, "that after I''m done with Axel, I''ll destroy this entire, ending both you and your ns."


    Rowin''s smile didn''t falter. Mimiko onlyughed. Their confidence was unnerving, as if they had expected this.


    "That''s fine," Rowin replied evenly. "If you can kill us before we kill you."


    Sekhmet narrowed his eyes. There was something deeply wrong with these two. He couldn''t read their minds, couldn''t glimpse their intentions. Their thoughts were nk to him, as if their minds were voids, hiding something far more sinister.


    ''I can''t read them,'' Sekhmet realized. ''These two... it''s like they''re not individuals at all. More like two pieces of a whole.''


    Despite his unease, Sekhmet had no other option. After a long moment of contemtion, he nodded.


    "Tell me his location," he agreed. "And I''ll give you more than a drop of blood."


    Rowin''s eyes drifted to the sky, as if seeing something only he could understand. "In a day''s time, you will have the information you seek. Until then, stay with us. No need to wander around like a lost goat."


    Mimiko''s grin vanished, her face taking on a darker, more serious expression. "Thest piece of the puzzle has finally aligned," she whispered, her voice barely audible butced with grim finality.


    Sekhmet could feel it in the air¡ªthe sense that something far bigger than him, bigger than Axel, was unfolding. And he was merely a part of it.


    ---


    ### Author''s Note:


    "My mental health is questionable at this point, but this volume has taken a darker turn. Thankfully, we''re nearing the end. The season two finale is right around the corner. Buckle up."

 Chapter 88 Execution Day 1 Plotting

    Mass release In honour to the support {1/10}


    General Kurtly''s eyes darted left and right as his footsteps echoed against the cold stone walls of the passageway. A biting chill filled the air, and every breath he took felt like inhaling shards of ice. His throat tightened as the lump lodged there swelled with every agonizing step, his breath growing more ragged by the second.


    He was no stranger to fear, but the overwhelming dread that engulfed him now was unlike anything he had ever experienced.


    His once imposing figure now felt small, weak. Stripped of his powers and strength by the concoction Hendricks had forced upon him, he had been left to starve for days. Blindfolded for most of his captivity, he had no idea where he was being led, but as the blindfold had been ripped from his eyes, the truth struck him like a hammer to the chest.


    The stench of blood, thick and metallic, filled his nostrils, almost choking him. His gut twisted violently as his mind screamed the truth he wished weren''t real: this was a ughterhouse.


    Kurtly swallowed hard, the taste of bile rising in his throat as panic surged through him. "H-Hendricks... I beg of you," he stammered, his voice cracking, betraying the fear wing at his insides. "I can still be of use... I can help with whatever mission you''re nning."


    But even as he spoke, Kurtly knew it was futile. The air hung heavy with finality, and Hendricks'' silence cut deeper than any de.


    Hendricks walked ahead, his boots making a rhythmic click against the floor, a stark contrast to the frantic, erratic shuffle of Kurtly''s own steps. His back straight, posture calm, Hendricks didn''t bother turning around. "Funny," Hendricks finally muttered, his voice icy, "when you tortured people, it was amusing to you. But now that the tables are turned... it''s suddenly terrifying."


    Kurtly''s heart dropped. The cold realization of his fate hit him like a freight train. His mouth opened, but no words came out. His body trembled uncontrobly, drenched in the stench of his own fear.


    Hendricks came to a stop in front of a massive metallic door, its surface covered with dried blood and grime, the pungent smell of decay wafting from it. He knocked three times, his knuckles tapping against the door in a slow, deliberate rhythm. For a moment, everything seemed to stand still, the silence pressing down on Kurtly until he felt like he might suffocate under its weight.


    The door swung open with a loud creak, and Kurtly''s heart nearly stopped as his eyes fell upon the towering figure that stood before them. A monstrous Fatek, with two grotesque heads sitting atop its shoulders, red down at him. Its brutish face was a tapestry of scars, its muscles bulging beneath thick, leathery skin.


    The creature exuded raw, primal power, and the bloodlust in its eyes sent shivers down Kurtly''s spine.


    "Is this the powerful hunter you promised me?" the Fatek''s voice was a deep, guttural growl that reverberated through the walls.


    Hendricks shed a wicked grin, "Middle-aged, fat-brained, and full of vitamins. He hasn''t had a drop of ale for weeks, and best of all, I''d say he''s loaded with protein." Hendricks winked, his attempt at humor falling t in the oppressive atmosphere.


    Kurtly''s body stiffened in terror. His skin had gone pale, and sweat poured down his face. His knees buckled as the Fatek''s hand, asrge as a boulder, reached out and grabbed him by the torso, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. The crushing force of its grip sent a series of sharp, agonizing cracks through Kurtly''s body as his bones splintered.


    He wanted to scream, to plead, but the breath was knocked from his lungs as the Fatek turned and carried him further into the darkened room. The walls were lined with jagged metal, the floors slick with a dark, unidentifiable liquid. In the center of the room loomed a massive, grotesque creature¡ªan ant-like monstrosity, its exoskeleton a slick, metallic sheen.


    It hunched over a cluster of eggs, its maw clicking menacingly as it tended to its brood.


    Kurtly''s mind raced, his thoughts a chaotic jumble of disbelief and horror. What kind of nightmare had he been dragged into? His eyes darted around the room, desperate for an escape, but there was none. No salvation. No mercy.


    The Fatek boss approached the creature and tossed Kurtly to the ground like a discarded rag doll. His body hit the floor with a sickening thud, his limbs limp and useless. Pain shot through him in waves, but it was nothingpared to the terror that gripped him as the monstrous creature¡ªthe "Mother Cell"¡ªturned its attention to him.


    Kurtly''s heart pounded in his chest as the creature began its slow approach, its eyes¡ªif they could be called eyes¡ªglowing with a sickly, malevolent light. It loomed over him, and as its jaws began to open, revealing rows of jagged, bloodstained teeth, Kurtly''sst shred ofposure crumbled.


    "NO! NO, PLEASE!" he screamed, his voice hoarse and filled with raw, unfiltered terror. "Hendricks! Please! I beg you! I can still be useful!


    Don''t do this!"


    His pleas fell on deaf ears. Hendricks watched from the doorway, his face a mask of indifference, his arms crossed as if he were merely observing some mundane event. "Eat up, Mother Cell," the Fatek boss growled, his voice heavy with satisfaction.


    The Mother Cell wasted no time. It lunged at Kurtly with frightening speed, its jaws closing around his midsection. The sound of tearing flesh and snapping bone filled the room, mingling with Kurtly''s agonized screams as the creature began to consume him piece by piece.


    "AAAAAGGGHHHHHHHH!" His cries echoed off the cold, unforgiving walls, growing weaker with each passing second. The grotesque monster tore into him, its fangs sinking deeper, and within moments, the screams faded into gurgling gasps.


    Hendricks turned away, his face twisted into a sneer. "Is that enough?" he asked, his voice cool and detached, as though the horrific scene he had just witnessed was nothing more than a fleeting inconvenience.


    The Fatek boss, his hunger barely sated, grunted in approval. His two heads swiveled in unison, eyeing Hendricks with a simmering resentment. For a brief, dangerous moment, it seemed as though the Fatek might leap at Hendricks and devour him as well.


    But the tension was abruptly shattered as the door swung open violently, revealing Rowin, Mimiko, and Sekhmet entering with an air of purpose. Rowin waved jauntily, his grin brimming with an unsettling zeal. "Easy there, Fatek! Don''t go eyeing the boss like that, or we might just shut down your precious cell program tonight."


    The Fatek boss growled in frustration but turned away, his eyes narrowing as he nced back at the Mother Cell. ''Filthy humans... soon enough, none of you will be the ones smiling.''


    Mimiko chuckled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Be happy, idiot. We brought you something even better. The blood of a god. Sekhmet."


    The Fatek''s eyes lit up with a twisted hunger at the mention of a god candidate. His mind whirled with the possibilities, the ancient tales of godly beings coursing through his mind. "Sekhmet?" he muttered. ''If I can have him, the Mother Cell will be unstoppable.''


    Hendricks'' sense of foreboding deepened, an instinctual fear wing at his mind as he studied Sekhmet''s reaction. "So... you are a god candidate?" Hendricks'' voice trembled slightly, betraying the unease he felt in the presence of such overwhelming power.


    Sekhmet''s eyes darkened, his previously calm demeanor shifting into something far more dangerous. His normally pale face drained further, his expression freezing like a statue. It was as if the mere utterance of those words had awakened something ancient and terrifying within him. This was no ordinary reaction¡ªit was the response of someone who had seen more than a mortal mind could fathom.


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    How did Hendricks even know that title? A human from this realm should have no knowledge of such things.


    "I see," Hendricks said, trying to mask his fear with a feigned confidence. When Sekhmet didn''t respond, he nervously continued, "Might you know the candidate that possesses the Infinite Gods System?"


    The moment the question left Hendricks'' lips, he regretted it. The air around them thickened, bing suffocating. The oppressive weight of Sekhmet''s killing intent filled the room, crushing everything under its force. The very walls seemed to vibrate, trembling under the intensity of Sekhmet''s aura. Hendricks gasped, his body instinctively recoiling as if he''d just stepped into their of a beast.


    ''I managed to piss him off so quickly,'' Hendricks thought, panic surging through his veins.


    Sekhmet''s voice was a low, menacing growl. "Are you after the reward as well? The System that devours all? If so, then you are my enemy."


    Every word dripped with a promise of death, sending shivers down Hendricks'' spine. Anyone who dared to answer ''yes'' would be signing their own death warrant, facing off against a being with powers beyondprehension. Hendricks gulped, desperately trying to maintainposure. "N-not at all. I just want to kill the user of the system, that''s all.


    I don''t care for the system itself." He forced a smile, the terror he felt painfully obvious. "I only wanted to know the user''s name."


    Sekhmet, watching Hendricks'' feeble attempt at reassurance, remained silent, his eyes piercing straight through him. The killing intent simmered, but Hendricks could feel the unspoken threat hanging in the air. Sekhmet''s gaze lingered, evaluating him, calcting whether to crush him where he stood.


    After a moment, as if deeming Hendricks unworthy of his wrath, Sekhmet released a fraction of the suffocating aura.


    Hendricks gasped for breath, the release of pressure so sudden it was dizzying. His knees almost buckled beneath him as the thick atmosphere began to clear. Even Hendricks hadn''t realized how much the oppressive energy had affected him until it dissipated.


    "The user of this system is the one called Axel," Sekhmet finally said, his voice cold and indifferent, as though merely mentioning Axel was beneath him. "Where can I find him?"


    Hendricks nodded, trying to regain hisposure, but his thoughts raced. ''Axel... so he''s the one.'' A twisted grin slowly spread across Hendricks'' face. "So he is Axel, in that case, I don''t need you anymore."


    Bowing slightly, Hendricks'' eyes gleamed with dark satisfaction. "You just gave me the final piece I''ve been looking for. The identity of the system user... this is truly fate."

 Chapter 89 Execution Day 2 - Seos Execution

    Mass release In honour to the support {2/10}


    Today is the day.


    It''s the day we save Seo.


    It''s the day we put an end to the human worms! To rid ourselves of the mole in our ranks.


    Though it''s not the end of the war between humans and the alien races that gue the universe, we will cleanse this.


    And I will be by Axel''s side¡ªno, by Nameless'' side¡ªuntil the very end.


    ***


    Loki adjusted the ufortable mask on his face, tugging at the edges with frustration. The intricate, leather-bound design rubbed his skin raw. His fingers twitched nervously as he fumbled with it, feeling every bit of the irritation it caused.


    "Why the hell do I have to wear something so ufortable, Nameless?" Loki muttered, his voice muffled by the mask. His annoyance was palpable, his tone edging toward genuine frustration as he looked sideways at the masked figure beside him.


    Nameless let out a yfulugh, the sound distorted slightly by his own mask, which was a bizarre, twisted visage of an animal that made his voice sound more sinister. "One, this is a way no one will suspect you for following me. Also, I''m a criminal who''s wanted. Only a few people know that Nameless is actually Axel," he exined, his voice calm yet sly.


    Loki groaned, still fiddling with the mask. "Yeah, I get that, but why the hell am I going by the name ''Nameful''?" His face twisted into a grimace beneath the mask. "It''s not even a word! Why couldn''t you at least give me something normal?"


    Namelessughed again, louder this time, the sound echoing slightly as they walked through the shadowed halls. "Hahaha! Where''s the fun in that? I already told Trisha to sign you in as Nameful, so I don''t see you having much of a choice."


    Loki¡ªnow Nameful¡ªgritted his teeth, suppressing his urge to throw the mask to the ground in defiance. Instead, he growled, "For this once, I''ll ept your stupidity with an *embrace*."


    They stepped out of the dim corridor and into the vast, open space of the stadium. A towering structure thatbined the scale of an arena with the verticality of a skyscraper loomed before them. This was no ordinary execution ground. It was a ce reserved for high-ranking criminals, traitorous hunters, and those deemed unworthy of mercy.


    The weight of its dark history pressed down on both men as they walked further inside.


    Rows of spectators, hunters, and civilians alike filled the seats that wrapped around the circr execution floor. The ceiling above them was reinforced metal, with spotlights casting beams of cold light onto the round stage at the center. In the distance, Nameless could see the board members seated at an elevated tform¡ªtheir thrones of power.


    Between the spectators and the condemnedy a deep chasm in the ground, a dark portal swirling ominously at its depths. Those sentenced to die here would be sent through that portal, stripped of their abilities, and exiled to a deadly teeming with monstrous creatures.


    It was an execution designed to be as cruel and final as possible.


    And it was the fate Seo was about to suffer.


    Unless they intervened.


    ***


    Nameless couldn''t help but feel uneasy as they approached the round table. The air in the stadium was electric with excitement, but there was something darker under the surface. This wasn''t just an execution. It felt more like a twisted celebration. A feast of blood.


    As Nameless and Nameful took their seats, he scanned the table. Seated around thevish banquet were some of the most powerful hunters in Kyota. Wukong, Hendricks, Vicky Shaw and the two recements for Rachael and Seo stationed at the far end of the table¡ªand most of all Kyota''s S-rank hunters gathered at another end of the table.


    Their presence made Nameless feel like a speck of dust in a hurricane. He and Nameful were mere shadows here, masked and hidden, with no true im to power among these titans.


    But that was part of the n.


    Nameless leaned back slightly, allowing his eyes to wander. He noticed two empty seats at the far end of the table where some missing S-rank were to upy. But they weren''t here¡ªat least, not yet. His gaze flicked to Trisha, who sat just a few seats away.


    She had managed to pull off a miracle, getting them seats at this table despite theirck of reputation, since only high ranked hunters could ever get this honour. But the absence of other key figures bothered him. Williams. Thor. They weren''t here either. Why?


    The unease settled deeper in his chest.


    "Feeling awkward?" Nameless asked, ncing at Nameful. He didn''t need to see his face to know how tense he was.


    Nameful shook his head. "Not sad, just... something''s off. It''s not like Thor to bete. Still..." He nced at the hunters devouring the food in front of them like rabid animals. "I can''t believe how they''re eating like ogres.


    They know someone''s going to die today, right?"


    Nameless smirked under his mask but said nothing. Instead, he scanned the round table again. tes were being cleared rapidly as the hunters feasted with reckless abandon. They were like vultures, tearing into meat with glee, unaware¡ªor perhaps uncaring¡ªof the tension building.


    Nameless and Nameful, however, had barely touched their drinks. Nameless adjusted his mask slightly, allowing him to sip the liquid without drawing attention. It was all part of the n. They had to stay sharp.


    But something was wrong.


    The murmurs of the crowd began to rise. Nameless could hear the whispers from the spectators, the disgust and hatred seeping through their voices like venom.


    "So that''s the betrayer..."


    "That old bastard! Knew he was no good."


    "Never liked him."


    "He''s an alien spy! I always suspected it."


    The murmurs continued, growing louder with every passing second until it was a deafening cacophony of anger and fear. The crowd''s hunger for blood was almost tangible, a palpable energy that rippled through the air like static.


    Then, a voice boomed over the chaos.


    "Enough!"


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    Hendricks stood, his voice amplified by a microphone embedded in his cor. His presencemanded the attention of everyone in the room as he spread his arms wide, a smile of false benevolence stered across his face. "Today, we shall rewrite history!" he proimed. "Today, we end the spy of the Fatek.


    And with this, we shall gain the upper hand in the war against the aliens that threaten our existence."


    His voice echoed through the stadium, and the crowd erupted in cheers, their roars shaking the very walls of the building. Hendricks paused, letting the noise wash over him like a wave, before continuing. "With today''s execution, I promise you this¡ªour war will end soon, and we wille out victorious!"


    The roar of the crowd reached a fever pitch. Their belief in his words was absolute. But Nameless felt the bitter truth hidden beneath Hendricks'' polished speech.


    ''This isn''t an end,'' Nameless thought. ''It''s the beginning of a full-scale invasion.''


    His pulse quickened as he felt the weight of the n pressing down on him. Time was running out.


    Seo''s execution was about to begin.


    And Nameless had only one chance to stop it.

 Chapter 90 Execution Day 3 – Boom... Didnt I tell you all? Im not your average human

    Mass release In honour to the support {3/10}


    The announcement echoed through the grand hall, and the crowd erupted in praise for their so-called savior. Unbeknownst to them, the man they cheered for would soon be their undoing. How tragically ironic. Nameless, seated among them, couldn''t help but smirk beneath his mask.


    "What a pathetic disy."


    Even the S-rankers at the table¡ªthose supposedly powerful figures¡ªwere falling for the politician''s lie. Layer uponyer of deception wrapped up like a finely presented sandwich, and they were eating it up. Nameless scoffed internally at how gullible they all were.


    ''This reminds me of that burrito I never had,'' he mused with a touch of dark humor, letting the bitter thought roll around in his mind.


    Sitting beside him, Nameful shifted uneasily, throwing a quick nce at Nameless, though it was clear his patience was wearing thin. "Ax¡ª I mean, Nameless, I hope you know what you''re doing. Because if you don''t, this will end very badly."


    There was no need for Nameful to finish his sentence. Nameless had already yed out every possible oue. He had a n. He always had a n.


    At the center of the room, Hendricks stepped forward, his voice oozing with false sincerity as he addressed the crowd, his eyes darting towards the broken figure of Seo Jihnyuk, who was bound and hunched in the center of the tform, his head hanging low, his face hidden beneath a mop of tattered hair.


    "I would like to say a few words about my former best friend," Hendricks began, casting a sorrowful gaze at Seo. "Although I am too hurt by his betrayal to recount his crimes, I¡ªHendricks¡ªhave only a few words of condolence for when he dies."


    The entire hall fell silent, hanging onto Hendricks'' every word. He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes brimming with feigned emotion. "It''s been a long run, buddy," he said, his voice trembling. "From the binding test, to bing A-rank, to fighting side by side. We were rivals... and yet, I can''t help but..."


    He let out a choking sob, tears sliding down his face. "I can''t help but cry for you, Seo."


    To any untrained observer, it was a moving performance. But to Nameless, it was nothing more than cheap theatrics. ''What a sickening sight. It''s like a K-drama made for retirees,'' he thought, holding back a wave of nausea.


    Trisha, sitting stiffly across the table, was visibly seething, her fists clenched tightly beneath the table. The tant lies and theatrics had pushed her righteous heart to the brink of exploding. If they weren''t careful, her outburst would jeopardize everything.


    Nameless sensed the tension brewing within her and realized he needed to act before she blew their entire cover.


    "Uhm? May I also offer a few words for this oh-so-sad asion?" Nameless suddenly cut in, his voice amplified by the mic attached to his cor. It was a rude interruption, but it was precisely what he intended.


    Every head in the room snapped toward him in shock. The members seated at the round table were meant to remain silent unless prompted to speak. Nameless had just broken the unspoken rule. His audacity instantly raised eyebrows, especially from Hendricks, who blinked in surprise before his lips curled into an indulgent smile.


    "Please do," Hendricks said with a condescending tone. "Nameless, isn''t it?"


    Nameless nodded slowly. "First of all," he began, his voice dripping with mockery, "the food was absolutely delightful. Almost makes me wonder if we''re celebrating a funeral or a festival."


    His sarcastic delivery earned a few confused nces from the crowd. It was clear his words didn''t match the gravity of the situation. But Nameless wasn''t finished.


    "Second," he continued, "as much as I''d love to honor Seo Jihnyuk, the man once swindled me out of one billion Kyota. You see, I was in a tight spot, trying to care for my family. And this bastard¡ªwho had a trillion in his ount, mind you¡ªdecided to get cheap and steal from me."


    Nameless'' voice remained eerily calm, but the weight of his usation sent a ripple through the room. Even the mostposed members of the audience exchanged uneasy nces. Seo''s head jerked up ever so slightly, a twitch that was barely noticeable.


    **"That''s enough, Nameless,"** Hendricks interjected, his voice strained. **"There''s no need to disrupt Seo''s final moments. He''s had enough."**


    But Nameless ignored him. **"Before you die, Seo,"** he continued, rising to his feet, his eyes gleaming with manic energy. **"I need your bank ount details. If no one else is going to ask, then I will!"**


    A stunned silence fell over the hall. All eyes were on him now, and Nameless could feel the weight of their collective stares. They weren''t sure if he was insane or something far worse.


    Finally, an S-rank seated at the far end of the table spoke up, his voice filled with anger. **"Who gave you the right to speak, you idiot?"** He deliberately avoided using the microphone to keep the conversation private.


    More S-ranks joined in, scolding him for his behavior. Meanwhile, Nameful and Trisha were both burying their heads in their hands, humiliated. They hadn''t expected this level of chaos from Nameless, especially not without warning.


    **''What are you cooking up, Axel?''** Nameful wondered, his mind racing.


    **"If you don''t shut up,"** another S-rank hissed, **"you''ll be executed alongside Seo¡ª"**


    **"Hahahahahaha!"**


    Nameless''ughter cut through the threat like a knife, drawing every eye in the room back to him. Hendricks'' face twisted with fury, his hands clenching into fists.


    **"What kind of circus is this?"** Vicky Shaw muttered from her seat, her face twisted with disgust.


    Nameless, however, continued to cackle, unfazed by the warnings. Finally, he caught his breath, and with a malicious grin, he spoke again. "You want to know why I''mughing?"


    The room grew deathly quiet. Every figure, from the S-ranks to the lowliest attendees, watched him with a mixture of suspicion and dread.


    **"The food and water you all just consumed..."** Nameless reached up and slowly pulled off his mask, revealing a wild grin. **"...was poisoned."**


    A collective gasp rippled through the hall, followed by frantic whispers.


    **"We''re all going to die in eight minutes."**


    The room erupted into chaos. S-ranks leaped from their chairs, shouting orders, while others clutched their throats in panic. Hendricks, for the first time, looked genuinely terrified as he stumbled back from the table.


    Nameless merely smiled wider, watching the chaos unfold, his heart racing with exhration.


    But he wasn''t done.


    **"And for the grand finale..."** His eyes gleamed with malicious delight. **"I haven''t even started yet."**


    Suddenly, the floor beneath them rumbled. From beneath the hall, an ominous mechanical whirring began to grow louder.


    The countdown had only just begun.


    ***Author''s note***


    Gift me before the end of this arc! I am asking for a gift to assist me in mass releasing.

 Chapter 91 The Plan? Plan! Plan!!!

    Mass release In honour to the support {4/10}


    The atmosphere in the grand hall thickened as the realization settled in. Poison¡ªan idea so absurd yet terrifying that the S-rank hunters and board members began to panic. They nced around, their gazes wild with desperation. Some immediately scrambled in search of a cure, but in moments, their eyes fixed on one man, their expressions hardening into something deadly.


    Axel.


    He could feel the weight of their stares¡ªlike predators ready to tear him apart, desperate to survive. Among them, *Nameful''s* eyes locked onto him, brimming with worry. Trisha and Wukong stood frozen, their faces twisted in a mixture of confusion and betrayal. The question lingered unspoken between them¡ª*Why hadn''t Axel warned them before feeding them poison?*


    Axel smirked internally. ''If I''m going to sell this... I need to really sell it.'' His heart beat steadily in his chest, the only sign of calm in the room. ''Now, I don''t seem to be lying anymore.''


    The tension in the air became suffocating, made worse by the high-ranking individuals in the balcony above who were in an even worse state. A buzz of frantic conversations erupted from them, their eyes fixed on Axel like hounds staring down prey.


    "You bastard! Give us the cure!" One of the S-rank hunters stepped forward, gripping Axel by the cor and shaking him violently, his voice raw with fear.


    Axel tilted his head back andughed¡ªa chilling sound in the charged silence. "If I were you, I wouldn''t handle the only person who can cure you so roughly. I''m delicate, you see."


    The S-rank''s grip loosened, his face twisted in frustration, but he released Axel and shoved him back. His life was on the line, and defiance wasn''t worth death.


    "He''s lying. I saw him drink something before this," someone from the crowd murmured.


    "Yeah, why would he poison himself too? That''s impossible!" another added, grasping at any thread of logic.


    "Wait, why are we even distressed? He''s not the cook," someone else pointed out, skepticism creeping in.


    The rational part of their minds began to push through the haze of panic. The poison threat seemed slim¡ªAxel had no proof, no evidence to back up his im. The fear was starting to subside. But for *Nameful,* it was a conflicting moment.


    His rational mind told him to hope the poison was fake for his well-being, but another part of him¡ªthe side that knew Axel''s tactics¡ªalmost wanted it to be real, for the n''s sess.


    Just as the argument in the room escted, Axel''s voice cut through the air. "No one knows if I''m telling the truth or not. But in less than two minutes... we''ll all find out."


    His words sent another jolt of adrenaline through the crowd. Two minutes? No one wanted to gamble with their lives. An eerie silence fell over the room as everyone''s minds raced. Was it worth the risk to assume he was bluffing?


    "Enough of this! How dare you interrupt an event for the high-ranking representatives of Kyota?" A powerful voice rang out, filled with authority and indignation. Hendricks, one of the most influential figures in the room, rose from his seat, fury shing in his eyes as he stormed towards Axel.


    Axel didn''t flinch. Instead, he smiled again and gave a subtle pat to Loki, signaling it was time for him to speak.


    Loki let out a tired sigh, slipping off the mask he had been wearing with an exaggerated sense of relief. "Man, that thing was ufortable." He stood up, adjusting his tuxedo with a casual nonchnce that felt misced in the current chaos. ''Now I see where this links in.''


    Turning on the hidden microphone on his cor, Loki''s voice echoed throughout the hall. "The poison isn''t a lie," he said calmly, "although it''s not entirely authentic."


    The room froze. Every conversation stopped, every breath held. Even Hendricks halted mid-step, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.


    "I''ll exin," Loki continued. "The mechanical sound you heard earlier? That was a speaker system we nted beneath the floor. It emits a specific frequency designed to disrupt *Metorions*."


    A cold, deathly silence enveloped the hall. Hendricks, usuallyposed, clenched his fists, trying to maintain control of his expression.


    "I thought it was a joke," someone whispered. "But I saw a report about something like this earlier."


    "Yeah... from Lord Wukong''s association," another added.


    "I didn''t check the news this morning because of the event... but it''s true. I just saw it now."


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    Whispers turned into a storm of voices as panic spread. The notion of *Metorions*¡ªmonstrous beings hidden in human form¡ªwas too much to ignore. People nced around nervously, wondering who among them might not be human. Tension crackled through the air like static, making every slight movement feel charged with danger.


    Hendricks'' eyes flicked toward Wukong, who was staring back with an equally sharp gaze. Suspicion danced between them.


    ''This bastard,'' Hendricks thought, *''He''s nning something... and it''s that damn Roman scientist''s fault.''* He grit his teeth. ''They''ve figured it out... I have to stop this.''


    "And what proof do you have?" Hendricks'' voice boomed, trying to regain control. "You''re spreading rumors not just in Kyota but across the world¡ªto the United States and more. Do you really want to incite a global panic without concrete evidence?" His tone was a warning, a promise of death if they crossed a line.


    Axel, sensing the shift,ughed once more, this time louder and more ominous. The room fell into an eerie silence again, all eyes returning to him.


    "That''s why we''ve decided to use this moment¡ªthis event, broadcasted across the world¡ªto unmask you all." Axel''s finger pointed directly at Hendricks, his smile vanishing into something cold and calcting. "You and a few others here... are *Metorions.* And I''ll prove it."


    Gasps rippled through the room as Axel stepped forward, his gaze never leaving Hendricks.


    "You Metorions don''t like alcohol, right?" Axel smirked, knowing exactly where to strike.


    Some of the S-rank hunters were already sweating, ncing at each other with growing suspicion. Trisha, Loki, and Wukong exchanged silent looks, preparing for what was about toe.


    Axel''s voice dropped lower, almost a whisper, as he revealed, "I snuck barley into your food. All of you ate it like pigs. But it''s not just any barley... Iced it with advanced nano-hydroxylpounds. And the flesh you ate? It was human flesh from the morgue."


    The horror in the room became palpable as people reeled from the revtion. Before anyone could react, an S-rank hunter lunged at Axel, moving faster than the eye could track. But Axel, expecting the attack, sidestepped smoothly.


    The hunter''s body convulsed, his transformation immediate and grotesque. His mouth split open, revealing rows of jagged, insect-like teeth. His forehead tore open, tworge bug-like eyes ring with raw hunger. He was no longer human. He was a *Metorion.*


    "Checkmate." Axel''s voice was icy, his eyes shifting to Hendricks, who stood frozen in rage and fear.


    They had been exposed.

 Chapter 92 Number one Metorion

    Mass release In honour to the support {5/10}


    Annie walked groggily up the winding staircase, her feet dragging against the polished wood steps. Each step felt heavier than thest as exhaustion weighed on her, remnants of the day''s chores clinging to her body. She rubbed her eyes, stifling a yawn. After hours of cooking for the entire household, her limbs ached from carrying trays and washing dishes.


    Who would have thought feeding so many people could be this draining? she mused, her thoughts hazy. The house had been bustling with life earlier, but now it was quiet, almost eerily so. Everyone had retreated to their rooms, leaving her with the task of cleaning up the remnants of their shared meal.


    Annie''s goal now was simple: collect her mother''s dishes from her room. She trudged forward, eager to finish so she could finally rx. Maybe she''d watch a movie with Mrs. Teras or take a short walk. Anything that allowed her to spend time with her mother was wee¡ªespecially after today. She sighed,forted by the thought of an easy evening.


    Reaching the door, Annie knocked lightly, waiting for her mother''s familiar voice to call her in. Silence. Frowning, she knocked again¡ªstill nothing.


    A knot of unease formed in her chest.


    She knocked harder, the echo of her fists against the oakwood louder this time. Still no reply.


    "Mum?" Her voice was soft, but there was a tremor to it now. She hesitated for a moment, then twisted the cool knob and stepped inside.


    The room was empty.


    Annie blinked, confusion swirling as she scanned the space. The bed was neatly made, the curtains drawn halfway, letting the fading evening light pour in. But Mrs. Teras was nowhere to be seen. Panic seized her for a moment. She rushed around the room, opening closets, checking the bathroom, searching for any sign of her mother''s presence.


    Nothing.


    Annie''s heart began to pound as her mind raced through possible scenarios. She stopped abruptly when her eyesnded on the wardrobe, where a piece of paper sat, folded neatly. With trembling fingers, she picked it up and unfolded it, her mother''s familiar handwriting scrawled across the page.


    "I realized how stressed you were from cooking and decided not to disturb you, my little angel. I don''t have a phone, so I couldn''t send you a message. I''m going out to get some fresh air and pick up ingredients to make the family''s favorite dinner. I think I took Axel''s wallet by mistake."


    A wave of relief washed over Annie, and she let out a shaky breath, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.


    "Thank God¡­ I thought¡­" she whispered. But her relief was short-lived. As she lowered the note, her smile faltered, reced by a grimace of pain.


    "Damn!" she gasped, clutching her stomach, her body trembling as she struggled to keep herposure.


    From the shadows, a figure began to form¡ªa nebulous, smoke-like entity that materialized beside her. Cell, the guardian Axel had left behind, hovered in the air, his presence unsettling yet strangelyforting.


    "This is a painful process, Master''s sister. Are you sure you want me to continue?" Cell''s voice was a low, gravelly hum, full of doubt and concern.


    Annie nodded, beads of sweat dotting her forehead as she forced herself to breathe through the pain. "D¡ªdon''t stop¡­ You will keep evolving the baby to stay in my womb, keep evolving my gut to remain unchanged, and make sure the child grows faster." Her voice trembled, but her determination was clear. "You, Cell, are my only hope."


    Cell hesitated, his form flickering as he pondered her words. He had been tasked with protecting Annie, but what she had asked of him was far beyond anything he had expected. Evolving the baby inside her, altering her body to hide the pregnancy¡ªit was dangerous, far too risky.


    But Annie''s resolve was unshakable, and despite his misgivings, Cell could not refuse her.


    "I''ll help you," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "But exining this to Master Axel¡­ that will be your responsibility, Master''s sister."


    With that, he vanished back into the shadows, leaving Annie to her agony. She gasped for air, her body wracked with pain as the unnatural process continued, but after a few moments, she regained control. Her face smoothed out, herposure returning. She exhaled softly, her hand resting on her stomach as she prayed, not just for herself, but for Axel and the others.


    *** Discover more content at m,v l''e-NovelBin


    Back at the execution tform, chaos reigned.


    Another S-rank Metorion fell to the ground, his body convulsing violently before copsing in a heap. His neck, twisted at an unnatural angle, dried out like parchment as the moisture was drained from his flesh. His once-powerful form was now a shriveled husk. Dead.


    Axel stood over the body, his hands in his pockets, watching with cold detachment as the remaining S-ranks looked on in terror. Five had fallen already, each one sumbing to the same grotesque fate. Panic was spreading through the ranks, the air thick with fear.


    Not all of them were Metorions, but a significant number were, and those who were unaffected stood frozen, unsure of what to do.


    Trisha, standing nearby, was awestruck. She had known this was part of the n, but seeing it unfold was something else entirely. Axel and Loki had orchestrated this perfectly, using the disruption to dismantle the enemy from within. With each Metorion that fell, their chances of stopping Hendricks grew stronger.


    Hendricks, however, was far from defeated. His eyes bulged as he realized the scope of the trap. "So, this was your n all along¡­" he muttered under his breath, his face contorting with rage.


    Axel''s voice was calm, almost mocking. "Alcohol affects the brain by slowing downmunication between cells, impairing judgment, coordination, reaction time¡­ all those vital things you parasites rely on." He shed a wicked smile. "Since your kind dominate and transform the brain, a simple disruption in your brainwaves causes a catastrophic failure. In short, you self-destruct."


    The room buzzed with whispers, shocked gasps spreading through the crowd like wildfire. Board members, civilians, and S-ranks alike were horrified as they realized the truth. Hendricks¡ªthe man they trusted¡ªwas a Metorion. And now, his carefully crafted facade was crumbling before their eyes.


    But Hendricks wasn''t finished yet.


    With a swift, brutal motion, he lunged forward, his mouth distending grotesquely as he bit down on the head of a nearby board representative. In an instant, he tore the man''s head from his shoulders, blood spraying across the room as the body crumpled to the floor.


    A collective gasp echoed through the chamber as Hendricks retracted his jaw, his mouth snapping back to its normal size. The sickening trail of blood dripping from his lips was the only clue to his monstrous act.


    Silence.


    The board members stared, wide-eyed, too stunned to react. The remaining S-ranks shifted nervously, unsure of what to do next.


    Hendricks wiped the blood from his mouth with a smirk. "You are smart, giving everyone alcohol would stop me from transferring  into another host, however this little flesh will keep me alive for a while?" Hendricks scanned the entire tform until his eyes reached Seo and this brooded a smile across his lips, "Clever exposing me this way, but all you''ve done is elerate my ns."


    Axel''s eyes narrowed. ns?


    Before he could act, Hendricks pulled a dark cube from his pocket. The room erupted into chaos as everyone recognized the device.


    A portal cube.


    "He''s going to open a portal!" Vicky shouted, leaping from his seat. Axel, Loki, Trisha, and Wukong followed suit, sprinting towards Hendricks in a desperate attempt to stop him.


    But they were toote.


    Hendricks activated the cube, and with a sh of dark energy, the air around them crackled and shimmered. The ground shook violently as the portal began to open, a swirling vortex of ckness tearing through the fabric of reality.


    Hendricks'' voice boomed over the chaos, his face twisted with insane glee. "Behold! The end of your world¡­ the perfect CELL!"

 Chapter 93 The Metorion Cell! End of the World...

    Mass release In honour to the support {6/10}


    Axel and the others stood frozen on the tform, their eyes wide with disbelief as the massive dark portal swirled into existence before them. Its sheer size and ominous energy were unlike anything they had ever encountered. This was no ordinary portal, nothing like the ones the Fateks used to travel between dimensions.


    Instead, it had the same eerie energy that Trisha had once wielded when she teleported them back to Earth after their abduction. Now, it felt like something much worse was about to step through.


    Axel swallowed, only to realize his throat was dry, devoid of any moisture. His heart pounded in his chest as his instincts screamed at him to stay alert, to prepare for whatever wasing. Around him, the hunters stood equally tense, their weapons at the ready but held cautiously, unwilling to charge blindly into a situation they didn''t fully understand. They knew better than to attack recklessly.


    "Whatever you''re nning, Hendricks, I urge you to stop now," Wukong''s voice cut through the tense air. His gaze flickered to the group, noting the absence of other Metorion hunters. Aside from Trisha, only two S-rank hunters remained to face whatever came from the portal. If an army came through, they wouldn''t stand a chance.


    "Do you really think unleashing an army of Fateks will be enough to conquer Kyota, much less the world?"


    Axel yawned, but it wasn''t from exhaustion¡ªit was a sign of his deep irritation. He strolled up beside Wukong and patted him on the shoulder, his voice casual yetced with a sharp edge. "Don''t waste your breath trying to reason with him, Wukong. You can''t have a rational conversation with an earthworm."


    With a flicker of his eye, Axel activated one of his newer abilities, **Eyes of Senses**. A translucent screen hovered before him, revealing Hendricks'' information.


    **Name: Hendricks Max


    Abilities: Mind Control...Unknown**


    Axel''s eyes narrowed. Something wasn''t right. "Wukong, Vicky," he called out, his voice suddenly grim. "Please, take a step back. Let my team handle this." There was an underlying urgency in his tone.


    Vicky, however, wasn''t convinced. His face twisted with barely restrained fury. "Why should I listen to you?" he spat, his distrust palpable. To him, Axel was still a criminal¡ªa former associate of Dawning Blood, the infamous group that had terrorized their world. His eyes burned with disdain, unwilling to follow the lead of someone he saw as tainted.


    Axel met Vicky''s furious gaze head-on, his own expression hardening. "Because I can''t afford to lose you, Vicky. If you and Wukong die here, Kyota will be thrown into chaos. No matter how strong the president is, you two are the foundation of this city''s order. If you fall, Kyota falls with you."


    Vicky clenched his jaw, his anger flickering, but Axel''s words carried a truth too significant to ignore. After a long, tense moment, he finally relented. "I''ll listen, for now. Only because Wukong trusts you."


    That was enough for Axel. He gave a short nod, relieved that they wouldn''t be losing two of their strongest warriors in a reckless fight. "Good. Now get the S-ranks out of here. We''ll handle whateveres through that portal. But if we fail..." He hesitated, knowing the weight of his words.


    "Kyota has to be ready."


    Wukong and Vicky wasted no more time. They turned and began convincing the remaining S-rank hunters to leave, but it was no easy task. The S-ranks were warriors, after all¡ªprideful and determined to fight. It took a mix of stern words and logic before they reluctantly agreed to retreat with their superiors.


    As they filed out, the civilians and lower-ranked hunters who had been frozen in shock also began to flee, sensing the gravity of the situation.


    The once-crowded tform was now almost empty, and Axel felt a small sense of relief. Fewer lives at risk. But his focus snapped back to the portal, which continued to swellrger by the second.


    "So, what now, boss?" Loki asked, his voice tinged with a dark edge. "Do we wait for them to y their hand or do we strike now and shut that portal before moree through?"


    Axel''s eyes glinted as he considered the options. Rushing in headlong might stop Hendricks, but it would also mean closing the portal prematurely, not knowing what else might still be on the other side. His **Eye of Senses** had revealed that the portal wasn''t designed for an entire army¡ªit could only allow a few high-ranking individuals through at a time.


    That made the situation both more manageable and more dangerous.


    "We wait," Axel said, his voice steady. "If we close the portal now, Hendricks will escape and we won''t know who his allies are. But if we hold back long enough, we can take them all out in one fell swoop."


    Trisha nodded beside him. "That''s the n. Finish them off here and now. No more second chances for these bastards."


    As if on cue, Hendricks dropped his arms, and the portal stabilized. A heavy silence fell over the tform as two figures began to emerge from the dark vortex. The first was a grotesque Fatek with two heads, each snarling with jagged teeth, its hulking frame covered in thick, armored skin.


    The second figure was far more unsettling¡ªa humanoid with no face, only a gaping mouth where eyes should have been. Its bald head and muscr, shirtless torso made it look like something out of a nightmare. A long, whip-like tail flicked behind it, sending chills down Axel''s spine. It looked... iplete. Like a twisted version of something far more powerful.


    Loki''s face twisted in disgust. "That thing... It looks like a failed science experiment."


    But it wasn''t just the creatures that caught Axel''s attention. The faceless humanoid held something¡ªor someone. A beaten, bloodied woman hung limply from its grasp, her clothes torn and stained with dirt and blood. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she struggled weakly against the creature''s hold.


    Axel''s heart stopped. His blood ran cold as Hendricks pointedzily at the woman. "Oh, look. Here she is," Hendricks sneered. "Bridget Teras¡ªyour mother."


    Time seemed to freeze. Axel''s mind went nk, his vision narrowing until all he could see was his mother, hanging helplessly in the monster''s grip. His muscles tensed, rage bubbling up from the depths of his soul, threatening to consume him.


    "You just crossed the line," Axel growled, his voice barely above a whisper, but the malice in his tone was unmistakable. Dark, swirling fumes of energy began to ooze from his body, his aura growing more intense by the second. With a flick of his wrist, his sword materialized in his hand, its de gleaming menacingly under the harsh lights of the tform.


    Hendricks didn''t flinch. He met Axel''s murderous gaze with a smirk, tapping his temple with two fingers. "You think this is about Kyota? About conquest? How shortsighted." His voice dripped with disdain. "The Metorion Cell is only the beginning¡ªa mere prototype.


    Half-god, half-Metorion... but with you, Axel, your corpse will give me what I truly need: the Infinite Gods System."


    Axel''s eyes widened as the full weight of Hendricks'' n became clear. This wasn''t just about control or domination¡ªthis was about something far more sinister. A weapon, a power beyond anything he could have imagined. Hendricks wanted to use his death to unlock the full potential of something unimaginable.


    But Axel didn''t care about that. All that mattered was the woman hanging in the faceless creature''s grasp¡ªhis mother. And for that, Hendricks was already a dead man.

 Chapter 94 Metorion Cell

    Mass release In honour to the support {7/10}


    *A Day Ago...*


    Sekhmet stood still, sober for the first time in what felt like years. His usual bravado had dissipated, reced by a deep, chilling fear¡ªa fear not for his life, but for something far worse. The candidate had faced death countless times, but this... this was different. His breath hitched as his gaze locked onto the piercing, pitch-ck irises of the man before him.


    They weren''t the eyes of an ordinary murderer¡ªthey held something darker. In those void-like eyes, Sekhmet saw it.


    "Fate."


    It wasn''t just Sekhmet who was frozen in terror; the entire room hade to a standstill. The Fatek boss, the other two lieutenants, even the air itself seemed to thicken with dread, pressing down on them like an invisible hand. But why? What was this force that made even the fiercest warriors tremble?


    "Is this... mind control?" Sekhmet snarled through gritted teeth, trying with all his strength to move. "No... it''s too strong. Too unnatural." He couldn''t lift a finger, couldn''t twitch a muscle. The only thing that moved was his mouth, but even that felt like a struggle.


    Hendricks, the orchestrator of this madness, calmly reached out and ran his fingers through Sekhmet''s hair, as if savoring the moment. "You see," Hendricks whispered, his voice soft but dripping with malice, "I''ve already taken control of the Mother Cell. Soon, I''ll feed you to her. Your cells will be her nourishment, and from them, I will create a god¡ªone bound to me. A ve for eternity."


    He pointed toward Captain Rowin, who stood immobilized, his eyes wide with helpless fury. "All of you... every single one of you are just puppets in my grand y. My dream is to be a true god¡ªruler of all races, all beings, and every soul in this universe. And it begins with you, Sekhmet. I''ll kill a candidate today, and then, I''ll hunt the system itself."


    ---


    **Now**


    Axel charged toward Metorion Cell, his sword¡ªthe *Rage of Hell*¡ªgripped tightly in his hand. His heart pounded, but his resolve remained unshaken. As he swung his sword with all his might at Metorion Cell''s throat, the creature reacted with incredible speed, jerking its head back just in time. A split secondter, its tailshed out with deadly precision.


    [Deceased Touch activated.]


    Axel''s instincts kicked in. Instead of dodging, he grabbed onto the tail, holding it with all his strength, hoping his ability would start decaying the creature''s flesh. For a moment, the tail did seem to wither, but to his shock, the decay stopped abruptly, and the flesh began to heal almost instantly.


    ''What the...?'' Axel''s eyes widened in disbelief. His skills were useless¡ªthis thing wasn''t just strong, it was evolving before his very eyes. The realization hit him like a wave of cold water. He barely had time to process this when Metorion Cell''s fist came crashing toward his face.


    Axel twisted his body at thest second, narrowly avoiding the blow by an inch. ''His evolution is on another level,'' Axel thought, his mind racing. ''My normal abilities won''t work on him... I''ll have to rely on my sword.''


    With renewed determination, Axel swung his sword upward, aiming for Metorion Cell''s face. But the creature didn''t even bother to dodge. Instead, it opened its maw and bit down hard on the de, shattering it with a sickening snap.


    "Damn it!" Axel cursed under his breath as the broken pieces of his sword ttered to the ground. Before he could react, the ground beneath him split open, revealing a white spike that shot upward, impaling him in the gut. Axel gasped, expecting the searing pain of a fatal wound, but instead, the spike dissolved into thin air the moment it touched his flesh.


    No blood. No injury. Nothing.


    Axel''s mind reeled. ''What kind of attack was that?'' His eyes locked onto Metorion Cell, who was grinning with sadistic amusement. The creature''s smirk sent a chill down his spine.


    "I see..." Metorion Cell''s voice dripped with mockery. "That''s how you use your abilities, isn''t it?"


    Axel''s blood ran cold as the creature''s words sank in. *He used his ability to learn all of my skills...*


    Axel dropped the remnants of his sword and clenched his fists. This battle was going to be far more difficult than he had anticipated.


    "Before we really start," Metorion Cell said, his voice casual as he waved his hand. His mother, the Mother Cell, was suspended mid-air behind him, floating like a grotesque specter. With a flick of his wrist, she drifted to the side, hovering near the wall. "Holding her here will only dy your death."


    Axel''s stomach churned. *He''s so confident that he doesn''t even need to hold his hostage anymore. He''s toying with me...*


    Metorion Cell''s eyes gleamed. "Now... let''s begin." He lunged forward, thrusting his elbow toward Axel''s face with blinding speed.


    Axel leaped to the side, barely avoiding the strike, but the ground shattered beneath him as the sheer force of the blow sent debris flying. Without missing a beat, Axel retaliated, delivering a fierce punch to Cell''s face. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, shattering the floor beneath them and sending grit flying in all directions.


    Cell''s head jerked slightly, and his face tore open, revealing a gruesome view of his skull. But before Axel could press the advantage, Cell''s flesh mended in an instant, as if the injury had never urred. A guttural growl escaped Cell''s throat as he mmed his fist into Axel''s gut, sending him stumbling backward.


    Axel doubled over, clutching his abdomen, but before he could recover, Cell was already upon him. With a flick of his wrist, Cell materialized a sword from the very air, its de gleaming ominously. He brought it down with terrifying force, aiming for Axel''s head.


    Axel dodged at thest second, but the sword still grazed his side, tearing deep into his flesh. "AHHH!" Axel cried out in pain as he fell to the ground, his vision swimming.


    "You''re weak," Cell sneered, dismissing the sword as it dissolved into nothingness. He turned away from Axel, his gaze shifting toward the other two battling the Fatek Boss with all their might. Cell took a step forward, intending to join the fray and end the fight, but suddenly...


    *Grab!*


    Cell froze. A massive hand had gripped his shoulder, the pressure overwhelming. His eyes darted down, then to Axel, whoy limp on the floor. He was... dead, wasn''t he?


    No.


    Axel stood before him, perfectly fine. His eyes burned with an unearthly intensity. Read new adventures at mvl


    "How?" Cell stammered, panic creeping into his voice despite his efforts to remainposed. "How are you in two ces at once?"


    Axel stepped closer, his voice a low, dangerous whisper. "You consumed a god and now you think you *are* one? How pathetic."


    Cell snarled in fury, spinning around to unleash a deadly beam of ck energy from his maw. The energy crackled with malevolent power, sizzling as it streaked toward Axel.


    [Avoid this! A single touch will destroy your soul and flesh.]


    Axel heard the system''s warning, but ignored it. With a calm confidence, he pointed his index finger at Cell. Dark purple energy surged around his hand, forming into a massive bolt of lightning that collided with Cell''s beam. The two energies shed violently, canceling each other out in an explosion of flickering light and vapor.


    "I was born to be a god," Axel mused, the lightning crackling more intensely around his body. "And now, I finally have the power to prove it."


    [Zeus Binding Sessful.]

 Chapter 95 Another Binding

    Mass release In honour to the support {8/10} Continue reading on mvl


    Cell''s eyes widened, his pupils narrowing as the blinding speed of his opponent became a blur. Axel''s sneakered foot connected with his face in a crushing impact, sending him airborne like a rag doll. His body twisted violently through the air before crashing onto the stone floor with a thunderous *thud*. The sheer force of the blow made the ground shudder beneath him.


    For a moment, Celly there, a groan escaping his lips as he struggled to focus. His vision swam, but his instincts screamed at him to move. He blinked rapidly, forcing his eyes to adjust, and through the haze of pain, he saw something terrifying¡ªbolts of lightning streaking from the ceiling, descending toward him like the wrath of the heavens.


    Reacting quickly, Cell raised his hands, and the air around him thickened, condensing into a dome of pure energy. The dome shimmered with a dense, translucent aura, encasing him entirely. Lightning smashed into the barrier, crackling violently across its surface, but the dome held firm. For now.


    He scrambled to his feet just as Axel came barreling toward him, his entire form wrapped in a crackling aura of electricity. Each step Axel took seemed to ignite the ground, his speed increasing with every second, his body seemingly drawing power from the very air around him.


    Axel''s fist shot forward with a speed that nearly defiedprehension, aiming straight for Cell''s skull. With a panicked grunt, Cell jerked his head to the side, barely dodging the strike. The wind from the punch brushed his cheek, like a gust from a passing train. His breath hitched¡ª*he was getting faster*.


    Axel''s attacks became relentless, raining down with an intensity that bordered on insanity. Each punch, each kick, seemed to grow stronger, faster, as though Axel was evolving mid-fight, tapping into a well of power that knew no bounds.


    But Cell wasn''t finished yet.


    With a snarl, Cell ducked under another devastating swing and retaliated. His right fist grew impossiblyrge, swelling to three times its size, the muscles in his arm bulging grotesquely as he mmed it down like a sledgehammer. The impact shook the floor, sending cracks racing outward like spiderwebs.


    The ground erupted, and from the fissures, three stone statues emerged¡ªmassive, human-shaped figures with glowing, hollow eyes. Without hesitation, they lunged at Axel, their rocky limbs swinging with deadly intent.


    Axel''s lips curled into a savage grin. He didn''t flinch.


    In one swift motion, he raised his hand, his fingertips crackling with energy, and sliced through the head of the nearest statue like it was made of butter. The decapitated figure crumbled instantly, turning to rubble at his feet. The second statue charged, but Axel grabbed it by the arm and *ripped* it apart with a sickening crunch, tossing its dismembered body aside.


    The third came at him from behind, but before it couldnd a blow, Axel sent a bolt of lightning through its chest, shattering it to dust.


    He stood there, chest heaving, but feeling stronger¡ªinvincible. Every passing moment, every punch, every step, he felt himself bing more than human. His blood roared in his ears, his muscles thrumming with raw power.


    But Cell wasn''t finished. Far from it.


    The statues had been a distraction. A decoy.


    Cell''s hands were raised, both palms facing forward, and between them, a dark orb of energy swirled¡ªgrowingrger by the second, radiating a malevolent force that made the air around them hum with tension. The orb crackled with the intensity of a dying star, its surface rippling with chaotic, swirling shadows.


    "This... is your end!" Cell snarled, his eyes wide with madness. "This attack will scar your soul and flesh alike! It will erase you from existence, you arrogant fool!"


    The orb shot forward, tearing through the air like a bullet, leaving a trail of dark energy in its wake.


    Axel stood his ground, ready to counter, but something was wrong. He felt it immediately. The air around him had thickened¡ªbe dense, like invisible walls pressing down on him from all sides. His limbs felt heavy, his movements sluggish.


    Cell was binding him in ce, ensuring there would be no escape.


    Axel''s eyes flicked up to the iing orb. There was no time to dodge.


    But he didn''t need to.


    The dark orb passed right through Axel''s body, not making contact. No explosion. No collision. The orb continued its destructive path, mming into the far wall and obliterating it, turning stone to dust in an instant.


    Cell''s triumphant expression faltered. His eyes darted around the room in confusion.


    "What? Where did he go?" His voice trembled with disbelief. "He can''t be that fast¡ª"


    A searing light shed behind him.


    He spun around, swinging his massive arms out, hoping to catch Axel, but he grabbed only empty air. Panic set in. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound deafening in his ears.


    "You''ve entered my nightmare."


    Axel''s voice echoed from all directions, sending a chill down Cell''s spine. Suddenly, the world around him shifted. The ground beneath his feet vanished, and the darkness swallowed him whole. Cell was no longer in the execution tform. He was... somewhere else.


    A deep, inescapable shadow surrounded him, suffocating him, pressing in from all sides. It was a darkness unlike anything he had ever experienced. It crawled under his skin, into his mind. Fear gripped him¡ªirrational, uncontroble fear. He saw things he never feared before, nightmares creeping into his thoughts, twisting his reality into something grotesque.


    Even his own body terrified him.


    This was the shadow of death.


    "The god Hades is known for haunting the nightmares of the dead," Axel''s voice resonated through the darkness. "That''s why I''ve chosen to kill you in his way."


    Suddenly, the darkness dissipated, and Cell found himself submerged in water. But not just any water¡ªan ocean of shadow, ck and endless. He couldn''t tell which way was up or down. The water clung to him, searing his skin like acid. Every breath he took felt like fire in his lungs.


    His scream echoed through the abyss.


    "AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"


    No matter how he thrashed, no matter how he tried to adapt, the water found new ways to hurt him. It burned, twisted, and scourged his body with every second, evolving alongside his resistance, feeding off his suffering. This was no ordinary ce.


    "This..." Axel''s voice echoed again, calm and authoritative. "This is the River Styx. A ce where the gods'' hatred has simmered for eons."


    Cell''s gaze shot upwards, and there, floating above the cursed waters, was Axel, untouched by the torment. His eyes glowed with a serene, yet terrifying light.


    "I realized I couldn''t kill you outright," Axel said, his voice tinged with something darker, more sinister. "So why not condemn you to eternal suffering? No escape. No relief. Wee to your eternity, Cell... or should I say..."


    Axel''s grin widened, as Cell''s eyes widened in recognition.


    "...Rowin."

 Chapter 96 Discussion Between Two Friends

    Mass release In honour to the support {9/10}


    Cell, now recognizing the inescapable nature of his torment, let out a groan of agony. His voice cracked as he struggled through the pain, "How... unfortunate. We battled like gods, but in the end, you still overwhelmed me. Even in this aspect, I was no match."


    Axel''s lips curled into a grim smile, his tone cold yet somehow regretful. "You were right about one thing, though. We are alike in some twisted, iprehensible way."


    Rowin shook his head, his breathingbored as he clung to his fading strength. "No, we''re not. You... You''re better than me in every way. A better version... greater, worthy of your name.


    I thought I could surpass you, but you were always out of reach. I guess¡ª" He coughed, his voice faltering. "I got jealous."


    The once-proud warrior seemed small and defeated, his body limp in the merciless current of the Styx. "The Metorion in me... she''s special. Not just in control but... we both wanted the same thing. To transcend.


    To be gods. Isn''t that what everyone wants? It''s a basic human desire... control. We all crave it, over something, anything. Peace, war, wealth¡ªit''s all control.


    That''s what makes us human, Axel. And for some of us... it makes us dream of godhood."


    Axel''s jaw tightened. His eyes narrowed as the currents of the Styx reflected in their depths. "You''re wrong. Wanting something doesn''t make you a god. It makes you human. But your greed...


    that''s what blinded you. You fed into it, let it consume you until you had nothing left but a hollow desire for more. You gave up on everything else."


    Rowin chuckled bitterly, a pained grin stretching across his lips. "Easy for you to say. You... you were born with everything. Power. Legacy.


    Bound to a god. Look at you now, all high and mighty. I wanted a taste of what you have. You think I care about the people I killed? The destruction? Please.


    That so-called mother of yours¡ª" His grin twisted into something cruel. "I ate one of her ears."


    The mockery was short-lived.


    Axel moved faster than Rowin''s eyes could register, his hand wrapping tightly around Rowin''s throat. The grip was iron, the pressure unbearable. Rowin gagged, choking as his airway was crushed under Axel''s furious hand.


    "I''ll make you regret that," Axel''s voice was low and dangerous, the sound of a predator just before it strikes. "I was going to leave you here, but now... you''ll suffer like Prometheus."


    With a swift motion, Axel released Rowin, who gasped for breath, but his reprieve was short-lived. Out of nowhere, enormous chains erupted from the darkness, coiling around Rowin''s limbs like vipers. He was yanked backward and bound to a massive boulder that floated ominously in the river.


    Rowin''s mind raced in panic as the boulder tightened its grip on him. His body was pressed against the cold, hard rock, and the chains dug into his flesh, cutting off his movementpletely. "What¡ªwhat is this?" he croaked, fear creeping into his voice for the first time.


    Axel''s gaze was emotionless as he spoke, "Prometheus stole fire from the gods and was punished. Every day, an eagle ate his liver, and every night, it grew back, keeping him trapped in endless torment. You''re not so different, Rowin. You sought to steal power, thinking you could defy what was beyond you. But instead of an eagle..."


    From the depths of the river, shadows began to swirl and form, rising like wraiths from the abyss. Dozens, no, hundreds of gnarled, rotting hands reached up, their nails sharp as des. These were the souls of the damned, trapped in an eternity of pain. Their jaws opened wide, revealing jagged, decayed teeth as they swarmed toward Rowin.


    "No..." Rowin''s voice quivered with terror as the first set of teeth sunk into his flesh. Then another. And another.


    The pain was immediate and all-consuming. Rowin screamed, the sound primal and raw as the souls tore at his body. His skin shredded under their relentless assault, and just as one part was devoured, it regenerated, only for the agony to begin anew.


    Axel watched, unmoved by Rowin''s pleas for mercy, which soon dissolved into incoherent shrieks of torment. "This is just the beginning," Axel said quietly. "These souls are the hatred of the gods, and now... they are yours to endure for eternity."


    With one final nce, Axel turned his back on Rowin, ignoring the screams that echoed endlessly through the Styx.


    "Don''t take it personally," Axel muttered as he faded into the shadows, his voice barely a whisper against the roar of Rowin''s agony. "This was just a friendly discussion between two friends."


    ***


    "Hey... oaf!" Loki''s voice crackled weakly through thems, his breathing ragged and uneven. Blood pooled around him as he clutched his side, the pain searing through his body from the impaled wound in his gut.


    The battle had been brutal. The Fatek had been no ordinary enemy, and despite their S-rank strength, the toll had been immense. Loki''s vision blurred, his grip on consciousness slipping as blood loss began to take its toll.


    {What''s wrong, idiot?}


    "You''rete..." Loki wheezed, his hand trembling as he pressed down harder on the wound. Trisha loomed above him, her aura a terrifying blue that seemed to shimmer with raw power. Her expression was nk, her eyes devoid of any humanity. "I''m going to die soon."


    He gulped as Trisha raised her hand, energy crackling around her fingertips. The blood-soaked ground beneath him seemed to throb in time with his heartbeat, and his chances of survival dwindled with every second.


    {Don''t die yet.}


    "Easy... for you to say," Loki muttered, his breath hitching as he forced himself to remain conscious. "I''m a matter of seconds... I might just end up being dead."


    ***Author''s note***


    Almost done with the Mass Release. I got no features. Painfully looking at how my books growth has fallen a lot. Please support me.


    Without your support my book will keep on falling and it''s really painful for an author to work hard on a chapter for almost an hour and plot the entire volume and still in the end gain nothing. Please support me.


    I''llment Character Pics here:


    Image one


    Image two

 Chapter 97 I Came... Just Call Me Th—

    Mass release In honour to the support {10/10}


    ---


    **Chapter 97: I Came... Just Call Me Th¡ª**


    Now, this is crazy¡­


    How did it end up being this? I don''t know. But I guess I''ll be checking this off my bucket list, then.


    Axel''s hand tightened around Trisha''s waist, her frantic struggles almost futile in his iron grip. She thrashed, trying to free herself, but Axel''s lips were already on hers, sealing her resistance in that moment of forced intimacy.


    The kiss was sudden, sharp, and wholly unwanted.


    ''I''ve be a forceful man,'' Axel thought, the realization sending a wave of unease through him. But this wasn''t his doing.


    He was here to break the control¡ªnot to make a move like this.


    **Earlier¡­**


    Loki''s second mirage vanished into thin air, and before he could react, Trisha closed the distance between them, grabbing him by the cor. Her strength was terrifying¡ªlike she was tearing him apart with every touch. She mmed him into the ground again, a harsh, unforgiving *thud* that rattled his bones.


    "Tsk!" Loki hissed in pain, spitting blood as he tried to conjure another mirage. But it was useless¡ªshe saw through every trick, her eyes likesers tracking his every move.


    Trisha wasn''t just a skilled hunter; she was an unstoppable force. And without his illusions, Loki knew he didn''t stand a chance against her. The n had been simple¡ªHera and Roman were supposed to ce a recalibrated speaker beneath the field. It would disrupt Hendricks'' mind control ability, giving them the upper hand.


    But as Loki listened to the frantic chatter over thems, it was clear they were far from ready. A slight miscalction.


    A mistake that could cost him his life.


    "Shit!" Loki cursed under his breath, his body trembling as the weight of Trisha''s gravity maniption crushed down on him. The air grew heavy, thick, and suffocating, like the weight of a thousand tons pressing on his chest. He groaned in agony, his gut twisting under the intense pressure.


    She was trying to kill him. Slowly. Methodically.


    "Where the hell are you, big oaf?!" Loki screamed, his voice breaking from the sheer force of the gravity squeezing his ribs. This call wasn''t for Hera''s team¡ªit was for someone else.


    And almost on cue, the sky above crackled with a violent roar. A streak of lightning pierced through the roof of the stadium, mming into the ground like a divine hammer.


    Trisha leapt back just in time, narrowly avoiding the deadly bolt. Dust and debris exploded from the impact, forming a smoldering crater at Loki''s feet.


    "Damn it, did you have to make such an entrance?" Loki groaned, struggling to sit up as the gravity pressure lifted. His body felt like a crumpled piece of paper, but he still forced himself to take in the sight of his savior.


    There, in the center of the storm, stood a figure d in a hooded sweater and track pants, his grip firm around the handle of a massive, intricately carved hammer that buzzed with raw energy.


    The figure''s intense eyes locked onto Loki. "Just call me Thor," he said coolly. "And I''m not a big oaf."


    Thor''s gaze shifted to Trisha, who staggered forward like a puppet on strings, her movements jerky, almost zombie-like. Every step she took made the air around them tremble with her gravity maniption.


    Thor could feel it pushing against his skin, but he wasn''t fazed. He was an S-rank, invincible in the face of death itself.


    "What''s the story here?" Thor asked, his voice low, betraying none of the chaos around them. Loki almostughed¡ªit was odd seeing Thor soposed, almost... restrained.


    "Well, oaf," Loki began, catching his breath. "Hendricks is an alien parasite. He''s controlling Trisha to protect him. We need to take him down, but she''s the real problem."


    Thor''s eyes flickered to Hendricks, who was slumped in the shadows behind Trisha. Pale, exhausted¡ªhis power clearly draining fast. He wasn''t a threat. Not anymore. But Trisha¡­ she was still under his influence, and her powers only grew deadlier the closer they got.


    Even Thor couldn''t afford to fight her head-on.


    "Got it," Thor said simply, raising his hammer high. "Mj?lnir, go!"


    With a thunderous yell, Thor hurled the hammer toward Trisha, its path elerating with terrifying speed. It was a blow meant to shatter bones.


    But in a sh, Trisha sidestepped and caught the hammer mid-air, her grip tightening on the handle as if it weighed nothing at all.


    Loki''s jaw dropped. "What the hell? Why didn''t you reset that stupid weapon? She''s worthy!"


    Thor didn''t flinch, though his voice was edged with frustration. "Mj?lnir,e back."


    Nothing happened. The hammer remained in Trisha''s grasp, motionless.


    "Are you kidding me?" Loki groaned, forcing himself to stand despite the aching in his body. "You really expect me to go after Hendricks with her still standing? She''ll crush me!"


    Thor nced at him, his eyes hard. "If she catches you off guard, I don''t want to lose another family member."


    The words hit Loki like a punch to the gut. They stung more than the gravity crushing him moments ago.


    Before Loki could respond, Trisha readied her next attack, the ground beneath her feet trembling as she summoned another wave of crushing force. But something was wrong¡ªher movements were slower now, sluggish. She was fighting it. The mind control.


    This was their chance. They needed a trigger. Something to snap her out of it.


    Just then, a voice crackled in Loki''s ear. {Loki, the machine won''t work. We''ve been sabotaged.}


    Loki grit his teeth, responding swiftly, "I''ve got onest trick up my sleeve. Don''t worry¡ªit''ll work."


    As Trisha pulled her arm back to hurl the hammer at them, something shifted in the air. Axel appeared out of nowhere, standing between her and the attack, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist. His lips crashed against hers in a forceful kiss, and the world seemed to freeze.


    ''What... What is this? How did I end up here? I was in the corner of the room, and now I''m kissing Trisha?''


    His mind raced, cheeks flushing red as he caught sight of Thor and Loki out of the corner of his eye¡ªboth of them barely containing theirughter.


    Loki''s trickery, no doubt.


    But it worked.


    Trisha froze, her grip on the hammer loosening. It fell to the ground with a loud *thud*. Her hands slowly moved to Axel''s chest, her fingers trembling. Was it an attempt to push him away? Or was it... eptance?


    ***Author''s note***


    More chapters toe

 Chapter 98 Glorious Demise

    Mass release In honour to the support {11/10} extra release


    Hendricks'' heart throbbed wildly, agitated by the failure of his mind control over Trisha. He could scarcely believe the turn the battle had taken, far worse than he could have ever anticipated. The poison coursing through his veins was ravaging his body, burrowing deeper into his system with each passing second. Every breath was aborious effort, every movement a herculean task.


    How had hested this long? It was a miracle.


    But miracles run dry.


    Suddenly, the end of a hammer mmed into the base of his back with a thunderous *THWACK*, the force shattering his spine like brittle ss. The excruciating pain shot up his body like fire, and Hendricks let out a guttural scream. "YAAAHHHK!" The agony rippled through him as he copsed, writhing on the ground. His legs¡­ they were useless now. Paralyzed.


    He could barely move, the venom and the crippling blow rendering him helpless.


    *No! I refuse to die like this!* Hendricks'' mind screamed in defiance. He wed at the ground, dragging himself forward. He was Hendricks¡ªthis old, decrepit body he had possessed was failing him, but he could still escape. He had to. His fingers scraped the floor as he pulled himself forward, leaving a trail of blood behind him.


    Thor, standing tall, recalled his hammer back into his hand with a casual flick of his wrist, as if it were a toy returning to its master. He spun the weapon in his grip, toying with it, smirking down at the squirming form of Hendricks. Loki stood by his side, both brothers a united front of power and cruelty.


    "Run, earthworm!" Thor sneered, his voice mocking. "No matter how you change your appearance, your true nature always shows. You''re nothing more than filth."


    Hendricks cursed inwardly, frustrated beyond measure. His old man''s body, once useful, was now a burden. He even tried to detach himself, to abandon this husk, but the corruption had spread too far. His skin was peeling, cracking, the poison drying it into a shriveled mask that clung to his face.


    "Don''t worry," Loki chimed in, his grin as sharp as his brother''s. "We won''t kill you just yet. We''ve got a friend¡ªJosh Roark, SS-rank hunter. He''ll be thrilled to use you for his little experiments."


    Thor chuckled darkly, tossing his hammer lightly into the air. This time, the weapon didn''te crashing down with full force butnded on Hendricks'' skull with just enough weight to keep him pinned. The pressure was unbearable, far worse than death. Hendricks'' vision blurred, the darkness at the edges closing in.


    He could feel the hammer''s weight crushing him, trapping him like an insect under a boot.


    "Now that we''ve stamped the worm into ce..." Thor''s voice trailed off as he grabbed Loki''s chin, tilting his brother''s head to face a new scene.


    ***


    Axel and Trisha remained frozen, locked in an intense moment, the battle around them a mere whisperpared to what Axel was experiencing. His heart pounded loudly in his chest, his hands still resting on her waist. He didn''t dare move, unsure if Trisha was truly free from Hendricks'' control or if this closeness would be shattered in an instant. But deep down, something else stirred within him.


    Man! He was kissing a girl¡ªa real, live girl.


    His mind was a chaotic swirl of emotions. In his first life, he had never experienced this kind of closeness. To be this near to someone, to feel her warmth against him, her lips soft against his, it was overwhelming. Axel''s heart raced faster as he felt a nudge from his trousers and realized the softness of Trisha''s chest pressed against him. *Oh no... This is...*


    And then it happened. Trisha''s tongue slipped into his mouth.


    Axel''s brain short-circuited. The intensity of the moment was too much for him to handle. His mind was a mess, spinning with thoughts he didn''t know how to process. He jerked back suddenly, breaking the kiss, his cheeks burning hot with embarrassment. He had been closing his eyes this whole time, hadn''t he? The realization hit him like a p.


    Axel turned toward Trisha, her face flushed, her own cheeks tinged with the same red embarrassment. She was timid, her eyes wide with uncertainty.


    "You''re back," Axel mumbled, his voice a whisper as he detached his hands from her waist, his head hung in shame. *Damn it, I feel like I forced myself on her. Stupid, stupid Loki!*


    For a few moments, neither of them spoke. Axel couldn''t bear to look her in the eyes, and every second that passed felt like an eternity of awkwardness. In the distance, Thor and Loki snickered, their taunts barely reaching Axel''s ears, but enough to make him feel like a child caught in apromising position.


    Suddenly, Trisha''s soft hand wrapped around his, pulling him gently from his self-inflicted misery. Her touch was warm,forting. She didn''t seem angry¡ªjust as flustered as he was, but not holding it against him.


    "Let''s go free Seo," she said, her voice soft but firm, her hand still holding his. And just like that, the tension broke. Axel nodded, grateful that she wasn''t upset, and followed her as she led them away.


    The silence between them was heavy but not ufortable. Axel''s mind raced with thoughts of what might happen between them once everything settled down. Would things go back to the way they were? Or had something changed between them? He couldn''t shake the uncertainty.


    They approached Seo, who was standing precariously on a thin tform above the portal, bound in heavy chains. It was a dangerous position, like the nk pirates used to force their prisoners overboard into a sea of waiting sharks. The chains were tight, not only restraining him but draining his energy, shutting off his abilities.


    Seo''s body looked frail, barely able to stand under the weight of his shackles.


    Together, Axel and Trisha worked to break the chains, using their extraordinary strength to tear the metal apart. It took effort, but the bonds finally gave way. As thest of the chains fell, Seo copsed, his body crumpling like a ragdoll. Axel caught him just in time, lowering him gently to the ground.


    "Come on, cheap president," Axel said with a grin. "Let''s get off this nk before one of us takes a dive."


    Seo''s voice was weak, barely a whisper. "Th¡ªthank you." His words were hoarse, his throat dry from the ordeal.


    "Don''t thank me yet. You''ll owe me for this," Axel teased, his smile making Seo crack a faint grin despite his pain. Trisha chuckled softly as well, the tension lifting for a brief moment.


    Finally, it seemed like everything was over.


    Or so they thought.


    *SPLOOSH!*


    The atmosphere changed in an instant. Axel''s ears were filled with a deafening ring, drowning out every other sound around him. He blinked, confused, raising his gaze to Trisha. She was shouting something, her eyes wide in terror, but Axel couldn''t hear her words over the overwhelming ringing.


    His mind was spinning. *What''s happening?*


    A notification appeared before his eyes.


    [You have been stabbed by an Eternal de. Your system has been disabled. You have reverted to human stage.]


    *Stabbed?* Axel''s gaze dropped slowly to his chest, where he saw it¡ªthe sparkling tip of a de, its sharp end embedded deep where his heart was.


    *Fuck... what the fuck...*


    Axel''s mind reeled in shock. He turned his head, his eyes wide, desperate to find the culprit. His heart pounded in his chest, the world around him dimming.


    And then he saw her.


    "Mum?"


    ***Author''s note***


    I''m so exhausted... Building all that suspense up to this moment. THANKS FOR READING. NO ONE IS SUPPORTING ANYMORE. PLEADE SUPPORT.

 Chapter 99 The Plummet

    Mass release In honour to the support {12/10}


    Axel''s breath came in sharp, ragged bursts, his mind spinning wildly as the scene before him yed out in agonizing slow motion. His mother''s hands gripped the end of the de, pushing it deeper into his side. The cold steel pierced through him, a wave of fiery pain following the metal''s path.


    "Mum? Wh¡ªwhy?" Axel gasped, his voice faltering, his vision blurring. His knees buckled as the strength drained from his legs, his body copsing in slow motion toward the ground.


    The ground? No, the ground was nowhere near. Panic red in his chest. His mind raced as realization dawned on him.


    The nk¡ªthe nk was shrinking rapidly, fading into the distance as he plummeted downwards at an rming speed. The harsh, red glow of the portal below grew brighter, more menacing, like the mouth of some monstrous abyss swallowing him whole.


    This was it. He had fallen over the edge, hurtling into *the Plummet*¡ªa portal so feared it was spoken of in whispers. But that wasn''t what burned his thoughts. It was the image of his mother, the loving figure he had cherished, driving the de into him with such cold resolve.


    Why had she stabbed him? Why had she killed him? Discover more stories at mvl


    Axel''s thoughts shattered, unraveling in the chaos. The questions swirled in his mind, but the answers were buried beneath a rising tide of pain and confusion. He could no longer think. His body was shutting down, surrendering to the agonizing wound.


    His eyes flickered, his system glitching before him.


    **[Unable to reactivate system... Please dislodge de from user''s body]**


    The message repeated, shing in error as his life force seeped out of him.


    **[HP 31/200]**


    **[HP 25/200]**


    The numbers dropped with horrifying speed. He was dying.


    The pull of the portal grew stronger, its presence overwhelming. His body tumbled helplessly through the air, gravity pulling him faster toward the swirling vortex of red. This was the end.


    But then¡ª


    **Thud!**


    A bone-jarring impact mmed into Axel''s back, knocking the wind from his lungs. His vision swam, the pain momentarily overshadowed by confusion. Had he fallen through the portal? Had he died?


    No.


    The portal was still there, mere feet away, swirling ominously. But he wasn''t moving toward it anymore. He was... suspended. Hovering in the air, a few meters from the nk where he had fallen.


    How? His body felt weightless, supported by some unseen force. Every ounce of his strength was gone, his limbs refusing to obey his mind''s franticmands. Desperately, Axel turned his gaze upward, struggling to keep his eyelids from closing.


    There¡ªon the tform.


    **Trisha.**


    Bent over the edge of the nk, her hands outstretched, her brow furrowed in concentration. She was holding him up. An invisible force, her power, had caught him in midair, saving him from the portal''s deadly grasp.


    But that wasn''t all. Axel''s sluggish eyes caught another movement¡ªa figure tumbling through the air, descending rapidly.


    A woman.


    His heart stopped. No... it couldn''t be.


    His mother.


    She was falling fast, plummeting right past him, her face frozen in an expression of twisted despair. There was no stopping her. Axel''s mouth opened to scream, but no sound came out. His voice was gone, his body too weak to do anything but watch in helpless horror.


    "Mum... no..." His thoughts screamed silently. He couldn''t move. He couldn''t reach for her. His mind, shattered and disoriented, began to drift toward unconsciousness, his thoughts bing a distant echo.


    His vision faded, the darkness closing in.


    ---


    **"What the fuck!"** Loki''s snarl cut through the air, his voice trembling with rage as he witnessed the horror unfold. He stood frozen for a moment, fists clenched tightly, as Axel''s mother disappeared into the portal. His gaze snapped to the side, locking onto the figure of Hendricks standing nearby, watching with a detached smile, his eyes cold.


    Loki''s blood boiled.


    **"You son of a bitch!"** Loki roared, lunging at Hendricks, his anger erupting like a volcano. He didn''t hold back, his foot mming into Hendricks'' side with brutal force. The sickening sound of bone crunching under his boot sent a twisted satisfaction through Loki''s veins, but it wasn''t enough.


    **"We won! We fucking won, you asshole!"** Loki''s voice cracked with fury as he kicked again, each blow fueled by the sight of Axel and his mother falling into the portal. Hendricks barely reacted, his body slumping under the relentless assault, blood sttering across the ground.


    Loki didn''t stop. He couldn''t stop. His rage consumed him, blinding him to everything else as he stomped down harder and harder, determined to make Hendricks pay.


    But then¡ª


    **"Enough."**


    Thor''s deep voice rumbled as his strong hand mped down on Loki''s shoulder, pulling him back. The weight of Thor''s grip was immovable, a wall of restraint that Loki couldn''t break through.


    **"Get off me!"** Loki snarled, jerking forward, but Thor''s grip only tightened.


    **"Calm yourself, Loki,"** Thor said, his voice steady but stern. **"This isn''t worth it."**


    Loki turned, his eyes burning with fury. **"Not worth it? Not worth it?!"** He spat, his words sharp and venomous. **"He controlled Axel''s mother! He made her kill her own son! They both fell into that fucking portal!


    And you think it''s not worth it?!"**


    Thor remained silent, his expression unreadable, but Loki''s words pierced through him like daggers. He didn''t like feeling¡ªespecially guilt. But this time, he couldn''t shake it.


    **"You disgust me,"** Loki hissed, ring up at Thor. **"You never cared about anyone but yourself."**


    Thor''s jaw tightened, the sting of Loki''s words hitting deeper than he let on. But he didn''t let go. **"I may not be the brother you wanted, Loki,"** Thor replied quietly, **"but killing him won''t change anything."**


    Loki growled, his body trembling with the urge tosh out again. **"If you have a problem with me killing him, then I''ll kill you too,"** he spat, his voice dripping with malice.


    But Thor didn''t flinch. His grip remained firm. **"Listen to me, Loki,"** Thor said softly. **"I didn''t sense any Mana from Hendricks when Axel''s mother acted."**


    Loki''s rage faltered. His breath hitched, his mind struggling to process Thor''s words. **"What are you saying?"**


    Thor let out a slow breath. **"She wasn''t controlled, Loki. She tried to kill Axel... of her own free will."**


    The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Loki stumbled back, his fury draining away, reced by a hollow pit of disbelief.


    **"No... that can''t be..."** Loki whispered, his voice breaking. **"Why... why would she...?"**


    Thor''s eyes darkened, a distant memory flickering in his mind. **"I don''t know, Loki. Some things... you just can''t exin. That''s how cruel this world is."**


    The weight of Thor''s words crashed down on Loki, his knees giving out as he copsed to the ground. The grief, the pain, the betrayal¡ªit all hit him at once, like a tidal wave that he couldn''t fight.


    Axel''s mother hadn''t been manipted. She had tried to kill her own son, and now they were both gone.


    And there was nothing Loki could do to change it.


    Nothing at all.


    ***


    Final Chapter of the volume Drops Now.

 Chapter 100: Bonus Chapter 100: Fates... A Bigger Plot

    Mass release In honour to the support {13/10}


    Decided I story would fit this chapter best


    Bonus Chapter 100: Fates... A Bigger Plot


    My lids feel dry, like sandpaper scraping against my eyes. Darkness presses in from all sides, thick and suffocating. My life feels like it''se to a stop. Am I dead?


    No... fragments of memory start flooding back. The pain in my chest. The knife.


    *Stabbed.*


    By Mum?


    The confusion coils around me, strangling me. Why would she stab me? There was no mind control. I *felt* it. So why...?


    Could it have been the gods?


    "Wake up, Teras!" A sharp, unfamiliar voice slices through the heavy fog clouding my mind.


    My eyes snap open to... *nothing*. A void of eternal ckness stretches out in all directions, swallowing the world around me. It feels like I''ve transcended beyond life itself. Is this what hell looks like? Empty, endless, cold?


    I sit up slowly, scanning the void for any sign of life, but all I find is an oppressive silence that gnaws at my nerves.


    Then I see them¡ªthree ancient figures sitting by arge pot, bubbling and hissing. The liquid inside¡ªit wasn''t soup, no, it was something far more sinister, dark, and alive. These women, they aren''t normal. They aren''t even human.


    One of them turns her head towards me, her face skeletal, her skin hanging in sagging folds. Only one of them has an eye, the other two just hollow sockets. I feel their gaze piercing through me, even the blind ones, as if they can see straight into my soul. I shiver.


    "So... this is the face of the Candidate?" the one with the eye mutters, her voice cracking like dry leaves. The sound sends chills crawling down my spine, like insects skittering over bare flesh.


    "I would like to see him too," another croons, reaching towards the one with the eye.


    "No, it''s *my* turn," the woman with the eye snaps back, her voice filled with cold greed. "We agreed on a minute each, remember?"


    Thest one lets out a guttural growl, her bony fingers twitching as if ready to w at the others. The tension in the air crackles as they turn on one another, squabbling like vultures over a carcass. The battle over the eye begins, a grotesque tug-of-war that stretches for what feels like an eternity. Time here... it bends, twists, distorts. Every second feels like hours.


    I can almost feel myself aging as I watch, trapped in this nightmare.


    And then it stops. The woman with the eye sighs in frustration, setting the orb down on the seat beside her. "Fine. Let no one use it. We''ll settle for seeing him in ck and white."


    "That''s boring," the other huffs, crossing her arms. "I prefer my quality in HD."


    "Enough bickering," the third one says, straightening up. Her voice echoes with an ancient authority that makes the others fall silent. "We have the Candidate before us."


    Their attention shifts back to me, and I suddenly feel like prey under the gaze of a predator. But I refuse to let them control this conversation. If these are the Fates, then I need answers.


    "You''re the Fates, right?" I ask, forcing my voice to remain steady, though the tremor in my hands betrays my fear.


    All three of them smile at once, a crooked, eerie grin that sends a ripple of unease through my gut. "Clever boy," the one in the middle whispers. "Yes, we are the Fates."


    "Then tell me," I say, my voice growing harsher with desperation. "Why did my mother stab me?"


    I ce a hand over my chest where the knife had pierced, yet I feel no wound. I nce down¡ªI''m naked. Whoever brought me here either forgot my clothes or decided to humiliate me. The Fates'' cackles confirm it¡ªmockery.


    One of them leans forward, her toothless mouth gaping wide. "Why would we tell you that?" she asks, her tone almost mocking. "We are not your personal fortune-tellers, child. We are the architects of time, the weavers of destinies. We do more than speak of the past. We control life and death.


    We are the reason the world exists as it does."


    The words echo through the void, cold and detached, as if they''re reminding me of just how insignificant I truly am. But I''m not interested in their grandeur. I need to know the truth.


    "But why did she stab me?" I repeat, the question burning on my tongue.


    "You..." the one with the missing eye whispers, "made a wish. And that wish broke thews of life and death. There are always consequences, Teras. Nothinges without a price. But your mother''s actions are not why you''re here."


    Her words m into me, each one colder than thest. "Then why am I here?"


    A silence falls between us, heavy and foreboding. The void around me seems to pulse with a dark energy, thickening, as if it''s about to swallow me whole.


    "To be a god," one of the Fates says, her voice low, reverberating with finality. "Like all candidates before you."


    A cold shiver runs down my spine. A god? Me? I''m barely holding onto my humanity, let alone divinity. But before I can speak, she continues.


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    "You''ve released something into your world. The Seven." Her voice is colder now, almost usatory. "The seven gues. The curse that will reduce your universe to ashes."


    My heart thunders in my chest. *The Seven?* What is she talking about? What have I unleashed?


    "Do you truly believe the Fateks are your only problem?" Another one cackles, her voice growing more sinister with each word. "Humans are so foolish, so limited in their vision. You have no idea what lurks beyond the stars. There are races, powers, beasts far greater than anything you''ve encountered. And thanks to your reckless actions, a chain reaction has begun."


    The atmosphere shifts, growing darker and heavier. I feel a suffocating weight press down on me as if the void itself is copsing inward.


    "What kind of reaction?" My voice barely escapes my throat, dread wing at my insides.


    "The Void Walkers have awakened," one of them whispers, her voice thick with malice. "They have begun to stir. And it''s all your doing."


    The darkness around me swirls, twisting like a living entity. I can feel something stirring within it, something ancient, hungry, and malevolent. My mind reels with the gravity of their words. The Void Walkers... I don''t know what they are, but I can feel the terror gnawing at my soul.


    "We only brought you here to warn you," the Fates say in unison, their voices blending into a haunting chorus, "and to congratte you."


    Their smiles widen, grotesque and twisted.


    "You''ve done well, Axel Teras," they hiss, "in sealing the fate of your universe."


    And then, as if the void itself swallows me whole, I''m falling... falling into nothingness, my mind consumed by the knowledge that I''ve unleashed a horror that could destroy everything I hold dear.


    End of the Volume.


    Gift me if you feel up to it.


    (Massage chair, race car, dragon, magic castle, space craft)


    For thest few days I had no support! Feeling depressed Though but I''m still releasing and believing.

 Chapter 101: Vol 3 Chapter 101: Depressed Mage

    Mass release In honour to the support {14/10}


    Vol 3 Chapter 101: Depressed Mage


    Axel''s eyes fluttered open, the remnants of sleep slowly slipping away, revealing the familiarfort of his bed beneath him. A soft warmth pressed against him, and as the haze of sleep lifted, he realized his hand was resting on something warm and soft¡ªTrisha''s waist. Shey close to him, her back nestled against his chest, her breathing slow and steady as she remained deep in slumber.


    His fingers curled slightly, feeling the curve of her waist through the fabric of her pajamas¡ªan outfit he hade to know well, a crop top and light, airy trousers, her favorite for sleeping.


    She slept like a candle, unmoving, her breath shallow and calm, rarely stirred by noise or movement. She loved the warmth of his body, and she often pressed herself closer to him unconsciously in the night, seeking thefort that only his presence seemed to bring. Axel let out a long, quiet sigh, slowly sitting upright in the bed, careful not to disturb her.


    He nced down at himself, dressed in his usual sleepwear¡ªsimple shorts, which had be his default over time. Who needed pajamas when a pair of shorts sufficed? He rubbed a hand through his short, deep red hair, fingers ruffling it as his ever-present gloom settled over his features once again.


    This sadness¡ªit was something he could never quite shake off. The weight of it lingered with him always, like a shadow, a reminder of his past and his loss. His mother''s death had marked him, carving a wound that never seemed to heal fully. It had been months since her passing, and yet the pain remained as fresh as the day it had happened.


    Axel let out another yawn, his thoughts shifting to the present. Today was a significant day. He mused on the fact that it was the annual Binding Day, the day when ten-year-old children across thend had their bindings, the ceremony that would link them to their powers. And for Axel, it was also a day he had been dreading¡ªSeo Jihnyuk had invited him to get tested for his current rank as a hunter.


    It had been nearly a year since thest battle, and despite his growing strength, Axel felt a pang of anxiety at the thought of being tested again. What did it matter? He had done well enough with the temporary B-Rank certificate he had been issued after the fight.


    It allowed him to stay under the radar, to surprise people with feats that exceeded their expectations, to toy with their perceptions of him.


    The benefits of keeping a low profile had been plenty. He''d been able to level up quietly, killing Fateks, without drawing too much attention. But the downsides were equally frustrating. At most gatherings, he was still looked down upon, treated as if he were less capable than the others.


    Even worse, his payment was always low, a fact that stung deeply even though Trisha was the one providing for them both. It was as if the universe was reminding him of his past, of the days when he had worked hard only to receive so little in return.


    A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips. So far, he hade to envy the life of an S-rank. They could choose whether to work or not, and regardless of their decision, they were paid handsomely. It was a life that allowed forziness, a life where doing nothing still meant a big paycheck. Who wouldn''t want that?


    His thoughts were interrupted by the soft stirring beside him. He nced down to see Trisha''s eyes fluttering open, her gaze finding him with an unreadable expression. She was awake.


    "Good morning," Axel said quietly, his voice stillced with the remnants of sleep. But in the back of his mind, a question lingered¡ªone that had been nagging him for weeks now. How had he ended up in her bed?


    Oh, right. He had finally mustered up the courage to ask her out, breaking through the barriers of his past and allowing himself to indulge in something new. They''d had a wonderful time together, one that made him forget the weight of his past, if only for a little while. After that, he''d started sleeping in her room more often. Not that anything happened, not yet, anyway.


    He was still figuring things out. They both were.


    At most, they would snuggle up together, exchanging intimate gestures, feelings he was still somewhat foreign to. Axel''s experience with rtionships had been minimal, and while he felt a deep connection to Trisha, he wasn''t entirely sure how to progress things.


    There were moments when it felt like she wanted more, likest night, when she had clung to him more closely than usual, her body pressed against his with a need that he didn''t quite know how to respond to.


    Trisha sat upright, her long dark hair cascading down her back as she moved out of bed. She stretched her arms above her head, a small sigh escaping her lips as she turned to face him.


    "I''ll make breakfast while you get a shower," she said, her tone oddly distant. "We can''t bete for the binding test."


    Axel raised an eyebrow, noticing a slight shift in her demeanor. She was acting differently this morning, quieter, more withdrawn. The way she had woken up, her usual affectionate nature tempered by something he couldn''t quite ce. Was she... mad at him? Or was there something else?


    The thought lingered as he stood up, grabbing a towel and making his way toward the shower. Last night had been different too, hadn''t it? The way she had held him, clinging to him with an intimacy that felt more urgent than usual. Could it be that she had wanted something more from him? Had he missed a signal, a cue?


    The hot water poured over him as Axel stood in the shower, his mind reying the events of the previous night. He had noticed it¡ªhow she had snuggled closer, her touches lingering a little longer than usual. But his inexperience had held him back, unsure of how to respond. Was this what she was upset about?


    Stepping out of the shower, Axel quickly dressed and made his way to the kitchen, where the scent of breakfast filled the air. Trisha was at the stove, her back turned to him as she cooked. He approached her slowly, unsure of how to start the conversation.


    "Trisha..." he began, his voice hesitant. "Aboutst night¡ª"


    She turned to face him, her expression softening slightly. "Axel, it''s okay," she interrupted, her voice gentle but firm. "I know you''re still figuring things out, and so am I. I''m not upset, I just... I want us to be on the same page."


    Axel felt a weight lift off his shoulders at her words. He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently brush her hair behind her ear. "I don''t want to mess this up," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I care about you, Trisha. I just... I''m not always sure how to show it."


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    She smiled, a warmth returning to her eyes as she ced her hand over his. "You don''t have to figure it all out right away," she said softly. "We''ll figure it out together."


    For the first time that morning, Axel felt a sense of relief wash over him. Maybe things weren''t asplicated as he had made them out to be.


    Meanwhile in Trisha''s mind. She wondered how her piece of a trash boyfriend could barely read the room.


    ***Author''s note***


    Borrow me gun I need to shoot Axel down. I would have easily read the room. This guy has ruined my mentorship. Hahahahaha!


    Thanks for reading, awaiting your support


    I made the same mistake again... I published this under volume two instead of three

 Chapter 102 Old Friends

    Mass release In honour to the support {15/10}


    Axel took another long, frustrated stare at his phone, re-reading the message for what felt like the hundredth time. "They said ten, where the hell are they?" He hissed in pain, jerking his head back, exhaustion etched across his face. The fatigue had settled deep in his bones, making his body feel heavier with each passing second.


    "Be patient, Axel," Trisha insisted, though her tone betrayed her own weariness. Her eyelids drooped, and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other in an attempt to relieve the ache in her legs.


    They both stood before therge facility meant for testing, the towering structure looming over them like a silent sentinel. The hum of the busy road behind them barely registered as they focused on their growing impatience. They were waiting for the arrival of Thor, Loki, and Roman, but the minutes stretched like hours.


    Axel sighed and ran a hand through his hair, ncing briefly at the screen of his phone. Annie had texted earlier, giving him a quick update. She was swamped with a school project and couldn''t make it to the binding ceremony in person, but she had assured him she would stream the event online.


    That wasn''t the only thing on his mind. He''d wanted to ask Annie more about her recent life ¡ª specifically about the baby she had just given birth to. He had so many questions, so much concern bubbling beneath the surface, but something else gnawed at him. A thought that took precedence over even his sister''s well-being.


    The Fates had spoken to him not long ago. Their cryptic words echoed in his mind like an unfinished puzzle. And now, this year''s Binding... Something about it felt different. Children who had reached the age of ten were receiving *double bindings*, and it was happening at an unprecedented speed. Just within the span of a month, the world seemed to be shifting.


    It wasn''t just the new generation of awakened that had Axel on edge. The A-ranks, S-rank hunters, and even the elite SS-ranks had discovered something even more significant. A new form of power, something they called the *True Form of Binding*. Axel had seen glimpses of it in others, but he couldn''t fully grasp its scope. It was untapped potential, lying dormant in only a select few.


    Axel had bugged Trisha a few times, trying to coax her into showing him this elusive power, but she had brushed him off every time with the same excuse: "I haven''t unlocked it yet."


    Thor, on the other hand, had activated his true form but was far too childish to take anything seriously. Axel had learned not to rely on him for anything other than banter. Thor was the epitome of a "baby man," despite his immense strength.


    Yet, for all the banter and avoidance, Axel couldn''t shake the feeling that this new form of binding was the key to something muchrger. The world was changing, evolving, and he wasn''t sure if he was ready for the full magnitude of it.


    Yawning, Axel stretched his arms high above his head, scanning his surroundings with a sluggish gaze. His eyes finally locked onto three familiar figures in the distance¡ªThor, Loki, and Roman¡ªapproaching at a leisurely pace. He waved at them, his expression lukewarm, though their response was far more energetic.


    "What took you so long? My legs are killing me!" Trisha, who had been preaching patience moments ago, now found herself ranting, her voice sharp with irritation.


    "me Roman," Loki muttered with a scowl, his razor-sharp gazending on the culprit. Roman shrugged, looking sheepish. "His house is on the other side of town, but he kept telling us he was close. Meanwhile, he was still in the shower."


    Axel chuckled to himself. Roman''s behavior wasn''t surprising. Humans in his former world had the same quirks¡ªalways stretching the truth about their whereabouts. At some point, it was more of a joke than an actual annoyance.


    "Let''s just get inside," Thor boomed, pping Axel on the back with a hand that felt like a boulder. "I can''t wait to see you finally get that S-rank. Once you do, we''re having that fight."


    Axel groaned inwardly. He had managed to avoid the promised duel for months now, but getting an S-rank meant his excuses would run out. "Fine, but you''re paying for drinks tonight," he grumbled, earning a heartyugh from Thor.


    As they moved toward the entrance, Axel felt a strange sensation creep over him. A prickling at the back of his neck, like he was being watched. He nced around, eyes narrowing, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Still, the unease lingered.


    ---


    Meanwhile, at the VIP entrance of the facility, a sleek Lamborghini Model Gf¡ªa futuristic masterpiece driven by only the wealthiest¡ªpulled up smoothly. The doors lifted open with a soft hiss, revealing thevish interior.


    Only those of extreme importance, like S-ranks or major donors, could ess the VIP entrance, making the area quiet and exclusive. From the driver''s side emerged a woman, stunning and dangerous in her beauty. She wore a skin-tight gown that left little to the imagination, her every movement calcted to attract attention.


    Her striking features were framed by dark curls, and her eyes glimmered with a seductive allure.


    On the other side, a man stepped out, his aura oozing wealth and power. Muscr and impably dressed, he sported sses and wore a series of expensive gold and diamond jewelry. Everything about him screamed ss and sophistication.


    "It''s been ages since I attended a Binding ceremony," the man said, his voice smooth and enthralling.


    "Who are you kidding?" the woman replied, her lips curving into a yful smile. "Thest time we were at one of these was for our own Binding."


    She paused, her smile fading slightly. "And that''s exactly why we''re here now."


    The man nodded, his expression growing more serious. "Yeah... Axel Teras. I saw him in the news the other day. Now he''s getting retested."


    The woman looked at him with curiosity. "Do you think something went wrong with his original Binding? A malfunction, maybe? Or could he be the first one to receive a double Binding?"


    The man''s eyes gleamed behind his sses. "We won''t know for sure until we see it ourselves. But one thing is clear: he''s different, and whatever happens today could change everything."


    The woman hesitated, a flicker of something akin to concern crossing her face. "It''s strange, isn''t it? That we''re here... after all these years."


    "Yeah," the man agreed, his tone darkening. "It''s time we finally reunited with our old friend."


    ---


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    Still no support... I''m in pain... Anxious to know if this book has fallen out of interest.

 Chapter 103 Meeting of Threatening Minds

    Mass release In honour to the support {16/10}


    The air inside the facility was thick, the atmosphere a surreal mix of unease and hostility. The passageway leading Axel and his group felt strangely oppressive, as if the very walls were closing in with each step they took. The muted hum of the lighting and the low murmur of voices around them only added to the tension, each sound heightening their sense of impending conflict.


    They moved through the *Hunters'' Passway*, a designated route for high-ranking hunters to take their reserved seats, where they could observe the second binding. Yet even this supposedly safe path felt like a gauntlet. The nces from other hunters¡ªhalf curious, half predatory¡ªfollowed them like shadows.


    As they passed by a particrly rowdy group of hunters, trouble stirred.


    Without warning, Loki was struck. The blownded with a dull thud against his gut, but it barely left a mark. He staggered back slightly, his face contorting in surprise more than pain. The attacker¡ªarge A-rank hunter¡ªsmirked smugly as he took a step forward, puffing out his chest as though to mock the S-rank hunters that nked Loki.


    "You call that an attack?" Loki''s eyes darkened, but he remained calm, brushing the front of his jacket where the blow hadnded. Axel, standing just behind him, instinctively tensed, his fingers twitching with the urge to cast his ability¡ªperhaps a nightmare spell to reduce the aggressor to a quivering mess. But Axel hesitated. *Waste of mana*.


    Thor, however, wasn''t nearly as patient.


    "That''s it," Thor growled, stepping forward like a coiled storm ready to break. His hand clenched around the hilt of his hammer, the very air around him crackling with restrained energy. "No one touches my brother and walks away unscathed."


    Before Thor could advance further, Roman ced a firm hand on his chest, stopping him. "Thor, not here," Roman''s voice was calm butced with warning. "If you intervene, you''ll cause more than just a scene. You''ll level the whole damn ce, and I''d rather not have to exin to the higher-ups why the facility''s in ruins."


    Thor reluctantly pulled back, though his eyes never left the A-rank hunter, whose arrogance had only grown in the face of the confrontation.


    Loki squared off with the man, his expression cold and sharp, far moreposed than his brother. "I don''t care about your reasons for hitting me," Loki said in a measured tone. "I want to know who sent you."


    The A-rank hunterrger than Loki and standing over him with an obnoxious smirk¡ªchuckled darkly. "Who sent me? No one, small fry-rank. I hit you because you looked frail¡ªlike someone begging to be messed with."


    His words were cocky, his posture even more so. He clearly thought himself invincible, even standing before two of the most dangerous hunters in the world. But his overconfidence wasn''t justughable¡ªit was dangerous.


    Axel''s brow furrowed as he observed the scene. *What kind of fool picks a fight with someone like Loki? This guy''s stupidity matches his height. Not just that, but Thor and Trisha are here, popr S-rank hunters that will kill him I''m a blink.* Axel considered intervening, briefly contemting whether to let this arrogant fool experience the weight of his nightmares. *No,* he decided. *Not worth it.*


    Loki remained unfazed. "You''re an idiot," he said bluntly, folding his arms across his chest. "Not just for attacking me, but because you''re clearly the type who was never born with anything¡ªno talent, no strength. You were just unfortunate enough to be born a fool."


    The words cut deep, far deeper than the A-rank hunter expected. His smug smile vanished, reced by a snarl of anger. His fists clenched at his sides, and with a wild, reckless roar, he lunged at Loki, fist raised to strike.


    But his punch nevernded.


    In one swift motion, another figure stepped between them, catching the hunter''s wrist in midair with an iron grip. "That''s enough, Gigyu," the neer said with an icy calm. "Just because you''re backed by an S-rank doesn''t give you the right to be disrespectful."


    Gigyu, the A-rank hunter, blinked in surprise, his bravado deting in an instant as he turned to face the man restraining him. The man was tall, lean but imposing, his presence radiating a dangerous aura. His hair was dark, slicked back, and his sharp eyes cut through the tension like a de.


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat as he locked eyes with the neer. There was something about this man¡ªsomething unsettlingly familiar.


    The rest of the group noticed it too. Thor''s face twisted in recognition, Roman''s gaze sharpened, and even Trisha''s normally calm expression faltered. But it wasn''t just the man who held their attention¡ªit was the woman standing just behind him. Her presence was more disturbing, her gaze cold and calcting as it flitted between Axel and his group.


    Axel''s mind raced. *Who are these two? Why do they feel so... familiar?*


    The man released Gigyu with a sharp nce, sending him scurrying away without another word. As Gigyu disappeared into the facility, the man turned his attention fully to Axel, stepping forward with an outstretched hand.


    "Long time no see," the man said, his voice dripping with false friendliness.


    Axel stared at the man''s hand, his mind churning. The handshake wasn''t what unsettled him¡ªit was the familiarity of this moment, the memories that tugged at the corners of his mind. But there was something off, something deeply unsettling about this entire encounter. Axel''s gaze flickered from the man''s hand to his face, then back again, before he finally spoke.


    "I don''t shake dirty hands," Axel said, his voice low and dangerous. "You might have money, but your hygiene is as rotten as your breath."


    The man''s smile faltered for just a moment, but he quickly recovered, letting out a shortugh as he withdrew his hand. "Always the joker, aren''t you? Some things never change."


    "I don''t joke," Axel replied coldly. "And I don''t deal with jesters."


    The tension in the room was palpable now, every eye on the group as the air seemed to grow heavier. The woman behind the man stepped forward then, her eyes locking onto Axel with a look that sent a chill down his spine. Her smile was venomous, her voice soft butced with malice. Experience exclusive tales on mvl


    "So you don''t remember your first girlfriend?" she asked, her tone mocking. "How unfortunate. You picked a girl with arger ass and smaller breasts than me. Quite the downgrade."


    Axel''s breath hitched. The woman''s voice, her demeanor, her presence¡ªit all clicked into ce. The recognition hit him like a freight train. His body tensed, his hands curling into fists at his sides as the memories flooded back.


    His voice was cold and sharp as he spoke again, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. "So... it''s you. Williams... and Sarah?"


    The two of them smiled, their expressions smug and satisfied.


    Axel''s head dipped slightly, his eyes darkening with murderous intent. "Well then," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "That saves me the time I needed to find you both and kill you."


    He raised his gaze once more, fixing them with a look of pure, unfiltered rage. "I''ll kill you for impregnating my sister."


    ---


    **Author''s Note:**


    After a hundred chapters, the trio finally reunite. Stay tuned for the next chapter!


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 104 Testing Facilities

    Mass release In honour to the support {17/10}


    The three stood there, the tension between them rising like a surging tide, threatening to swallow them whole. Axel, fists clenched at his sides, could feel the familiar heat of rage crawling up his spine, consuming every rational thought. His jaw tightened as he faced Williams, his former best friend¡ªno, former brother-in-arms.


    They had once been inseparable, but now, betrayal weighed between them like an unbearable burden.


    Williams, standing casually with a cocky smirk, raised his hands in mock surrender. "I didn''t rape her, Axel. Hell, it''s not like she didn''t enjoy it," he said with a shrug, his eyes dark and void of remorse. "She screamed so loudly, I had no choice but to give her all I had!"


    The words were venom, slicing through Axel''sposure like a hot de. Without a second thought, his fist flew through the air, aimed squarely at Williams'' smug face. The sheer force behind the punch was enough to shatter bones, but Williams¡ªever the S-rank¡ªreacted with practiced speed. His hand shot up, perfectly positioned to intercept the blow.


    But something happened in the split-second exchange. Before Williams could fullyprehend what was happening, Axel''s fist blurred out of sight, moving faster than the eye could follow. The impact was brief but undeniable; Williams felt the light tap on his forehead, his expression instantly dropping from arrogance to astonishment.


    "Damn¡­" Williams muttered under his breath, his mouth hanging open. His mind struggled to process what had just urred. Axel had pulled his punch back in the blink of an eye, but in that instant, it had already grazed him. He dropped his hands, feeling the weight of the near miss. ''He''s faster than I thought¡­ much faster.''


    Williams bit his lip, his confidence faltering, and he wisely chose his next words more carefully.


    Before the tension could escte further, Sarah, her voice sultry and yful, cut through the air. "Boys, always fighting over nothing," she purred, stepping forward with an alluring sway. Her presence was like an intoxicating perfume¡ªdangerous, enticing. She was the embodiment of provocation, and she knew it.


    "Axel, right?" Her lips curled into a smile as she addressed him, but Axel didn''t spare her a nce. His focus remained on Williams, his fists trembling, ready to explode again.


    Sarah''s eyes narrowed, displeased with hisck of response. Her gaze shifted toward Trisha, who stood silently beside Axel, her posture rigid and tense, like a drawn de. Sarah saw an opportunity. "I hope you''ve satisfied him enough, Trisha," Sarah began, her tone biting, dripping with malice. "You don''t look all that cute anymore. I hope you told him what you are¡ªjust used flesh.


    A slot, a butch, a harlot¡ª"


    Before Sarah could finish her vile sentence, Trisha''s calm facade shattered. Her face burned red with anger and shame, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.


    "Say another word," Trisha spat, her voice a low, dangerous growl, "and I''ll end you."


    Sarah, unfazed, let out a coldugh, stepping even closer to Williams. "Oh, sweetie, you have nothing. Axel can''t move on with someone who has nothing new to offer him." She spoke directly to Trisha now, her words cutting deep. "Has he ever made you promises? Sweet talks? Does he even give you attention anymore?


    No? Of course not. All you are is packaging to him, just a nice distraction."


    Trisha said nothing, her heart twisting painfully in her chest. Sarah''s words struck hard, each one like a dagger plunging deeper into her insecurities. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She couldn''t deny it¡ªAxel had be distant, colder. And in that silence, Sarah knew she had won.


    Sarah smirked and grabbed Williams'' hand, cing it brazenly on her breast. She moaned softly, making sure Trisha heard it. Williams, unable to resist his baser instincts, yed along, his fingers squeezing gently despite the tension between them.


    Axel had seen enough. His stomach churned with disgust, his blood boiling with abination of anger and regret. Without a word, he turned his back on the scene, striding past his team, his voice clipped. "Let''s go in."


    They hesitated for only a second before following him, leaving Williams and Sarah behind. As Axel walked, Williams'' mocking voice echoed after him, dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe this time you''ll get an SS-rank trash result, Axel!"


    Axel didn''t respond. His mind was already elsewhere, focused on the trial ahead. Still, Williams'' taunt lingered in his mind, festering like an open wound.


    Once Axel and his team were out of sight, Sarah yanked Williams'' hand from her chest with an expression of pure disgust. "Don''t ever touch me like that again, idiot!" she hissed, her face twisted with irritation.


    Williams blinked, bewildered. "But you¡ª"


    "I only did that to piss Axel off," she snapped, her voice sharp. "And it didn''t even work." She crossed her arms, fuming silently. As much as she hated to admit it, she was jealous of Axel. He had friends. He had moved on from her, something she couldn''t bear. Pride and greed gnawed at her insides, her twisted nature unable to ept that Axel had outgrown her. Your next journey awaits at §Þ??


    She silently prayed for Axel to fail in his awakening, to fall to his knees, broken and lost, so that he would crawl back to her. The thought brought a dark smile to her lips.


    ***


    A week after Axel''s mother had passed, the secret Trisha had been hiding was revealed. She was pregnant¡ªhad been for months. Axel remembered the moment they found out, how it felt like the world had copsed around him. He was furious with her, with the deception, but more than that, he was furious with Williams.


    That''s when the truth came out. Williams was the father.


    The revtion had nearly sent Axel over the edge. His first instinct was to hunt Williams down, to kill him for what he had done. But as rage clouded his thoughts, a strange rity had emerged. Axel''s own father had never been there for him¡ªneither in his past life nor in this one. In his first life, his father only cared about sending him to school, turning him into an asset.


    In this world, after Axel had failed his binding, his father had simply abandoned him. Axel had grown up without the love and guidance he needed, and he refused to let Annie''s child endure the same.


    He wasn''t sure what the future held, but he knew one thing: he wouldn''t let the sins of the father destroy the child.


    The baby, born outside of the traditional "Birth-Day," hade into the world under strange circumstances. Dark Mana had intertwined with the child at birth, a consequence of Annie''s reckless use of Cell to hide her pregnancy. The boy was a mystery¡ªborn as a shadowy figure, only to reform into a human baby hourster.


    Despite being only a few months old, the boy already looked like a two-year-old, his growth unnaturally rapid. Axel and Trisha feared what that might mean for his future. Would he grow too fast, burning out before he even had a chance to live? Would he age rapidly, only to die young? These thoughts haunted them both.


    Trisha, too, had her own struggles. She had begged Cell to reside in her for a few weeks, though Axel couldn''t understand why. She had be more clingy, more emotional, and it unsettled him. But Axel had too many other things on his mind to dwell on it for long.


    His thoughts were interrupted as they arrived at the facility grounds. His eyes scanned the vast open space, where stage lights illuminated the area. Cameras were set up to record every moment of the trials, and in the distance, chairs were arranged for the various important members of Kyota who hade to witness the awakenings.


    Anxious children¡ªthose who were being tested for double awakenings¡ªstood in clusters, their faces pale with fear and excitement. This was it¡ªthe moment of truth.


    Axel took a deep breath. His fate, once again, hung in the bnce.

 Chapter 105 Double Binding

    Mass release In honour to the support {18/10} Your journey continues on §Þ??


    The atmosphere in the testing facility was electric. The seats surrounding the main stage were filled with an array of prominent figures¡ªeach person of power representing a cornerstone of Kyota''s security and future.


    At the head of the assembly sat Seo Jihnyuk, head of the board, nked by his peers: Wukong, the battle-hardened strategist; Vicky Shaw, a woman known for her sharp intellect and sharper tongue; and Rachael, who had recently returned from the dead, thanks to some miraculous intervention from the hospital, or perhaps something darker.


    Rounding out the group was Rudeus, the newly appointed leader of the Hunter''s Association, recing Hendricks after the man''s recent downfall.


    Among the military ranks sat Commander Asher, the man responsible for Kyota''s defense and weaponry against the alien forces. He was as imposing as the inteary vessels under hismand, his mere presence a reminder of the constant threat looming beyond the''s borders.


    These were the elite¡ªwatching with anticipation as Axel and the others took their ces. Axel, however, sat apart from the group, his mind upied with the swirling thoughts of what was about to happen. His face remained impassive, though the storm brewing within him was anything but calm.


    His solitude was interrupted by the familiar voice of Velerium, manifesting in the space around him, invisible to all but Axel. The ethereal being''s form flickered as if struggling to maintain its connection to the material world. Velerium had been severely weakened ever since Axel had broken through to S-rank. His once majestic figure now appeared as little more than a translucent silhouette.


    "Master, it seems... impossible to break it," Velerium''s voice echoed in Axel''s mind, barely above a whisper, burdened with the weight of failure.


    Axel clenched his jaw, the reminder of his curse gnawing at his patience. The truth curseid upon him by the wretched god Mtecuhtli had stolen his ability to lie¡ªa tool Axel had wielded with precision for years. Now, only in rare moments could he twist the truth, and even those instances were fleeting. His reputation, one he had painstakingly built, was now at risk of unraveling.


    "You''re telling me there''s no way to break this damn curse?" Axel''s thoughts were sharp, slicing through his calm fa?ade. "Do better, Velerium. I need a solution. This curse¡ªit''s jeopardizing everything. It''s tarnishing the reputation I''ve crafted."


    Velerium''s form flickered again, dimming further as it began to fade. "Perhaps... next time, build a reputation that thrives on chaos... Then spoiling it will only add to your strength." The faint smile in Velerium''s voice was palpable, but it only deepened Axel''s scowl.


    Axel waved the spirit off with an irritated gesture. "Go disappear somewhere else, idiot." His voice was barely audible, his frustrationced in every syble.


    Trying to shake the oppressive weight of his thoughts, Axel''s gaze shifted to the front of the room,nding on the group of children waiting for their double awakenings. Their faces were untroubled, filled with eagerness. Confidence radiated off them in waves, their postures as straight and resolute as soldiers on parade.


    Axel recognized that confidence¡ªhe had once worn it himself, back before he learned the truth about expectations.


    Seo Jihnyuk turned around in his seat, addressing Axel with a smug expression. "These kids are something else, aren''t they? The future of our world looks brighter than ever. Double awakening... It''s a miracle for our race."


    Axel''s response was curt, his voicecking the enthusiasm Seo expected. "Sure, human evolution is always a good thing." He leaned back in his seat, his arms folded across his chest, not bothering to mask his disinterest. He had heard all this before¡ªthe same optimism, the same excitement over new power. Yet the world had not changed, nor had its cruelty.


    SS-rank hunters were still rare, and Axel had seen firsthand how the pursuit of power could destroy lives.


    "But what happens," Axel continued, his voice taking on a sharper edge, "when this double awakening proves too difficult for future generations? What happens when these kids start believing they''re invincible, untouchable? You and I both know power has a way of corrupting those who think they''re untouchable."


    Seo hesitated, his gaze following Axel''s to the children. "Their academy has trained them well," he said, his tone uncertain now. "Most of theme from high-ranked families. They''ve been raised to be strong."


    "Most of them," Axel agreed, his eyes narrowing as theynded on one girl who stood out from the others. She was different¡ªnot in her posture, which was as confident as her peers, but in the quality of her clothing. It was clear she came from a less privileged background. Yet, there was something fierce in her eyes, a determination that reminded Axel of his younger self.


    Axel allowed himself a bitter smile. "That look on her face," he muttered to himself. "The look of promise and expectation... I''ve worn it before. It always ends in disappointment." His thoughts drifted momentarily to Trisha, imagining her underwear¡ªck, probably striped. He shook his head, annoyed at his own wandering mind.


    Seo''s voice pulled him back to the present. "You seem distracted, Axel. Are you concerned about the dy?"


    Axel raised an eyebrow. "Dy?"


    "We''re waiting for someone," Seo exined, a cryptic smile ying on his lips. "A special guest you might remember."


    As if on cue, the double doors to the testing facility flew open with a loud crash, pulling everyone''s attention toward the entrance. A figure strolled in,manding the room with the arrogance of a man who thrived on power and attention.


    Axel''s heart sank as he recognized the man immediately.


    Headmaster Marion.


    The same man who had once stood as Axel''s greatest supporter during his training, who had encouraged him to push beyond his limits. And the same man who hadbeled Axel a failure, a "trash" SS-rank, after his binding had failed to meet the academy''s expectations.


    Marion''s presence was like a punch to the gut, reigniting all the anger and humiliation Axel had buried deep within him.


    As Marion walked to the front of the room, he locked eyes with Axel for a brief moment. There was no smile, no recognition, only a cold indifference that cut deeper than any insult.


    Axel''s hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. His jaw tightened as the memories of Marion''s betrayal flooded back. He had been cast asidebeled defective and left to fend for himself in a world that valued power above all else. And now, the man who had started it all was here again, watching, waiting to see if Axel would fail once more.


    But Axel was not the same person he had been back then. He had wed his way back from the edge of oblivion thanks to the system, and he would be damned if he let Marion¡ªor anyone else¡ªsee him as a failure ever again.


    The room fell into a heavy silence, all eyes on the headmaster as he took his seat among the board members. Axel''s blood boiled beneath his calm exterior. This was his moment. He would not let the ghosts of his past overshadow his future.


    Axel exhaled slowly, forcing his body to rx. His time wasing. He could feel it.


    This was not just another test. This was his redemption.


    And he would not fail. Today he would be the one to disgrace the Headmaster. By all means necessary.

 Chapter 106 I awakened with A High ranked Talent

    Mass release In honour to the support {19/10}


    Axel sat stiffly in his chair, his gaze locked on Headmaster Marion, who stood at the front of the grand hall. The old man had the same smug grin stered on his face, the one that Axel hade to despise. That grin had fooled so many, including himself, once upon a time.


    It was the kind of expression that promised power, glory, and greatness to the unassuming masses, and like a snake, it slithered into the hearts of those too naive to see the venom behind it.


    Marion''s reputation preceded him¡ªa figure of both reverence and fear at the academy. To those who knew him for what he truly was, he was a maniptive leader, someone who preyed on the weak and discarded them without a second thought. Axel had learned that hard lesson only after stepping into the shoes of those forsaken by the system. Marion''s kindness was reserved for the strong, and the weak...


    well, they were left to rot.


    As Marion finished his conversation with the board members, Axel''s lips twisted in distaste. The man walked back to the podium, a showman preparing to address his audience. Silence fell across the room as hundreds of students, brimming with youthful excitement and expectation, looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. Axel, however, leaned back in his chair, his expression cold and detached.


    Headmaster Marion began his speech with grand gestures and an exaggerated tone. "You are the future! The hope of humanity! The power you hold within you is greater than anything that has ever existed! You, my children, will rise above all others, and it will be your strength that leads us into a new age!"


    The hall erupted with apuse and cheers, the students soaking up every word. Axel clenched his fists under the table, the words tasting bitter in his mouth. It was the same speech Marion had given every year, a facade that fed the students'' egos, making them believe they were invincible, that their powers made them gods. And once upon a time, Axel had believed him too.


    The promises of being a "man above all others," the idea that his awakening would put him on a pedestal¡ªhe had fallen for it, just like the others.


    But now, he knew better.


    His gaze drifted to Williams and Sarah, two students seated nearby, their eyes sparkling with awe. They were drinking in every word, their faces filled with admiration for the man standing before them. Marion''s words had hit them like a shot of adrenaline, fueling their pride and ambitions. Axel chuckled darkly to himself.


    It reminded him of the time back in college, in his former life, when a man hade into ss, selling books about how to get a perfect GPA andnd million-dor jobs. "If you''re making millions," Axel had thought yearster, "why the hell would you be hawking books?"


    "Now," Marion''s voice rang through the hall, his grin widening as he gestured toward the stage. "Shall we begin the testing of the double binding?"


    The room fell into an uneasy silence, a sharp contrast to the earlier cheers. The air thickened with anticipation, and the six double binding candidates shifted nervously in their seats. Axel watched them closely, noting the way their expressions hardened. Despite the tension, there was no fear in their eyes. If anything, they seemed eager. Confident.


    This was the moment they had trained for, the moment they would prove their worth.


    "Rave Zurk," Marion called, "please step forward to the power crystal."


    A boy with a striking mix of dark and yellow hair stood up, his green tracksuit rustling as he confidently made his way to the front. Rave Zurk walked with the swagger of someone who knew he was already at the top. His every step oozed with arrogance, the kind that only came from a life of constant praise.


    The audience watched with bated breath as he reached out to the power crystal, his hand hovering over it for a brief moment before he pressed his palm against the smooth surface.


    Without needing instruction, Rave channeled his mana into the crystal, and within seconds, two distinct colors bloomed from his hand¡ªone a brilliant gold, the other a muted grey. Gasps echoed through the hall as the crystal began to hum with energy, words slowly appearing on its surface, followed by a glowing ranking.


    Rave''s eyes widened as he pulled back his hand, his breath catching in his throat. Axel didn''t miss the way his fingers trembled ever so slightly. Confidence, no matter how overwhelming, always crumbled in the face of uncertainty.


    Marion, his eyes glinting with pride, stroked his long, white beard¡ªnow double the size it had been since Axelst saw him. "Well, well," the headmaster said, his voice dripping with approval. "You are truly born special, Rave."


    The room held its breath.


    "S-rank binding: Sound Walker and Ice Dominance! You will make a great hunter, my boy."


    Rave pocketed his hands, his lips curving into a self-satisfied smirk as he sauntered back to the group, his head held high. He looked around as if he were the star of a grand show, weaving his head like a peacock showing off its feathers.


    Axel''s lips thinned. He understood the boy''s confidence. An S-rank talent was nothing to scoff at. The potential to be SS-rank in the future was within reach. But talent was just that¡ªpotential. Rave wasn''t an S-rank fighter now, just someone with the capacity to grow into one.


    Still, the praise heaped upon him by Marion was enough to inte his ego, just as it had inted Axel''s all those years ago.


    The test continued, each of the remaining candidates stepping forward, their hands glowing with power as they fed the crystal. Each time, the results were the same¡ªS-rank after S-rank. By the fourth candidate, the tension had all but dissipated. The students began to rx, their fear melting away as if they had already known the oue. Five S-ranks. Five powerful awakenings.


    Their confidence was now sky-high, a collective arrogance that spread through the hall like wildfire.


    Then, the final name was called.


    "Grey Artemis, please step up to the power crystal."


    A girl, who had been sitting quietly in the back, stood. Axel''s eyes narrowed as he watched her. She was different. She moved with less confidence than the others, but there was something about her... something unsettling. Her mana, though subtle, sent a shiver down his spine.


    It was familiar, too familiar.


    ''Her mana... it''s like mine,'' Axel thought, his heart skipping a beat. ''And like Thor''s and Loki''s... Could she be...?''


    Artemis approached the crystal slowly, her dark brown eyes flickering with uncertainty. Her hand hovered over the crystal, and for a moment, the hall held its breath. Then, with a deep inhale, she ced her hand on the crystal, flooding it with her energy.


    The reaction was immediate.


    A sh of green and purple erupted from her palm, lighting up the entire room. The crystal hummed louder than before, vibrating with raw energy. The audience shifted in their seats, murmurs rippling through the crowd as the crystal struggled to process the power flowing into it.


    Axel''s eyes widened. This was different. This was beyond anything he had seen today.


    Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the crystal disyed her stats. Artemis stepped back, her eyes locked on the glowing letters. Her lips parted slightly, her breathing in short gasps as she read the result.


    Headmaster Marion''s voice cracked as he spoke. "A... SS-rank ability!"


    The room erupted into chaos. Gasps, shouts, whispers¡ªeveryone was reacting at once. Commander Asher, seated with the board members, nodded in approval, a rare smile gracing his otherwise stoic face. The S-rank candidates exchanged uneasy nces, their earlier confidence shattered by this unexpected turn.


    Axel''s expression remained unreadable, but inside, a storm brewed. This girl... she was dangerous.


    But it wasn''t over yet.


    The crystal, which had shown her ranking, had not yet disyed her ability. The room grew tense once more as the screen flickered, struggling to show the image. It was blurred, distorted, as if the crystal itself couldn''tprehend what it was revealing.


    Axel''s heart pounded. Thest time something like this had happened, it had been with him.


    Finally, the image sharpened.


    And the entire room fell into stunned silence.


    "Your ability is..." Marion''s voice trailed off.


    "Affinity to Nature."


    The reaction was immediate. No one had to say anything twice. The murmurs started low, then grew louder, spreading like wildfire through the crowd.


    Nature affinity. A power so basic, so... useless.


    Axel''s lips curled into a grim smile.


    Explore hidden tales at §Þ??


    The room had just crowned its queen¡ªand immediately cast her aside.

 Chapter 107 Trash and Trash and Trash Also Trash... Make them Trash

    Mass release In honour to the support {20/10}


    Artemis stood there, paralyzed, as the words "Affinity to nature" shed on the crystal. It felt like the world hade crashing down around her. Her lips quivered as her mind raced to understand what had just happened. "No¡­ this can''t be right.


    No¡­ no, it must be broken¡­" Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet every person in the room could hear the disbelief, the fear, and the painced in each word. The humiliation was unbearable.


    Her chest tightened, and her hands trembled, balling into fists. An affinity for nature? That was the result of her double-awakening? She had been certain that she''d emerge with a powerful, rare ability, something that would define her as a force to be reckoned with. But instead, this? What was she supposed to do with an affinity for nature?


    Make trees grow faster? Manipte flowers? In a world dominated by raw strength and unimaginable power, this talent was as useless as a feather in a hurricane.


    The silence in the room was suffocating. It was as if time itself had paused to mock her. Headmaster Marion''s face twisted in visible disgust. He barely spared her a nce before waving his hand dismissively. "Go back, will you?" His voice was cold and indifferent, as though she were no more than an insect he had just crushed beneath his boot.


    Her heart sank. A wave of dizziness overtook her as she turned to leave, her legs feeling like they were made of lead. The weight of their stares bore down on her, like daggers aimed straight at her soul. She could feel their judgment. She could hear their silent condemnation. She had failed.


    Not just herself, but the expectations ced on her. In their eyes, she was nothing. Trash.


    Artemis took one shaky step, then another. The room felt colder with each movement, and suddenly, she stumbled. Her body wobbled as she lost her bnce, her mind spinning with shame. Just before she hit the ground, she collided with something solid¡ªa person.


    "Watch it," she muttered, prepared to be shoved aside or ridiculed again. But instead, a hand gently steadied her. She looked up, her vision blurry from the unshed tears, only to find herself staring into a pair of deep, calm eyes.


    Axel Teras.


    His smile was surprisingly warm. "Hey," he said softly, his voice like a balm against her fraying nerves. "You''re stronger than you think."


    The room fell silent once more. Heads turned, eyes widened, and whispers followed. Why was Axel, of all people, talking to her? Artemis blinked, unsure if she''d heard him correctly. "Wh-what?"


    "You''re not weak," Axel continued, patting her gently on the head as if to assure her. "Don''t let this get to you."


    Artemis could hardlyprehend what was happening. Why was this legendary figure, Axel Teras¡ªthe man who had stood toe-to-toe with the strongest hunters and emerged victorious¡ªshowing her kindness? It didn''t make sense. Was he pitying her? Was this some kind of joke?


    Discover exclusive tales at §Þ??


    Behind them, Williams, one of the S-ranks, sneered. "Axel, why are you wasting your time with her? Just because you''re famous doesn''t mean you can give false hope to trash."


    The venom in his voice cut through the air, and a ripple ofughter followed from the other students. Artemis'' heart sank further. She tried to pull away, but Axel''s hand remained firm on her shoulder, steadying her.


    Without turning to face Williams, Axel''s voice hardened. "I wasn''t talking to you."


    The sharpness in his tone silenced theughter instantly. Williams frowned, his bravado crumbling. Axel slowly removed his hand from Artemis'' shoulder, his eyes now focused on the crystal that had humiliated her.


    "Now," Headmaster Marion began, attempting to regain control of the situation. "Let''s move on to your retest, Axel."


    Axel raised his hand, stopping Marion mid-sentence. His expression shifted into one of pure arrogance as he stared the Headmaster down. "Shut up," he said, his voice carrying an edge that made the entire room tense. "You''re not worthy of saying my name."


    A collective gasp rippled through the room. Marion''s face reddened with anger, but he said nothing, swallowing his pride. Axel approached the crystal without another word, his confidence radiating off him like heat from the sun.


    cing his hand on the crystal, Axel took a deep breath. The air in the room seemed to change, growing thick and heavy. Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble. The atmosphere buzzed with raw energy as Axel''s power began to pour into the crystal.


    At first, nothing happened. Then, in a matter of seconds, letters and symbols spun violently across the surface of the crystal, moving too fast for anyone to decipher. The observers stared, wide-eyed, as the crystal failed to lock onto a reading.


    "What¡­ what''s happening?" someone muttered from the crowd. Even the board members were on edge, leaning forward in their seats as if trying to understand the situation.


    Suddenly, a low crack echoed through the room.


    Crack!


    The crystal pir began to split. A hairline fracture formed along its surface, growing with each passing second. The ominous sound of cracking ss filled the chamber, and with it, a sense of dread crept into the hearts of those watching.


    Crack!


    Another fracture. This time, it stretched further, and a faint glow of dark red light pulsed from within the crystal. The wind inside the room intensified, swirling faster and faster, as if responding to Axel''s immense power. The once-solid crystal now looked like it was about to burst at any moment.


    "Is¡­ is this normal?" one of the board members asked, his voice trembling.


    "No," Commander Asher responded, eyes wide with shock. "This is far from normal."


    The crystal began to emit a strange, dark smoke from its cracks, filling the room with an eerie atmosphere. The tension was palpable. No one dared move. No one dared speak. All eyes were on Axel.


    Crack!


    The final break sent a deafening sound through the room. And then, in an instant, the crystal exploded.


    Shards flew in every direction, cutting through the air like bullets. Headmaster Marion, who had been standing closest to the pir, was hit squarely in the chest by arge fragment, sending him crashing to the ground with a pained grunt. The rest of the audience shielded their faces from the flying debris, but the damage had already been done.


    As the smoke cleared, Axel stood in the center of the destruction, unmoved, unscathed. His presence nowmanded the room, more godlike than human. The power radiating from him was palpable, and no one dared question it.


    "He¡­ he resembles a god," someone whispered, breaking the silence.


    Wukong, a veteran hunter, stood frozen, his jaw ck. "I''ve only seen something like this once before," he muttered to himself. "He''s just like¡­ Josh Roark."


    At the mention of the legendary SS-rank hunter, the room fell into a deeper silence, everyone too afraid to even breathe.


    Axel turned his gaze toward Artemis, who stood trembling at the back of the room. "Remember," he said, his voice steady and calm. "You''re stronger than you think."


    For a moment, Artemis felt a flicker of hope.

 Chapter 108 Now You See What True Power Is

    Mass release In honour to the support {21/10}


    Axel ran his hand through his hair, letting out a soft chuckle as he approached Artemis, who stood frozen in awe, still reeling from what had just happened. He gently patted her head, his warm gesture contrasting the cold, harsh reality she''d just been thrown into. Her wide, bewildered eyes met his, filled with wonder and disbelief.


    "I also had a useless Awakening like yours once," Axel said softly, his voice holding both sympathy and a trace of nostalgia. "But look at me now. Even my peers over there can''tpare to me anymore."


    Artemis blinked, her lips parting slightly in shock. Her mind was still processing his words, but his presence wasforting. It was as if a lifeline had been thrown her way in a sea of disdain. Axel left her standing there, retreating to his seat with a casualness that belied the enormity of the moment.


    As he reclined back into his chair, ignoring the sea of shocked faces, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.


    *Damn,* he thought, savoring the quiet triumph. *This revenge is sweeter than I imagined. When I get home, I''ll watch the rey of their shocked faces on TV.* The thought brought a deep sense of satisfaction.


    For several minutes, the room remained in a stunned silence. The tension, thick and suffocating, slowly began to dissipate, but the air was still electric with disbelief. Finally, Seo Jihnyuk stood up, breaking the stillness. His deep, authoritative voice cut through the fog of shock.


    "These are all wonderful results," he announced, his eyes scanning the room. "With this, we gain an upper hand over the Fatek." His words were calcted, his tone measured, but there was a lingering sense of unease beneath them. He turned to face the S-rank hunters, his voice lowering as he addressed them directly. "We shall have a meeting shortly. There is an urgent matter we need to discuss."


    As the higher-ranked hunters filed out of the room, the atmosphere shifted. The weight of the earlier events lingered, but there was an unspoken understanding among those who remained. Axel could still feel eyes on him¡ªhis former colleagues'' res burning into his back, their jealousy palpable.


    Trisha, standing proudly beside him, wrapped her arm around his and leaned in closer. Her warmth was a subtle reassurance, her presence a bold deration to everyone watching.


    "That was a great show," she said, her voice soft but full of pride.


    Axel shrugged, a modest smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, I might have overdone it," he admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But I had to prove a point. Besides, I did it because of you."


    Trisha''s cheeks flushed red at his words, her tough exterior cracking just a little as she nced away. Axel chuckled to himself, but behind his grin was a twinge of unease. He subtly nced at the notification hovering before him.


    *[Mana: 0]*


    His eyes lingered on it for a moment before he shook it off. He had other things to focus on now.


    They made their way to the meeting room, the tension between them easing into light conversation. Axel didn''t realize how fast time had passed until they stood at the door of the room. It wasn''t asrge or grand as he had expected, more utilitarian in design. There were enough seats for the group, a round table, and minimal lighting.


    A holographic projector had been set up at the center, its soft hum filling the quiet.


    But what caught Axel''s attention wasn''t the room¡ªit was the man sitting at the table. He had short brown hair, striking green eyes, and a rugged, handsome face that seemed familiar, though Axel couldn''t quite ce it.


    "Oh, might I introduce you to one of Kyota''s rare gems," Wukong said with a grin, clearly proud of the man seated before them. "He''s one of Kyota''s ten SS-rank hunters, Josh Roark."


    The name sent a ripple through the group. SS-rank hunters were exceedingly rare, legends in their own right. Awakening with an SS-rank binding was one thing, but sustaining that power into adulthood was another. Most SS-rank children degraded to S-rank or lower as they aged. Only a select few ever retained their full potential, and Josh Roark was one of them.


    Axel''s eyes widened as recognition finally clicked. *Josh Roark¡ªthe legendary SS-rank hunter.* He was one of the top ten in the world, a figure spoken about in hushed tones.


    "Hey Josh! Why didn''t you tell me you''d arrived in the country?" Trisha''smanding voice broke through Axel''s thoughts. Her tone was sharp, but there was an undercurrent of familiarity in her words.


    Josh sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Do I need to tell you everything? You''re always monitoring me like I''m still a kid. It''s not all about me, you know."


    Trisha scowled, muttering something under her breath as she approached him. Their bickering was yful, but there was a sibling-like fondness beneath it that caught Axel off guard.


    "They''re rted," Loki exined, noticing Axel''s confusion. "Brother and sister. Don''t get the wrong idea, though¡ªthey barely see each other. This is them enjoying a moment."


    Axel raised an eyebrow, watching the two continue their light-hearted argument. It was strange seeing Trisha like this, so rxed and at ease. For a moment, the tension in the room lifted, reced by a rare sense of normalcy.


    But the moment didn''tst long. Seo Jihnyuk''s authoritative voice cut through the chatter, bringing everyone back to the task at hand.


    "Please, enough of that. Let''s gather around the table and focus on what matters."


    The group quickly fell into ce, taking their seats around the table. Axel found himself sitting between Trisha and Josh Roark, and he couldn''t help but feel a sense of curiosity about the man beside him. Josh exuded an easy confidence, his smile unfaltering. There was something infectious about his presence, something that made Axel want to lower his guard.


    But Axel fought against it, keeping his own instincts sharp.


    *His smile is too infectious,* Axel thought, leaning forward on the table. *If it weren''t for my pride, I''d probably be smiling back like an idiot.*


    Seo Jihnyuk cleared his throat, drawing everyone''s attention. "Now that we''re all settled, let''s begin the discussion. We have something critical to talk about¡ªsomething that could change everything. We''re exploring the possibility of expanding our reach beyond this. We need to investigate the universe."


    ***Author''s note***


    Finally venturing to the unknown. When we started this novel we really thought we would simply be on earth but the universe is just another line of chapters we should.get prepared for. Thanks for your support. Done for today''s posting.

 Chapter 109 Strategic Planning

    Mass release In honour to the support {22/10}


    The air in the room felt heavy, weighed down by the silence that stretched after Seo Jihnyuk''s opening statement. He sat at the head of the long, dark oak table, his fingers slowly drumming against a stack of neatly arranged papers. The rhythmic tapping seemed to echo louder than it should, bouncing off the cold metal walls of the underground bunker.


    Flickering lights from the ceiling added to the eeriness of the setting, casting shadows that made the room feel more oppressive than it already was.


    "Now I shall begin the meeting with a few questions," Seo began, his voice low but sharp enough to slice through the tense atmosphere. His eyes briefly scanned the room, observing each of the hunters seated before him. "How many of you have unlocked the true form of binding? Please signify by raising your hand."


    At first, no one moved. The silence, now deeper, gnawed at the patience of everyone present. It wasn''t just a question of power anymore¡ªit was a matter of survival.


    One by one, hands started to rise.


    Axel, seated near the back of the room, instinctively leaned forward, observing the hunters who dared to lift their hands. **Josh Roark**, of course. It wasn''t a surprise; the man was hailed as a genius, a prodigy. His hand rose confidently, the calm on his face betraying none of the uncertainty the others might have felt.


    Next was **Thor**, his hand raised as casually as if he were answering a routine question in a ssroom. **Trisha** followed, albeit hesitantly, her fingers trembling as though uncertain of her own capabilities.


    Two more S-ranks raised their hands.


    Surprisingly, neither **Williams** nor **Sarah** moved. Axel''s gaze flicked to them both, eyebrows slightly raised. **What''s holding them back?**


    **Loki**, seated to Axel''s left, shifted ufortably. Unlike the others, he was no S-rank, not even close¡ªjust a B-rank hunter. And yet, here he was, in a meeting filled with elites. He couldn''t help but feel out of ce. **Why was I invited?** He wondered for the hundredth time, casting a questioning nce at Seo. The more he thought about it, the more the pit of unease in his stomach grew.


    "Permission to speak?" Trisha asked softly, raising her hand higher to ensure she caught Seo''s attention. His subtle nod gave her the floor.


    "The true form of binding," she began, ncing nervously around the table before continuing, "is a very difficult technique. Even with Thor''s help coaching me through the process, I can only maintain it for a maximum of two minutes. After that... I''mpletely drained. I can''t even attempt to activate it again for three days. Is it just me, or are there others here experiencing the same limitations?"


    Her voice trailed off, and the room became eerily still again.


    Andre Durrand, one of the S-ranks who had partnered with Trisha during the **Dawning Blood** investigation months ago, spoke up. His deep, raspy voice cut through the tension. "It''s not just you. I''ve been running experiments on this ''true binding,'' and I''ve discovered something significant."


    All eyes turned toward Andre, the quiet leader of his squad, known for his analytical mind. Axel could feel the shift in the room''s energy. Whatever Andre had to say held weight, and everyone knew it.


    "When we all turned ten, we awakened by binding ourselves to statues¡ªeach statue granting us certain abilities. What if," Andre paused, letting the weight of his words settle in, "those statues weren''t just decorative representations? What if they were, or are, beings with extraordinary abilities themselves? The question then is¡ªare these statues simply conduits for power, or are they something more?


    The true binding goes beyond our initial awakening. To fully ess that power, we must bond with the personalities behind the statues."


    A murmur rippled through the room. Axel clenched his fists under the table. **Personalities?** How could anyone connect with cold, lifeless stone?


    "So, by understanding the personalities behind the statues, we can hold onto their powers for longer¡­ maybe even fully hone them?" Williams, one of the more skeptical hunters, finally broke his silence.


    The room buzzed with murmurs of agreement, though none seemed convinced it was that simple. The problem loomedrger than ever¡ª**how** could they learn about these statues'' personalities? They weren''t alive. They weren''t human.


    Thor sat back, his hand resting thoughtfully on his chin. Loki, too, had his doubts. "If these personalities are essential, then how the hell are Josh and Thor able to control their bindings for so long? Surely, they didn''t just¡­ get lucky?" His voice was low, almost usatory. He shot a sharp nce at Thor, whose calm expression never wavered.


    Loki''s gaze then shifted to Seo Jihnyuk, his frustration bubbling over. "And why was I even invited here? I''m not an S-rank. Hell, I''m barely scraping by as a B-rank. What use am I to any of you?"


    Before Seo could respond, a voice cut through the tension like a razor''s edge. "Because I suggested it."


    **Vicky Shaw**, the stoic and calcted Board member, leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Loki''s with an intensity that made him sit back in his chair. "You may not be the strongest in this room, but your skills, your cunning, your ability to think outside the box¡ªall of that surpasses every one of us. This room is filled with power, yes, but we need a mind that can outwit whatever awaits us.


    And that mind is yours."


    Seo Jihnyuk nodded, his expression unreadable. "For the mission we''re about to undertake, we need more than brute strength. We need strategy. We need someone who can see what others cannot. And that''s where youe in, Loki."


    Loki remained silent, his thoughts a whirl of uncertainty. **What was this mission?** What could be so dangerous that it required the very best hunters from Kyota, the world''s top country for skilled fighters?


    The mention of the mission seemed to bring the tension in the room to a breaking point. Loki wasn''t the only one with questions.


    "During the Metorion attack, we lost more than a dozen S-ranks. Kyota has never been this vulnerable," he continued, his voice rising slightly. "If we send our strongest hunters off, we''ll be leaving our home defenseless. All it would take is one major incident, and we could lose everything. Is that a risk you''re willing to take?"


    The room stilled, waiting for an answer. Axel could feel the weight of the question hanging in the air, pressing down on everyone''s shoulders.


    Rudeus, the board member who had taken Hendrick''s ce after his untimely death, cleared his throat, drawing everyone''s attention. "That''s why we''ve secured alliances with the world''s top countries. Kyota''s safety will fall into their hands for the time being. The president has agreed to it."


    Axel''s mind raced. **Alliances?** Relying on other countries for protection didn''t sit well with him. The world had be too unpredictable, too unstable. cing their trust in outsiders was a gamble.


    But what other choice did they have?


    "We all understand the risks," Seo said quietly, his voice breaking the uneasy silence. "But if we seed in this mission¡­ if we recover what we''re after¡­ it could bring us one step closer to ending this war."


    Axel''s heart pounded in his chest. **What could possibly be worth risking everything?** His thoughts swirled with a thousand unanswered questions, but one thing was clear¡ªwhatevery ahead was far more dangerous than anyone in this room could imagine.


    ***Author''s note***


    Who can guess what''s going of happen in this arc. Is it going to be off world things, or will something go wrong at thest moment.

 Chapter 110 Mission Day Set

    Mass release In honour to the support {22/10}


    The weight of the missiony heavy on their shoulders, its foreboding presence pressing down on them like the crushing jaws of an unseen predator. Each breath in the room felt sharp, as if the very air wasced with danger. The briefing chamber, bathed in dim light, held a silence so thick it suffocated.


    Outside the room, the stars blinked coldly, indifferent to the fate of those about to embark on this perilous journey.


    Seo Jihnyuk stood at the head of the table, papers rustling faintly in his hands. He cleared his throat, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of unease. "Let me begin by summarizing what we have aplished so far."


    He nced at the papers, though everyone knew Seo had memorized every detail. His eyes scanned the room as he spoke, perhaps gauging their reactions, or maybe preparing them for the gravity of what he was about to say. "Our experiments with human portals have seeded. The United States has yed a crucial role in supporting these efforts.


    The first sessful test of this technology took ce outside of Earth."


    A few murmurs of approval echoed across the room, but they were quickly silenced when Seo continued. "We sent a team to a desert-like. A barren wastnd, with only sporadic oases dotting thendscape."


    The mention of another immediately captured everyone''s attention. Even in their line of work, travel betweens¡ªlet alone entire dimensions¡ªwas rare and incredibly dangerous. Some of the hunters exchanged uneasy nces, while others stared intently at Seo, trying to glean more details from his expression.


    "The United States'' excavation guild ensured that the entire was scouted. No oceans, no rivers¡ªjust endless dunes of golden sand and beasts far more deadly than anything we''ve encountered on Earth."


    Seo let the words hang in the air, the tension palpable. "The flora and fauna there are unlike anything we know. The animals¡­ they are unlike our own. Their biology is twisted, mutated. They''re capable of tearing through reinforced steel and can emit concentrated energy beams from their mouths. Savage...


    relentless."


    The silence that followed was deafening, everyone picturing the alien predators lurking in the shadows of that forsaken world. Seo paused, his eyes scanning each face in the room. Their expressions ranged from mild unease to outright fear. No one moved. No one dared speak.


    "Commander Asher," Seo turned to the man sitting on his left, "you were on this mission. Perhaps you can shed more light on what we are dealing with."


    Commander Asher rose from his seat, his movements slow, deliberate. He was an imposing figure, his military uniform spotless, though his eyes held the distant look of someone who had seen too much. He was a man who knew danger intimately, and it had left its mark on him.


    "Rika Zero," he began, his voice low and gravelly, "is the name we gave that hellish ce. It''s not just a potential haven for the rich to flee to if things go bad on Earth. It''s a ce that will test your every instinct, challenge your every breath."


    He took a step forward, as if the act of speaking about the required him to be closer to his audience. "The creatures there... they don''t think like us. They don''t reason or hesitate. They''re pure instinct, designed to kill. And we learned, at great cost, that they are powered by something more than just their biology."


    His gaze drifted over the room, locking eyes with each person, sending chills down their spines. "We discovered something inside them, something we''ve named ''Beast Gems.'' They''re the core of their power, the source of their lethal abilities. We extracted them from the carcasses of the creatures we killed and brought them back here."


    Asher paused, letting the revtion sink in. "We''ve begun crafting weapons from these Beast Gems. And let me tell you... those weapons could turn the weakest hunter into a force to be reckoned with."


    A palpable wave of anticipation rippled through the room. Williams, ever eager for power, leaned forward, his voice dripping with greed. "So... these weapons, they''ll be part of the rewards forpleting the mission?"


    Asher gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. "Among other things."


    The hunters, even those who had been reluctant, now felt a flicker of hope, an ember of greed. But it was quickly snuffed out when Asher spoke again. "But don''t get too excited. These weapons are not for just anyone. They require skill to wield, and the wrong hands could turn them into instruments of destruction."


    A heavy silence followed. The room felt colder now, as if the very mention of the Beast Gems had drawn something dark into their midst. Seo Jihnyuk, sensing the growing tension, reimed the floor.


    "We have everything prepared for the mission¡ªspaceships, provisions grown on Rika Zero, and the finest scientists the world has to offer. The only thing left is you," he said, his gaze sweeping over the hunters. "You will represent Kyota in this operation, and I have high expectations."


    The room fell into a hush once more. The weight of responsibility hung over them like a dark cloud. Loki, sitting in the back, felt an unease settle deep in his chest. This mission¡ªthere was something about it that didn''t sit right. He could feel it in his bones.


    Williams broke the silence again, his skepticism clear. "And what about the fact that we lost a dozen S-Ranks in thest Metorion attack? Kyota is weak, the SS-Ranks are missing, and we''re sending our best hunters off-world? What happens if something goes wrong here? What if Earth is attacked while we''re away?"


    The question hung in the air like a de ready to drop. For the first time, the possibility of failure, of death, seemed more real than ever.


    Rudeus, the newly appointed representative of Hendricks, cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him. "That''s why we have the support of all other nations. Kyota''s defense will be handled by allied forces while we''re away. The president has signed off on it."


    The unease in the room didn''t dissipate. If anything, it intensified. Handing over their city''s defense to other nations? It was a risky gamble, one that could have dire consequences.


    Axel''s mind raced. Sending their top hunters on a mission where death seemed almost inevitable while leaving their home vulnerable¡ªit was too much of a risk. A part of him knew they had no choice. If this mission seeded, it could bring them closer to ending the war that had gued their world for too long. But at what cost?


    Seo stepped forward once more, his voice taking on a darker tone. "You have one day to prepare before you depart. This is not a vacation. Rika Zero is a hostile world, and any mistake could cost you your life."


    His gaze hardened, and the weight of his words pressed on them like a cold hand squeezing their hearts. "Prepare yourselves... because in order to live, you must first be prepared to die."


    ***Author''s note***


    Seems they are going to space. To Rika Zero and if you have any idea of alien plotline and stuff pleasement. I believe some of your ideas can be gold in this aspect to me.


    Thanks for your support.

 Chapter 111 A Night Stand R-18

    Mass release In honour to the support {24/10}


    Axel and Trisha had just gotten home, and the clock already read midnight. The meeting had dragged on longer than expected, but it ended shortly after Asher spoke, allowing them to be dismissed. No one had much to say after the meeting, an air of tension and exhaustion hanging over them as they waved goodbye outside the facility and quietly went their separate ways.


    Thankfully, Trisha had followed Axel''s advice and purchased a reliable, nondescript car. It wasn''t shy, but it got the job done without drawing unnecessary attention. She used this to drive them both home, the silence in the car reflecting the mood that had settled between them after the meeting.


    When they arrived, Axel''s first instinct was to check for Annie and her son Luxiam. They hadn''t been home for a day now, and a sliver of anxiety crept into his chest. He nced around, noting the eerie stillness of the house. Neither his sister nor her child were anywhere to be found. His fingers instinctively reached for his phone, and after a few taps, he used Cell to track Annie''s location.


    A sense of relief washed over him as he saw that she was with Hera, safe, and Luxiam was with her. She had stayed over, just like yesterday. That was enough to ease his concerns, at least for the night.


    After a long shower, Axel returned to find Trisha had prepared something simple¡ªhomemade ramen. It was her go-tofort food, something that gave her a little less stress, especially on nights like these, where exhaustion clung to them like a shadow.


    They ate together in silence, the only sound in the room the soft clinking of spoons against bowls. Axel tried to meet her gaze, attempting to start a conversation, but Trisha wasn''t interested in talking. Her replies were brief¡ªjust nods, or the asional "yes" or "no." Most of the time, she avoided eye contact altogether, staring into her bowl or at some distant spot on the table.


    Something was bothering her, that much was obvious. Axel could sense it, but he didn''t want to press her. Pushing too hard would make him seem desperate, and he understood well enough that space was often the best course. So, he chose to respect the silence between them, even though it weighed heavily on him.


    After dinner, Axel took his te to the kitchen and washed it, his mind drifting to everything that had transpired. He headed to the bedroom without another word, his body begging for rest. He would''ve liked to unwind with a movie or two, but the weight of the day had exhausted him, and his thoughts kept circling around what he had learned aboutary exploration.


    As hey down, his mind wandered to the concept of beast weapons. There were still so many unanswered questions about thes they were nning to explore. What kinds of creatures would they encounter? The Fates had hinted that there were threats far worse than the Fatek lurking out there in the unknown corners of the universe. Was this what they had meant?


    Exploring these unknown worlds could expose them to beings capable of obliterating their own with ease. Was it worth the risk? Would this turn out to be a regretful mistake?


    His mind swirled with these thoughts until his exhaustion finally overcame him, dragging him into a heavy, dreamless sleep.


    ---


    Axel''s consciousness returned swiftly, a strange sensation running through his body, waking him up with a start. His hands... they were gripping something warm, soft, and irresistibly enticing. Without even thinking, he squeezed tightly, feeling heat surge from beneath his fingers.


    And then, a moan.


    The sound jolted Axel''s eyes wide open, his heart hammering in his chest as he looked down at what he had assumed were pillows.


    His breath caught in his throat. He wasn''t holding a pillow. He was holding Trisha''s breast.


    Shey next to him, her face flushed red, her eyes half-lidded as soft moans escaped her lips. The sight of her body, her naked breasts in his hands, the warmth between them, and the way her moans tugged at him¡ªit was too much.


    "What''s this?" Axel gasped, immediately retracting his hands as if they''d been burned. The shock in his voice broke the quiet spell between them, and Trisha immediately sat up, covering herself with the nket as shame washed over her face.


    Axel sat up too, confusion and embarrassment swirling in his chest. "I... I''m sorry," he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I didn''t mean to... I just... What are you doing?"


    For a long moment, Trisha didn''t respond. She stared down at the bed, her lips trembling as she tried to gather her thoughts. Then, finally, she raised her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.


    "Do you find me attractive, Axel?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Axel blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the question. "What do you mean? Of course, I do," he replied, his words stumbling out in an attempt to reassure her.


    "Then why have you refused me every single time I try to get close?" Trisha''s voice wavered, filled with a mix of anger, frustration, and hurt. "Was she right? Do you still love Sarah... or is it because I don''t have breasts like hers?"


    Axel felt his heart clench at her words. He scooted closer to her, shaking his head desperately. "No, no, that''s not it at all," he said, cing his hands gently on her shoulders. "It''s not about that, Trisha."


    "Then what is it?" she asked, her voice breaking as fresh tears welled up in her eyes. "Don''t you get it, Axel? You''re the first man I want to be with... willingly. In the past, I never had a choice. I was forced, I was raped.


    But with you... I want to do this because it''s my choice. I want to have your children."


    Axel felt a lump form in his throat, the weight of her words crashing down on him like a tidal wave. He stared into her tear-filled eyes, struggling to find the right words, but his mind was a chaotic mess.


    "I..." He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing coherent came out. His own confusion, fear, and uncertainty wrapped around him like chains, keeping him from saying what he really wanted to say.


    "Get out of my head! You''re a nuisance!" Axel''s voice came out sharper than he intended, his frustration spilling over in a moment of weakness.


    The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Trisha flinched as if she had been struck, her body trembling as if she had been shot from all sides.


    For a moment, she sat there in stunned silence, her lips quivering as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I''m... I''m a nuisance," she whispered, her voice broken, and the room fell into an unbearable stillness.


    ***Author''s note***


    Me writing the middle of the chapter.... Smiling


    The conversation getting heated... Smiling.


    Thinking they would agree to do it... Smiling


    He told her get out... Shocked...


    Thanks for the support! Can''t wait to write the next chapter

 Chapter 112 How Will I Ever Forgive You

    "I love every part of you... It''s just... Just..." Axel gulped hard, his throat dry, his thoughts a tangled mess. His heart pounded in his chest, words eluding him as he stared at Trisha, her gaze piercing through him. He opened his mouth again, determined to speak, but before any sound could escape, a familiar, unwee presence materialized before him.


    Velerium''s manifestation loomed, its twisted figure sneering as it whispered into his mind.


    "Say your heart out, my lord," Velerium hissed with a smirk, inching closer. "Kiss her and enjoy the moment. It won''t hurt to indulge her... She needs you to fuck her."


    Axel''s face tightened, his brows furrowing as his gaze flickered between the beautiful woman before him and the vile apparition. His jaw clenched, trying to focus on Trisha, on her soft expression, on the vulnerability she rarely showed, but Velerium blocked his view, its figure leering at him.


    ''Shut up, Velerium!'' Axel growled inwardly, trying to force the spirit''s voice out of his head, but it persisted like an itch he couldn''t scratch. The spirit continued in a mocking tone.


    "I''m just giving you advice, my lord. Take it from someone who''s lived long enough to know. I''ve ushered many souls to the underworld, and I can tell when a woman needs¡ª"


    "I said get out of my head!" Axel''s voice rose in a sharp yell, his patience fraying. His face flushed with anger, the words spilling out before he could control them.


    Velerium hissed, its voice fading as it retreated into the shadows of Axel''s mind, but the damage was done.


    Silence fell between him and Trisha. Axel froze, his mind reeling. His heart sank when he saw the hurt on her face, her lips trembling, her eyes wide with shock. It hit him like a punch¡ªhe hadn''t just yelled at Velerium, had he? No, it was Trisha standing before him, and to her, he had shouted at her.


    Tears welled up in Trisha''s eyes, the proud, mighty S-rank hunter now trembling as she turned away from him, her bare form shivering in the dim light of the room. She quickly grabbed a nket draped over the wardrobe and wrapped it around her body, shielding herself from him as she walked to the window, her back facing Axel.


    ''What have I done?'' Axel thought, his throat tightening as he sat there on the bed, paralyzed by the weight of the moment. His fists clenched at his sides. ''No... I can''t lose her, not like this. Damn that Velerium... I have to fix this.


    I have to man up.''


    He took a deep breath, pushing aside the storm of thoughts crashing in his mind. Slowly, Axel rose from the bed, his bare feet padding softly against the cold floor. Each step felt heavier than thest as he approached her, stopping two feet behind her, his heart in his throat.


    "I''m sorry for what I did," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I''m sorry for yelling at¡ª"


    "Leave me alone, bastard!" Trisha cut him off, her voice sharp with a mixture of sadness and fury. She didn''t turn to face him, but the pain in her words hit Axel like a de.


    Axel''s mind went nk for a moment. He stood there, rooted to the spot, not knowing what to say or do. Her rejection stung, a harsh echo of memories from his past. He could remember the way his father had belittled him when he was younger, the way those same words had been thrown at him, leaving deep scars.


    "You are a nuisance, idiot! Get out of my head!"


    The voice of his father rang in his ears, cold and unforgiving, just like the words he had yelled at Velerium... and now, Trisha had heard them.


    Axel shook his head, trying to push the memories away. He knew what he had to do. He couldn''t let this moment define their rtionship, he couldn''t let Velerium or the past take over. He stepped closer to her, removing his shirt and tossing it aside, standing bare-chested, vulnerable before her.


    Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her gently into his embrace. The heat of her body against his sent a wave of warmth through him. At first, she tensed, her body stiff against his touch, but slowly, after a moment of struggling, she rxed, leaning into him.


    "I''m sorry," Axel whispered, his voice soft and sincere as he rested his head against hers. "I had a nightmare about my father... I didn''t know what I was saying. I wasn''t yelling at you, I swear, I just¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Trisha turned in his arms, her tear-streaked face now inches from his. Her eyes, still glistening with tears, met his, and for a moment, Axel felt the weight of her emotions. Her pain, her confusion, and perhaps... her need for something more than words.


    "Axel..." she whispered, her voice fragile, as though she was afraid to say what she was feeling. "Can you... I don''t know..."


    Her head dropped in shame, but Axel wouldn''t let her hide. He gently lifted her chin with his hand, bringing her gaze back to his. Their eyes locked, and without a second thought, Axel leaned in, capturing her lips in a soft, tender kiss.


    The kiss deepened as Trisha responded, her hands finding their way around his neck, pulling him closer. The world around them seemed to blur, leaving only the two of them in that intimate moment. Axel''s heart raced, his senses filled with her warmth, her scent, her soft skin against his.


    He let his hand trail down from her chin, gently tugging at the nket that clung to her body. It slipped off her shoulders, revealing her bare form beneath. Axel''s hand found her breast, his fingers teasing the soft skin as Trisha let out a low, breathless moan, her body pressing closer to his.


    Her hands moved down, slipping inside the waistband of his trousers. The feel of her touch sent a surge of energy coursing through him. He pulled away from her lips, his breath hot against her ear.


    "I love you, Trisha," Axel whispered, his voice husky with desire. "I won''t give you up for anything. I want to be with you... to make a family with you."


    A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Her cheeks flushed as she looked at him, her expression softening, filled with a mixture of longing and affection. She reached for his hand that still rested on her breast, guiding him gently toward the bed.


    They moved together, Trisha lying down first, her body glowing in the soft light, every inch of her exposed to him. She slipped off thest piece of clothing, her panties falling to the floor as her face turned crimson with a mixture of shyness and desire.


    Axel''s eyes drank in the sight of her, the curves of her body, the way her chest rose and fell with each breath. He felt a primal urge stir within him, a fire that could no longer be contained. He quickly shed his trousers, and when Trisha''s gaze flicked down, her eyes widened with a glimmer of lust.


    "Axel..." she whispered, her voice breathless. "Please... fuck me."


    ---


    ***Author''s Scream***


    Nice one Axel! Yes! Yes!


    Please support.

 Chapter 113 Before the Mission

    Axel''s eyes slowly fluttered open, the brightness of the morning sun flooding the room. His mind groggily registered the sunlight streaming through the wide-open windows. **Bright morning sun?** He furrowed his brows in confusion. **I didn''t leave the windows open.** His gaze drifted to the empty space beside him in bed. Trisha was already up.


    With a long, tired yawn, Axel stretched his arms, still half-draped in the warm nkets. He nced over at the digital clock on the nightstand, its numbers ring back at him. Just as he was about to settle back into thefort of his bed, a familiar *ping* echoed in his mind. A system notification popped up before his eyes.


    **[You have received a new mission.]**


    Axel squinted at the message. **A new mission?** He rubbed the back of his neck, already feeling the tension knotting in his muscles.


    **[You have been challenged to a battle.]**


    **[Time limit before expiration: 6 hours 30 minutes.]**


    **[Penalty: severe.]**


    He sighed. **A challenger notification.** Over the past few months, these had be routine. However, challengers had appeared less frequently as Axel''s reputation grew. Only a fool would dare challenge him now. Still, this one caught him off guard. It had been weeks since hisst battle.


    Axel stroked his chin thoughtfully. He recalled his conversation with the system when he had asked a bold question not long ago.


    **"Why have the challengers stoppeding?"**


    The system had responded: **[You have be a figure of great reverence. Only the unwise will challenge you to a duel.]**


    **"So, who''s this fool?"** Axel mused, his mind already running through the possibilities. Whoever this person was, they either didn''t know who they were dealing with, or they were strong enough to believe they stood a chance.


    He exhaled deeply, dragging his feet toward the bathroom. **"You''ll have to wait,"** he muttered to himself, **"My foodes first."**


    ***


    #### Months Ago¡­


    Annie knelt in the dimly lit corner of the small, cluttered room, her hands trembling. It was silent. Unnaturally silent. The weight of their mother''s death suffocated the air between them. But worse than that¡ªfar worse¡ªwas the stabbing. Their mother had stabbed Axel before she took her own life.


    The thought alone made Annie sick with grief and confusion.


    Axel sat on the edge of the bed, hands grasping the fabric of his shirt as if clinging to some semnce of control. **"I don''t understand¡­"** His voice was small, hollow. **"Why did she do it?"** His knuckles whitened from his grip. **"She wasn''t under any mind control. She wasn''t possessed¡­ So why¡­?"**


    Tears welled up in his eyes. He doubled over, head in his hands as sobs wracked his body. Annie, sitting across from him, wiped her own tears, her face streaked with sorrow. She recalled Loki''s warning to her before she entered the room, and her heart clenched. It was now or never. She had to tell him.


    **"Axel..."** Her voice cracked. **"I''m sorry, brother."**


    Axel raised his tear-filled eyes, confusion written on his face. **"What do you mean?"**


    Annie inhaled deeply, her throat tightening. She had never felt so vulnerable, so ashamed, in her life. **"I¡ªI''m pregnant."**


    The air between them turned to ice. Axel''s eyes went wide with shock. His heart pounded in his chest as her words hit him like a punch to the gut. **"What did you just say?"**


    Annie''s voice faltered as she struggled to continue. She tried, but the words caught in her throat, her lips quivering. **"I¡­ I''m¡­ Pregnant."**


    The revtion crashed down on Axel, a wave of anger, fear, and disbelief swirling inside him. **"How the hell did you get pregnant?"** His voice shook with fury. **"Who is it for? Why would you do something like this, Annie?"** His sadness twisted into rage, an uncontroble storm of emotions he couldn''t hold back. **"With everything that''s going on with Mom¡­ and you¡ªare you a harlot now?


    Is this what''s be of you?"**


    Annie''s heart shattered at his words. She felt her spirit break into a thousand pieces. But she had expected this. Her eyes zed with hurt and rage. **"Shut up!"** she screamed, cutting him off mid-sentence. The raw pain in her voice startled Axel, but it didn''t stop him from clenching his fists, his own emotions spiraling out of control.


    He opened his mouth again, but Annie wouldn''t let him. **"Shut up!"** she yelled again, louder this time. **"You have no idea what I''ve been through!"** Her voice trembled as the floodgates opened. **"You left us with nothing when you died, Axel! Nothing! Did you even bother to ask how I survived?


    How I kept Mom alive, paid her hospital bills?"**


    Axel froze, his anger giving way to confusion. **"What are you talking about?"**


    Tears streamed down Annie''s face as she confessed the truth. **"I had to do it¡­ I had to be a slut, sell my body to those disgusting men just to save Mom¡­ I did what I had to, Axel! I had sex with ourndlord to keep your apartment because I believed you wereing back. I had sex with Williams, your best friend, and now..."** Her voice broke, and she choked on her sobs.


    **"And now I''m pregnant with his child."**


    Axel''s body went cold. His knees weakened as the truth of her words sank in. He took a step forward, his voice barely a whisper. **"You did it with Williams...?"** The name felt like poison on his tongue. His childhood friend, the one person he trusted beyond anyone else. And now¡­ he had betrayed him in the worst way possible.


    Annie''s words were a hammer to his soul. **"I''m sorry, Axel¡­ I didn''t want this. But I had no choice. I didn''t ask for any of this!"** Her voice was desperate, pleading for him to understand. **"Do you know what it''s like to be raped by those filthy men? To feel powerless?


    You wouldn''t know, because you''re not a woman! You''re a selfish bastard! Everything''s always about you! Dad disappeared because of you! Mom got sick because of you! And I¡­"**


    Axel copsed to his knees, the weight of her usations crushing him. He couldn''t breathe, couldn''t think. All he could do was reach out and pull Annie into a tight embrace. **"I''m sorry,"** he whispered through his tears. **"I''m so sorry¡­ I''m an idiot. Please forgive me."**


    Annie''s sobs wracked her body as she clung to him. **"Please, Axel¡­ don''t go after Williams. I don''t want you tomit murder. We''re all we have left now. Just me and you. Don''t leave me alone again."**


    Axel nodded silently, his chest heavy with guilt and sorrow. There were no more words left to say.


    ***


    "Luxiam! Stop ying with your food!" Trisha''s voice echoed through the dining room as she tried, unsessfully, to restrain the small two-year-old boy wriggling in his high chair.


    Luxiam''s red hair gleamed in the morning light, just like his mother''s. The boy was a spitting image of her, except for his father''s striking blue eyes that glowed with mischief.


    **"You''re so stubborn, Luxiam,"** Trisha muttered with a shake of her head, trying to prevent him from tossing more food onto the floor.


    Annie, seated at the table,ughed at the adorable sight. **"Aunt Trisha, just let him be. He won''t listen to anyone anyway."**


    Luxiam turned his big, pleading eyes toward Annie. **"Mummy, this grandma won''t let me y!"**


    Trisha''s cheeks reddened, her embarrassment clear as she flustered. **"Who are you calling grandma, you little rascal? I''m not past twenty-five!"**


    The struggle between the S-rank hunter and the cheeky toddler continued as Annieughed at the scene. Axel stepped into the room, fresh from the shower, his eyes softening at the sight of his family.


    **"Hey Dad!"** Luxiam called out, a grin spreading across his small face. **"This olddy won''t let go of my hands! She''s being mean!"**


    Axel couldn''t help but chuckle. Luxiam, barely two years old, was already fluent in English¡ªanother effect of the Cell evolution. His words were sharp and often cheeky.


    **"Stop calling me old!"** Trisha huffed, yfully swatting at the boy''s hands. **"I''m not past twenty-five!"**


    As they continued their lighthearted bickering, Axel watched them with a smile, feeling a rare warmth bloom in his chest. **The family I have left,** he thought, his heart heavy yet grateful for this fleeting moment of peace.


    ---


    Thanks for the support. Wanted to write a family Chapter so I did so. Thanks.

 Chapter 114: Bonus Chapter 114: Another Challenger

    Bonus Chapter 114: Another Challenger


    "Sorry to keep you waiting," Axel pronounced, his voice echoing through the barren wastnd. Thendscape around him was deste, stretching out in every direction. Cracks littered the ground like scars on an ancient battlefield, and the air was thick with the scent of dust and death.


    A few twisted, lifeless trees stood crooked against the skyline, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. In the distance, the horizon was barely visible beneath a sky that flickered between shades of grey and purple.


    In the middle of this wastnd, a figure sat cross-legged, her annoyance radiating off her like heat from a furnace. The challenger¡ª a woman with two wickedly curved horns protruding from her skull and arge, violet sword resting across herp¡ª red at him. Her sharp eyes never left his, filled with a seething rage.


    [**Wee to Barren Zero**]


    [**Defeat your opponent and defend your title**]


    Axel''s attention was momentarily diverted by the system notifications shing before him, but he casually dismissed them with a wave. His focus returned to his opponent, who seemed less than thrilled with the wait. He lifted a hand in an almost friendly gesture. "I''m Axel," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "And honestly, I''d much prefer just to talk."


    The woman growled in disgust, her hands tightening around the hilt of her de. "Liar!" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "How dare you keep me waiting so long."


    Axel shook his head, a wry smile forming on his lips. **Liar.** That word still stung, even after all this time. **Mtecuhtli**, the dark god who had cursed him, had robbed him of the ability to lie. Although, thanks to his pact with **Velerium**, there was a loophole. He could lie, but only five times within two days¡ªan absurdly small allowance for a man in his line of work. But this woman?


    He wouldn''t waste one of those precious lies on her. Not a chance.


    ''And I won''t waste a lie on such a small fry.''


    His system hummed to life again, scanning the opponent before him.


    [**Name: Reya ???**]


    [**Abilities: Turbo Recoil (A-Rank), Bullet Damage (B-Rank)**]


    [**Full Inspection: Your opponent excels at short-rangebat. Close contact is extremely dangerous. Proceed with caution.**]


    Axel''s eyes gleamed with amusement. **Turbo Recoil**? That exined her short-range affinity. The more he thought about it, the more he was tempted to end this quickly. But no, that wouldn''t be satisfying. He liked to understand his enemies first.


    Letting out a small sigh, Axel shrugged. "Honestly, you should reconsider. Only an idiot woulde at me right now."


    Reya snarled, her sharp teeth visible as her rage intensified. She stood, her massive sword rising with her as she aimed the tip at Axel. "Are you mocking me? Do you know who I am? I am **Reya de**, the terror of the Blood Realm!"


    Axel raised an eyebrow, nodding slowly in mock respect. "You sound very impressive where are you from, Reya de. But I''d like to know¡ªwhere exactly do youe from, and why did you choose me? I am really quized please exin."


    Reya hesitated, her grip on her sword faltering. She had been ready to strike, but Axel''s question seemed to catch her off guard, seemingly. After a moment, she snarled again, not quite as ferociously this time. "It doesn''t matter where I''m from. What matters is that you''re one of the top candidates¡ªsomeone worth defeating."


    Axel tilted his head, curious. "Top candidate? For what?"


    "For the power you hold," Reya spat, her voice growing more agitated. "The hierarchy is clear¡ªdefeat you, and I ascend. But enough talk! I will finish you here!"


    Without another word, Reya exploded into motion, her sword zing through the air as she charged toward Axel at terrifying speed. The ground trembled beneath her feet, and her form became a blur, moving faster than most eyes could follow. The wind whipped violently in her wake, kicking up dust and loose debris as she bore down on him.


    Axel barely moved, watching her advance with mild interest. He yawned, adding to her fury. The gap between them closed in less than a second. Reya hoisted her massive de high above her head, ready to bring it crashing down with devastating force.


    But her swing nevernded.


    Reya''s eyes widened in disbelief as her arms froze mid-swing. The muscles in her body locked up, refusing to obey hermands. Something¡ªno, **someone**¡ªhad stopped her. Her gaze darted toward her hands, where she saw, with growing horror, that they were no longer connected to her body. Her forearms, now severed at the elbows, floated in the air, held aloft by ethereal hands made of shadows.


    "Wh-what...?" Reya gasped, her voice trembling. Pain hadn''t even registered yet, but the sight of her dismembered arms made her scream. "Aahhhhhhh!" Her shrieks echoed across the wastnd, filled with raw terror. She tried to retreat, but her legs refused to move. Looking down, she saw that shadowy hands had emerged from the ground, anchoring her feet in ce.


    "Impossible!" she cried out. Panic overwhelmed her as her mind raced, desperate for an exnation, an escape¡ªanything. But there was none. She had made a fatal mistake, and now her fate was sealed.


    Axel stood before her, his expression one of cold indifference. "You should''ve listened," he said quietly. "I warned you." He raised a hand and ced it gently on the top of her head, his fingers sinking into the sweat-soaked hair.


    [**Activating Deceased Touch**]


    Reya''s screams reached a fever pitch as her body began to disintegrate from the top down. Her skull dissolved first, crumbling into dust beneath Axel''s hand. The darkness that held her in ce crept up over her body, swallowing her whole. In mere moments, Reya de¡ªthe once-mighty warrior of the Blood Realm¡ªwas reduced to nothing more than a pile of ashes, scattered by the wind.


    Axel watched the remnants of his opponent disappear, and then sighed in disappointment. "Well, that was underwhelming." He nced at his system, hoping for something more rewarding.


    [**Rewards**]


    *You have gained 1000 Exp from the mission*


    *You have gained Reya''s weapon*


    He nced at the de that now floated in his inventory, unimpressed. "Her weapon isn''t even worth keeping," Axel muttered, selling it off instantly in the system''s store. "I expected more."


    He checked his stats, his expression growing more frustrated. **8899/100000 Exp**. "Leveling up has officially be a nightmare. I knew it would get harder, but this is just ridiculous."


    Axel shook his head, his mood souring. "I better head back. Trisha''s probably waiting on me to pack for the journey." He cracked his neck and stretched. "Man, I don''t get women."


    ***


    **//Stats//**


    Name: Axel Teras


    Exp: 8899/100000


    Level: 63


    Job ss: Dormant Devour


    Axel closed the interface and nced at the horizon, where the dark, barrennd seemed to stretch on forever. But all he could think of was the family he had waiting back home.


    ***Author''s thought***


    Now that we have gotten a rest or should I say, a short introduction and fun. The true matters start here. Ourary adventure begins. And the question about Luxiam!

 Chapter 115 Travelling to Rika Zero

    Trisha''s grip on Axel''s hand tightened as she nced at the swirling red portal in the distance. The swirling light pulsated ominously, its crimson hue casting eerie shadows on their faces. She clenched her jaw, her eyes betraying a mixture of anxiety and something else¡ªsomething deeper, almost primal.


    Axel turned his head slightly, catching her tense expression. "Is anything wrong?" he asked, his voice betraying only mild curiosity, though inside, his thoughts raced.


    "Shut up," she shot back, her tone sharper than he expected. "I can sense your heartbeat. You''re scared."


    Her words sliced through Axel''s calm fa?ade like a knife, and his expression quickly shifted fromposed to a tight, nervous stare. How could she tell? Was his guard slipping? Axel, who had faced monsters, kaiju, and the wrath of dimensions themselves, now found himself disarmed by a simple observation.


    "What do you mean by that?" he managed, still trying to suppress the anxiety rising in his chest. "I''m just curious about the mission, that''s all."


    But his thoughts were elsewhere. *This can''t be happening.* His mind kept circling back to what the Fates had told him. Was this mission part of the prophecy? Did it align with what was meant to unfold? He hated how it all seemed to click together, but still, some part of him refused to believe it. The army had to have ulterior motives.


    After all, why explore unknowns if there wasn''t more to it?


    A smile forced its way onto Axel''s lips as he gently pulled his hand free from Trisha''s. He made his way toward Loki, who stood in a corner, detached from the group and immersed in his own thoughts.


    Waving lightly, Axel called out, "Do you feel it too? This... weirdness?"


    Loki furrowed his brow, looking at Axel as though he had just asked an impossible question. "Weird? You''ll have to be more specific. I have a long list of weird things about this mission."


    "The mission," Axel rified, his voice lowering. "What do you think of it?"


    Loki''s previously rxed demeanor instantly shifted. His gaze darkened, his shoulders tensed, and he cast a quick nce over at the others. "I see," he began, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Don''t let it bother you too much. You''re not the only one who feels like this. Most of us suspect something''s off, and that''s why Kyota handpicked us.


    But whatever it is, I''m sure the country leading theseary raids has their true motives hidden deep. We''ll find out soon enough, I''m sure of it."


    But Loki''s wordscked the conviction he tried to convey. Axel could hear the hesitation behind the confidence. Even Loki wasn''t certain, which made Axel''s unease all the more suffocating.


    "Listen up, everyone!" a booming voice called out.


    Commander Asher, standing in the middle of the room with a permanent scowl etched into his face,manded their attention. His dark eyes flicked to the swirling portal behind him. "Before we enter, there are a few things I need to go over."


    The room quieted as all eyes turned toward Asher. He pointed toward the portal, and its glow reflected ominously off his uniform. "This portal may be stable, but there are risks. If any glitches ur, you could be thrown off-course. If that happens, you might end up somewhere not too far from the facility on Rika Zero, but it couldplicate the mission."


    He gestured to a guard standing near the door. The man immediately approached with a ck case in his hands. Without a word, the guard opened it, revealing rows of sleek metallic watches inside.


    "These are your tracking devices," Commander Asher continued, lifting one for the group to see. "Each of you will wear one. These watches serve two purposes: tracking your location and uploading all the data we''ve gathered on Rika Zero. They''re vital to the mission. Additionally, you will be operating under military protocol. I expect strict obedience.


    This isn''t a guild assignment anymore. You are soldiers now, and you''ll behave as such."


    Axel saw Thor stiffen at the words. The powerful hunter wasn''t used to beingmanded like a subordinate. He wasn''t the only one. The others exchanged ufortable nces, clearly disliking the way Asher spoke to them.


    "Also," Asher continued, his voice growing colder, "this portal operates on time discement. The speed at which you enter will affect how long it takes for you to reach the other side. Walking through will dy you by five minutes. Running, however, will make the transition almost instant. I expect all of you toe through within the next five minutes."


    Without further exnation, Asher strapped the watch to his wrist and dashed into the swirling red light. He vanished in an instant, leaving the rest of them standing in uneasy silence.


    Josh Roark, the SS-ranked hunter, was the first to move. He put on the watch, his face unreadable as he followed Asher into the portal. One by one, the others began to follow¡ªsome more reluctantly than others. Axel stood back, watching the scene unfold. His heart raced, his instincts screaming at him to be cautious. Something was wrong.


    He couldn''t shake the feeling.


    Everyone had gone through the portal now. Axel was thest one left.


    *Velerium,* Axel called out mentally to his ancientpanion, the being bound to his very soul. *Did you sense what I did? That energy from Josh Roark when he walked through the portal?*


    Velerium materialized beside him, his ethereal form flickering as he stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I sensed nothing out of the ordinary," he replied, his voice calm yet tinged with uncertainty. "If it''s there, it''s beyond my perception."


    Axel frowned but epted Velerium''s response. Still, doubt gnawed at him. Strapping the watch to his wrist, he crouched low, bracing himself before sprinting at full speed toward the portal. His heart pounded in his chest as the red light enveloped him, blinding him momentarily.


    When the light faded, Axel stumbled into an unfamiliar atmosphere¡ªa sterile, futuristic room made entirely of gleaming metal. Soft silver lights lined the arched ceiling, casting an eerie glow across the space. The room was quiet. Too quiet.


    Axel''s eyes were drawn downward, and dread instantly flooded his veins. Bodies. Scattered across the cold, metallic floor were the motionless forms of hisrades. Trisha, Thor, Loki¡­ even Josh Roark, the legendary SS-ranked hunter. All of themy unconscious, their powerful bodies limp and defenseless.


    Axel''s breath caught in his throat as his eyes darted around the room, scanning for any signs of an enemy. He could feel his heart hammering in his chest, his muscles tensing as he prepared to fight.


    But before he could react, a sudden tightness gripped his lungs. The air seemed to thin, and Axel struggled to draw in a breath. His vision blurred, the edges of the room fading into darkness.


    Thest thing Axel saw before his world went ck was Commander Asher standing at the far end of the room, a white filtration mask covering his face. The mask gleamed in the dim light as Asher calmly surveyed the scene, untouched by whatever had rendered the others unconscious.


    "We''ve captured th¡ª" Asher''s voice became muffled, indistinguishable, as Axel''s consciousness slipped away.


    *Damn... I didn''t see iting. I should have trusted my instincts from the start.*


    Axel''sst thought before everything went dark: *We''ve been betrayed.*

 Chapter 116 Oh So Thats the plan!

    Waking up to theforting softness of a bed, Axel''s eyes shot open in shock¡ªbut it wasn''t the softness that startled him. It was a literal jolt of electricity that buzzed through his body, forcing him to sit upright with a sudden gasp. His heart raced, and the electric charge quickly dissipated, but its remnants left him wide-eyed and fully awake.


    The pain lingered like a ghost, unsettling his nerves.


    Axel blinked as his mind scrambled to recall what had happened. The portal... the betrayal... His body tensed, trying to move, but something was wrong. His wrists were bound.


    Before he could speak, Commander Asher''s voice broke the silence. "Wait. Calm down, everyone!" Asher raised his hand, halting any sudden movements from Axel and the others in the room.


    Axel nced around, seeing his entire team waking up in simr beds, all equally confused. His heart pounded faster as he noticed they were all shackled, their hands bound in cold, metallic cuffs. His eyes narrowed, anger brewing. *What is this?*


    Williams voiced everyone''s shared frustration, his voice a low growl. "What the hell is this? You strap us with chains and expect us to sit quietly?"


    It was insane. How could they be expected to remain passive, like caged animals, unable to defend themselves or fight back?


    Commander Asher, unfazed by the rising tension, held up his hand again. "I will exin everything in due time. The cuffs you''re wearing are power shackles. They temporarily nullify your Awakened abilities. Since you''re all S-rank, the effect isn''t as strong, but trust me, it''s enough to keep things under control."


    The room fell silent, though the air buzzed with resentment. Axel could see it in everyone''s eyes¡ªthe quiet fury that simmered just beneath the surface. Shackling S-ranks? It was a provocation, in and simple. But something about Asher''s tone unnerved him. There was a hidden motive, something more sinister than just containment.


    Loki, ever the calm one, broke the silence. "So... what exactly are you trying to say? Exin."


    Commander Asher seemed relieved someone was willing to listen. "First of all, it''s not entirely my fault you all passed out upon arriving here. The atmosphere of this has a peculiar effect on humans. We call it ''Death Sleep.'' It''s as if the''s toxins shut down your body temporarily. It''s happened to every human who''s ever set foot here.


    Fortunately, thanks to our adaptability, we wake up after a few days. In your case, three days."


    "Three days?" Thor''s voice boomed from his bed, his fury barely contained. "Are you telling me we''ve been unconscious for *three days*?"


    Sarah rolled her eyes in frustration, reclining back on her bed. "Great. Three days wasted. I could''ve used a shower."


    Axel clenched his fists. Three days out cold, and now shackled like prisoners. The betrayal stung deeper, but something told him there was more to this situation than just the atmosphere.


    Commander Asher continued, his voice cool and measured. "You''re bound for your own safety. The beasts on this¡ªRika Zero¡ªhunt based on power levels. Right now, your collective energy signatures are enough to draw the attention of a Grade Three beast."


    Axel''s gaze sharpened. *Grade Three?*


    Josh, still lying in his bed, frowned. "What exactly does that mean?"


    Asher took a step forward, his face serious. "We''ve categorized the beasts on Rika Zero into four grades. A Grade One beast is roughly equivalent to a D-rank or E-rank hunter. A Grade Two would be closer to A-rank or C-rank. But a Grade Three... that''s SS-rank to S-rank."


    The room tensed further. Axel could feel the weight of Asher''s words sinking in. An SS-rank beast? They were powerful, but without their abilities, facing something like that would be near impossible. And the look on Asher''s face told him there was more.


    "Why are we here then?" Axel demanded, his voice hardening. "What''s the real mission?"


    Asher''s eyes glinted with something Axel couldn''t quite ce. "You''re here because we have a problem. A Grade Three beast has been terrorizing this sector, and I need your team to take it out. However, you won''t be using your Awakened abilities."


    The room exploded in protests.


    "Are you insane?" Williams spat. "You expect us to kill a monster of that size without our powers? We''re strong, but not that strong."


    Asher''s expression remained cold. "You won''t be going in unarmed. We need to gather weapons made from the carcasses of Grade Two beasts. These weapons can harness their strength and give you a fighting chance. But you must earn them first."


    "And what if we refuse?" Axel''s voice was quiet, but the threat beneath it was unmistakable.


    Asher paused, his eyes locking onto Axel''s. "You won''t refuse. Because if you do, you won''t make it off this alive. Rika Zero is unforgiving, and without cooperation, you''ll die here."


    Axel''s heart pounded, his mind racing. There was something off, something Asher wasn''t telling them. And then, like a puzzle piece clicking into ce, he realized.


    "Ourbined presence together... it''s enough to attract arger threat, isn''t it?" Axel''s voice cut through the silence. "You''re worried about a Grade Four, a primordial beast, aren''t you?"


    Asher''s face darkened, and for a moment, the room fell deathly still. A shiver crawled down Axel''s spine as he watched a small grin form on Asher''s lips.


    "You''re not wrong," Asher said quietly. "A Grade Four is something far worse than what you''ve ever faced. But don''t worry. I have it under control."


    Axel''s eyes narrowed. "How?"


    Asher''s grin widened as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "I''ve imnted bombs in your necks. They''re tied to your power signatures and your watches. You can''t remove them physically, and they''ll detonate the moment you try to use your Awakened abilities."


    The air in the room turned icy. Axel''s breath hitched as he processed the words. *Bombs?*


    "If you think about defying me, just remember," Asher added with a chilling smile, "this mission isn''t about survival. It''s about obedience. You don''t leave until the mission isplete, or I trigger the bombs. Either way, there''s no going home until you do what I say." Chapter Find:

 Chapter 117 So there are...

    The room grew tense with Commander Asher''s words, the silence heavy with an undercurrent of threat. The air felt stifling as if something far more dangerous lurked just beneath the surface of his statement.


    "Just kidding," Commander Asher said suddenly, cracking a disarming smile. "There''s nothing I can do. Ease up. You might be my soldiers, but I''m not as hard as I might seem."


    Despite his attempt at lightening the mood, the eerie silence lingered. The hunters in the room exchanged nces, still questioning if his jest had any truth behind it. They weren''t so easily reassured. Commander Asher''s authority weighed heavily on them, a constant reminder that things might not be as simple as they appeared.


    "Please, just do your best to suppress your power level," he added, his tone turning more neutral. "I''ll leave an assistant here to guide you when you''re ready."


    With that, Asher strode out of the room, his entourage of officers following behind, their boots nging against the metallic floor. Only a single man remained, their so-called guide, standing by the door like a sentinel.


    The moment Asher''s presence vanished, a subtle change rippled through the hunters. The tension deted but didn''t disappearpletely. It was as though everyone had been holding their breath, unsure of when they could exhale. Without a word, the high-ranked hunters began to stir. They weren''t the kind to remain shackled for long.


    Without waiting for the assistant to provide any keys, they tore through their restraints with brute strength, the chains snapping like twigs under their power. The sound of metal ttering to the ground echoed through the sterile room.


    Axel rose from his bed and moved through the crowd, weaving past Thor, Williams, and Josh. His focus was on two familiar faces¡ªTrisha and Loki, who were three beds away from him. Relief washed over him, though he knew the question he was about to ask was pointless.


    "Are you all right?" Axel asked, his voice calm butced with underlying concern. It felt odd to voice his feelings. He hated how the words felt like a performance, a forced disy of empathy. It disgusted him.


    Trisha nodded, her eyes bright with excitement. "We were just discussing how thrilling it would be to wield beast weapons."


    Axel blinked, caught off guard by their light-hearted conversation. Beast weapons? The room had just been drenched in anxiety, and now they were talking about weapons like this was some sort of vacation. He nced around, noticing that the other hunters seemed equally eager, their expressions alight with the thrill of the unknown dangers that awaited them.


    Even the legendary Josh Roark had a gleam in his eye, as if he couldn''t wait to face whatever this new had in store for them.


    But Axel wasn''t swept up in their enthusiasm. His attention drifted back to Loki, who stood silently beside Trisha, his expression unreadable.


    "Is something bothering you, Loki?" Axel asked, lowering his voice.


    Loki hesitated before shaking his head. "It''s not that. I''ve just realized how weak I really am. Without much mana left, I can''t fight properly. How the hell am I supposed to survive out there?"


    Axel''s stomach twisted at Loki''s admission. He didn''t want to hear that. Not from Loki. The detective who had always beenposed, always quick to analyze the situation and find a solution, now looked beaten. He looked vulnerable. Axel swallowed hard, trying to shake the feeling of disappointment gnawing at him.


    Maybe Loki was right. Maybe they all needed to take a step back and recognize how ill-prepared they truly were.


    "Maybe I should ease up a little," Axel muttered to himself, barely audible.


    Chapter Read:


    Trisha smirked, catching his words. "Axel would dly protect you, Loki," she teased, her eyes shing with mischief. She winked at Axel before making her way toward Josh Roark and Thor, joining their conversation about weaponry.


    Axel''s heart clenched unexpectedly. His gaze followed Trisha as she moved across the room, and a strange, unexinable sense of anger boiled inside him. It was paranoia, a creeping sensation that someone, or something, was wrong. His mind buzzed with unease, like a nagging voice in the back of his head refusing to be silenced.


    *What the hell is this feeling?* he thought, shaking his head as if trying to rid himself of the emotion. *It''s taking up too much space in my brain.*


    Loki chuckled softly, breaking Axel''s inner turmoil. "I hate nice girls," Loki said, his tone cynical. "They smile so much, and you think they like you. They reply to your messages, and you start believing you''re all they think about. You date them, and then you realize... they''re the same with everyone."


    Axel narrowed his eyes, feeling the weight of Loki''s words. "So you think I''m obsessed? Or are you saying I''ve grown more attached than I should be?"


    Loki nodded, his expression serious now. "Attachment isn''t a bad thing, Axel. But when she dumps you... that''s when the real crazy starts."


    Axel didn''t have time to respond. Across the room, Josh Roark waved to them, signaling that it was time to move out. The hunters began to gather, following their guide as they exited the sterile room and stepped into a wide hallway.


    The sight that greeted them was nothing short of mesmerizing.


    The hallway was bathed in soft, glowing lights, illuminating the sleek, metallic walls that shimmered like polished diamond. The floor beneath their feet was a strange mixture of solid and liquid, giving the sensation of walking on something alive, something that shifted and pulsed with their every step.


    It was unnerving and yet oddly beautiful, a glimpse of the futuristic marvels thaty hidden in this alien facility.


    As they moved deeper into the hall, their eyes caught glimpses of various rooms through ss windows. Inside, advanced weapons and cutting-edge technology were on disy, each more fascinating than thest. The air buzzed with an electric thrill. Workers bustled about, more numerous than anyone had anticipated, their movements efficient and precise.


    "So, how long has this program been running?" Josh Roark''s voice broke the silence, his question directed at their guide. Josh wasn''t one to let a mystery go unsolved, and his curiosity had piqued the moment they arrived.


    The guide, a tall, gaunt man with cold eyes, merely shook his head and gave a nomittal shrug. "I can''t give you that information."


    Josh frowned, irritated. "But I can tell you this," the guide continued, his voice cryptic. "The facilities here are safe. They''re designed to handle any dangers this world might throw at us."


    "That''s not what I asked," Josh muttered under his breath.


    "How were you able to navigate Rika Zero without a full guild of S-rank hunters?" Josh pressed, his voice now sharp with suspicion. "Scouting the should''ve been impossible, let alone building a facility. So, how did you manage it?"


    The hunters exchanged nces, realizing the gravity of Josh''s question. How had they managed to build something so advanced on such a hostile without an entire army of elite hunters? There had to be something¡ªsome hidden force guiding them. Maybe an awakened with the ability to predict the future? Or someone who could manipte time itself?


    The guide''s lips curled into a sly smile. "Since we''re heading in that direction, I might as well tell you," he said, his voiceced with amusement. "Our partners are the inhabitants of this. They''re called Ryoma."


    .

 Chapter 118 Void Walkers

    ---


    Humans working with aliens.


    Aliens believed to be *Fateks*.


    *Aliens*... Are you fucking kidding me?


    The revtion sent shockwaves through the group, leaving them speechless. There was no way¡ªno possible way¡ªthat humans would willingly partner with aliens, especially after everything the Fateks had done. These creatures had terrorized humanity for decades, reducing entire cities to ashes, enving and devouring countless lives. The thought of coborating with them was nothing short of treason.


    Josh clenched his fists, his mind racing with the implications. There had to be a mistake. He exchanged nces with Williams, who, for once, didn''t have a cocky retort. They all fell silent as they approached the arched metallic doors, which slid open with a soft *hiss*. What awaited them beyond was far worse than they had imagined.


    Inside the dimly lit room sat three figures around arge round table. Their appearances were unmistakable¡ªhumanoid, but grotesquely modified. These beings had no eyes, only smooth green skin with a single ck orb hovering eerily above each of their heads. Their muscles bulged unnaturally beneath their tight armor, making them appear more beast than man.


    These weren''t just aliens¡ªthey were *Ryomas*, a species rarely seen, but known to work in the shadows, far more strategic and brutal than the Fateks.


    At the head of the table sat Commander Asher, conversing with these alien figures as if nothing were out of the ordinary.


    "You''ve got to be fucking kidding me," Williams muttered under his breath, his hand instinctively moving toward the sidearm on his belt.


    Josh stepped forward, his expression darkening as he tried to process what he was seeing. "So it''s true? You *bastards* aligned with aliens!" His voice cut through the air like a de, venomous and full of usation. There was no doubt now¡ªhumans were in league with these extraterrestrials. The very notion felt like a betrayal, as if humanity had been sold out by its own leaders.


    For centuries, aliens had ravaged Earth, plundering its resources, killing its people, and threatening to wipe out civilization entirely. Yet here they were¡ªworking together? The room grew tense as the weight of this reality sank in.


    Commander Asher raised his hand, signaling for calm. "Stand down," he said coolly, though there was a sternness in his tone that warned them not to push further.


    But Josh wasn''t about to be silenced. He walked right up to the table, standing over the Ryomas. His presence radiated authority and defiance. "Listen up," he began, his voice cold as ice. "You might im to be allies, or friends, or whatever bullshit you''re selling. I''ll pretend¡ªfor now¡ªthat you''re worth the oxygen in this room.


    But if you try anything funny, if you even *think* of crossing us..." He leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing. "I''ll wipe out your entire race."


    A thick silence filled the room. The Ryoma leader, a towering figure with sharp, angr features, inclined his head slightly, his ck orb glowing faintly as he acknowledged Josh''s threat. "You do not need to warn us twice," he replied, his voice calm yet heavy with unspoken danger.


    Josh smirked, but the smile didn''t reach his eyes. "Good." He turned to the rest of the group, spreading his arms in a mock gesture of reassurance. "See? They''re cool."


    Somehow, his casual attitude lightened the atmosphere, easing the tension just enough for everyone to breathe again. Commander Asher took the cue and stepped forward, his hands sped behind his back.


    "Let''s get to the point," he said, his tone brisk. "This mission we''re about to undertake¡ªit''s bigger than any of you realize."


    The Ryoma leader, now moreposed, rose from his seat and took over the briefing. "As you are aware, the Fatek have been attacking Earth, trying to conquer it, enving your people, and more importantly¡ªseeking your''s *binding*." He paused, his words heavy with meaning.


    "Binding?" Josh raised an eyebrow. "You mean they''re after resources, right? Like every other alien scum?"


    The Ryoma shook his head. "Not just resources. They''re after something far more valuable. Earth, and a few others like it, have a unique connection to the fabric of the universe. This ''binding'' grants them ess to energy¡ª*power*. The Fatek want it, and they are willing to destroy your to get it."


    Josh crossed his arms, his skepticism clear. "So they''re basically squatters looking for a new home?"


    The Ryoma leader''s lips tightened, but he continued, "The Fatek lost their own¡ª*Oblivion*¡ªto a force far greater than themselves. They''ve been searching for a new ce to settle, and Earth is their primary target because of its weak defenses."


    Commander Asher stepped forward again. "But that''s not the worst of it," he said, ncing at the group. "The Fatek aren''t just attacking Earth for conquest. They''re *running*¡ªrunning from something far worse."


    Loki, who had been silent up until now, stepped forward. "A bigger threat," he murmured, his eyes narrowing. "That''s why they''re so desperate, isn''t it? They''re trying to escape from whatever destroyed their home."


    The Ryoma leader nodded gravely. "You are correct. The Fatek have always been conquerors, taking what they need and moving on. But now, they''re not just fighting for dominance¡ªthey''re fighting for survival. The force that destroyed their ising. And it will soon be upon yours."


    "What is it?" Williams asked, his voice quieter now, dread creeping into his tone.


    The Ryoma extended his hand, and a holographic projection flickered into existence¡ªa terrifying image of a monstrous entity. Its form was shrouded in darkness, with tendrils that seemed to stretch across entire sr systems. It was an abomination, its mere presence exuding an aura of death and devastation.


    "This," the Ryoma began, "is a Void Walker. A creature born from the Void itself, a force that consumes everything in its path. It spreads like a gue, wiping out entire civilizations, draining their life force until nothing remains but empty husks ofs."


    Josh stared at the projection, his mouth dry. "How long?" he asked quietly, dreading the answer.


    "In three weeks or less, this creature will reach your sr system," the Ryoma answered solemnly. "When it does, your sun will no longer shine, your moon will be consumed, and every source of energy on Earth will be extinguished. The Void Walkers will devour everything. Your time... is running out."


    A cold shiver ran down Josh''s spine. The entire room fell silent as the weight of the situation became clear. This wasn''t just about the Fateks. It wasn''t just about aliens orary conquest.


    This was the end of everything.


    The countdown had begun.


    The Void Walkers wereing.

 Chapter 119 Beast Weapons

    The silence hung desperately in the air for a long moment, a suffocating weight on everyone''s shoulders. The revtion about the Void Walkers¡ªa threat far worse than the Fatek¡ªhad settled like a dark cloud over the room. Axel could feel the tension, the disbelief radiating from every hunter in the room.


    The news that these creatures, capable of destroying entires, were headed straight for Earth was like a punch to the gut. They had left their loved ones behind, blissfully unaware of the storm that was fast approaching.


    "You knew all this time, and you didn''t say a word while we were still on Earth?" One of the S-rank hunters, a man Axel hadn''t met before, stepped forward, his fists clenched, his face twisted with fury. "You could have warned us! I left my sister back on Earth, and now she''s in danger. What the hell is wrong with you?"


    Commander Asher remained seated, his expression calm, almost indifferent, as if the anger directed at him was of no consequence. "I did what was necessary," he replied in a measured tone. "If I had told you about the Void Walkers while we were still on Earth, you would have nevere on this mission. Worse, you would have spread the news to your families, and panic would have taken root.


    Do you really think that kind of chaos could have been contained? It would have caused more harm than good."


    Axel''s chest tightened. As much as he hated to admit it, themander had a point. If he had known about the Void Walkers before they left, he would have told Annie, found a way to protect her, even if it meant abandoning the mission. The thought of leaving her behind with such a threat looming over Earth was unbearable.


    He could feel the same guilt mirrored in the faces of the others, but there was no time to dwell on it now. They had bigger problems to face.


    Trisha, one of the more level-headed hunters, broke the silence. "We understand your reasons, Commander," she said, her voice measured, though there was a tension in her words. She spoke for half the room, but the others were still simmering with anger and worry.


    Thor, ever the warrior, cut in with his usual impatience. "Enough of this nonsense. We don''t have time for me. We should be focused on stopping these creatures already!" His voice rumbled through the room like thunder, his eyes zing with the need for action.


    The Ryoma leader, an ancient figure with a gaze as cold as the void, nodded. "The Void Walkers attack anything that possesses energy. Physical attacks are useless against them, but they are vulnerable to mental and energy-based assaults."


    Axel''s stomach twisted as he felt a few pairs of eyes turn toward him. **Mental attacks? Could that mean they''re vulnerable to nightmares?** His mind raced, wondering if his power¡ªthe ability to make his nightmares real¡ªcould be the key to defeating these invincible beings.


    Before he could voice his thoughts, Loki, always sharp and one step ahead, raised the question. "Would Axel''s nightmare ability,bined with my own power, be effective against the Void Walkers despite their supposed invincibility?"


    Commander Asher sighed, the weight of uncertainty heavy in the air. "We don''t know for sure. It''s possible, but it''s a backup n at best. We''ve developed another strategy in case your abilities don''t work."


    The eldest Ryoma, a solemn figure with deep scars marking his past battles, rose from his seat. His presencemanded silence. "Many years ago, our was attacked by the Void Walkers. We created a weapon, one that was able to injure them. However, even with the weapon, they wiped out our entire civilization. My is now nothing more than a lump of ash and dust.


    The only reason Earth and the surroundings haven''t been attacked yet is because the Void Walkers were dyed... but not for much longer."


    A murmur swept through the room as the hunters grappled with this new information. One of the S-ranks, his voice trembling with barely contained rage, growled, "So, you want us to find this weapon¡ªor the materials to make it¡ªand use our energy as the power source, right? You need us because we''re high-ranked."


    The Ryoma leader nodded grimly. "Yes. It''s a theory that if we had more energy when we fought them, we could have destroyed the Void Walkers before they wiped us out. We need to gather the materials to reassemble the weapon and prevent Earth from suffering the same fate."


    Axel clenched his fists, a cold realization settling over him. **I never thought it woulde to this. I thought once we defeated the Fatek, humans would be free. But the universe is vast, filled with beings far more powerful than anything I imagined.


    Earth is just a speck in a gxy teeming with monsters capable of erasing us from existence.** His mind shed to Annie, his sister, his friends, his mother. He had to fight¡ªnot just for Earth, but for them.


    ***


    Commander Asher and the Ryoma leader led the group of hunters through the facility, down a maze of sterile passageways and past severalbs where Ryoma scientists worked feverishly on their projects. The hum of machinery and the asional flicker of arcane energy filled the air. It was clear that this facility was theirst line of defense, a ce where desperate measures were being devised.


    As they walked, the hunters exchanged uneasy nces. They all knew that this mission was theirst hope. If they failed to recover the weapon, there would be noing back.


    Finally, they reached a massive white chamber with a ceiling so high it disappeared into darkness. The room was eerily empty, save for the faint hum of energy pulsing through the walls.


    Commander Asher raised his hand, and a beam of red light descended from the ceiling, scanning him slowly from head to toe. The tension in the room grew as the light flickered, then turned green. A low mechanical whir echoed through the chamber, and the floor began to rumble.


    Axel''s breath caught in his throat as ss shelves began to rise from the floor, emerging from hiddenpartments. But it wasn''t the shelves that held their attention¡ªit was what they held.


    Weapons. Not just any weapons, but massive, brutal instruments of destruction¡ªswords, shields, hammers, ils, and more, each one adorned with intricate markings of beasts and pulsing with an otherworldly mana. These were not ordinary weapons. They radiated a savage power, as if they had been forged from the very essence of the creatures they resembled.


    "Wee to the Beast Weapons hall," Commander Asher said, his voice echoing in the vast space.

 Chapter 120 Beast Hunt

    The tension in the room was palpable as the high-ranked hunters took their time deciding on their beast weapons. For some, the decision weighed heavily. Williams, a seasoned S-rank hunter, and two others Axel didn''t recognize stood staring at the shelves, caught between too many powerful options.


    Meanwhile, the others scanned the shelves with more precision, quickly finding their weapons of choice and readying themselves for the next task.


    Axel let his eyes roam over the various weapons, feeling their power resonate through the air. His gaze finallynded on a sword, unlike any he had ever seen. The de was forged from a strange red metal, gleaming ominously under the dim lights. It reminded him of the powerful, enchanted swords he had only seen in video games, but this one was very real.


    When he touched the hilt, a wave of energy surged through his hand, sending a chill down his spine. This weapon was alive in its own way, pulsating with a dangerous, untapped power.


    **{Grade Two Beast Weapon}**


    **[Ability: Can secrete thunderous venom¡ªa venom that disorients enemies while killing them slowly.]**


    The venomous ability intrigued Axel. It was a weapon of precision, not brute strength¡ªsomething that could be used strategically rather than recklessly. He liked that. The sword''s bnce was perfect in his hand, as if it had been crafted specifically for him. Satisfied with his choice, he slipped the sword back into its scabbard and stepped away from the shelves.


    Around him, the others had already begun gathering. Thor stood with a massive war hammer slung over his shoulder, its head adorned with jagged runes that looked capable of shattering mountains. Josh Roark, known for his stealth, had chosen two sleek, double daggers that gleamed with a deadly edge. Loki had picked a single dagger as well, small but undoubtedly lethal.


    Sarah held a long, elegant spear, spinning it yfully in her hands, as if testing its weight.


    Axel took his ce next to Josh and Loki, feeling a pang of difort. He hadn''t interacted much with Josh, and there was something about him that Axel couldn''t trust. It wasn''t just his quiet demeanor¡ªit was something deeper, something Axel couldn''t yet put his finger on.


    As thest of the hunters made their selections, they all turned their attention to Commander Asher and the Ryoma leader, who had finished their private conversation and now approached the group.


    "Now that you all have your Beast Weapons in hand, we move to the next phase of the mission," Commander Asher began, his voice steady butden with the weight of the task ahead. "In case you don''t know, these are low-grade Beast Weapons. The highest grade you currently possess is Grade Two. The reason we don''t have higher grades is our inability to acquire stronger Beast gems."


    Axel nced down at his sword. **Grade Two.** It was strong, but not the strongest. He could already feel the thirst for more power stirring within him.


    "So, you need us to kill as many beasts as possible and retrieve higher-grade gems," one of the S-rank hunters said, his voice tight with apprehension. "To power your facility and your ships, right?"


    Commander Asher nodded solemnly. "Yes. This entire facility, including our ships, is powered by Beast gems. If we can acquire higher-grade gems, especially Grade Three or above, our capabilities will increase exponentially."


    Axel thought for a moment before speaking up, "Will you be able to upgrade our weapons if we bring back these gems?"


    Commander Asher smiled faintly, nodding. "Indeed. With the right gems, your weapons can be enhanced. That is one of the rewards you can look forward to."


    The tension in the room eased slightly at the prospect of upgrading their newly acquired weapons. But there was still the daunting task of obtaining the gems in the first ce¡ªa task that wouldn''t be easy.


    "Now, I want you to split into teams of three," Commander Asher ordered, his sharp eyes scanning the group. "Thor, Williams, and Trisha¡­ Sarah, Colby, Haze, and Andre¡­ And finally, Josh, Axel, and Loki."


    Axel''s heart sank slightly. Being paired with Josh felt like a bad omen, though he couldn''t exactly exin why. Still, there was no time toin. He nodded and moved to stand with his assigned team.


    "So, these three teams will each go separate ways," Asher continued. "Your mission is to hunt down as many beasts as you can, focusing on obtaining high-grade gems. You can attract beasts by releasing controlled bursts of energy. The watches on your wrists are designed to monitor your energy output and provide you with an estimate of what grade of beast might be drawn to you."


    Axel nced at his wrist, noting the sleek watch that had been ced there. The interface disyed his current energy level and other useful stats. It was more than just a tracker¡ªit was a survival tool.


    Sarah raised her hand, spinning her spear with a wry smile. "So, do these watches also give us any info on the weapons we picked? Because, let''s be honest, none of us got a manual with these things."


    Commander Asher chuckled lightly. "Yes, the watches can provide detailed information about your weapon¡ªits abilities, its efficiency, and the best way to wield it."


    Satisfied, Sarah nodded and lowered her spear, though she still twirled it absently, testing its weight and bnce.


    "You have thirty minutes to prepare and n your routes," Commander Asher continued. "I''ll be sending satellite maps to your watches. And one more thing¡ªthis mission is set tost five hours. After that, I''ll recall you all back to base. Stay alive out there."


    Axel stared down at his watch as the satellite map pinged onto his screen. Thendscape before him was vast and dotted with dangerous territories marked in red¡ªareas where high-level beasts were known to roam. He studied it closely, trying to figure out the best path to take.


    "Axel, we should start nning our route," Josh said, breaking the awkward silence between them. It was the first time Josh had spoken directly to him, and it took Axel by surprise.


    "Yeah, good idea," Axel replied, forcing the words out of his mouth. He couldn''t shake the unease that settled in his gut whenever he was near Josh. Still, he had no choice but to trust him for now.


    "I hope we manage to get high-quality Beast gems," Axel muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. But deep down, he knew that this mission was just the simple beginning to this mission. The Void Walkers were a looming threat, the fate of Earth hung in the bnce, something told him, that from here on out... His entire world will start to crumbke before him.


    It was just a feeling, but, was it really?

 Chapter 121 Preparations... Thats What You Call Preparing

    As preparations for the mission began, the team was led to separate changing rooms, boys and girls divided as Commander Asher had insisted they all wear the tight, spandex-like uniforms designed for the mission. The fabric clung tightly to their bodies, enhancing mobility and protection, but for some, it felt more like a personal invasion.


    Trisha stood by the bench in the female changing room, her eyes ring at the outfitid out in front of her. The thought of slipping into something so form-fitting made her cheeks burn with embarrassment. The way it would cling to her every curve, outlining her body in ways she wasn''t sure she was ready for¡ªespecially in front of Axel. **Axel...** Her mind lingered on him.


    What would he think seeing her in this? The thought made her blush even more. _Would he find it sexy? Embarrassing? Would he be able to keep his cool?_


    She smirked faintly. If the roles were reversed and she saw Axel in something this tight, she''d probably have a meltdown, maybe even lose her self-control. But Axel wasn''t like that. His calm, stoic nature was often mistaken for disinterest, but she knew better. She would use that calmness to her advantage.


    Quickly, Trisha began stripping off her old clothes. The stench of sweat clung to them after theirst exercise, and she was more than ready to get out of them. As she reached for the spandex suit, her eyes widened in realization.


    _"Wait... there''s no bra!"_


    Her face flushed with shame. It hadn''t even crossed her mind that the uniform wouldn''te with one. With a nervous sigh, she looked down at herself, thankful for the first time that her breasts weren''t particrlyrge. _At least I won''t have to worry about my nipples showing through... right?_


    Before she could further dwell on it, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, squeezing her in a tight embrace.


    "Trisha! Oh my God, you''ve got such a good body!" Sarah''s voice came out as an excited giggle, pressing her own bare chest against Trisha''s back in a yful, if not slightly inappropriate, hug.


    "Wha¡ªSarah, what the hell?!" Trisha stammered, her face growing redder by the second. She could feel the weight of Sarah''s muchrger breasts pressing against her as her hands instinctively covered her own chest in embarrassment.


    "I mean it!" Sarah chirped, shamelessly resting her chin on Trisha''s shoulder. "If I love your body, then Axel''s definitely going to love it too."


    Thement made Trisha''s stomach twist, not with butterflies, but with irritation. "What the hell do you want? I''m not a lesbian, you bitch!" Trisha growled, her patience wearing thin.


    Sarah''sughter filled the room, louder than necessary. "Oh, please. Don''t act so uptight! We both know you''ve already tasted Axel''s d*ck, haven''t you? I''m just trying to bond with you as a fellow woman. But honestly...


    what are you going to do with such small breasts, huh? Your body screams ''used''... like you''ve been with so many guys already. Bet Axel''s had a real rough time putting up with you, huh?"


    The words struck deep, hitting Trisha like a hammer. The yful teasing had turned vicious, and Sarah''s words echoed in her ears. She felt the blood rush to her face, but it wasn''t embarrassment this time¡ªit was pure rage.


    In one swift movement, Trisha spun around, grabbing Sarah by the throat in a vice-like chokehold. Sarah''s eyes bulged in shock as her hands instinctively flew to Trisha''s wrist, trying in vain to pry her off.


    "Say that again, and I''ll break your neck," Trisha hissed through gritted teeth, her grip tightening around Sarah''s throat. She was an S-rank, and her strength was immense¡ªSarah should''ve known better than to provoke her like that.


    Sarah gasped, choking for air as her eyes pleaded for mercy. But before Trisha could decide whether to let go or follow through on her threat, a calm voice interrupted them.


    "I wouldn''t go too far if I were you," Haze said from across the room, seated gracefully on a bench. Her long, fiery red hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her light blue eyes glowed with an eerie calmness. She stared at the scene with quiet detachment, as if watching a mildly interesting y unfold. "Three naked women getting into a fight? Not exactly what you want to be remembered for, is it?"


    Trisha released her hold on Sarah, allowing her to drop to the floor, gasping for breath. Sarah rubbed her neck, ring at Trisha with venom in her eyes, but she didn''t dare make a move. She knew better now.


    "Don''t think this is over," Sarah spat, but her bravado had been significantly diminished. She turned her attention to Haze, her temper ring again. "And what the hell are you talking about, anyway? You think you''re better than me just because you''re a loner who doesn''t getid? Have you even ever had sex?"


    Haze raised an eyebrow, unbothered by the insult. "Actually, yes," she said matter-of-factly. "I''ve had plenty of it. With several men, in fact. But I don''t do rtionships. I prefer to keep things...


    uplicated." Her gaze shifted to Trisha. "But if I had someone like Axel, I''d probably ''seal the deal,'' if you know what I mean."


    "Seal the deal?" Trisha blinked, confused by Haze''s cryptic tone.


    "You know... marry him," Haze rified with a casual shrug, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.


    Trisha''s heart skipped a beat. _Marriage?_ The thought had never seriously crossed her mind before, but now, thanks to Haze, it lingered in her thoughts like a shadow she couldn''t shake.


    Before she could respond, Sarah erupted again. "Who the f*ck are you calling a bitch?!" She hurled insults at Haze, her fury reignited, but the red-haired woman simply ignored her, letting the words bounce off her like raindrops.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the boys'' changing room, the atmosphere was far less tense but no lesspetitive.


    "No way! Look at that gut, man!" Thor bellowed, pointing arge finger at Andres, whose soft stomach jiggled as he tried, in vain, to pull his spandex suit over it. Andres quickly covered his belly, his face turning red as the other boysughed.


    "Just because you''re built like a damn ox doesn''t mean you''re better than everyone else in here," Loki quipped, his tone sharp as he tried to defend Andres, though his own lean figure didn''t exactlymand respect.


    Thorughed heartily, his booming voice echoing through the room. "Oh,e on, mouse! I''d crush you in a second! Hell, even Axel over there could probably take you out without breaking a sweat."


    At the mention of his name, all eyes turned to Axel, who stood silently in the corner, already suited up and ready. His expression was unreadable, his presencemanding even in silence.


    Thor''s grin widened as he stormed over to Axel, still naked butpletely unbothered by it. "Come on, man! You''re a damn SS-rank and you still won''t duel me? What are you, scared? Let''s go! Beast weapons only, no powers!


    I bet you won''tst ten seconds against me!"


    Axel merely shook his head, declining the offer without a word. Thor grumbled in frustration but didn''t press the issue. He knew better than to provoke Axel too much, even if he was desperate for a fight.


    As the room filled withughter and banter, Axel''s eyes drifted toward Williams, who sat apart from the group, his gaze cold and filled with something far more dangerous than resentment. _Hate._


    Axel held his stare for a moment, trying to gauge the source of Williams'' animosity, but before he could think too deeply about it, Thor grabbed him by the shoulder, shaking him yfully but forcefully.


    Williams, still seated, clenched his fists tightly, his eyes narrowing into slits. _I hate that bastard. Always stealing the spotlight, always making me look like a side character. But not for long..._ He hissed under his breath, his grip tightening. _I''ll show you, Axel Teras. I''ll end you on this mission, and when I do, everyone will know my name again._


    ---


    Gift me. If you are enjoying this current chapters. It''s hard to bnce this Sarah character, she''s trying something i don''t like... My Axel only loves on girl! Go away Sarah!

 Chapter 122 A Beast

    Axel, Josh, and Loki walked in silence, their footsteps muffled by the soft hum of the facility behind them as they approached the towering door. This door, one of several designated exits from the undergroundplex, loomed ahead like a portal to another world.


    Commander Asher had instructed their team to take this path, while the others were sent through separate doors on different sides of the facility.


    As they neared it, the door slid open without a sound, as if it had been expecting them. It revealed a world beyond, a stark contrast to the sterile metal walls they had just left behind. The moment they stepped outside, they were greeted by the vibrant and untamed wilderness.


    The sight before them was awe-inspiring. Towering trees with thick, sprawling branches reached toward the sky, their leaves a deep, healthy green. The air smelled fresher, richer, with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers. Bushes grew in clusters, their leaves rustling as small creatures darted through them.


    Butterflies and fireflies flitted about, their delicate wings catching the light, while birds of all sizes filled the air with their songs.


    Josh and Loki stopped in their tracks, mouths slightly agape. It was as if they had been dropped into paradise. Josh inhaled deeply, savoring the clean, fragrant air. "So, this is another," he said, his voiceced with wonder. "It''s unbelievable."


    Loki nodded, his eyes scanning the expanse of vibrant colors and sounds. "This ce is really something else."


    Axel, however, remained unfazed. He had seen this contrast before¡ªthe chaotic beauty of nature against the clinical backdrop of human technology. While the lushndscape was a feast for the senses, he couldn''t allow himself to be distracted. "It may look like paradise, but remember," Axel said, his voice firm, "there are monsters here too. We can''t let our guard down."


    His words brought Josh and Loki back to the reality of their mission. They were here to hunt, not to admire the scenery. Josh chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Man, I almost forgot we were here to kill beasts."


    Axel gave a small smile but kept his hand near the hilt of his sword. "Let''s move. We won''t find any beasts lingering near the facility."


    The trio ventured deeper into the forest, their senses sharp as they navigated the undergrowth. Each step was calcted, careful not to make too much noise or draw unwanted attention. The further they went, the denser the forest became. The thick canopy overhead allowed only patches of sunlight to break through, casting the forest floor in an eerie, shifting light.


    As they pushed forward, the bushes thinned out, and they found themselves on a barren path where the trees were sparser, their trunks thinner. This open area stretched out ahead of them, offering a clear view in all directions. They paused, surveying the surroundings.


    "This spot is perfect," Josh said, his voice hushed. He tapped his map, recalling the location they had scouted earlier. On the map, it had looked small, but standing here now, they realized the true scale of the hunting ground. "We''ve got enough space to see any approaching threats. Let''s release just enough energy to lure something out."


    Loki nodded in agreement, and the three of them began to focus. Loki was the first to release a small fraction of his mana, careful not to overdo it. His wristwatch beeped, disying the number one¡ªa measurement of his power output. Josh and Axel followed suit, each releasing just enough energy for their watches to reflect the same reading.


    Axel lowered his hand to the sheath of his sword, his senses tingling. *With ourbined power, we''re at a level three. That should be enough to attract a moderate-sized beast without overwhelming ourselves,* he thought, tightening his grip.


    Momentster, the ground trembled ever so slightly, as though something massive had been roused from the depths of the forest. A low rumble echoed through the trees, growing louder with each passing second. The underbrush parted, and out from the shadows emerged a hulking figure¡ªa panther-like beast, its sleek ck fur glistening as if coated in metal.


    It moved with lethal grace, its body rippling with muscle. Tworge, curved tusks jutted out from either side of its mouth, and a jagged horn protruded from its forehead. Its golden eyes gleamed with predatory intelligence.


    Beep!


    {You have encountered a grade two Beast: Panther Beast.}


    The three warriors braced themselves as the Panther Beast lunged with terrifying speed, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye. As it charged, its body swelled, muscles expanding until it was the size of an elephant, but much faster¡ªits every movement calcted and deadly.


    "Move!" Axel shouted, leaping aside just as the beast''s massive paw struck the ground where they had stood, leaving a crater in its wake. Dust and debris shot into the air as the panther snarled, its eyes locking onto the group.


    Loki, caught off guard by the sheer speed of the attack, stumbled as the shockwave of the impact knocked him off bnce. *Damn, that was too close!* He struggled to regain his footing, but the panther, sensing weakness, immediately targeted him. With a growl, it lunged at Loki, swiping down with its ws.


    Loki raised his dagger in defense, managing to block the blow, but the force of the strike sent him flying across the clearing. He hit the ground hard, skidding to a stop as the beast charged at him once more, ready to finish the job.


    Axel''s heart pounded in his chest. He had to act fast. Drawing his sword, he darted forward, his movements fluid and precise. With a powerful sh, he severed the panther''s paw mid-swipe, blood spraying as the beast recoiled in pain, letting out a bone-chilling shriek.


    The Panther Beast staggered back, momentarily stunned, but Axel knew better than to give it a chance to recover. He pressed the advantage, rushing in and mming his shoulder into the beast''s nose with all his strength. The blow sent it reeling, its massive form stumbling as it struggled to regain its bnce.


    "Loki, get up!" Axel yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos.


    Loki shook off his disorientation, pushing himself to his feet as quickly as he could. Meanwhile, the Panther Beast had recovered, its furious gaze locking onto Axel. With a feral snarl, it charged again, this time faster than before. Axel barely had time to react as the beast''s jaws opened wide, ready to tear into him.


    But before the panther could strike, a dagger whizzed through the air, embedding itself deep in the creature''s eye socket. The de sank in with a sickening crunch, piercing straight through to its brain.


    The panther let out onest strangled cry before copsing, its enormous body hitting the ground with a thunderous crash.


    Axel blinked in surprise, ncing over at Josh, who stood a few feet away, breathing heavily. Beneath Josh''s shadowy another panther, its body limp and lifeless, a pool of blood forming beneath it.


    "You... you took down two of them," Axel said, his voice filled with awe.


    Josh grinned, though his exhaustion was evident. "Took a few hits, but yeah..."


    Axel nodded in respect, then turned to the fallen beasts. "Let''s extract the gems. We''ll need them for the next grade soon."


    The mission wasn''t over yet¡ªnot by a long shot.

 Chapter 123 Beast 2

    Digging into the gut of the beast? No gem.


    The chest? Still, no gem.


    Axel and Loki exchanged a silent nce, their breath visible in the cold air as they continued their gruesome task. The ground beneath them was slick with dark, sticky blood, and the metallic scent hung thick in the air, almost suffocating.


    Both of them had been searching the Panther beast''s body with methodical precision, cutting through its flesh and bone as Commander Asher''s watches had instructed. The watches indicated three possible locations for the elusive beast gem: the gut, the chest, or the skull.


    So far, they''d found nothing but the beast''s lifeless organs, and their patience was running thin.


    Loki grunted in frustration as he tossed aside another blood-soaked organ, its rubbery texture slipping from his fingers. "This is pointless," he muttered, shaking his head.


    Axel, however, wasn''t one to give up so easily. His eyes narrowed as he observed the grotesque remains of the beast. The skull¡ªit had to be the skull. That was the only ce left.


    "We haven''t tried the skull yet," Axel said, his voice calm but with a hint of urgency. His grip tightened around the hilt of his de, eyes locked on the beast''s massive head.


    Loki, standing a few feet away, wiped the sweat from his brow, his dark hair matted against his forehead. He sighed, then raised his dagger, bracing himself. With all the strength he could muster, he brought the hilt down on the beast''s titanium-like skull.


    A sickening crack echoed in the stillness, but the result was underwhelming. A tiny fracture appeared in the skull, but nothing more. It was as if the beast''s skull was mocking their efforts.


    "Damn it!" Loki spat, stepping back in frustration. "This thing''s harder than I thought."


    Axel stepped forward, his eyes glinting with determination. "Let me try."


    Without hesitation, he raised his own weapon high and, with a force that sent a shudder through the earth beneath them, brought it crashing down on the beast''s head. The impact reverberated through the clearing, sending tremors through the ground. The skull gave way under his immense strength, a deep, jagged crack splitting it open.


    There, nestled inside the shattered remains of the Panther beast''s cranium, was arge, glowing green gem, pulsing with an eerie light.


    Axel didn''t need anyone to tell him. This was it¡ªthe beast gem they''d been hunting. Without a word, he plunged his hand into the skull, grasping the gem tightly. The gem wasrger than he expected, nearly the size of his fist, and it was stuck in the beast''s skull as if it were its lifeblood. With a few sharp tugs, Axel wrenched it free, the faint glow casting an ominous light across his face.


    He stared at it for a long moment, the gem''s surface slick with the blood of the creature they''d just killed. A strange energy radiated from it, making his fingers tingle. Then, with a small smile, he tossed it to Loki.


    "You should keep it," Axel said, his tone light but edged with teasing. "After all, it almost killed you."


    Loki caught the gem, his brow furrowing at Axel''s words. He wasn''t sure if he should take it as a joke or an insult, but in the end, he simply stuffed the gem into the pouch on his belt. "Thanks... I think," he muttered, though his pride stung a little.


    Axel''s smile faded into a more thoughtful expression as he cleaned his weapon. "I didn''t expect you to struggle that much," he admitted, casting a nce at Loki. "No offense."


    Loki gave a slight nod, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "It''s not that I''m weak," he exined, his voice calm. "But not everyone relies on physical strength alone. I build my power using Mana. Josh Roark does the same. We enhance our abilities through it, but ites with limitations, especially in drawn-out fights like these."


    Axel nodded, beginning to understand. That exined why Josh, despite being an SS-rank, had gotten scratched up in their earlier battles. He relied on Mana to fuel his abilities, while Axel''s own power was more physical, more direct.


    "I get it," Axel said. "It must take a lot of Mana to hold your own against beasts like these. That''s why you couldn''t use your full power when the Panther beast attacked, right?"


    Loki nodded, his expression grim. "Exactly. My Mana reserves were low, so I had to conserve what I had. If I had more, I would''ve been able to bind the beast without much trouble."


    Axel sighed, his thoughts drifting. In this world, power came in many forms, and while his strength was immense, it wasn''t always enough. He had his own limitations, too. After all, his power came from a system fueled by Mana as well. Without it, he wouldn''t be able to ess the full range of his abilities or summon the army he''d been growing in strength.


    Josh joined them, his face and armor smeared with the dark, sticky blood of the Panther beast he had been scavenging. He looked exhausted, his shoulders slumped as he approached. "Axel, man, how do you do it? Fighting with low Mana is such a pain."


    Axel chuckled, though he could feel the strain in his own muscles. "It''s not easy, trust me. My strength might seem limitless, but I rely on Mana just as much as you do. Without it, I''m just swinging a sword."


    Josh let out a low groan, shaking his head. "I hear you. We''re all running low. What''s the n now?"


    Loki stood, dusting off his armor. "We have to move forward. Level 2 energy next. It''ll take everything we have, but we don''t have a choice."


    There was a grim silence between them. They all knew what wasing. To release that much energy was risky¡ªit drained their Mana reserves to dangerous levels. But they didn''t have any other options. The beasts would keeping, and they had to be ready.


    One by one, they began to gather their remaining energy, their auras ring to life. Each of them released just enough to maintain a level two state, theirbined power surging into the air. The oppressive weight of their energy filled the clearing, making the air crackle with tension.


    And then, they waited.


    For a few moments, nothing happened. The forest around them was eerily quiet, the silence pressing in on all sides. But there was something else¡ªa presence that none of them could quite ce. It was faint at first, barely a whisper, but as the seconds ticked by, it grew heavier, more oppressive. The hairs on the back of Axel''s neck stood on end.


    A chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively tightened his grip on his weapon.


    The silence was shattered by the sharp beeping of their watches, three short bursts of sound that echoed through the clearing. Axel nced down, his heart pounding as the watch''s screen flickered, numbers shing across it before settling into chilling words:


    **{You have encountered 4 Grade 3 Beasts¡­ Unknown beasts have entered the area.}**


    ***Author''s note***


    Please support in any way you can.

 Chapter 124 Beast 3

    "Grade four beasts! We only released such a little amount of energy," Loki gulped, instinctively backing away, his voice trembling as the ground beneath them quaked from the approaching creatures.


    Axel, standing beside him, narrowed his eyes, piecing together the situation. "Didn''t Commander Asher say this type of beast could match an S-rank hunter?"


    Josh nodded grimly, his face hardening. He had suspected something like this might happen, but not this early. "We''re not ready for this. At the level of energy we''ve put out, our abilities are C-rank or lower, but those beasts headed this way? They''re not just S-rank. There''s a whole group of them."


    Loki''s voice wavered, his hands clenching tightly. "n?"


    Josh didn''t hesitate, stepping forward and speaking with a cold determination. "Yeah, fuck the n. We''ll need to release the full extent of our power. That''s the only way we''re taking down four beasts of this caliber."


    Josh''s intense gaze shifted to Axel, the weight of the moment palpable between them. "Loki, stay behind. Support us when necessary. You''re our ace if things go sideways, and our ticket out if something happens." Then, with a more personal edge, Josh locked eyes with Axel. "You''ve been watching me, trying to figure me out. Well, here''s the thing, Axel¡ªI only work well with people who can keep up.


    Don''t slow me down."


    A smirk yed on Axel''s lips as the tension crackled in the air. So this was the true Josh Roark. His cocky attitude now made sense. "Don''t worry. I won''t."


    The sound of trees snapping and tearing ahead brought their attention sharply forward. The earth trembled as the beasts came into view. They stood like colossal bulls, their bulky forms rippling with muscle, ten fox-like tails whipping behind them, each movement sending plumes of smoke sizzling off their burning skin. They growled in unison, and without hesitation, charged.


    "Release your energy now!" Josh barked,unching himself forward with superhuman speed.


    Axel followed, their forms blurring as they hurtled toward the first two beasts, their speed almost too fast to follow with normal eyes. They struck together, like twin forces of nature. Axel swung his sword toward the skull of the nearest bull, his de slicing through the air with deadly precision. But the beast, faster than it looked, swerved at thest second, narrowly avoiding the strike.


    The bull turned on Axel with a snarl, its dark eyes locked onto him, then charged again, its massive hooves tearing up the ground. Axel didn''t flinch. He stood his ground, raising his hand without his sword this time. Shadows rippled beneath him, like a dark tide surging forward. Suddenly, shadowy hands erupted from the bull''s own shadow, mping onto the beast''s legs and pulling it to the ground.


    It thrashed, but the shadows held firm, immobilizing it.


    "That''s one down!" Axel shouted. But the moment of victory was short-lived.


    He sensed it¡ªan iing tremor in the air, something dark and menacing. His instincts screamed at him to move, and he leapt to the side just in time. A dark orb of energy soared past him, smashing into the field nearby. No explosion followed, but a sinister hissing filled the air as the ground began to burn, acid eating through the earth like a gue.


    Axel turned, his eyes narrowing on the second bull. This one, standing further away, had its mouth open, charging another orb of deadly acid. The air shimmered with heat, and Axel could feel the malevolence rolling off the beast in waves. ''I''m too strong for these things,'' Axel mused, irritation shing in his mind.


    He watched as the beast unleashed another orb of acid, this one flying straight toward him.


    Without hesitation, Axel raised his sword, swinging itzily in the direction of the iing attack. A wave of air shot from his de, cutting through the orb like it was nothing. The acid dissolved into mist, and the bull behind it? Turned to dust, scattering in the wind.


    [Deceased Touch activated.]


    Dark energy pulsed around Axel, rippling off him in invisible waves. As more bulls charged toward him, they collided with the unseen force. One by one, they disintegrated, torn apart by the shadows clinging to Axel like a second skin. He stood in the center of the destruction, unbothered by the endless tide of beasts. They kepting, more and more, like an entire herd intent on crushing him.


    But Axel''s power, now fully unleashed, was more than a match for them.


    ''At first, there were only four,'' Axel thought, his eyes narrowing. ''But thanks to our energy release, they keep multiplying.''


    The beasts came for a while longer before the onught stopped, leaving the field eerily quiet. Axel''s breath steadied as he canceled his mana, the shadows retreating. He turned to where Josh had been fighting, and his eyes widened in awe. The field on Josh''s side had been transformed into a frozen wastnd.


    Dozens of bulls stood encased in ice, frozen mid-charge, their monstrous forms locked in ce.


    Josh stood in the middle of it all, his breathing out in cold puffs of air, ice crackling around his feet. He met Axel''s gaze, the same thought crossing both their minds.


    "Guys, keep your guard up!" Loki''s voice rang out from behind, breaking the silence. The worry in his tone was unmistakable.


    Axel frowned, his instincts tingling. Loki was right. Something was off. The air felt wrong, heavy, like a storm brewing in the distance. The beasts they had fought, as terrifying as they seemed, hadn''t been the true threat. No, there was something else.


    Something bigger. And it was getting closer.


    At first, they couldn''t sense it. But now, the feeling was undeniable. A presence. Dark, ancient, and suffocating. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and in the distance, slow, deliberate footsteps echoed through the trees.


    Out from the shadows emerged a humanoid figure, tall and gaunt, its skin stretched tightly over its skeletal frame. Its head was grotesquelyrge, dried and cracked, as though it had been left in the sun for too long. Despite its frail appearance, the energy it radiated was suffocating.


    "The Grade Three¡­" Josh muttered under his breath, his hand tightening around the hilt of his dagger. "This thing feels different from the others."


    And then it spoke.


    "So¡­" The creature''s voice was a low rasp, sending a chill down their spines. "There are more of you."


    The group froze, eyes wide with disbelief. Had it just spoken? These beasts weren''t supposed to be intelligent.


    The creature tilted its head, itsrge eyes gleaming with something close to amusement. "That makes six now. You''re thest ones left¡­ the remaining beasts I haven''t killed."


    The weight of those words hit them like a hammer. Their blood ran cold.


    Wait. Remaining?


    It dawned on them like a nightmare. The other beasts¡ªthe ones they hadn''t seen yet.


    "He killed the others!" Axel whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his pounding heart.


    ***


    The room was dim, lit only by the flickering me of a singlentern hanging from the ceiling. A cold draft seeped in through the cracks of the wooden walls, causing the small group of figures to huddle tighter, their breath visible in the air. They stood in a semi-circle, all in matching dark uniforms that reflected no light. At the head of the room stood a woman, different from the rest.


    Her long, raven-ck hair cascaded down her back, and her sharp, calcting eyes scanned the group before her.


    Noel Dawning, known by her alias "Dawning Blood," was feared even among her own kind. The silence in the room was suffocating, broken only by the asional creak of the old wooden floorboards underfoot.


    "You summoned us," one of the figures finally spoke, their voice low and gravelly, almost as if afraid to disturb the oppressive stillness.


    Noel nodded slowly, her gaze cold and unyielding. "It''s time," she said, her voice carrying a weight of finality. "The Hangi Gang will return to Kyota."


    A murmur rippled through the group, excitement and apprehension mixing in equal measure. They had waited for this moment for months, perhaps even longer. Vengeance was a patient beast, and tonight, it was ready to strike.


    Noel''s lips curled into a dark smile, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous glint. "But this isn''t just any mission. This is for revenge¡ªpersonal revenge. We''re going back to settle a score." She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing, "We''re going after Axel Teras."


    The room went still again, her words hanging in the air like a de suspended over their heads. The name Axel Teras sent a jolt through the group, the weight of it heavier than the cold air surrounding them.


    "He slipped through our fingers once. But now..." Noel''s smile widened. "Now, he''s mine. We''ll make sure he feels every ounce of the pain he''s caused."


    The figures in the room straightened, a collective sense of purpose falling over them like a shadow. Noel''s voice, soft but deadly, cut through the silence once more.


    "Prepare yourselves. The hunt begins at dawn."


    ---

 Chapter 125 A Play compared to a gods candidate

    Thor sidestepped just as a massive, tentacle-like arm came crashing down into the soil, sending tremors through the ground. Arge crater was left where he had been standing just moments before.


    He growled low, his gaze locking onto the beast before him¡ªa grotesque gori-like creature, its back marred by a series of writhing tentacles that whipped through the air with deadly precision. The sharp ends of the tentacles gleamed as they sliced toward him, and Thor barely managed to evade in time.


    Around him, simr beasts were engaging his teammates. Trisha and Williams were fighting their own battles against creatures just as fearsome. But what troubled Thor more than the beasts'' numbers was the sudden, inexplicable esction. These were Grade Three monsters. They should not have been drawn to them when the team had only released their energy up to Level Two.


    "What the hell is this?" Thor thought, his brow furrowing as he swung his hammer to deflect another tentacle. The force of the strike sent the appendage iling backward, but Thor''s mind raced. "We''d have to unleash our full power to take these things down¡­ but if we do, we risk drawing the attention of something worse. If a Grade Four gets a whiff of us, we''re as good as dead."


    He clenched his jaw, sizing up the situation. There was no easy way out. His eyes narrowed, focused on the beast before him as its tentacles writhed back into position for another strike. Time was running out.


    A deep breath, a moment''s hesitation, and Thor made a decision. He couldn''t afford to let caution hold them back any longer.


    With a thunderous shout, he turned to his team. "Forget the rule! Use your full power and take these things out¡ªfast!"


    Trisha and Williams exchanged a brief nce, their expressions grim, but they nodded in unison. There was no arguing with the team leader now. They unleashed their power, the air vibrating with the intensity of their energy as they began fighting without restraint.


    Thor barely had time to check on their progress before another tentacle whipped toward him with terrifying speed. He wasn''t fast enough this time. The tentacle struck him hard in the gut, sending him flying back. His body crashed into the ground with a sickening thud, kicking up pirs of dust as the earth trembled beneath him.


    "Arrggh!" A pained cry tore from his throat as he coughed up blood. His vision blurred for a moment, the world around him spinning as hey there, the wind knocked from his lungs. For a moment, hey there, dazed, the pain radiating from his abdomen. But then his resolve hardened. He had been through worse. He could survive this.


    Gritting his teeth, Thor pushed himself back to his feet, a murderous glint in his eyes. "Now I''m pissed," he muttered under his breath, the words barely escaping through clenched teeth.


    With a sh of lightning, Thor extended his hand, and his hammer¡ªhis true hammer, not the smaller one he''d been using¡ªappeared in his grip. It was an ancient weapon, a tool of destruction forged for gods. Intricate markings glowed along its surface, and the air around Thor seemed to hum with power. Even the beast seemed to sense the shift, its aggressive stance faltering for a brief moment.


    Its wild eyes locked onto the hammer, a strange mixture of reverence and rage swirling within them.


    The brief hesitation in the creature''s movements was all Thor needed. He braced himself as the beast''s tentacles red out, all of them hurtling toward him from different directions. Some descended from above, others shot in from the sides, each one moving with lethal precision.


    But Thor was faster. His hammer sang through the air as he parried each strike, deflecting every tentacle that darede near him. Lightning crackled around his body, and he moved with fluid grace, a master of his craft. For every tentacle that lunged, Thor had a counter, a swift and devastating blow that left the creature reeling.


    ''All I need is a clear shot,'' he thought, his eyes narrowing on the beast''s exposed chest.


    With a burst of energy, Thor crouched low, then sprang forward. The force of his leap sent a gust of wind through the battlefield, and in an instant, he was upon the monster. His hammer swung through the air, aimed directly at its skull.


    The beast reacted in time, its two massive arms rising to block the blow. Thor''s hammer collided with its defenses, and though the creature managed to protect itself, the impact was devastating. Both of its arms shattered under the force, bones snapping with a sickening crack.


    The monster shrieked in agony, its roar echoing through the forest as it writhed in pain. One of its tentaclesshed out in desperation, aiming for Thor''s face.


    Thor anticipated the move. He jerked his head back just in time, the tentacle whistling past his nose. Before the beast could retract it, Thor reached out and grabbed the iling limb. With a surge of power, he channeled lightning into the tentacle, sending waves of electricity coursing through the creature''s body.


    The beast howled in agony, its tentacles thrashing wildly as the electricity ravaged its system. It was disoriented, weakened, and Thor knew this was his chance.


    "Friggin'' small fry," he snarled, raising his hammer high above his head. With a primal yell, he brought it crashing down on the creature''s skull.


    The impact was devastating. A brilliant bolt of lightning tore down from the sky, striking the hammer and amplifying its destructive power. The gori-like beast stood no chance. Its head split open, and with a final, pitiful shriek, the creature''s body was torn apart, shredded by the force of Thor''s strike.


    Chunks of flesh and bone rained down, the once-mighty monster reduced to little more than blood-soaked debris. Thor stood at the center of it, his chest heaving, the dark blood of the beast staining the ground around him.


    His breath slowed, his heart still pounding from the exertion. ''Shit,'' he thought, scanning the remains of the beast. ''Where''s the crystal? Did I destroy it?''


    But before he could dwell on it for long, something else caught his attention. He felt it before he saw it¡ªa pulse of energy, faint at first but growing stronger with every passing second. His head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the distant horizon.


    ''What¡­ what is that energy?'' His heart raced again, this time not from battle but from a rising sense of dread. ''It''s the same as that Sekhmet guy from months ago. But there''s two of them now.''


    Thor''s mind whirred as he tried to make sense of it, his instincts screaming at him that this was something far beyond the monsters they''d been fighting. Loki and Hera had warned him, but he hadn''t wanted to believe it.


    ''Our parents told us about this,'' Thor thought, his grip tightening on the hammer. ''Me and Loki¡ªwe were born special. But there are others. Others who will bring the end of the world. Not the aliens, not the humans who reach SS-rank. The gods.''


    Thor began to run, streaking through the forest like a bolt of lightning, heading toward the source of the energy with all the speed he could muster.


    ''The first is Axel. That much I''m sure of. But the other¡­''


    His heart pounded in his chest, fear gnawing at the edges of his mind.


    ''The other is something else entirely.''


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 126 Another Candidate

    Axel stood frozen, the weight of the situation pressing down on him as the humanoid beast shook its head slowly at Loki''s question. "I haven''tid a finger on any of your kind yet," the creature said, its voice low and almost indifferent, "but there''s something¡­ intriguing about that one."


    It pointed directly at Axel.


    A chilling notification appeared in his mind.


    **[You have met with a candidate]**


    Axel''s heart raced. So that''s what this was. Another candidate¡ªsomeone with the same level of power, perhaps even more. But there was a difference this time, a gnawing fear inside him. His power had limits now, limits he dared not cross. Thest time he pushed beyond them, he hade dangerously close to bing something else, something monstrous.


    A devourer.


    **[60/100 limits remaining to be a devourer]**


    Suppressing his mana had drained more of his strength than he realized. Axel''s mind scrambled for options. He needed to end this quickly. His gaze darted to the creature''s hand, still pointing at him, almost like it was singling him out from the rest.


    Josh stepped forward, fists clenched tight. "I won''t let you take him," he said, his voice firm. "Not a member of my team."


    The humanoid''s eyes flicked to Josh, seemingly unfazed. "He''sing with me, either way," it said in a disturbingly calm tone. "Josh."


    Josh''s expression faltered. The alien knew his name. Not only was it speaking English, but it knew *him*. That hesitation was all it took.


    In an instant, the humanoid vanished, reappearing before Josh like a whisper in the wind. Before anyone could react, it mmed its fist into Josh''s face with a brutal, calcted blow. The force sent Josh hurtling back, crashing to the ground several feet away. His body skidded to a halt, motionless.


    "Now, let''s go, Mr. Teras." The creature''s eyes locked onto Axel, extending its hand as if offering a polite invitation. The gesture was almost mocking.


    Axel''s mind raced. How had it managed to hit Josh so easily? Even if it was fast, Josh should''ve been able to react, right? But Josh hadn''t moved at all. The answer came to him suddenly, hitting him like a punch to the gut.


    "He can shut off our abilities!" Loki''s voice echoed across the battlefield, panicked. "I can''t use mime either!"


    The humanoid turned its attention to Loki, its expression unreadable. In the next moment, it was upon him, driving a hard elbow into Loki''s face. There was a sickening crack, and Loki copsed to the ground, blood pouring from his nose. His bodyy still.


    "Damn you, bastard!" Axel''s voice shook with fury. He raised his hand to summon his weapon, desperation fueling his every move.


    **[Error. Your system has been overpowered.]**


    The notification shed before him like a death sentence. "Holy shit," Axel breathed, his eyes widening in horror. He had no time to react before the humanoid was in front of him, moving with a speed that defied logic. A fist connected with Axel''s face, the blow not just physical butced with an energy that seemed to pulse through his body.


    His vision blurred, consciousness slipping away as his body mmed into the dirt, unmoving.


    The humanoid sighed, seemingly relieved. "Arlo..." it muttered to itself, eyes narrowing slightly. "I finally have Lord Hades."


    ---


    ''Like it was a wish... I was suddenly reborn!''


    The voice echoed in a man''s head, though the words felt distant, distorted. His eyes flickered open, revealing a sky painted red, the air thick with smoke and the distant thunder of explosions. He forced himself to his feet, his body aching, muscles protesting with every movement. His clothes were torn, burnt, and covered in soot, but he still gripped a dagger tightly in his hand.


    Somehow, through all the chaos, he had never let it go.


    The memories came in broken fragments¡ªshes of battle, of faces he couldn''t fully ce. ''We were part of the offense squad... or no, wait... I was a criminal... sent to fight on the frontlines.''


    A name surfaced, blurry at first but growing clearer.


    *Annie.*


    He stumbled forward, legs shaky, his mind racing to piece together what had happened. "Axel..." he muttered, the name slipping from his lips as confusion clouded his thoughts.


    Another explosion split the air above, drawing his gaze to the skies. It was a battlefield, years from the original attack. Thend had be a barren wastnd, scattered with bones and debris¡ªboth human and Fatek. He grimaced, his mind struggling to recall how long it had been. His fingers brushed against his beard, overgrown and filthy. He looked like he hadn''t seen civilization in years.


    His steps faltered when he saw it¡ªa figure looming in the distance. It was massive, metallic, its body radiating a deadly energy, its eyes glowing a harsh, unnatural red. The man''s breath caught in his throat. He had seen this thing before, back when it hadid waste to everything in its path.


    *What did the Fatek call it again?* He racked his brain, the answer slipping just out of reach. It was the cause of this devastation¡ªthe reason this once-lush world had been reduced to a desert of death.


    A memory sparked.


    "A Void Walker," he whispered, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. The realization settled in his bones, chilling him to the core. The Void Walker was a creature that consumed life itself, a harbinger of destruction. And here it was, dormant¡ªor perhaps waiting.


    ''Why is it just floating there? Is it dead? Or... is it sleeping?''


    His thoughts were interrupted by a voice. Soft, feminine, yet eerily detached.


    "No. It waits for the next great surge of energy... It waits for Earth."


    The man spun around, his heart pounding, and saw three women sitting by arge, shadowy cauldron. Their forms were hazy, as though they existed somewhere between reality and dream.


    "What do you mean?" he demanded, anxiety creeping into his voice.


    One of the women stood, her face hidden beneath a veil, but her hand extended toward him. "Your memories will take more than a mere battle to return. But in the meantime... how would you like to be a god candidate, Arlo Teras?"


    The name struck him like lightning.


    Arlo Teras.


    It was his name. But what did it mean to be a god candidate?


    Arlo stared at the woman''s outstretched hand, his mind a chaotic swirl of fragmented memories and the looming threat of the Void Walker. The war, the loss, the devastation¡ªit had all led to this moment.

 Chapter 127 Void Walkers Matter

    President Seo Jihnyuk and Isagi Yoma, the president of Kyota, walked in silence through the grand halls. The air was thick with tension, despite the countless armed guards standing alert at every corner. Hunters ranging from C-rank to A-rank stood as the primary defense for this national summit.


    Both men were keenly aware of the gravity of this gathering¡ªa meeting of all global leaders, something that had not been called since the devastating Metorion outbreak.


    "This is really bothering me, Seo," Isagi muttered, his voice low. His shoulders slumped under the weight of his role as a leader. "I hope it''s not another global pandemic like the Metorion. We''re barely holding it together with the Fatek''s invasion, and now this."


    Seo remained silent, his eyes scanning the faces of the guards as they passed. Nothing about this situation sat well with him. He had a gut feeling that whatever was about to be discussed in that meeting room wasn''t just bad¡ªit was catastrophic. Instead of replying, he shook his head, grimly resigned to whatever wasing.


    The two leaders reached the conference room at the end of the corridor. They were guided by an attendant to their seats, situated in the center of the vast room. Rows of dignitaries from across the world were already present. Normally, these leaders would greet each other, but today, there were no pleasantries.


    Everyone''s faces were tight with worry, their expressions mirroring Seo and Isagi''s own fears.


    Minutes passed before two figures emerged onto the stage. The first was Walter, the World Military Chief, a man known for his no-nonsense demeanor. Standing beside him was an imposing figure with green skin and a twisted face that resembled a grotesque blend of human and alien. There was no need for anyone to ask¡ªit was obvious this being was not of Earth.


    An uneasy stillness settled over the room.


    Walter was the first to speak, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "This is Clyde," he said, gesturing to the green-skinned figure. "He''s from Mars. His actual name is unpronounceable for human tongues, so I gave him this one. And, for those who don''t know me, I''m Walter.


    I''m here to make sure you all take Clyde''s words seriously because what he has to say determines the future of our."


    Walter stepped aside, allowing Clyde to move forward. The Martian alien straightened, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the crowd. He cleared his throat¡ªa sound that resonated like rocks grinding together¡ªbefore he spoke.


    "Ours are in grave danger," Clyde began, his voice deep and methodical. "The sun, all the resources of our sr system¡ªeverything is at risk. There is a species more powerful than the Fatek, and even they fear it. This race has ravaged entire gxies, consuming everything in their path. They are a gue, and they areing for us."


    Murmurs erupted through the crowd. Some leaders nced at each other in disbelief, while others remained frozen, their eyes locked on Clyde. He waited for the noise to die down before continuing.


    "They are called Void Walkers," Clyde said, his voice dropping lower. "They feed on any form of energy, and in less than a month, they will arrive in our sr system. Earth, Mars, everything will be consumed."


    A president from the back of the room stood up, his voice loud with defiance. "Our hunters have handled world-ending threats before. What''s stopping them from dealing with these Void Walkers?"


    Clyde shook his head, a grim look crossing his twisted features. "You cannot fight a creature that feeds on the very energy your hunters rely on. It''s like trying to extinguish a fire with gasoline. Fighting them will be futile. There is no way to stop a Void Walker."


    The room erupted into chaos. Voices ovepped in panic and anger. Some shouted usations at Clyde, others demanded answers from Walter. The situation was spiraling, fear gripping the hearts of these world leaders.


    "Are you *kidding* me?" a voice yelled. "What do you expect us to do if they''re unstoppable?"


    "This is ridiculous! What do you suggest, then, alien?" another president shouted, his face flushed with anger.


    Clyde''s eyes flickered with uncertainty as the pressure of the room intensified. Walter noticed this and stepped forward to calm the escting situation.


    "Let''s not lose our heads," Walter said, raising his hand for silence. "Clyde is offering us a chance to prepare. Mars is willing to work with us to find a solution. But we need to face this together. If we remain divided, the Void Walkers will tear us apart. I understand how dire this sounds, but if there''s one thing I suggest, it''s this: spend the next month with those you love.


    Cherish the time you have."


    The weight of his words settled over the room like a dark cloud. Slowly, the shouting subsided, reced by a profound, solemn silence. The leaders, many of whom were hardened by war and disaster, sat in stunned contemtion. Their worst fears had been realized. A threat more deadly than any they had faced was hurtling toward them, and they had no defense.


    Isagi let out a long, frustrated sigh, running a hand through his graying hair. "The Fatek were supposed to be our biggest concern... now this?" he muttered to himself.


    Seo bit his lip, trying to suppress the growing dread in his chest. He clenched his fists tightly under the table, his mind racing. "A universal gue," he whispered. "Our existence is truly cursed."


    ---


    Far away, in a dark, facility, Mimiko''s head snapped toward a cracking sound. She had been resting on a metal railing, observing the ominous glow of the massive Mother Cell. Slowly, she stepped forward, her eyes widening in awe. The enormous egg, cradled within the Mother Cell''s tendrils, had developed a jagged crack.


    "Finally," she whispered, her voice trembling with excitement. "The Perfect Cell... it''s almost ready."


    Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed at the magnificent sight. For years, they had worked toward this moment¡ªthe creation of the ultimate biological weapon. As she watched, shadowy figures began to emerge from the deep recesses of the hall. They moved with an eerie grace, their forms grotesque and misshapen. These were the Half-Perfect Cells, lesser creations that had been born before this one.


    But this one... this was different.


    Mimiko smiled, her voice filled with reverence. "The dream Metorion envisioned... the extinction of this... it will begin soon."

 Chapter 128 Hangi Blood

    Zack stormed down the hallway, his boots striking hard against the marble floor, his jaw clenched with rage. The air around him seemed to thicken as his temper simmered. How dare she make decisions without his consent? They had an agreement¡ªa blood pact, no less¡ªand yet Noel had once again overstepped her boundaries.


    When she had obliterated that hospital, leaving a trail of bodies in her wake, he had offered her refuge. In return, she had agreed to work with the Hangi as equals. But now, not only was she undermining him, she was endangering his entire team.


    "How the hell does she think she can call the shots?" Zack muttered under his breath, his fists balling at his sides. "Kyota? On such short notice?"


    His thoughts were a whirlwind of fury. The Hangi n was his tomand, his to protect. And yet Noel, a cold-blooded killer, was making decisions that threatened everything he had built. He shoved the oakwood doors open with a fierce push, the wood groaning under the force of his anger.


    The smell of chlorine greeted him as he stepped into the next room, a luxurious swimming pool area. The soft ripple of water filled the space, and for a moment, Zack faltered. He hadn''t expected this. His eyes scanned the room. He had been told she would be here. His instinct told him to leave, but something kept him rooted in ce.


    Then, from the water, a figure emerged¡ªNoel, her naked body rising from the pool like some kind of siren. Water cascaded down her smooth skin, her bare breasts exposed, glistening under the dim lights of the room. Zack''s breath hitched, his throat tightening.


    His gaze lingered on her form longer than he intended, hypnotized by her beauty. Her eyes, dark and sultry, locked onto his, and she smirked knowingly.


    "What did you tell my team about Kyota?" Zack demanded, his voice strained as he tried to force his mind back to the reason he was here.


    Noel, still in the pool, tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a yful smirk. "You barge in here, stare at me naked, and you have the nerve to ask me questions?" she teased, her voiceced with both seduction and mockery. "You''re naughty, Zack."


    Zack could feel his resolve slipping. His body moved on its own, taking steps closer to the pool. He could still feel the heat of his anger, but it was fading, reced by something else¡ªsomething dangerous. "You told my team you''re going after the immortal human in Kyota," he pressed, fighting to keep his voice steady.


    "Axel," Noel said, her voice dripping with interest. "Yes. Does that concern you?"


    Zack''s jaw clenched again, this time not from anger, but from the battle raging inside him. He was supposed to be in control. His mind kept telling him to pull back, but his body¡­his body wanted something else entirely.


    "Of course it concerns me," Zack growled, approaching the edge of the pool, his shoes cking loudly against the tile. "The Hangi is my team. You''ve ruined our mission to retrieve the Seven, and now you''re chasing after Axel without telling me why. If you hadn''t interfered, if General Kurtly hadn''t gone missing, we''d already have him."


    Noel''s chuckle echoed softly in the room. She floatedzily in the water, her body just beneath the surface, tantalizingly out of reach. "I can''t tell you," she said, her voice calm, almost dismissive.


    Zack''s temper red again. "Can''t or won''t?" His fists clenched at his sides, veins bulging as his frustration reached its peak. "You expect me to put my team on the line against Kyota''s brutal authorities without knowing what''s in it for us? Without understanding the risks?"


    Noel''s eyes glinted mischievously as she smiled. "Kyota''s top-ranked hunters are missing. Their SS-rank hunters have disappeared. And as for what you get¡­you could have me." She let the words hang in the air, their weight pulling Zack in deeper.


    For a moment, Zack was stunned. The temptation she presented was overwhelming, like a tidal wave he couldn''t outrun. His mind screamed at him to focus on the mission, but his body¡ªhis body was already betraying him. His gaze traveled over her, taking in every inch of her curves, every glistening drop of water on her skin.


    She was perfect.


    Before he knew it, Zack was in the water, his clothes soaking through as he swam to her. His breathing became erratic, the cold water doing nothing to cool the fire that burned inside him. Reaching Noel, he grabbed her by the waist, pulling her into him, the softness of her skin against his chest. He groaned softly, letting his hands explore her body. Her warmth seeped into him, and he wanted more.


    Needed more.


    "You win," he whispered into her ear, his lips brushing against her skin as his hand traveled up to cup her breast. "The Seven Deadly Sins artifact can wait. I''ll give you my army...and in return, I''ll take you."


    Noel smiled, victorious. "Good boy," she whispered back, her fingers trailing down his chest. But in her mind, her thoughts were far from affectionate.


    ''Fool. Another pawn, another soul bound to my will. Zack will be my puppet for the rest of his miserable life.''


    Zack leaned in closer, his lips teasing the skin of her neck. For a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. It was just him, Noel, and the water enveloping them. But even in this moment of carnal desire, something in the back of his mind nagged at him¡ªsomething about her, about her ns, that he didn''t trust.


    "That woman you recruited to the team," Zack said suddenly, pulling back just enough to look into Noel''s eyes. "Who is she? I''ve never seen any record of her before, and that''s rare for me. Who the hell is she?"


    Noel''s smile widened, a glint of malice shing in her eyes. "Oh, her?" she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "That woman has been dead for some time now."


    Zack''s heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"


    Noel leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear as she spoke. "You can refer to her as...Teras."


    The name hit Zack like a physical blow. His grip on her loosened, his mind racing to process what she had just said.


    "Teras?" he repeated, his voice hoarse in awe.

 Chapter 129 Metorion Attack

    "Lower your power level!" Williamsmanded in a harsh whisper, his eyes scanning their surroundings. He was already reducing his own to an imperceptible zero, his aura flickering out like a dying ember. Trisha followed suit, her energy disappearing into the void as she concealed herself.


    The two had barely survived the onught of beasts that hade their way. Blood and gore painted thendscape around them, the creatures they''d just inying in heaps. But now, with their energy signatures suppressed, they had a brief moment of calm. It wasn''t victory; it was survival. For now.


    Trisha frowned, looking down at the broken shards of what was once her weapon. The de had cracked under the pressure of the battle, leaving only the jagged edges intact¡ªuseless forbat, but good enough for onest task. She crouched down, her hands moving with precision as she dug into the fresh corpses of the beasts, pulling out their still-warm cores.


    The act was almost mechanical, her expression one of cold efficiency.


    "High-quality military-grade tech, huh?" she muttered bitterly, tossing the shattered de aside with a tter. "It didn''t evenst a full fight."


    She slid the extracted cores into her bag, her movements sharp, deliberate, hiding the frustration building inside her. These weapons were supposed to be reliable, something she could count on in the chaos of the battlefield. Instead, she was left scavenging with scraps.


    Trisha stood and made her way toward Williams, her eyes narrowing. One question burned in her mind. "Where did Thor go? He should''ve returned by now."


    Williams nced at her, but there was no answer in his eyes¡ªonly something else, something lurking behind his indifferent facade. He shrugged, his lips curling into a smirk that made Trisha''s stomach tighten with unease.


    "Who knows?" he began, his voice unnervingly casual. "But tell me something, Trisha¡ªwhat do you see in Axel?"


    She blinked, caught off guard. Her head jerked back slightly as if she''d been physically hit. "What are you talking about?" she snapped, her defenses rising immediately. "Excuse me?"


    Williams''s smirk widened, the look of someone who knew he had stepped into dangerous territory but relished it. "I''m just curious," he said slowly, savoring every word. "Why do you like Axel? I mean, he''s... nothing special."


    Trisha''s eyes shed with anger. "You''re unbelievable." She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, her fists clenching by her sides. "Axel has more qualities than you could ever dream of, Williams. Compared to him, you''re nothing but a mouse." Her voice dripped with venom, and her re could have cut through steel.


    Williams''s demeanor shifted in an instant. He grabbed her shoulder, his fingers digging in hard. "Is that how it''s going to be?" His voice was low, dangerous, his breath hot against her face. "Axel is useless. He has no wealth, no influence¡ªnothingpared to me. He''s arrogant, reckless, and¡ª"


    *p!* The sound echoed through the air like a crack of lightning. Trisha''s palm had collided with his cheek, the force of the hit turning Williams''s head. His face flushed with shock and pain, his hand flying to his stinging cheek as his eyes burned with fury.


    "If I wasn''t trying to keep my power level hidden from the beasts, I''d kill you right where you stand," she hissed, her voice barely controlled. She stepped back, her whole body vibrating with anger.


    Williams''s grin didn''t fade; if anything, it grew. He let go of her shoulder, then, in a sudden motion, grabbed her by the waist, pulling her in close. His face hovered dangerously near hers, his breath cold and reeking of spite. "Meaning you can''t resist me," he whispered, his lips inches from hers. "Or else, you''ll give us both away¡ª"


    *Crack!* A solid punch to his nose stopped him mid-sentence. The force of the blow sent Williams crashing to the ground with a sickening thud, blood spurting from his nostrils. Hey there, stunned, staring up at the sky as he processed what had just happened.


    "You bitch!" he spat, sitting up, blood running down his face and onto his clothes. He clutched his nose, his hands shaking as he tried in vain to stop the bleeding. The pain was sharp, more intense than he''d expected, and it humbled him in a way that made his fury burn even hotter.


    "I''m not weak," Trisha said coldly, her voice like ice as she stood over him. "And the next time youy a hand on me, I will kill you¡ªbeast or no beast." Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed off, following the direction Thor had gone.


    Williams watched her retreat, fury bubbling just beneath his skin. *A whole S-rank hunter*, he thought bitterly, *brought down by a single punch*. This humiliation wouldn''t stand. He slowly stood, his body trembling from the blow, but his pride more wounded than anything else.


    As Trisha moved further away, Williams raised his right hand, staring at it as if expecting it to betray him. Slowly, a grotesque mouth formed on his palm, twisting into a smile of its own.


    "So this is your n?" the mouth taunted, its voice a raspy hiss. "To force your name on others? How... pathetic."


    Williams scowled. "No," he muttered. "I''m creating a rift. I''ll make Axel and Josh Roark fight. And when one of them falls, I''ll devour the victor, gain his ability... then I''ll take out the other while he''s still recovering." He paused, a twisted grin forming on his lips.


    "A slow, steady climb to the top."


    The mouth on his hand puckered its lips, as if mocking him. "And what about the Voidwalker pandemic? You think that''s just going to let you climb to the top unchallenged?"


    Williams chuckled darkly, wiping the blood from his nose. "Oh, I''ve got ns for the pandemic," he said, his voice almost gleeful. "Big ns. The Voidwalkers are just a tool¡ªa means to an end. When I''m done, I won''t just rule this world. I''ll conquer the universe itself."

 Chapter 130 So this is what truly went wrong there?

    Axel''s body felt as though it was submerged in water, his skin damp with a sensation akin to drowning¡ªyet he could still breathe perfectly. His chest heaved as his eyes fluttered open, immediately squinting against the overwhelming sensation.


    He wasn''t in pain, but the atmosphere around him caused his body to panic. His pulse quickened as the feeling of freefall swept through him, though he wasn''t falling. That familiar, dreadful sensation of plummeting down from an unknown height stirred memories he''d long tried to bury.


    **Falling.**


    It carried so many meanings for him¡ªtoo many. Usually, Axel would shove the thought aside, a defense mechanism he''d perfected over the years. But this time, the feeling demanded his attention. It gnawed at him, forcing him to confront something deeper.


    *All my choices, my decisions up till now... were they really the best?* Axel wondered, slowly closing his eyes before opening them again. *No matter how strong I try to be¡ªfor my family, for myself¡ªwhen I''m alone, I can''t escape it. I''m a failure.* The admission hit him like a dagger. *I thought strength would solve everything, but it only brought more harm. To me...


    to them.*


    His mind spun, stuck in this cycle of regret and doubt. Why was he even thinking like this? Why now?


    Suddenly, Axel snapped out of the haze. His eyes shot open, and he was back in the real world. The suffocating darkness of the night greeted him, only broken by a few sparse stars and the cold light of two moons hanging in the sky.


    Axel''s hands pushed against the hard, rocky ground beneath him, and he sat up slowly. In front of him, a bonfire crackled, its red mes casting a flickering light on the faces of those around it.


    Josh and Loki sat nearby, upright but unnervingly silent. Their expressions were nk, though their postures suggested they were on edge. Just beyond the fire stood two figures: a humanoid creature that had kidnapped them, and beside it, a man¡ªa human, draped in ragged clothes.


    Axel''s throat tightened. "What''s going on?" he asked cautiously, keeping his voice low.


    Josh and Loki turned to him, and for a brief moment, relief shed in their eyes. But just as quickly, their expressions hardened, bing unreadable once more.


    "Our kidnapper," Josh began, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "was just exining how he *isn''t* really bad. And his friend here dragged us to this unknown ce for a ''friendly chat.''" The emphasis he ced on thest two words made it clear just how pissed off he was.


    Axel shot a re at the humanoid creature. *Friendly chat?* he thought bitterly. They were nowhere near the facility they''d been taken from, kidnapped by beings they didn''t know or trust. Calling it anything less than a hostile abduction was insulting.


    "So," Josh continued, his voiceced with barely restrained anger, "please, exin yourself before I lose my patience."


    The man standing beside the creature cleared his throat, as if preparing for a speech. "We have a very important mission to pass to your master," he said, his voice calm and measured.


    Axel''s frustration boiled over. "So *that''s* why you kidnapped us? You couldn''t have just *said* something? Maybe... I don''t know... *said hello* first?" His voice rose with disbelief, arms ring.


    The man remained unfazed. "Would you have waved back at a Grade Three beast? Or would you have killed him and extracted his beast gem for your own reasons?" The question hung in the air like a dead weight.


    A heavy silence fell over the group. They couldn''t argue with him. The first thing they would''ve done was attack the humanoid, aiming to im its beast gem. It was a harsh truth to swallow, but one they all knew was valid.


    Josh clicked his tongue, his frustration evident. "Fine. Go on," he muttered through gritted teeth.


    The man exhaled, sping his hands together. "As I was saying, the mission we have is of utmost importance. We share the same goal¡ªstopping the Voidwalkers."


    Axel''s brow furrowed. Voidwalkers. He''d heard whispers of them before¡ªrumors that painted them as a looming threat, far worse than anything he had faced.


    The man continued, "I can also solve your beast gem issue and provide you with all the gems you''ll ever need."


    Axel''s eyes narrowed with suspicion. Something didn''t add up. This stranger, who they had never met before, was now offering them an abundance of gems and help in their fight against the Voidwalkers. Why?


    Josh seemed to share Axel''s thoughts. "Why should we believe you? You''re a stranger. If you''re helping us, there''s got to be more to it. What''s your *real* reason?"


    The man sighed, rubbing his temples as if he had anticipated this line of questioning. "I am a candidate," he began slowly.


    Axel raised an eyebrow. A candidate? That wasn''t a term he had heard before.


    "If you don''t know what that means," the man exined, "a candidate is someone chosen by a god to bear a portion of their power. I was made a candidate by my master, Hermes. I may look human, but I''m not. I''m a clone¡ªa half-creation. The other half of me isposed of the energy emitted by this."


    Josh''s jaw dropped slightly, disbelief shing across his face. "So, you''re saying... you''re some kind of... hybrid?"


    The man nodded. "Yes. The creatures of this hold a vital energy that keeps them hidden from the Voidwalkers. Two others like this existed, but they were recently destroyed by the Fatek. This world is now one of thest refuges."


    Loki crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. "That seems far too convenient to be a coincidence. Are you telling us the very first humans teleport to just happens to be the key to hiding from the Voidwalkers?"


    The man gave a half-smile. "You''re right. It''s no coincidence. Portals in this universe only lead to three points. This, and two others like it, since portal technology was created using the energy from theses."


    Loki didn''t look convinced. "Three? No. You''re wrong. There are *four*s like this," he said, his voice cold and certain.


    The group turned to Loki, anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. It seemed like a bluff, but the gravity in his tone made it hard to dismiss.


    "The fourth is Earth," Loki continued. "The Fatek attacked Earth because of our awakened abilities. They wanted to evolve themselves to be like us¡ªto steal our powers. That''s why Earth was attacked, not this."


    Axel''s eyes widened. "So that''s why we can use beast weapons here."


    Loki nodded. "Exactly. The Fatek wanted our abilities, but they couldn''t ess this because of its unique energy. Everything fits together now..."


    Josh interjected, his voice heavy with suspicion. "But there''s still something missing. If the Voidwalkers are repelled by us, why are they hunting us down in the first ce?"


    The group fell silent once again, the weight of Josh''s question lingering. Something felt wrong, like they were still missing a piece of the puzzle. But none of them had an answer.


    The man cleared his throat again, breaking the tension. "Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself. I''m Troy, candidate of Hermes."


    Axel blinked. *Hermes?* The god of messengers and thieves?


    Loki nodded curtly. "Loki."


    "Josh," the other hunter added.


    "Axel," he muttered, still processing everything.


    "Ham," the humanoid creature added with a surprisingly human grin.


    Josh leaned forward, fixing Troy with a cold re. "So, Troy, what''s your n for stopping the Voidwalkers?"


    Troy hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "There''s a weapon. A legendary weapon once used to kill Voidwalkers in the past. It belonged to the God of War... and we need to find it."


    "So that''s the main reason you called out... I mean, kidnapped us, because of this weapon?" Josh Roark''s voice carried an edge of sarcasm, but the frustration was evident. He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms, his eyes narrowing on Troy. "That makes sense... I guess."


    Troy shifted ufortably under the sharp gaze, the flickering yellow mes of the bonfire casting deep shadows across his ragged face. "Making sense is different from surviving the journey," Loki added dryly, his voice low as if already anticipating the dangers ahead.


    Axel, sitting silently, couldn''t shake the unease creeping into his mind. "The God of War?" he muttered under his breath, then nced up at Troy. "Uh, Troy... are you the only one looking for this weapon? Or is there more to this mission that you haven''t shared yet?" His question hung in the air, thick with suspicion.


    Troy met his gaze, his face illuminated by the bonfire''s glow, the mes reflecting in his eyes. There was a slight hesitation before he nodded. "Oh yes, there''s more. You see, the other God candidates from our universe are also on this mission. Each of us was tasked by our respective gods to find this weapon.


    It''s a collective effort, not just mine." His voice carried a strange blend of excitement and gravity, like someone carrying the weight of a great secret.


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat at the mention of other god candidates. His mind began to race. "Wait... other god candidates? How many of us are there?" His voice betrayed a mix of shock and curiosity. "Are we talking about a world of candidates?"


    Troy gave a small, knowing smile. "There are more of us than you might think, Axel. We''re scattered across worlds, each with a mission... and each with a god to serve. And now, this search for the War God''s weapon has brought many of us together. We''ll need all the help we can get if we''re to face what''sing."

 Chapter 131 That guy no one should Mess with

    "Damnit! I don''t know what happened, but I sensed more than two massive energy signatures, plus Loki''s... But then all three vanished¡ªso perfectly," Thor muttered, his voice strained as he ced a hand over his eyes, gritting his teeth in frustration. How had ite to this? How had he grown so weak? "I can''t believe I lost Loki!"


    Commander Asher stood frozen, swallowing hard as he nced toward his alienpanion, who seemed as clueless and speechless as he was.


    "Shit... They can''t be dead, can they? How the hell are we supposed to exin two SS-rank hunters going missing alongside someone who could trick a dog into thinking it''s human?!" Asher mmed his fist against the nearest wall, the impact sending a dull thud echoing through themand room. He should have known something like this would happen¡ªan unexplored withyers of unknown dangers.


    Something powerful was out there, powerful enough to snatch them without a trace.


    "Permission to go out there and search for them!" Trisha''s voice rang out, brimming with urgency and defiance.


    "Not in your modest life will I give you permission to do so!" Commander Asher shot back sharply, ring at her.


    Trisha refused to back down. "No! I won''t let this slide. We *have* to find Axel, Josh, and Loki! They could be in danger!" Her eyes burned with intensity¡ªafter everything she had been through with Axel, she wasn''t about to leave him out there, not like this.


    Williams snickered from the corner, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How are we even sure they''re still alive? Being high-ranked doesn''t make us invincible, you know." His tone was casual, almost mocking, which instantly set Trisha''s blood boiling.


    "Shut the hell up! Or I''ll kill you!" Trisha snapped, turning her fury on him, her hands twitching, ready to strike.


    Williams shrugged nonchntly. "Or what? Why should we stupidly walk out there in the dark? We''ve all seen the movies¡ªthe worst thingse at night. Even if those idiots *are* alive, with the overwhelming number of monsters out there, they''ll be dead by dawn." His dismissive words hit like a sledgehammer, erasing whatever patience Trisha had left.


    In an instant, she lunged forward, grabbing Williams by the cor and mming him into the wall. The impact rattled the room as her voice dropped to a menacing growl. "Say that again, you bastard! I *dare* you!"


    Before the situation could escte further, Sarah stepped in, tugging at Trisha''s wrist, her eyes shing with venom. "What are you so paranoid about, you slut? Just find other men. Don''t tell me you''re also screwing Josh and Loki too. You must have¡ª"


    Sarah''s words were cut off mid-sentence by a sudden, brutal punch to the face. She copsed onto the floor, the room falling into stunned silence. The source of the strike wasn''t Trisha, though¡ªAndre stood over Sarah, his fist still clenched, his eyes dark with anger.


    "Sorry," Andre muttered, almost casually, his tone betraying no remorse. "My body moved on its own." He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it up as he exhaled smoke through his nose, the tendrils of smoke curling around him like a dark aura.


    "You''re all making too much noise," Andre said, voice low but sharp, cutting through the tension like a knife. "I''ll call the shots now that the two strongest are out there¡ªgetting stronger."


    He pointed directly at Sarah, who was still on the floor, nursing her bruised face. "Don''t talk to my high school roommate like that again. She''s part of this team, and she cooks well, so respect her for that. And Williams..." He turned his gaze toward the man still pinned to the wall by Trisha. "Stop being a douchebag. I''m sick of your jealousy.


    Every damn day."


    "You damned idiot! How dare you hit me!" Sarah spat, scrambling to her knees, rage boiling up as she prepared to retaliate.


    But Andre''s cold, piercing stare killed any fight she had left. His eyes were devoid of warmth, and the pressure in the room thickened. "Just because I haven''t killed you doesn''t mean I can''t," he whispered, his voice taking on a darker edge. "Don''t forget¡ªI''m the lunatic who nearly took your life once. My therapist said only to go after people who break my rules."


    His threat hung in the air, palpable and suffocating. Trisha released her grip on Williams, backing away. She was furious, but Andre was a force no one wanted to provoke¡ªespecially not when the two strongest hunters were missing, and he had just seized control of the situation.


    Andre exhaled another puff of smoke, turning toward the group, who remained tense and silent. "Now, let''s all quietly head to bed. In the morning, we''ll start the mission." With that, he walked toward an attendant, ordering them to lead him to a room to rest, as though nothing had happened.


    Meanwhile, Ryoma, one of the alienpanions, had been watching the entire scene unfold with increasing confusion. "Why is everyone so tense? What''s wrong? Is he the leader now?" Ryoma asked, his voice low, unsure of what to make of the vtile shift in the group''s dynamics.


    Haze, standing nearby, let out a soft chuckle, a mischievous smile ying on her lips. "No... He''s the ''sleeping lunatic.'' He''s crazy and can''t be restrained. The only way to keep him as a side character without anyone getting hurt is to follow whatever rules he makes, thanks to his therapist."


    "Then why not handle him with the SS-rank hunters?" Ryoma''s confusion deepened. Keeping someone like Andre around seemed like more trouble than it was worth.


    Haze shook her head. "That''s the thing about Andre. The stronger his opponent, the stronger he bes while fighting them. Josh Roark managed to stop him once¡ªended up destroying half of Kyota''s capital in the process. Axel could probably hold him down too. But apart from that..." Haze''s voice trailed off, her eyes narrowing.


    "If that guy goes loose, we''re all dead."


    The group remained silent, each of them grappling with the weight of the situation. The night ahead felt impossibly long, filled with unanswered questions and an unsettling tension that gnawed at the edges of their sanity. Outside, the remained shrouded in darkness, and whatever had taken their strongest was still out there¡ªlurking, waiting, biding its time.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 132 That scent, can it be?

    Troy led the way, and the group followed him down a narrow, crevice-like slope that hugged the mountain. The path was rough, and the air grew thinner the further they descended. Soon, the crevice opened into a cavern, its gaping mouth seeming to beckon them deeper into the''s bowels.


    Axel nced over his shoulder, the dim light from the mountain above already swallowed by the darkness behind them. He adjusted his grip on the jagged rocks that jutted from the cavern walls, careful not to slip. Each step forward echoed off the stone walls, the sound eerily distorted in the oppressive silence.


    "How far are we going?" Axel muttered to himself, keeping his voice low so as not to alert Troy. The longer they walked, the more anxious he became, his thoughts turning to the possibility of a trap. But after all the information Troy had shared about the crystals and the, Axel pushed the thought aside.


    **Why lead them this far if the intention was betrayal?** Still, the creeping sensation of doubt lingered.


    Ahead, Troy raised a torch made of dark wood, the flickering me casting unsettling shadows on the walls as it illuminated their path. The air grew cooler, the oppressive silence broken only by the sound of their footsteps and the crackling me.


    "Sorry we''re taking so long," Troy''s voice broke through the tension, his tone calm. "These are pure forms of beast crystals¡ªolder than the itself, or so the story goes." His words seemed to echo endlessly through the tunnel, swallowed up by the vast darkness ahead.


    Loki, who had been trailing a few steps behind Axel, stopped in his tracks, eyes wide. "Did you say beast crystals?!" His voice rose in excitement. Loki, ever the schr, was the most curious of the group when it came to the mysteries of this.


    Axel could hear the awe in Loki''s voice and turned to see him gawking at Troy with barely contained enthusiasm. "That would mean..." Loki continued, eyes sparkling with a sudden realization, "the core of this could be made from these beast gems. Does Earth have something simr? Could a gem in its core be the source of our abilities?"


    Troy didn''t respond, but Axel noticed a subtle smirk tug at the corners of his mouth as they pressed forward. **Loki''s questions weren''t baseless,** Axel mused, though the notion of Earth beingparable to this alien world seemed far-fetched.


    A sudden chill crawled up Axel''s spine. "He''s not entirely wrong, Master," a familiar voice whispered beside him. Axel nced to his right and, sure enough, Velerium materialized, his skeletal form glowing faintly in the torchlight.


    "Velerium..." Axel growled under his breath, keeping his voice low enough so that none of the others would hear. "I thought I made it clear that I didn''t want to see your face again after that mess with Trisha." He waved his hand discreetly, as though swatting away a fly, but Velerium stayed put.


    "My Lord, it took me quite some time to track you down," Velerium said with a hint of desperation. "But I came to offer you valuable information about these gems."


    Axel hesitated. **What could Velerium possibly tell him that he didn''t already know?** Still, curiosity gnawed at him, and after a moment''s thought, he gave a small nod, signaling for the entity to continue.


    "These gems," Velerium said, raising one bony finger to point ahead of them, "are more than justary remnants. They are the very cores of this world¡ªlike hearts that pump power through the veins of thend. Weapons forged from them would be unparalleled, possessing unimaginable strength."


    Axel''s brow furrowed. "That''s nothing new," he muttered.


    Velerium''s voice dropped to a near whisper. "The man leading you... Troy... He was made from the core of a as well. Not this one, but another. His poweres from a world long gone, and he bears the scent of a candidate."


    Axel stopped short. **A candidate? That would exin his unusual connection to this and its creatures.** He nced up at Troy, suspicion gnawing at his mind.


    ''Troy must have been created from a''s core... but which one?'' Axel thought. **What kind of power does he truly wield?**


    "Thank you for the information, Velerium," Axel said, his mind racing with the new possibilities.


    Velerium nodded solemnly. "I respect that you''ve chosen a more passive path, my Lord," he said, his voice almost sad. "You''ve silenced your challengers, built a reputation that precedes you. Buttely, you''ve even stopped clearing Fatek portals. Why?"


    Axel''s gaze darkened as memories he had buried deep within began to resurface. His guild¡ªtrapped in a portal during the catastrophic Cell event. His mother¡ªfalling to her death, swallowed by another portal. The pain of loss weighed heavy on his heart.


    "Why chase strength when all it does is bring loss?" Axel murmured. "If I hadn''t been so obsessed with power, maybe I could have saved them. Annie... my mother... maybe I wouldn''t have been toote."


    Velerium''s skeletal features softened in understanding. "I see, my Lord. But remember, there wille a time when humanity will face enemies far beyond their understanding. Do not regret being unprepared when that timees."


    Axel''s jaw tightened, his mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. "Enemies?" he began, but before he could finish, Troy''s voice echoed from ahead.


    "We''re here."


    The group emerged from the narrow tunnel and into a massive chamber, the sight before them unlike anything they could have imagined. The walls glittered with crystals of every size and color¡ªreds, yellows, greens, purples¡ªeach glowing faintly, casting a kaleidoscope of light throughout the cavern.


    Axel could feel the sheer energy radiating from the crystals, making the air hum with power. His heart pounded in his chest, both in awe and unease.


    "What grade are these crystals?" Loki asked, his voice barely a whisper. His watch beeped and shed frantically on his wrist before a distorted voice crackled through.


    "Grade three and four crystals... malfunctioning... too much data..."


    Suddenly, the watches on their wrists all went dark, shut down from the overwhelming energy.


    "Whoa!" Josh eximed, grabbing both Axel and Loki by the wrists in excitement. "Can you imagine what the facility will think of these? We''ll be rich! Stop frowning for once and rejoice in this, you idiots!" With that, he pulled them forward, running toward the nearest cluster of glowing stones.


    Axel let out a rareugh, amused by Josh''s enthusiasm. "All right, let''s see who can get the best crystals!"


    For the first time in a long while, Axel felt a spark of something he hadn''t experienced in years¡ªjoy. **Maybe, just maybe, he could enjoy this moment.** But even as he sprinted forward with Josh and Loki, a nagging voice in the back of his mind warned him not to let his guard down.


    Behind them, Troy and Ham stood at the mouth of the cave. Troy''s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he nced at Ham.


    "Lock the entrance," Troy ordered, his voice cold.


    Ham hesitated, frowning. "Are you sure?"


    Troy''s lips curled into a twisted grin. "No one leaves this ce. Not until they''re all dead."


    As Ham moved to seal the cavern''s entrance, the sound of heavy stone scraping against stone echoed through the chamber. The once bright and lively atmosphere dimmed, reced by a sudden, suffocating tension.


    Axel slowed his pace, feeling the shift in the air. The weight of the moment pressed down on him as if the itself was holding its breath, waiting for the inevitable sh that was about to unfold. **He hadn''t outrun his demons after all.**


    Something was terribly wrong.

 Chapter 133 The mission carries on

    Trisha awoke with a dull throb in her chest, the ache feeling more pronounced than usual, as if something vital had been torn from her. The heaviness weighed her down as she reached across the bed, her hand touching the cold, empty space beside her where Axel should have been. Her heart sank deeper, a chill settling in her bones.


    "Where are you, Axel?" she murmured, her voice barely a whisper in the quiet room.


    Reluctantly, she forced herself out of bed. She felt hollow inside, like a piece of her had gone missing overnight. Every step toward the bathroom felt like a struggle, as if her body refused to cooperate with the day ahead. The warm water from the shower did little to wash away the suffocating dread creeping through her mind.


    With a deep breath, she donned her uniform, trying to shake off the weight in her chest. There was no time for weakness now¡ªnot when Commander Asher had summoned everyone to a meeting.


    As she walked through the hallways, she spotted Thor headed in the same direction. His normallymanding presence seemed muted, his steps heavy, his expression distant.


    "Good morning," Trisha offered weakly, her attempt at a smile faltering. It felt wrong to pretend everything was fine.


    "There''s nothing good about this morning," Thor grunted, his voice rough, his eyes dark with frustration. "Loki and the others still haven''t been found. No trace of them... nothing."


    Trisha swallowed hard, the urge tofort him bubbling up. She knew the odds. The grim reality loomed over them, suffocating their hope. But still, she clung to a fragile sliver of optimism. "We... we have to stay strong, Thor.


    Earth is depending on us. People are depending on us."


    Thor''s jaw clenched, but he nodded, his voice barely audible. "I just hope Loki''s still out there, alive."


    Together, they entered the meeting room, arge,vish space bathed in dim purple and red lighting, casting eerie shadows that made the atmosphere feel more like a sinister dinner party than a war council. The round table was already set with dishes, the smell of the meal doing little to stir anyone''s appetite.


    Seated around the table were Haze, Andre, Sarah, and Captain Asher, all with equally grim expressions. Trisha and Thor took their ces, the tension in the room so thick it felt like it could suffocate them all. Momentster, Williams and Colby arrived, their footsteps heavy as they entered. They sat apart from each other, the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing down on the room.


    Minutes ticked by like hours, the silence dragging on until Commander Asher finally spoke, his voice cutting through the stillness like a de. "Enjoy your meal. Today will be yourst on Earth before you embark on the mission to Rika Zero. Your goal: to retrieve the blueprints and materials for the weapon. A Ryoma scientist will apany you.


    Guard him with your lives¡ªwithout him, you''ll have no way to assemble the weapon, and if you believe you can survive out there without a proper alien that speaks fluentnguages you are free to kill him yourself and hide the body somewhere unseen."


    Trisha''s mind drifted, unable to focus on the words. Her thoughts kept returning to Axel, to the uncertainty of his fate. Was he even still alive? How could she eat when everything felt like it was unraveling around her?


    Asher continued, his voice steady but his tone darkening with each word. "Rika Zero is not the most dangerous in deep space. You''ll face creatures beyond your worst nightmares, but they aren''t the only threat. The atmosphere itself is deadly, thendscapes treacherous. Even your senses might deceive you. One wrong move, and you could lose more than your life."


    Sarah raised her hand, her voice sharp and challenging when Asher gestured for her to speak. "Let me get this straight. You''re sending us to the middle of nowhere with a turbo-charged ship and a universe map that''s so vast, it could take eons to navigate. Is this a suicide mission? Are we just supposed to try our best and hope we don''t fail?"


    Her words sent ripples through the group. Frustration, fear, and anger stirred in their eyes, theirposure cracking under the weight of uncertainty.


    Asher paused, his expression hardening. "In that aspect, you''re right. But we''ve equipped you with more than a basic ship. Time-jumping technology will be avable to you once you board. All you need to focus on is the mission¡ªprotect the Ryoma scientist and gather the blueprints. Anything else is secondary."


    The room fell into a tense silence, the mood grim. Trisha could feel the uncertainty, the doubt gnawing at everyone''s resolve. She nced at the untouched food on her te, her appetite long gone.


    "What''s going to happen if we fail to stop the Voidwalkers?" Trisha asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. The question lingered in the air, heavy with dread.


    Commander Asher''s face darkened, his usual stern expression faltering for a moment. "If the Voidwalkers seed, we have contingency ns in ce. We''ll evacuate any surviving family members to Rika Zero. From there... we''ll use the to restart humanity if Earth is lost."


    Trisha''s blood ran cold. The idea of abandoning Earth, of letting everyone they loved die, was unbearable. She stared at Asher, her mind reeling. "We can''t afford to fail, then," she said, her voice trembling with determination.


    "That''s easier said than done," Haze muttered, his voice filled with resignation.


    Colby leaned forward, his hands clenching the table. "And we''ve lost two of our best hunters. Loki''s missing, and our trickster is gone. How are we supposed to pull this off without them? Our chances just dropped to nearly zero."


    Asher mmed his fist on the table, his frustration boiling over. "I know the odds! I know we''ve lost valuable assets, but we can''t stop now. We have no choice but to keep going!"


    The room fell silent again, the weight of their situation pressing down on them. Trisha''s mind wandered back to Axel. Was he out there, fighting for his life? Was there even a chance of seeing him again? She felt like the ground was crumbling beneath her feet.


    Williams stood abruptly, excusing himself from the table. He didn''t say a word as he exited, leaving the room heavy with unspoken thoughts.


    Once alone in his quarters, Williams made his way into the small bathroom, closing the door behind him. His breath came in shallow gasps as he leaned over the sink, gripping the porcin with white-knuckled hands.


    "You''re early with your report," a voice sneered from the mouth that had formed on his left hand, the grotesque face twisted in a mocking grin.


    Williams gritted his teeth. "Just give me the update. I don''t have time for your games. Themander probably has cameras watching my every move."


    As he moved around the bathroom, pretending to search for something, the mouth began to speak, its tone dripping with sadistic glee. "The signal''s been sent, just as you requested. The Fatekmander has received it. Hemends you for your work."


    Williams exhaled sharply, relief washing over him. "And what about the facility? Is he going to make his move?"


    The mouth let out a low chuckle. "The fleet is already on its way. Soon, this and everything on it will be under Fatek control. The experiments, the weapons¡ªall of it will belong to us."


    Williams smirked, his heart racing with the thrill of betrayal. "Good. Soon, Rika will fall, and the Fatek will reign supreme."


    He straightened up, ncing at his reflection in the mirror, a dangerous glint in his eyes. After Rika, Earth''s days were numbered, and soon, nothing would be the same again.


    ***Author''s note***


    The immense typing speed has been brought down drastically, as it has be more stressful and difficult to type. The nning is also a big piece to my slow typing as we are dealing with a universe and can''t really rush things here. All I hope is that it''s to your liking and you are enjoying the story fairly m If you have any ideas or addition that can be useful you can alsoment.


    It''s been long since I dropped am Author''s note as I usually did thanks to all the stress of life which my parents did not tell me I''ll have to deal with before dragging me down to this but here is a message I would like to carry out.


    Thank you Josh Roark! Lotusin and omega yellow for your follow up and gifting.


    It''s not been an easy journey so far especially when starting this month without features up till now. I hope you keep all having a great time reading... I''ll be watching you all.


    And please encourage me through supports. I am cking off too much because I feel no one is following. And that murders Author''s inspiration.


    Thank you.

 Chapter 134 Not a moment without Being sold

    Axel smiled at the notification that popped up soon after he hade into contact with the beast gem.


    **[Beast gem in contact will enhance user''s ability.]**


    "Can I craft a beast weapon from the store?" Axel asked, already thinking ahead to the possibilities that the gem could unlock.


    A pause followed as the system processed his request, and then another notification appeared.


    **[Yes... You can create any weapon of your liking. The stronger the gem, the better the weapon.]**


    **[Until then, you can store the gems collected in your inventory.]**


    "Inventory?" Axel muttered under his breath, and just by thinking about it, the gem in his hand disappeared into thin air. A holographic screen appeared before him, disying a grid with twelve empty slots¡ªexcept for one. The first slot now held the beast gem he had just stored.


    ''Interesting,'' Axel mused. He realized this could be a powerful way to manage resources without being weighed down. The thought of finding even stronger gems spurred him forward. He began to trail deeper into the tunnels, his eyes scanning fervently for any crystal that looked like it had a powerful attribute.


    It wasn''t an easy task. The cavern floor was littered with rubble, many of the stones looking deceptively simr. Every now and then, Axel would spot what he thought was a gem, only to find that it was just another piece of broken stone. The deeper he went, the more elusive the right gems seemed to be.


    "Come on, there has to be something," Axel muttered to himself. His frustration grew as time passed, but he kept going, knowing the effort would pay off in the end. His patience was rewarded when a new notification appeared.


    **[High-quality beast gem,patible with user''s shadow ability.]**


    Axel''s heart skipped a beat. He rushed over, though from his position he couldn''t yet see the gem. As he reached the spot where the notification hovered, his eyes locked on a small, glowing purple stone half-buried in the dirt. He quickly picked it up, feeling its weight and warmth in his palm.


    Without hesitation, he sent it into his inventory, which once again disyed a curious quirk: instead of taking up a new space, it was ssified under the first beast gem.


    ''Huh, so it stacks,'' Axel thought, realizing how efficient the system was at managing resources. He smirked, appreciating the convenience.


    Axel continued his search, finding gems that the system rmended, each one supposedly enhancing his powers in different ways. asionally, he encountered ones that intrigued him, but the system opposed them, stating they were ipatible. At first, Axel tried to argue, feeling that perhaps the system was missing something.


    But after recalling that the system usually had his best interests in mind when it came to these matters, he grudgingly moved on.


    After what felt like hours of searching and sifting through rubble, Axel finally felt satisfied with the collection of gems he had amassed. It was time to put them to use. "Alright, now you can craft the weapon," Axelmanded, his excitement building.


    **[Proceeding with crafting.]**


    The process was instantaneous. Not a secondter, a new notification appeared.


    **[Your preferred weapon has been created.]**


    **[Tears of Swords.]**


    Axel stared at the notification, the name of the weapon echoing in his mind. The familiar weight of a sword materialized in his hand, and for a moment, he felt a rush of power and nostalgia. He missed this feeling¡ªthe confidence that came with wielding a truly powerful weapon.


    He would have liked to give the sword a test swing, but he knew better than to draw attention to himself. He couldn''t risk exposing the weapon, not while Josh and Loki¡ªor worse, the two alien neers¡ªwere potentially nearby. The system and the gems were still a secret he needed to guard closely.


    "Better pack up," Axel muttered, turning his attention to the remaining gems. He began grabbing handfuls and stuffing them into his bag, knowing they could be useful for the facility and the other hunters back at base. He didn''t need to be selective now¡ªanything could be valuable.


    Just as he was about to leave, a voice broke the silence.


    "Hey, Axel."


    Axel flinched, almost dropping a gem as he turned to see Josh standing behind him, a casual smile on his face. "What do you want? Shouldn''t you be on your own gem hunt?" Axel asked, trying to mask his initial shock.


    Josh shrugged. "I''m done. Just thought I''d walk with you back to the entrance."


    Axel raised an eyebrow, suspicious of Josh''s sudden interest. But before he could say anything, Josh stretched to peer into Axel''s bag. "Need help?" he asked, eyes flickering toward the gems.


    "No need," Axel replied hastily. "I''m just about to finish up." He stuffed the remaining gems into his bag with more urgency now, trying to seem casual about it. Within moments, he was done and walked over to Josh, who was still watching him with a curious expression.


    "Can we talk about Trisha as we head back?" Josh asked as he began leading the way, his tone suddenly softer. Axel gave a silent nod in response, wondering where this conversation was headed.


    Josh''s voice was low, almost hesitant as he began. "I''ve known Trisha since our Hunter training days. She was always timid back then. But she had an S-rank awakening, like me. No one supported her, though. She was...


    what you might call a sadistic human."


    Axel said nothing, only nodding to encourage Josh to continue. He could tell this was something Josh needed to get off his chest.


    "She was undefeated. No one could match her until she challenged me," Josh said, a note of pride in his voice. "I beat her. And I kept beating her every time she tried. After that, she wouldn''t leave me alone. Followed me everywhere like a shadow.


    But eventually, we became friends. I learned about her past."


    Josh''s expression darkened, his eyes dropping to the ground. "She had it rough, Axel. No family, no support. She became tough because she had to. But to be honest, I don''t trust you that much. Not yet.


    But I know you''re a good guy. You''ve got a heart. That''s why I''m asking you... don''t break hers. Not with all this drama between Sarah and Williams."


    Axel hadn''t expected the conversation to take this turn, but he nodded slowly. "I won''t fail in that aspect. I n to settle things with Trisha after this Void Walkers and Fatek war... maybe even have kids."


    The words were heavy, even for Axel, but he knew they were true. He had ns for the future¡ªone that involved more than just fighting and survival.


    Josh seemed taken aback but also relieved. He gave Axel a proud look. "Thank you for that. I''m d to hear it."


    Just as Josh was about to say something else, their watches emitted a loud ping, breaking the quiet.


    Axel looked down at his wrist. "A voice note?" he muttered, noticing Josh had the same alert.


    Loki''s voice crackled through the transmission.


    **"Guess what? Our watches'' tracking devices have been disabled for a while. And, believe it or not, we''re being set up."**


    Axel''s stomach dropped.


    Josh''s face twisted in anger as he processed the words. "Set up? Trapped? Why is it always conspiracy with anyone you try to trust in this garbage world!"


    "This world''s been broken long before," Axel muttered, his mind racing. "So Loki thinks it''s all been a lie? That this is just a trap?"


    Josh didn''t waste another second. "We need to get to Loki¡ªnow!" he yelled, breaking into a sprint. Axel followed without hesitation, but a dark feeling tugged at the back of his mind.


    Something about this didn''t sit right. Why would they have gone to such lengths to talk about the Void Walkers if it was all fake? Or worse, was there some truth buried in the lies?


    As Axel ran, he couldn''t shake the sense that something far more sinister was at y.


    ***Author''s note***


    Thank you all for sticking with me, even though my release schedule has slowed down a bit. Your continued support means the world to me, and I truly appreciate every single one of you for still reading. You''re the reason I keep pushing forward, crafting these worlds, and diving deeper into the story.


    Now, I know some of you have been eagerly awaiting the next installment, and I''ve got some exciting news! This Halloween, I''ll be treating you to not just one, but **three chapters** in a special release. It''s going to be packed with thrills, chills, and twists that''ll leave you on the edge of your seat. Consider it a spooky gift from me to you, just in time for the season of fear and mystery!


    In the meantime, let''s embrace the darkness together, sharing the blood of anticipation and suspense. Yes, you heard me right¡ªlet''s *suckle at each other''s blood*, as we build up to what''s going to be one of the most intense chapter drops yet.


    It''s me, *Alucard*, signing off for now. But don''t worry, I''ll be back soon with a story that''s bound to make your Halloween unforgettable. Until then, stay hungry for more.


    Goodbye for now, and keep your fangs sharp...


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 135 Set-Up

    Axel and Josh bolted through the winding, narrow tunnels, their hurried footsteps echoing off the jagged stone walls. Every shadow seemed to stretch and twist in the dim, flickering light of theirnterns, casting unsettling shapes around them. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth, and the further they ventured, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.


    They had to move quickly¡ªthere was no time for stealth, and any dy could prove fatal. Loki was the weakest of the trio, and if he was already in danger, Axel and Josh couldn''t afford to waste a second.


    Axel nced over at Josh as they sprinted side by side. He could feel it too¡ªthe weight pressing against his chest, the undeniable presence of something far more powerful than they had anticipated lurking in the depths of this cave. It gnawed at his insides, a growing sense of dread that clung to him like a second skin.


    "Do you feel it, Axel?" Josh asked, his voice strained with worry. His face, usually calm andposed, was etched with concern. "Something¡­ something''s not right."


    Axel gave a quick nod, his expression grim. "Yeah. It''s getting closer."


    It felt like a predator stalking its prey, just out of sight, waiting for the right moment to strike. Whatever it was, it was strong¡ªstronger than anything they''d encountered recently. Axel''s instincts screamed at him to turn back, but they couldn''t. Not with Loki still missing.


    They reached the entrance of the tunnel in a matter of minutes, their pace relentless. But what they saw there stopped them both dead in their tracks.


    The once-clear path leading out had caved in, a mountain of rocks and debris blocking their way. Dust and rubble still hung in the air, evidence of a recent copse. The tunnel''s entrance wasn''t just closed¡ªit had been destroyed.


    "Shit!" Axel cursed, his voice sharp as he scanned the destruction. "Those two... They must''ve done this to trap us in here."


    Josh hissed through his teeth, frustration mingling with fear. "This is bad. We won''t be able to dig our way out. A copsed cave¡­ this is a worst-case scenario."


    Axel''s mind raced. Trapped underground, no exit, and with something¡ªsomeone¡ªpowerful waiting in the shadows. He hated enclosed spaces. The weight of the earth above felt like it was pressing down on him, threatening to crush him alive. And there was still the matter of Loki.


    Josh raised his sword, trying to contact Loki through their telepathic link. But there was only silence¡ªno response, no signal, nothing. It was as if Loki had simply vanished.


    "Seems like Loki might be on the other side," Josh muttered, lowering his sword in frustration. He flopped down on the ground, sitting cross-legged as he let out a long, exaggerated yawn. "This sucks."


    Axel, however, couldn''t rx. Something was gnawing at the back of his mind. Why would Loki leave like that? It didn''t make sense. They''de here together, a team. Loki wasn''t the type to abandon them¡ªor was he?


    "Josh, do you think there''s a chance that Loki¡­"


    "Betrayed us?" Josh interrupted, finishing Axel''s thought for him. "Yeah, I''ve thought about it. He''s the only one who could''ve caused the copse. But it doesn''t make sense, does it? Loki''s not the type to hurt us, but for some reason, he chose to leave things like this."


    Axel''s jaw clenched as he looked at the wall of rubble. Josh was right¡ªthis felt like betrayal, but not a malicious one. Loki hadn''t left them to die. No, it was more calcted than that. Loki had warned them before everything went to hell, which meant he was still on their side¡­ in some twisted way.


    "He''s probably dealing with something really strong behind that wall," Axel muttered, his mind racing. "And he thinks he can handle it on his own. Or¡­"


    Josh''s eyes locked onto Axel''s, both of them arriving at the same conclusion.


    "He''s making a sacrifice," Josh said slowly, his voice low. "Setting up a double trap system. If we try to break out, we could copse the entire mountain. We''d be buried alive, and so would anyone else nearby¡ªfriend or foe. Loki''s trying to keep us safe while trapping the enemy at the same time."


    "For him to go that far¡­" Axel murmured, the weight of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders. "It must be something powerful. Something he thinks we can''t handle."


    ***


    On the other side of the tunnel, Loki staggered to one knee, his breath ragged and uneven. Blood dripped from his mouth, staining his already battered clothing. His vision blurred, and for a moment, the world around him flickered in and out of focus. But he forced himself to stay conscious. He couldn''t afford to copse now¡ªnot with what stood in front of him.


    "Damn it¡­" Loki growled, biting down hard on his lip, the taste of blood bitter on his tongue.


    Standing before him, its form shrouded in darkness, was a being unlike anything Loki had ever faced. It was shaped like a human, but its body flickered and shifted like mes, horns twisting up from its head, eyes glowing with a malevolent, fiery light. A devil. A Voidwalker.


    In its hand, it held the lifeless body of Ham, Loki''s ally. Ham''s headless corpse dangled limply, blood dripping from his severed neck, soaking the ground beneath him. The sight turned Loki''s stomach.


    "Ham¡­ didn''t evenst a minute¡­" Loki muttered under his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He nced to his right, where the god candidate Troyy on the ground, his arm severed at the elbow. Troy wasn''t dead¡ªnot yet¡ªbut his eyes were zed over, as if he were in a trance, staring at the remains of his own arm with a sick kind of reverence.


    Loki clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. ''I was right to block the tunnel,'' he thought grimly. ''Axel and Josh wouldn''t stand a chance against this thing. Hell, I barely do¡­''


    He had hoped that maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªthey could''ve outsmarted it. But as the battle raged on, it became painfully clear that they were outmatched in every possible way. Loki''s chest heaved as he tried to summon his mana, but nothing happened. The Voidwalker had drained their energy before the fight even began, leaving them helpless.


    "This bastard¡­" Loki growled, raising his trembling hands to his face. He was exhausted, his mana depleted, his body pushed to its absolute limit. And yet, the Voidwalker stood there, unharmed, as if the entire fight had been nothing more than a game to it.


    "So¡­ this is a Voidwalker," Loki whispered, his voice hoarse.

 Chapter 136 Void Walker Soul

    Troy''s boots echoed softly in the dimly lit cavern as he approached the exit of the Beast Gem haven. The air felt thick, charged with the weight of decisions that could alter the course of their lives. He nced over at Ham, who stood vigil by the mouth of the tunnel, his eyes locked on the jagged rocks overhead.


    "Is this spot good enough, Troy?" Ham''s voice was low, almost hesitant.


    Troy''s sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in every nook and cranny, every uneven surface that could serve as either an advantage or a death trap. He nodded solemnly. "Yes. We have to block this entrance. We can''t drag them into something they don''t even know exists. This is our mess, not theirs."


    Ham''s grip tightened on his sword as he looked back at the tunnel, the shadows ying tricks on his tired mind. "And what might that be?"


    Both men turned in unison, their faces pale under the faint glow of the cavern''s light. Loki stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable. His presence was quiet, but the tension in the air spiked. The calm before the storm.


    "You really think I''d just let you two wander off and decide our fate without even giving me a say?" Loki''s voice was steady, but it carried a sharp edge. His eyes glinted with a dangerous mix of curiosity and suspicion.


    Troy sighed, a deep and weary sound, as if the weight of the situation had finally settled on his shoulders. "I knew you''d catch on eventually. Fine. You''re right¡ªwe nned to trap you, Josh, and Axel here. But believe me, it''s for a reason. A good reason.


    We can''t let you leave."


    Loki scoffed, crossing his arms. "You expect me to believe that? You really think I''m going to stand here and let myself be buried alive without knowing what the hell''s going on? Start talking. Now."


    Troy''s face darkened with guilt, his brows furrowed as if the words were painful to say. "We made a mistake."


    Loki''s eyes narrowed. "What kind of mistake?"


    "We alerted something¡­ something far worse than we could''ve ever anticipated. We alerted a Voidwalker''s soul," Troy said, his voice barely a whisper.


    Loki blinked. "A Voidwalker? I thought those were myths¡ªdark creatures from ancient times that scour the universe, devouring everything in their path."


    "A Voidwalker can split its soul into three factions, each one as deadly as the main body. And it uses those fragments to search for energy, to consume life. We woke one up, Loki. It''s headed here. It''s already close," Troy exined, his voice growing more frantic with each word.


    Loki''s heart raced, but he kept his face neutral. "So, you blocked the tunnel to keep us from getting dragged into your mess. But why is it stilling for you? You''ve been suppressing your energy the whole time. Something doesn''t add up. What did you do to piss it off?"


    Ham and Troy exchanged a look, their expressions dark with guilt. Loki didn''t need an answer; their silence told him everything.


    Loki clenched his fists, stepping past them with a determined glint in his eye. "I''ming with you."


    Ham''s face twisted in disbelief. "Are you out of your damn mind? You heard what we said! Even a Voidwalker''s soul is strong enough to wipe us out, let alone you! If you face it, you''ll die."


    Loki didn''t slow his pace, walking past Ham with a confident stride. "I won''t die. Trust me."


    The words echoed in his mind, a bold im now ringing hollow as hey on the cold ground, his body aching and his vision blurring. ''I won''t die,'' he had said. But now, with every passing second, he wasn''t so sure.


    Blood pooled in his mouth as he spat onto the rocky floor, struggling to get back on his feet. The Voidwalker Soul, a twisted, demonic silhouette made of writhing shadows and fire, loomed over him. Its eyes¡ªpits of endless darkness¡ªsucked the very life out of him, draining his strength with every breath.


    Loki''s legs wobbled, barely holding him upright. He couldn''t feel his Mana. It was as if the creature had siphoned away all his power, leaving him hollow. His mind raced through his limited options. He wasn''t a powerhouse; he wasn''t a heavy hitter. If brute force wouldn''t work, what the hell could he do against this thing?


    ''Think, Loki. Think.''


    The Voidwalker Soul''s eyes locked onto him, its hollow gaze piercing straight through his defenses, straight into his soul. Every step it took toward him drained more of his willpower. It moved slowly, deliberately, as if savoring the inevitable kill.


    "So¡­ you came for revenge," Loki rasped, trying to stall for time, though deep down, he had no n. No escape.


    The creature didn''t respond. Instead, Ham''s mangled corpse dissolved into nothingness at its feet, as if the Voidwalker Soul had grown tired of ying with it.


    Loki''s heart pounded in his chest. His limbs felt heavy, like they were being pulled into the earth itself. His vision swam, but he forced himself to focus. He couldn''t die here. Not like this.


    ''I can''t die. Not until I''ve¡­ I''ve protected them¡­ Thor, Hera, Annie¡­ Axel¡­ I have to stay alive. They need me.''


    Gritting his teeth, Loki pushed himself off the ground, his legs shaking but standing nheless. "You think¡­ you can take me down that easily?" His voice cracked, but there was defiance in it.


    The Voidwalker Soul paused, tilting its head as if curious. Its monstrous form radiated raw, consuming power. Its gaping mouth split open in its chest, a horrifying void that spoke with a voice that felt like it came from within Loki''s own mind.


    "You reek¡­ of hatred," it said, its voice a low, guttural growl that sent chills down Loki''s spine. "Darkness festers within you."


    Loki recoiled, gasping. It wasn''t talking to him¡ªnot just to him. He turned, his eyes widening in shock.


    Josh and Axel stood on the other side of the debris, their bodies radiating dark, ominous energy. The tunnel hadn''t copsed fully. Somehow, they had found a way through.


    Axel''s gaze locked onto the Voidwalker Soul, pure rage burning in his eyes. Seeing Loki battered, bloodied, and on the verge of death sent a wave of fury coursing through him.


    "You''re dead for hurting my sister''s friend," Axel growled, his voice trembling with emotion.


    The Voidwalker Soul''s mouth twisted into something resembling a smile. "Such hatred¡­ Give me more."


    The tension in the cavern reached a fever pitch, the air crackling with the dark energy swirling around the three hunters. As the Voidwalker Soul took a step toward them, the ground trembled under its weight. But this time, Loki wasn''t alone.

 Chapter 137 Voidwalker Against...

    The Voidwalker stood like a shadow given life, an ethereal entity whose mere presence sent a chill deep into Axel''s bones. Its eyes¡ªck, hollow, and endless¡ªnever left him. There was something unnerving about the way it focused solely on Axel, as though it could peer into the darkest corners of his soul.


    Its tall, emaciated frame barely moved, but the energy it exuded suffocated the air around them.


    Axel squinted, trying to make sense of the being in front of him. It hadn''t attacked, not yet, but something was terribly wrong. Every second they stood there, he felt weaker, as though his very essence was slipping away.


    ''What is this thing?'' Axel''s mind raced as his body grew sluggish. Then it hit him like a sledgehammer. ''It''s like my energy is... leaving me?'' His throat tightened, paning his words. "It''s sucking up all my energy quickly."


    "Mine too." Josh''s voice was strained as he crouched low, his eyes flicking between the Voidwalker and Axel. "I don''t know what this thing is, but we have to hit it together. We''ll lose all our mana if we don''t take it down now."


    Without hesitation, Josh shot forward, his movements slower than they should have been. Even as he pushed himself to his maximum speed, he could feel the Voidwalker''s siphoning presence dragging him down. Still, he pressed on, his eyes glowing a sharp blue as the air around him turned icy.


    From the ground, jagged pirs of ice erupted, racing toward the Voidwalker''s throat like spears aiming for a vital point.


    But just as the ice neared the creature, it shattered into glittering fragments, dissolving into nothingness before it could even touch its target. The Voidwalker had absorbed it all, leaving no trace. A bitter curse slipped from Josh''s lips, but he wasn''t finished.


    His foot glowed with a cold sheen as he swung it toward the creature, encasing his boot in solid ice before he struck its face with all his might.


    The Voidwalker staggered, moving back a few feet, but it did not react as a living being would. There was no cry of pain, no flinch¡ªnothing. It merely paused, as though reassessing them.


    Josh quickly recoiled, pulling his leg back and checking the melting ice that dripped from his boot. ''That confirms it,'' he thought grimly. ''It can''t absorb our attacks unless it makes direct contact with the source of energy, but if it had grabbed me¡­'' He shuddered to think of the consequences.


    Before Josh could react further, the Voidwalker lunged. Its elongated arm extended unnaturally fast, its fingers outstretched like ws ready to sink into his flesh. Josh''s stomach lurched. There was no way he could dodge it in time. His body felt like it was swimming in msses.


    In desperation, he summoned a thick wall of ice between them, buying himself just enough time to leap backward, putting more distance between himself and the creature.


    While Josh struggled to keep the Voidwalker at bay, Axel was already charging in. He sprinted past the ice wall, his eyes locked onto the Voidwalker. This thing¡ªwhatever it was¡ªhad to be stopped, and Axel wasn''t going to let it drain him dry without a fight. He could feel his energy bleeding away with every second, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through the exhaustion.


    Axel''s fist collided with the Voidwalker''s chin, and once again, the creature staggered back. But just like before, there was no sign of pain. The blow didn''t seem to affect it at all. Axel cursed under his breath, frustration mounting.


    "What the hell is this thing?" Axel yelled, his voice raw. "It''s draining us fast, and our attacks aren''t doing anything!"


    Josh, catching his breath a few feet away, could barely look Axel in the eye as he shouted back. "I think it''s absorbing everything we throw at it! We need to get out of here, Axel. This fight is suicide!"


    Axel''s heart sank at the grim truth in Josh''s words. As much as it pained him to admit it, they weren''t winning this fight. They were only growing weaker. Josh had already started making his way toward Loki and Troy, grabbing both of them by the arms. Axel could see what Josh was doing¡ªhe was preparing a teleportation spell to get them all out.


    ''Good n,'' Axel thought, pivoting away from the Voidwalker. He bolted toward Josh and the others, adrenaline pushing him forward. He could feel the Voidwalker''s gaze burning into his back, but it hadn''t moved to stop him. Not yet. That eerie, ominous stillness sent a shiver down Axel''s spine.


    ''I can make it. Just a few more seconds.''


    But then, something shifted. Axel''s body faltered. His stride broke, his bnce wavered. A sharp, burning pain ripped through him, and for a brief moment, his brain couldn''t process what had happened. His breath hitched as his eyes slowly trailed down to his chest.


    His right arm¡ªgone. Completely severed. Blood poured from the stump where his shoulder used to be, staining his clothes in an ever-growing pool of red. His heart pounded in his ears, and a wave of nausea hit him as the notifications popped up in his vision.


    [You are losing too much blood.]


    [Mana: 14]


    [You are low on Mana. You cannot activate the system''s healing process.]


    ''Damn it!'' Axel''s mind raced, the reality of his situation sinking in like ice. ''It attacked from a distance¡­ It''s been ying with us this whole time!''


    He nced over at Josh, Loki, and Troy, all of them stretching out their hands to him, yelling something¡ªanything¡ªbut Axel couldn''t hear them. Their voices were muffled, drowned out by the sound of his own blood rushing through his ears. His vision blurred, darkening at the edges.


    ''Just a little further,'' Axel thought, stumbling forward. His legs felt like they were made of lead, his energy draining faster with each step. He reached out his hand, fingers trembling as they stretched toward Josh''s.


    Two feet. One foot.


    Then everything stopped.


    Axel''s body was frozen in ce, not by magic or fear, but by the sudden realization that he wasn''t whole anymore. His legs¡ªhis entire lower body¡ªwas gone. Severed cleanly at the waist. Blood spurted from the wound, sttering across the ground as Axel''s upper body slid forward, hitting the ground with a sickening thud.


    He blinked, staring at the ground beneath him as his strength ebbed away. ''I''ve been... cut in half.''


    The Voidwalker''s oppressive presence loomed over him, and thest thing Axel saw was the shadow of its figure standing just behind Josh and the others, its hollow eyes never once leaving him.


    ***


    The moment was brutal, swift, and utterly unforgiving. One second, Axel had been surging forward, full of determination, and the next¡ªhe was severed in half. The shock hit him before the pain did, and for a brief, terrible moment, he felt utterly human. Vulnerable. His body, a machine of battle, had been torn apart, and his life was spilling out onto the battlefield with each frantic heartbeat.


    His mind, still reeling, struggled to process what had happened. The world was spinning, the edges of his vision blurring.


    *Is this it? Is this how it ends?* The thought came unbidden, filling him with a cold dread. Faces flickered through his mind, haunting him in these final moments. **Mum, Dad, Annie, Luxiam, Trisha...** The people he cared about most. Would he never see them again? Would this be thest time their faces graced his memory?


    **No. Not yet. I''m not done yet!**


    The defiant thought pierced through the haze of pain, driving Axel to act. His upper body, now weightless without the support of his legs, plummeted toward the ground, but even as he fell, his willpower surged. He *couldn''t* die here. He *wouldn''t*.


    With a final, desperate effort, he stretched out his hand, his fingers reaching, wing for Josh. If he could just grab hold, if he could just make it, there might be a chance.


    The ground rushed up to meet him, cold and unforgiving, but Axel''s focus remained on his outstretched hand. **Josh¡ªhe had to reach Josh.** His vision darkened, his strength failing him, but in thatst instant, he thought he felt the faintest brush of contact. Or was it just his imagination? Darkness closed in around him, and Axel''s world faded.


    ***


    The morning sun filtered through therge windows of the facility''s dining hall, casting soft light over the room. It should have been a peaceful scene¡ªS-rank soldiers eating their breakfast in rtive silence, the clinking of cutlery the only sound in the air¡ªbut the atmosphere was thick with tension. Everyone knew what was at stake.


    At the far end of the table, **Trisha** sat hunched over her te, her eyes fixed on the food that she couldn''t bring herself to eat. Her spoon moved aimlessly through the mess of scrambled eggs and toast, but her mind was far from the meal. The anxiety that had gripped her for days had now festered into something darker¡ª**depression**. Axel and his team had been missing for too long.


    There had been no word, no sign of them, and the silence was suffocating.


    Trisha''s thoughts churned with worry. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Axel in danger, fighting for his life, and every time she opened them, she was met with the harsh reality of his absence. The sleepless nights were beginning to show. Her face was pale, her eyes bloodshot from the hours spent staring at the ceiling, waiting for news that never came.


    Across from her, **Williams**, ever the opportunist, leaned back in his chair with a smug look on his face. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a cruel grin tugged at his lips as he watched Trisha. "You''re looking rough, Trisha," he said, his voice dripping with false concern. "Worried your precious Axel won''t make it back this time?"


    His words cut deep, but Trisha didn''t respond. She knew Williams was trying to provoke her, to get under her skin. He had always been jealous of Axel''s strength, of his status, and now he saw an opportunity to twist the knife. But Trisha couldn''t muster the energy to fight back. Her heart was too heavy, her mind too clouded with fear. She kept her eyes down, her spoon stirring listlessly.


    Seeing that he wasn''t going to get a rise out of her, Williams sneered. "Guess it''s true what they say¡ªheroes don''t alwayse back."


    Before he could say anything more, **Commander Asher**, standing tall at the head of the room, shot him a cold re. "Enough, Williams," he said, his voice sharp andmanding. "This isn''t the time for your pettyments."


    Williams rolled his eyes but said nothing further, leaning back in his chair and returning to his meal with a look of satisfaction. He didn''t care about the reprimand. The damage had been done.


    Trisha''s hands trembled slightly as she set her spoon down, unable to pretend any longer. The pit in her stomach had grown unbearable. Her mind was filled with images of Axel¡ªof him fighting, of him bleeding, of him¡­ **no**. She couldn''t think like that. He was still out there. He had to be.


    She just had to believe.

 Chapter 138 Severed in half

    The room was shrouded in an unsettling silence, a tense air thickening with each passing second as Thor sympathized with Trisha. It was a quiet so profound that even their breaths seemed muted, the heaviness of their emotions weighing them down.


    The silence remained until¡ª


    A loud, crackling sound ripped through the air. Dark and yellow sparks of light suddenly appeared, dancing in the atmosphere like malevolent fireflies.


    The S-rank hunters immediately jumped from their seats, recoiling from the strange phenomenon. Fear and confusion shed across their faces.


    "What''s happening? Is this you?" Andre asked, his gaze fixed on Commander Asher. But even before he finished speaking, they all knew¡ªit wasn''t him. The power that filled the room was foreign, something entirely beyond their control.


    Asher''s face tightened with urgency. "It''s an attack! But don''t react too violently. Don''t release your full power. We don''t want to attract more trouble!" His voice wasmanding but edged with apprehension. He dashed to the side of the room, smashing a transparent ss case and hovering his hand over a red button that could trigger a facility-wide alert.


    His fingers hovered over it, unsure if the situation had spiraled beyond control yet.


    A moment passed, agonizingly slow, as the crackling intensified. The sparks grew, widening into a swirling ck void, a portal that seemed to breathe with menace. The hunters were stunned, watching with bated breath.


    "Where did thise from?" someone muttered.


    "Why is it here?"


    Their questions died on their lips when, one by one, four bodies tumbled from the portal, hitting the ground with heavy, lifeless thuds. The room froze.


    It took a heartbeat for them to register who it was: Josh, Loki, Axel, and a stranger. Relief flickered in their eyes at first, seeing them return. But then¡­ then they saw *him*.


    Axel''s bodyy grotesquely broken on the floor, severed in half.


    Blood drenched what remained of him, his torso drenched in crimson, one of his hands entirely missing. His face was ashen, pale from blood loss, his mouth weakly opening and closing, spewing blood in sickening gurgles.


    Trisha''s scream shattered the suffocating silence, piercing through the room with raw, gut-wrenching grief. "A-Axel! Axel! No! No!" She stumbled forward, copsing to her knees beside him, trembling. Her hands flew to his face, her fingers brushing his blood-streaked cheeks as tears streamed down her own.


    Her heart pounded violently in her chest, each beat more painful than thest. Her mind refused toprehend what her eyes saw. This wasn''t Axel. It couldn''t be. He had always been indestructible, a beacon of strength. Yet here he was, broken, bleeding, and on the very edge of death.


    "What happened?!" Thor''s voice wavered as he approached, horror washing over him. His eyes flicked between Axel and Loki, but no answer came immediately. He wanted tofort his friend, to express the relief of seeing Loki again, but that relief felt hollow in the face of the nightmare before them.


    ''Why couldn''t I protect him?'' Loki''s mind raced, guilt wing at his insides. He sat, slumped, his right hand yanking at his hair as frustration boiled over. His fist crashed into the ground, pounding it over and over, each strike fueled by a spiraling sense of failure.


    "Fuck! Damn it!" Loki''s voice cracked as he cursed, eyes bloodshot from held-back tears. He had let Axel down, and it was eating him alive.


    Even Troy, usually the mostposed, stood frozen in ce. His hands trembled, unable to process the sight of his friend in pieces.


    "Josh! What happened? What did this to Axel?" Haze''s voice was frantic, the panic she tried to suppress bubbling to the surface.


    But Josh only shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin, tight line. He couldn''t speak. He couldn''t find the words to exin what they had just survived¡ªor failed to survive. The room was heavy with tension, awkward in its silence, drowning in the weight of their defeat.


    "Answer us!" Commander Asher''s shout sliced through the air, demanding an exnation, his voice sharp and unrelenting.


    Loki''s head snapped up, eyes zing with fury. "We were fucking overwhelmed!" he roared, ring directly at Asher. His words were soaked with rage, each one a p to the face of the supposed ''S-rank'' hunters surrounding them. "Shut your mouths, all of you! Don''t you dare yell at me asking what happened!" He stood abruptly, his fists clenched, trembling with fury.


    "You bastards were sitting here eating meals while we were out there dying! *Surviving on sticks!* You sicken me, calling yourselves S-rank when you ain''t *shit*!"


    Sarah stepped forward, her voice cold and cutting. "Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea how reckless¡ª"


    "You *bitch*!" Loki spat venomously, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Did I *ask* you to speak?! If any of you had bothered toe find us, maybe this wouldn''t have happened! Maybe Axel wouldn''t be lying here fucking *dying* in front of me! It''s your fault! All of yours!" His voice cracked again, breaking under the weight of his emotions.


    He sank to the floor, his head falling into his hands as sobs wracked his body. "I can''t¡ªwhat am I supposed to tell Annie? How do I tell her her brother is gone? I tried to save him, but he saved me instead! He died for me¡­ and I let him."


    "Shit!" Thor cursed, pacing back and forth, his breathing ragged, his face contorted in guilt and anguish. His mind raced with memories of Axel, of every failure, every moment he could have done more. "I should''ve been there. I should''ve found you sooner. I''m a *disgrace!* I can''t even protect the people I care about. Forgive me, Teras¡­ Forgive me."


    Axel''s eyes fluttered open, barely. His vision was blurred, but he could make out Trisha''s face hovering above him, her tears falling like rain onto his broken form. He wanted to speak, to tell her not to cry, that he''d heal, that everything would be okay.


    But he couldn''t. His vocal cords had been shredded by the Voidwalker''s attack. His voice was gone, and worse, his power was failing him.


    A notification flickered weakly in the corner of his vision.


    **[Half of your system has been destroyed¡­ Malfunctioning]**


    *This¡­ really is the end,* Axel thought, his mind growing hazy, his body heavy and cold. He had so many regrets. There were so many things he still wanted to do, so many things he wanted to say. But now, all he could do was stare up at Trisha, her face etched in sorrow.


    *At least thest thing I see is you.*


    A tear slipped from the corner of Axel''s eye as he mustered one final thought, weak and fleeting as the darkness closed in around him.


    *I wish we could have had a family.*


    The room was silent once again, but this time it was filled with the weight of unspeakable loss.

 Chapter 139 End of Rika Zero 1

    Commander Asher stood rigid, his eyes locked on the chaos unfolding before him. He didn''t want to shatter the moment, yet his mind raced. There was no cure for the situation, no guiding instinct to pull him through this storm. He was a soldier with a mission. Nothing more. And that mission needed to bepleted without fail.


    His thoughts churned, dark and frantic. *This matter with the Voidwalker... it''s impossible! How did they find this? It''s supposed to be impossible unless¡ª* He didn''t want to finish the thought. *Earth has less time than we thought.* Without hesitation, Commander Asher''s fist crashed through the transparent ss of the emergency button panel.


    The sharp, shrill re of the rms filled the room, their piercing wail echoing through every corner of the facility. The lights overhead flickered violently, turning blood red, casting the space in an eerie, unsettling glow.


    "We need to evacuate the entire facility!" Asher shouted, his voice barely carrying over the deafening sirens. His hands trembled, adrenaline pumping through his veins. "Rika Zero is lost. We have to get the mission done now¡ªready the ships and¡ª"


    His words were swallowed in an instant.


    Andre appeared before him like a shadow, his hand tightening around Asher''s throat with terrifying precision, his face a mask of disgust. There was no hesitation, no second thought.


    "If we do as you say, we might die physically," Andre hissed, his voice low and venomous. "But here''s something you should know. Most of this group? They''re already dead inside. And if you push this, I won''t hesitate to kill you long before the Voidwalker gets the chance. So shut your damn mouth."


    Asher''s body went rigid, the pressure of Andre''s hand forcingpliance. He struggled for air but nodded weakly, his mind spinning with the weight of his failure.


    Across the room, Williams watched the confrontation with cold satisfaction. His lips twitched into a smile, though it was devoid of joy. This moment, this chaos, felt like long-overdue justice. *Finally, the tide is turning in my favor¡­*


    But his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a movement that caught his eye¡ªSarah. She was edging towards Axel, her face pale and determined. Panic surged through Williams. He ran towards her, his hand catching her wrist, yanking her back with a brutal force.


    "What the hell do you think you''re doing?" Williams hissed, his voice barely a whisper butced with fury.


    Sarah''s eyes shed with defiance as she ripped her hand free from his grasp. "Shut up!" she spat back. "I can''t let him die like this. Axel''s family... they''ve suffered too much. This is the least I can do."


    Williams'' face twisted in rage. "No! This isn''t what we nned!" His voice rose, sharp and desperate. "You''re going to ruin everything! We''ve worked too hard for this!"


    Sarah''s eyes darkened. "*No,* Williams. This is what *you* nned. I''ve been feeling guilty about what we did to Axel all those years ago, and you were the one who convinced me to do it. I was a kid back then, but now I can make my own choices. And I choose not to let Axel die!"


    Williams'' jaw tightened as her words hit him like a blow. For a brief moment, he looked lost, as if realizing that nothing he said would change her mind. He swallowed hard, his gaze narrowing into something more primal, bitter. "You still like him, don''t you?"


    Sarah didn''t respond. She didn''t need to. Instead, she turned her back on Williams and hurried over to Axel, her heart pounding in her chest. She knelt beside Trisha, who was already by Axel''s side, her face streaked with tears.


    "Maybe I can help," Sarah whispered, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I can try to reverse some of the damage."


    Trisha''s gaze snapped to Sarah, her expression a mix of hope and fear. For the first time, there was no anger, no resentment in her eyes. Only a desperate, aching plea.


    "P-please," Trisha begged, her voice breaking. "Save him. Don''t let Axel die¡­"


    Sarah nodded, her throat tightening. She ced her trembling hands over Axel''s broken, mangled body, focusing every ounce of her energy. She summoned her golden Mana, feeling its warmth surge from her fingertips, weaving through Axel''s shattered form.


    The effect was immediate but slow. Beneath Sarah''s hands, Axel''s body began to heal. The blood pooling beneath him halted, his torn flesh knitting itself back together with agonizing slowness. Bones reformed, followed by veins, sinew, and muscle. His lower body¡ªthe parts torn apart¡ªbegan to regenerate, starting from his hips down to his knees, then to his ankles.


    The intricate process unfolded like a miracle before their eyes.


    But the toll on Sarah was immense. She clenched her teeth, her body trembling violently as she forced her energy into Axel. Blood began to trickle from the corner of her mouth, her eyes flickering with strain. Her breaths came in shallow gasps as if she were being drained of her very soul.


    "Tch!" she winced, her entire body convulsing with the effort.


    Haze, watching from the sidelines, rushed forward, panic shing in her eyes. "Sarah! You''re pushing yourself too far! You''ll die if you keep this up!"


    She reached out, grabbing Sarah by the shoulder, trying to pull her away from Axel. But Sarah shook her head violently, refusing to be moved.


    "No!" Sarah gasped, her voice strained and hoarse. "I can''t. I won''t abandon him again!" Tears welled in her eyes, her heart clenching with the weight of her guilt. "I let him down once¡­ back then¡­ but not now. I *won''t* let him die!"


    But her resolve, no matter how strong, couldn''t ovee the limitations of her body. Her vision blurred, her muscles gave out, and with a choked gasp, Sarah copsed. Haze caught her before she could hit the ground, gentlyying her down.


    "Sarah, stop! You''ve done enough!" Haze cried, but Sarah was already unconscious, her body spent.


    Trisha, her voice raw with emotion, kept calling out. "Axel¡­ Axel, please, wake up. Please." Her voice cracked, but she didn''t stop. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she shook him gently, willing him to respond.


    Axel''s eyelids fluttered, but he remained eerily still. His body, though partially healed, bore scars and wounds that ran deep, far deeper than flesh.


    "Axel¡­" Trisha whispered again, her voice soft and broken. She leaned closer, her lips almost brushing his ear. "Axel, don''t leave me¡­"


    "Ax¡­ Mark¡­"


    Mark? Why would she saw that name? Axel asked himself as he slowly lost consciousness. It''s not possible?

 Chapter 140 End of Rika Zero 2

    As the doors to the dining room swung open with a loud crash, the heavy footsteps of a Ruham echoed across the room, followed by the rapid strides of two human scientists. Their faces were pale with urgency, a stark contrast to the ominous atmosphere that had settled over the room. The air crackled with tension, the weight of something catastrophic looming.


    "Commander Asher, we have a massive prob¡ª" The words stuck in the scientist''s throat as their eyes fell upon the Commander. He was pinned in a deadly chokehold, barely able to breathe, let alonemand. Andre''s grip was unrelenting.


    "Speak," Commander Asher rasped, themand slipping out between strained breaths.


    The scientist hesitated but forced himself to continue, "Sir, Rika Zero¡­ it''s copsing from within. The entire¡ªit''s fading at an rming rate."


    Commander Asher''s eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" His voice wavered, a rare moment of vulnerability. He had expected the worst, but this¡­ this was something beyond even his grim expectations. "How long do we have before it reaches us?" His mind raced through the worst-case scenarios, praying that fate would be merciful. Surely, a couldn''t fall in mere minutes.


    There had to be time to evacuate, to brief the mission team, to salvage something.


    But fate was not so kind.


    The scientist swallowed hard before delivering the brutal reality. "Fifteen minutes, sir. No more."


    The words were a death sentence.


    Andre''s grip loosened, his hand falling from Asher''s neck as he backed away. "You''d better make your decisions quickly, Commander," he warned, his voice a low growl. "I''ll do what I can to help control the Hunters, but they''re not in good shape. You won''t have much time."


    Commander Asher''s mind whirled. _Fifteen minutes? No¡­ that can''t be possible._ He could feel the weight of the entire facility on his shoulders, the hundreds of lives at stake. There wasn''t enough time to evacuate even a fraction of them. _The portal would take at least thirty minutes to stabilize, and we only have ten to prepare the ship.


    Even if we manage to get the ship ready, escaping the atmosphere in three minutes would be near impossible._


    His heart sank.


    "Commander, what do we do?" One of the attendants cried out, his voice cracking under the pressure of the moment. They were all thinking the same thing. The time was slipping through their fingers like sand, and there wasn''t nearly enough of it.


    Commander Asher clenched his fists, swallowing down the rising tide of panic. There was no room for fear now. Only action. "This stays between us," he ordered, his voice low but firm. "No one else is to know what''s happening. Prepare the mission ship immediately.


    I want every avable resource ready in under ten minutes. And bring the expert alien for the mission. The Hunters will be there soon."


    The attendants nodded in unison, their faces pale, and bolted from the room. Commander Asher stood there for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. _This is it. No turning back now._ The clock had started ticking, and each second that passed was a step closer to doom.


    "Listen to me!" Commander Asher shouted to the Hunters, his voice desperate. "I need you all to move, now. We don''t have time for arguments or dys. We need to get to the ship!"


    The Hunters remained silent, unmoving, their faces unreadable. It was as if Commander Asher''s words were lost to them, drowned out by the chaos around them. The weight of his words seemed to bounce off their hardened expressions. Desperation wed at him. "Rika Zero is copsing! If you don''t act now, not just this, but Earth will be next.


    There''s no time to waste! The same fate awaits Earth, and I''m not sure how long we have before it''s toote¡ªweeks, at best."


    Josh stepped forward, breaking the silence. His face was grim but resolute. "We need to move." He nced at Axel, whoy unconscious, still being healed. Without hesitation, Josh bent down and carefully lifted Axel onto his back, carrying him as if he were a child. "We can continue healing Axel on the ship once Sarah wakes up. But right now, Earth has to be our priority."


    Andre nodded, stepping toward Sarah and gently lifting her in his arms, while Thor followed suit, carrying Troy. With everyone ounted for, they rushed out of the room, Commander Asher leading the charge.


    Every second was precious.


    ***


    Far from the chaos of the facility, a being of immeasurable power hovered high in the darkened sky, its form barely visible amidst the swirling vortex of destruction it had summoned. Its arms spread wide as if embracing the very destruction it orchestrated.


    Rika Zero crumbled beneath its overwhelming presence¡ªbeasts, forests, and oceans dissolving into streams of pure darkness, all of it absorbed into the being''s core.


    The Voidwalker''s soul reveled in the destruction. It drank in the life force of the with an insatiable hunger, its very essence vibrating with power as the died beneath it. The Voidwalker''s senses stretched across Rika Zero, hunting, searching for everyst drop of energy, every aura that dared to exist in its domain.


    And it saved the most tantalizing aura forst.


    The facility. The one beacon of life left on this dying world. The Voidwalker could sense the fragile beings inside, their energy unique, intoxicating.


    "Hate¡­ such delicious hate," the Voidwalker murmured, its voice a low, guttural hiss that reverberated through the empty air. "These creatures¡­ they''re different. They''re likes in motion, filled with a raw, untapped core."


    Its dark eyes glittered with malice. "There has to be more of them. So much more. And when we absorb their essence¡­ we will find them."


    The Voidwalker''s twisted smile widened as its gaze locked onto the distant facility. "Their energy signatures are all the same¡­ and they''re all mine."


    ***


    Please support me with anything. As an Author who lives to write I know you might not possess the time or resources tp support but i appreciate you so far.


    God bless.

 Chapter 141 End of Rika Zero 3

    The entire facility buzzed with frantic activity as everyone rushed toplete their tasks, moving supplies and equipment to their designated locations. Time was slipping away, and the urgency hung in the air like a thick fog.


    The spaceship, already stocked with as many supplies as they could manage, sat waiting. They had done their best, though everything hade as a shock. The rumors of a Voidwalker''s appearance had spread like wildfire, giving them only three hours to evacuate the. The information was false, intentionally nted by Commander Asher himself. His closest subordinates had helped him spread the lie.


    It was a necessary cruelty, one he bore with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Sacrificing a hundred lives for the safety of billions back on Earth¡ªthat''s what it hade down to. The pain of it gnawed at his conscience, but it was a sacrifice he deemed unavoidable.


    Asher gulped hard, his throat dry as he checked his watch. The countdown he had set was down to two minutes and a few seconds. His eyes flicked toward the spaceship from his vantage point in the upper monitoring room. Below, the monitoring team worked feverishly at their consoles, while the Ruham leader stood silently beside him, watching with a tense expression.


    "Are we all set?" Commander Asher''s voice cut through the chaotic din of the room.


    The technicians didn''t look up, their fingers flying over keyboards, eyes glued to screens. "Almost, sir! We''ll be ready in under a minute, and we''ll engage theunch immediately," one of them shouted back, sweat beading on his brow.


    "Good," Asher said, his voice firm though his stomach churned with unease. "Make sure tounch with maximum thrust. We need to break this''s gravity and get that ship into space within thirty seconds." He leaned in, emphasizing the urgency.


    The words spurred the team into even faster motion, though the atmosphere in the room was already crackling with tension. Asher''s gaze remained fixed on the ship. He couldn''t afford a single mistake¡ªnot now, not when so many lives depended on it.


    Taking a breath, he reached for the small wired microphone on the control table and brought it to his lips. "Do you read me, Hunters?" His voice, though steady, carried the weight of a man who knew this might be thest time he spoke to them. Silence followed. He repeated, "Do you read me?"


    After a second, a crackling reply came through. "Yes, we''re all settled in and ready forunch¡ªmostly," Josh''s voice came over them, strained but trying to soundposed. He nced around the mainpartment of the ship. Most of the crew was strapped into their seats, the tension palpable. Even a Ruham guide had been sent with them, sitting grimly among the passengers.


    The only ones missing were Axel and Sarah, isted in a separatepartment to heal and recover from their previous ordeal.


    Asher sighed softly, regret tightening in his chest. "I wish I could''ve said more before your departure," he said quietly, his voice tinged with mncholy. "But with the little time we have left¡­ make sure you don''t fail us."


    He didn''t wait for a reply. His hand dropped from the microphone, his body slumping slightly. The weight of his decisions pressed down on him, and he lowered himself to the floor, his back against the cold wall. His eyes drifted to the faces of his men, then to the Ruham standing near theunch control.


    In different circumstances, he might have lit a cigarette to calm his nerves. But diplomacy, the delicate bncing act they were engaged in, had stripped him even of that smallfort.


    "What a drag," he muttered under his breath. The words were hollow, as if trying to push back the inevitable with idle thoughts. His eyes shifted back to the rocket. Thick white smoke filled theunch area, signaling the start of the ignition sequence.


    As the ship sted into the atmosphere with incredible speed, disappearing from his line of sight, Asher''s mind wandered to darker thoughts.


    ''So, this is what it feels like,'' he mused bitterly. ''To be assured of death.'' Just an hour ago, they''d been eating breakfast. Now, they were biting the dust. The absurdity of it all made him feel nauseous.


    His hand clenched involuntarily, and instinctively, he activated his binding. The surge of power, the feeling of control, was supposed to beforting. But this time, it felt empty.


    ''Powerful again? What a joke,'' he thought, his gaze following the trail of the rocket as it disappeared into the stars. The rumble of its engines still echoed in his ears. ''Power won''t let you run from an enemy. It won''t let you change fate. True power¡­'' His thoughts trailed off, but the sentiment lingered: *True power is the ability to change fate itself.*


    Suddenly, the air around him shifted, vibrating with an ominous energy. His heart pounded as a dark wave of visible air surged toward him, consuming everything in its path. It wasn''t just destructive¡ªit was erasing existence itself. Buildings, equipment, even the very air dissolved into colorful embers, then vanished into nothingness.


    His men hadn''t even noticed the wave yet, their focus still on their consoles. For most of them, death woulde before they even realized what was happening. But Asher, with his binding active, could see it all unfold in horrifying slow motion.


    ''Why did I use my binding?'' he wondered, raising his hand, now shaking uncontrobly. *Shaky? When did that start?*


    The wave drew closer, and fear gripped him¡ªnot the ordinary kind, but a primal, all-epassing terror that left him paralyzed. His heart thudded violently in his chest. It wasn''t just fear; it was deeper, more invasive, crawling through his veins like ice.


    ''Is this fear¡­ or something worse?'' he thought, his pulse racing out of control.


    As the wave reached his legs, the pain hit like nothing he''d ever felt. His flesh, his very cells, were torn apart, atom by atom. From his toes to his ankles, then to his knees, the destructive force devoured him. Even with time slowed, it was agony. The beam moved relentlessly, faster than any defense he could muster.


    Tears welled up in his eyes, unbidden. "It''s painful, Silvia," he whispered, his voice barely audible. His mind shed to his daughter¡ªhisst thought, filled with sorrow and guilt.


    "Forgive me," he murmured, as the wave consumed him entirely, his body dissolving into nothing. "This is where I part ways."


    ***


    SHWOOOOM!


    Onboard the ship, the hunters sat strapped into their seats, feeling the vibration of theunch thrumming through the walls. Their faces were pale, eyes wide as they watched through the viewport. Below them, Rika Zero¡ªthe entire¡ªfaded into nothingness. The wave of destruction was so absolute, so quick, that it left nothing behind but empty space.


    "Shit!" Haze blurted out, his voice cracking. "It wiped out an entire in minutes!" He stared, dumbfounded, unable to fully process the scale of what they had just witnessed.


    No one spoke. They were all equally stunned, the reality of the Voidwalker''s power sinking in.


    "And that''s the fate Earth will face if we fail," Josh said grimly, breaking the silence. His voice was low, but it carried the weight of the truth. "The sacrifices they made back there¡­ can''t go to waste."


    He clenched his fist, staring at the void where Rika Zero had once been. The ship hummed softly, the only sound in the oppressive quiet.


    "The fate of this world rests on us¡­" Josh''s words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.


    "There''s no saving us if we fail."3

 Chapter 142 Aimed Invasion

    Wukong stared at the screen, his trembling hands gripping the ss of coffee so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The broadcast yed on every channel, hijacking the airwaves like a grim harbinger of doom. The voice was cold, mechanical, devoid of empathy¡ªyet chillingly final.


    "Citizens of Earth and its Hunters," the Fatek Lord''s voice echoed, its tone dripping with arrogance, "We are not here to prolong a war or anything."


    The image on the screen shifted, showing massive Fatek ships hovering above and that had once been a bustling country. Now it was silent, overrun by alien forces. The sheer scale of the invasion was terrifying. It felt like the world itself had stopped spinning.


    "Give up your foolish resistance," the voice continued, "ande forward to die a glorious death if you wish to serve as test subjects to our cause."


    Wukong''s pulse quickened, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched the footage. He could hardly believe what he was seeing. **This couldn''t be real**. And yet, it was happening right in front of his eyes, broadcasted globally.


    "Do not shy away from your fate," the Fatek Lord taunted, its voice chilling and unyielding, "There is nothing you can do. After all, your abilities are all gone. This is the Fatek Lord. Submit to our forces, or¡­ face death."


    The words hung in the air like a death sentence. Every television, every smartphone, every radio echoed the same message across the globe. A single, united threat¡ªinescapable, suffocating.


    Wukong''s grip on the ss tightened as he stared at the broadcast in disbelief. The footage showed the massive portal, so vast it covered the sky, a swirling void of darkness from which thousands of Fatek ships descended. They poured into the atmosphere like locusts, descending upon the country below.


    The country was Toram, a powerful nation. One that had once boasted the world''s strongest military forces and a legion of hunters renowned for their abilities. And yet, Toram had fallen. In less than a day, they were overrun by the alien invaders.


    "What the hell is this?" Wukong muttered under his breath, feeling his throat go dry. "How could they take an entire country so quickly?"


    His mind raced, trying to piece together how something like this could have happened without any prior warning. **Where were the military defenses? The hunters? The technology meant to detect threats like this?**


    His phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling him out of his daze. He blinked, still in shock, and fumbled to pull it out. When he saw Seo''s name on the screen, he answered immediately.


    "Wukong, are you seeing this?" Seo''s voice was frantic, trembling on the other end.


    "Yeah," Wukong replied, his voice strained. "Toram''s been taken over by the Fatek forces. I¡­ I don''t understand. How is this even possible?"


    "I don''t know," Seo responded, sounding more helpless than Wukong had ever heard him. "But we''re in serious trouble. They''ve dered all-out war on humanity. And worse¡­ it seems they''ve already won."


    "What are you talking about?" Wukong snapped, trying to keep the panic from rising in his throat. "We still have time to fight back. All the countries have to band together¡ªcoordinate a counterattack before they start opening colossal portals over every nation! Tell the others, Seo, we have to act quickly!"


    There was a long pause on the other end of the line before Seo finally spoke again. His voice was low, almost defeated.


    "That''s the problem," Seo said, his words heavy with dread. "This was a nned attack, Wukong. We never saw iting. The Fatek were using the Metorion not just for information gathering, but for experimenting with our abilities. The portals we''ve seen over the years¡ªthey were distractions, designed to weaken our forces and distract us while they learned how to cloak their real attack."


    Wukong felt a cold chill run down his spine as Seo''s words sank in. It made sense, horrifyingly so. The Fatek had been manipting them, studying them, using humanity''s own abilities against them. And now, they had found a way to neutralize those abilities entirely.


    "Our abilities are gone, Wukong," Seo continued, his voice shaking. "They''ve somehow managed to shut them off. We''re just¡­ human now."


    Wukong almost dropped the phone as the weight of the realization hit him. His knees felt weak, and he had to grip the table to keep himself from copsing. **Without their abilities, they were nothing more than ordinary humans¡ªhelpless against an enemy far more advanced than they were.**


    "But¡­ how?" Wukong raised his hand, staring at his fingers as if expecting to see some sign of the powers he once wielded. "Without our abilities, we can''t¡­ we can''t fight them."


    His voice trailed off, the hopelessness of the situation settling in.


    "We''ve been outwitted and subdued," Seo said softly. "This isn''t a war anymore. It''s an execution."


    Wukong squeezed his eyes shut, trying to push down the rising panic. **Was this really how it was going to end?**


    "What do we do next, Seo?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.


    Another long pause followed, and Wukong could hear Seo gulp on the other end of the line.


    "Suicides," Seo finally said, his voice hollow. "The president and the house of representatives¡­ they''ve all killed themselves. In Toram, over three hundred people have already taken their own lives. They know what''sing. The Fatek''s technology has evolved beyond anything we have, beyond even nuclear warheads. There''s nothing left for us but to decide how we want to die."


    Wukong inhaled sharply, biting his lip hard enough to taste blood. **This couldn''t be happening.** It felt like a nightmare¡ªa rey of history''s darkest moments, only worse.


    "So¡­ why did you bother calling me?" Wukong asked, his voice cracking.


    Seo let out a bitterugh, the sound tinged with despair. "I thought¡­ I thought maybe we could at least go out on our own terms. I wanted to invite you and the others for a drink. Let''s get drunk before we die."


    Wukong stared at the phone, his mind spinning. A drink. A final toast before the end of the world. He could hear the resignation in Seo''s voice, the eptance of a fate they could not change.


    "Yeah," Wukong whispered, his voice barely audible. "Let''s do that."


    He hung up the phone, staring at the dark screen for a moment before finally setting it down. His hands were shaking, his heart heavy with the weight of everything that had just unfolded. The world was ending, and there was nothing they could do to stop it.

 Chapter 143 The Double Awakened

    It had barely been a day since the fall of Toram¡ªthe beginning of the end¡ªand already the world around Kyota resembled the first stirrings of an apocalypse. The once clear skies were now washed in an eerie crimson, and the sun, shrouded by a thick veil of dust and smoke, struggled to shine with the same warmth it once held.


    There was a perpetual gloom that hung over everything, casting long, ghostly shadows across the crumbling city streets.


    Hera moved cautiously through the shattered ss doors of what had once been a bustling store, her eyes scanning for anything she could salvage. Shelves were overturned, and debris scattered the floor, but in the midst of the chaos, she could still find useful supplies. She filled her nylon bag with canned food, bottled water, and anything else of value.


    The invasion hadn''t reached Kyota yet, but it was only a matter of time. The streets were already awless battleground, filled with desperate people fighting and killing each other for the smallest scraps of survival.


    She kept one hand tightly on the bag and the other on the hilt of her sword, her fingers brushing the cool metal forfort. She had lost her abilities like everyone else, but her skill with the de had not diminished. If someone tried to pull a fast one on her, they''d regret it.


    Hera finished looting and quickly headed back to her apartment, her footsteps echoing through the empty, deste streets. When she reached her destination, a tall, grim building, she knocked on the door¡ªnine slow, deliberate times, a code to ensure her safety. The door swung open swiftly, and she stepped inside, her face a mix of exhaustion, joy, and sadness.


    It was hard to maintain any semnce of hope when the world outside was already descending into chaos, and this was just the beginning.


    "Aunt Hera!" Luxiam''s small form flung itself into her arms, his voice filled with relief.


    Hera hugged him tightly, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. "Hey, kid. I''m back." She quickly broke the embrace and turned to close and barricade the door with the nearest furniture, her body moving on autopilot. The weight of the world felt heavier with each passing moment, but she had to keep it together. For them.


    Annie emerged from the back room, her eyes wide with worry as she approached. "Are you okay, Sis Hera?"


    "I''m fine," Hera reassured her, offering a tired smile. But the truth was, she wasn''t sure how much longer she could keep up the act. The apocalypse had shattered everything, and it was getting harder to put on a brave face. But someone had to. For the kids. For Annie.


    For Luxiam.


    Hera had taken it upon herself to protect them, especially after the fall of Toram. The news of the Fatek''s invasion hade as a shock, but even more horrifying was the discovery that the children she had been tasked with training¡ªthe Double Awakened¡ªwere all orphans.


    Their powers had drawn the attention of the Fatek long before the invasion, and now, with their abilities stripped away, they were vulnerable.


    "I don''t see why you keep going out for more supplies when we have enough tost us months," Rave, one of the Double Awakened kids, muttered from the corner, his arms crossed defiantly.


    Hera shook her head, pulling the nylon bag closer to her side. "First rule of survival¡ªnever assume you have enough. We don''t know how long this willst or what might happen next. It''s better to be over-prepared than caught off guard."


    "That''s if we survive when theye for Kyota," Luxiam said quietly, his voice somber. His words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, casting a shadow over everyone in the room.


    He was right. When the invasion reached Kyota, all the stockpiling and preparation would be meaningless. The Fatek woulde, and they would die. Hera clenched her fists, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and rage. She had fought to protect these kids, to give them a chance, and now it felt like everything was slipping away.


    Annie hugged herself tightly, her thoughts drifting to Axel and Trisha. *Axel... Trisha... pleasee back to us. We need you.*


    ***


    Meanwhile, across the stars, deep in the heart of the Fatek mothership, a twisted throne made entirely of human skulls dominated the room. Lord Fatek sat upon it, his grotesque form rxed, his eyes gleaming with dark pleasure as he listened to the reports from his underlings.


    "A few more humans captured, Lord Fatek. Eight million have already been used for experimentation. Our progress is... substantial," a Fatek scientist spoke, his head bowed low in respect.


    Lord Fatek tapped his long, wed fingers against the arm of his throne, a sinister smile curling his lips. "Good. Very good. We must expedite the creation of the weapon. The Ryoma were fools to think they could hide it from us. But thanks to their miscalctions, we now possess the blueprints, and soon...


    we will wield the ultimate power."


    His voice echoed through the chamber, sending chills down the spines of those who served him. "This binding these humans possess... it is the key to destroying the Voidwalker. With it, we will be the most powerful force in the universe. Untouchable. Unstoppable."


    The scientist hesitated before continuing, his voice trembling. "And... what of the hunters from Kyota? The ones trapped in space after Rika Zero was destroyed?"


    Lord Fatek let out a low, malevolentugh. "Ah, yes. The high-ranking fools. They will wander space until they die, forever searching for something that no longer exists. I already have what they were after. They are irrelevant now."


    He rose from his throne, his towering figure casting a long shadow across the room. "The time hase. We will begin the full-scale invasion. This is ours, and soon... the entire universe will know the name of the Fatek."


    He spread his arms wide, his voice booming with finality. "Prepare the fleet. Let the true war begin."


    ***


    Another twist... Let''s keep reading. Things are gonna get moreplicated.

 Chapter 144: Chapter 145: Weight

    "Once you can read the stars, there''s not much you cannot be."


    "Really, Mum?" Thor eximed, clutching his mother''sp even tighter, his wide eyes filled with hope and innocent wonder.


    His mother smiled softly, patting his head with the warmth only a mother could give. She turned to Loki, who wore the same eager expression as his brother. "Yes, my boys. And as long as you remember, I''ll always be there to help you climb those stars. You won''t do it alone."


    ***


    Thor''s eyes shot open, his chest rising and falling heavily. The memory¡ªno, the dream¡ªlingered in his mind like a fleeting ghost. For a moment, hey still, staring at the dark ceiling, piecing together the fragments of a simpler time, a time when he believed in those sweet promises. But reality crashed down like a weight.


    ''A mother''s wish is to see her children reach the stars, isn''t it?'' he thought bitterly as he sat up. ''But not my mother... she''s not like that. She''s a monster.''


    He threw off the thin nket, the cold metal floor biting against his bare feet as he stood. The stark contrast between that tender memory and his current existence gnawed at him. His muscles tensed as he made his way to the small, sterile bathroom attached to his quarters. The sound of water running was the only thing to drown out the thoughts swirling in his head.


    After a quick, robotic shower, he dressed and left his room, moving through the dimly lit corridors of the spaceship. Everything around him felt heavy, suffocating even. The weight of their mission¡ªof the losses they''d already suffered¡ªpressed on them all like a vice. Axel was in aa, his body partially mutted, and no one knew when or if he would wake up. And then there was the facility.


    *Rika Zero*, the ce they had staked so much hope on, was obliterated before their very eyes.


    ''This kind of pressure could drive anyone to madness,'' Thor mused, his hands clenched into fists as he walked. ''But we''re stronger than that. We have to be.''


    He stopped in front of the ss automatic door that led to the clinic. Inside, Axely motionless on a sick bed, hooked up to machines that beeped rhythmically, as if mocking the silence of the room. Beside him was the stranger they had found, equally unresponsive. Sarah and Trisha hovered over Axel, doing everything they could with the limited resources avable to stabilize him.


    Thor watched them through the ss for a few moments, his jaw tightening. He felt useless. There was nothing he could do here¡ªno battle to fight, no enemy to defeat. He was just... standing there, a bystander in a war he had no control over.


    ''If I go in, I''ll only slow them down,'' he thought, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He turned to leave.


    "Didn''t know that devil frame of yours had a heart," came a voice from behind, dripping with that all-too-familiar sarcasm.


    Thor stopped, his shoulders stiffening at the sound. He didn''t need to turn around to know who it was.


    "Loki," Thor said, his voice low and calm. He took a deep breath before replying, "Of course I do. Maybe you should stop seeing me as an object. I''m as human as you are."


    Loki leanedzily against the wall, arms folded over his chest, his smirk barely concealed. "Human? You?" he scoffed. "Don''t make meugh. You''ll never be more than a mindless brute to me. You should be grateful for what little you''ve got."


    Thor''s gaze darkened, a feeling bubbling up inside him, something sharp and unfamiliar. He turned slowly, meeting Loki''s eyes. "Is it because of what happened to Mum? Or is there something else? Something deeper?"


    For a moment, Loki''s smug expression faltered. His hands clenched tighter against his arms, but he didn''t move. "Honestly," Loki muttered, his voice unsteady, "I don''t even know anymore. I''ve hated you for so long, it''s just... part of me. But yeah, it''s worse because of what you did to her."


    The words hung in the air, cold and using. Thor''s jaw tensed, his eyes narrowing. The familiar rage churned inside him, but he held it back, his expression neutral. Without another word, he turned away, walking down the long, sterile corridor.


    The passway felt endless as he moved, his footsteps echoing in the silence. When he finally reached themon area, he found Josh and Andre seated at arge white table, engaged in a chess match¡ªor so it seemed at first nce. But as Thor approached and sat down beside them, he noticed they weren''t ying a real game.


    They were simply moving the pieces around, testing formations, mapping out strategies.


    "Everything feels like a mistake," Andre said suddenly, breaking the heavy silence Thor had walked into. "We''ll probably die out here, exploring the endless void of space for what''ll feel like eternity. We''re chasing a weapon that hasn''t been seen in years. No one knows if it was destroyed or sold to the highest bidder in some distant corner of the gxy."


    Thor leaned forward, his brow furrowing. He had felt this despair too, but hearing it voiced aloud only made the uncertainty more crushing.


    Andre continued, his voice low. "This mission feels pointless."


    Josh, who had been silent up until now, snorted. "That''s not what worries me the most," he said, moving a rook across the board. "What concerns me are the Voidwalkers. From what Loki experienced, Rika Zero wasn''t destroyed by just any random enemy. It was a Voidwalker¡ªa being that didn''t even have half the energy of an original one.


    If that was only a fraction of their power, what chance do we really have?"


    Thor''s mind raced as he processed their words. He had heard the reports, seen the devastation firsthand. But the Voidwalkers... they were an enigma. More than just some random force of destruction.


    "So what are you getting at?" Thor asked, his voice cutting through the tension.


    Josh leaned back in his chair, folding his arms smugly. "I''m saying we need to stop thinking of the Voidwalkers as just mindless destroyers. They''re not. They''re strategic, methodical. They didn''t attack us randomly. They have their own civilization, their own agenda.


    And I believe they have one goal: to monopolize the universe. They''ll eliminate anything¡ªor anyone¡ªthat stands in their way."


    **Author''s Note: A Special Halloween Thank You!**


    Hey, dear readers! ??


    First, I want to thank you for all your support on this journey. Whether you''ve been with me since the early chapters or you''re just joining now, each one of you is the reason this story keeps growing, evolving, anding to life. Your feedback,ments, and excitement fuel my creativity like nothing else!


    Since it''s Halloween, I thought it would be the perfect time to show my appreciation with something fun and interactive! But first, a few words about this spooky season...


    Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of year. There''s something magical about the air turning crisp, the shadows growing longer, and the thrill of unknown mysteries lurking in the dark.


    Much like the journey we''ve all been on with this book, Halloween reminds me of how important it is to embrace the unknown, face fears head-on, and dive into new experiences¡ªjust like the characters in our story.


    So, as a token of my appreciation, I''m putting together a little interactive challenge! Below, you''ll find some choices that will lead you on your own mini Halloween adventure. Based on what you choose, you''ll get a special sneak peek into the world of the story, as well as a hint of what''sing next!


    **Choose Your Path:**


    1. **A Midnight Stroll in the Cemetery**


    - You decide to take a walk in an old, eerie graveyard on Halloween night. The fog rolls in thick, and you feel the presence of something watching you. Suddenly, a shadowy figure appears¡ªone you might recognize from thetest chapter! Who could it be? What secret will they reveal?


    2. **Enter the Haunted Mansion**


    - You''re invited to a mysterious Halloween party at an abandoned mansion. Inside, strange whispers echo through the halls. You open a door and find... a character from the story waiting for you! What do they say? Could this be a clue to the next big twist?


    3. **A Potion from the Witch**


    - You stumble upon a witch''s cauldron bubbling in the woods. The witch offers you a choice: take a potion that will allow you to see into the future of the story or take one that will let you influence the fate of a character. Which will you choose, and how will it affect the next chapter?


    **How to y:**


    Leave your choice in thements! Based on what you pick, I''ll be sharing a custom, Halloween-themed mini-scene in the next update that will hint at uing events in the story. You can also use this as an opportunity to ask questions about the plot, characters, or anything you''ve been curious about, and I''ll weave some answers into the scenes!


    I also want to take this moment to remind you that as we head into the next arc, things are going to get even darker, scarier, and more intense. You''ve been warned, but I know you''re ready for it!


    Thank you again for your continued support, yourments, and for sticking with me through all the twists and turns. Writing this story has been such a thrilling ride, and it''s all because of you, the readers. I hope this Halloween brings you some chills, thrills, and a lot of fun!


    Stay spooky, and until next time!


    ¡ªAuthor (aka your guide through this dark, twisted world)

 Chapter 145 Bonus Chapter 145 Caged within

    Discover exclusive tales at empire


    Bonus Chapter 145: Caged within


    The woman sat at the wooden dining table, her expression distant as she carefully ced food onto seven tes. The once vibrant house had grown quiet, each footstep echoing through the empty corridors like a reminder of the tension that lingered in the air. She worked silently, methodically, her hands moving with an eerie precision.


    After finishing, she wiped her hands on her apron and called out, "Come eat, everyone."


    The children emerged from their rooms, their movements sluggish and hesitant, as if something unseen weighed heavily on them. Their father camest, his figure loomingrge as he took his ce at the head of the table, watching silently as his wife distributed the tes. They all began to eat in silence, the only sound in the room the clinking of utensils and the soft rustling of clothes.


    Throughout the meal, the woman interacted with her children, her tone gentle but strained, as though she was forcing herself to maintain an air of normalcy. She yed with their hair, asking about their day, herughter too light, too rehearsed.


    "Thank you, Mum," Loki said, his voice small but filled with a childlike innocence as he licked thest bit of food from his te. His wide eyes gleamed with a fleeting happiness, his small form curling up in her embrace as she ruffled his hair.


    "You''re wee, my brave boy," she whispered, her smile faltering for just a second.


    One after the other, the remaining children came up to her, each murmuring their thanks, each receiving a soft pat on the head in return. But the joy was thin, like the warmth of the sun on a cold day¡ªthere, but barely felt. The air in the room had shifted subtly, growing heavier with each passing moment.


    Once the meal was over, the children helped their mother clear the tes, their routine almost robotic, as if rehearsed over and over. They moved together, washed the dishes together, and finally, they left the kitchen, each child retreating to their own room.


    "Kids, we''re out of food," their mother said suddenly, her voice cutting through the air like a knife.


    A silence fell over the house, thick and suffocating. The children froze in ce, and for a moment, no one said a word. Then, without a sound, they returned to their rooms. No protest, no questioning¡ªjust a retreat into the dark, quiet corners of the house.


    Loki clung to his older brother Thor as theyy in the small, cramped room they shared, the light outside fading into darkness. The shadows grew longer, the night colder, and Loki''s small hands trembled as he pressed himself closer to Thor.


    "Big bro," Loki whispered, his voice shaking. His face was pale, filled with fear, though he tried to mask it. "Do you think... it''s going to happen again?"


    Thor''s heart clenched painfully. He wanted to protect his brother, wanted to shield him from the horrors that were bound to unfold. But deep down, Thor knew the truth. He swallowed the lump in his throat and forced a smile.


    "Don''t worry," Thor lied, his voice barely steady. "Nothing bad is going to happen. I promise."


    Loki stared up at him with wide, trusting eyes. He believed him, or at least, he wanted to believe. Slowly, Loki''s grip loosened, and he curled into his bed, exhaustion overtaking his small body. Thor watched him fall asleep, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest the only thing that calmed Thor''s racing thoughts.


    But Thor couldn''t sleep. He knew what wasing. He had to be strong for tomorrow. He had to protect them.


    ***


    The next morning came with the brutality Thor had feared. It came with blood.


    Thor''s scream ripped through the air as he clutched Loki tightly in his arms, his back pressed against the cold, hard ground. Pain seared through his body, blood oozing from the deep wound in his side. He gritted his teeth, enduring the agony, focusing only on keeping Loki safe.


    His heart shattered as he saw Clyde¡ªhis brother¡ªfall beside him, his head rolling away from his body, a clean, brutal sh having taken his life. Clyde''s body twitched, convulsing in its final moments before going still, the life draining from his eyes.


    "C-Clyde!" Thor screamed, his voice raw, filled with pain and disbelief. Tears blurred his vision as he stared at his brother''s lifeless body, the horror of the scene sinking in with every passing second. "No! Clyde!"


    A twisted voice echoed above him, cold and void of any remorse. "Finally, we have food tost us a while again."


    Thor''s eyes shot upward, locking onto the face of the person responsible. His mother stood above him, her eyes wild and deranged, her bloodstained hands still clutching the knife she had used to kill Clyde. The madness in her eyes was unmistakable¡ªdark, manic, and utterly lost to reason.


    "I wanted to be the one to do it this time," his father grumbled from behind her, his voice thick with anticipation. He too held a knife, his lips curled into a grotesque smile. "But we better start cooking."


    Thor''s mind fractured at the sight of them¡ªhis parents, once the people who had cared for him, now reduced to these monsters, reveling in the murder of their own child. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a reminder of his failure to protect his siblings.


    His gaze darted to the corner, where his other two siblings huddled together, their faces pale with terror, especially his sister. Their wide eyes were filled with fear, silently begging him to save them.


    ''What kind of big brother can''t protect his siblings?'' Thor''s thoughts raced, the guilt threatening to suffocate him. He wanted to die. He wanted to escape this nightmare. But he knew he couldn''t. Not yet. Not while his siblings still needed him.


    He had to endure¡ªfor them.


    Their family had once had so much¡ªthings other families might have envied. But money wasn''t one of those things. With ten children, food neversted long, no matter how much they scrimped and saved. When their mother announced they were out of food, it was always a death sentence for one of them.


    The next day, the hunt would begin. Their parents would arm themselves with knives and hunt their own children, and when one was caught, they would be ughtered and eaten. It was a gruesome ritual, one born of madness and desperation. Refusal to participate meant death, swift and brutal. Thor had watched it happen¡ªhis siblings being butchered one by one until only four remained.


    And now, they were fewer still.


    As the eldest, Thor felt the crushing weight of responsibility. He had tried¡ªoh, how he had tried¡ªto save them. He had found work, scraping together money, anything to pull them out of the abyss of poverty. It was around that time that he had awakened his ability, a powerful talent that should have changed everything. But the world was cruel, and power alone couldn''t save them.


    When he had offered his parents the money he''d earned, believing it would end their insanity, they had onlyughed. Instead of taking the money, they had handed him a knife and told him to join the hunt. To be like them.


    Thor''s world had crumbled then. To know that his siblings had been ughtered for nothing more than their parents'' twisted pleasure¡ªthat no amount of money or power could change that¡ªhad broken him. He had refused, threatening to take his siblings and run far away, to escape this nightmare. But it had been toote.


    The hunt had begun, and his parents had turned on them all. His sister was the first to die, her life snuffed out in an instant as she tried to flee. Thor had watched, helpless, as the light faded from her eyes.


    He had tried to protect the others, but his parents were relentless. John had been next, his life hanging by a thread until Thor intervened, but the damage had been done. John died in Thor''s arms, his final breaths filled with pain and fear.


    Thor''s rage had boiled over. In a desperate,st-ditch effort, he unleashed his power, attacking his parents with all his strength. But his attack had gone too far. The explosion had leveled the house, killing both his parents, and in the chaos, John had died as well. Only Loki had survived, but not without scars¡ªboth physical and emotional.


    In the aftermath, Loki had turned on Thor, ming him for everything. And Thor couldn''t me him. What kind of big brother was he, if he couldn''t even protect his own family?


    Now, Thor was left with nothing but guilt, shame, and the weight of his failure. Every month, he visited their graves, the memories of that terrible night ying on repeat in his mind.


    He could never escape it.


    *The reason why lightning shall alwayse with dark clouds... Every light muste with its own darkness.*


    ***Author''s note***


    Miss the first volume. This volume is growing to be a universe, less actions, more adventure, adult content, smut probably, love and conflict...

 Chapter 146 Chapter 146 New Planet

    The Ruham alien, stoic and calm, observed the intense stares that bore into him. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice measured. "We will soon arrive at one of thes where we hope to find the weapon," he announced. "However, on this, we''re looking for what I would call a control box."


    "A control box?" Loki''s eyes narrowed, curiosity evident in his voice. "What exactly does it do?"


    "The control box," the Ruham exined patiently, "is used to track the machine''s current location and any pieces that may have been moved. It allows us to locate the weapon in case it has been shifted from its original position."


    The alien''s confidence was clear¡ªhe had been thoroughly briefed on his mission and faced the crew''s barrage of questions with unshakeableposure. But Josh, after a thoughtful pause, raised his hand, his question slicing through the room''s silence.


    "One question¡­why create only two weapons?" His voice was calm, though the weight of his question was heavy.


    The Ruham paused, a flicker of difort passing across his usually impassive face. "The weapons," he began, his voice almost reverent, "were crafted using energy from a mystical artifact¡ªthe God of War''s Axe. When we siphoned energy from it, the resulting power was so immense that our power banks shattered. We could only store enough energy to create two batteries, just enough to fuel the weapons.


    Beyond that, even the axe itself was lost to us¡­a casualty of our desperation to harness its power." He paused, the gravity of his words settling over the room. "We, too, seek this weapon now."


    "The God of War''s weapon¡­" Loki murmured, his eyes widening as he absorbed the news. This was more than just a mission for a weapon¡ªit was a search for a relic of unimaginable power, one that connected directly to their own quests. Loki''s mind raced as he pieced together the implications. The gods'' candidates had a target. And now, it was linked to them.


    He cast a nce toward Troy, who stood nearby, eyes unfocused and distant. Like Axel, Troy was alive, but his consciousness seemed adrift, lost somewhere beyond reach. They were left with more questions than answers, and every revtion seemed to deepen the mystery.


    "Do you know about the sword, too?" Haze asked, her voice unsteady, an anxious look crossing her face.


    Josh spoke up, quickly filling in the details before the conversation could veer off course. "We received information from someone we encountered on Rika," he exined, his voice low. Then he turned back to the Ruham, nodding respectfully. "Sorry, I don''t think we caught your name¡­"


    "In yournguage," the Ruham replied with a bow, "you may call me Rudeus."


    "Rudeus." Josh nodded thoughtfully before drawing himself up. "All right, we''ll have time for more questionster, but for now, we need to focus. We have to get ahead of the Void Walkers before they reach Earth. Let''s organize teams to scout the."


    He scanned the room, his gaze steady and assessing. "So, who''s with me for the descent?" His question lingered in the air, and for a moment, silence hung over them like a shroud. Then, with a sharp nod, Thor and Andre raised their hands.


    Josh''s approval was immediate. "Good," he said, his tone firm. Then he turned to Haze, a hint of appreciation in his gaze. "I need you on the team as well. You have the skills we''ll need if things go south."


    Haze met his eyes, giving a determined nod. "If wee across anything that might help Axel and Troy¡­we''ll take it." Her voice held a fierce edge, a reminder of the risks they''d faced together. "He''s one of our strongest assets¡ªwe need him back."


    The group nodded in silent agreement, sharing a mutual understanding of the stakes. Each member of the crew moved with purpose, gathering their gear, preparing for whaty ahead on the uncharted world below.


    Soon, Rudeus exited the pilot''s chamber and addressed the team, his expression unreadable. "Prepare yourselves," he announced. "We havended."


    They gathered near the exit ramp, the hum of the ship''s engines winding down, a haunting sound in the newfound stillness. Thor nced at Rudeus, his stance tense, ready for whatevery outside. "Anything we should know about this?"


    "The air is breathable," Rudeus replied, his voice steady. "But thendscape is a barren wastnd¡ªdeste and red."


    "Red?" Haze repeated, frowning at the unfamiliar term. Read exclusive content at empire


    Rudeus nodded gravely. "A red harbors only danger. There are no native civilizations, no safe zones, only creatures that are hostile and relentless."


    Thor let out a low growl, a smirk ying at the corner of his mouth as he cast a sidelong nce at Haze. "That''s what happens when you snooze through themander''s briefings. You''d know about reds if you paid attention, little girl."


    Ignoring Thor''s jab, Josh''s mind was already racing with the implications. A red meant danger on a scale they hadn''t faced before¡ªbeasts bred solely to hunt, strong enough to thrive on a world that offered nothing but death.


    He clenched his fists, his mind shing back to past battles, to moments where he had been careless, to memories of Axel putting himself in harm''s way to protect the group.


    This time, he would be ready.


    "It''s a red," Josh said, his voice calm but resolute. "That means we move carefully, stay hidden, and only engage if absolutely necessary. We can''t risk attracting attention."


    He took a breath, his gaze hard as he looked each of his team members in the eye. "We''re alone out here¡ªno backup, no Commander Asher. If we fail, Earth stands no chance."


    A quiet determination settled over the team. This was a mission with no room for error.


    **Author''s note***


    Thank you for reading this far. Please I need your supports in gift, even Magic castle would be appreciated at this point. I''ll mass release if done, thank you.

 Chapter 147 chapter 147 Thats not right, is it?

    Merely ten minutes had passed since Josh and his team exited the spaceship, stepping out into the open on a deste, alienndscape. The stretched before them like an endless barren wastnd. Pale orange skies loomed above, casting a murky glow over the vast, rugged terrain.


    Sharp, jagged rocks jutted from the ground like the teeth of some ancient beast, and hills rose in uneven, imposing clusters, painting a picture of abandonment and decay. It was a ce that seemed untouched by any kind of life, yet somehow it felt far from lifeless.


    The air was strange¡ªchilled and heavy, as though filled with a coarse dust that scraped at their throats. It was breathable but far fromfortable, and each inhaled breath felt like a weight settling inside their lungs. Stranger still, the ground beneath them radiated an unnatural warmth, almost as if the itself held a hidden, buried heat source.


    It defied logic, yet they chalked it up to the mysteries of an alien world.


    Josh led the team with careful, steady movements. They followed a narrow, twisted path that wound through the towering rock formations and the hills that cast ominous shadows in the pale light. Every few moments, one of them would dart behind a boulder or crouch low, scanning the area as if expecting an attack.


    Although they hadn''t spotted any enemies, the eeriness of their surroundings kept their nerves on edge, making them extra cautious.


    Thor, who was close behind Josh, whispered, "How far did the alien guy say the drop zone was from the monitor?"


    Josh didn''t answer right away. He kept his gaze fixed ahead, his steps deliberate as he maneuvered around an outcropping. After a long moment, he replied in a low voice, "Shouldn''t be more than an hour''s walk, I think."


    After that, they moved in silence, casting wary nces at their wristwatches now and then. Thor remembered Commander Asher''s briefing on the watches; these high-caliber devices had been specially designed with integrated AI and advanced sensors to scan and analyze unfamiliarary environments.


    As they walked, a notification shed across their screens:


    *{The you are on has no levels of awakened energy. Beings here would possess zero abilities, unlike Rika and Earth.}*


    A wave of relief washed over them. If there were creatures on this, they likely wouldn''t have any supernatural powers. But that reassurance was short-lived, as the next alert appeared:


    *{The atmosphere contains a high concentration of Zerotoxin. Prolonged exposure¡ªabout two days of continuous inhtion¡ªwill result in poisoning.}*


    Josh felt a strange chill crawl down his spine. Zerotoxin was an unknown chemical, something no one had ever encountered before. And the''s unusual climate made a little more sense. With no nt life to generate oxygen, the air was bound to carrypounds foreign to their bodies.


    He could feel the subtle weight of this alien atmosphere pressing down on them, heightening their awareness of each step.


    Despite the unsettling discoveries, they pressed on, refusing to let the strangeness of this ce deter them. Their objective was clear: reach the monitor andplete the mission. But as they moved, the trail began to change subtly. The once-thin, barren path grew denser, the rocks casting longer shadows as they ventured deeper into the heart of the wastnd.


    Then, a new, sickening odor hit them¡ªthick and nauseating, like rotten eggs left to fester. It clung to the back of their throats, intensifying with each step.


    "What the hell is that smell?" Andre muttered, pressing a hand against his stomach as he fought down the urge to retch. "I feel like I''m gonna puke."


    Josh scanned the area, his eyes narrowing. "I don''t think it''s the''s air¡­or a trap. It might be something¡­alive. Something we haven''t seen yet."


    Haze, her voice tense, added, "A beast, maybe?"


    The group tensed immediately, their senses heightened as they looked around. The stench was stronger now, and it felt like it was seeping into their skin, making it impossible to ignore.


    A notification popped up on their watches:


    *{You have entered the range of an unknown lifeform. Proceed with caution.}*


    Everyone froze, instinctively lowering themselves and taking cover behind the nearestrge boulders. They scanned the area, trying to spot any signs of movement. But the rocky terrain remained eerily still, the shadows ying tricks on their eyes.


    "Did this thing just malfunction?" Thor hissed, tapping his watch as if hoping it would correct itself. But the watch remained still, its screen unwavering, the alert clear as day.


    "The watches adapt quickly," Josh replied, his voice barely a whisper. "I don''t think they''d malfunction from a few odd readings on a new. Whatever it is¡­it''s probably close, maybe even hiding in in sight."


    The implications of his words sent a chill through the team. If the creaturecked any awakened energy signature, it wouldn''t trigger their usual detection systems. They were effectively blind.


    Josh signaled for the others to stay hidden. He crouched low, searching the ground until his fingers wrapped around a small rock. Taking careful aim, he flung it across the clearing, sending it ttering against the barren ground in the distance.


    The sound barely settled before something shifted¡ªa creature that had been blending seamlessly with its surroundings. It rose from the ground, and what they saw made their blood run cold. The beast was grotesque, its form like a nightmare brought to life. Its body, a horrid amalgamation of rock-like skin and sinewy flesh, seemed to pulsate with a sickly, oozing slime.


    It had multiple limbs¡ªeight, maybe nine¡ªand a crocodilian shape, yet itcked any discernible face, only gaping pores that released the foul stench they''d been smelling.


    Josh''s heart pounded in his chest. The creature had been only a few feet from where he and Thor had hidden, blending so perfectly with the rocks that they would have never noticed it. If he hadn''t thrown the rock to draw it out, they might''ve been caughtpletely off guard.


    The beast turned toward the sound of the rock ttering, giving them the perfect opportunity. Its back was exposed, vulnerable.


    Josh signaled to Haze. She nodded, raising her palm, ready to unleash her power. She focused, her face tightening with concentration¡­and nothing happened. She tried again, her eyes widening in disbelief as her abilities refused to activate.


    "What¡­what the hell?" she whispered, ducking back behind the rock, a look of sheer panic in her eyes. "My powers¡­they''re not working."


    Josh''s face hardened as he tried summoning his own ability, but he felt only emptiness where his powers should be. Panic flickered in his gaze. He clenched his fists, desperately trying to sense even a hint of energy, but it was as if something had severed his connection entirely.


    "Damn it!" he hissed. "Something''s blocking our abilities."


    Thor''s expression mirrored his horror as he realized they were essentially defenseless, left to fight this creature with nothing but their wits and physical strength. The alien wastnd that had seemed merely strange moments ago now felt like a death trap, a ce where everything familiar and safe had been stripped away from them.


    Meanwhile, the creature continued to move closer to where the rock hadnded, its grotesque form oozing as it slithered along the ground. Josh knew they couldn''t stay hidden forever. If the creature caught their scent or heard even the slightest sound, it would only be a matter of time before it turned on them.


    Josh motioned silently to the others, indicating that they needed to move. He gestured to a narrow gap between tworge rocks that led into a deeper, shadowed part of the terrain. One by one, they carefully slipped through, their movements slow and deliberate as they did everything possible to avoid drawing attention.


    As they moved, the pungent stench followed, thickening, bing nearly unbearable. It filled their senses, a constant reminder of the danger lurking just a few feet away. Every step they took felt like a gamble, a silent test of survival on a that defied every rule they knew.


    Once they reached a safe distance, Josh dared to look back, spotting the creature still investigating the area where he''d thrown the rock. It sniffed the ground, emitting a low, guttural rumble that reverberated across the barrenndscape. The sound was haunting, like the groan of the itself.


    Without their powers, they were vulnerable, and every instinct screamed that this mission had turned from a routine exploration to a fight for survival. Josh knew they needed to be cautious, but more than that, they needed a n. And fast.


    Because something about this was very wrong, and they were right in the heart of it.

 Chapter 148 Chapter148 No ability

    The unsettling discovery of their powers being dampened had cast a shadow of dread over the group. They moved more cautiously now, far more cautious than they had ever been before. Every step forward was careful, every breath measured. Without their abilities, they were vulnerable, defenseless. It felt like walking into the jaws of a beast with no way to fight back.


    With their powers out of y, the only things they could rely on were their Beast weapons. But what was a weapon without the speed and strength to wield it? The Beast weapons had powers of their own, sure, but they were little more than dead weight without the physical force to back them up. If they couldn''t get close enough, ornd a hard enough hit, the weapons were practically useless.


    Yet, despite these odds, they were getting closer to their destination. Josh checked his watch, eyes narrowing as he observed the red dot on the monitor inching closer. They''d be there by now if not for the beast-themed traps littering the area, forcing them to take detours and slow down.


    "This is really bad," Haze muttered under her breath as she tried, yet again, to summon her powers. Her face was set in grim determination, her brow furrowed with frustration. She alone refused to give up, even when everyone else had epted their abilities were gone.


    "Give it up, woman," Thor said through clenched teeth. Her constant attempts were beginning to grate on him. He could hardly understand why she was so stubborn about it. It was painfully obvious their abilities were nullified, so what was the point of trying?


    "That''s easy for you to say, you big oaf," Haze snapped back. "It''s not like you''re the one with a weak physique who could get knocked down by a strong breeze. So shut up!"


    Thor''s face softened. She was right; he could feel some sense of security in his own physical strength, even without his powers. Haze didn''t have that. Her small stature left her feeling exposed, vulnerable, and he had failed to consider that.


    "I''m... I''m sorry," Thor mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. It was rare for him to apologize to anyone, and he found the words strange, unfamiliar, on his tongue.


    Haze paused, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. She lowered her hand, giving him her full attention. "That''s... not like you," she said softly, her tone one of genuine curiosity.


    Thor shrugged, averting his gaze. "Yeah, well... I guess I''ve been thinking about things. Seeing Axel fight for what he believes in, watching him care for his family while facing down some of the worst dangers¡ªI realized I was just hiding. I''ve been protecting the scared kid inside me, but maybe it''s time to grow up."


    Haze''s expression softened, and she let out a light chuckle. "You''ve really changed, big guy." Then, her face grew serious as she nced in the direction of the ship. "So... what do you think about Axel''s condition?"


    Thor''s brow furrowed, and he sighed. "To be honest, I don''t know. Axel''s out of our hands now. We just have to hope he wakes up... before it''s toote."


    "Guys!" Josh''s voice cut through their conversation, barely louder than a whisper but intense enough to capture their attention. They stopped in their tracks, eyes locked on the ground beneath them.


    "Damn it... it''s underground," Josh muttered, frustration etched on his face. "Without our abilities, it''ll take us ages to dig through to reach it."


    "Just when things couldn''t get worse," Andre groaned, throwing his head back in exasperation. "We''ll be stuck here for eternity at this rate."


    "Then we''d better start digging," Thor said, gripping his weapon tightly.


    ---


    Back on the ship, Sarah ced her hands on Axel''s chest, desperately attempting to summon her healing ability. She concentrated, her mind willing the power to flow into him, but nothing happened. Not even a spark.


    "Come on!" she hissed through clenched teeth, her frustration mounting.


    Trisha stood nearby, her face a mask of worry. "What the hell is going on?"


    "I can''t do a damn thing!" Sarah snapped, her voice tight with anger and helplessness. "My powers just... won''t work."


    Trisha took a shaky breath, trying to keep herposure. "Let me try mine."


    Trisha extended her hand, focusing her mind and body, channeling all her energy into summoning her powers. But, just like Sarah, she felt nothing. Her power was gone, snuffed out like a candle in the wind.


    "Nothing... It''s like we''ve beenpletely cut off," Trisha said, panic seeping into her voice. "Could it be something on this that''s causing this?"


    Sarah let out a defeated sigh, slumping back against the wall. "If that''s the case, then the others outside are in serious trouble."


    "And that doesn''t worry you?" Trisha stared at her, stunned. "How can you be so... indifferent?"


    Sarah rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Why should I care? It''s not like any of them have ever done anything for me. I''m not here to make friends, Trisha. Just because I''m helping Axel doesn''t mean I give a damn about the rest of them. I''m not some hero."


    Trisha felt a pang of guilt and frustration, her fists clenching. "Maybe they''re not your friends, but they''re still risking their lives. We have to warn them!"


    Sarah snorted. "Do whatever you want, princess. I don''t owe them anything." She stood up, brushing imaginary dust off her clothes. "If you''ll excuse me, I''m going back to my room. This world''s already a lost cause if you ask me."


    Trisha watched her leave, feeling a sense of unease settle in her chest. She couldn''t understand why Sarah was so heartless, so disconnected from the people around her. But there was no time to figure it out now. She had to warn the others.


    Before she could take another step, a familiar voice spoke up from the shadows. "Don''t do what you''re thinking about. It''s already toote."


    Trisha turned, startled, to see Loki standing there with his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable.


    "Loki... how long have you been listening?"


    "Long enough," he replied, his tone cool. "Look, we have a bigger problem on our hands than you realize. There''s a traitor among us."


    Trisha''s blood ran cold. "A... a traitor?"


    Loki nodded, his gaze dark and serious. "I don''t have concrete proof yet, but I''ve pieced together enough clues to be suspicious. This person''s actions are too calcted, too precise. It''s almost as if they''ve orchestrated our every move, leading us to this point."


    Trisha''s mind raced, the implications sinking in. "Do you think that''s why we can''t use our powers?"


    "Most likely," Loki said, his voice low. "Whoever this traitor is, they know exactly what they''re doing. They''re not just selling us out to a bigger threat; they''re using us, manipting us to get their hands on the monitor and, ultimately, the weapon it leads to."


    Trisha''s heart pounded in her chest. "But... who could it be? Do you have any suspects?"


    Loki''s face darkened. "It''s not the obvious choice. It would be too easy if it were Williams. No, this person is clever, skilled at hiding in in sight. I suspect they''re the same person who once provoked a Voidwalker to attack Rika Zero."


    Trisha felt a chill run down her spine. Whoever this was, they were deeply connected to the Voidwalkers. This wasn''t just about betrayal; this was a calcted n to dismantle them from the inside out.


    "If this spy can manipte the Voidwalkers and strip us of our powers," she murmured, her throat dry, "then they''re capable of anything. We''re like pawns in their game..."


    Loki nodded solemnly. "Exactly. They''ve been one step ahead of us all along. First, they destroyed our base at Rika Zero. Now, they''ve taken our powers and led us here, using us to locate the monitor. But once they get what they want, they won''t need us anymore."


    Trisha swallowed hard, dread settling like a weight in her stomach. "So what''s your n? How do we stop this traitor?"


    Loki''s eyes narrowed. "I have a way to draw them out, to force their hand. But... it''s risky."


    "How risky?" she demanded, a note of fear creeping into her voice.


    "If it fails... we''re all dead," Loki said bluntly.


    **Author''s Note:**


    Hey, dear readers! How''s everyone holding up? Hope you''re buckled in, because things are about to get intense! When I started writing this, I honestly didn''t think the crew would run into this *much* trouble¡ªno powers, underground bases, secret spies? Yeah, they''re pretty much living my worst-case-scenario ythrough of "what could go wrong next."


    Also, if you ever feel like you''re cursed with a suspiciously chaotic friend group, just remember: at least you''re not part of a team *actively* being sabotaged on an alien. Keep those fingers crossed for our gang, and let''s see who''s brave enough to dig in¡ªliterally!

 Chapter 149 I am Thor

    The digging had gone on for more than an hour, and they''d managed to get only about five feet down. Their makeshift tools¡ªanimal bones and scraps of debris¡ªwere poor substitutes for real shovels, and each scrape of earth felt like an eternity. Without their abilities, the task seemed endless. On top of that, two members had to stand guard, so only two pairs of hands wed at the dirt, inch by inch.


    Haze and Andre kept watch, eyes flickering warily across the shadows beyond the pit''s edge, while Josh and Thor dug with every ounce of strength left in their aching bodies.


    "This watch is ridiculous!" Josh growled, gnashing his teeth in frustration as he flung a handful of earth aside. "It doesn''t even tell us how deep we need to dig! My hands feel like they''re about to fall off."


    Thor stayed silent, shoving his makeshift bone shovel deeper into the ground. He knew there was no point in respondingining wouldn''t get them to their goal any faster. Still, after a few minutes, he let out a resigned sigh. "Quit griping and keep digging. Listening to you is like having a pig squealing in my ear."


    Josh stopped, momentarily stunned, before ring back at him. Thor''s words had stung, but the subtle reprimand got him back on track.


    "Talking won''t get this done faster," Thor continued, his voice low but firm. "We''re not getting out of here if we waste time."


    The two fell into a rhythm, punctuated by asional grunts and muttered curses. As they worked, they made small talk to pass the time, trying to keep their minds off the ache in their fingers and the gnawing unease in their stomachs. But before long, that uneasy silence was shattered.


    Andre crashed into the pit without warning, his body tumbling back-first and colliding with Thor with a bone-jarring impact that nearly knocked him to the ground.


    "What the hell?" Thor shoved Andre off, his eyes snapping upward to take in the sight at the edge of the pit.


    Standing over the bleeding form of Haze was a group of humanoid creatures, their figures draped in ragged, battle-worn clothing. They looked almost human, yet their eyes glowed with an otherworldly malice, their mouths filled with rows of jagged fangs. Blood dripped from their ws as they stepped forward, four of them closing in around the pit.


    Thor''s pulse raced as he turned to see Josh lying unmoving nearby, blood seeping from a gash in his side.


    ''How the hell did they take down both of them so fast? These things move like shadows!''


    One of the creatures raised a primitive wooden pipe to its maw, aiming it squarely at Thor. He barely registered the gleam of the red dart before it struck him in the neck, burying itself deep into his flesh. A searing pain erupted, blood bubbling from the wound as he growled, staggering from the force.


    Explore new worlds at empire


    But instead of falling back, he summoned every ounce of defiance within him. His vision blurred, yet he roared and lunged forward, his fist connecting with the closest creature''s face. The impact made it stagger, though not enough to bring it down.


    Thor didn''t waste a second, knowing he was up against impossible odds. The creatures were closing in, their eyes filled with cold, predatory calction as they prepared to finish him off.


    He spread his arms wide, a silent prayer echoing through his mind, ''Please¡­ Mj?lnir¡­''


    But his attackers weren''t about to give him that much time. One of the creaturesunched forward, moving so fast it was nearly a blur. In its wed hand was a rusty, jagged knife, and before Thor could react, it plunged the de into his eye socket.


    A white-hot sh of agony tore through him as he screamed, clutching at the creature''s wrist in a desperate attempt to stop it from driving the de deeper. Blood poured from the ruined eye, his vision reduced to a foggy tunnel.


    The creature snarled and retaliated, its knee smashing into his gut with brutal force. Thor gasped, his whole body vibrating with pain as he staggered back, clutching his stomach.


    "No¡­ I won''t lose¡­ not again¡­ not to anyone!" he growled, blood spewing from his mouth as he steadied himself, locking his gaze onto the advancing creatures.


    He took a shaky breath, a single thought filling his mind like a desperate plea. ''Come to me¡­ Mj?lnir.''


    He raised his head, his one remaining eye zing with defiance, and screamed at the heavens. "Come to me, Mj?lnir!"


    For a second, there was only silence, a mocking stillness. But then, the sky above cracked open, filling with an array of radiant colors as lightning descended like the wrath of the gods. The earth trembled, a blinding sh tearing through the ground, and two of the creatures were reduced to ashes in an instant.


    The remaining two staggered back, dazed, their senses scrambled as they gazed at the smoking pit Thor stood in, a mighty hammer now clutched in his hands. Sparks of lightning danced around him, illuminating the blood-streaked, defiant figure in the middle of the chaos.


    "Thor¡­ Odinson?" one of the creatures stammered, its voice trembling with something between awe and terror. They quickly dropped to their knees, bowing their heads low as if in reverence.


    Thor looked down at them, his eye narrowing. The creatures were d in rusty armor, their grotesque forms hunched as they groveled before him.


    "The god¡­ Thor Odinson?" another creature whispered.


    The murmurs were interrupted by a series of heavy thuds, as more creatures emerged from the shadows, all dropping to their knees, their heads bowed in submission. Dozens¡ªno, hundreds¡ªof these strange beings, d in mismatched armor and wielding crude weapons, bowed to him with an air of fearful reverence.


    "Get up!" Thor bellowed, lightning arcing around him as his grip on Mj?lnir tightened. "I don''t kill those who submit, but that doesn''t mean you''re free of consequences. Stand and face judgment for what you''ve done!"


    The creatures quivered, some flinching at his booming voice, yet none of them rose. One, braver than the rest, finally lifted its head to address him.


    "We¡­ we shall not defy Thor Odinson, son of Odin, ruler of all Nine Realms."


    Thor blinked, confusion flickering across his bloodied face. "Who is this ''Odin''?"


    The question hung in the air, but none of the creatures answered, merely bowing deeper, their heads nearly touching the ground as silence fell over them like a shroud.


    Frustration gnawed at him, and he raised Mj?lnir high, fully prepared to unleash his wrath. But something held him back, a faint glimmer of mercy.


    "Damn you all!" he spat, lowering the hammer. His gaze shifted to his unconsciouspanions lying around the pit, their bodies broken and vulnerable. A pang of urgency red within him.


    "Help¡­ help them," he growled, his voice barely a whisper as thest of his lightning began to flicker out.


    One of the creatures, who appeared to be a leader, barked an order, and a few others hurried to the pit, carefully lifting Josh, Andre, and Haze and tending to their wounds, removing the darts embedded in their flesh.


    After a few tense moments, the leader turned back to Thor. "Shall we take them to our shelter to heal? The air around here is thick with poison."


    Thor nodded slowly. "But first¡­ who''s in charge?"


    The creatures exchanged wary nces before one of them, d in the least tattered armor and exuding a dark, enigmatic presence, stepped forward. His gaze was steady, exuding a confidence that made him stand out from the rest. Bowing his head, he addressed Thor directly.


    "What would you ask of me, my lord?"


    Thor''s gaze hardened, his remaining eye narrowing as he considered his words. "Do you know where the Monitor is?"


    A hush fell over the crowd, and a shiver ran through the gathered creatures. They exchanged anxious looks before the leader spoke again, his voice low. "It has been destroyed¡­ and the weapon it created has gone missing."


    Thor''s pulse spiked. "What do you mean it''s missing? Without that weapon, how are we supposed to defeat the Voidwalkers?"


    The leader''s silence was thick with meaning before he replied, "The Sword of the God of War is in Midgard¡­ with your father. He has stationed us as guardians of the gates."


    Thor''s mind raced. ''My father¡­ in Midgard? But I killed him. This has to be some twisted game.''


    He tightened his grip on Mj?lnir, deciding to y along¡ªfor now. "Then you''ll take us there. I have others who need shelter and rest."


    The leader nodded, his voice steady. "We shall lead you to Midgard, my lord. And we will protect you, as is our duty."

 Chapter 150 Those who Live On another Planet

    After the intense confrontation at the monitor, Thor had made a firm decision: he would lead some of the aliens back to the spaceship, and there, he would exin the events, especially the loss of his eye, to Loki and the others. The journey back was tense, and the air between them crackled with uncertainty.


    Exining everything wasn''t easy. Thor''s battered state and the reverence shown by the aliens toward him seemed unbelievable to the team. Loki, skeptical as ever, refused to follow without a fight. "I''m supposed to believe this tale?" he sneered, his voice cutting through the uneasy silence. But the others, including Ryoma, were more pliable.


    They began to understand the danger they were in after the alien leader warned them about theary defense system.


    "This," the alien leader exined with a dark seriousness, "traps intruders and, within hours, poisons them with its toxic air. No matter how strong you are, the will kill you unless you find shelter."


    This revtion left the group in a grim silence. There was little choice but to abandon the ship and ce their trust in the aliens.


    Trisha, however, remained defiant, refusing to leave. Thor tried to convince her, his frustration building, but her resolve was unbreakable. The aliens, however, appeared to soften upon noticing Axel and Troy. With hushed reverence, they bowed, murmuring among themselves. "They are blessed¡ªcapable of awakening sleeping gods," one of the aliens whispered in awe.


    This subtle gesture of respect shifted Trisha''s resolve, and reluctantly, she joined the others.


    As they moved deeper into the unfamiliar territory, they found themselves at the entrance of a monumental stone gateway. Four towering pirs marked the path to ruins sprawling in the alienndscape, ancient and covered in strange symbols. The sight took their breath away¡ªa massive stone edifice carved with cryptic etchings that pulsed faintly as they approached.


    Here, they encountered more of the alien race, gathered around a massive, blood-red portal.


    "This portal¡­" Andre murmured, his voice a mere whisper. "It looks like the one from Rika''s zone."


    Andre and a few others had woken up during Thor''s attempts to persuade the group, but the venomous atmosphere had weakened them significantly. They appeared frail, their faces pale as they surveyed the portal with a mixture of awe and dread.


    "Indeed," the alien leader nodded, observing their reactions. "This portal is one of ten, each a gateway to one of the Nine Realms. The central one leads directly to Midgard¡ªthe home of your father," he said, casting a respectful nce toward Thor.


    "My¡­ father?" Thor''s brows knit in confusion. "Is he Loki''s father as well?" He turned to Loki, sensing the alien leader''s lingering reverence for his half-brother.


    The alien leader hesitated before answering. "In a way. Loki shares some of Odin''s blood but not the lineage of our queen mother." The subtle suggestion of Loki''s "half-blood" status immediately sparked a sh of anger in Loki''s eyes.


    "Half-blood?" Loki scoffed, his voice dripping with scorn. "I''m no less than any ''full-blood,'' as you call them."


    The alien leader offered no response, instead quickening his pace toward the portal. "I''ve never seen a gathering with so many candidates¡ªespecially one carrying the Infinite Gods System," he said, almost as if in awe. "They say he grows stronger each time he dies, returning more powerful than ever." The statement sent a chill through the group, each of them stealing a nce toward Axel.


    "What''s that supposed to mean?" Loki asked sharply, seizing the opportunity for answers.


    The alien leader shook his head. "I cannot divulge everything, not while mortals are among us," he said, casting a meaningful nce toward those in the group who weren''t deemed "candidates."


    Sarah bristled, visibly irritated. "Hey, we''re living beings too¡ªhigh-ranked ones, at that!"


    But Trisha, lost in her thoughts, seemed unperturbed. Her gaze was fixed solely on Axel, who was being carried on the back of one of the aliens. She muttered softly to herself, her fingers clenching and unclenching as if repeating some silent mantra.


    Atst, they arrived before the towering portal. The alien leader ordered his men to perform several manual adjustments to activate it. Unlike the portal from Rika''s zone, which had opened effortlessly, this one required intricate, careful preparation.


    Momentster, the portal turned from red to a blinding white, illuminating the destendscape around them.


    "It''s ready," the leader said, bowing slightly to Thor. "I will escort you through with a select group of men, and I shall provide guidance upon our arrival. Shall we, Thor Odinson?"


    The group exchanged uneasy nces. Trusting these strangers felt like a gamble, but the stakes were high, and the venomous left them with no alternatives.


    Thor took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Fine. As long as you can help my teammates recover¡ªand provide us with the weapon to destroy the Voidwalkers¡ªthen lead the way."


    Each member of the team swallowed their reservations as they prepared to step into the unknown, crossing the threshold into a new realm, where both hope and treachery awaited.


    **Author''s Note:**


    Hello, dear readers! I hope you enjoyed Chapter 150, as the adventure takes our heroes even deeper into the realms of gods, mysteries, and alien worlds. Writing this chapter was a thrilling experience, and I''m excited to hear your thoughts on where Thor, Loki, Axel, and the team are headed next. With each new portal and discovery, they uncover more of the universe''s secrets¡ªand also its deadly risks.


    Things are only getting more intense, and I can''t wait to reveal the challenges that await them!


    As Halloween approaches, I wanted to take a moment to wish each of you a spooky, exciting, and fun-filled season! Halloween is all about embracing the supernatural, and I hope this chapter added some chills and thrills to your reading. Enjoy the costumes, candy, and haunted moments, and let''s keep the spirit of adventure and mystery alive through each page.


    Thank you, as always, for your support and your passion for this story¡ªit means everything. Have a fantastic Halloween, and stay tuned for more surprises in the chapters toe!


    Happy Halloween! May your night be full of treats... and maybe a few tricks! Find exclusive stories on empire

 Chapter 151 Waking the Sleeper

    "Hey, seriously, Harry! Sleeping on the job!"


    A heavy palm mmed against Harry''s back, jolting him awake with a harsh shudder. Disoriented, he raised his head, ready to snap at whoever disturbed him¡ªuntil he took in his surroundings. Confusion clouded his face, and his anger dissolved into dread as he recognized familiar details: the stale office air, the buzzing of coworkers'' conversations, the blindingly bright lights.


    He was back on Earth¡ªor somewhere eerily like it.


    The manager stood over him, arms crossed, shaking his head with a scowl. "You expect me to pay you on time after cking off like this, idiot? Think again!" With that, the manager stomped off, muttering to himself when he didn''t get a response.


    Harry barely noticed; his mind was whirling. _What is this? Why am I here? I''m supposed to be¡­ gone._ He stared down at his hands, fingers flexing automatically. The skin on his palms was rough, the nails unevenly clipped. He knew these hands, yet something was off.


    "I''m not Harry¡­ No¡­ I''m Teras. I''m Axel Teras!" He mumbled to himself, his voice escting as he looked around. His heart thundered, and his eyes darted to every corner of the office, searching for something¡ªor someone¡ªthat could exin this nightmare.


    But the more he looked, the sharper his surroundings became: the papers piled on his desk, the co-workers minding their business, the smell of stale coffee. It was all too real.


    Abruptly, he pushed himself up, ignoring his manager''s annoyed re as he bolted out of the office. As soon as he burst through the doors into the sunlight, he ran down the street, ignoring honking cars and the stares of pedestrians. He wasn''t sure where he was going, but he couldn''t stop. He had to know¡ªneeded to see the ce where it all started.


    After a few blocks, he found himself at the edge of a busy street, facing a sealed manhole. A wave of memories crashed over him, the image of the darkness swallowing him as he''d plummeted below reying in vivid detail. This was where Axel Teras had died.


    "Why is it sealed?" he whispered. His voice cracked, barely audible. His gaze lingered on the metal cover. _My sister, Trisha¡­ My friends, everyone¡­ It all felt so real._ His knees buckled, and he slumped down right there on the crowded street, drawing curious nces from passersby.


    "So¡­ it was all just a dream," he whispered. He was back to being Harry, just another office drone on Earth. Axel Teras was gone.


    ---


    Reality settled over him like a heavy fog as he returned to the office. Harry mumbled an apology to his manager, who scowled but barely paid him any mind, reducing his sry for the month as punishment. The reprimand was expected, but it did little to shake the despondency creeping into him.


    It felt wrong to be back here, going through the motions of a mundane life after everything he''d been through.


    That evening, as he packed up a small bag of files to bring home, Harry couldn''t shake the feeling of emptiness. _When was thest time I walked home feeling this¡­ alone?_ he wondered. He passed by a street vendor selling ice cream, and for a fleeting moment, he thought of Luxiam''s favorite vor. He reached for his wallet, then stopped.


    "Oh, right¡­" he muttered, a bitter smile forming on his lips. _All those memories were just dreams. Nothing more than figments of my imagination._


    The thought gnawed at him as he walked through the familiar streets, each step heavier than thest. He tried to shake it off, to ept that whatever he''d experienced as Axel Teras was over. But something inside him refused to let go.


    As he turned a corner, he noticed a small crowd gathered in a dark alleyway. Curious¡ªand with nothing better to do¡ªhe edged closer to see what was happening. The scene that met his eyes made his blood boil.


    Four men loomed over a boy, their sneering faces illuminated by a nearby streetlight. The kidy crumpled on the ground, clutching his bruised sides as the bullies kicked him without mercy. A familiar surge of anger shot through Harry.


    Under any other circumstances, he might have walked away. But tonight, he felt that old fire, the same fearlessness that had fueled Axel Teras. He clenched his fists, feeling strength returning to him.


    "You bastards, let the kid go!" he bellowed.


    The bullies looked up, their sneers deepening as they eyed him. One of them, a burly man with a scar down his cheek, stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "Oh? And who''s gonna make us? Some loser office rat?"


    Harry held his ground. "I''ll give you one chance. Walk away. Now."


    Theyughed, and Scarface lunged at him, throwing a wild punch. Harry ducked, his instincts kicking in, honed from battles in another life. As he dodged, he swung back,nding a solid punch to Scarface''s jaw that sent the thug stumbling backward, clutching his face in shock. Discover exclusive content at empire


    "That was your first andst warning," Harry growled. He nced at the other three, who were no longerughing.


    They rushed him all at once, fists and feet flying, but Harry moved with purpose and precision. He dodged, sidestepped, and countered their attacks. His body moved almost on autopilot, muscles remembering the countless battles he''d fought as Axel. With a swift kick, he sent one of the men sprawling, and a well-aimed punch had another staggering back, clutching his gut.


    Thest man hesitated, looking at his fallen friends, and then turned tail, sprinting down the alley without a second thought. Harry stood there, breathing heavily, fists still clenched as he watched him go. For a moment, he felt like Axel Teras again.


    The kid on the ground looked up at him, wide-eyed and trembling. "T-Thank you, mister¡­"


    Harry knelt down, offering a hand. "Are you okay?"


    The boy nodded, tears streaking down his face. "I thought they were gonna¡­ you saved me."


    Harry managed a small smile, helping the kid to his feet. "Get home safe, alright? And don''t let punks like that scare you."


    As the boy ran off, Harry stood alone in the alley, the adrenaline fading. He felt a strange mix of sadness and fulfillment. For just a few moments, he''d tapped back into that strength, that courage he''d found as Axel Teras. But as he stepped back into the quiet streets, the weight of his ordinary life crept in again, smothering the fire he''d felt.


    _Dream or not_, he thought, _maybe there''s still a part of Axel Teras in me._


    With a final nce down the darkened street, Harry turned and walked home. But as he walked, he felt lighter, more purposeful. He may never know why he had woken up here, why he was given a second chance as Harry¡ªbut he knew he would carry Axel''s courage with him, no matter where life took him next.

 Chapter 152 The Crappy Life I Lived once

    Harry peeked nervously through the peephole of his apartment door. Outside, arge, beefy man in a suit stood, fists clenched, his face twisted in anger. Thendlord. He knocked loudly, each strike against the door echoing in the silence of Harry''s bleak apartment.


    "You bastard! Your rent is due!" the man yelled, his voice thick with contempt. "If I don''t get my money by next week, you''re soup! I know you''re in there, so you better listen for your own good, beggar," he spat, his tone dripping with disgust, before finally turning and storming down the corridor.


    Harry waited, holding his breath, until he could no longer hear thendlord''s footsteps. Only then did he cautiously unlock the door and peer into the hallway, confirming the coast was clear. He darted back inside, mming the door shut behind him, pressing his back against it as he exhaled sharply. His heart pounded, the weight of his reality crashing down around him.


    "I can''t believe I''m six months behind on rent," he muttered bitterly to himself. "At this rate, I''ll be kicked out, and my sry¡­ it''s already going to be dyed." The hopelessness weighed heavily on his chest. It was as if he was drowning, trapped beneath the crushing waves of his own despair.


    Harry slumped down to the floor, his legs folding beneath him as he dropped the stack of overdue bills he''d been clutching. They scattered across the floor like the debris of his shattered life. His voice trembled as he muttered, "And as if that''s not enough, my parents¡­ they''re asking me for money too.


    They don''t care that I''m barely surviving¡­ they don''t even know." His throat tightened as he recalled theirst conversation, where his mother had insisted, "Just send what you can; we''re counting on you."


    Burying his face in his hands, he let out a low, strangled groan, his frustration and exhaustion bubbling over. The reality of his life felt like a weight pressing him into the cold, hard floor of his tiny, empty apartment. Every wall was nk, bare of anything that might make the ce feel like a home, and each item he owned was worn and fading, relics of a life he could barely recognize anymore.


    He stood up slowly, stumbling over to his "kitchen," if it could even be called that. Opening the fridge, he found only a small te of half-spoiled meat, a dubious color spreading across its edges. He took it out, staring at it for a long moment, debating if eating it was worth the risk.


    "Guess food poisoning wouldn''t be the worst way to go," he muttered, attempting a hollowugh that felt like a p to his own dignity. He carried the te back to the living room, sitting on the cold floor as he took a few reluctant bites, chewing slowly, the taste almost unbearable.


    It was gone in two bites, leaving him even more unsatisfied. Hey back on the rough carpet, gazing up at the ceiling. The dim, gray light filtered in from a cracked window, barely illuminating the room. Shadows clung to the corners, silent reminders of how empty his life had be.


    His only source of light came from his neighbor''s window, where he could see flickers of warmth that felt alien to his world.


    He let out a weary sigh, his thoughts drifting to happier days, to faces he hadn''t seen in what felt like a lifetime. "If Trisha was here¡­" he whispered to the emptiness, "she''d probably beughing at me, calling me a hopeless mess, but she''d make me something to eat¡­ maybe ramen, or a steak just to spoil me a bit."


    But Trisha wasn''t here. None of them were. They were all gone, the memories of theirughter and friendship distant, like echoes of a dream. The life he once had felt like a fading photograph, and he wondered if it had ever truly existed. He forced himself to smile, even as his chest ached. "It was all fiction, wasn''t it?


    A world where binding exists, aliens, heroes¡­ it was never real."


    Yet, try as he might, he couldn''t forget. That world had left an imprint, like a scar etched into his soul.


    ***


    The rm buzzed the next morning, cutting through the quiet. Harry woke up on the floor, barely able to remember falling asleep. He dragged himself into the bathroom, staring at his reflection in the cracked mirror. Dark circles hung under his eyes, his face haggard, and his hair unkempt. The man staring back at him was a stranger, hollowed out, just a shadow of who he once was.


    He sshed cold water on his face, forcing himself awake, before pulling on his old office shirt, wrinkled but serviceable. His tie was frayed, and his trousers were worn thin, but it was all he had. With no money for transport, he walked the long route to his office, taking detours to avoid familiar faces¡ªpeople he owed money, friends he could no longer look in the eye.


    As he walked, he noticed the early morning bustle of people hurrying to work, their faces filled with purpose, with hope. But for him, every step felt like dragging himself deeper into a pit he could never escape from.


    He reached his workce and took his seat at his desk, theputer screen ring at him with rows of numbers. Work piled up, a mountain of tasks that he was expected to handle withoutint. Yet, as he typed, his fingers seemed to falter, his mind sluggish. Simple tasks that used to be second nature felt foreign, and he struggled to remember even the basics.


    "How¡­ how am I forgetting this?" he muttered, frustration tightening his chest. "I used to be good at this¡­"


    He waved down a passing colleague for help, a woman he barely knew. But as she approached, she rolled her eyes in disdain. "You think I have time to help you? Pathetic," she sneered, brushing past him without a second nce.


    Harry clenched his fists, swallowing the bitter taste of humiliation. "If I wasn''t so useless¡­" he muttered to himself, "I wouldn''t need help from people like her."


    As he sat there, head lowered in frustration, another voice broke the silence.


    "Hey, Harry? Do you need any help?"


    He looked up, surprised. A kind-faced woman stood before him, someone he didn''t recognize. She offered him a gentle smile, her presence like a lifeline in the sea of his despair.


    "Yeah¡­ I could use some help," he replied hesitantly, feeling an unfamiliar warmth settle in his chest as she patiently guided him through the task.


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    Once they finished, she stood, nodding toward a nearby desk. "I sit right over there. Let me know if you need anything else."


    He watched her walk away, wondering why someone would be kind to him, of all people. She seemed familiar somehow, though he couldn''t ce it.


    "Wait," he called after her, offering a small, awkward smile. "I''m Harry, by the way."


    She paused, turning back with an expression he couldn''t quite read. And then, to his shock, she extended her hand with a warmth that felt like a memory.


    "I''m Mrs. Teras," she said softly, "or, as you used to call me¡­ Mum."


    The world seemed to slow, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. Her face shifted, morphing until it wore the features of the woman he''d lost so long ago. Memories flooded back, images ofughter, warmth, and love, all the things he thought he''d buried in the rubble of his past.


    "Mum¡­"

 Chapter 153 The Fates plan

    Harry''s eyes dropped to the floor, his heart pounding with disbelief. Standing before him was his mother¡ªnot just a familiar face, but the mother from his other life, the one he lost in the dream that he had tried to convince himself was merely fiction. But how could that be?


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    "No, it was not a dream, Harry," his mother said softly, as if she could read his thoughts. "You died in that life¡­ again."


    Harry''s head spun. He stumbled backward, struggling to understand. If he had died in that life, then why was he here, living in this shell, as if his old life had been nothing but a cruel fantasy?


    "But, Mum¡­ you died," he stammered, the words nearly choking him. "Why did you have to die?"


    The question sliced through her, and he could see the glisten of tears in her eyes. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around him as if trying to shield him from a truth too painful to bear. Her warmth was both familiar and heartbreaking, and for a moment, it felt as if the world had stopped, holding just the two of them together.


    "I had to, Harry. The Fates demanded it. They told me it was the only way¡­" Her words broke, a fresh wave of pain washing over her.


    The Fates. The ones who twisted lives with merciless precision. But for what purpose? And why was he standing here, alive, while she¡­


    He pulled away from her, his face twisted with confusion and hurt. "What are you saying, Mum? I don''t¡­ I don''t understand." His voice trembled, each word a battle to speak.


    "If I hadn''t died," she exined gently, "you would have continued living in misery here as Harry, struggling on the streets, barely surviving. You would have wasted away, with nothing left for yourself." Her hand came up, softly touching his cheek, but he recoiled, the bitterness rising within him.


    "How can you even recognize me?" he whispered. "I don''t even look like him. I''m not your son¡ªjust a soul that took his ce, just a shell that killed whatever was left of him." His words were a raw edge, exposing the shame he carried deep within. "I love you, but¡­ I don''t belong there anymore."


    His mother''s face fell, but she didn''t turn away. "Then why can''t you move on, Harry? Why can''t you let go?" Her voice was tender yet piercing, an invitation for him to confront his own heart.


    For a moment, he was silent, grappling with the truth he''d buried. She continued, her tone unwavering. "No matter what you look like or where youe from, you are still my son. And Kyota¡­ that world needs you, Harry. Kyota and Earth are under attack. The Fatek have taken the weapon you once searched for, and they''ve subdued the core of every human on Earth.


    No one can resist them anymore. Your friends are on a mission, but they won''t seed without you. You either return as Axel or you stay here, fading away as Harry."


    Harry''s heart clenched, desperation mingling with fear. "How do you know this?" he demanded, as if hoping she''d reveal some logical exnation.


    His mother just smiled, a gentle sadness in her gaze as she brushed a hand across his hair. "My essence is bound to the stars, Harry. I can see more than you realize." She paused, her eyes brimming with both sorrow and pride. "But my time here is almost over. Please¡­ remember to tell Luxiam that I love him, and¡­ your sister, too. Tell her¡­"


    She didn''t finish. In the next instant, the familiar features of his mother''s face melted away, leaving only the kind, but ordinary woman who hade to his aid earlier, her expression unreadable. She gave him a gentle nod, then walked back to her desk, leaving him staring, caught between worlds.


    His heart sank, as the weight of realization fell over him. ''While I''ve been here, dragging myself through this miserable life, my family, my friends¡­ they''ve all been fighting. They''ve all been suffering.'' His fists clenched, guilt wing at him.


    The hours passed in a daze. He shuffled through the workday, his thoughts a chaotic tangle, his mind elsewhere. During the break, he found himself slipping away from the others, climbing up to the rooftop to escape the noise.


    ''How can I go back?'' he thought, pacing back and forth on the edge of the roof. ''The first time, I died. Death was my passage back. But could it really be so simple again?'' He stopped, gazing over the edge, his heart pounding. It was a twenty-story fall. Terrifying, yet a necessary leap into the unknown.


    Every nerve in his body screamed against the idea, cold dread chilling his spine as he looked down. This was different from any danger he''d faced as Axel¡ªthere, he''d had strength, power, but here he was just Harry, vulnerable, frail.


    But then he closed his eyes, summoning the memories that had sustained him. The faces of his friends. Trisha''sughter. Luxiam''s warmth. His sister''s smile, brimming with hope. The life he''d had, the life he was born to lead, was waiting for him.


    All he had to do was take the plunge.


    ''Goodbye, miserable world,'' he thought, a strange calm settling over him. He stepped forward, spreading his arms as if weing the descent. The wind tore past him, a brutal rush, the ground growing closer and closer.


    ''It''s okay,'' he told himself as his vision blurred, the lights below fading in a final embrace.


    St!


    **Author''s note***


    The story gets even moreplicated. I can''t believe Harry chose to die like this, he could have stabbed himself or maybe poison. But he chose to get squashed. Just kidding, thanks for reading.


    I am on a conquest to beg for gifts, any gift is nice especially super gifts. Please just support, even with golden tickets.


    Your support will help the growth of the book and story. thanks.

 Chapter 154 The Nightmare King

    **Chapter 154: Awakened One**


    The air was stale and thick, carrying an unsettling chill that clung to Axel''s skin. Shadows slithered through the darkness, stretching and twisting, creating shapes that teased the mind. The ground beneath him was slick like dark oil, yet surprisingly firm, supporting his steps with an eerie stillness. As Axel took in his surroundings, an ufortable familiarity gnawed at him.


    This world was recognizable as the ce where he first encountered the Dark God¡ªthe being who cursed him with strength that seemed more a burden than a blessing. Yet, something about this ce was profoundly different. An unfamiliar energy pulsed through the air, colder and more foreboding than ever.


    Axel''s instincts red with urgency as he scanned his surroundings, hoping to find some trace of an exit. Each corner seemed to shift, twisting out of reach whenever he tried to focus on it. The entire environment was like a haunted reflection of his past, ying cruel tricks on his senses. *So, where''s the exit out of here?* he wondered, his mind racing.


    But each thought echoed hollowly into the silence, without response.


    A chilling realization set in as he examined himself¡ªhe was in his own body, which, thankfully, suggested he hadn''t drifted too far from his own world. *But what now?* he questioned internally, his eyes narrowing. He reached out with his mind to summon Velerium, his weapon, but nothing happened. No surge of energy, noforting weight in his hand. His powers and his system were both out of reach.


    The silence of his mind only made his heart pound faster. *So I have to figure this part out too,* he mused, gripping his fists as he braced himself against the encroaching dread.


    ***


    Meanwhile, the others were gathered within an alienboratory, a far cry from the sterile and metallic surroundings found on Earth. Thisb was housed within a colossal structure, its orange-painted walls strangely warm to the touch. The floor, though firm, had a cushiony feel that defied logic, creating an odd sensation with each step.


    The air was refreshingly clean, noticeably purer than the atmosphere of any they''d visited before. As Loki, Thor, and the others stood within theb, they couldn''t help but take in their surroundings with awe and apprehension.


    In the center of the roomy Axel''s and Troy''s bodies, carefully ced on two sleek, alien tables connected to advanced machines. Holographic disys hovered over each table, projecting digital outlines of their bodies and showcasing a myriad of detailed diagnostics that flickered across the screens.


    The aliens monitoring the disys exined that both Axel''s and Troy''s consciousnesses were lost, disced in an unknown dimension. Their words hung heavily in the air, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the room.


    "This could take days," one of the alien scientists said, ncing at Loki, who stood nearby with an intense look in his eyes.


    "Let me help," Loki interjected, his voice steady and determined. "I can tap into my abilities to assist in locating their consciousnesses."


    The aliens exchanged wary nces. Though hesitant, they eventually agreed, recognizing Loki''s unique godly status. A peculiar setup was prepared¡ªa metallic chair was positioned between Axel and Troy''s tables, wires branching out from it and connected to various points on the machines. Loki eyed the seat, nerves flickering in his gaze as he mentally prepared for what was toe.


    As he approached, he noticed Thor standing on the other side of the ss wall, his expression calm but resolute, conveying an unspoken confidence in Loki''s capabilities. Loki drew a deep breath, calming his racing thoughts. Just then, the lead scientist approached, holding a stack of papers and adjusting his own whiteb coat. Loki couldn''t help but smirk slightly at the sight.


    *Even aliens wearb coats,* he thought with mild amusement. It was oddly reassuring.


    "When we activate the machine, you must remain seated here and use your powers to locate and retrieve their consciousnesses," the scientist instructed. Loki nodded, and without a word, he took his seat, letting the aliens attach thest of the wires.


    Another alien approached, holding out a white garment. "You''ll need to change into this."


    Loki raised an eyebrow but took the outfit, noting its strange fabric that adjusted to fit him perfectly. *I''m taking this when I leave,* he thought, a glint of mischief in his eyes. He settled into the seat, his hands gripping the armrests as the room filled with a low hum, signaling the machine''s activation.


    "As we begin," the lead scientist spoke over a microphone, his voice reverberating around the room, "prepare yourself. You''ll be transported to the astral dimension where their consciousnesses are adrift. Only you can bring them back."


    Loki felt his heartbeat quicken, nerves prickling as he nodded, signaling his readiness. A loud click resounded through the room, followed by a powerful shock that pulsed through his body, forcing his mind to blur and drift away from the physical ne.


    The scene shifted around him, melting into a dark void before reshaping into a familiar yet hauntingndscape. He recognized it immediately¡ª*the Binding World.* This realm was a ce of ruin and despair, echoing remnants of ancient battles and lost civilizations. Broken pirs and crumbling structures littered the ground, casting long shadows under an unearthly light.


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    Loki took cautious steps, absorbing the eerie silence around him. *It''s like walking through a battlefield frozen in time,* he thought, his senses on high alert.


    He paused, closing his eyes, and began focusing solely on Axel and Troy, letting his mind reach out across the empty void. Slowly, a peculiar sensation blossomed in his chest¡ªa faint tug, almost like a heartbeat in sync with his own. The sensation spread to his fingers, then to his ears, where he could almost hear the shallow, rhythmic breaths of the two he sought.


    Focusing on the sound, Loki moved forward, feeling the pull intensify with each step, his heart pounding with anticipation and the fear of losing them if he lost focus.


    As moments stretched into what felt like eternity, Loki''s resolve only hardened. Hours blended into days, and days into months within the timeless space of the astral realm. Yet he persevered, finally rewarded with a pulse of energy that shook the very air around him. The shadows beside him swirled violently, and then, in a sh of light, two figures began to materialize.


    Axel appeared sprawled on the ground, his hair and beard now grown long, and beside him, Troy knelt with an equally worn and haggard look. Loki let out a breath he hadn''t realized he''d been holding. He crouched down beside Axel, concern etched on his face.


    "Axel," he spoke, his voice soft but firm. "Are you alright?"


    Axel groaned, his muscles protesting as he moved, joints cracking audibly. "It felt like¡­ a hundred years in that darkness," he murmured, blinking to clear his dazed vision. "But yeah¡­ I''m fine."


    Loki''s gaze shifted to Troy, who managed a weak thumbs-up, his eyes clouded but determined. Relieved, Loki''s lips curved into a slight smile. He had feared that the astral world''s effect would have fractured their minds, but they seemed to have retained their sanity¡ªif only barely.


    "Axel, listen to me," Loki continued, his voice taking on a serious tone. "I can bring you both back, but I need your cooperation first. There''s something we need to address¡­ something I believe will help us uncover a traitor among us."


    Axel''s eyes narrowed, instantly picking up on the gravity in Loki''s tone. He could sense the urgency underlying the words, the weight of a n that had been carefully thought out. Yet confusion lingered. "A traitor? What are you talking about?"


    Loki leaned in, his gaze intense. "I need you to cast a nightmare¡ªa powerful one¡ªover everyone once we return. I''ll handle the rest. This will help us flush out the traitor."


    Axel hesitated, an uneasy feeling twisting in his gut. *A nightmare? On everyone?* The idea was unsettling, but Loki''s expression brooked no argument. His friend''s usual lighthearted demeanor was reced by a dark resolve that left no room for doubt.


    "Will you trust me?" Loki asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the plea hidden in his eyes.


    Axel took a deep breath, the weight of the request settling heavily on him. But he understood the stakes; if a traitor truly lurked among them, this was a chance to expose them. "Fine," he replied, his tone resolute. "I''ll do it. Just¡­ make sure we''re ready for whatever happens. And don''t hurt Trisha."


    ***Author''s note***


    Came back to beg for castle. It''s not my fault, a lot has been happening and I need a castle to grow in Webnovel. It''s not easy to write please support with any gift you can. Also happy New month. Hope you''ll e hoy this month more than thest month and also, don''t forget me in all that enjoyment.


    "Gift me! Gift the Author."

 Chapter 155 god of Mischieve that sits on a Velvet throne

    In the dimly lit, sterile room, the hunters were gathered, anxiously watching the wires and screens connecting Loki to the machines that monitored Axel and Troy. The alien technology hummed, projecting intricate readings of each figure''s vitals. Trisha stood with her hand over her heart, lips pressed together, clinging to a fragile hope. She despised feeling helpless, yet now, with Axel''s and Troy''s consciousnesses adrift in unknown realms, she had no choice.


    "Bring them back, Loki... Please," she whispered under her breath, trying to hold onto optimism.


    Beside her, Thor stood, arms crossed, his usual calm yet unyielding demeanor casting a quiet confidence. Hisck of concern gnawed at Trisha. She finally broke the silence, voicing her frustration.


    "Are you not worried at all, Thor? What if they don''t make it back?"


    Thor gave her a wry smile. "Worrying isn''t in my nature. I believe in Loki, and I believe in my strength. You learn not to fear when you''re certain you have the power to face whateveres."


    It was his odd philosophy, yet something about it seemed unwavering. Perhaps there was wisdom there, but Trisha couldn''t shake the tension that had been strangling her since Axel disappeared. She nced at the others in the room, each bearing expressions of restrained worry. Their strength made her wonder if she, too, should try to let go of her fear.


    But just as she inhaled to steady herself, a strange shift overtook the room. The sterileb environment dissolved, and in its ce appeared a vast, white expanse. It was as though the walls had melted away, leaving them stranded in a boundless, ethereal void. The hunters looked around in confusion and dread.


    "What the hell is going on?" Haze shouted, his voice bouncing back from nowhere.


    "We can''t even get a moment''s peace! This is madness!" Another hunter muttered, fists clenched as if preparing for an invisible enemy.


    "This is no normal attack... If I find who''s behind this, they''re dead," Andre growled, the menace in his tone underscored by a nervous edge.


    Their threats and anger dissipated into the empty, white air. The tension rose as they stood in eerie silence, unable toprehend what they were facing. Then, without warning, memories flooded each of their minds¡ªa deluge of fears, twisted and amplified, dragged from the darkest corners of their psyches.


    Each hunter found themselves living out their deepest nightmare, scenes so vivid and horrifying that they each struggled to separate reality from illusion. Trisha saw her brother, lifeless and abandoned. Sarah found herself alone in a field of corpses, her family among them. Josh was trapped in his own mind, every failure magnified andid bare. They blinked, and just as suddenly, the visions were gone, yet the aftershock lingered.


    Thor, Josh, Andre, and Haze were the only ones able to stand, their faces drained, hands shaking, but they kept control. Meanwhile, Trisha, Sarah, and Williams were on their knees, gasping for breath, horror painted across their faces. Their mental fortitude had been shattered.


    "What... what was that?" Sarah muttered, clutching her stomach as though trying to hold down her own panic.


    "Nightmares, brought to life. They''re using fear to weaken us," Thor said, his voice steady but taut with tension. He looked at Josh, who met his gaze with a solemn nod.


    A voice echoed, low and menacing, rumbling from every corner of the white void, sending chills through the hunters.


    "Fear," it began, "is the greatest weapon. It shatters resolve, rips open wounds, and leaves the mind bare, vulnerable... ready for the taking."


    Thor clenched his fists. There was something disturbingly familiar about this ability. It reminded him of Axel''s powers. But Axel was still unconscious, wasn''t he? Or was someone else now wielding his abilities in his absence?


    As he was lost in thought, the air shimmered before them, forming into a dark podium. Upon it, arge, ornate throne appeared, and in it sat a figure. He leaned backfortably, a malicious grin splitting his face.


    "Did you think you were safe here? Did you think a team of hunters could resist fear itself?" The voice boomed from the figure on the throne, its tone mocking and dripping with cruelty.


    Trisha''s eyes widened. "Loki?"


    The man in the throneughed, the sound sharp and grating. "Yes, dear Trisha. But not the Loki you know. This is a different side of me. One you''ve never seen¡ªthe Loki who delights in chaos, in stripping brave souls down to quivering shadows of their former selves."


    Thor narrowed his eyes. "What is this? A sick joke?"


    Loki leaned forward, his eyes glinting with an unsettling intensity. "Not a joke. Think of it as... a demonstration. After all, what''s the god of mischief without a little mayhem?"


    The room felt colder, the air thick with an oppressive weight as Loki''s smile widened. "I''ve brought you here to test you, to see if your spirits can withstand the nightmares lurking in your own minds. But don''t worry... we''re just getting started."


    A murmur of dread ran through the group as the white void around them shifted again. This time, each hunter found themselves isted, each in their own nightmare.


    ***Author''s note***


    Came back to beg for castle, Spacecraft and maybe golden gachapon.


    It''s not my fault, a lot has been happening and I need a castle to grow on Webnovel. It''s not easy to write please support with any gift you can, also any little that can be contributed will still be appreciated with open hands. Stay updated via empire


    Happy New month. Hope you''ll enjoyest month enough and are looking forward to enjoying this month more than thest and also, don''t forget me in all that enjoyment. I''m also human too, so I have wants and needs, but just keep on enjoying yourselves, I''m sure you''ll be blessed enough to throw in three magic castles for fun soon enough.


    "Gift me! Gift the Author."

 Chapter 156 The Shadow Lord Returns

    In the cold, sterile whiteness of the vast space, a suffocating silence filled the air. Tension prickled and swelled between the figures as they stood, disoriented, all too aware of Loki perched on a grand, dark throne ahead. His eyes bored into each of them, holding a glint of malice barely masked beneath a sardonic grin.


    Williams, teeth clenched, broke the silence, unable to contain the fury boiling within him. "What''s the meaning of this, you bastard?!" he spat, fists tightening as he stormed forward, his every step weighed with rage. But just as he closed the distance, he was jerked to a halt, his legs suddenly locked in ce as if seized by invisible chains. Confusion shed across his face, and he looked down, horror dawning in his eyes as he noticed a jagged rod, ck and rusted, stabbed through his abdomen, its twisted metal cruelly embedded deep within his flesh.


    "Arrgh!" he choked, his hands instinctively clutching at the rod, blood beginning to seep through his fingers. His breathing grewbored, each exhale a pained rasp. "Damn it!"


    Behind him, more screams filled the air. Williams turned his head, jaw clenched against the agony, and saw the others in simr states of distress. Each of them had been impaled by rods, the metal spikes jutting obscenely from their torsos, gleaming wetly with their blood. The pain was unmistakably real, tearing through their bodies in waves, each pulse of agony deepening the horror in their eyes.


    "See what happens," Loki''s voice cut through the chaos, a mocking lilt in his tone, "when you attempt something I never sanctioned? Wait for mymand next time, or I''ll make you suffer worse."


    Trisha staggered forward, trembling, her face pale and contorted in a mixture of fear and anger. "Why¡­ why are you doing this?" she whispered, though her voice was barely steady. But her defiance was rewarded with a silent, dark sneer from Loki. The rod in her gut twisted sharply, digging further into her abdomen until it burst through her back with a sickening crunch of bone and muscle, sttering blood onto the cold white floor. Her scream was agonizingly raw, her knees buckling as she copsed, her body wracked with pain. Discover more content at empire


    Josh, standing beside her, balled his fists, his gaze burning with hatred. "When I get to you, I swear, I''ll kill you, you¡ª" His threat was cut off, his words dissolving into a strangled scream as his rod plunged deeper, tearing through muscle and sinew. He doubled over, his hands wing at the air, his body spasming under the relentless torture. Blood dribbled from his lips as he struggled to stay standing, every breath a fight against the merciless agony.


    "Do be quiet," Loki sneered, waving a dismissive hand. His eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction as he watched them writhe, feeding on their anguish. Then, his gaze sharpened, and with a casual flick of his wrist, the white void began to shift, dissolving around them, slowly transforming into a new, chilling scene.


    The pristine, colorless space around them shattered, reced by a fragmented vision¡ªa glimpse into Sarah''s past. It was her memory, stark and vivid, as if plucked from her mind and disyed for all to see. A suffocating dread filled her as she recognized the familiar scenes unfolding around them.


    "What¡­ what are you doing?" she stammered, horrified. "These are my memories! You don''t have the right to invade them like this! Stop it!"


    Her plea was ignored. Loki smirked, savoring her desperation. "Oh, but that''s precisely the point, Sarah. Let''s see all your dirty little secrets, shall we?"


    The scenes shifted rapidly, snapshots of Sarah''s life shing by, each one more damning than thest. Her deeds, the choices she had buried deep, the dark paths she had walked¡ªall of themid bare. The group watched in appalled silence as the memories painted a portrait of a woman driven by selfish motives, of cruelties inflicted without remorse, of actions unredeemed by any noble purpose. As each memory unraveled, Sarah''s proud, defiant posture shriveled into one of shame. Her shoulders hunched, her head bowed, the arrogance she once wielded so effortlessly stripped away. Her lips parted, but no words came¡ªno defense, no denial. She wasid bare, vulnerable and humiliated.


    After what felt like an eternity, Loki finally pulled them from her mind, leaving Sarah standing there, hollow and broken. Loki''s grin widened as he turned his gaze to Williams, his eyes alight with a new, sadistic excitement.


    "I''d love to do you next," Loki drawled, his voice slick with amusement, "but I think our little spy deserves a proper introduction first. Isn''t that right, spy?"


    Williams''s heart hammered in his chest, fear prickling his skin. He staggered back, eyes darting to the others, confusion and panic gripping him. "No¡­ no, I''m not the¡ª" His words were cut off by a searing pain as the rod in his gut wrenched deeper. He let out a strangled cry, doubling over as the blood poured from his wound.


    "Oh, don''t worry. Since you''re so eager, we''ll see through *all* the spy''s memories." Loki smirked, lifting a hand.


    The scene around them shifted once more, this time plunging them into a decrepit shack. A thick stench of decay hung in the air, mingling with the cries of terrified children huddled in filthy cages. The sight was sickening¡ªa haunting portrait of human depravity. One by one, the children''s faces turned toward them, hollow eyes staring into nothing, their lives already broken.


    A collective sense of horror filled the group as they realized they were seeing the memories of someone among them. This was no mere mistake or past wrongdoing. This was intentional evil¡ªactions taken without conscience or remorse, engineered to create suffering. The memory shed forward, revealing the familiar face of Haze, who had orchestrated everything. The destruction of Rika Zero, the betrayals to the Void Walkers, the alliances with the Fatek¡ªall of it led back to her.


    As the final images faded, the group stared at Haze in stunned silence, each of them piecing together the realization that she was not only their betrayer but a force of destruction responsible for so much of their suffering. Haze stood in the center, her lips curling into a grin, unrepentant, her eyes glinting with malice. She threw her head back andughed, a sound so wild and discordant it wed at their minds.


    "Now you know," she hissed, herughter subsiding into a twisted smirk. "Surprised? I''ve been pulling your strings this entire time! Haze¡­ Noel¡­ Dawning Blood. Does it matter? Let''s get serious now, shall we?" She raised her hands to her face, covering it before spreading her arms wide, her grin widening as she stared them down. "Who''s dying first?"


    From the throne, a deep, furious voice cut through the air¡ªnot Loki''s, but that of two figures who appeared beside him, faces twisted with rage. One of them stepped forward, his fists clenched tightly, his knuckles white.


    "Enough of this," Axel growled, his voice low and trembling with barely restrained fury. His gaze locked onto Haze with a deadly intensity, his body poised, every muscle tensed like a coiled spring. He spoke, his voice a growl, "You¡­ I''m going to kill you, you bloody murderer."


    The room shuddered with the weight of his threat, the cold walls seeming to press in around them as the final, fatal standoff began.

 Chapter 157 The Shadow Lord Returns

    Theb''s cold, sterile light sliced through the thick darkness as each member of the group struggled to transition back from the nightmarish realm. Their bodies felt heavy and sluggish, the process slower and more jarring than usual, as if the shadows themselves resisted letting them go. One by one, they blinked into focus, their breaths sharp andbored, feeling the weight of reality settle back on their shoulders. When they finally looked up, they were greeted by an unexpected sight¡ªthe wide, concerned eyes of the aliens hovering around them.


    "Are you all right?" one alien in a whiteb coat asked, his voice wavering.


    "What''s going on?" another alien demanded, their tentacles twitching anxiously.


    "It¡­ it looks like they''re back¡­" muttered a third, his voice low but strained.


    None of the humans acknowledged the aliens'' questions. Instead, their focus drifted to one figure in the room¡ªa figure whose twisted smile and outstretched arms radiated a chilling, otherworldly aura. Haze''s lips stretched unnaturally wide, her smile curving almost 180 degrees, her eyes gleaming with an unnatural, sickly light that made their stomachs churn. She spread her arms in a mockingly weing gesture, her fingers syed wide as a dark, nauseating energy pulsed from her like waves off a diseased heart.


    Williams staggered back, pressing against the wall, his eyes wide with shock. *How is she able to use her powers here?* Theb had supposedly nullified their abilities, but somehow, Haze was an exception. Only Thor and Loki had previously managed to activate their powers, but Haze was now exuding an aura so strong it felt like it was suffocating the room itself.


    "All of you freaking aliens, get out of here!" Josh Roark''s voice cut through the tension like a sharp de. He didn''t wait for a response, his voice growing louder and more urgent. "GET OUT! SHE''S GONNA ATTACK!"


    The aliens froze, exchanging confused nces. They hesitated, unsure whether to heed Josh''s warning or remain in stunned disbelief. But Josh''s next shout came out even more desperate, almost a plea, "Get the hell out of here!"


    This time, his urgency finally broke through their stupor, and they scrambled for the door. The sound of their hurried footsteps filled the room as they made for the narrow exit, pushing against each other in a chaotic rush to escape. But it was already toote.


    One of the aliens, a slender figure in a white coat, stumbled as he brushed too close to Haze. For a brief moment, his face contorted with confusion as he felt an odd, floating sensation. Then, with a sickening realization, he understood. His head spun freely, separating from his body and plummeting to the ground with a dull thud. A stter of green blood sprayed across theb floor, the metallic tang of alien blood mingling with the stench of terror.


    Hazeughed, her voice dripping with a manic glee that sent shivers through the room. "Now, who''s next?" she purred, her gaze sweeping over the remaining aliens. She stretched out her hand, and the fallen alien''s blood seemed to respond to her will, twisting and hardening in midair into a massive, jagged spear. With a flick of her wrist, sheunched the spear toward the fleeing aliens, herughter echoing off the walls.


    The remaining aliens nced back, horror etched into their faces as they took in the sight of their fallenrade and the deadly spear racing toward them. In their panic, they crowded the doorway, a mass of limbs and terrified faces, desperately squeezing through the narrow exit. But the bottleneck slowed them, and the spear was almost upon them.


    Just as the spear was about to pierce the first alien, it shattered against a sudden barrier¡ªan icy wall that glistened under the harshb lights, blocking the spear''s deadly path. The aliens stared in stunned relief as they realized they''d narrowly escaped death, thanks to Josh, who stood with his right hand extended, his powers finally activated.


    "So, you''ve decided to y hero?" Haze sneered, her eyes narrowing as she turned her focus to Josh. "I''ve always wanted to see what you''re capable of."


    Josh''s chest heaved with the weight of what he''d just managed to do. "I only just figured out how to use my powers here," he admitted, his voice steady despite the fear churning in his gut. "But this isn''t my battle to fight¡­ It''s his."


    As if on cue, the ss wall behind them shattered, the shards exploding outward in a shower of gleaming fragments. Axel stepped through the debris, his body cloaked in a dark, ominous aura that seemed to pulse with barely-contained rage. Shadows swirled around him, cloaking his form in an almost tangible darkness.


    "Oh, Axel," Haze''s tone was mocking, her gaze yful as she took in his dark transformation. "How delightful to see you alive and well."


    Axel''s gaze was cold, his eyes scanning each of hispanions until theynded on Haze. His voice was low and filled with menace. "I''ll ask this once before I kill you: how many clones do you possess?"


    Haze tilted her head, feigning a pout. "You want me to count? Let''s just say¡­ more than you could kill in a lifetime. Maybe ten, maybe a hundred¡­ perhaps even a thousand. We''ve evolved, Axel. We''re a race of our own now, far beyond what you couldprehend."


    Axel''s jaw clenched, his gaze dropping to the floor, as if contemting his next move. When he looked back up, his eyes were filled with a steely determination. "Then I''ll destroy everyst one of you. I''ll make you pay for everything you''ve done to my family¡­ and my friends."


    Haze''sughter filled the room, loud and unhinged, her hands clutching her sides as though the thought genuinely amused her. "Oh, Axel, you think you have a chance?" Her voice dropped to a low, venomous hiss. "Back on Earth, everyone''s lost their abilities. The Fateks have taken over, and your loved ones are¡­ well, let''s just say they''re at my mercy. Your sister, Luxiam, the double-awakened kids, and that little bitch Hera¡ªI''ll kill them all, one by one. And there''ll be nothing you can do about it."


    ***Author''s note***


    Thank you for reading. Please send golden tickets, power stones,ments and reviews to the book. Please. Support as it is very needed.

 Chapter 158 The Shadow Lord returns

    Axel''s shadowy aura thickened, swirling around him like a dark storm, suffused with a bloodlust so intense that even the air seemed to shudder. His expression remained hardened, defiant, and resolute. "Do you think I''d leave my sister without protection?" His voice was cold, each word slicing through the tension.


    Haze''s eyes widened. "Protection?" she whispered, her voice barely more than a hiss. Her shock quickly turned to a derisiveugh. "What? A single soldier? A guard? Do you think that would stop even one of my clones?" She scoffed, reassured by her own perceived dominance.


    Axel''s smirk was razor-sharp, lethal. "No. I left her with an army."


    A wave of shock rippled through the room. Haze''s amusement was reced with disbelief, and the spectators froze, breath caught in their throats. *An entire army?* Josh, who had been watching with a mixture of confusion and fascination, felt a prickle of dread. But the answer to his silent question soon came in the form of three towering figures emerging from Axel''s shadow, summoned by his power.


    The first was Mane, the monstrous Kaiju King, his towering frame exuding a primal ferocity. His hulking, scaled form pulsed with energy, sharp teeth bared as if in anticipation of theing fight.


    The second figure was Tank, a Fatek boss, whose massive build was armored in bone and steel. His piercing gaze held an intense focus, and a massive sword hung ready in his grip.


    Thest was the Metal Jaw Titan, a behemoth of both muscle and metal, whose jaws gleamed menacingly with razor-sharp teeth that looked capable of ripping through steel.


    The silence in the room shattered as Axel spoke again, voice as calm as a predator''s heartbeat. "Now¡­ let''s begin."


    In a sh, Axel and his summoned generalsunched forward with a speed that defiedprehension, their forms blurring into shadows and movement. Mane reached Haze first, his colossal fist swinging forward in a crushing blow. She barely had time to react before the punch connected with the bridge of her nose, the impact creating a sickening crunch that echoed through the chamber. Haze''s body was flung through a reinforced wall like a bullet, leaving a jagged hole in her wake.


    Axel paused at the edge of the newly-formed gap, his gaze coldly appraising the shattered wall. It was too narrow for his liking. Casually, he ced a hand on its edge, and in an instant, the entire wall disintegrated into a fine dust, the stone crumbling as if touched by decay itself.


    [**Deceased Touch activated**]


    A smirk touched Axel''s lips as he stepped through the cloud of dust, his eyes finding Haze''s disoriented figure on the far side of the room. She coughed, dazed, blood trickling from her nose. But when she raised her head, her expression held not fear, but an unsettling determination. Her bones cracked and twisted, her skin darkening as sharp, metallic tendrils burst from her back like grotesque wings. Her entire form shimmered, taking on a demonic aspect, her skin as ck and reflective as polished onyx.


    "Four against one?" she sneered, her voiceyered with bitter amusement. "Really, Axel? You think some summons can stop me? What, does the SS-rank title make you cocky?"


    "Break every bone in her body," Axel ordered, his tone as chilling as death. He added, voice low, "I''ll kill her when you''re done."


    In a coordinated burst, the three generals surged forward. Their hulking frames cast shadows across the room, and each step seemed to vibrate the ground itself. Troy, watching the terrifying spectacle, blinked in shock. "He¡­ he can use necromancy now? His own army?" he whispered in disbelief. "Is he¡­ is he a god?"


    Beside him, Loki could barely keep his gaze on the chaotic scene. "He''s not like us, Troy. He''s evolved beyond anything we could imagine. Axel is in a league of his own now," he muttered, voice tinged with awe.


    Loki turned to Thor, a sharp urgency in his tone. "We need to get this battle off this. Thor, alert Midgard¡ªthey have to know the scale of what''s happening here."


    "Are you insane?" Thor shot back, hesitation flickering across his face. "If Midgard intervenes, this could turn into a gctic incident."


    "Trust me, Thor. If we don''t, this battle could devastate everything in its wake." Reluctantly, Thor nodded, racing from the room with a grim determination.


    Back on the battlefield, Haze staggered as the shadow generals advanced, their hulking figures closing in. She twisted just in time to see Titan''s fist swinging down in a devastating arc. With lightning reflexes, her tentacles coiled through the air, wrapping around his massive fist to halt the blow barely inches from her skull.


    But she barely had a moment to breathe as Tank charged her from the side, his colossal sword aimed directly at her abdomen. She let out a hiss of pain as the de sliced through her side, her dark blood spilling onto the floor. Clenching her jaw, she grabbed Tank''s wrist, twisting with enough force to hear the bones crack under her grip.


    Just as she spun around, her gaze fell upon Mane, his maw already open and glowing with a searing blue energy. She was trapped. The only choice was to tilt her head just enough to avoid the full brunt of the attack, but even that didn''t spare her entirely. The beam struck her cheek, scorching the entire side of her face.


    A scream tore from her lips, raw and guttural. Pain radiated from the wound, half of her face a burned and ckened ruin. Her breath came in ragged gasps, each oneden with fury.


    A low, mocking chuckle slipped from Axel''s lips. "You''re already in pieces," he sneered, a cold dagger materializing in his grip. "And I haven''t even started with you."


    ***Author''s Talk***


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